#I have a feeling max would purposely throw his phone on the ground. or set it on fire

[artfartt]

Three two-panel comics? Yeah that’s totally normal 👍

[dumbass-tumbler-cryptid]

What if Quaritch tried as a last resort to regain custody and miraculously succeeded when Spider was 15? It's very, very unrealistic, but let's assume that if there was a change of judge or he would be able to bribe someone. So he has legal custody, he can live with his son legally and not cut off from the world. How would everything go then? How would Spider react if he suddenly found out that after so many years of running away he was going to live with his father, what would their relationship be like then?

Oh I’ve got ideas for this so this is going to be a long one. It became a whole au in my head.

So for starters i don’t think Quaritch getting custody back would be unrealistic. If you read the last chapter of cabin Quaritch showed Spider that his court ordered therapist was Max Patel. That would be a huge conflict of interest so with a good lawyer Quaritch could bring that to court and demand a re trial with a new judge.

I’ll change the Cabin timeline a little and say Spider was 14 when he started living with the Sully’s. He’s about to turn 15 when surprise the court gives his father back full custody. Spider tells the judge flat out he doesn’t want to live with him but the judge doesn’t care. The judge views what happened to Quaritch years ago as a miscarriage of justice that he is now correcting.

On moving day Spider runs away. Quaritch calls the cops on him to bring him to his new home. It’s definitely not a great start. His eyes are red and there’s dried tears on his face but Spider glares daggers at him no matter what Quaritch does and never says a word. That’s generally how things go every day for weeks, even on Spider’s birthday when Quaritch tried to throw him a party. Spider just looked at the set up and walked out, hiding in his room to FaceTime with Kiri and Lo’ak.

Quaritch refuses to call Spider by his chosen name and Spider refuses to call him dad. Spider ignores Quaritch if he calls him Miles or Junior. Quaritch does the same when Spider calls him old man. Spider used to call him a fucking bastard ass old man but that got him grounded, so Spider stopped. He didn’t want to be forced to stay in that house any longer then he had to.

Luckily for Spider he didn’t have to change schools in the middle of the year. Neytiri raised hell to get him enrolled in the same private school as the Sully’s and he loves it there. Coincidently it’s the exact school Quaritch would have sent him to if given a choice so he approves. Unfortunately their house is to far out for a bus to pick him up so Spider’s old man has to drop him off and pick him up everyday. Quaritch purposely tries to embarrass him by shouting “bye son I love you!” Spider slams the door and yells “I fucking hate you get out of here!”

Spider’s first week of school after moving in with his dad, he decided to fuck with Quaritch by not telling him about his after school clubs. After ten minutes of waiting Quaritch started to blow up Spider’s phone with calls and texts. Spider had his phone on silent and didn’t even notice. After another ten minutes Quaritch stormed into the school shouting Spider’s given name through the halls for everyone to hear. Spider pops out of the art room looking mortified. “What are you doing.” Quaritch who was terrified answers, “lookin’ for you a ‘course! Y’a couldn’t have told me you were in a club! Y’a didn’t answer your phone. I was worried sick!” The worse part for Spider wasn’t that he got yelled at in front of his classmates. It was that he could tell just how concerned his father had been over him and it makes him feel incredibly guilty. After that Spider always tells Quaritch about his after school activities.

Months go by. Spider slightly warms up to his dad but he’s still super standoffish. He goes over to the Sully’s house every chance he gets. Quaritch hates it. He won’t let Spider spend the night there or even eat dinner with the Sully’s because of how jealous he is. And Spider gets so angry every time Quaritch shows up to collect him, fighting to stay, arguing all the way home, running off to his room slamming the door behind him. It makes Quaritch think that maybe - it’s time they move.

Quaritch asks Spider, “what do y’a think of taken a little road trip this summer? We could get a camper van. go to all the national parks, see some big landmarks..

“I’m good.” Spider doesn’t want to spend his summer locked in a van with his father far away from the Sullys.

“Well too damn bad then ‘cause that’s what we’re doin’.” It’s a huge fight between them for weeks. Spider runs off the day he gets home and sees their shiny new camper van in the driveway. Quaritch hunts him down dragging him back kicking and screaming. Spider refuses to pack as their departure date draws closer. Quaritch does it all for him while he’s at school with Spider coming home to a near empty room, a room so empty it looked like they were moving completely and not just going on vacation. Spider brushes it off as one of his father’s punishments.

Spider is told that they’ll be leaving a few days after school lets out. So he’s completely shocked to see his father waiting for him in their usual pick up spot, driving the camper van. “You told me we were leaving in a few days!” Quaritch just shrugs, “I did. But then I got to thinkin’ what are we waitin’ for! We hit the road now we can be across state lines by dinner.” “But the Sully’s are having a party to celebrate the end of the semester! Grandma Mo’at finally back and I haven’t gotten to see her yet, and I haven’t even said goodbye to my friends!” Quaritch waves him off, “that’s what phones are for. Now get in before I put you in.”

The trip starts off very tense. Spider won’t speak to him at all, but he will have very pointed very loud phone conversations with Kiri and Lo’ak just trash talking Quaritch the entire time. Quaritch turns his dad rock up as high as the stereo will go, making Spider have to shout. When they finally stop for the night they have a quiet agitated dinner outside. Spider is so tired from it all that he’s falling asleep sitting up. Quaritch takes the opportunity to swipe his phone. After Spider goes to bed Quaritch chucks it in the river. Spider notices it’s gone when he wakes up the next morning. Unfortunately for him Quaritch had already been driving for hours. “I can’t find my phone. I think I dropped it outside last night.” “Well what do y’a want me to do about it?” “Turn around!” “Pff, i’m not wastin’ time ‘cause your irresponsible. Now sit down and go eat breakfast or something.”

Spider is pissed but at least he has his laptop he thinks as he starts looking through his stuff. Only to not find it anywhere. “Where’s my laptop.” “How should I know.” “You packed all my shit!” “Yeah well if y’a wanted it so badly y’a should have packed it yourself!” Quaritch in fact left his laptop behind on purpose. Now Spider has no way of contacting the Sully’s.

Spider tries his best to act like he’s completely miserable, but he can’t pretend for long. He hates to admit it but him and his dad have similar ideas of fun, spending days camping and exploring national parks, doing things like zip lining, and exploring caves. They do more touristy things too, like visiting museums (Quaritch loves history museums while Spider prefers art museums) and major landmarks (though they both agree to go early as possible to avoid the crowds at all cost). Early on Spider gets the idea to send the Sully’s postcards so they at least know he’s okay. He has to sneak away from Quaritch to mail them but luckily public mailboxs are pretty easy to come by. It helps him feel better about everything and gradually he actually starts to bond with his dad to the point where it starts to feel like they’re a completely normal father and son.

The summer starts to draw to an end. Spider has been happy with his dad but he’s eager to get home and see the Sully’s. He misses them so much. Plus traveling is exhausting. He can’t wait to sleep in a bed that doesn’t change states ever few days. Spider expects that they’ll turn around soon because they keep going west when they live on the east coast. He’s about to question Quaritch about it when they reach Wyoming. Nothing interesting is in Wyoming so why are they here? They pass by nothing but farmland for hours until finally they pull off the road eventually coming to a small farm. It looks really nice, rustic and inviting. When they stop a bald man, who Quaritch introduces as Spider’s uncle Lyle, greats them at the door along with a boarder collie that races right up to Spider jumping all over him in excitement. Spider instantly loves the pup who he’s told is named Cupcake.

Lyle gives them the grand tour. The farm grows tons of different fruits and vegetables. There a dairy cow grazing in a field, chickens scurrying about in a large fenced in patch of grass, two horses - a father and his son - chilling in the barn, and a barn cat that catches mice. Spider also instantly falls in love with the cat picking him up and cradling him. Spider likes the farm a lot. It’s peaceful. At dinner Spider says, “this is a really nice place Lyle.” “Glad you like.” He says smirking. “By the way cap, I’m gonna head out at five tomorrow morning. I want to get back home in time for my daughter’s first day of school.” Spider gives him a questioning look, “isn’t this your home?” Lyle laughs in his face, “no it’s your home.” He might as well have slapped him. He turns to Quaritch, “what is he talking about?”

Quaritch sighs, “I got a job offer.” “What do you need a job for! I thought you were fucking loaded from all the settlement money the courts gave you!” “I am. But do y’a know how boring it is being a stay at home dad…”. “Oh boohoo get a job as a Walmart greeter like all the other retirees. You fucking planned this all summer - hell before that even, and you never thought to tell me!” “Hell no! I wanted us to enjoy our summer together..” “fuck you! This..this is fucking kidnapping.” “Pff..stop being so dramatic. We just moved that’s all.” “And you fucking lied about it!” Spider runs from the table not able to stand the sight of his father any longer.

Days later when Quaritch finally catches Spider as he’s trying to sneak down to the kitchen, he explains what going to happen. He was offered a job (a lie. He applied for it) as vice principal at Mercer’s Military Academy. It’s a semi-boarding school twenty minutes away. And Spider’s the school’s newest student. He flips his shit, “a fucking military academy! Why can’t I just go to the nearest public school!” “Because it’s an hour and half away! Plus you get free tuition as my son.” “I’m not fucking going.” “Yes you are.” “You can’t make me!” “Yes I can!” “I’m going to get myself expelled on the fist day!” Quaritch laughs, “good luck with that.”

At some point in Spider’s brooding Quaritch tosses his new schools rule book into his room. Spider reads it to get ideas for how to raise hell. Of course he’ll be breaking all the dress code rules which go on at length about the exact why he’s supposed to wear his uniform (neat at all times, no customizations no rips or tears) and the strict guidelines for how he’s supposed to wear his hair (for boys it’s a tapered style of any kind as long it doesn’t touch his ears or the top of his collar). He will definitely be disrespecting every adult, especially his father. He can’t wait to embarrass him so bad he regrets the day he reapplied for custody. Maybe he’ll start a food fight. Maybe he’ll find the school bully and start a real fight. Hell if they deserve it maybe he’ll hit a teacher. Or just his dad. He really wants to punch his dad.

The weekend before the start of school Quaritch takes him into town- which is a whole two hours away- to get his new uniform. Spider is uncooperative as ever, refusing to stand still to get his measurements taken to the point where Quaritch has to hold him in place. After hours of wrestling with his son an exhausted Quaritch pays for the uniforms. The store manager who is equally tired looks at the disgruntled teen and say to Quaritch, “I see why you choose military school.” Spider hears and storms out.

He’s expecting to go home now but instead Quaritch parks the car in front of a barber shop. “I don’t know why your stopping here because I’m sure as hell not getting out.” Quaritch turns to look at him his rage palpable. “Now you listen here. Y’a have some grand idea of gettin’ expelled, but that ain’t gonna happen. Mercer loves a challenge. He loves taking disrespectful, unruly, feral little monsters like you and breaking them to pieces. And the harder you make that, the more fun he’ll have. So I suggest you march in there right now, pick a haircut you can live with,then Sunday night you shine your shoes, iron your uniform and get your tie ready. Or else Monday morning when you walk through those doors lookin’ like your little punk ass self, Mercer will drag you to his office and after that…well choices have consequences.” Spider bristles under the warning but doesn’t break. “I’ll take my chances.” “Fine,” Quaritch says throwing the car in reverse, “I warned y’a. just don’t come crying to me.”

Monday morning Spider does his hair in intricate braids, wears his most ripped frayed pair of jeans, dirtiest sneakers, and a band t-shirt that would definitely get him called a satanist by a pearl clutching old lady. He’s beaming with confidence as he walks into the kitchen. Quaritch eyes him over his newspaper and just shakes his head. Before they leave he puts Spider’s uniform in a plastic bag knowing he’ll need it for later. 

You already know what’s coming. Mercer drags Spider into his office on sight. In the office two muscler upperclassman are standing at attention waiting for orders. Mercer tries to verbally intimidate Spider. Spider just cusses up a storm instead. For that he gets grabbed by the upperclassman and bent over Mercer’s desk for some corporal punishment with a wooden paddle. It doesn’t end until he’s a sobbing mess. Then Mercer breaks out the clippers. There’s a guard on them leaving Spider with about an inch of length all around. Mercer doesn’t bother to undo his braids. They all come off in one piece and Mercer seems to take pleaser in waving them in his face taunting him over the “savage” style. Then he’s made to change into his uniform. Spider’s glassy eyed and numb by this point. Mercer and his goons don’t give him the courtesy of turning around, making Spider feel even more vulnerable then he already did. the last piece of his uniform is his tie but he doesn’t know how to knot it. Mercer laughs at him throwing it in his face. “Go find your father. He’ll show you.”

Spider’s in a daze as he stumbles around the halls completely shell shocked. He sees the back of Quaritch as he’s monitoring the halls for anyone out of class. “Da..dad,” Spider calls weakly. Quaritch whips around. It’s the first time Spider has ever called him dad and he is momentarily thrilled before he looks at his son. Quaritch is instantly filled with overwhelming guilt as he takes in his child. “I…I need help…I…I can’t tie my tie.” Spider hold it up like he’s a small child with a broken toy.

Quaritch ushers him into an unused classroom. “What happened,” he asks cupping Spider’s face to make him look up. Spider shakes his head before bursting into tears. Quaritch pulls him into a hug. “How could you do this to me! I was starting to trust you! I actually thought we could be happy! Why did you lie to me! How could you bring me here!” “I’m sorry,” is all Quaritch can say, over and over again. When Spider’s cries finally quiet Quaritch says, “all I ever wanted was to be a family again. I love you more then anything in this whole world. Not a day went by when I didn’t worry about y’a. I couldn’t know if you were safe, if you were healthy, if you were happy. It was torture. I was so relieved to get you back. But y’a wouldn’t even give me a chance. You hated me from the jump. Y’a just ran off to be with the Sully’s every day.” Spider and Quaritch are still hugging but Spider can hear that his dad is crying. “I’m big enough of a man to admit that I was jealous. And it hurt to have you constantly running away from me. But I was selfish to do all this to you.” They stay in their hug for a little while longer until they both feel the weight of time on them. They break apart, and wipe their eyes. Quaritch ties Spider’s tie for him. “We’ll talk more about this tonight okay. For now y’a got to get to class.”

Spider floats through the morning too emotionally drained from everything. At lunch he doesn’t really have an appetite but goes through the motions anyway. It’s when he’s walking the room, looking for a place to sit that he spots a group of five kids sitting in the farthest corner of the room. Spider instantly recognizes the tell tail features of the Na’vi. He races to sit with them happily greeting them with Oel Ngati Kameie.

Hope you enjoyed. I definitely have ideas for a part two so let me know if your interested in that 💙

[catofthecanals289]

Baku drabble!😲 something I've not read? Let me innnnm

nooo you know it you know it (i hadto open it to find out what it is lmao) it's the 1988 trade fic inspired drabble

Daniel can still feel the impact in his neck, even now, hours later on the chartered flight straight to Austria.

He hadn’t seen it coming, and really that’s his fault, but goddamn it, Max moving under braking, doing that to Daniel of all the people on the grid-

Daniel hates him a little bit. A lot maybe.

They race hard, they always have and this thing between them, it was never supposed to change that and Daniel never wanted it to, but they are teammates. Fucking teammates. Daniel doesn’t think he’s been this mad at Max since Hungary last year since Max fucking took him out and Daniel was left standing at the side of the track asking if it really was who he think it was.

The ‘yes’ coming over the radio killed him then, just like the closed off expression on Max’s face kills him now.

He wonders if Max braced for the impact, if he saw it coming, took the risk, calculated but not calculated enough. Because Max would never on purpose ruin his own race. He’d never on purpose ruin Daniel’s, fuck. But he did ruin it and now they’ve been ordered to leave Baku and face Marko and god knows who else, who will yell at them, like they don’t know they fucked up.

Well, at least Daniel knows. Max is being fucking Max, stoic expression on his face, head held high.

“I’m not taking the blame for this,” Daniel tells him, buckling his seatbelt just as the flight attendant told them to a moment ago. Max never took his off in the first place. 

Jaw set tightly, Max stares back at him.

“You crashed into me,” he says, the cabin shaking around them as the plane starts to descend.

“You moved under braking,” Daniel shoots back, rising in volume through the increased noise of the plane.

“It was a late defensive move,” Max counters, because of course. Of fucking course. Daniel wants to put his fucking fist through a wall.

“It’s the same shit with you every time, you fucking-” Daniel can’t fucking stand looking at him, stomach lurching as the cabin shakes harder, before wheels finally touch ground, making the ache in his neck even worse. “Fuck you,” he hisses once the noise has died down a little the plane level with the ground now, rolling over the runway. “Fuck you, Max.”

Back in Hungary Max had offered Daniel a beer. A beer and a talk and Daniel had been furious then, but this thing between them, it had still been new, still tentative and he’d figured that maybe this was going to be it, that he couldn’t stand it after all, falling in love with another driver, his teammate of all people, but Max had smiled at him, all cautious but hopeful and Daniel hadn’t turned his back. He’d walked eyes wide open towards Max and those budding feelings between them and here they are now. A year later in Austria and Max looks at him like he’s sick of all of this.

“No, fuck you, Daniel,” he says, voice raspy but even. “It’s not my fault you can’t separate on and off track shit.”

“This is about nothing except the shit you pulled on fucking track, Max, are you kidding me?” Daniel yanks open his seatbelt, throwing his backpack over his shoulder before Max has even reached for the buckle of his. “We could have gotten podium. Together. We could have-”

“You crashed into me,” Max snaps and finally, finally there’s a crack on his face, anger and hurt flashing through his eyes.

Daniel knows he shouldn’t want that, shouldn’t welcome in, not when Max is who he fucking loves, but at least now he’s not alone in his fucking pit of emotions.

“Gentlemen,” Christian interrupts them before Daniel can throw anything back at Max. He’s not happy with them, of course not, and now, with no media around to capture it on camera, he’s letting it show, nothing friendly in his expression. He’s been on the phone a lot in Baku, then on his computer once they were in the air, he hasn’t really spoken to Daniel directly yet, and as far as Daniel is aware, not to Max either.

“Yeah, yeah,” Daniel says, running a hand over his face. “We’re coming. Cab straight to-”

“The offices, yes,” Christian says, and not much more.

It’s a tense ride. They sit as far away from each other as possible, which is exactly what Daniel wants right now.

He can’t stand the thought of touching Max right now. He’s going to. They’ll fuck it out probably tomorrow at the latest, but fuck, right now Daniel is pissed and the least Max could do is apologize instead of fucking insinuating that Daniel ran into him because he couldn’t control himself over the dumb fight they had at the hotel on Saturday. Max had been hurt yes, and Daniel angry, but it hadn’t been world ending, it hadn’t been fucking much of anything.

They’ve been doing this for a year. They’ve been fucking and racing and fucking loving each other for a goddamn year, and it’s not fair of Max to just throw Daniel being upset about Max not even wanting to tell his sister about them, in Daniel’s face when he was the one who moved under braking.

The blue carpet muffles the sounds of their steps as they walk the corridor in silence. Daniel walks in front, Jenny from legal next to him. She joined them by the entrance without a word, just an off expression on her face that had left Daniel pause for a second, but then she’d offered a tight smile and Daniel had just gone with that, deciding on fueling his anger instead with the annoyed noise Max made at Daniel stopping.

Then he hears Christian say “This is you, Max,” behind him though, and he can’t help stopping again, turning in confusion.

Behind him Max is looking just as caught off guard, eyes dating from Christian to Daniel and back.

“Here,” Christian says, opening a door that-

An uneasy feeling rising in his stomach, Daniel opens his mouth.

Inside the office, there’s Max’s dad waiting. And Helmut Marko.

“What-” He starts, but Jenny touches his arm, that weird look back on her face.

“Your meeting is just down the hall,” she says, voice low. “Mr. Newey and Mr. Beavis are already waiting for you.”

“Wh- My agent?” Daniel’s mind is racing, eyes finding Max’s again within a heartbeat.

Max looks just as shell-shocked.

“Are we not having the meeting together?” he asks, the th more of a t, blue eyes wide.

“Go on, Max,” Christian says, and he doesn’t sound exactly impatient, but something about the tone in his voice-

Daniel has to shove his hands into his pockets, the itch to reach out for Max almost overwhelming for a moment. Max is looking at him, at his dad, at Horner, then Daniel again, and Daniel can see the wheels turning just like they are in his head. It’s not going to be a pretty meeting, that’s for sure, but they already knew that. But whatever it is, they can figure it out after –together. When Daniel’s anger isn’t burning quite so bright anymore and Max has managed to shake some of his stubbornness.

“See you after,” he says, making himself keep his tone cool before turning his back, letting Jenny lead him further and further down the corridor until they reach a room, where Glenn and Adrian are indeed waiting for him.

Jenny and Christian both step into the room with him. She closes the door quietly while Christian goes to sit at the desk.

Daniel swallows. For a moment the silence is deafening.

“Well, Howdy,” Daniel says, putting on a smile.

It’s not met in kind.

“Daniel, why don’t you sit down,” Glenn says after a moment of thick, awkward nothing hanging between them.

“Yeah, okay.” Daniel nods, keeping the smile on his face a she pulls the chair opposite of Christian back and letting himself drop there.

Glenn and Jenny keep standing.

The uneasy feeling still in his stomach, Daniel lets his gaze dart from one person to the other, raising his eyebrows at Glenn in question, but getting nothing in return yet again.

“Sooo,” he says eventually, shifting a little in his seat, thrumming his fingers against the edge of the desk. “I’m assuming you want to talk about-”

-Baku, he means to say.

The word is right there on the tip of his tongue, but before he can speak it, there’s a folder placed on the tabletop in front of him.

“-this?” he fills in instead, voice maybe rising half an octave. He glances over at Glenn again, but Glenn doesn’t offer him more than a tight nod, a silent ‘go ahead’. Christian doesn’t say anything.

“Okay,” Daniel murmurs to himself, flipping the brown paperback open. Inside there are photos. Nine of them. Glossy high resolution print outs.

The first is enough to make Daniel feel sick, more than he did the entire time he was on the plane or the cab, or- Or the fucking car. After crashing. After-

“What is this?” he hears himself saying, eyes still glued to the photos.

“I think it’s fairly obvious, Ricciardo,” Christian says, voice dry.

And it is.

There’s no mistaking what any of the photographs show.

It’s Dnaiel, in all of them. Daniel and Max.

The first set of three, it’s- It’s not so bad. Which is a crazy fucking thought to think, and Daniel would absolutely, classify them as bad, if he hadn’t seen the others ones already. At least in this one, they are dressed. At least in this one, they are just kissing. Just. Fuck.

Daniel remembers the day. It’d been in Bahrain, after both of them DNFed. They’d been so frustrated and Daniel had herded Max into his driver’s room and that’s where they are, where Daniel has his arms wrapped around Max, whispering into his ear in one picture, and that’s fine, that’d be deniable, but in the next he’s kissing Max, hand on his jaw, Max’s hands clutching his waist, it’s-

It’s them. It’s obviously them, and it’s not a fucking kiss on the cheek, not a joke like peck on the lips. It’s a kiss.

A kiss that meant to comfort and did, but now Daniel is forced to look at it through the eyes of people who weren’t there, who don’t know, who just see what had made Daniel so hesitant to give in to his desire for Max in the first place.

“How did you get those?” he asks, palms clam with cold sweat.

What he means is how were those taken, because he doesn’t- No one else was in the room. It’s a fucking handful of square meters, it’s not-

But he could be asking the same question about the second series of pictures, that are so much more damning, so much more private.

They are from Shanghai, this year. After Daniel got first. After Daniel got drunk enough and horny enough to want to fuck Max in a club bathroom. So he had. He’d bent Max over right there, over some sink. And he’d- They’d locked the door. Daniel fucking remembers, but- He’s looking at the pictures now. At his own naked ass, clenched fucking mid thrust and Max’s face on the wash table, head tilted to the side, mouth open in moaning and-

And you can’t actually see it that well. It’s too dark, too grainy ,the lighting a nightmare, but it’s Max. It’s definitely Max getting fucked, and it’s definitely Daniel doing the fucking, it’s not-

It’s bad. It’s really fucking bad.

Daniel doesn’t know from when the last set is. This season, probably, in some nondescript hotel room. It’s taken through a window, through a cap in the curtains that might as well be ten kilometers wide for what it shows.

No one should get to see what Max looks like with his lips wrapped around Daniel’s dick. With spit dripping from his lip when he has pulled off, when he nuzzles into Daniel’s hand cupping his cheek.

Max’s face is right there. It’s him. No doubt. And just as indisputably, it’s Daniel’s hard dick that he’s been sucking, Daniel’s thigh tattoos like a fucking neon sign. Not that it matters. There’s no denying this. No way to talk them out of this.

“We bought those this morning,” Jenny says, voice a little bit thread while Christian stays silent, grey eyes boring into Daniel. “Be- Before they could get published.”

Blinking for a moment, lips pressed together, he nods.

“Published where?”

“Uhm, the tabloids,” she answers after a moment. “And the internet.”

“Do you want to know how much money we had to pay those weasels for the rights?” Christian cuts in before Daniel can even begin to think about what to say next, his pulse rushing in his ears. “Do you know how much you’ve cost us, Daniel?”

“I’m-” Daniel starts, licking his lips, his neck prickling with embarrassment. “-very sorry. For this, Christian. For- This is not-” He shuffles the pictures together awkwardly, putting them back in the folder. It’s futile, he knows. Everyone in this room and probably more people have seen them at this point but- “-These were private moments? And I apologize that they were- Well-” He gestures vaguely, unable to find the right word. “Max and I- We-”

“Max and you?” Christian cuts him off, then again, louder, “Max and you?” He slams his hand on the table, making Daniel jump a little, and Jenny behind him let out a strangled breath. He’s never, not once heard Christian raise his voice like this. “This is a racing team. A Formula 1 racing team. And we sign a rookie. A kid. We put him on a team with you. Tell you to watch out for him. Help us mold him. Be a mentor to him. And this is what you do? Fucking hell, Daniel.”

The laugh that escapes Daniel is more shock than anything else, the smile his lips stretch into only reflex.

“I- Christian-”

“Daniel, don’t,” Glenn cuts in, placating hand gesture and all when Daniel’s eyes dart towards him. “Just- Just listen.”

“To what?” Daniel can’t help but blurt out, a crazy giggle stuck in his throat. “I’m-”

“-someone who just had to fuck a kid eight years his junior,” Christian cuts in. “You couldn’t beat him where it mattered so you dominate him like this? Did that make you feel like a man?”

“That’s not-” Daniel stares at Christian, heart beating in his throat, anger rising along the shock and confusion inside of him. “C’mon. That’s not what it was fucking was with Max. And not what it is, we-”

“You what, Daniel?” Glenn says, from the side, shaking his head when Daniel looks at him. “Jesus Christ, I mean- Your teammate.”

“It’s disgusting, that’s what it is. Sick,” Christian says –spits, really.

Making Daniel flinch, almost.

“Max was- He’s 21. In those pictures,” Daniel says, voice shaking the slightest bit as he taps his fingers on the closed folder.

He was nineteen, the first time something happened between them. Twenty when they decided to call it by name finally. But none of the people in the room need to know that.

“We did nothing wrong,” he adds, swallowing around the lump in his throat when no one says anything. “We-”

“You’re right,” Christian interrupts, sitting back in his chair, gaze just as steely and piercing as before. “You didn’t violate any rules. Didn’t breech your contract. So. It’s all roses and daisies, is it?”

“It’s-” Daniel hesitates, again he looks over at Glenn, but Glenn’s expression is unreadable. He’s Daniel’s fucking agent, He’s supposed to represent Daniel, defend him, help him, anything. But all he does is give a tiny headshake.

“As far as we are concerned,” Jenny suddenly cuts in, voice steadier now, if still shaky. “There is only one option. This cannot happen again.”

Daniel nods.

It can’t. He agrees. Having these pictures taken, almost sold to the press, it’s-

“It’d be a nightmare for the organization, if this came out,” Jenny goes on, and it’s Glenn’s turn to nod.

“And for you, Daniel,” he says. “This thing with Max, it’s a horrendous look for you.”

“I don’t-” Daniel starts, licking his dry lips again. “We aren’t planning on –coming out. It’s not an- An issue. These pictures, they-” They aren’t even pictures that Max and Daniel were stupid enough to take. They didn’t get hacked. They just- “We’ll be more careful,” he says, splaying his fingers on his thighs. “No stuff in any clubs. Or in the paddock. We’ll-”

“You’ll stop, that’s what you’ll do,” Christian cuts him off, voice loud enough to make Daniel flinch this time. “You will not touch that boy again. That’s the choice you have, if you want to continue racing for Red Bull.”

Again Daniel laughs. It’s not funny, none of this is fucking funny. Hs heart is racing, his mouth is dry. He wants- He wants fucking Max. Wants to be able to look at him, to talk to him, to just-

They are together. They are a team. They are- them. Today sucked. Baku sucked, and Daniel was so fucking angry but all of that is gone now.

“Why did you separate us for this?” he asks, throwing a glance over his shoulder, mind racing.

Max is a few doors down. With his father. And Helmut Marko. He’s-

His father.

“Did you show those to Jos?” he asks, panic rising in his throat. “Christian, Max’s father, you know how he is. This would be-”

Terribly fucking bad. To say the least. God, there’s a reason why Max had always blocked completely on Daniel bringing up any kind of coming out to parents, even if it was just Daniel’s own family.

I’m not going to do that, he’d always said, categorically. He can’t know. He can’t ever know.

“Daniel, focus on this now, please,” Christian cuts him off. “Max is being taken care off. He’s getting the same choice as you. We separated you so neither of you would feel pressured by the other’s presence and could speak freely.”

“I- What choice, what-” Daniel lets out a hollow laugh, running a hand over his face. “Yes, this can’t fucking happen again, but you can’t- You can’t force Max and I to break up, that’s not-”

“We don’t care what you call it, but if both of you want to stay with the team, then we need to minimize the risk of exposure, of this becoming a true PR debacle,” Christian says. “It’s either that, or we come to an agreement to mutually terminate the contract of either you or Max, and what the two of you do then- Well that’s no longer Red Bull’s problem.”

“You want to- You can’t. They can’t do that, right?” Daniel asks, twisting around to look at Glenn, disbelief like an iron fist around his throat, choking him. “That’s got to be fucking illegal. Terminating our contracts-”

“It’d be a mutual agreement,” Jenny says. “That gives certain liberties, it’s-”

“Why would I agree to-” Daniel shakes his head, feeling sick. “Max wouldn’t either. No, what the fuck, what-”

“The third option you have,” Christian cuts in yet again, voice so fucking clam, it’s making Daniel’s stomach turn. “-is coming out.” Daniel blinks. “That way we control the narrative, can give the right angle. It’s not ideally, and not what the organization would prefer, but- It is an option you have.” He pauses looking at Daniel. “Of course that is not an easy path to choose or walk down, so I want you to think about this long and hard, Daniel. The optics of this are terrible for you either way.”

There’s a beat of silence, only the faint sound of the AC filling the room. That and the sound of Daniel’s own heartbeat. They must hear it too, he thinks distantly, it’s beating so loud, so fast.

He can’t breathe. He can’t think. He can’t-

He can’t make this choice. Not without Max. Coming out would be- If it was just Daniel, he’d choose that. It’d suck and he’d hate it, having his private life exposed to the public not because he chose to but because some sick fuck somehow got pictures, but it’s Max. And Max wouldn’t even tell his sister about being gay, about loving Daniel, it’s-

“What Max chooses,” he hears himself say, voice sounding so weak and foreign, he almost doesn’t recognize it as his own. “What he wants. We’ll do that. If he wants us to –stop. Then we will. If he- If he wants to race for a different team, then- Yeah. Okay. we- I’ll come out too, if he- If that’s- Fuck. What Max chooses, okay?”

Christian looks at him for a long moment, then at Jenny, at Glenn. Again, it’s silence, deafening, suffocating silence. Then:

“Alright,” Christian says, getting to his feet. “We’ll get back to you then. Thank you, Daniel.”

A moment later, Daniel is alone, Jenny having pulled the door closed behind herself.

He drops his face in his hands. Breathes in, breathes out, chokes back a sob.

“Fuck,” he says, out loud, to himself. To no one. “Fuck.”

The clock on the wall reads 7 pm.

By 10 pm, there’s a multipage contract laid out on the desk in front of Daniel, the dotted line staring back at him, unyielding.

“Renault?” he asks faintly, voice barely fucking there.

“They’ve agreed to bump one of their drivers for you. Take you on midseason,” Glenn says, voice soft, gentle almost.

Daniel stares at him blankly. “Max, chose- He- This?”

“Max wants to stay with Red Bull,” Christian says form where he’s leaning against the windowsill, arms crossed. “He believes that between the two of you, he’d be more of an asset to the organization. That and that he’d profit more from what we are developing for the coming seasons.”

Heart in his throat, Daniel looks at him, the pen heavy in his hand. “He said that?”

“You are past your prime,” Christian says and-

“He said that?” Daniel chokes out, hand fucking trembling.

“He keeps beating you on track, Daniel, everyone can see it. Max too. He’s just being smart.”

“He’s-” Daniel puts down the pen, picks it back up, puts it down again. The dotted line is still there. The pen rolls towards Christian. “Can I- Can I talk to him? Please?”

Again quiet for a moment, Christian raises his eyebrows. Then: “He already left.”

Daniel presses his lips together, shaking his head. “When?”

This time Christian doesn’t pause, doesn’t give Daniel any time to brace himself.

“Three hours ago,” he says, and pushes the pen back towards Daniel.

Fingers numb, Daniel picks it up.

[prouvaireafterdark]

Temporary Wounds (3/3)

WE DID IT KIDS! SHE’S FINALLY DONE! Special thanks to @angsty-aliens and @el-gilliath for the virtual cheerleading :)

Part I | Part II

Also on AO3

***

He’s at the Pony again, five shots too many into what was supposed to be a relatively chill night, but, well, it’s also the eleventh anniversary of the day Alex left for basic training and Michael is feeling sorry for himself.

It’s been weeks since Alex and He Who Shall Not Be Named broke up, but Alex still hasn’t told him why. Michael can’t shake the feeling that that’s important somehow, that maybe the reason they broke up has something to do with him, but he sure as hell isn’t about to ask.

So that leaves him here, on the yearly reminder of one of the shittiest days of his life, drowning his sorrows at the Wild Pony like he’s done just about every year running. He’s idly dragging his finger around the rim of his whiskey glass when Maria appears in front of him.

“So,” she starts, leaning forward over the bar on her elbows, “Alex texted me.”

His ears perk up a little at the mention of Alex, but when she doesn’t elaborate, Michael responds, “Congratulations?”

She rolls her eyes at him. “He’s looking for you.”

“Why?” Michael asks, leaning forward in his seat, his interest piqued.

“He didn’t say,” she answers. “Are you avoiding him? Because I can tell him I haven’t seen you if you want.”

“Why would I be avoiding him?” he asks.

“I don’t know, but you’re sitting in my bar staring down the bottom of a bottle for the first time in weeks so something is clearly up with you,” she says.

He grimaces, almost missing the days when he didn’t have friends who noticed things like that.

“Plus,” she continues, “if he’s texting me to find out where you are, you must not be answering him.”

“Not on purpose,” Michael says, reaching into his pocket for his phone. He tosses it on the bar in front of him. The screen is cracked to hell and bits of glass have already started chipping off entirely.  

“Jesus, how’d that happen?”

“Fell out of my pocket when I was climbing the ladder out of my bunker,” he sighs, rubbing his eyes. He’d fallen asleep down there after trying and failing to discover a way to bring Max back. He’d slept worse than usual, still dead tired when he climbed up the ladder to get something to eat, and his reflexes were too slow to save his phone. It was the cherry on top of an already shit day. “So much for being telekinetic.”

“If it makes you feel better, I’m a psychic who didn’t immediately realize her not-boyfriend was in love with her best friend,” she says, offering him an ironic smile.

“You know, it really doesn’t.”

They’ve reached the point where they can joke about their failed romantic experiment, but now’s not really the time.

“Alright, well, if you don’t want me to tell Alex where you are, speak now or forever hold your peace,” she says. “Maybe he can cheer you up.”

About thirty minutes later, a hand falls heavy against his back. Michael jumps, immediately on the defensive before he turns and sees a familiar pair of brown eyes staring back at him.

“Alex,” Michael says. Alex’s hand lingers on his back and there’s a whole new kind of tension thrumming through his body.

“Hey,” Alex replies, smiling.

He looks beautiful tonight, his hair tousled in a way that makes Michael just want to run his fingers through it and hold on. He’s wearing his leather jacket over a dark green henley that looks soft to the touch. His mouth moves, but all Michael can register is his sudden, overwhelming desire to kiss him.

“Uh, Guerin?” he hears Alex ask, that gorgeous smile dimming just a little as his brow creases and Michael snaps himself out of it. Alex isn’t Michael’s to look at like that. Not anymore.

“What?” Michael asks, eyes refocusing on Alex’s.

“Did you get my texts?” he repeats.

Instead of answering, Michael gestures toward his busted phone.

“Oh, wow,” Alex says, his hand falling from his back to inspect the phone. “How’d you manage that?”

“Dropped it,” he sighs, not wanting to reiterate the longer version of the story.

“From what, the Empire State Building?”

“Hilarious,” Michael comments, taking the phone from him. He puts it back in his pocket. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

Michael watches Alex’s throat as he swallows, looking a little unsure of himself. Michael takes a sip of whiskey as a distraction while he waits for Alex to say something and when he does he notices Alex’s eyes narrow just a little.

“How many of those have you had?” Alex asks, gesturing toward the glass.

“Why, you looking to catch up?” Michael asks, a little defensive. He knows why Alex is asking and he’s really not looking for an intervention tonight, especially when he’s actually been doing really well at not spiraling into an abyss of alcohol and acetone dependency lately.

“Guerin,” Alex chides.

“Manes,” Michael replies in kind. He knows he’s being childish, but he didn’t come here to get judged.

“I thought you were easing up on drinking,” Alex persists.

“I am,” he snaps. “Just not right now.”

“Why?” Alex asks. “Did something happen?“

Michael laughs humorlessly, and before he can stop himself he asks, “You forget what day it is?”

Alex thinks about that a moment before it clicks. Michael can’t even look at him as he feels the sting of how much less that day seems to have meant to Alex. “Oh. You remembered the date?”

“How could I forget?” Michael asks, picking at the denim frayed at his kneecap. He’s not sure if it’s the liquor or the ache in his chest that makes him add, “Worst day of my fucking life.”

He supposes that, after Caulfield and Max, that might not exactly be true anymore, but it certainly was at the time. Sure, he’d been beaten bloody and bounced around from one shit home to another all his life, but Alex leaving him to go play soldier with his daddy? Shit, that had hurt worse than anything the New Mexico foster system could throw at him.

“Yeah,” Alex breathes, and something in his voice makes Michael look at him. His eyes are soft and full of regret. “Me too.”

Michael thinks about all the pain Alex has lived through, the trauma they’ve shared and the loss they haven’t and it kills him as much as it fuels him to think that Alex might be telling the truth.

“Alex…” he whispers, but the word hangs between them as they watch each other, caught in this fragile moment of honesty. “Look, I’m not, like, falling off the wagon or whatever, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just…” he trails off, searching for the right words.

“Just what?” Alex prompts him, not angry or judgmental like Michael expects.

Michael shrugs halfheartedly. “Needed to take the edge off, I guess.”

Alex doesn’t say anything, not right away. Instead, he slowly reaches for Michael’s hand—the left one picking nervously at his frayed jeans—and covers it with his own. Michael lets out a shuddering breath as Alex starts to stroke his once-ruined knuckles with his thumb.

“I’m sorry,” Alex says at last.

“What for?” Michael asks, voice rough.

“For putting you through that,” he answers, quiet and sincere. “I know it doesn’t mean much now, but… I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”

Tears prick at Michael’s eyes, but he blinks them hastily away. He will not cry in front of everyone and their mother in the Wild Pony, especially not over something so viscerally personal. He nods and clears his throat and hopes that’s enough.

Alex seems to understand. He gives Michael’s hand a final squeeze before he pulls his own away.

“So,” Alex starts abruptly, eyes shining in the dim lighting, “other than wrecking cell phones, what have you been up to lately? I haven’t seen you in a few days.”

Michael’s grateful for the change in subject. He can feel himself relax more and more, the shadow of what happened a decade ago lessening the longer Alex talks to him. It’s a reminder that Alex didn’t stay gone, that he’s here, and Michael wishes he’d realized sooner that that was exactly what he needed.

When Michael talks about his research, Alex even sits patiently and listens to his scientific ramblings. That’s one of his favorite things about Alex that he’s discovered since they started being friends—how fucking smart he is. Even though they come from two different sides of the STEM field, he’s amazed at how much Alex is able to keep up with.

Eventually, Maria rings the bell for last call and as tired as Michael is he can’t help feeling a little disappointed that their night needs to end.

“Guess we should head out,” Alex says.

“Guess so,” Michael agrees.

“Can you drive?” Alex asks.

Michael bites his lip and thinks about it. He probably could make it home without incident, but he’s had a lot to drink tonight and he’s pretty exhausted. He doesn’t want to make Alex drive him home though. Maybe he’ll get a cab or sleep it off in the bed of his truck til he sobers up a little more.

“Your hesitation says no,” Alex interrupts his thoughts, making his decision for him. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”

Michael hears his name through the sleep-soaked fog clouding his mind and feels hesitant fingertips tickle his cheek before the warmth of someone’s palm settles over his neck.

When Michael opens his eyes to see Alex staring back at him, he feels his heart stutter, just a little. He’s sitting in the passenger seat of Alex’s car, the door ajar to make room for Alex to stand next to him. He must have fallen asleep on the ride.

“There you are,” Alex says, an amused quirk to the set of his mouth as he pulls his hand away. Over Alex’s shoulder, Michael sees the cabin instead of his Airstream. “For a second there I thought I was gonna have to carry you inside.”

“Well, don’t let me stop you,” Michael replies drowsily.

Alex rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling too when he says, “Come on, Guerin, inside,” and nudges him out of the car.

The ground shifts a little beneath his feet when he steps out of the car, but he rights himself before he does something embarrassing like face-plant in Alex’s driveway.

“You good?” Alex asks, eyeing him like a hawk.

“Yeah,” Michael brushes him off. “Just need some water.”

Once they’re inside, Alex greets Buffy, who is happily waiting for him near the threshold, and hangs his jacket up by the door before heading straight for the kitchen. Michael can hear the water from the tap running while he toes his boots off by the door after giving Buffy an adequate number of head scritches. He follows that sound into the kitchen to find Alex standing by the sink.

“I’d offer you ice, but the machine’s broken,” Alex says as he hands over a glass of cool water.

Michael takes it from him gratefully and leans back against the counter next to Alex.

“Want me to take a look?” he asks before he takes a sip.

“Maybe in the morning,” Alex answers, and there’s something about the way he says it that makes Michael feel warm. He realizes he’s never spent a night in Alex’s cabin before. It feels like he’s crossing an unspoken boundary tonight, like Alex is leading him over it.

“Am I crashing here then?” Michael asks, still not sure why Alex brought him here when he could have just brought him to the Airstream.

“Well, you were asleep, so I had to make an executive decision,” Alex shrugs. “I figured instead of dropping you off home now and then driving back to give you a ride to your car in the morning, I could just drop you off at your car on my way into town tomorrow. You don’t have anywhere to be early, right?”

“Nah. I could’ve taken a cab, though, saved you the trouble,” Michael points out.

“And how were you gonna call it?“ Alex counters.

“Touché.”

They stare at each other for a moment while Michael drinks more water before Alex says, “I’ll just get you something to sleep in. Be right back,” and disappears down the hall.

When Michael finishes his water, he sets the glass on the counter and goes off in search of Alex. The cabin’s large, by Michael’s standards anyway, but he finds Alex’s bedroom with ease. The door is open, tempting him inside.

Alex is standing in front of a dresser near the bed, rifling through its contents. He freezes when he hears the old floorboards creak beneath Michael’s weight.

“Hey,” he says, turning around to face him, a faded black t-shirt and a pair of flannel pajama pants in his hands. “These should fit you,” he says, tossing the bundle of clothes. “There’s also a spare toothbrush in the bathroom.”

“Thanks,” Michael says once he’s caught them and takes a few steps closer to him. “So where do you want me?”

Michael watches the way Alex’s gaze lingers over his mouth, his neck. Alex wets his bottom lip before saying, “What?”

“To sleep,” Michael clarifies, hiding a smile. The hope he hasn’t let himself feel in so long simmers under the heat of Alex’s gaze.

“Oh, right,” Alex says, running a hand through his hair, snapping out of whatever thoughts he was having about Michael’s mouth. “I’d offer you the bed, but my leg won’t thank me if I sleep on the couch.”

“Probably more comfortable than my mattress anyway, so I’ll take it,” Michael says.

“Oh, it’s definitely more comfortable than your mattress,” Alex laughs. “That thing’s like cardboard.”

“Hey, don’t knock it too much,” Michael says, thinking of all the times he and Alex put its durability to the test. “That cardboard’s been with me through a lot.”

“I remember,” Alex says, flushing slightly.

“Hard to forget,” Michael adds, and he’s sure he doesn’t imagine the hungry look in Alex’s eyes when their eyes meet.

Alex clears his throat and looks away. “We should probably, uh, go to bed now.”

“Yeah, probably,” Michael agrees, even as he imagines what it’d be like to press Alex up against the dresser and get lost in him the way he used to. He won’t, but it’s a nice thought. “Goodnight, Alex,” Michael smiles and starts walking toward the door.

“Night, Guerin,” Alex smiles back. “See you in the morning.”

Michael heads into the living room to find Buffy sleeping on his bed for the night. Buffy, being a beagle, is not an especially large dog, but she’s somehow managed to stretch her body so long that she’s taking up half the couch.

Michael has half a mind to head back into Alex’s room—“Look at her, she’s too sweet to move, we’re just gonna have to share the bed, Alex, we’d be monsters to disturb her”—but he’s playing the long game and that’s just on the wrong side of desperate.

Instead, he nudges the dog closer to the edge of the cushion until there’s enough room for him to lay down. Buffy doesn’t seem to mind and he slides in next to her and pulls the blanket from the back of the couch to cover them both.

When Michael wakes up the next morning it’s to the smell of dark roast coffee wafting in from the kitchen. Buffy’s gone, he notices, presumably to chase birds in the yard or whatever it is dogs do in the morning. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he gets up to investigate.

Alex is standing in front of the stove, fully dressed, with one hand on his hip and a spatula in the other.

“Morning,” Alex smiles at Michael over his shoulder. “Coffee’s on the counter and eggs’ll be done soon.” He jabs the spatula toward the other end of the counter where a mug sits next to the coffee pot.

It’s so… domestic, Michael feels a little like he’s in the Twilight Zone, like he’s just walked from one dream into another where he and Alex are together and Alex is cooking him breakfast just because he can. It’s a far cry from the cold sheets he usually woke up to first thing in the morning when they used to hook up. It makes him feel off-kilter, vulnerable in some indescribable way, like someone looked deep inside his brain and plucked out a fantasy he never even knew he had.

“Hey, you okay?” Alex asks softly, turning around to get a better look at Michael.

“Yeah, sorry,” he says, snapping himself out of the daze he’s in. He heads to the coffeemaker and pours himself a cup. “Morning,” he adds when he remembers.

“How’d you sleep?” Alex asks.

“Like a baby,” he says, not entirely honest, but it makes Alex smile for some reason so he’s not about to contradict himself.

“Yeah, you looked pretty cozy this morning,” Alex says, voice light and amused. “I’ve never seen Buffy let anyone besides me spoon her like that, you should feel very special.”

“Oh yeah?” he asks, wondering if Alex’s ex had a hard time getting Buffy to warm up to him. The thought gives him a sudden burst of smug satisfaction. He watches Alex cook, hiding his smirk behind the rim of his mug.

“Mhmm.”

“So what’s all this for?” Michael asks as he watches Alex try to flip the eggs without bursting any yokes.

“What do you mean?”

“This, breakfast,” he says, gesturing to what Alex is doing. Alex looks at him with an unsettled look and Michael’s quick to add, “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but… people don’t usually go through this much effort for me when I crash on their couch.”

“Well that’s… sad,” Alex frowns. “It’s just eggs, Michael.”

The use of his first name makes his heart jolt. Alex rarely calls him that, and when he does the situation is usually much more intimate than this. Michael concentrates a little harder on Alex’s body language, searching for any hint of what Alex is really thinking.

He’s holding himself a little stiffly, fidgeting more than usual. When Alex catches him staring, he smiles at him a little too wide. If Michael were anyone else, he probably wouldn’t have been able to catch it, but it’s suddenly plain as day. Alex is nervous about something.

“No, it’s not,” Michael says quietly, his stomach suddenly in knots himself. Alex deflates a little, like some of the air’s gone out of his sails. “What’s going on, Alex?”

“Can we eat first?” Alex sighs.

Michael doesn’t answer, immediately running through every possible thing Alex could want to talk to him about. It’s then he remembers that Alex was actively looking for him yesterday, but never told him why.

Alex pushes a plate into his hand and encourages him over to the kitchen table. Michael takes a seat, places the eggs in front of him, but he doesn’t touch them. Has Alex been waiting all night to talk to him about something? Why?

“It’s big, isn’t it?” he asks when Alex sits next to him, not across from him like he expects, with his own plate. Is Alex okay? Did he find something even more nightmarish than usual in the Project Shepard files? Fuck, is he being relocated?

“You should eat first, your eggs’ll get cold,” Alex says nudging Michael’s plate toward him with the tip of his finger before taking a bite of his own food. It’s as much of a confirmation as he needs.

“No offense, Alex, but I don’t give a damn about the eggs right now. Can you just tell me what you want to say?” Michael pleads. “I’m kind of freaking out.”

Alex sighs and puts his fork down beside his plate. “Please don’t freak out,” he says.

“Okay, I don’t know how they taught you to calm people down in the Air Force, but saying ‘please don’t freak out’ is maybe the worst thing you can say,” Michael complains.

“Okay, yeah, that maybe wasn’t the best way to lead,” Alex laughs self-deprecatingly. “It’s nothing bad, I swear—unless I’ve massively misread things, but I don’t think I have. There’s just been something on my mind lately and I’ve been waiting for the right time to talk to you about it.”

“Why didn’t you last night then?” Michael asks. Alex’s reassurance has assuaged some of his anxiety, but none of his confusion. “That’s why you were looking for me, right?”

“You were already drunk when I found you and if we were gonna talk about this, I wanted both of us to have clear heads,” he explains. “Figured it would be better to wait until morning.”

“Okay,” Michael says, shifting in his seat. “Well, I’m sober. Hit me.”

Alex takes a deep, fortifying breath before asking, “Do you remember what you said when I told you I broke up with my boyfriend?”

Whatever he was expecting Alex to say, it certainly wasn’t that. Michael swallows and tries to guard his expression.

“I asked why,” Michael answers. “You never told me.”

“No, I didn’t,” Alex agrees. “But that’s not all you said. You said he reminded me of what I was like in high school.”

Michael remembers. “You said that was part of the problem.”

“Yeah, it was.” Alex wets his bottom lip with his tongue and angles his body more toward Michael before he speaks again. Michael tracks the movement, feeling the sudden desire to lean in and taste, but he lost that right a long time ago. “Do you remember what I was in high school?”

“An irreverent mall goth with questionable fashion choices?” Michael quips, eyes still on Alex’s mouth, but he looks up when Alex laughs. He likes the way his eyes crinkle at the corners.

“Well, maybe, but not the answer I was looking for.”

Emboldened by Alex’s mood, he guesses, “A sexy twink with an eyeliner fetish?”

“Michael,” Alex admonishes with a tilt of his head, but the smile’s still there. Michael’s stomach flips happily at Alex’s continued use of his first name.

“Alright, tell me then. What were you in high school?”

Alex sobers up a little and says, “In love with you.”

It’s not the first time Alex has told Michael he loved him in high school, but it takes Michael’s breath away all the same.

“Alex,” he whispers, but Alex raises his hand to stop him.

“Wait, just let me say this,” he says.  

Michael nods for him to continue, heart in his throat.

“I’ve been… reclaiming myself these last few months. So much of my life has been decided by my father and I needed to figure out who I am now that he’s gone, so I made some changes. I got new clothes, a new boyfriend, let my hair grow out a little. I finally felt like me again, but I was missing something. I was missing you.

“I thought maybe we could be friends, that it would be enough for me if I could just have you in my life somehow, but… God, near the end of our relationship, every time I was with him, I just kept thinking about who I was eleven years ago and how much that person loved you. And you know what I realized?”

Michael shakes his head, not trusting his voice.

“That’s the one thing that hasn’t fucking changed in the decade I’ve known you. It’s the only part of me my dad could never destroy, no matter how hard he tried,” Alex says, eyes shining with unshed tears. “You’re at the core of me, Michael. You always will be and, as much as I love being your friend, I want more. I want everything.”

Michael’s not quite sure who moves first, but the next thing he knows his hands are in Alex’s hair and he’s locked in a kiss so intense it leaves him breathless. God, he’s missed this so much—the taste of Alex in his mouth, his hair soft as satin against his skin. Michael feels alive for the first time in a long time, but before he gets too carried away there’s something he needs to say. Michael pulls back from the kiss reluctantly, smiling softly when he sees how absolutely wrecked Alex looks.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” Michael confesses, untangling his fingers from Alex’s hair and reaching for his hand instead. He takes a deep breath and braces himself before he continues, “But if we do this, we do it for real, okay? No more hiding. No more running away. I can’t do that again, Alex. I won’t.”

“No more hiding, no more running away,” Alex reassures him. “I’m done pretending you’re not the most important person in my life. I’m all in if you are.”

“I am,” Michael nods.

“Really?” Alex asks, an excited smile teasing at the corners of his lips. “You really want to do this?”

A smile of his own breaks onto Michael’s face. “Never been more sure about anything in my life.”

Alex beams at him and moves back in to kiss him. Michael sighs happily into it, losing time to hot press of Alex’s mouth, to the warmth of his hands  against his scalp.

Their eggs get cold, but, well, who fucking cares?

“You’re at the core of me too, you know,” Michael whispers, hours later, when Alex is resting between his naked thighs, his head pillowed on his bare chest.

Michael can feel Alex smile against his skin. “I know,” he says, and presses a kiss to his sternum.

[brightsun-and-darkmidnight]

Heartbeat: A Fragile Reminder

TITLE: Heartbeat: A Fragile Reminder

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 26 / ?

AUTHOR: brightsun-and-dark midnight

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki falling in love with a Midgardian and his words to Thor about Jane during Dark World coming back to haunt him. “It would be a heartbeat. You would never be ready.”

RATING:  M for Mature

NOTES/WARNINGS: ~▪︎~FOR THE WHOLE STORY~▪︎~

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Check Masterlist. It's going to be a long read. I try to keep each chapter around 3,000 words.

My Ao3: brightsun_and_darkmidnight

!-!TRIGGER WARNING(S)!-!

So many triggers, read ALL of them!

Swearing. Angst. Death. Depression. Violence. Self-harm. Regret. Carelessness for safety. Doubts. Torture. NSFW. Smut. Fluff. And Of Course- Mischief.

Summary: News delivery.

 ~ ~ ENJOY  ~ ~

Alicia waited until she was alone, specifically waited until Loki was occupied by Thor for a "celebration" of a new heir. Apparently Thor had some sort of serious discussion to have with his brother meaning, Alicia was free for the day.

Alicia sat on the edge of her bed as excited butterflies danced in her stomach as she dialed the number. She grinned as joy bubbled in her as the phone went to her ear. Alicia allowed a small giggle to escape just for the sake of trying to sound normal once Marcibeth answered.

The constant ringing made the butterflies turn to a nervous fly waiting for the swat from a newspaper. Alicia's mind kept begging for Marcibeth to reply in someway with each brief second of silence then the next ring she lost hope.

Alicia huffed just as she was about to hang up before she heard Marcibeth answer, "hey. I'm in the middle of work currently."

Alicia's voice was higher and she spoke too quick, "Can I pick you up sometime? I have some news."

Marcibeth laughed, "you sound excited. I could hurry here. Give me about an hour. I'm actually in New York." 

Alicia heard metal clank against the other and she grimaced at the scream in the background. "Speaking of work… you got those cuffs?"

There was silence and then she heard a loud crack and muffled scream.

Marcibeth's voice was forced joy but it held venom, "Yeah I got them."

Alicia figured it was the current job and remained optimistic, "Great. I can pick you up and we can work with them."

"I'll send you my location."

Alicia looked at the phone weird when Marcibeth hung up abruptly. Alicia went to Emma and explained the training for the day. Loki was already in Asgard for a while so they did not need to worry about him.

About an hour after their conversation Alicia got a text from Marcibeth to pick her up. Alicia laughed when Marcibeth insisted on going to their "important information inquiry." It was a small restaurant they have not been in for a while. They got their usual greasy burgers, fries and a pickle for each of them.

Alicia smirked as she pointed a fry at her sister, "You remember the first time we came here?"

Marcibeth laughed, "yeah we snuck out to meet stupid boys. The losers ditched us and we came here for lunch. Dad was so pissed because we were gone for the whole day." Marcibeth stabbed a fry in ketchup before biting the bit that was covered thickly with the red condiment. Marcibeth's eyes went to the bustling street and narrowed as a man chased after a giggling child.

Alicia noticed her sour mood. "Has Fury updated you with any visions?"

Marcibeth glanced at the burger to pick it up then went to the surroundings of the little restaurant. Marcibeth's monotone voice was dull in Alicia's ears, "without you, I don't have clearance for that type of information. So no. Not really. Is there more?" Marcibeth took a bite of the burger and it smeared around her mouth.

"Dad is going to be fine. We get Luit and Edward in custody." Alicia tried really hard to be casual, "you are also going to be an Aunt."

Marcibeth stopped mid bite and her eyes went wide. "Aunt?"

Alicia nodded with a smile that threatened to tear her face in half.

Marcibeth's face scrunched, "now? I mean. We can't let you get in those cuffs."

"No..that vision is far in the future. I actually have my hair above my shoulders. Loki has a new hair cut too. It's really cute."

Marcibeth took a bite and chewed as she looked out the window. The grease from the burger glistened in the light above their table. Then she grinned with a side glance at her. "That kid is gonna be spoiled."

Alicia rolled her eyes, "you and dad are going to be terrible babysitters."

"Sugar them up, ship them home and leave you with the aftermath." Marcibeth took a huge bite and had to dart forward to keep new grease from spilling onto her lap. "You better eat, or those fries are mine."

Alicia set a handful on her sister's burger wrapper, "I will always take care of you."

"I am the big sister."

"But your heart is of a child."

Marcibeth grinned as she shoved a fry in her mouth and talked while chewing, "Abso-fucking-lutly"

Once in the car Marcibeth did not hesitate to turn up the music after connecting her phone. They sang to the pop and rock songs they listened to as kids. Neither of them missed a chance to point out each other's terrible singing. They purposely exaggerated the wrong notes or substituted the wrong lyrics.

Alicia laughed and Marcibeth told her when they hang out during all of the pregnancy Alicia is going to have to drink the kids fizzy non-alcoholic drinks while she has wine. Alicia told her to shut up at the teasing remarks fortelling Alicia is going to be an angry fizzy beverage drinker. Marcibeth did not lessen the teasing at all when Alicia agreed it was probably going to be true.

They were still laughing at each other as they walked through the tower. Tony, Natasha, Clint, Bruce, and Emma were looking at them when they went through the common area to the training rooms. Tony informed Alicia that there were cameras in that vehicle and threatened to put the recording on the news. Marcibeth grinned and dared him to. Alicia glared at all of them and told them not to even show it to Loki.

"What are you not showing me?"

Alicia squeaked at the pinch on her side. She spun around and smiled, innocently told him it was nothing. Then her face fell at the audio being played. 

Loki was making a good attempt at trying to hide most of his amusement. "Well Alicia.. I think you might be in a good line of business for making parodies."

Alicia put her hand on her hip and lowered her voice with a grin, "Well Loki, at least it shows my witty humor."

Loki eyed the bag in Marcibeth's hand… 

Marcibeth shrugged, "it's exactly what you are thinking."

Loki's voice lowered in anger, "I told you we were not doing this." Alicia started to talk but Loki held up his finger, "no." Loki's eyes were burning with rage. "I swore I would keep you safe. I am not going to let you put yourself through torture training."

"Then don't be present." Emma pushed off of the chair and grabbed the bag, "Alicia is going to need to practice using her magic immediately after being released. You know this."

Loki glared at Emma and Marcibeth as they walked away. Alicia seen Loki's hands fist and she grabbed it. She kissed his hand with a squeeze. "I will be fine." She turned and went to the room. Alicia stood in the center of the room. Marcibeth and Emma explained they would only do a max of 10 minutes. Everyone was there as the cuffs were put on her.

Alicia felt her body halt then a swelling sensation all through her. It was an excruciating pain as she felt like she would burst and splatter all over the room. Her muscles contracted as if to try and keep her body together. She was expanding and contracting at the same time and Alicia wished her body would explode.

Then the magic surged through her in a rush. It felt similar to a part of the body going to sleep after resting in an uncomfortable position. She opened her eyes with too much effort. She was laying on her side. She did not remember falling. Alicia ached with the effort to roll onto her side and sprawled out to try to even the tingling sensation and get something flowing right.

"This...is a good sign."

Alicia did not know who that was but said "yay" as she threw her hands up then let them fall to the ground. The impact hurt more than it should have and she felt the magic mess up in her upper body.

Emma stood over her with a paper ball. "Use a shield."

Alicia tried to force one out but the shield was too weak and the ball landed on her face. Alicia hissed at the sting of her magic as it spiked in some areas. She needed a cool bath.

"You sense it right? This is close to her magic flow as when she began. It's worse but we can work with it." That was Emma...

"I am not looking forward to seeing that again." Maybe Marci?

The sounds of the room mixed together and Alicia groaned as she rolled on her other side. A hand was on her and it was uncomfortable. She looked up and it was Loki. She tried to smile but it didn't feel right. She was exhausted. She grabbed Loki's hand and held it to her face. Loki scooped her up and walked swiftly with her as Emma was leading the way. Alicia had to shut her eyes from the nausea from moving so fast and then the loud rumbling sound that bounced off the walls and assaulted her ears.

She sighed at the cool water. She let her head rest back. Alicia opened her eyes as the thoughts were processed in her jumbled mind. Alicia observed the water littered with odd plants provided as Emma was throwing more random things in the tub. She saw her clothes were still on and another pair of legs. Her head rolled back again as she felt another threat of expelling the contents of her stomach. Her eyes crept open, familiar raven hair, emerald eyes seeming just as heavy as hers… 

"Loki she did very well. For her to even be able to roll over and materialize even a slight shield is great." Emma sat on the edge of the tub and touched the water. A glow emanated through the water. 

Alicia felt her magic relax and flow slower.  

Loki's low voice told Emma this was not happening again. Of Course they argued, they always argued over Alicia. She listened to them and did nothing to stop the bickering. She saw both of their points, Loki was worried and Emma's job was to prepare her for the future. 

Alicia was lifted and set on a hard bed. Loki covered her with a blanket and vanished her soaked clothes. Alicia let her gaze trail around in a med room. She was covered by more blankets that held weight to them. Loki stroked her head with touches that seemed erratic and distracted. 

Thor came in followed by the others in loud stomps, "Is she alright?"

Loki didn't take his relaxed eyes off her. "She will be."

Alicia's lips tugged a little as her eyes closed.

She awoke in a daze.

She was in her own bed. Loki was laying with her, actually wrapped around her with his heavy arm and leg. His eyes were closed, mouth opened and quietly snoring. 

Alicia heard a laugh.

"He thought covering you with his body would wake him when you woke up… but he just wanted to hold you." Emma went to her bedside.

Alicia yawned and tried to stretch but Loki's eyes shot open and he held onto her. She laughed after the yawn was over and held onto his arms. Emma announced Alicia was asleep for a little over a day and Marcibeth had to leave for a mission. Alicia thought it was odd her sister was going on a mission because she hated field work, did everything to get out of doing work that involved mobile targets. 

Emma was blunt and to the point that she did not care much for Marcibeth. 

Alicia changed the subject once her stomach growled. Loki and Emma agreed Alicia had to eat but she ended up getting sick. Emma gave her a simple broth with the disgusting Asgardian stuff in it. Alicia was able to keep that stuff down but that soup was what she ate for the next 6 hours then solids were added such as vegetables and noodles. Alicia's stomach became full and she dozed off as Loki was talking to her about something with having elders examine her at some point.

After a few days she was examined by elders.. they told her the magic she had was stronger than her body could handle. They suggested Alicia use magic every chance she got, to train regularly and focus on her control. There was another option..They could pass some of her magic to their child when the time came. It was a special spell performed on the mother. It usually was not used because Asgardians had bodies that could handle more power than Alicia had.

Once the elders were gone Emma came back and rested on the door frame with her arms crossed. "As soon as Luit and Edward are captive, you guys should get busy trying to start that spell."

Alicia felt heat rise to her face, then the butterflies about to force a childish giggle out but coughed to hide it. "We still have roughly six months."

Emma smirked with a laugh. "Well…"

Loki inquired quickly, "What's that's supposed to mean?"

Emma teased, "Loki...don't sound so excited. I'm just joking. None of us know when her visions happen." 

Alicia ran her fingers along his arm still resting on her stomach. Loki put his head in Alicia's hair forcing both women to laugh. Emma teased him about being a child for pouting.

Loki mumbled, "I'm not pouting. I am tired.."

Alicia kissed his head when Emma explained he stayed up reading her books and Loki lifted his head to glare at the healer. Alicia was released from her bed by a reluctant Loki once Emma permitted her movement. Everyone was gathered in the common room for dinner.

Tony pointed his fork at Alicia, "how are you feeling?"

Alicia shrugged, "I'm good."

"Do you need antibiotics?"

Clint laughed then seemingly unapologetically said, "sorry."

Alicia sent a muttered reply to Tony to shut up.

"So you will be able to go on tomorrow morning's mission?"

Alicia poked food, "Yeah. It's overdue. Assuming Emma lets me."

Emma begrudgingly spoke, "You have permission."

Tony stood and walked to the elevator. Then turned and said, "come on fortune teller."

Alicia grabbed her food and followed. Loki grabbed her food and told her she can wait. Alicia pouted but Loki pushed her along. Tony, Loki, and Emma led the way to Tony's lab. Alicia was put in the center of some circles in the ground.

"FRIDAY. Show sour patch kid her combat clothes."

The AI spoke, "enjoy playing dress up Sourpatch."

Emma snickered.

Alicia rolled her eyes, "Ha ha. Very funny." Alicia watched as a cylinder rose. It was an outfit for Alicia and she was urged to put the outfit on.

It was comfortable and flexible pants. A shirt that was made of the same material, sleeveless and turtleneck, just visible from the leather corset. The corset was black, covered from the hip bones to her breasts up to her shoulders. There was a pouch in the front to the side then the opposite side in the back. Alicia's arms were bare except for the leather arm bracers. Black leather boots that went to the knees. Alicia checked they had tread and a practical heel.

Alicia glared at the last item.

A hood.

It strapped onto the leather armor and had a strap across the chest too. An emerald green stone in the center.

The leather was black. The cloth material was white. Clasps were gold. The hood was black with white trim.

Alicia sighed as she walked out. Emma told her to put the hood up and Alicia did with annoyance. She complained hoods were impractical. Emma told Alicia her best weapon is her visions and it is wise to hide that from opponents while clearing her throat.

Loki approached Alicia and pointed to the stone. "Press this and it will keep you warm." Alicia felt material slide down her body as the simple cowl addition turned into a cape around her back and over her shoulders. "Put pressure on it for 3 seconds and it will alert us of your location."

Alicia heard the A.I. notify the tower of Alicia's location. 

Loki tapped the gem and it went back to the original form. He popped the gem out and it had a necklace he put it around her neck. Loki's eyes demanded her to look at his. "Wear this. Always. Swear you will use it."

Alicia sighed and looked at his chest. She saw his hand go to her chin and she turned away. Then his hand gently landed on her cheek but she still refused to make that promise. The first syllable of her name formed and then she looked at him.

Alicia stated, "This is not necessary. We all know I will be fine."

Emma said Alicia's name in that tone that screamed for her to be quiet. "How do you know this is not the thing that gets Loki to you?"

Alicia's eyes closed in frustration.

She had to be the worst witch. With no details how useful was she? Anyone knew were things would happen in a certain way. No only a standstill image. 

She paid attention to the thumb circling her cheek. Fingers pulling her and a light touch of lips to her forehead.

Alicia tilted her head down and leaned into Loki. "I will keep it on me."

Alicia wanted to test her outfit but mostly Emma insisted everyone see how she works now.

Alicia was able to keep a shield around her to keep herself safe and also to heal herself when she was in visions. Alicia was able to keep ahead for the most part of the training sessions and lasted longer without tiring. She was able to push the soldier back and knock them down with a push of magic.

Natasha took a try at her and Alicia was able to keep her at bay without much trouble. Emma showed that Alicia's shield was much better than before but also showed everyone her weaknesses.

Alicia's shield was strongest closest to her body and lost strength as it went further out. It could push people back though with a quick burst.

Alicia got hot as she used her self healing defense, causing her to get light headed if used too long.

She either could remember present visions and suffer eyesight loss.

Forget and be lost as soon as she came out of the vision, but have eyesight.

It was a long training session but Loki rewarded her. Or rather, Alicia needed relaxation from sore muscles.

Alicia sighed as Loki massaged her back, everything slow but firm. Alicia was pleased in every sense. She was relaxed by his touches. His loving words of praise made her heart soar. The smell of his sheets made her feel at home. They talked of the future with their child and gave her hope for a normal life that was always desired.

Alicia felt Loki hold her a little tighter and kiss her head, "What will you do once you are carrying my child?"

Alicia hummed, "drink sparkling juice."

She heard Loki's laughter as she welcomed sleep. His lips pressed to her head and his hands never stopped touching her with those relaxing caresses.

[secretagentspydetectiveninja]

More of the Misadventures of Aish rereading Misadventures and fixing typos, like a cowardly fool because I can’t sleep

chapters 21-25 oh no here we go

(actually I did this in like November on my phone but only just now remembered that I never posted it so here ya go, this is all weeks old)

Okay so with the chapter titles, I didn’t actually start naming them until about ch27 or so, but I had already nicknamed this chapter something like “IT’S FRIENDSHIP YOU COWARDS” bc this one got a surprising amount of notes on tumblr and I’m 99% sure most of the people who read it did not realize that this is in fact a Kimax fic

And also THIS CHAPTER WAS THE TURNING POINT. I could either have kept the fic rly lighthearted until way near the end, or decide to start shoving in the Angst much quicker. 3 guesses what I picked >:D

Oh highkey same Alix?? except for me it’s not superpowers or anything it’s just called “anxiety disorder”

The obliviousness physically pains me

I’m the guard who just blatantly lets Alix steal popcorn. also why was there just casually popcorn there. god I don’t even know what I was thinking when I wrote any of this

Oh yeah I remember!! I was mad at people setting off the smoke alarm while making popcorn in the middle of the night!! just uni things am I right

...why am I noticing now that the whole popcorn thing is just a metaphor for Kim’s entire love life I am going to throw this fic out of the window I swear

IT REALLY IS, UGH I HATE THIS, ARE YOU TELLING ME I DID THAT BY ACCIDENT

this is a freaking game of Civilization where one civ takes a runaway lead in the science victory while the rest are all still stuck in the industrial era

Kim is me watching dinosaur movies too tbh, dinosaurs are so frickin rad

well this is depressing

and adorable

I hate so much that I know what the Bad Dream means I hate it I hate it I h

IT’S OKAY KIM I’M PROUD OF YOU, YOU’RE MY SON AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

“It’s not up to you to question why people care about you so just roll with it” damn past me, that’s actually some really good advice???

Alix is a Kimax shipper even this early in the fic, btw. whenever she talks to them about each other she’ll always say stuff like “oh yeah you two are so close” or “he cares about you so much” without specifying whether she means that platonically... my dudes... she’s shipping it

Kim having an existential crisis in early hours of the morning is such a mood because it’s 2am and I’m having one right now

BAD FORESHADOWING, YES BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO START HAPPENING SOON LIKE ASSASSINATIONS AND STUFF, YOU WEREN’T WRONG

Alright chapter 22 now

the carriage guards!! my favourite characters in the entire fic!!!!!! they’re the BEST okay they just casually chill at school through the entire thing and only show up again in the last chapter omg they’re so amazing I love them??? absolute LEDGES

Kim’s parents being all like “yeah if our son doesn’t wanna come home from school then just KIDNAP HIM and bring him back lmao”

“Hey, do you want me to threaten your guards with my snake or something?” WAS THAT FORESHADOWING??? BECAUSE SHE VERY MUCH DOES DO THAT LATER. TO DIFFERENT GUARDS YES BUT IT’S LEGIT A THING SHE DOES

talking on the phone is stressful? yes it’s that good old “anxiety disorder” again, really a pain tbh

god I’m so proud of Kim, already that good good character development

also Kim’s grandma is me

omg I have to put Kim and Alix’s dumb chess games in the sequel, I came up with an entire thing about how they blatantly cheat etc and it’s ridiculous and Max gets a headache whenever he has to “referee” (aka make sure they don’t fight), it’s so great okay

me: *thinks about chapter 34 and throws up*

oh I’m the snake too btw. the snake also will hate chapter 34

Max holy moly repressing your feelings isn’t healthy??? stop that

hhhhhhh chapter Lila now, like literally that’s the entire chapter 23, it’s basically just Lila

this is just the damn Volpina episode

dupainchien!!!!! dupainchien!!!!!!!!!

I know this isn’t even that much of a big deal in this fic but like... can Marinette and Adrien just get together already lmao

hskdjhdkjfhgs for the record Lila and Kim is actually a pretty good ship?? but they’d both try to out-brag each other and it would be ridiculous so uh

hm anyways. time for CHAPTER AROACE

Kim’s like. ABOUT TO start falling for Max oh thank god, I need this

Lila: *just stabs Kim’s homework with a parasol*

Kim just... Did That??? WE STAN

(oh and later note: in this he just treats Lila like how Adrien treated her in Chameleon lol)

I remember at this point I wasn’t sure if Lila would actually really return in the fic, and then literally like 2 chapters later I brought her back already because damn that girl needs a redemption arc

do I hug Kim or do I hug Max?? you FOOLS, you ABSOLUTE BUFFOONS, I am going to hug ALIX for having to deal with all their romo bullshit

Max trying to get drunk on orange juice is the mood

JULEKA’S MAGICAL GAYDAR!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!

(also Juleka is absolutely wearing a Reflekta dress)

Juleka, outright: “Max. my dude. alix is aroace you dense idiot. you are all idiots. you absolute fuckwits.”

I’m still the snake btw

hhhhhhhhhh I wanna make a daisy chain now, or just go outside and sprawl in some grass, I can’t because it’s 2.30am and I live in the city and it’s winter, screw this fic for making me miss my school days

oh no I’m having an allergic reaction again

I mEAN IT’S CUTE THO, IT’S CUTE, BUT I KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN A BIT LATER SO THIS IS JUST PAINFUL

“You need more sleep” me calling myself out

I am going to hit Kim over the head,,

STOP BEING WEIRD JUST TELL HER YOU LIKE HER?? GOOD GOD I DON’T EVEN SHIP IT AND I STILL WANT YOU TO GET A BLOODY MOVE ON

oh good, he wants to smack himself in the face too

no nonono no Alix I think you are cute too. but you see, I mean it in the adopting way. but you ARE objectively adorable (source: the Reverser episode and also like all the other episodes) people just don’t say it in this au because of your TERRIFYING PET SNAKE

she offered to give him a telephone... lov that foreshadowing

*unimpressed* “are you in love with me?” OH FUCKING FINALLY

skdfhskdjfhsd avoiding people and having a heart attack when someone knocks on your door? I see the return of that anxiety disorder eh

Alix didn’t bring the snake (me) with her on purpose bc she knows Kim is still a bit scared of it at this point and doesn’t want him to be in a bad mood while she’s crushing his heart and soul

GOD YES I LOVE THIS SCENE

I hate myself because when I was writing this I was thinking “oh mood?? oh mood worm same hat???” and yet still. didn’t. realize. I’m. aro. *le sigh*

I’m gonna cry this is so sweet

“So are bossy, intimidating, hot girls your type?” no actually because Ondine is neither bossy nor intimidating (tho yeah she is hot) (and not particularly relevant in this fic unfortunately)

Alix is not in fact as oblivious as she claims to be btw, she just thinks it would sound mean to say “oh yeah I guessed you had a thing for me but I aggressively ignored it bc it annoyed me since I’m aroace lmao”

I’m genuinely going to hecking cry omg I remember now why this was my Ultimate Brotp for so long ugh it’s so good, @ ZAG LET KIM AND ALIX BE FRIENDS

I’m laughing?? so hard??? at the fact that their height difference is so ridiculous that literally like he has to kneel down??? god this is the funniest thing

oh also btw she was internally debating with herself like “should I give him the mistletoe kiss?? sounds gross but I feel so bad for him dammit” and decided to right there on the spot because she was lowkey curious anyway, which I’ll be honest is still an aro mood

OMG I’M ACCIDENTALLY SUCH A GENIUS OMG LISTEN NO LEMME EXPLAIN

SO LIKE. there are two (2) instances in this fic where I tried to pretend to be funny by dropping in the word “heartrate”. one is near the beginning, and the other is right here

in other words, the exact start and end points of Kim’s crush on Alix?? AND I DID THAT BY ACCIDENT OMG I’VE CHANGED MY MIND I’M PROUD OF MYSELF NOW

oh... oh no. uh oh. the dreaded evil Chapter Twenty Hecking Five

it’s called “Pain” for a reason. also my OG nickname for it was “Death”. also for a reason.

I even listened to Death Valley (the FOB song) on repeat while writing it (along with the next like 9 chapters lol) because the word DEATH just seemed so accurate

no really this is THE real turning point in the fic, where it stops being just a dumb teen movie and starts being all A N G S T Y

like this is the first chapter that has NO lightheartedness AT ALL

okay. here we go

this is all??? foreshadowing??? for dumb chapters like 30 and 34??? I Hate

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE SNAKE

I’M HAVING A HEART ATTACK JUST READING THESE WORDS THIS IS SO HORRIFYING ALEXA PLAY DEATH VALLEY

this is the equivalent of seeing a kwami die, for the record. like I know kwamis can’t die but THIS IS HOW IT WOULD FEEL

god this is even worse in hindsight knowing what happens later, bc poor Alix is all like @ herself “oh well it’s a nightmare so it’s not real” and I’m just like... oh dear. honey. sweetie. welp. I mean on the bright side you’re psychic so that’s kinda cool right

I love how Jalil is actually really sweet and a genuinely cool brother, you just never get to see it when Kim’s around bc he hates Kim lmao (I mean for good reasons..)

“I can’t live without this snake!” I MEAN YOU’RE NOT WRONG

these timeline powers are SO cursed man. why was I so evil and cruel holy actual shit

(the whole “some character deaths but not really” tag refers to all this clusterfuck btw)

okay it’s funny how this bit with Adrien is the Collector episode despite it not having aired yet when I wrote this, I guess I’m psychic too

Nathalie being sympathetic huh? not so much in the sequel when I get round to it...

Adrikins being all “I DEMAND TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER” I’m dying

uh yeah there’s a difference between being grounded, and like, literal actual house arrest

damn... capitalism really is bad

so is imperialism

fix this damn typo thing where I used the word “soon” twice in one sentence like was that really necessary

DUPAINCHIEN

I love how Kim is so obviously bi that even Marinette notices and straight-up tries to set him up with a hot commoner boy

oh noes here comes The Death

Hi Aish Snekwami, I am afraid

god imagine how horrible it must be??? to have something traumatic happen in another timeline but you’re still aware of it in this one so you still suffer the effects even though nothing bad happened in this timeline????

Max shows up for two seconds this chapter to remind everyone that I have an anxiety disorder again and then hecks off, good for him

HOLY FUCK?!?!?! IMAGINE LITERALLY DYING ACTUAL DEATH IN ANOTHER TIMELINE AND EVEN THOUGH YOU SURVIVE IN THIS ONE YOU STILL HAVE TO LIKE. FEEL THE WHOLE TIME YOU’RE DYING OF GODDAMN COBRA VENOM HOLY FUCK WHY DID I MAKE THIS SO ANGSTY

I mean I think I remember writing this when I was on a very heavy painful period which full-on incapacitated me but like even that’s nowhere near as bad as fucking. snake. bite (ye I did some research, it was creepy...)

man this is so evil... I can’t

THIS IS HOW IT FEELS TO DIE

god that’s so haunting ughhhhhhhhh

honestly whenever I stub my toe etc I always think to myself “is this karma for that time I lowkey killed Alix off in chapter 25?” and yeah, it probably is

OKAY THAT’S ENOUGH FOR NOW

[theuninspirednovelist]

To Love A Tool

This is a present for the greatest, most awesome person to roam our thorki halls. @thorki-goddess I hope this makes you feel good

They met on the internet.

Of all the things that could have happened, they met on the internet, in a chat room about using tools. He was bad at it and needed guidance and his guide happened to be the biggest flirt in the entire world. He had already made a sexual innuendo in the first part of their conversation and it was so freaking ridiculous that it made him, Loki Laufeyson, stern science teacher and terror into the hearts of his students, snort.

That was the only reason he hadn’t stopped the conversation and left what his name – ThunderOdinson84 – hanging like the tools he guided him about.

L.L 87 – Was that honestly your best joke?

ThunderOdinson84 – lol. I don’t know maybe you can find out over dinnfer?

L.L 87 – What the hell is a dinnfer?

ThunderOdinson 84 – dinner*

ThunderOdinson 84 – I meant dinner. Any place you like around here?

L.L 87 – I haven’t said yes yet

ThunderOdinson 84 – Oh lol. Well do you wat to?

L.L 87 – Want*

L.L 87 – Nope

L.L 87 signed off

It wasn’t the most satisfying shutting down of his laptop and source of income, but it gave him the sense of satisfaction needed for him to sleep that night.

***

It was exhausting being who he was, honestly. The droning, dead days, the lifeless existence, everything was so stupid.

He was a college physics teacher and though it paid for the lifestyle he had – thanks to the two apartments left to him by his father that he rent out – he didn’t feel the excitement he did when he started.

He remembered his early teaching days even now. He had been big eyed, stunned by the huge campus, excited by the thought of teaching young minds and being part of their lives as they grew older.

It had taken a few bad incidents for him to realize that it wasn’t meant to be the way he wanted and that no matter what he did, life was going to screw him over.

It became startlingly clear when he ended up in bed with the brother of one of his students. It also became clearer still when he ended up in a relationship, knowing he was a married man.

It didn’t take long for the student himself to arrive at his door with enough blackmail material for him to get fired and lose the promise of a good future. Loki had never paled in his life, not till then, not till that student wanted the best possible grades or he tells everyone about what Loki did.

Especially the wife of his controversial boyfriend.

The choice hadn’t been a choice, really, it was just plain painful any way Loki looked at it. But it showed him how selfish he was when he let that student pass and kept his relationship with the boyfriend.

With Svad.

Loki stayed with him for most of the year, knowing full well that he was married. He liked the filthy element of it all, the excitement of him being found out. He liked that Svad was an animal and treated him to the attention he wasn’t getting from anyone.

He liked the nastiness of it all appealed to him.

What didn’t appeal to him the wife storming to his apartment one day and slapping him across the face so hard her nails raked and scratched his cheek. She had brought her brother with her and they fucking two teamed him, leaving him with a black eye and a limp.

He’d dumped Svad the day after.

And he told the school he got mugged.

He didn’t tell them that his light had been put out and his life changed forever.

It was four years ago, now, he was alone, getting his kicks from talking to a guy online and trying to figure out how to use the damn tools so he could build himself a stupid table.

It was the least he could do with his time and he was. There was just no effort in doing anything other than moping these days.

The snow outside helped cater to his moodiness and Loki was not above taking all of it. He took and he took, like he did with that relationship until he exhausted himself and stayed locked up in his home, celebrating snow days and eating large portions of food.

And making a table.

Which was still on the floor, unmade and undone.

Perfect.

***

L.L 87 has signed in

L.L 87 – I have a Stillson wrench/ Stillsons Pipe wrench. Adjustable. I need it set to max but it won’t move. Aid me.

A toolbox is typing…

Loki rolled his eyes at that stupid advertising stunt.

ThunderOdinson84 – Hey there

“Ah fuck” Loki breathed, then typed on his laptop

L.L 87 – I thought a toolbox was typing, not a tool

ThunderOdinson84 – Lol. How can I help you?

L.L 87 – I just typed it.

ThunderOdinson84 – Alright. What have you tried with it so far?

L.L 87 – I yanked it to hell and back and it won’t move.

ThunderOdinson 84 – Perhaps that is the problem. You have to be gentle with it. Yanking never works

ThunderOdinson 84 – At least not on tools.

Loki shook his head

L.L 87 – Are you this obtuse on purpose?

ThunderOdinson 84 – Are you this mean to everyone?

L.L 87 – Yes. Godbye

ThunderOdinson 84 – Goodbye*

L.L 87 has signed off.

The table didn’t get made that night.

And he didn’t touch the wrench.

***

It was inevitable then, that his days get worse somehow, nothing else could explain what happened a few weeks after.

Loki was walking home – he couldn’t find his keys and decided to give up rather than look – a bag of his groceries with him and the earphones of his phone in his ear, blasting music on full.

It was a habit he’d had since he was a teen, earphones in, socializing out.

No one talked to him, no one bothered him.

It also meant that he couldn’t hear anyone coming up behind him.

The street was deserted, he should have seen this coming.

Loki yelped as someone slammed into him from behind, knocking his groceries from his hands. He tried turning around, but he was yanked into an alley and shoved face first into the wall, his earphones painfully yanked out when they took his phone.

“Your wallet!” a man shouted into his ear, jabbing something sharp against his ribs “Now, where is it!?”

Loki groaned in pain and squeezed his eyes shut before he replied “Back pocket”

There was ruffling as another pair of hands patted down his legs and ass – so degrading – then pulled his wallet out and took his money.

“What else?” he was asked, the touch rough as it pinned him further against the wall

“Nothing, I have nothing else!” Loki told them “you have it”

They huffed in anger and the one holding him smashed his fist into the side of Loki’s head, throwing him to the ground as they left him there.

Loki was dazed, his eyes were watery and he whined in pain as he slowly got to his feet.

Humiliation and fear ran up and down his body and he looked around, panting heavily, to see who it had been that mugged him.

But no one was there.

Hell, they even took his groceries.

Loki sniffed and wiped his eyes quickly, looking down to see anything that he could salvage.

There was not a single thing left and eventually, he simply made his way back home, wanting to find comfort in some way.

***

He had no friends.

He didn’t think it would be a problem until now. He didn’t know who to call, who to talk to, who to get here so he could feel safe.

No one.

He’d gotten himself good and drunk, cried in the shower for an hour, then got even more drunk.

He assumed his editor would call him sometime, maybe he could talk to her.

But that seemed too far away and Loki dragged himself to the laptop and turned it on, going to the one site that he thought he would go to again.

L.L 87 has signed in.

L.L 87 – Somwe hererr?

He waited, looking at the screen, waiting for someone – anyone – to type.

A toolbox is typing…

ThunderOdinson 84 – Hello, how may I help you today?

L.L  87 – Isnft ther anyounge elser on thiss hellsite?

ThunderOdinson 84 – Not at the moment, no. How can I help?

Loki took a large swig of his beer and set it down, then focused on the screen.

L.L 87 – you catbtr help

ThunderOdinson 84 – Are you alright?

ThunderOdinson 84 – Is this the site you really want right now?

L.L 87 – Fuckingf haver noo one to talkj to abouty this

ThunderOdinson 84 – Do you need me to call someone?

L.L 87 – Gott mugged.

ThunderOdinson 87 – I’m so sorry. Do you have another way for me to contact you?

L.L 87 – tOOk ma phone

ThunderOdinson 84 – Home number?

L.L 87 – Howe dhoo I know I rust yu?

ThunderOdinson 84 – I’ve been mugged before, I know what it’s like. Let me help.

Fine, it wasn’t like he was inviting him over. So Loki gave him his number and waited.

A minute barely passed as his phone rang and Loki glared at it, then picked up.

“Hello?”

It stunned him, his voice – so sad and soft and scared – he cleared his throat, trying to speak normally.

“Hello?” he said again

“Hello” a warm, honey voice answered “It’s me, ThunderOdinson. Are you alright?”

Loki swallowed heavily and nodded “No”

“Do you need some sort of help?”

Loki grabbed his beer and took a long, deep swig, then set it down “I need all sorts of help. What are you offering?”

“Did they hurt you?”

Loki shook his head “Yes”

“Do you need a doctor?”

“I don’t know” Loki whispered, then to his horror, he felt his lip tremble “I don’t want to be alone”

“Sir, please stay calm” he was told “Breathe deeply. Is there family you want me to call, perhaps?”

“Family is dead” Loki whimpered “I’m alone, I don’t have anyone”

He heard that beautiful voice cuss and sniffed

“What’s your name?” Loki asked “Your real name”

He heard the man swallow before he replied “Thor”

“Thor” Loki smiled “I’m Loki”

“Hello, Loki” Thor greeted “It’s really nice to meet you”

Loki sniffed and looked at his hands “Thor, I’m scared”

“I know” Thor sighed “I don’t blame you. The same thing happened to me, I couldn’t sleep for three days.”

“How did it stop?” Loki asked

He could hear Thor smile “My mother helped”

Loki’s mouth turned down and tears filled his eyes “I don’t have a mother”

And damn if that didn’t just sound pathetic.

He heard Thor inhale deeply, then possibly lick his lips.

“Loki” he said softly “If you don’t mind, may I come over to help you? I promise I will not hurt you”

“I don’t trust you” Loki said

“I know” Thor said “I do not blame you, but you clearly need help and you know me. My name s Thor Odinson, I own a company that makes tools. You can look me up if you want”

Loki nodded “Let me look you up”

“Alright, I will wait” Thor said “You have any soup or something you like?”

“I like laksa” Loki said “Good luck finding it…oh…”

He saw Thor and felt his face heat up. The man was hot!

“I see you” Loki said

“Then you know who to send the cops after” Thor chuckled “Laksa it is, Loki. I will see you in a little while if you give me your address”

Call him stupid, but Loki did. He gave him his damn address and then he waited.

He finished another beer and cried for the next forty minutes, but he gave him the address.

If he was dying, what better way to go then this, anyway.

***

Thor arrived an hour later.

And he found the laksa.

Loki found him even better looking than the picture and he lowered his swollen eyes to the floor when Thor stepped in, all smiles and encouragement.

“Hi” Thor looked at him, “Are you better?”

Loki scoffed “No”

He didn’t know, he had a bruise forming at his temple and his migraine was torture.

“Well, I will try and fix that” Thor said, heading to the kitchen “let me get this out for you”

Loki closed the door and followed him, miserable and broken. He didn’t even care if Thor was here to hurt him.

Not today, at least.

He pointed out where the bowls were and Thor took over, looking for things and finding the right utensils before he set the food out on the table.

“Ta da” Thor gestured to it

Loki looked at him, then the food “You’re not here to hurt me?”

Thor shook his head “I can take a sip if you think the soup is poisoned or something”

Loki was tempted at the offer, but he wanted something else.

“Spread your arms out” he ordered

Thor was confused, but he did as Loki asked and a few minutes later, Loki walked over and embraced him. It was only when Thor’s arms came about him that he realized how touch starved he was and he held him tighter, closing his eyes when they filled up with tears after Thor cradled his head to him.

“Oh, Loki…” Thor breathed, giving him a squeeze

Loki didn’t know when he started crying – but once he did, he couldn’t stop. His body shook as he cried and clung to Thor when the man sat in a chair, forcing himself into his lap, into his arms as he broke down.

Like a child.

Loki cried and broke down, holding onto a kind hearted stranger because he didn’t have anyone who loved him.

No one loved him.

***

The morning after was a hang over and embarrassment.

He remembered what he did, it was why it took him forever to gain the courage to get out of bed. Thor was likely gone, never wanting to see Loki again or talk to him again, nothing.

And Loki wouldn’t even blame him – who would like a crazy stranger crying over them like that? Inviting them over? Asking them to being soup!?

Loki was an idiot.

It was a mercy that he had a day off today and didn’t have to show his pathetic face at college. He only had his own judgement to fear for right now and he wasn’t about to unleash it on himself.

Perhaps after breakfast.

He couldn’t hear movement outside, so it was safe for him assume that Thor had left. Still, he opened the door slowly and peeked out of it, trying to catch any sign of life other than his own pathetic existence.

But like every other day of his life, no one was there.

It was a mercy and a reminder of his bad a life he had.

Slowly, Loki walked to the kitchen, a hand on his tender, throbbing head, to make himself some breakfast.

He found on the kitchen table a lovely set up of breakfast complete with eggs, pancakes, toast and bacon, pot of coffee and two Advil

There was a bite missing from the toasts and a note left standing against the mug. It was a calling card with Thor’s name printed on it in sleek silver writing, then below it, a single line.

‘It’s not poisoned, I tested it’.

Loki didn’t know why his eyes were suddenly watery, but he sat down and started on the meal without complaint.

***

Thor was going through a few documents in his office when his computer pinged and made him look up

L.L 87 – Thank you

L.L 87 has signed off.

***

They didn’t get to talk for the next two weeks, even though they both had each other’s numbers. Loki assumed Thor was busy and Thor assumed Loki didn’t want anything to do with him.

It seemed like whatever they had would fade off into nothing and Thor, though sad about that, didn’t want to push Loki.

If the man wanted to talk to him, he would.

Loki was immersed in his work and had no idea what and how he could talk to Thor again. He clearly wanted to, but they embarrassment of their first meeting still lingered.

That and Thor was probably busy.

Yes, that’s what it was.

***

Thor owned his tools company, taken over after his father retired.

He took good care of it with his mother by his side and because their products were so good, they never got a complaint. That was why, at his mother’s suggestion, he himself managed the complaints he received from his consumers.

Of course they were rare, which made it an easy distraction from his paperwork.

No one knew that they were actually talking to the CEO himself – which was part of the intrigue that Thor loved.

There were no complaints now and the last message he got was two days ago about a spanner. He’d fixed that quickly enough and now, two days later, he sat going through his worker’s paychecks and monthly analysis.

Again, something his mother insisted he do himself.

He was halfway through when his computer pinged, an automatic message rising up whenever someone typed something in on the company website.

Thor felt his lips curve into a smile when he saw who it was.

L.L 87 – I have a problem with this hammer I bought from your company. Can you try NOT messing up such a simple instrument?

ThunderOdinson 84 – We are very sorry, what is the problem?

L.L 87 – It never hits the nail. It’s stupid.

Thor chuckled and started to reply.

ThunderOdinson 84 – Perhaps you aren’t doing it right.

L.L 87 – HOW MANY WAYS ARE THERE TO NAIL SOMETHING?

Thor pulled his lips inwards and chuckled before he typed once more.

ThunderOdinson 84 – Depends on how it wants to be nailed.

L.L 87 - …are you on drugs?

L.L 87 – Do these lines really work on people?

ThunderOdinson 84 – Sometimes. Sometimes I have to drill it harder.

L.L 87 - …leave.

Thor laughed and shook his head, typing again.

ThunderOdinson 84 – What type of table do you have in mind?

L.L 87 – eh?

ThunderOdinson 84 – The table you are making. What will it look like?

L.L 87 – UH…square.

ThuderOdinson 84 – I see. You need help?

L.L 87 – From the worst pun master I have ever met? No thank you.

ThunderOdinson 84 – I drilly like to help you.

L.L 87 – Now I know why you’re single.

ThunderOdinson 84 – Please don’t clamp down on my sense of humor.

L.L 87 has signed off.

Thor snickered to himself and went back to work, intending on calling Loki later – or typing, whichever came first.

***

ThunderOdinson 84 – What do you call a lazy fire pumper? Fire distinguisher.

ThunderOdinson 84 - Loki come back, it was so knife to meet you.

ThunderOdinson 84 – You wanna see my … pleasure tool?

ThunderOdinson 84 – I can make your love socket sing for my crotch crowbar

L.L 87 – STOP SENDING ME PUNS

ThunderOdinson 84 – My digging stick needs a hewn love cavern to sheath itself in.

L.L 87 – OH MY GOD

ThunderOdinson 84 – That is what you will say when my sex siphon plunges into your bliss basin.

L.L 87 has signed off

***

They met the second time when Loki called him, out of the blue, his voice panicked.

Instantly, everything in Thor’s body turned cold and he frowned when he heard his voice.

“What’s wrong?” Thor asked

“I had to work late” Loki said softly “It’s really dark and my car won’t start”

“Where are you?” Thor stood “stay inside, I will be right there”

He found out Loki was at a college and drove there as quickly as he could. The moment he was outside, he realized why Loki was upset – it was raining and really pouring.

Thor was careful and eventually, found himself at the college, locating Loki’s car in the middle of an isolated parking lot of a dimly lit building. Loki was a huddled figure at the door, watching carefully.

Thor’s car was expensive and he stopped it as close to Loki as he could, picked up his umbrella and climbed out of the car, going to Loki.

The man’s eyes were large in the dim light and Thor smiled, coming over to him.

“Hey” he greeted

“Hey” Loki smiled “that was quick”

Thor shrugged “A friend in need…”

“Is a friend indeed” Loki finished

Thor found “Uh, no that’s not right. A friend in need is like a freakin nosebleed, Jesus, Loki, I thought this was a college”

Loki smiled gently and felt his face heat up “Thank you”

Thor smiled and put his arm around him, walking them to his car.

“Is your car safe here till the morning?” Thor called over the rain

“It is” Loki replied, huddling a little closer

“Wonderful” Thor smiled “let’s get you home”

Loki smiled and got in the car, cozying up the moment Thor turned on the heating.

“So” Loki gave him a soft smile “Are you tired of me yet?”

“Not yet” Thor winked at him, backing up “Ask me tomorrow”

Loki felt warm all the way inside and leaned back, enjoying the ride as Thor dropped him home.

***

L.L 87 has signed in.

L.L 87 – I have a problem again

ThunderOdinson 84 – Again? How can I help?

He could almost hear the sigh in the pause Loki gave before he started typing.

L.L 84 – I can’t make this stupid table. You do it.

ThunderOdinson 84 – You know I own a tool company, I am not a handyman or carpenter.

L.L 87 – I’ll let you make two tool puns in person.

ThunderOdinson 84 – What time do I get there?

L.L 87 – After work. Bring soup

Thor grinned and typed again

ThunderOdinson 84 – Give me a pun before you go.

L.L 87 - *sigh*

L.L 87 – I hope you are not tiled after work because that would screw everything up.

Thor actually burst out laughing at that, grinning at the screen.

ThunderOdinson 84 – Why do I hear that in your dead pan voice?

L.L 87 – Because you are a nut.

L.L 87 has signed off.

Thor smiled for the rest of the day and was beaming with delight as he walked to Loki’s home, humming and whistling.

His good mood, of course, faded, when he saw the door to Loki’s apartment open and muffled voices inside.

It further faded when he heard a faint whimper and he quickened his stride.

He found Loki against the wall, pressed there by a huge man, all black hair, muscles and tattoos. He had his hands on either side of Loki’s head, kissing and whispering into his ear as Loki pushed at him.

“I said no” Loki whispered, pushing at him “Go away, Svad, I don’t want this”

“You wanted it before” Svad smiled “and its been so long, I’ve missed you”

“You’ve missed my ass, that’s what you missed” Loki said bitterly “Now leave”

“Come on, pretty” Svad crooned “we were so good together”

“Good enough that you had your wife break up with me” Loki snarled, turning away when he made to kiss him again “Svad, let go!”

Svad grabbed Loki’s waist forcefully the second Thor lost his control and he shook him hard.

“Hey!”

They turned and Loki paled when he saw Thor stride over, making Svad let him go.

“You get away from him!” Thor rasped, backing Svad away “Don’t you touch him like that!”

Svad was just as big and Loki looked between the two, pale, his eyes huge in his worried face.

“Thor…” he whispered

Thor raised a hand to him, letting him know he was alright, then looked back at Svad, who was openly looking him over.

“Now I see” Svad laughed “this is why you wanted me gone. You found yourself another sugar daddy. He married, too?”

“Svad, please” Loki whispered “Just go”

Svad laughed and stepped away from him, heading to the door.

“He charges by the hour” Svad said nastily “And does anything you want if you throw something pretty at him”

Loki’s face burned and Thor charged at Svad, shoving him out the door even as Svad left by himself.

The door snapped shut and Thor locked it, turning to look at Loki slowly.

Loki, who was wiping his face and eyes and rubbing his arm.

“Thank you” Loki whispered “Im sorry, I didn’t know he was here, but he found out I was mugged and…”

“Hey, it’s alright” Thor said softly, walking to him “You don’t have to explain anything, Loki, I’m not judging you”

Loki looked at him, miserable, sad and so, so heartbroken “Why not?”

Thor frowned “What?”

“Why aren’t you judging me?” Loki asked softly “he’s a married man  and I …”

“That gives me no right to judge you” Thor gently held his face in his hands and made him look at him “Not at all, you hear? I would be a terrible jerk”

He saw Loki’s lips twitch and felt his blush on his fingers, that sweet, gentle head, just against his thumbs.

“Don’t you mean it would make you into a total tool?”

Thor laughed and shook his head “You’re worse than me, you know that?”

“Possibly” Loki said, then pulled away “now, let me get this soup ready and you can get to work on the table.”

Thor watched him leave, then smiled “Do I at least get to make a pun?”

There was silence from the kitchen once Loki went in, then a sigh.

“Go ahead”

Thor beamed “Loki, for forks sake can I at least get a hammer and mower nails?”

Silence, then a snort.

“You suck”

Thor beamed and went to work, pulling up his sleeves as he got to a crouch before the table to be.

It didn’t take him long and Loki brought the soup to him while he himself went to watch TV, but Thor let it linger mostly because it gave him more time with Loki.

And that was all this was about.

***

L.L 87 has signed in

L.L 87 is typing

L.L 87 – Our relationship is sTABLE enough for me to AXE this now…You want to have dinner with me?

Thor grinned and raised his hands to type.

ThunderOdinson 84 – Where and when?

L.L 87 – Tonight. You pick.

L.L 87 has signed off.

L.L 87 has signed in.

L.L 87 – NO PUNS

Thor cackled at that, clapping his hands once as Loki went off again, shaking his head.

He didn’t make any puns during dinner, none during dessert and started losing the battle against it when they went to Loki’s apartment.

He lost it completely two dates later, when he pounded into Loki, listening to his hot, heavy pants into his ear. His nails raked his back and his moans reverberated through Thor’s body.

Loki was beautiful in bed, he was loud when he wanted to be or soft as a whisper. He was responsive and he gave everything as well as he took.

He was magic.

And he breathed so lovingly into Thor’s ear, promises and filthy little things he came up with just to drive him over the edge.

And damn that was the hottest thing Thor had ever felt – those wet lips speaking into his ear, gasping … panting…

Loki held him after his release, both of them calming down and feeling their hearts race against the other’s, their arms entwined, their bodies spent.

“That was amazing” Thor breathed, mouthing at Loki’s skin “You’re amazing, oh my God”

Loki grinned and stroked his arm, his back, “You could say I clamped down on your sonic screw driver like a pro”

Thor blinked, then smiled, then began to laugh

“Oh God, that was awful” he whined,

“You power drilled me with your crotch hammer so hard” Loki continued

“No!” Thor laughed “Stop it!”

“You power drilled me so hard with your crotch hammer I am nailed!”

Thor couldn’t stop smiling and Loki let him pull him closer and kiss him on the mouth over and over, pleasing him with the kisses he realized he loved.

Loki enjoyed it just as much. He knew this was a start, but it was a promising one and one that Loki recognized as something he was looking forward to.

He looked at the table Thor had made, the damn tools that got him this hunk of man on him and smiled.

If nothing else, he made the right choice there and he was not regretting that any time soon.

[thesportssoundoff]

The 2018 UFC Calendar That Remains And One Man’s Stupid Attempt To Book It

Joey

July 23rd

Before we begin, I began this project the day before the UFC's debut in Boise. I figured all things considered it would take me about a week give or take to flesh this whole thing out. It took me a week JUST to get through October. I got to the Denver show on Friday and that was when the UFC dropped all sorts of news about Edgar/Korean Zombie and Mike Perry/Donald Cerrone co-headlining said show. I haven't edited it. I'm not going to edit it. IF ANYTHING, I think not touching what I did before Friday is an important piece of the puzzle. Nothing really puts this project into perspective like having to look at what you did and then something immediately changing that renders it moot. Everything AFTER the UFC in Denver was done pretty much on Sunday night.

The UFC released their schedule this week for the rest of the year. There's a lot of fights upcoming, perhaps more than you can shake a stick at. You're talking 14 events, 7 in the US, 1 in Russia, 1 in China, 2 in South America (Brazil and probably Argentina), 2 in Canada and 1 in the always cool Australia. If you give the UFC it's usual average of 12 fights a show then you're looking at probably 168 fights across the course of four months. We've got 3 in September, 2 in October, 5 in November and 4 in December which is about close-ish to what we got last year. Of course two of those cards are on Fight Pass, one is on Big Fox, five are on PPV and unless I'm mistaken the remaining 6 are on FS1. I did this in the beginning of the year (foolishly I might add) but now with the year coming to a close, I might as well take one final swing at it am I right? Here's my belief on what we're going to get from the UFC to close out 2018 from show to show and as Brock Lesnar once lovingly said "From sea to shining sea!"

September 8th

Dallas, Texas

UFC 228

Main Event: Tyron Woodley vs Colby Covington

Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko vs Nicco Montano

There's really nothing immediately on the docket to feel comfortable about as a headliner.  A natural-ish fit would be Ortega vs Holloway in a rebooking but Holloway's return to action is unknown. Jeremy Stephens, if he beats Aldo of course, could fight Edgar or Ortega for an interim title fight here if need be. Frankie is apparently a week away from being able to train again so an early July to early September set up is plenty of time for a dude who is  well known for his ability to be ready regardless of the circumstances. Already announced we have Zhabit/Yair and Jon Dodson vs Jimmie Rivera plus it seems pretty likely that Montano vs Shevchenko is getting announced soon-ish. That's not a main event and shouldn't be confused as such BUT it could be a respectable #2 on the bill.

September 15th

Moscow, Russia

UFC Fight Night

Main Event: Mark Hunt vs Aleksei Olynik

Co-Main Event: Shamil Abdurakhimov vs Andrei Arlovski

Consider this a mild, tepid dipping of the toe into the Russian fight market. The UFC's first event in Russia is a Fight Pass card; not even cracking the likes of FS1 or a PPV setting. While China got Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum, Russia was getting Fabricio Werdum and Alexey Oleynik. That's still a fine main event but clearly not on the same level as the perceived GOAT and the top MW prospect in the division. That fight got USADA'd and in its place, we got Hunt vs Oleynik which is totally fine. A co-main event of Curtis Blaydes vs Alexander Volkov fell apart with Blaydes being hurt and Volkov opting to get paid to weigh in as a UFC 226 replacement. The UFC cut prices before the event to, in so many words, allow for poor people to get into the event and seats apparently are going to be at your standard UFC Fight Pass levels where they open up the bowl sections and ground floor only. There's been some rumors of the likes of Islam Makachev, Jorge Masvidal, Jimi Manuwa, Petr Yan, Nikita Krylov and Mairbek Taisumov (!) all getting a chance to fight but I'm betting when all's said and done, we're looking at Arlovski and Abdurakhimov being our co-main event of the evening. Or morning depending on where you are.

September 22nd

Sao Paolo, Brazil

UFC Fight Night

Main Event: John Lineker vs Raphael Assuncao

Co-Main Event: Alex "Cowboy" Oliveira vs Neil Magny

The UFC's brazilian ranks are being casually wiped out be it due to injuries, ineffectiveness, fighters leaving or retiring. The last show of the year from Brazil needs A GUY but finding A GUY who can headline is sort of tough in this market. The one thing I hold steadfast is the possibility that they could actually try giving a female fighter a chance to headline (Gadelha vs Calderwood at 125 lbs was something I thought of). I even figured Demian Maia is always like a phone call away as well but I can't think of a guy I'm excited to see him fight (or just a guy for him to fight at all). Gimme Lineker vs Assuncao in a true #1 contender fight since Marlon Moraes' two amazing highlight reel KOs probably vaults him about Raphael even with the loss. Also keep an eye on Formiga vs Pettis here as well since it's a natural "no shit" #1 contender fight at flyweight.

October 6th

Las Vegas, Nevada

UFC 229

Main Event: Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov

Co-Main Event: Holly Holm vs Ketlein Vieira

We've already got the unofficial official announcements of Sean O'Malley and Frankie Edgar/Korean Zombie for Vegas. One of the rumors going around is that the UFC plans on doing something, likely an interim placeholder title, for Holm vs Vieira. If so, you should absolutely do it on THIS card because the only way you're going to get folks excited about that fight is if it's got a McGregor-esque support attached to it. Conor vs Khabib will probably happen this year, if not in October then I'd bet in MSG. Conor vs Khabib IMO is a serious test of what is or isn't a big buyrate these days. The last BIG fight we had was Gennady-Canelo which did (IMO) a somewhat surprisingly meh 1.2 million----and this should beat that and comfortably. If it doesn't then we've got shit to talk about. Conor/Khabib, Holm/Vieira, Edgar/Zombie, O'Malley plus Darren Till (who apparently is a lock for this card) seems like a damn good top 5 to me.

October 27th

Moncton, Canada

Fight Night on FS1

Main Event: Rafael Dos Anjos vs Kamaru Usman

Co-Main Event: Ilir Latifi vs the winner of Glover Teix/Corey Anderson

I don't know what necessarily is in Moncton but the UFC tries in theory to go to new markets and bring special cards. The problem is they always tend to get picked apart due to injuries. As for this card? Well there were rumors that Usman vs RDA was the next fight to make in the Fall sometime and this seems like a fine enough time for it. Usman could also be a sleeper for the 170 lb title picture if there's an injury or whatever. As for the co-main? By all accounts Ilir is expected to be back in the middle of the Fall and so I'm betting this could be a good enough time. Latifi vs the winner of Glover/Corey Anderson isn't a perfect fight but there are worse fights to be co-main events. If anything it's a relevant fight at a division that's still trying to figure out what relevant is. Throw in PVZ vs Rachael Ostovich (come on now it HAS to happen) and Elias Theodorou for good measure for main card related purposes.

November 3rd

New York, New York

UFC 230

Main Event: Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier

Co-Main Event: Brian Ortega vs the Jeremy Stephens/Jose Aldo winner or Max Holloway Third title fight: Cody Garbrandt/TJ Dillashaw winner vs Marlon Moraes Yoel Romero vs Ovince St. Preux Chris Weidman vs Paolo Costa

I'm betting that we're going to get the Jon Jones news any day now of a one year suspension redacted to July. If so, I'm betting the UFC puts Jones vs DC together with Cormier knowing that win or lose, the Brock fight awaits. DC seems really open to fighting at 205 lbs in the interim while he waits for Brock so I'm guessing/betting that if it's not Jones then it's a Shogun or a Gus here in this spot. The co-main event is a little more....prickly. Until I hear something about Max Holloway, I'm going to continue to believe that the rumors about him suffering something traumatic during his weight cut are true enough for me to not think we see him again this year. That means Ortega's going to have to fight somebody for the belt and if so, the winner of Stephens/Aldo lines up pretty damn well time wise. If Stephens knocks off Aldo then he'll have earned this shot no questions asked. The third title fight (because MSG tradition says three) was a toss up between Mighty Mouse coming back, the rumored Nunes/Cyborg fight or the TJ/Cody winner. Marlon Moraes is coming off of TWO 1st round finishes of the highest order and I think that puts him above Assuncao who has a better overall resume (and the win tie breaker) but no flashy "This is my title shot" moment. Moraes has that. As for the rest of the main card? Yoel Romero vs Gus seems like THE perfect fight to make but Gustafsson is seemingly not up for a Romero clash. That could in turn open the door for Romero vs OSP since they seem to gel up timeline wise (Romero had surgery, OSP has a family matter he's dealing with). Chris Weidman vs Paolo Costa is a rumored fight the UFC wants to put together for MSG and I'd be totally okay with that fight for both guys.  Throw in some "names" on the undercard and this card could/should be the 2nd biggest show of the year. If Jones vs DC III with two title fights doesn't get people excited then I'm not sure what else there is to offer y'all.

November 10th

Denver, Colorado

25th Anniversary Fight Night

Main Event: Tony Ferguson vs Dustin Poirier/Eddie Alvarez loser

Co-Main Event: Donald Cerrone vs Mike Perry (at 170)/Kevin Lee (at 155)

The UFC has built a whole marketing promotion for this one so this show might get a big damn deal. Tony Ferguson vs the loser of Poirier/Alvarez seems like a natural-ish fit for this card given that Ferguson is expected to be back by the end of 2018. Ferguson isn't getting the Khabib/Conor winner and I get the feeling that if Poirier wins, he's getting the title shot. This is a damn important stay busy fight at lightweight for both guys. As for Cerrone vs Perry? Donald Cerrone is a big deal in Colorado and if he stays at WW, this is a damn good fight for him. Otherwise? I like Cerrone vs Kevin Lee as a fight if Cerrone TRULY wants to try 155 lbs again. He shouldn't but if he does? Good fit for me. I like this fight a bunch. Throw in Sage Northcutt (!!!!!!!), Chad Mendes vs Mirsad Bektic, Do Bronz Oliveira vs David Teymur, Cat Zingano vs Rocky Pennington and the Rivera/Dodson winner vs Alejandro Perez and we're off to the races!

November 17th

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fight Night

Main Event: Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Leon Edwards

Co-Main EVent: Dominick Reyes vs Jan Blachowicz

Take two! The UFC heads into Argentina (after flirting with a November 2017/Feb 2018 visit) and with Ponz healthy and ready to go, I'd imagine Argentina is about to experience a Ponzi Scheme. Ya like that? I like it. Ponzinnibio vs Edwards feels like a great piece of matchmaking given their respective winning streaks and the fact that Till, Covington and Usman have all leapfrogged them in the division. Good easy work here. The co-main is more about finding out what Dominick Reyes CAN'T do at this point. I've seen him steamroll dudes with enough ease to get a little curious/froggy as to what necessarily else he's got for us. I am, dare I say, intrigued. Jan has proven himself again after an up and down UFC run. The time is now and it'll never be more ready than now for thesetwo. Blachowicz might even be overqualified for the job but who cares? There's plenty of fun developing Latin American talent to find a spot for on this show, like Julio Arce, Moggly Benitez, Vicente Luque (Brazilian with Chilean roots), the eternally underrated Enrique Barzola and some of the other fine Latin American fighters in the UFC and trying to get into the UFC.

November 24th

Shanghai, China

UFC Fight Night (likely on Fight Pass)

Main Event: Francis Ngannou vs Marcin Tybura

Co-Main Event: Walt Harris vs the Arlovski/Shamil Adburahkhimov winner

Would the UFC try to run back Anderson Silva in China? I'm not sure they wouldn't consider it. As more and more decent Chinese fighters start to filter into the UFC, the Chinese market seems to actually be on the verge of finally breaking through.  If there's one thing the UFC is frequently "good" at; it's sending big dudes to foreign markets to try and appeal to casual audiences with size. With the likes of Song Yadong, Li Jingliang, Guan Wang, Kenan Song and some of the Chinese female mixed martial artists at the ready; the undercard should be loaded up with local-ish talent who can be relied upon for undercard support. With that being laid down? Go big at the top. I can't think of a more direct message to send to Francis Ngannou than to put him on a Fight Pass event while still getting max value out of him with a big main event for an international crowd. Ngannou vs Tybura is a fine test for Francis and it trumps a rumored JDS fight which doesn't make a whole bunch of sense given that JDS is coming off his first win in forever while Ngannou has dropped two in a row.  Throw in a Yushin Okami fight as well just to confirm you hate your audience. We all know you do! Also would be totally down for Li Jingliang vs Chad Laprise or someone of that ilk.

November 30th

Las Vegas, Nevada

TUF Finale

Main Event: Derrick Lewis vs Justin Willis

Co-Main Event: One of the TUF Finales (below that though and another TUF finale, Brad Tavares vs Thiago Marreta)

If big dudes throwing punches isn't your thing then November might be a rough month for y'all. I ALMOST went with JDS here but I'll pass on that one to be honest. Lewis vs Justin Willis is a good test for Willis and with a lengthy stretch of time off, the Black Beast can maybe get his back right. Wouldn't be opposed to Mark Hunt vs Lewis II either. This is the last TUF of all time and it features HWs so might as well give them a HW fight too.

December 1st

Adelaide, Australia

Fight Night

Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs Derek Brunson

Co-Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs Josh Emmett

The Australian/Kiwi/NZ fighter's revolution is still off and popping. Right on time too as the UFC is heading to Australia in December with dudes like Tai Tuavasa, Dan Hooker, Alexander Volkanovski, Jessica Rose Clark and Israel Adesanya at the top of the run. RIGHT off the jump we've got a problem as Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold are out of the division, Weidman and Costa are matched up, Jacare and Brunson are matched up and you've got Gastelum waiting on Whittaker. That in turn leads us to Adesanya vs Derek Brunson win or lose vs Shoeface. At this point I feel like Adesanya has been sped up so fast that it's basically a lock that he'll take on a Brunson type next. That brings us to the co-main where it's time for Volkanovski to get a bigger name. Dude's earned this shot. Volkanovski vs Emmett makes sense or even Volkanovski vs Lamas, Bektic or any of THOSE guys would be damn cool. Throw in Tai Tuavasa vs a fun punching bag and you've got one hell of a top three and Tyson Pedro vs Devin Clark too.

December 8th

Toronto, Canada

UFC 231

Main Event: Rose Namajunas vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz/Jessica Andrade winner

Co-Main Event: Junior Dos Santos vs Mark Hunt 2 Anderson Silva vs Uriah Hall Stephen Thompson vs Gunnar Nelson Jordan Mein vs Michael Chiesa

The UFC is going to try and give Toronto something special. This SEEMED on paper like the perfect spot to roll out the Whittaker vs Gaselum title fight but Rob is out into February. An interim fight here doesn't make much sense I guess. The best option is probably the most likely option and that's going to be a 115 lb title fight at the top of the bill. In the mean time and in between time, I'm a big fan of the idea of giving the strawweight division EVERY chance to succeed. Maybe a 115 lb title fight won't draw a major crowd on its own but JDS vs Mark Hunt 2 and Anderson Silva (!) makes for a damn fine balance of options across the board for a main card. Throw in two good WW fights plus every Canadian under the sun in the prelim spots and I think we're good to go here!

December 15th

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

UFC on Fox

Main Event: Alexander Gustafsson vs Luke Rockhold

Co-Main Event: Anthony Pettis vs Al Iaquinta

Outside of just popping a number for old time's sake, the UFC really has no incentive to do anything "big" here. It's a finale for Fox, one last chance for them and the UFC to put on a good show before Fox goes into bed with pro bowling and the UFC moves on to ESPN. The main event is a fine enough rebooking as Rockhold's debut at 205 vs Alexander Gustafsson still SEEMS like a pretty great idea. It's not a Milwaukee showcase without Anthony Pettis as the dude looks to continue his career rebuild at 155 lbs. I'm not entirely all in on yet on his return BUT I'm loving the idea of it. I ALMOST went with Mighty Mouse here vs Sergio Pettis as the main event but I don't know if that fight happens on Fox since there's really no major incentive for it to be on Fox. Throw in Mackenzie Dern vs Jessica Aguilar in a showcase fight/test for Dern and Edson Barboza vs David Teymur and we should be fine enough to go here.

December 29th

Las Vegas, Nevada

UFC 229

Main Event: Amanda Nunes vs Cris Cyborg

Co-Main Event: TJ/Cody loser vs Dominick Cruz

Carlos Condit vs Robbie Lawler Cynthia Calvillo vs Michelle Waterson Khalil Rountree vs Jimi Manuwa

And so we might as well end the year hot. With the final show in Vegas, it sure seems like some form of Nunes vs Cyborg is happening. In truth it's the biggest fight that WMMA can conjure up currently so I have no issue with that. Beyond that though? I think no fight is going to sell like that one will so you might as well support the undercard for thee last remaining WMMA anti-fans. Don't want to see Nunes vs Cyborg? Well how about a rematch of the best WW fight ever @ your mom about it? Lawler should be back by then and Condit has already said he wants one more go of it at 170 lbs. If ANY fight is going to get people up for one last final run, it's that one. TJ or Cody vs Dom Cruz buys us some time for Assuncao and company to maybe get a title fight in the interim. That and TJ vs Cruz 2 still has some high upside appeal to me. Calvillo vs Waterson may not appeal to everybody but Waterson is usually in a fun fight and I'm still high up on Calvillo's upside. Khalil Rountree probably fights four times between now and this show but I really think Rountree vs Manuwa can be a bonkers striking battle. Throw in Zhabit Magomedsharipov, Claudia Gadelha vs Felice Herrig, some combination of DWTCS guys, a HW fight of a high caliber and plenty of fake rumors about a second title fight and we're off to the races!

[singingwordwright]

Gorgeous cover art courtesy of @beyondthehunt Originally betaed by @roseglass with some final (eventual) copy-editing by @bonibaru

A Separate Peace (sequel to One Easy Answer) a Malec AU by @maleccrazedauthor

(Also on AO3)

Chapters: 24/28 Word Count: 104,900 Rating: Mature Premise: Arranged Marriage AU, Canon Divergent starting at Ep 1x12

(Please See Chapter List for Notes and Summary)

As the afternoon aged, they chased Clary’s sense of Jonathan through the city on a twisting, constantly-changing path. He didn’t seem to be moving very fast, but they were never quite able to close the distance before they realized he’d veered off in an entirely different direction. Clary’s frustration at her inability to get an accurate fix on him after her confidence that her plan would work might have been amusing in other circumstances.

Finally, Jace had looked down at a sewer grate and cursed. “He’s underground. Using the sewers or the subway and steam tunnels.”

“Without a more accurate signal, tracking him down there will be impossible; even if we can find the right tunnel, he’ll have turned into another one by the time we pick up his trail.” Alec said. “We’ll never catch up to him. Our best bet is to try not to let him get too far away and wait for him to surface.”

Izzy pulled her phone from her pocket. “I’ll call Raphael, have him give his people a heads-up.”

“Why underground?” Clary asked, scowling over the fact that her tracking scheme was only somewhat successful.

Jace shrugged. “Valentine is injured. Could be he can’t handle a glamour rune right now, so Jonathan may be trying to keep him out of sight. They wouldn’t want to draw attention.”

Once the sun set, the winding course stabilized into something more direct, leading them directly to the gates of an historic cemetery.

“A graveyard?” Clary asked skeptically. “What could they be looking for here?”

Jace regarded the wrought-iron fence-work with a grimace. “Is it too much to hope that Valentine saved us the trouble and died?”

“Don’t I wish?” she muttered, then glanced sideways at Jace. “So, Maia huh?”

It was too dark to be certain, but Alec could have sworn Jace blushed. “Well, we do have a history of passionate face-punching.”

She raised her hands and took a step back. “I’m not here to kinkshame.”

“Anything on Jonathan?” Izzy asked, and there was a grimness in her face that quelled Clary and Jace’s banter. Since that moment in the training room earlier, the burden of the grief they carried today had been…lighter, somehow. As though the pain of losing Max and learning about their father’s betrayal was weeks or months old, rather than fresh, jagged-edged anguish they’d felt that morning. But now that they were drawing close to Max’s killer, that wound was starting to ache more intensely, accompanied by a smoldering rage.

If Alec had any say in the matter, Jonathan would pay for all he’d done in blood.

Clary closed her eyes, focusing on whatever pull she was feeling in the blood she shared with her brother. “Only that he’s close. Sorry.”

“We’ll split up,” Alec announced, pulling his bow off his shoulder. “Jace and I will work our way toward the wooded section at the southern perimeter. You two check the mausoleums and the banks of the creek to the west.”

Once Izzy and Clary had acknowledged with brisk nods, Alec pulled out his phone. “Lydia, we’ve tracked them down to a cemetery in Highland Park. Can you dispatch reinforcements to my location? We’re not letting them get away again.”

“That might be a bit difficult,” Lydia said, her voice carrying the echoey quality that told Alec she had him on speaker. “Since the sun went down, our monitors have picked up a spike in demon activity. The demons appear to be moving in the area near you, which suggests Valentine is using the Mortal Cup to create a diversion.”

“Damn. He’s lost his army thanks to Dot, so now he’s reverted back to using demons as cannon fodder. Okay. Get people here if you can, but keeping the demons off the mundanes has to be the priority.”

“We’re on it.” She disconnected before Alec could reply.

Jace didn’t need Alec to explain that they were on their own. “Valentine’s injured, so we have that going for us, but I’ve fought Jonathan. He’s the one we need to worry about. Demon strength and speed, and he was trained by Valentine.”

Alec quirked an eyebrow at him. “Better than you?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Jace smirked. “Don’t underestimate him is what I’m saying.”

“Just hope for his sake that we find him before Izzy does,” Alec said darkly.

“None of us are going to let him walk away after what he did to Max,” Jace vowed, tightening his grip on his seraph blade.

Alec looked down at the carefully manicured lawn passing under his feet. “I almost wish you and Clary hadn’t done what you did earlier.”

“The tracking? Why?”

“Not the tracking. What came with it. The angelic power you called up. It makes things…easier. Doesn’t it?”

Beside him, Jace swallowed audibly. “Yeah.”

“This shouldn’t be easier. Not Max. Not yet.” Alec shifted the strap of his quiver on his shoulder. “When we kill Sebastian—Jonathan���that’s when it’s supposed to stop hurting so damned much.”

“I—It still will,” Jace said, sounding flustered. Alec glanced up at him to find him grimacing. “I think. I don’t know how this works, and I’m not used to being the one doing the reassuring. But emotions cloud judgment, right? If we go at Jonathan furious and hungry for blood, he can use that against us. So we take him down tonight level-headed and clear of purpose. For Max.”

Alec could almost wonder at Jace’s calm. Then again, Jace had plenty of experience with personal betrayals, didn’t he? Max’s death aside, what was hitting Alec and Izzy so hard about Jonathan’s duplicity was the way they had been played, the way they’d had their best intentions—the best parts of their natures, really—used against them.

But that was just a day in the life of anyone who’d had the misfortune to be raised by Valentine Morgenstern, wasn’t it?

“What about you and Magnus?” Jace asked. “Did it make that easier, too?”

Alec shook his head and sighed. “There’s nothing to make better there. We’ll get past it. We just…need to work through it. I mean, that’s what’s supposed to happen, isn’t it?”

“How should I know?” Jace scoffed, then frowned. “You really had no idea what he was up to with Dot?”

“I knew something was going on, but he said it wasn’t his secret to share, so I didn’t push.” He skirted an old headstone that slanted precariously into the space between the graves. “He had his reasons, but still. He did all that because he wasn’t sure he could trust me. So that’s all something we need to deal with, but mostly it was just—”

“—one hit too many,” Jace finished for him.

“Yeah,” Alec agreed with a grimace. Something on a nearby gravestone glistened in the moonlight and he nudged Jace’s arm, pointing to it. “Look.”

“Blood. Valentine’s?”

“That, or something he’s planning to throw at us got a piece of someone. Either way, we’re on the right track.” Alec took his bow off his shoulder and quickened his pace toward the treeline.

Something was definitely moving within the trees as they approached the wooded copse. Jace raised his sword as Alec nocked an arrow, and a prickle of…something...raised the hairs on the back of Alec’s neck.

“Pay attention to where you’re walking,” he murmured. “I think there might be an entrance to Faerie ahead.”

Jace shook his head. “If that’s how Valentine thinks he’s going to get around the warlocks’ wards, he’s really desperate. The Seelies will tear him apart. He—”

Jace’s words were driven from his throat by a blast of magic that crashed into them like a speeding truck. It tossed them into the air, them slammed them to the ground.

“He’s got a warlock with him!” Jace wheezed.

Alec struggled to his feet, ribs and lungs aching. “Not just any warlock. I know that spell.”

He should have considered before who else might have been imprisoned in the Gard with Valentine. The question was, how willingly was she working with Valentine now?

A figure was limping quickly away from them as they charged into the woods.

“Valentine, stop!” Jace shouted, his blade high and ready.

Alec was too busy scanning the perimeter for any trace of Iris Rouse to get a good look at Valentine, but what he saw was…horrific. Deep, bleeding lesions ran down his face, as though his skin had been melted away in places. His normally erect bearing was hunched and pain twisted his features, edging the calculating madness in his eyes with desperation.

“Hello, son,” Valentine rasped. “Here to stop your old man from seeking healing for his wounds?”

“Don’t call me that,” Jace gritted between clenched teeth, but he lowered his sword. “I’ve seen your real son. Gotta say, I’m noticing a certain family resemblance,” he added, gesturing to Valentine’s ruined face.

Alec clenched his jaw. Jace would literally stand at the gates of hell and sass the very devil, but they didn’t have time for that right now.

“Don’t engage with him. We’re here to kill him, and his son,” he reminded Jace tersely.

Remember Max, he wanted to add, but he didn’t. Bringing up Max would only give Valentine more insight to use against them. He wouldn’t take this kill from Jace; Jace deserved it for all he’d suffered at Valentine’s hands, but they needed to do this and move on.

Jace nodded and brought his sword up again. “Where’s Jonathan?”

“Ah, Jonathan.” Valentine’s face twisted into gruesome smirk. Alec had no idea how he could pull off insouciance looking as wrecked as he did, but somehow he managed it. “He’s a good boy. A bit headstrong, perhaps, but then that’s a trait shared by all my children. Must mean I’ve done something right.”

“Never once in your life,” Alec muttered, scanning the perimeter again. “Iris! I know you’re out there! Show yourself!”

“She’s probably gone ahead to open the way into the Seelie realm,” Valentine said, chucking a thumb over his shoulder. “Normally it’s something I’d do myself, but I’m a bit under the weather. She’s quite eager to lend her assistance. See, I promised her this is the last favor I’ll require before releasing her to reunite with her sweet little goddaughter.”

That’s never going to happen. Alec managed to bite his tongue before the words left his mouth. Of course Valentine would know of Alec’s protectiveness toward Madzie. Jonathan would have reported it to him.

“What, so they can have a touching reunion before you use Raziel’s wish to obliterate them?” Jace asked snidely.

“Knock it off, Jace,” Alec snapped. “Kill him, or I will.”

“You think that’s what I want Raziel’s wish for now?” Valentine asked, scoffing. “Look at me, son. Even if I destroyed the Downworlders and the Shadowhunters who coddle them, what joy could I find in the peace the I created, when I look like this?”

Jace nodded slowly. “The Clave will never hail you as a hero if your face reminds them every day that you’re a monster.”

“You’d think they’d manage to overlook my wounds, considering they were acquired defending all humanity from demon-kind, but human nature being what it is…”

“Enough of this.” Alec drew back his bowstring and released the arrow. It flew straight for Valentine’s heart…and vaporized before it ever reached him.

“What the—?” He and Jace exchanged a look.

“Disgusting as they may be, warlocks come in quite handy, don’t they? Well, you would know.” Valentine’s face contorted into a sneer in Alec’s direction. “See, the problem with my mind-control serum was that it was difficult to be certain when it had worn off, and it offered severely diminishing returns as far as loyalty was concerned. But Iris’s dealings with Clarissa gave me an idea. When I promised to reunite her with Madzie, she was only too happy to give me her blood oath to defend and aid me until my work was done. As long as she lives, the protective spells she’s placed around me will hold.”

“Find her,” Jace growled, advancing until he had Valentine backed against a tree. “I’ll deal with him when you’re done.”

Alec nodded, then grabbed Jace by the shoulder, squeezing hard. “Don’t hesitate,” he hissed in his ear. “For Max.”

Jace met his eyes, his face set with steely resolve, and nodded once. “For Max,” he murmured.

“Now, where is Clarissa?” Alec heard Valentine taunt as he raced off into the trees. “Searching for her brother, perhaps? I worry for her, you know. Jonathan was quite distraught to find she wouldn’t be the adoring little sister he’d imagined…”

Alec clenched his jaw and forced himself not to turn back. He had to trust that Jace wouldn’t hesitate this time.

The prickling strangeness of being on the edge of the faerie lands mounted the deeper he went into the trees. Someone with sufficient sensitivity might wander unwittingly across the divide between the realms, if the Fair Folk wished it—and for the sake of the mischief they loved so much, they frequently did. If the Fair Folk didn’t wish it, only someone of sufficient physical and mental fortitude could pass the barrier between realms, and while Valentine’s mental fortitude wasn’t in question, his physical injuries might pose an obstacle.

Unless Iris managed to pierce the veil for him.

The glow of her magic drew Alec through the thicket until finally she stood with her back to him, her hands radiating power as the barrier between worlds shimmered.

“Iris, stop!” he barked, drawing his bowstring back. “I will kill you.”

“You don’t understand!” Her face was twisted with torment as she looked over her shoulder. “It’s the only way he’ll let me have Madzie back!”

“He doesn’t have her. He’s been in Clave custody for months.”

“His people do!”

“If that’s what he told you, he lied.” He softened his tone, but kept his bow ready. “Madzie’s safe. Catarina Loss has been taking care of her. Iris. She okay. She’s happy. She has a good home now.”

The power around Iris’s hands faded abruptly, though the barrier to Faerie still…rippled. She turned to face Alec, a far cry from the tidily dressed and groomed woman he’d encountered when helping Clary all those months ago. Her clothes were threadbare, stained and wrinkled, her hair unbound and unkempt. “I told her I’d come back for her. She misses me.”

“Yes. She does,” Alec said sympathetically. “It took her a long time to be happy again, especially after what Valentine made her do. Did you know he made her kill people? She still has nightmares, and days where she can’t speak to anyone. He used the promise of you to force her cooperation, and now he’s doing the same thing to you. But Iris…you can’t have her back.”

Iris’s eyes filled with fury, her hands starting to glow again. “You can’t keep me from her. I’m the only mother she’s ever known!”

“You’re a fugitive from the Clave. You were tricking mundane women into being impregnated by demons. That’s not going to go away, no matter what happens here tonight. And Catarina and Magnus will never let Madzie go with you again.” Iris’s eyes began darting from one direction to the next, as though the walls of her cell in the Gard were closing around her again. “Besides, even if you could have Madzie back, if you help Valentine get away tonight, sooner or later he’s going to figure out the location of the Mortal Mirror, and when he does, he’s going to use Raziel’s wish to kill all of you. Every warlock, every Downworlder in existence. Even Madzie.”

Iris closed her eyes, a wave of despair washing across her features. Her entire body slumped in surrender. “He already knows. He has a contact within the Clave who called a few hours ago. He’s trying to get to Idris.”

Panic gripped Alec’s heart in an iron grasp, chilling him from the inside out. “Help me stop him,” he pleaded. “Help me protect her.”

“I can’t.” She shook her head wildly. “I gave a blood oath to aid and defend him until he releases me. It’s binding unto death.”

Power enveloped her hands and Alec drew back his bowstring once more. “Don’t, Iris. Don’t make me do it.”

“I have to. I can’t do it myself. Suicide violates my oath, even passively failing to protect myself.” The shimmer around her hands erupted into a massive wall of energy that Alec barely managed to dodge, throwing himself aside and hitting the ground with a painful thud. He shot at her a split second before impact.

Iris blocked the first arrow he released with another spell, sending it flying wide into the trees.

“Do it!” she shouted.

He rolled out of the way of a ball of magic, reaching for another arrow as he moved. He let it fly in that vulnerable instant while Iris pulled more power into herself.

This one didn’t miss. It pierced her chest dead center, driving the wind from her with an almost surprised gasp. A bloody bubble burst upon her lips as her knees buckled under her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, falling to her side. A tear glimmered in her eye and rolled down her cheek. “Tell Madzie her Nana loved her.”

“I will,” Alec promised, but she was beyond hearing. And surely it must be all the horror and grief of the day that made his eyes burn for this woman whose actions had filled him with so much revulsion.

He didn’t have time to dwell on it. He rolled to his feet and slung his bow over his shoulder, turning back to where he’d left Jace with Valentine.

Something was hurtling through the woods toward him, crashing against trees and stumbling through the undergrowth. It barreled into Alec before he had a chance to pull his bow off his shoulder, knocking him into a tree, and charged through the weakened veil to Faerie.

A moment later, Jace came limping along, clutching his side where his shirt was stuck to him and glistening red-black in the faint moonlight.

“You okay?” Alec asked, reaching for his stele. He lifted Jace’s shirt and activated his iratze.

Jace made disgruntled sound. “Yeah. Caught me by surprise. He must have felt the moment Iris’s protections faded, and stabbed me before I realized he was vulnerable. I’m lucky Valentine’s in such bad condition; I think he was actually going for my heart.” Jace strode purposefully toward the threshold Valentine had just crossed. “Come on, let’s go.”

Nothing happened as he stepped over the spot where Valentine had disappeared. The shimmer in the air was gone, the passage sealed.

“Dammit. The Seelies must have felt Valentine pass through and reinforced the barrier,” he muttered.

“Doesn’t matter. If we crossed into the Seelie realm without petitioning the queen for passage, we’d be in violation of the Accords,” Alec said. “Given the tensions right now, I doubt the Seelie Queen is feeling very lenient, either. I’ll call Magnus, see if he can arrange a meeting with her as soon as possible, maybe he and Luke can get through to her. Besides, Jonathan’s still out there, and it sounds like he’s after Clary.”

“Izzy’s with her,” Jace said confidently, pivoting to head in the other direction. “Let’s just hope by the time we get there, she’ll have left us a piece of him to take a swing at.”

“As long as it ends up with Jonathan dead, I don’t care who gets the last blow in.” Alec said as he followed, but he broke into a jog all the same.

“I’m sorry,” Clary said, apropos of nothing, as they emerged from the third mausoleum they’d searched.

Izzy gave her a confused look. “For what?”

“For teasing Jace about Maia and acting like this is just another day, when you’ve just lost Max. Everything your family has gone through today…”

The mention of Max was like a knife through her heart, about the millionth knife today, despite the soothing balm of the angelic light they’d all been bathed in earlier. She forced the feeling aside. “If you didn’t notice, Jace was teasing back. It’s okay.”

“I don’t want to be disrespectful. If someone had cracked a joke after my mom died…”

“There will be a time for mourning later,” Izzy said firmly. “We’re Shadowhunters. We’re soldiers. We don’t always have the luxury of putting everything on hold when we lose someone we love. We have to keep moving forward, stay focused on the mission. The banter is part of what we’ve always done, and right now we need things to feel normal.”

Clary nodded soberly, then grabbed Izzy’s wrist. “Over there. By the edge of the creek.”

The pale moonlight showed mounds of loose dirt rising up from the ground, separate from the neatly laid out rows of the modern parts of the cemetery. “Fresh graves.”

“Too fresh,” Clary said with a nod. “There’s three of them, all clustered together. They’re not tidy enough to have been dug by the cemetery’s groundskeepers.”

“Vampires.” Izzy closed her eyes against a painful wave of longing. The bliss of vampire venom would be so good right now. It would make that hollow space in her heart that had once been occupied by Max feel less empty.

The accompanying sense of fear was nearly as strong, as Alec’s warnings about the dangers of being bitten again came back to her.

And anger, at the way Sebastian—Jonathan—had used her addiction to gain access to her and her family.

“No way it’s coincidence that someone is raising vampires in the same cemetery we tracked Jonathan to,” she muttered, her whip slithering off her wrist. “Valentine’s lost his army, and he’s always been more than happy to use demons and Downworlders to do his dirty work.”

“Think these vamps will be the same as the ones who ambushed you and your mom?”

“Trained to fight?” Izzy shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know if he and Camille have had that sort of time. Still, be prepared.”

Clary pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I’ll call Alec and Jace—”

Izzy caught her hand. “No. I’ve got this.”

“Iz—”

The vampire swept into Clary in a blur of speed. It drove her to the ground, snarling. The dirt of the grave still clung to his clothing, and if he’d fed yet, it hadn’t been nearly enough to assuage his newly-risen bloodlust. Izzy wrapped her whip around his neck, dragging him off Clary far enough for Clary to drive her seraph blade through his heart.

Sheer instinct had Izzy spinning where she stood. A snap of her wrist converted the whip into a bladed staff, which she drove through the heart of an oncoming vamp before she even consciously sensed its approach.

The third vampire was still struggling to rise from her grave. She lunged for Clary and Izzy before she had even fully emerged, and Izzy dispatched her just as quickly as the other two, but while her attention was on it, another blur slammed into Clary, bashing her head against the trunk of a tree on the bank of the creek.

“Clary!” Izzy spun, rushing to Clary who lay unmoving on the ground. The vampire who had tackled Clary had disappeared so quickly Izzy couldn’t even track where it had gone, moving faster than anything she’d ever encountered. “Clary, get up!”

Clary moaned and tried to move, but couldn’t seem to push herself up off the ground. Scanning their surroundings for the final vampire, Izzy cautiously crouched to check on Clary.

Which was when the vampire sped back in. It had her in a headlock before she could even react.

A cloud of vaguely familiar perfume enveloped Izzy, and the skin against her neck felt silken. This was no newly-risen vamp still gritty with grave dirt.

“Camille,” she spat, trying for bravado despite the surge of yearning that swept through her, being so close to a vampire.

“I can smell Raphael all over you,” Camille said merrily. “What a naughty boy he’s been.”

Izzy gritted her teeth. “Not anymore.”

“It doesn’t work that way, sweetie.” Camille’s nose brushed Izzy’s neck along the artery, her cool breath making Izzy’s skin ripple. She could have sworn she felt the points of Camille’s fangs and she wanted it, with a desperation that paralyzed her, made it impossible to move, to struggle. “The older the vampire, the more powerful the venom, you know. Raphael’s practically still a baby. Now me, on the other hand…”

“I wouldn’t be bragging about your age, if I were you,” Izzy snapped. She wished her body would obey, but it longed for the bite Camille kept taunting her with, even as her mind quailed in fear.

“Release her, Camille,” came Sebastian’s clipped command from the shadows. No. Jonathan. He had none of Sebastian’s unassuming humility or gentleness. He seemed so cold and arrogant that Izzy couldn’t grasp how she’d ever once found him warm or kind.

“I don’t think so,” Camille purred. “I’ve never had a Nephilim subjugate before. We could have a lovely time together.”

“Find another Shadowhunter, then. You’ve fulfilled your purpose. Leave, before I forget to uphold my end of our bargain.”

Camille hissed at him, thrusting Izzy away from her. The paralysis of will that had kept her still in Camille’s grasp broke once Izzy had some distance. She rolled to her feet and dropped into a crouch, her whip slithering down her side, as she, Jonathan and Camille all stood against each other in a three-way face off.

Camille’s eyes darted between Jonathan and Izzy, and then she hissed again and sped away in a blur of motion.

Jonathan took a step toward Izzy and she drove him back with a crack of her whip, toward the edge of the creek. She chanced a glance behind him at Clary, who was finally stirring, trying to get to her feet. Blood darkened her pale brow.

Izzy refocused on Jonathan, lashing out with her whip again, forcing him back another step.

“I trusted you,” she snarled. “I trusted you and you betrayed me. You gave me the yin fen. You made me an addict. You murdered my brother!”

If her words truly penetrated, he gave no indication of it. His head cocked to the side, almost studiously. “Yes, Max’s death was…regrettable. I tried to explain to him that I just needed to deal with the warlock girl, but he insisted on defending her. She threatened my family. You of all people should understand why I did what I had to do.”

The end of her whip wrapped around his arm the next time she swung it. He gripped it in his hands, dragging her toward him on the dewy sod. The sound of his skin sizzling and the smell of burning flesh wafted on the night breeze.

Jonathan glanced down, showing no alarm at the way the whip was searing his skin. “Ah. Electrum. When one has demon blood, one tends to have a sensitivity to such things. Luckily my time in Edom taught me to withstand such petty torments.” His smile was chillingly sweet. “Sometimes I even rather enjoy them.”

Izzy planted her feet on the slippery turf, leaning against his pull on the whip. “Why do all this? For Valentine? He banished you!”

“That was an unfortunate incident, I admit,” Jonathan said casually, as though Valentine had done nothing more than step on his toe. “But when he summoned me back, I realized it had all been a misunderstanding. And in the end, well, he’s family. Family stands together.” His eyes narrowed and he looked back briefly over his shoulder at Clary. “A lesson our mother never taught my sister. Valentine tried to warn me that Clary would hate me, but I had hoped… Yet, with our mother dead, she still turns to others rather than choosing to take her place with her family. You wouldn’t do such a thing to your brothers, would you, Isabelle?”

His gaze focused on her with alarming intensity, and the pressure on the whip increased. Her feet slid, the distance between them narrowing an inch and a time.

“My brothers aren’t deranged,” Izzy gritted, pulling away harder as he dragged her inexorably forward.

“Even if they were, you wouldn’t turn on them. I think I finally understand you.” His brow furrowed, as though working out a puzzle. “It’s taken me a while, I confess. So many things about you contradict what my father taught me. When Aldertree made you choose between Alec and Jace, you chose Alec. But eventually, I realized you simply chose the best of an array of bad options to try to save them both. You protected Jace as well as your brother.”

“Jace is my brother.”

“Precisely my point. You stand by him the same as you would your real family. That unshakeable loyalty, that is what Jocelyn failed to teach Clary. She turns against her father and brother for werewolves and vampires and warlocks whom she calls her family, but then she disregards them when she no longer needs them. She spoke of trying to save me, then so quickly decided I was unsalvageable.” His gaze softened as he looked at Izzy beseechingly. “You would never do that. You would never give up or turn away. You, Isabelle, are the sister I should have had.”

Astonishment made her forget to resist the pull on the whip, until they were almost toe to toe, mere inches apart. The scent of his burning skin was pungent between them, and the way his eyes pleaded with her was almost...innocent. As though he had no idea why what he was saying was insane.

That, more than anything, that detached lack of comprehension, was more frightening than anything else she’d seen from him. She tried to jerk away, the whip falling to the ground between them, but Jonathan caught her arm and his eyes held her like a cobra’s mesmerizing stare.

“I could be your brother,” he said, almost smiling at the idea. His voice lilted sweetly, entreating. “You and I could stand together the way family is meant to. The way even my father doesn’t comprehend. He betrayed me. I forgave him when he called me back from Edom, but he betrayed me and he used me and he’d do it again in a heartbeat, I know that. Just like Clarissa and Jace and even Alec would do to you, if you weren’t always available whenever they beckoned, asking for so little in return.”

“You’re wrong. That would never happen.”

“It already has! How many times have you been there for them, but did even one of them see when you were struggling through yin fen withdrawal? You were all alone in it.” His hand came up and cupped her cheek. “I wanted to help you. It’s why I gave you the yin fen, to heal you. And why I came back, to help you overcome it when I realized how destructive it actually was for you.”

Izzy quivered with revulsion. “What was in that tincture you gave me?”

His lips curved softly and for a moment, he was the disarmingly gentle Sebastian who had come to her rescue that day in the infirmary. “Probably nothing. I found it in one of the mundanes’ organic markets. It’s supposed to enhance energy and focus.” He chuckled as if it was all a joke. “You were too glorious to be brought so low. Sometimes knowing someone else can do something remarkable makes it possible to do it yourself, don’t you think? Sebastian Verlac—he wasn’t so fortunate. He was still very much struggling when I located him, the last of Victor Aldertree’s victims. His addiction made it easy to keep him complacent in captivity, at least. Which is why I needed Camille.”

The dismissal of her struggle, and of someone who by all reports had once been a fine Shadowhunter, was infuriating. “I was doing fine until you laid your trap for me and got me bitten again! Why couldn’t you have just left us alone?”

“Because I had to become someone you would respond to. Not an adversary, like Aldertree. Someone who understood you. I had to show you; I can be there for you the way none of them ever have been. And if the tincture hadn’t worked for you, I found a way to make yin fen that doesn’t have the toxicity of so many of the warlock salves and powders with their enhancing agents. You could have bliss with far less danger.”

“You’re insane,” she breathed raggedly, but it was as if he didn’t even hear her.

“I know you miss Max. But I could be your brother. I could replace what I took from you.”

Bile rose in her throat. A flicker of shadow moved behind him and Izzy planted her hands on his shoulders.

“You could never replace Max,” she growled and thrust away with all her strength, pushing herself back so hard she slipped on the wet grass and fell. The force of her shove drove him into Clary’s blade. The glowing point emerged through the center of his chest. Clary wrenched her blade out of his back and he twisted to grab her by the throat.

“Always the traitor,” he hissed, lifting her off the ground and cutting off her air. Izzy rolled to her feet and caught the whip up off the ground, but before she could move in, Jace streaked past her, knocking Jonathan away and breaking his grip on Clary. The momentum of Jace’s charge sent them both flying down the bank. Izzy lashed out with the whip, catching Jace around the ankle where it was protected by his boot, stopping his fall while Jonathan plummeted into the creek.

He floated motionless as the water carried him away, no thrashing or flailing. His eyes stared blindly up into the night sky.

“Hail and farewell,” Izzy muttered, turning the hallowed words into a curse with her disdain.

Alec ran up to the edge of the steep bank and helped Jace scramble up.

“You okay?” he asked, glancing over at Izzy as Jace brushed himself off.

She found she couldn’t quite meet his eyes. “Yeah.”

Clary frowned. “You sure? That was…creepy. Finding out that Jonathan’s been fixated on you this whole time.”

“What?” Alec snapped, alarm sharpening his tone.

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. He was crazy. We got justice for Max. That what’s important.”

He looked at the water in irritation. “Damn. In half an hour he’s going to be in the East River and we don’t have time to fish him out and make sure he’s really dead. Come on. We’ve got to go, right now.”

“Why, what happened?” Clary asked, trotting to catch up as he pivoted and strode away.

“Valentine escaped into the faerie realms,” Jace explained, fast on Alec’s heels.

“And he has another spy in Idris who told him what the Mortal Mirror is,” Alec added grimly. “Which means if we don’t stop him, my husband and every other Downworlder in existence could be dead by this time tomorrow, and that’s not going to happen.”

Jace clapped him on the shoulder. “It won’t, Alec.”

Alec already had his phone out. “Luke, Valentine got around the warlocks’ wards by passing into Faerie. He knows where the Mirror is. Did you find Robert?” He listened for a moment, then nodded. “Good. Is my mother alright? Okay. Listen, the Seelie Queen isn’t going to want to hear any petitions from me asking her to detain Valentine, but maybe she’ll listen to you, Raphael, and Magnus…”

Clary caught Izzy’s elbow gently, drawing her attention away from Alec’s conversation. “Izzy…Hey, what he said to you, about us not appreciating you. You know he was wrong, don’t you?”

“Of course.” It took a little too much effort to pull her mouth into a confident smile as she recalled those days of withdrawal the first time, alone in her room.

Did even one of them see when you were struggling?

“Nothing he was saying made any sort of sense,” Izzy continued, keeping her tone light. “I wouldn’t take it too seriously.”

It took effort to keep her face neutral, but finally Jace called Clary’s attention to something and she moved on, allowing Izzy to sag with relief.

She wanted a vampire bite so badly she thought she might burst into tears.

On to Chapter 25!

Please, if you’ve enjoyed this fanfic, consider buying some of my books, or buying me a cup of coffee!

[fuckingchatnoir]

Fanboy

Ao3 Link

Summary:  After discovering the wonders of Ladynoir fanfiction, Adrien sets out to start his own with his classmate Marinette helping him along the way. But when does fiction start becoming reality?

This story is also beta'd by the wonderful @serendipitousReckonings here on archive, @dickerdoodlez on tumblr.

Chapter 1

Adrien was never the writing type. He did write well - written papers and essays – at least according to his teachers – and was even occasionally asked by a few of his classmates for some writing tips. But, it was for educational purposes only. He‘d never had any sort of passion to write an actual story and he never thought of himself as the imaginative kind anyway. His mind was almost always focused on school, his responsibilities set by his father, and his masked identity. He never really had that luxury of being able to think about anything else. Well, except for his Lady, but that was something entirely different.

That was, until one morning when he arrived at school earlier than usual. It was stormy, the sky was four shades darker than normal, the atmosphere was chilly, and his father didn’t want to risk him catching a cold. So there Adrien was in his homeroom nice and early, but dreadfully exhausted. He was already planning to ask Ladybug later that day if they could shorten patrol since he knew he needed to recharge. The akuma from the night before had taken a lot out of him and his Lady. Dodging sharp shuriken made from CDs for a few hours wasn’t the easiest thing. And to top it all off, his biceps and thighs were feeling pretty sore as well. He knew he should’ve iced them.  

“Look who decided to show up early for once!”

Adrien looked over to see Nino enter the room. His friend immediately slid his headphones down from his ears to his shoulders as a bright smile grew on his face. Adrien tried to mirror his friend’s enthusiasm but yawned instead, rubbing his eyes soon after.

“Hey, Nino.”

“Bro, you look terrible.”

“Thanks man, you always know the right things to say.”

Nino placed his bag on the ground before he sat down next to the blond. The late bell then rang and a few students rushed into the classroom, a few breathless from running.

“You know what I mean. How much sleep did you get last night?”

Adrien shrugged. To be honest, he didn’t even remember what time he‘d gotten home. All he remembered was the sound of Ladybug’s voice when she said goodnight to him. Well, that and waking up.

“Don’t remember.”

“Broooo. You gotta take better care of yourself. I’m telling you, it’s all those photoshoots you’re always doing. Your old man needs to chill with that.”

Adrien just yawned again and shrugged in response, not having the energy to make up some lie. He just wanted the day to end already so he could see Ladybug and go back to sleep. Maybe, if he was lucky, the storm would be so bad that his fencing practice would get canceled that afternoon. One could only hope.  

Nino and Adrien talked for a few minutes about this teen club that Nino wanted to perform in. The brunette told his friend how awesome the opportunity would be if they would give him a chance and Adrien genuinely agreed. Nino then, however, remembered that he needed to finish a worksheet and occupied himself with finishing that. Adrien decided to use the rest of the time to rest his eyes until homeroom was over. Plagg must’ve been pretty tired too since the blond hadn’t heard one whisper from him in a while. Adrien was trying to keep his eyes open, not wanting to drift off and miss the bell like last time. However, it was getting harder and harder for him as the minutes passed. So, he decided to listen in on a few conversations to keep his mind occupied.

Since there were so few students in his class, it wasn’t too hard to hear what they were saying. Kim and Max were talking about basketball – Max was trying to approximate the height Kim would have to be in order to make a perfect shot five - hundred feet from the net. Ivan and Alix were trying to convince Mylene to go along with them to some horror movie festival, Mylene making several nervous gasps at the descriptions of the monsters. Sabrina and Chloe were on their phones. Chloe was making a few complaints about some shoes online. He heard nothing from Nathanael as always – the boy was probably sleeping again. And then there were Rose, Juleka, and Alya who were speaking right behind him.

“Yeah, Marinette just texted me. She’s gonna come in late today. She overslept as usual.” Alya said.

“I hope she’s okay.” Rose responded.

“Don’t worry, girl. She’s fine. She just stays up to work on designs. No big deal.”

“Oh! Do you think she’s working on anything with that pink fabric she showed me last week? It was so pretty!”

“Or with that fabric that has those dark purple stripes. It was wicked.” Juleka joined in.

“I’m not sure. Why don’t you two ask her later today? I’m sure she’ll be excited to show us her designs.”

They agreed and Adrien wondered curiously what his missing classmate could be working on as well. Whenever Alya would show him her designs, he was always so impressed with her work. Even though he was a model, he didn’t really know much about fashion. However, he still found Marinette’s work as good as the clothes he had to wear during those professional photoshoots.  

“By the way, did you guys read the new update from last night? It was so cute!” Rose spoke, the subject changing abruptly.

Alya groaned.

“Sadly, I did.”

“Sadly? What, you didn’t like it?”

“You seriously think Ladybug would let an akuma get away to make out with Chat Noir? She’s not selfish!”

Adrien’s head shot up so quickly that his mind went dizzy.

“Dude, you okay?” Nino questioned, glancing up from his work to look over at his friend who tried to conceal the sudden blush on his cheeks.

He‘d moved too fast.

He hoped the girls didn’t notice.

“Yeah. Yeah. Um, I just… I thought I… um… saw a spider.”

Nino stared at him a while longer before chuckling.

“This is what happens when you don’t sleep, man.”

Adrien nodded and smiled forcefully before his friend chuckled again and went back to the worksheet. Luckily, the girls didn’t notice and continued on with their conversation that confused Adrien in more ways than one.

“But it was sooooo romantic! Chat and Ladybug kissing for the first time under the moonlight like they were the only people in the world. I wish someone loved me that much!”

Adrien sunk more into his seat, his right hand running through his hair as he was trying to figure out what they were talking about. He‘d never kissed Ladybug, much less kiss her during an akuma attack. He agreed with Alya. That would be very careless.

Where were they getting this information? Did someone spot the two superheroes last night and think they saw them kissing? The more he thought about it, the more lost he felt. He didn’t think anyone could’ve gotten the wrong idea since he was too busy saving lives the previous night to focus on anything else. He and Ladybug didn’t even make any physical contact with one another until their routine fist bump, so he wasn’t really sure what to think. He was going to have to check the Ladyblog during lunch.

“I didn’t mind the kissing thing, but I wish the villain was scarier.”

Adrien almost looked back when he heard Juleka’s comment.

Scarier?

She wished the villain was scarier?! How does she not find a person that could make shuriken out of CDs scary?!

“I thought she was scary! She made food come to life. Imagine a cupcake trying to eat you! Cupcakes are supposed to be cute and tasty, not ferocious!”

Was there an akuma attack Adrien didn’t know about?

He couldn’t take it anymore. He had to find out what the hell they were talking about. Nothing was making any sense and his head was starting to hurt. He plastered on his nicest smile and finally turned around.

“Good morning, guys.” He greeted as softly as he could, trying to conceal his slight edge.

All three pairs of eyes landed on him. Small smiles grew on each of their faces.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I overheard you three talking about someone bringing food to life yesterday. Didn’t the akuma throw CD shuriken and create earthquakes?”

The girls all looked at each other once again before bursting into a fit of giggles. Was there something he didn’t get? Was the whole conversation some weird inside joke?

“Oh no! We weren’t talking about the akuma from yesterday! This all happened in a LadyNoir fanfiction that we all read. The author posted a new chapter last night and there was a scene with an attack.” Alya finally answered. Adrien raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“LadyNoir? Fanfiction? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

He’d heard Alya mention those terms before, but he‘d never really questioned them. He just thought it was some inside thing between her and Marinette. But hearing those words in that context, he couldn’t help but be curious.

“Don’t even bother asking bro. You don’t want to get into...that.” He heard Nino say beside him, his friend still looking down at his homework.

Adrien glanced over at him, but quickly looked back at the girls when he heard Alya mumble something angrily under her breath.

“It’s nothing bad, Nino. Everyone’s read fanfiction.” She defended.

“Yeah, well not me. And not my boy, Adrien over here.”

Alya rolled her eyes dramatically before turning her attention back on the blond.

“Don’t listen to him. Nino marathons Back to the Future almost every weekend and calls that fun.”

Adrien raised his eyebrows at her remark and felt a small, tired laugh escape him.

“That is true.” He said.

“Whose side are you on!?”

Alya glared at the boy once more before looking back at Adrien.

“So, what I was trying to say was that fanfictions are like stories about two people, whether fictional or nonfictional, getting together. Like the one we’re reading now. It’s a story about Ladybug and Chat Noir.”

Adrien felt his face heat up again.

“So, um, like a love story?”

“Yeah!” Rose chimed in. Juleka smiled in agreement right beside her.

“A love story... about Ladybug and Chat Noir?”

“Yup.”

“And you guys want them to be together?”

“Who doesn’t want them together? I mean, don’t you think they would make such a great couple?”

Adrien glanced over at Nino for some guidance – for anything really – but he saw how preoccupied the other teen was and instead sighed internally. Would he and Ladybug make a great couple? Well, he liked to think so. Even though they didn’t know each other’s identities, he thought he loved her and that he would do anything for her… However, he also knew that this love was only one-sided.

He didn’t really know how to answer.

“I-I’m not sure. I’ve never really thought about it to tell you the truth.”

Rose leaned against Juleka’s side as she clasped her hands together and brought them near the side of her face, looking up dreamily.

“I think they absolutely love each other.”

Oh, if only you knew.

“Yeah, I don’t know about Ladybug, but Chat totally has the hots for her.” Juleka added.

You have no idea.

“I think Ladybug has a thing for that slick cat too. I’ve seen their sexual tension up close, trust me.”

A weird sound left Adrien’s lips, and he quickly covered his mouth as his whole face reddened. He could practically feel Plagg’s laughter coming from his bag and quickly cleared his throat loudly to drown out the sound just in case anyone else heard.

“Um sorry, I swallowed wrong. Sexual tension you say?”

Alya gave Adrien a weird look before she shrugged.

“Yeah, like the way they just flirt with each other. I mean, none of us can really hear any of it since they’re always too far away, but we can all just tell.”

“It’s so frustrating.” Juleka added.

Adrien almost laughed at that.

You find it frustrating? Just imagine how frustrating it must be for me.

“What’s the story called?” He heard himself ask, his mind having tried to change the subject but also having failed when he realized that he showed more interest on the subject.

And maybe he was interested, but he didn’t want to admit that to himself yet. Wanting to read something about yourself was probably considered creepy. He avoided the magazines with his face plastered on the pages for that same reason, but he couldn’t help his curiosity with this fanfiction thing. Did they get his personality right? Did they portray him as strong and independent or as some dorky sidekick? What about his Lady? How do they think his Lady feels when she sees him?

How does she feel?

He definitely needed to take a pill for his headache when he got home.

Rose’s smile widened at his question and it looked as if she were holding in a squeal.

“You want to actually read it?! That’s so great!”

Nino sighed beside him and Adrien tried to ignore the judgement hidden underneath it.

He laughed awkwardly.

“I’m not sure about actually reading it. I just want to get more of an understanding of this whole fanfiction and LadyNote thing.”

Alya giggled.

“You mean LadyNoir.”

“Yeah, that thing.”

Whatever that is.

They all gave him each a smile of approval before Alya wrote the story info down on a ripped piece of line paper and handed it to him.

“Have fun researching.” The girl then said, giving him a quick wink and another laugh before the homeroom bell rang and everyone left to their next class.

                                                     _________________

Luckily, Ladybug was just as tired as he was, so their patrol only lasted about half an hour – just a quick check around the city. Yawns filled up the quiet night sky as they both jumped and swung from building to building. Chat was a little more rested than his partner since he had gotten to nap as soon as he‘d gotten home. His wish had been granted. A huge storm had rolled in and all his practices had been cancelled for the remainder of the day. He’d taken that opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. Neither of them were really as social as they usually were with one another. It was one of those lazy, tired patrols where they cracked a few remarks here and there but remained quiet for the most part. He didn’t really mind that though. Sometimes he found the silence to be calming. Everything in his life was always so structured and crazy, so having some peace and quiet with the love of his life from time-to-time helped him feel more at ease.

With one last goodbye, they both separated and retreated back to their homes, a tired smile playing across the blond’s face. As soon as he de-transformed in his bedroom, he fed Plagg the camembert he had waiting for him on his desk and immediately changed into his sweats.

“Wow. It’s only ten-forty.” He commented aloud as he checked his phone, quickly answering Nino’s texts about some song he heard on the radio.

“That’s good. Now you can finally go to sleep early and I don’t have to hear your constant complaints about how tired you are.” He heard his kwami say as he stuffed another bite of that smelly cheese into his mouth.

“I’ve only complained to you twice!”

Plagg scoffed.

“Yeah, twice an hour.”

Adrien rolled his eyes as he walked himself to his computers.

“Whatever. Just finish your cheese. I’m going to sleep soon, but I want to check something first.”

Plagg didn’t speak for a while and the teenager sat himself down in front of the several screens, typing in the name of the story Alya had told him about in google. Apparently this fanfiction was called Late Night Hour by someone named FrenchBeauty95. He didn’t know what to think of it at that moment. The summary explained the plot to be about Ladybug screwing up an akuma attack and Chat Noir having to fix everything – that thought did not really sit well in his stomach. He of course knew that this was fiction – a completely made up scenario – but just thinking about the possibility of having to handle an akuma by himself without his Lady sent a horrible chill down his spine. However, he sucked it up and continued scrolling through the webpage.

Apparently, thousands of people had read that story already, and his mouth practically flew open. Thousands of people read about him and Ladybug – wanted to read about him and Ladybug – being together. His cheeks flushed once again and he quickly shook his head before he spun his chair away from the screens, trying to conceal the embarrassment evident on his face.

“What’s got you all worked up now?” Plagg said, done with his meal and floating over to his friend who seemed to be having a mental breakdown.

“Thousands of people read about me and Ladybug.”

“And? Isn’t that the point of the blog thing, for everyone to read about you two?”

Plagg signaled Adrien to open his hands that were rested on his lap and the blond quickly obliged. The kwami floated down to rest himself against his palms.

“Groooooss. Your hands are sweaty!”  

He did not, however, leave his resting place.

“Plagg, this isn’t about Alya’s blog, this is- they read-”

He groaned.

“Wait. Is this about that story thing they were telling you about earlier?”

Adrien just nodded.

“You humans and your weird problems. Just don’t read the thing! Who cares!”

“I do! Alya told me that in this story Chat Noir and Ladybug kiss.”

“Okay, but it’s not like it’ll actually happen!”

Adrien scowled down at the kwami.

Plagg groaned.

“Just go and read it since you want to so bad. I’m going to sleep.”

The teen’s eyes widened.

“I-I don’t! Why would I?! That’s weird and-”

Plagg groaned yet again before floating away to Adrien’s bed.

“Plagg, I don’t want to!”

“Sure, and I hate camembert. Goodnight.”

Adrien was about to say something else but the words got lost in his throat when he turned back to face the screens. He reread the summary a few more times and tried to even listen to some music on another tab to keep himself distracted to prove to Plagg that he would never read something like that. However, he only lasted about four minutes before he returned to the webpage and started the first chapter.

I’m only reading this to make sure they don’t know any personal details about me. That’s the only reason. Just a few lines and I’ll be done.

He read all twenty-three chapters.

                                               __________________

After having read up to the most recent updated chapter of Late Night Hour, Adrien found that he couldn’t go back to sleep. The last chapter still had his heart beating fast in his chest, his hands still sweaty from his own nervousness and excitement. The kiss scene that the three girls spoke of was very descriptive, to the point where Adrien could imagine the whole scenario vividly in his head as if it had played out in front of him. His face was red, so red and he couldn’t help but look up at the ceiling in thought.

Ladybug kissed Chat back in the story. She yanked his bell and pulled him closer to her so she could reassure him that she felt the same way. Adrien melted. It was as if someone wrote down one of his dreams and made it seem so much more real. He couldn’t help himself, he wanted to know what people thought about this kind of stuff, what they thought about LadyNoir (which he also found out was the combination of his and his Lady’s names), why everyone chooses to call him and his lady Felix and Bridgette when they’re in their civilian form, and why he hadn’t known about this sooner.

He wanted to ask the three girls all kinds of questions that he now had, since he felt that they would know the answer to them, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to admit his new guilty pleasure. What if others found out? What if they would judge him for it? He knew Nino would never let him live it down and he also didn’t want to be labeled as that guy that reads stories about Ladybug and Chat Noir making out. He felt that he would be seen as some kind of pervert or something. And what if Ladybug found out somehow? He would probably die from embarrassment.

He finally decided to keep the whole thing to himself, at least publicly that is. In the privacy of his own home, however, he would talk about it online with other people. Under the account name FelineGood16 he began to comment on stories, post his thoughts on chapters in blog threads, and gained all the answers he had been wanting without anyone knowing who he really was. It wasn’t necessarily the most productive thing he could’ve been doing with his time, but it was one of the more exciting options.

                                                 __________________

“Guys, last night’s update got me pretty pissed, not gonna lie.” Alya, said behind him, Adrien nodding in silent agreement. His fists were clenched on his lap and Nino was trying to explain how he was a living, human magnet for pigeon crap, Adrien nodding slowly, trying very hard to focus on his friend’s rant. However, he couldn’t find the strength to do so – the update still fresh in his mind.

He‘d read it only minutes before, in his car, while the Gorilla drove him to school. It was short, angsty, and made him curse the day he ever decided reading the thing would be a good idea. It was the reveal chapter and he didn’t think it could’ve gone any worse even if it were written by a new born baby. In the chapter, Ladybug revealed herself to Chat, wanting to pursue a real romantic relationship with him with no secrets holding them back. Reading the chapter in the beginning, Adrien felt his heart racing, his hands sweating, and had hope blooming in his chest so intensely that he felt like a whole field of flowers was going to sprout from it any minute. This was the day where his wildest dream was going to be written in front of him. Where he was finally going to get a possible outcome of what could happen if his Lady were to share her identity with him. He knew that, in real life, he would probably cry from elation, his arms immediately embracing the girl before him, no matter who she was. However, instead, the author decided that Chat Noir rejecting her and disregarding all of their intimate past moments was the more realistic route, and hell, was Adrien pissed. To think, he even put up with those horrible puns too.

Having to read the love of his life feel such pain due to his own unrealistic response was absolutely killing him inside and he wasn’t sure how to hold in his opinions on the matter. He was already in the process of creating a long argument along with proof on why that chapter was completely impractical and unjustified for his Tumblr later on.

“Alya, breathe. It’s just a story. The author wanted to rile you guys up like this for shock value. They’ll probably resolve things next chapter. No biggy.” Marinette said.

“It is a biggy, Mari! If you actually read these fics, you’d totally understand why we’re so mad. I for one hate how dependent they write Ladybug in these stories. Like girl almost caused an akuma attack in this chapter because the dude rejected her! I’m just tired of it!”

Exactly!

“And Chat Noir always monologues about how he’d always love Ladybug, no matter who she was behind the mask. But, when she finally finds the courage, he rejects her? Totally not cool.” Juleka adds, Adrien nodding his head in agreement once again.

Even they understand!

“What I’m saying is that it would be awesome to finally have a story where they end up happy for once, where their relationship isn’t so forced, and where it just feels more real.”

Adrien found his fists unclenching slightly under his desk, his eyebrows furrowed.

More real. Yeah.

“Well, if you crave that so much then why don’t you write your own?”

Adrien’s eyes widened and he felt his face heat up immediately, Marinette’s words echoing in his mind repeatedly.

Write your own.

“Yeah,” Adrien muttered under his breath, a small smile growing on his lips, “Maybe I wi-“

“Dude. Have you even been listening to me?”

The blond shook his head slightly and turned to face his best friend who looked at him like he grew a second head. He chuckled awkwardly.

“Yeah, dude! Of course, pigeon crap is the worst.”

Nino continued to stare at the boy, his lips formed in a small frown.

“I wasn’t talking about that anymore.”

“I’m sorry, man. Kind of zoned out a bit. And not because of what you were saying but I…”

What was he supposed to say? I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention to you, I couldn’t stop hearing about the updated chapter of one of my favorite fanfictions because it seriously pissed me off since I’m the real Chat Noir and find it ridiculous that the author wrote me as some careless, self-absorbed douche that only thinks about himself?

“I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Nino’s expression softened and he sighed before patting his buddy on the shoulder lightly.

“I swear, if you don’t start getting your snooze on, I’m gonna barge into your house myself and make sure your old man changes your schedule up or else.”

Adrien smiled, amused.

“Or else what? You’ll DJ him to death?”

“Dude, I make some good ass tunes, but trust me if I need to make a torture mix, I can and will. And it won’t be pretty. Just imagine a twenty-four-hour loop of Pen Pineapple Apple Pen except every time he says apple, it speeds up.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes.”

“I’ll try to get some more sleep then for my father’s sake.”

Nino laughed and nudged the other boy with his elbow.

“I’m serious, you need to start taking better care of yourself.”

“Yeah, I know.”

He thought about Marinette’s words the rest of the day.         

                                                 ____________________                       

“I’m a disgusting human being.” Adrien said, his body turned away from his screens in his swivel chair. His eyelids were droopy and his yawns were beginning to sound more powerful than before, however, all he could think about was the plot he‘d thought up in his head.

Plagg floated over to him, landing on his shoulder with his piece of cheese almost finished.

“While that is completely true, what made you come to that realization?”

“You’re hilarious.”

“And you’re dramatic. What happened, kid?”

Adrien sighed and turned back to his screens, the opened document on all three staring at him judgmentally.

“I’m going to write a story about one of my best friends…ending up with me and they have no idea.”

“Yeah, that is pretty disgusting.”

“Plagg!”

“Well what do you want me to say?!”

“That I’m not disgusting! T-that it’s not weird and that it’s not like I’m going to reveal anything personal about us anyway so there’s no real harm? I don’t know! Humor me!”

“I don’t see why you have to involve me in your creepy romance issues. If you want to do it then just do it!”

Adrien groaned and sunk into his seat, Plagg popping the last bit of his camembert in his mouth before sighing.

“She’s going to hate me if she finds out. I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t.”

“Look kid, you’re always busy doing things that other people want you to do. You never really have time for yourself and if this is what will make you happy and hopefully change that around, then go for it. She’s probably never going to find out unless you tell her. And either way, I don’t think she’d be mad.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes, now please turn down the brightness of those things so I can sleep in peace for once.”

Adrien sat up in his seat, his smile genuine and his feet scooting himself closer to his floating kwami.

“Ah, you do care,” Adrien opened his hands on his lap. “Come here.”

“No, gross. I can smell your putrid, human stench from here. But, if you do want to show your appreciation, another piece of camembert would suffice.”

Adrien snorted.

“Yeah, and have you vomit all over my sheets again? No way. Father still thinks the chef tried poisoning me.”

“Last time I ever give you advice,” Plagg floated to his spot on Adrien’s bed soon after. “Goodnight. And remember about the brightness.”

A few minutes later Adrien turned off the lights and retreated to his computers, his eyes staring down at the keyboard in front of him like it was forbidden to touch it. His cheeks flushed as he thought about his plot and he shook his head a little when he heard Plagg’s small snores arise from behind him.

If Plagg says it’s okay then it must be, right?

After a few more seconds of contemplation he nodded and began typing, a small smile on his face as Marinette’s words appeared in his mind again. He tried to make his words sound as genuine as possible when describing his Lady, not wanting to hold back his admiration for her courage, strength, intelligence, and beauty.

                                                  ___________________

Chapter 1 of “The Empty Streets of Paris”

           --by FelineGood16 on FanWorkz.net

He sees her sitting on the edge of the building, her legs swinging back and forth as she stares at their city beneath her spotted feet. Her right cheek is cut from the akuma they fought earlier, the bit of skin revealed under her bangs bruised too. She’s injured yet she’s smiling as if all the happiness in the world is being held in her small hands. He can’t stop looking, not really knowing what to say to the person that saved his life only a few minutes ago. Chat Noir remains standing behind her, wondering how the world looks in the eyes of his knight.

She looks over her shoulder and meets his gaze, her smile still intact and his heart filling the night sky with the sounds of its rapid beating.

“Come here.” She says, patting the empty spot next to her.

She isn’t bleeding anymore, but Chat Noir still feels guilty about the whole situation. She’s hurt because of his own carelessness. He wants to sit next to her, but he can’t shake off that feeling, like it was all his fault. Besides, they both don’t have that much time left until they transform back and he knows how protective she is of her identity.

“Don’t you have to go?” He asks, his voice barely a whisper. He didn’t want her to leave.

She chuckles.

“Just sit next to me, you silly cat.”

                                                _________________

Adrien didn’t really know what to expect when he posted his first chapter. He posted the link on his blog so his online acquaintances could see, so they could give him some feedback. But he never in his right mind expected all the attention his chapter got in the next few days.

He posted it on a Wednesday night, receiving a few likes the next morning from the other blogs he had chatted with before along with a few positive comments that made his day much brighter. And that’s all he really expected. However, the likes and reblogs on his tumblr post started growing. Emails slowly and then quickly began to come through to notify him of all the reads, comments, subscribers, and votes he was getting on his three-thousand-word chapter.

Apparently, a popular blog had reblogged him one day, complimenting his writing and potential and it was history from then on (at least for him that is). He wasn’t really sure how to react for a while, finding himself frozen whenever he stared at his phone screen and saw a new notification.

Do I respond to each comment?

Do I update today or next week?

Do they like the characterization?

Do I make the next chapter longer than the first?

He wasn’t sure what to do in his situation, not having anybody to talk to about it. He couldn’t ask Nino since he felt that his friend would only tease him and ask about his mental state. He felt that if he told Alya, the rest of the class would find out and he couldn’t have that. His online buddies weren’t really much help, only nagging him to just update already. And he really didn’t want to bother Plagg about it since he felt that the Kwami would just give him the whole “You humans and your dumb issues” spiel again, but he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed guidance. And even though he was absolutely certain that Plagg knew crap about anything relating to fanfiction, his kwami was still a small god and still very wise (when he wanted to be at least), so he sucked it up and finally asked him.

“I say live it up my friend.” Plagg simply responded.

Adrien smirked and nodded in both determination and agreement, giving Plagg extra camembert that afternoon. The kwami was right. Why was he freaking out about people liking his writing? He shouldn’t take positive feedback as something to be feared but instead as a challenge to do better, to write something that the people will never forget. His read count was growing by the day. Going from three hundred to eight hundred to a thousand to three thousand. It was almost astonishing, but as he reread his own work and compared it to fanfictions he’s read, he knew that his would end up ranking even higher. He had what they were all lacking. Actual experiences. And yes, he knew that his story was fictional and that what happened in the story never had and or probably never would happen between him and his Lady in real life. But he saw her mannerisms up close. He knew how she used her yoyo and her Lucky Charm – how truly amazing she was. He’d explored almost every inch of Paris thousands of times and knew how the blows from those akumas felt right to his bones.

His story wasn’t nonfictional, of course, but it was going to have that real feeling he’d heard so many desiring and he couldn’t wait to show it to them.

                                                      ________________

“Did you read the update last night?” Rose asked from behind, Adrien’s head rested in his arms as he grew a small tired smile. They were talking about his story again. A few weeks had passed since he posted the first chapter and now he had almost twelve thousand reads, five thousand votes, and a lot of overwhelming exhaustion. He had finally finished his fourth chapter the day before, staying up till almost two in the morning to post it. He was tired, and his body seemed to desire sleep more than air, but he didn’t care. Everyone was liking his writing – something he did for himself – and he was cherishing every minute of it.

“Of course, I almost wept when I read that Ladybug saved all those policemen from that fire! It was so intense, but I knew my girl would pull through! So badass!” Alya said.

“And when she dodged that left hook from behind! Super awesome.” Juleka added, the three girls continuing to admire the fight scene between Ladybug and Human Flare (the fire creating akuma Adrien made up).

He‘d gotten the idea for the villain from a conversation him and Ladybug had one day about akumas. They had just fought one that could create tornadoes from blended smoothies and Ladybug couldn’t help but comment on Hawkmoth’s creativity soon after.

“I swear, these akumas are starting to get ridiculous. I mean smoothie tornadoes? Really!? Why doesn’t he ever give them a normal power like teleportation or telepathy?” She complained, the two of them laying on top of some vacant office building that had too many windows to count.

“Or the ability to control any element! Now that would be interesting to see.”

Ladybug snorted.

“I see someone watches Avatar.”

“Hey, that show was purrfect and you know it!” He defended, turning to face her. She did the same.

“Fine! I will admit that you have a point there. Even though you could’ve made it without the horrible pun.”

“My puns are cat-tastic and I know that you secretly enjoy them.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Your affection and approval always does the trick, my Lady.”

She rolled her eyes before looking back up at the sky, her gaze turned away from him.

“Then it looks like you’re going to have trouble sleeping, Chaton.”

“Meow-ch,”

Ladybug giggled and Chat felt warmth spread throughout his body. They stayed silent for a while, the two of them staring at the birds flying above them, the color in the sky beginning to turn from blue to dark shades of red.

“Yeah, controlling fire would be neat, huh?” She said.

Chat hummed peacefully in response and Adrien smiled at the memory as he continued listening in on the girls’ conversation.

“The fight scenes were very descriptive. But I think the akuma’s costume needed more pink!”

Juleka snorted.

“Rose, you think everything needs more pink.”

“Because it does!”

The three of them laughed and Adrien had to suppress his own chuckle. Rose was so innocent.

“What about Chat Noir?” Adrien’s eyes widened a little at Marinette’s abrupt words. Whenever the three others would talk about fanfiction, the blue-eyed girl would usually remain quiet since she didn’t seem so interested in the subject. However, there she was behind him, asking about his story with her tone sounding a bit serious and Adrien was honestly surprised and curious as to what she was going to say.

“What about him?” Alya asked, sounding a bit surprised herself.

“I’ve heard you guys discuss these updates but I never really hear you guys talk about Chat Noir in this amazing story as an individual. Did he do anything in this chapter during the attack or was it all just Ladybug?”

Marinette’s emphasis on that certain adjective made Adrien nervous.

“Well, he did use his Cataclysm, but Ladybug mostly did all the work.” Alya answered.

“Hmm,” Marinette simply said, the blond not knowing what to think of that vague response.

Does she find something wrong with that?

What does she mean?

“Well, looks like amazing writer here doesn’t really know how to write them well then, huh?” She elaborated.

Adrien felt his heart stop.

What?

“Mari, you haven’t even read it yet. This person has got their personalities on point.” Alya defended.

“In what way? Because it sounds like they think Chat Noir is just some useless sidekick. And that’s not very realistic, is it?”

Adrien felt his body stiffen for a reason unknown to him and his cheeks began to warm up. He didn’t understand what he was hearing or why he was acting that way.

Nino seemed to notice his sudden shift in behavior since Adrien felt his friend’s hand rest on his shoulder.

“Hey, dude everything alright?”

Adrien brought up his head slightly enough so to give his best friend a small nod and a forced reassuring smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine. My phone vibrated in my pocket and it just startled me a bit.”

“Ah, okay. Well, go back to sleep dude. Homeroom’s almost done and you look dead.”

Adrien nodded again before laying his head back down, concealing his tense expression.

Not realistic? How was he not realistic? The fight sequences were written based on his own experiences. The moves he wrote for both of them were what usually happened. He wanted so badly to ask Marinette what she thought Chat actually did in a fight to get her take on things, to see what she sees. But, he couldn’t and it was frustrating him.

However, Alya ended up asking her for him.

“What do you mean useless? The writer wrote him using Cataclysm, his signature move.”

“But that’s not all he does, Alya. He helps plan. He hides civilians from danger. He’s saved Ladybug plenty of times! He risks his life almost every damn akuma attack! This author is pretty much saying that all he does is cause destruction when he actually stops it from happening. Yeah, Ladybug does work and helps a lot, but without Chat Noir, she wouldn’t be able to succeed. They’re equals and the writer just doesn’t seem to understand that. That���s all I’m saying.”

So that’s what she sees.

Adrien was honestly touched by his classmate’s words. Even though she‘d ragged on his story, he truly appreciated her reasoning for it. It wasn’t every day that he heard a civilian defend him like that, especially not as passionately as Marinette had.

He wanted to hug her.

“Damn girl. I didn’t know you felt so deeply about this.”

“Yeah, Marinette! Your speech was so sweet! I hope the writer writes more about Chat Noir like you said!” Rose chimed.

Juleka didn’t say anything, most likely nodding in response. Adrien was tired and although he’d promised himself the day before that he wouldn’t start writing the next chapter for a few days to catch up on sleep, after hearing Marinette’s words, he wanted to write it immediately. He wanted to impress the girl that thought he was more than what he’s worth, even if he had to suffer through a few more sleepless nights in order to do so.