#I’ve tried for as long as the official existed to have grace

[mxtxfanatic]

Alright, it’s absolutely ridiculous at this point. I cannot in good faith promote the official mdzs English translation until someone figures out wtf is going on with these mistranslations and why they just so happen to change key points of characterizations for the main characters. Because I can no longer ignore this as “honest mistakes” as if other translations don’t exist and other translators have not gone over these same parts years in advance to have someone come and completely fuck up major lines.

The other translations don’t have these issues, and the mdzs translator also worked on svsss, if I’m not mistaken. So what’s the deal?

[fruitcoops]

So this is sort of similar to the people writing fanfic about the lions but can you imagine the YouTube edits? Like the videos that are just "Cap having heart eyes for Loops for 10 minutes straight" or "Loops lovingly dragging Caps name through the mud for 3 minutes" like those kinds of things and I can just imagine them doing reaction videos and it just being funny and the world just loving coops

Okay so this wasn't a specific fic request but I got carried away with imagining videos and....here you go. SW credit goes to @lumosinlove, but Grace and Anna are mine! Bonus points to anyone who remembers the easter egg in this one!

Message From: Gracie

ANNA HOLY SHIT

Anna frowned at her phone screen, squinting to read around the spiderweb crack decorating the upper corner. She had tried to convince herself that it was cool, goth, edgy, but in the end she had to admit that it was just irritating. In a tragic turn of events, packing tape couldn’t fix everything.

Message To: Gracie

Wtf did I do

Two weeks of radio silence, then unexplained accusations. Anna shook her head as the grey bubble disappeared for a third time and turned back to her computer. Grace may have been her favorite cousin—and favorite person, if she was being honest—but very few things came between Anna and video editing. Especially editing for a Lions meme video. She had a whole 2,341 followers to attend to, after all.

Message From: Gracie

DID YOU SEE THE FUCKING INTERVIEW???

Message To: Gracie

Wow thank you so helpful

Message From: Gracie

Skip to 2:45 bestie

A link popped up just as Anna cut a segment from the sleep study video, where Loops’ heart eyes were in full effect. It was a rare, precious find for fan editors like herself.

“Come on,” she groaned. Maybe introducing Grace to the deepest parts of her hockey obsession was a mistake. But, really, what else was she supposed to do when she learned her cousin, who didn’t even live in Gryffindor, got to meet her favorite players just by chilling in a café? What kind of cosmic joke was that?

She narrowed her eyes at the embed of the link, then stifled a shriek. Impossible. How had she missed an upload?

As if on cue, her computer pinged with a new notification from the Lion Pride channel. “Oh, fuck me,” she muttered, scrambling to save her half-done video and pressing play.

The interviewer asked basic questions, ones she had heard the answers to a million times while curating her content. It always felt funny to hear people refer to Cap as ‘Sirius’—it was too official, too formal. She had spent countless hours on the compilations of his softer moments, and they were her most popular videos. Cap Having Heart Eyes for Loops for 10 Minutes Gay. Cap Being an Actual Puppy for Six and a Half Minutes. Everyone Wanting Cap Cuddles for Fifteen Minutes. Every Time Cap Smiles When Someone Mentions His Godson. The list was endless. She loved it.

She did a silent fist pump when she saw the interviewer had snagged both Cap and Loops; that would give her a whole new stream of workable content. If she was lucky, she could expand on her series of Loops Lovingly Roasting His Friends, part…fuck it, who was even counting anymore?

Anna was so caught up in her excitement that she nearly forgot about Grace’s suggestion. I’ve never skipped through a video on the first watch before, she thought hesitantly. But maybe just this once…

Her cursor hovered over the 2:45mark. She closed her eyes, and clicked it.

“—have you been adjusting to life as a celebrity?” the interviewer asked. Anna nearly rolled her eyes when Loops laughed. That question had been used far too often to be interesting anymore.

“It’s had its ups and downs,” Loops said with a smile. “Mostly, though, the fans have been incredible and just knocked my socks off with their support.”

“Really? What’s your favorite part of the Lions fanbase?”

He didn’t miss a beat. “Their creativity, for sure. There was a video a while back where we reacted to some of the comments people left, and this person on Twitter made an absolutely beautiful collage of photos.”

“I have it saved to my phone,” Sirius added.

One more clip for the simp video. Anna made a note on the small corner space of her European History notes. The degree can wait for ten more minutes.

“Do you have a favorite creator?”

The interviewer was clearly teasing, but Loops’ smile was genuine. “I don’t know about a favorite, but there’s this person on YouTube who makes a shit ton of videos and they’re hysterical. I saw one the other day about—god, what was it again?”

“Every time I smile when people mention Harry,” Sirius answered around a laugh. “Can you blame me?”

Anna didn’t hear the next question. A ringing noise filled her ears as she sat, frozen, on her shitty dorm mattress and listened to her literal heroes talk about her dorky little channel. “Holy fuck,” she blurted after a moment of silence. “Holy fuck.”

“—subscribed?” The man’s voice snapped her back to reality.

“Of course I am!” Loops said. “You think I’m passing up a chance to watch a compilation of my friends making stupid decisions for the entire internet to see?”

A noise that would have been a shriek if Anna had any breath left in her body escaped her lungs; she clamped a hand over her mouth and shakily exited from the video before going to her YouTube account. 800 new notifications. 700 new followers in the last quarter hour. She was pretty sure she blacked out for a second from sheer shock and joy.

Message To: Gracie

What

Message From: Gracie

You’re famous!

Message To: Gracie

What

Message From: Gracie

I bet he knows your stuff better than he remembers me tbh

“They know me,” she whispered, staring at her computer. The unfinished video showed a perfect frame of Loops’ soft smile as he watched Cap get his toothbrush stuck in his pajama shirt. Somehow, the thought was both exhilarating and horrifying. What if they thought she was a creep? She wasn’t, not really, just a bored college student with not enough free time for a job but too much to keep herself busy with schoolwork. Her 2,341—no, 3,052—followers were just other hockey nerds looking for time to kill.

And the subject of those videos was one of her subscribers.

Anna slipped her headphones back on and began to edit like it was her last day on earth. Her fingers flew across the keyboard on muscle memory while her brain fizzed. Perfect, she thought. It has to be perfect.

In four hours, it was done. She sat back, panting, then hunched over again and began tapping out a title card.

Hello. Idk if anyone saw the new Lion Pride video today (linked below if anyone wants to see why I’m dying right now) but apparently Remus Lupin is subscribed to this channel and has been for a while.

Hi Loops. I’m Anna. You met my cousin once and she said she liked your sweater.

Now that that’s out of the way, please enjoy the next five minutes of our new rookie being the sappiest mf in existence (except for his fiancé). Mr. Lupin, please tell Hattie I say hello.

She pressed upload, peeled her headphones off, and collapsed backward on her bed.

Message To: Gracie

If I die here, tell the world I did it doing what I loved

Message From: Gracie

Will do

OH FUCK YOU FOR BRINGING UP THE SWEATER I SOUND LIKE A CREEP

Anna covered her itchy eyes with her forearm and settled in for a long, long nap. Her brain still needed to repair a few circuits.

[ga-yuu]

“I feel you in the lusty night”~Akihito’s story

(Akihito has hand fetish!! Maybe he’ll ask for a handjob in his main chapter. I don’t wanna see another missionary! Plsss CYBIRD)

It was on a night when I was also staying in Kyoto as a servant of Yoritomo-sama, who had left Kamakura on official business.

(I couldn’t fall asleep for some reason, so I’ve been watching the moon....It’s about time I got some sleep.)

I let out a small yawn and then-------

Akihito: “Good evening, Yoshino.”

Yoshino: “!?”

A cool voice spoke to me and all at once my sleepiness vanished.

Yoshino: “Akihito-sama? W-What are you doing here...?”

Akihito: “I heard that you were staying in Kyoto. If you were still awake, I thought I might catch a glimpse of you...but, it looks like you were going back to your room.”

(Ah.....did he just see me yawning?)

When I realized that, my cheeks started burning up.

Akihito: “Sorry to bother you at this hour, but I’m glad I got to see your face as I had hoped. Good night, then.”

Yoshino: “Eh? Wait!!”

I tried stopping him when he smile and turned around to leave.

However, a pointy thorn on the nearby bush scrapped the surface of his palm as he turned around.

(Ah.....!!)

Akihito: “.....Nn.”

Yoshino: “Are you okay?”

Akihito: “It’s not a big deal...it’s just a small cut.”

There was a sharp red line on his graceful white palm.

Yoshino: “Come inside Akihito-sama. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take care of that wound.”

Akihito: “...Are you sure? Inviting a man to your room at this late at night?”

I am momentarily stunned by the question.

But I nodded my head to Akihito-sama, who was looking at me.

Yoshino: “I can’t overlook the injured. I’m a pharmacist.”

Akihito: “.....”

At this answer, Akihito-sama looked at me lightly.....and smiled softly.

Akihito: “-----I like your attitude very much.”

..............

(Done. He was bleeding but thank god the wound was not too deep.)

I exhaled as I finished tying the cloth.

A little relaxed from the relief, I suddenly became aware of Akihito-sama’s hand, which I was touching.

(Beautiful hands, aren’t they?.....The fingers are sleek and long, but not feminine.)

(They’re slightly rough, like a man’s hand.)

Akihito: “Your hands are beautiful.”

(.......!!)

Suddenly Akihito-sama opened his mouth and I was startled.

And maybe it’s because I was just thinking about his hands at the moment, but I’m feeling strangely nervous, even though I have nothing to feel guilty about.

Yoshino: “My hands? I don’t think it’s that pretty...”

I don’t usually have the time to take care of them. They’re just ordinary hands like any other working people.

Compared to those with noble status, they are inferior.

When I think so, Akihito-sama shakes his head.

Akihito: “I think they’re beautiful. These hands are willing to work hard for the sake of others. Even now, it’s healing my wound.”

Yoshino: “Akihito-sama.....”

A word of encouragement left a warm feeling in my heart.

But then-------

(......?)

Akihito-sama’s fingers which I had been admiring for some time, slid easily around mine.

Akihito: “And look. They’re so small and delicate compared to mine.”

Yoshino: “Mm.....”

Our hands joined and slowly intertwined.

Again and again, as if to confirm our existence------

Akihito: “They’re adorable.”

Yoshino: “Nn,.....ah....”

It’s just a simple hand play, but....

The faint friction between our fingers was hushed and sensual.

Yoshino: “....Mm...umm....Akihito...sama...hands....”

Akihito: “......”

(Mmm....this...feels..weird...ahh....)

I grasped Akihito-sama’s hand and squeezed it.

Akihito: “.....”

Akihito-sama lets out a small chuckle and------

He easily lets go of my hands.

Yoshino: “Ah......”

Akihito: “Thank you for patching me up Yoshino. ...I think I’ve been a little mischievous to you.”

He gently stroked my feverish cheeks and brought me back to myself.

Yoshino: “S-Sorry...!”

Akihito: “You are very honest. That’s one of your virtues, but if you’re not careful, you can be taken advantage of.”

Yoshino: “Eh?”

Akihito: “-----Would you believe me if I told you that I got these scars on purpose so that I could talk to you more?”

Yoshino: “!!!”

My eye widened in surprise as I hear the words spoken into my ears.

(That’s....)

I couldn’t fully conclude if what he said just now was true or false because he smiles with his usual elegance.

Akihito: “Good night, Yoshino. Sweet dreams.”

After seeing off Akihito-sama-------

I squeezed my hand tightly.

(Akihito-sama....)

I could still feel the warmth of his touch in my palms.

[interstellarflare]

Bend and Break || Homelander

-PART SIX-

Warnings: Gore, violence, course language, angst.

Summary: People can only bend their morales so far before they break. Homelander is the world’s greatest superhero, and you, a tech analyst, somehow become entangled in his world when he learns that you provide intel to The Boys. He makes it his personal mission to find out exactly what you know, but he never expected such resistance from someone as damaged as you. But broken things can be mended, sometimes in the most unexpected ways possible.

Author’s Note: As a bit of a disclaimer, I have only seen snippets of The Boys. I haven’t actually watched all of it, so forgive me if there are some details that are wrong, as well as the many spelling errors that will undoubtedly be in this series. There is a tag list open for those who wish to be added. I apologise for the long chapters. Gif by @xmichaelmyers​

|PART ONE| |PART TWO| |PART THREE| |PART FOUR| |PART FIVE|

After activating the pager hacking device after you had entered the building, you and Homelander went your seperate ways for the night.

You watched as Madelyn Stillwell hung off of his arm, smiling and pretending that she was actually interested in tonight’s events as Homelander indulged politicians and government officials in small talk. You however, stood in a secluded corner of the room, waiting for your device to break through Vought’s firewalls whilst idly sipping a glass of champagne. You didn’t know how long he had been there, but Black Noir stood by your side, his arms folded over his armoured chest as his suit blended perfectly with the shadows to your right.

You were growing more anxious as time went by. You expected to hear a small beeping noise when your device had finished its task, but the growing fear that the device wouldn’t work caused your palms to become increasingly sweaty. You loosed a shaky breath, taking a small sip of the champagne in your grasp. You found small comfort in the fact that Noir was by your side, grateful that at least someone else knew what you were up to.

From your position in the corner, you could hear various topics of conversation. However, the majority of them were about you. ‘Who was that woman with him?’ You heard someone question, that someone turning out to be the wife of the Secretary of Defence. ‘Who is she? I don’t think I’ve seen her around before’. ‘Her dress is beautiful, no wonder Homelander chose to escort her inside’. ‘He was probably being nice, she doesn’t really belong here’. You felt Noir step out of the shadows and move to your side, his arm brushing against yours as he stood defensive and tall. As soon as he appeared, the conversations about you stopped, everyone averting their gaze to anywhere else in the room but towards you and the Supe. No doubt he would have heard all of the negative chatter his stern stance giving off a pissed off vibe loud and clear.

“Is it normal for you to intimidate people who piss you off?” You asked teasingly, a smirk growing on your lips as you finished the last of the champagne. Noir nodded wordlessly, his helmeted gaze not leaving the gathered congregation before him. You rolled your eyes, laughing quietly as you anxiously peered down at the clutch in your other hand. Still nothing. You huffed through your nose, your anxiety being replaced with frustration. What if all of this was for nothing? What of at the end of the night, the device didn’t go off. What then?

Slow music began to play, a choir of violinists, cellos and various other instruments beginning a long classical piece which you knew would likely last the entire night. “Excuse me, can I have a word?” A toxically sweet voice spoke softly, causing you to turn your gaze and meet the emerald eyes of the blood red reporter from earlier. She smiled a viper’s grin, her eyes turning a shade darker as she towered over over your smaller frame. You blinked in surprise and confusion, unsure as to why this woman was even speaking to you. As if sensing your confusion, her grin widened “I only want to interview you in regards to your entrance with The Homelander himself, it was quite spectacular I have to say”. You laughed breathlessly, unsure of what to do or say. So you shrugged your shoulders “Oh, uh, thank you? To be honest it wasn’t really that-”

“Tell me, is there a secret relationship going on between the two of you behind closed doors?” She pried, her question catching you off guard. You choked, shaking your head in disbelief “I’m sorry? I don’t think I understand” You spoke lowly, standing as tall as your heels would allow. The reporter smirked evilly, knowing that she had gotten under your skin. She stepped closer toward you intimidatingly close with her hands propped on her hips. “Well one would assume that something was going was going on between you two with the way he escorted you inside” She spoke lazily, staring down at you with a bored expression “everyone has been talking about it, you know”.

Your eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare, one that even made the Supe at your side flinch with how much hatred and ice radiated from your form. “He was just being chivalrous-” “Oh, I’m sure he was...” The reporter interrupted sarcastically, picking at her red painted nails through her hooded eyelashes “then again, why else would he associate with someone as dull and uninteresting as you? I mean, look at you. You don’t fit in here, you’re hiding in a corner for gods sake...”

Dull and uninteresting...is that how people saw you?

You tried to maintain your composure, you tried not to take the bitch’s words to heart. But why did they hurt so much?

Dull and uninteresting, boring and plain. You averted your gaze from the reporter’s and casted your eyes across the room. Where your eyes met his. And you knew. You knew Homelander had been listening, given by the stern and unreadable expression on his face. Damn his superhuman hearing, damn him to hell. You could feel him staring after you as you weaved your way through the dancing crowd. You could feel him staring after you as you climbed the main marble staircase, disappearing down the hall and onto a stone balcony. You leaned against the balcony, breathing deeply to try and prevent the tears in your eyes falling.

Why were you hurt so much by this? What did it matter what people thought about you? Why did it matter what he thought about you?

Why? Why did it matter?

It was peaceful out on the balcony, the noise of the Gala inside was nothing but distant rumbles. The music still clear as day. A gentle but cool breeze caressed your skin, brushing strands of your hair out of its well-kept do. Footsteps echoed on the balcony. They were heavy, but taken in a stride that was light and cautious. You didn’t have to turn around to know who was standing behind you.

“Do you think I’m dull and uninteresting?” You asked him, keeping your gaze ahead and on the night cityscape before you. You heard Homelander sigh, but he made no attempt top move toward you. When no answer came, your chest tightened painfully. Of course, he thought you were dull. Of course, he thought you were uninteresting. He was The Homelander. And you...you were just a nobody.

“It’s John...” You heard him sigh out lowly, his tone of voice showing no sign of teasing or malice. With your eyebrows furrowing in confusion, you spun to face The Worlds Greatest Superhero with an expression of pure bewilderment. “What?”.

Homelander chuckled, a genuine sound resonating from deep within him as he stepped toward you, his cape billowing slightly in the wind. “Yesterday...” He began, standing beside you and leaning his hands against the stone railing “you asked if I had another name Homelander, otherwise you were going to call me prick or arsehole. My name is John”. You laughed lowly, nodding your head as you leaned back against the railing with an amused smile. So he did have a name. “It suits you” You responded, looking over at him with a soft smile. John nodded, giving you the same smile in return. “And you know what, any woman that can speak to me with such sarcasm, wit, and foul language, and live to tell the tale, is definitely interesting in my eyes”.

Your laughter echoed out from the balcony and across the city. It was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. It wasn’t like the small sarcastic chuckles, or the amused scoffs you would always give him. This was genuine, this was pure. And he loved every second of it. But why? Why did he enjoy your laugh? Why did he long to see you smile, why did he long to always see you as happy as you were now? You turned to face him again, the frown on your face now non-existent as you grinned. “You know, this is why I don’t leave my apartment” You joked lightly, causing the Supe beside you to scoff. “I don’t think I’ve seen you wear anything other than an oversized shirt and sweatpants” He teased, shying away slightly as you lightly slapped his shoulder. He laughed as you pouted, folding your arms over your chest as your eyebrows furrowed.

The music from downstairs floated up on a graceful wind, a slow waltzing piece that would have no doubt been played at a dozen luxurious events prior to this one. John stood up from his position by the balcony, moving to stand in front of you with a soft smile. “Dance with me” he spoke suddenly, holding his gloved hand towards you with a smirk tugging at his lips. Your expression became more confused as you looked up at him with an expression that couldn’t have been more confused if you tried. “What? You want to dance with me?”.

“Why not? It’s a Gala, we might as well” John tried to reason, rolling his eyes as you laughed loudly once again. Placing your clutch carefully on the balcony, you shook your head slowly as you placed your hand into his own. He immediately pulled you close, wrapping one arm securely around your waist, and intertwining his other with yours. The two of you began to sway slowly, your cheeks flushing a bright red at the amount of limited space between you. Your heart was beating so loud, that you were sure the man before you could hear your heart beating wildly in your chest without his superhuman hearing. The thought alone caused your stomach to flutter. Pushing down your nerves, you forced yourself to look up, and almost fell apart. John was staring down at you with an expression you couldn’t read. No one had ever looked at you like that before, with such emotion, with such raw-

Pain...there was so much pain.

For a split second, you couldn’t breath. The air was taken from your lungs as John flinched, his grip on your form tightening as his eyes widened in pure horror. Blood splattered the front of his uniform, tiny horrifying droplets coating his skin. A strange warmth suddenly spread over your chest, a deep rumbling cough caused the pain to increase. Blood dribbled from your mouth, your blood. You collapsed forward, the world suddenly spinning in dizzying stars. The ringing in your ears became louder and louder, drowning out the terror-filled shouts from downstairs, and John’s frantic cries. You could make out your name on his lips, his arms wrapping around your form as he lowered you to the ground. You were scared, terrified. What happened? 

You suddenly felt tired, your eyes becoming heavier with every second that passed. It was cold, so very cold. Everything suddenly became numb, consumed by the agony and pain that everything slowly began to fade. You never saw the figure emerge from the doorway, you never heard what John said to that blurry image of a man.

But the last thing you saw was his furious expression. His blue eyes glowing a bright red in rage, hatred, and pure madness.

Tag List: @lauraaan182 @tardis-23 @freshmakertaco @shilsvampsinger @cynthianokamaria  @delicatetimetravelarcade @coloursunlimited @clean-soap @themarch-oftheblackqueen @soft-hargreeves @kennedywxlsh​ @itskatrinahere​

[theveryinsignificantpotato]

hello!! may a request an alastor x reader where the reader is charlie’s older sister?!

I am sorry this took a weirdly long time, I had to rewrite it literally four separate times before I had a semi-solid idea for a plot, and this is where it got me

I do sincerely hope you like it!

The Magne Match Maker

She was lucifer's oldest and most powerful daughter, holding a reputation for being a high energy leader who didn't take any shit, and often stirred fear in the hearts of those around her. Everyone in hell knew who she was, Alastor alone had read about her in papers, seen her in paintings and portraits with her family, and even caught a glimpse of her on the picture show once or twice in passing. He found himself knowing of both her and her reputation when they met, so the shock wasn't from her personality or anything of substance - he just hadn't anticipated how much prettier she was in person.

Despite her initial skepticism with his relations to her sister's dreams, she never shunned him, but rather allowed him closer in an attempt to grasp any hidden intentions he had. She allowed him to talk and dance and joke with her like he did with everyone else that allowed him to, and he found that she herself was brilliantly funny, charismatic, and quite the dancing partner, she was bold and fun and all around gorgeous - and Alastor would never admit just how quickly she had him wrapped around her little finger.

Charlie watched it all go down too, from the moment her sister arrived at the hotel she had a premonition about those two, and as the weeks passed their chemistry became more and more undeniable. Her sister, who was usually stubborn and quick witted, seemed to turn to putty in Alastor's hands every time he swept her into a dance, she'd blush and lean into his grip, and has a smile that just wouldn't leave regardless of how much she tried to force any other expression into its place. Alastor himself even seemed hesitant any time he had to remove the demon from his gaze and found that his face flushes against his will any time she'd laugh at his jokes.

This went on for months, both parties infatuated with the other while doing nothing to officialize any sort of relationship.

Charlie had to do something

While y/n had accepted the idea, Alastor was thrilled at the principal of a ball! So many bodies crammed in one room in the midst of an event would surely result in some delicious chaos, and even if there wasn't any, perhaps he could treat himself to a dance with the queen-to-be! 

Said demon herself was more excited at the ability to use the event as an excuse to go dress shopping with her little sister (dad had her off on business so often it seemed she never got to see Charlie anymore) it had been a long time since she'd been to a formal event and who better to consult than her! The Magne sisters would surely rule the event with their outfits.

Boy did they, Alastor was stunned when he saw y/n, who entered with Vaggie and Charlie, the three of them were talking and at one point when y/n threw her head back in laughter his long-dead heart seemed to leap back to life. He had never meant to stare, of course, she just completely caught him off guard with her striking appearance. Both Magne sisters wore dresses in the same style with skirts that met the floor with a gold trim, charlie's was primarily black and pink - like her typical outfit, and her sister was wrapped up in her own favorite colors, golden fabric trimming both dresses. He himself was quite dressed up, an old fashioned suit adorning his thin frame (red suited him best, he thought), his bowtie was replaced with a hand-tied bow, and a silken vest showed slightly beneath his coat. Her eyes finally met his after a few moments, and he reveled in the way her cheeks instantly flushed upon seeing him. It wasn't long then, before he approached her for a dance, earning an excited squee from Charlie. 

"You are gorgeous as always Ms. Magne, I would be eternally grateful if you'd grant me a dance." He asked sweetly, taking her hand and bowing to press a kiss to her knuckles

Her face flushes even more and she looks to Charlie who nearly shoves her sister into his arms in reply. He is barely fazed, only moving to ensure she was steady before returning to his previous position, "I'd be honored to" she says finally, her words barely leaving her mouth in a breath.

His smile widens and he immediately begins guiding her to the floor where many couples were already moving to a jovial rhythm, proudly showing her off to those who saw, as if staking claim to her right then and there. As usual, she was a wonderful dancer, and he adored every second he had with her in his arms, twirling and spinning her in time with their fellow dancers, even she seemed to be having a blast. He was so caught up in the moment that he barely noticed when the music slowed to the next song and she ended up curled up into his arms with her head to his chest. His left hand gripped her right one gently, and his other hand was held softly to her waist as he led her between the other dancers.

"You have a heartbeat." She observes in a soft voice

“That I do." He hums in a jovial tone, sending a delightful chill down her spine

"My father and mother don't, I have just never heard one before…" she says softly, and her face flushes slightly once again, "I don't know why I brought that up, I was just thinking and I guess I started talking."

He shook his head “Nonsense, I’d love to know whats going on in that pretty little head of yours,” He hummed continuing their soft sway across the floor, “Many people find the sound of a heartbeat to be relaxing, while I have met others who rejected the idea of a demon with a pulse, I’m curious of what your opinion is.” He continued the topic, hoping to keep her talking

“I like it.” she says contently, “I think I could always listen to it.”

Now it was his turn to feel blood rush to his cheeks, and he was silently thankful that she couldn't see his darkened flesh from her angle against his chest

"It's funny how much I disliked you when we first met," she continued, "I'll admit, Charlie is the only reason I let you stick around at all - and it seems that it's because of her that I'm here with you now." 

He hummed, "She is quite persistent regarding you and I, isn't she?" He muses, his eyes shining with amusement when she finally picked her head up to see him 

"Quite," she says, mirth decorating her features, Charlie was naturally very excitable, but her biggest downfall was her inability to be discreet - she didn't know just how much her proclaimed OTP knew of her set up, and the two of them got quite the kick out of watching it all unfold. "You don't have to listen to her ramblings, mister, I don't wanna hear you complain!" She said with a laugh

"Who said I was complaining? Your sister is quite entertaining, her little matchmaker game is one of the highlights of my days at the hotel!" He replies, "And you, Ma petite chou, play quite the role in that, too. Your smile shines brighter than the sun ever dreamed!" 

She makes a face, unable to hide her light blush at his compliments, "I've never seen the sun, Al- and did you just call me a little cabbage?" 

He laughs, "It's a term of endearment, chér, the french use it to relate the subject to something small, round, and cute, which you my darling, are." He flirts, that familiar sparkle of amusement manifesting in his eyes once more, "and why have the sun when you exist in this world?" 

She rolls her eyes, her cheeks still burning slightly, "Why do you say such things to me? Charlie cannot hear, so there is hardly any cause for you to continue this game."

He seemed confused for a moment, "game? Oh darling, you wound me with your accusation. I may be a demon, but I am a man of my word, and though I admit I have a flair for the dramatic, none of my actions toward you have been anything short of genuine." He confesses, and the look on her face was one of complete shock.

Then in the most amazing twist, an excited smile graced her features

"So you're saying that Charlie is absolutely correct about us and after all of it, you really do like me, and I am the most oblivious being on this plane just like she said." 

He blinked, "now I'm not-"

She rolled her eyes again, shaking her head, "shut up and kiss me, you silly cabbage." 

He laughed then, humming "as you wish, mon drôle de petit chou" before spinning her about and pressing a sweet kiss to her lips

Before she could even process the situation she was in, she heard her sister squeal in delight at the sight of her parallel to the floor in the radio demon's arms, and she couldn't help the excited smile into Alastor's own at the sound.

[andrewmoocow]

Steven Universe Alternate Future chapter 26: Everything’s Fine (originally posted on September 20, 2021)

AN: Welcome back to the jungle readers. When last we left Steven, his mind was going further down the toilet after shattering Jasper and the voice in his head continues trying to take control, which led to him lashing out against White Diamond & Spinel. Can he possibly keep his personal Nega-Scott under control while trying to tell the Gems that everything is totally okay? All this and more in this gripping chapter of Alternate Future!

Synopsis: Despite Steven constantly saying otherwise, everything isn't fine.

Cast:

Zach Callison as Steven, Topiary Stevens, Cactus Stevens

Estelle as Garnet

Micheala Dietz as Amethyst

Deedee Magno-Hall as Pearl, Yellow Pearl, Blue Pearl

Grace Rolek as Connie

Tom Scharpling as Greg

Ron Perlman as Steven's Inner Voice

Shelby Rabara as Peridot, Squaridot

Jennifer Paz as Lapis, Laz, Zuli

Uzo Aduba as Bismuth

Kimberly Brooks as Cherry Quartz

Michelle Maryk as Larimar

Ian Jones-Quartey as Snowflake Obsidian, Bixbite

Tara Platt as Heaven and Earth Cubic Zirconias

Martha Higerada as Topaz

Auli'I Cravalho as Orange Spodumene

Aparna Nancherla as Nephrite

Kimiko Glenn as Blue Chalcedony

Phillipa Soo as Chrysocolla

Anika Noni Rose as Watermelon Tourmaline

Tara Strong as Grossular Diopside

Aimee Carrero as Moonstone

Jinkx Monsoon as Emerald

Kari Wahlgren as Pyrope

Melissa Fahn as Demantoid

Noël Wells as Black Rutile

Lauren Ash as White Topaz

Della Saba as Aquamarine

Charlyne Yi as Eyeball

Larissa Gallagher as Bluebird Azurite

Susan Egan as Rose Quartz

--

As soon as Steven returned to his earthly home via Warp Pad and checked up on the bathroom, he returned to his room to flop down on his bed. Steven thought the Diamonds would be of help to him, but instead, they didn't understand what he was going through, and his evil voice kept making things worse for him.

"Why did you make me do that?" Steven lugubriously asked his inner self. "Why did you make me nearly kill White Diamond, and punch Spinel?"

"They hurt you, so I thought it was about time you gave them their just desserts." The evil voice within Steven answered. "Yet the real you insisted that everything was fine. That's your biggest problem, you're way too forgiving of others no matter how much they want you dead."

"No, I know when others don't deserve to be accepted." Steven argued. "Like Black Rutile for example. If she's going to be proud of how irredeemable she is, I'll just let her do her thing."

"Ah yes, do her thing." The negative side of Steven mused. "Like threaten your life and make repeated attempts on your psyche. Yeah, if you could change that pervert, then maybe you can change the sociopath too."

Suddenly, Steven's phone began to ring. "One second Negative Me, I have to take this." Steven said while picking it up and hearing a relieving familiar voice on the other end. "Hey Connie, what's up?"

"Steven!" Connie cried in delight. "Good, you finally picked up. I can't believe we haven't talked to each other since the hospital visit, how are you?"

"I'm great!" Steven fibbed while gazing at how he was still pink. "Never been better!"

"Really?" Connie asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure you haven't had any more swelling or turning pink problems?"

"Uh, nope?" Steven replied. "Okay, maybe, but how are you doing? How's prepping for college going?"

"It's going fine Steven." Connie answered nervously. "But what you mean when you said maybe?"

"Look, there's nothing to worry about." Steven kept on lying. "Everything's fine."

"I doubt it." Steven's dark side interrupted.

"Look, I'll call you later," Steven said. "I don't wanna wake up the Gems."

"But they don't even sleep!" Connie exclaimed before Steven quickly hung up and gazed at his hands before the TV turned on.

"-it's because I'M A UNIVERSE!" Steven began seeing visions of the past on the TV, starting with his argument with Greg before it went to static. Then it began showing Steven holding the shattered remains of Jasper's gem in his hand. More static, followed by the near-death of White Diamond, then Steven punching Spinel for singing to him. Just as Steven got up to try and turn the TV off, he got one last devastating surprise.

"Steven, we can't both exist." Rose Quartz announced to Steven in the video she made before giving birth to him, the very sight of her warm face making him twitch angrily where he stood. "I'm going to become half of you. And I need you to know that every moment you love being yourself, that's me, loving you and loving being you."

"No, I never loved myself," Steven growled furiously. "I've always hated being you. Everything I've suffered, and everything you ever put everyone through," He balled up his fist and pointed it straight at the TV screen. "IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Before Rose could finish, Steven broke the screen with a single punch and prematurely ended the video. However, Steven then let out a gasp as he gazed into his reflection on the shattered remains of the screen, noticing that his irises were now diamond-shaped and realizing what he had become.

"No! No, no, no, no!" Steven trembled and dropped to the ground in horror. "Th-this can't be happening, I didn't think about shattering White, I didn't shatter Jasper, punch Spinel, or nearly kill Dad!" His panicking soon turned to mad chuckling as Steven tried to cheer himself up. "I'm Steven Universe!" Steven then turned to Vidalia's painting of him and Garnet. "I'm fine, I'm fine!" he loudly repeated to himself, causing the glass of his bedroom door to break. "I'm totally fine!"

"Steven, is that you?!" The loudness of Steven's fibbing caused Pearl to cry out as she, Amethyst, and Garnet raced upstairs to Steven's room and gasped at his current appearance.

"What happened?" Amethyst asked Steven. "When did you get so big?"

"Is everything alright?" Pearl added just as nervously.

"I'm fine." Steven smiled and waved at the Gems. "Going to the Diamonds was just a waste of time since they had no idea what I was going through. I thought I needed to figure myself out, but I already know who I am! I'm Steven Universe; and I help, not hurt!"

"Yeah, then I suppose you tried to help the TV there?" Amethyst said while pointing a thumb at the damaged TV. "Seriously, we have got to upgrade someday. But seriously dude, what's going on? You look way different!"

"Pfft, I'm still your lovable old Steven!" Steven denied in response.

"Steven, we're worried," Garnet stated, taking off her glasses to emphasize how concerned she was for her ward. "You haven't been acting like your usual self lately, and we think you should get some rest before this gets dangerous."

"I'm okay, really!" Steven continued lying to the Gems, who glanced concernedly at each other before turning back to him.

"We'll take your word for it." Garnet said resignedly.

"You know, everything's gone downhill ever since I quit Little Homeschool!" Steven declared cheerfully. "I should head on over and see if I can make myself useful there! See you guys later!"

With that, Steven used his newfound super speed to race out of the house to Little Homeworld. To the Gems, it was like he was gone in an instant.

"I get that Steven wants us to know he's fine, but that was a little unsettling." Pearl stated fearfully. "We should just follow him to Little Homeworld so we can keep an eye on him."

"Agreed." Garnet nodded while putting her glasses back on.

"Yeah, that boy ain't right!" Amethyst declared before the trio left Steven's bedroom. But what they or even Steven didn't know was that a black-colored drone was watching them carefully.

--

"Excellent, he's just about at his breaking point." Black Rutile declared triumphantly while examining the footage her drone has gathered with White Topaz by her side. "Oh, I haven't felt this much of a rush since the Strawberry Battlefields!"

"But will Steven get any better?" White Topaz asked nervously, inciting her master to give her a furious glare.

"No, that's my intention!" Black Rutile stated. "I broke him, I broke his spirit! If I physically harmed him, the damage would just go away. But mental torture, the wounds shall only grow and fester! I have officially broken Steven Universe, and all that's left is for everyone to reject that monster."

"Oh master, we're back from training." Bluebird Azurite declared as she flew back to the Rutile's cavern hideaway.

"Oh hey guys, how you getting along?" White Topaz asked the fusion cheerfully.

"We're getting along splendidly thanks to Steven's advice." Bluebird answered before un-fusing into Aquamarine and Eyeball.

"Now we're even stronger than ever!" Aquamarine exclaimed joyfully.

"Look what we can do now!" Eyeball added before pulling out her chisel and shaking it to turn the blade into a beam of fire while Aquamarine launched bubbles from her wings.

"Ah, so glad you two are reaching your full potential, potential that Steven has suppressed for too long." Black Rutile smiled warmly at the tiny twosome. "But know this, you may be afraid of what could be to come, but remember that fear is but the precursor to valor! And to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a warrior. Don't think, become."

"I fail to see how that could inspire us, but okay." Aquamarine muttered before peeking behind Black Rutile to see the drone footage. "Now what's all this?"

"It's video evidence that I've driven Steven to madness." Black Rutile answered with a proud grin before gesturing to each screen. "Here, we see Steven going ballistic on a human television when his mother appeared on the monitor." She said pointing to the first one. "On this one, the accursed Crystal Gems show concern for him for once, but he denies that anything is wrong with him." Then Black Rutile moved on to the third one. "And finally, Steven is just gone like a light."

"How can he do that?" White Topaz asked as she looked at the third viewscreen.

"Research shows that this comes from his Diamond heritage interfering with his human biology." Black Rutile analyzed the footage. "I should know, I was often tasked with watching over Pink Diamond whenever her usual caretakers were unavailable. And let me just say, it was unbelievably hectic."

"Yeah, like remember our attempted occupation of Zembilla?" White Topaz added. "Pink really grew attached to those little orange natives and didn't want them all dead."

"Don't remind me to the point of making me have a flashback." Black Rutile groaned while stroking her temples. "This shall be our time to rise up. We shall strike the first moment we get when Steven is at his lowest, so I suggest you better prepare." The Rutile then turned to her Topaz muscle. "Topaz, I need you to preside over Aquamarine and Ruby's training for the time being."

"Oh, of course, I'll do as you say!" White Topaz frantically declared. "That's me, White Topaz, always at your service!"

"Just…..go." Black Rutile's eye began to twitch at White Topaz's brownnosing. As soon as her three subordinates left, the mastermind turned back to her screens and paused the first one at Steven punching the TV screen. "Soon, my boy. Your god complex will finally crumble, just like your so-called happily ever after."

--

"Ah Little Homeworld, long time no see!" Steven declared happily as he reached Little Homeworld and landed on the Warp Pad. "Time to find someone who needs my help."

As Steven ran around the village in search of people to help, Gems and humans were taken a little aback by his new appearance and tried to stay away from him, though Steven didn't know why.

"Look, we're just saying Emerald, there are more ways reptiles are connected to birds than you think." Demantoid argued with Emerald as the two played chess together.

"Name one!" Emerald declared while moving her rook to knock out Demantoid's pawn. "Are there any lizards that have feathers, hm?!"

"Hey, guys, any arguments that need settling?" Steven butted into the green Gems' debate with a wide smile, taking the two by surprise. "Something about birds?"

"What is wrong with you?!" Emerald exclaimed. "This is why Black Rutile hates you, you think everything has to revolve around you and how you think you can fix everything! But even so, you look creepily happier than usual. Something is definitely up."

"Oh, everything's fine." Steven declared, his eye twitching ever so slightly at Emerald's accusation. "I think I'll just let you guys get back to your conversation." And so, Steven set off for someone else to try and help, leaving the green ex-subordinates of Black Rutile aghast before they decided to change the topic while getting back to their game.

"So, I've heard rumors that Steven is suffering from some problems lately." Demantoid said as her rook moved to take out the opposing knight. "Something about post-traumatic stress disorder?"

"Are you sure?" Emerald replied. "Because I've read about the symptoms, and something tells me he might have a borderline personality disorder."

"Maybe somewhere in the middle?" Demantoid deduced.

--

"Now the key to giving a plant proper sunlight is finding a spot that's just right." Peridot exposited to her class of Pyrope, Orange Spodumene, Blue Chalcedony, Cherry Quartz, and Squaridot while pointing to a chrysanthemum. "And it also varies on what kind of plant you're growing."

"I see." Squaridot muttered in awe.

Just then, Steven barged into the greenhouse and grinned at Peridot's class. "Hi Peridot, do any of you need some help?"

"No, I do believe we're perfectly fine." Pyrope answered dryly.

"So what brings you back here?" Peridot asked. "Didn't you leave a few months back?"

"Just your friendly neighborhood Crystal Gem just here to help!" Steven declared. "And I think your students have a few struggling saplings here. Let me give you a hand." Chuckling at his pun, Steven licked his hands and reached out to Pyrope's pot before Peridot stopped him.

"Not so fast!" Peridot scolded Steven. "Amethyst told me you're on a No Plant Friends policy after what happened with the Cactus Stevens."

"We're right here you know." A Cactus Steven said while helping a nearby Sapphire.

"Besides, I don't want your germs all over my prized flower!" Pyrope added, protectively hiding her pot from Steven.

"Oh come on you guys, I just want to give them a little nudge!" Steven laughed. To further prove his point, a leaf fell off Blue Chalcedony's plant.

"That has been bothering me lately." Blue Chalcedony stated, holding her pot out to Steven. "Go ahead, just a smidge though."

"I got a bad feeling about this." Cherry Quartz said warily.

"Oh don't worry, I got this!" Steven said as he licked his finger and tapped on the spot where the leaf fell off.

Moments later, the greenhouse began literally bursting with plant life, and not in a good way. Living topiaries in the shape of Steven broke through the greenhouse walls chanting "Steven's here to help!" while Peridot's class ran away screaming.

"Nice going Chal, now look what's happened!" Pyrope yelled at Blue Chalcedony.

"Hey, lay off her Pyrope!" Orange Spodumene exclaimed. "But still, something is not right with Steven!"

On the topic of Steven, he followed the class out of the greenhouse and seemed oblivious to the damage he had caused. "Look at that, life! It's everywhere, it always finds a way!"

"Much like how you find a way to drive people away." Steven's evil voice muttered sardonically, but Steven paid it no mind as he continued his search for people to help.

--

"Now, tell me how that makes you feel." Garnet said to a human couple she was giving counseling to when she heard Peridot scream, causing the humans to stand up as they gasped. "See you next week."

As soon as the couple ran away in fright, three Topiary Stevens surrounded Garnet, still chanting "Steven's here to help!" while the real Steven ran into the fusion.

"Oh Garnet, I see you're making some new friends!" Steven exclaimed joyfully, continuing to be unaware of his surroundings. "Then I guess this was a net win. Welp, gotta run and find someone else to help! It's what I do!"

"Then help me stop them!" Garnet yelled while the Topiary Stevens repeated "Steven's here to help!", which began to get on her nerves. "The others have to know about this."

--

"Being a lifeguard was far easier than I thought." Laz declared while relaxing in a lifeguard chair above the Gems in the now completed swimming pool. "Just gotta sit around and wait for something to happen. Besides, Gems can't drown anyways!"

"Yeah, but they still need to learn some basic rules." Lapis said to her old friend turned enemy turned friend again before blowing her whistle. "Hey, no running so fast! You might slip and fall!"

"Sorry, Lapis." Teal Zircon apologized before diving in and landing on top of Watermelon Tourmaline. "This is living, eh Melon?"

"You said it, Teal." Watermelon Tourmaline said as she floated around the pool with the Zircon relaxing on her stomach. "Ain't nothing could go wrong today."

Just then, Steven came a-knocking as he opened the gate to the pool to check out what was going on. "Hey Lapises, how's everything going?" he asked. "Anyone need any saving right now?"

"Actually, I think we're running a pretty tight ship as is," Lapis answered Steven while Zuli emerged from the pool after a swim. "Right guys?"

"Yeah, we don't need any extra help right now." Zuli stated. "But if you want, we could hold tryouts sometime."

"Oh no need, I'll just do it myself." Steven beamed before he began looking out for someone who might need his assistance when he spotted Teal Zircon resting on Watermelon Tourmaline's stomach. "Hey TZ, you could slip and fall!"

"What?" Teal asked before Steven grabbed her by the hand. "I'm doing pretty fine over here." Suddenly, as Steven tried to pull the Zircon from the pool, he accidentally pulled a little too hard and threw her up in the air. "OKAY, NOW I'M NOT DOING FINE!" TZ screamed as she flew away from the pool. "WITNESS ME!"

Teal Zircon didn't stay in the air for long, and soon dropped from the sky into another part of Little Homeworld. "I'm okay!"

"What's the big idea, Steven?" Watermelon Tourmaline asked. "We were all having fun before you came in and threw Teal Zircon to who knows where!"

"I'm sure TZ's fine, she said so herself." Steven laughed. "Well, gotta run! Have a nice day everybody!"

As soon as Steven ran off, more Topiary Stevens came bursting through the chain-link fence as they wrestled with the Cactus Stevens, prompting the other Gems present to slowly back away.

"Can this day get any weirder?" Laz scoffed. "I was trying to relax here!"

"Hey, did anyone else notice that Steven was all pink and such?" Lapis asked her fellow water-manipulating lifeguards.

"Yeah, it's kinda freaking me out." Zuli replied. "And are we sure he's totally fine?"

"I'm asking that question too." Lapis pondered while Peridot came charging through the broken fence to break up the battle of the plant Stevens.

--

When Steven left the pool, the first thing he saw was Bismuth's forge. "That's right, it must be shop o'clock!" he declared while skidding to a stop. "Bismuth's shop class, that is. Time to get my shop on."

"You good bud, you talking to yourself or something?" Amethyst, dressed in a coach uniform, asked Steven as he entered the forge.

"Now, the detailing requires a light touch." Bismuth explained to Blue Pearl, Bixbite & Snowflake Obsidian while standing between Pearl wearing a smithing apron and Yellow Pearl in a suit of armor. "Pay attention now everybody, cause this is critical to getting it right."

"Uh, hey howdy hey!" Steven greeted the shop class while leaning against the entrance.

"Oh, hey Steven!" Bixbite cheerfully greeted Steven.

"Did you get taller?" Blue Pearl asked with a tilt of her head and a finger to her lips.

"Whoa-ho-ho, lookin' good Steven!" Bismuth complimented Steven's change in appearance.

"I don't think that look is a positive change for him." Pearl whispered to Bismuth. "We think something might be wrong with him."

"Fancy seeing you drop by." Yellow Pearl grinned, unaware of what the teachers were conversing about. "How do you like my armor?"

"You look great Yellow Pearl!" Steven answered. "So Bismuth, in need of a teaching assistant?"

"Actually, Pearl's my TA today," Bismuth replied with a hand on Pearl's shoulder before presenting Yellow Pearl's armor-clad arm. "but I could use a wedding expert for my wedding armor demonstration. How 'bout it?"

"Of course, I'll help!" Steven declared. "That's what I love doing, just helping everyone!"

"Okay, let's get some materials warmed up for you." Bismuth then walked over to a pot of coals that she plucked a cooling steel bar from and flattened one end of it on the anvil with her hammer hand. "I think that's good enough." She stated. "Hey Steven, mind helping me with a pauldron or two?"

"I got this." Steven cheered as he walked over to the anvil and prepared to punch the metal.

"Hold up there boulder-brain." Bismuth stopped Steven before he could punch. "It's just some detail work, no need for a big mallet when you could use a little hammer." She handed a tiny hammer to Steven. "Plus, you could burn yourself that way."

"Oh, whoopsy-daisy, thanks Bismuth." Steven exclaimed and lightly tapped on the metal with the hammer. Instead of the detail work he thought he could do, Steven instead cracked the anvil into pieces with a single tap.

"Someone's stronger than we thought." Snowflake laughed nervously while Pearl & Bismuth gazed at the broken anvil.

"Look at that, now you have two anvils!" Steven laughed while Bismuth mourned the destruction of her anvil.

"NOOOOO!" Bismuth dropped to her knees in despair. "My anvil! My beautiful anvil!"

"Oh, grow up will you?" Steven's inner voice grumbled. "It's an anvil, you can make another."

"Seems like my work here is done." The real Steven laughed as he prepared to leave. "Well, toodles!"

"You see what I mean, Steven's not himself lately." Pearl said as she comforted Bismuth. "First he nearly got Greg killed, then Jasper started calling him her Diamond, and now this."

"Can I be the first to say that he needs help?" Yellow Pearl asked sardonically as more Topiary Stevens continued their rampage outside the forge.

--

As Steven exited the forge, he ran towards a baseball game that Amethyst was holding. Nephrite was on the Warp Pad throwing a ball to Doc, Amethyst stood by with Onion next to her, Topaz stood with a pair of humans on the bases, Larimar was in the outfield, and Chrysocolla, Grossular Diopside & Moonstone were waiting to play.

As soon as Amethyst noticed Steven, she blew her whistle and turned to talk to him. "Hey dude," she greeted him. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you needed any more players." Steven offered. "I'm ready to have a ball!"

"I think we could squeeze you in, we do need a new outfielder," Amethyst concluded and pointed to Larimar. "Oy, Larimar! Hit the showers, Steven's taking your place!"

"Good luck there Steven." Larimar said while she got up and left while Steven took her place on the playing field.

"Yeah, good hustle there Lil Larimar." Steven complimented the ice Gem. "I'm honored to be joining such a great game, I mean, everyone here has been outstanding!"

"You just got here, how do you know that?" Nephrite raised her brow.

"That's just me, I know what everyone is doing and feel the need to help all the time!" Steven declared, creeping everyone out.

"Enough chit-chat, batter up!" Amethyst cried out, cuing Onion to pick up a bat and walk up to home base, ready to play. Nephrite threw the ball towards the silent boy and he hit it with the bat, although unfortunately, it was heading straight for a nearby house.

"Oh no, in danger again?!" the Heaven Cubic Zirconia complained as the ball sailed towards the window of her and Earth Cubic Zirconia's house while they were having tea.

"I swear, is it because we're small?" Earth Cubic Zirconia wondered. Thankfully, Steven caught the ball just in time, much to their relief.

"I did it." Steven declared and the other players cheered.

"Three cheers for Steven!" Topaz declared.

"That's our boy." Chrysocolla smiled.

"I did it, and I didn't ruin anything!" Steven boomed happily. "YEAH!" However, the complete opposite of what he just said quickly happened. His excited yell caused a windstorm powerful enough to knock people off their feet, break glass everywhere, and cause the Zirconias' house to fall apart.

"Whoa, take it easy Steven!" Moonstone cried as she held onto a bench while the windstorm continued.

"Someone help me!" Grossular Diopside yelled while she got blown away with Larimar. Thankfully, the windstorm died down after a few seconds but still left a ton of destruction in its wake, and all eyes were on Steven.

"Oops, sorry everyone." Steven blushed at the chaos he caused. "T-t-that was an accident. But what are accidents and mistakes but opportunities to learn and improve, right?" He looked down at the Zirconias, who weren't very happy about the destruction of their home.

"It was a mistake for us to be put in danger again, especially because of you!" Earth yelled accusingly.

"Earthy, shush!" Heaven shushed her partner.

"I mean, we all make mistakes, and as long as we keep improving, everything will be fine!" Steven declared while picking up a log. "Alright, let's get to it!"

"It was a mistake for you to come here in this state." The voice in Steven's head declared. "Black Rutile and I were right, you will drive everyone away."

"Listen, I am done with you for today." Steven's own thoughts argued with the voice. "Just pipe down and don't ever think about feeding me bad thoughts ever again, got it?"

"How about never?" the voice said smarmily while the Topiary Stevens got to work on helping Steven by picking up Onion, Larimar, and Grossular Diopside.

"WE'RE HELPING!" one of the Plant Stevens yelled.

--

High above the destroyed makeshift baseball field, Black Rutile's satellite continued watching everything and sending footage back to its creator, who was all too happy to see what her hard work has amounted to.

"This is just priceless!" Black Rutile laughed joyously. "First, he makes plants come to life and fight those cactus beasts, then he throws that annoying Zircon into the air, broke an anvil, and caused a scene during one of those human games. I'm sure he's going to make such a scene about all these little accidents."

"All the more tools to humiliate the boy." Aquamarine added just as sneakily. "Soon, he will have nothing but himself and his thoughts controlling him."

"Unless his friends were to come out and tell him everything will be alright." White Topaz objected. "I'm just saying, those Gems will stick by his side through thick and thin."

"Hey, no more objections!" Eyeball yelled while pulling out her flame knife. "Want me to test this on you?!"

While Eyeball began chasing White Topaz around the woods with her knife, Black Rutile just groaned and turned back to her screens. "Tell me Aquamarine, why do all great geniuses surround themselves with idiots?"

"Your guess is as good as mine my Rutile." Aquamarine shook her head while watching the screens focused on the beach house with bated breath.

--

As soon as Steven was done helping fix what he had broke, he returned to the beach house with a dourer expression than the big smile he kept wearing throughout the day. On the other side of the room, Connie was in the living room while Greg and the Gems sat down on the couch.

"Steven!" Connie cried. "I was right all along, you're still swelling! I tried calling you all day, but I kept getting this weird meme." She held up her phone, which now depicted Steven bouncing up and down while chanting "Steven's here to help!" just like the Topiary Stevens. "Please, what is going on? We're all worried for you."

"Go on boy, play dumb." Steven's inner voice commanded.

"I sometimes broadcast my subconscious these days." Steven answered. "It's really no big deal."

"NOT THAT DUMB!" the voice groaned in irritation.

"I can tell something is bothering you." Connie continued. "There are even times where the meme sometimes turns into this."

"Steven's here to help, Steven's here to help!" Steven kept chanting on Connie's phone before it began to glitch. "Steven help, help Steven!"

"Ah, I don't know what you're talking about!" Steven declared, his stress continuing to unnerve others. "Besides, you all saw I was doing just fine this morning. I'm fine, awesome even!"

"Steven, if being as helpful as you always are, even if it's a bit obnoxious & creepy, is what you want, we'll support you 100%." Greg comforted. "But if you're not really happy, if something's wrong-"

"He's onto us!" the voice exclaimed. "Should've gone a little further with the crash, I say."

"Nothing's wrong!" Steven rebuked his father's worries. "Besides, you all don't have to worry."

"We ARE worried!" Connie replied worryingly. "Besides, Pink Diamond's Pearl told the Gems over the communicator in your greenhouse that you punched Spinel while you were at Homeworld."

"Listen, you can tell us anything." Greg added.

"Look at these worms, ganging up on us." The inner voice kept snarling. "Run, run while you still can! No one may help us now! Except, of course, for a certain Rutile."

"It's not that easy." Steven muttered as he hung his head in shame. "You know what? I don't want to deal with all this." However, when Steven tried to leave, Garnet blocked his way to the Warp Pad while the rest kept him from leaving through the door. "Seriously guys, I don't want to deal with this!"

"No, we don't wanna deal with all this." Amethyst put her foot down at Steven's behavior.

"Please, you have to stop running." Garnet begged in addition when suddenly, Steven's body began to swell yet again and his face stretched out.

"Maybe we should get you back to my mom at the hospital." Connie suggested.

"HOSPITAL?!" Amethyst shrieked.

"Is that what you were doing while we were at the trial?!" Pearl yelled.

"You mean you didn't tell them?!" Connie cried out in shock, while Steven's body kept on distorting and his breath quickened.

"It wasn't that important, just my first ever doctor's visit." Steven smiled awkwardly. "You're making a big deal out of nothing! Sure, I messed up the house and broke a few things, but what teenager hasn't?"

"You spent years forcing secrets out of the Gems, and now you're the one keeping secrets?" Steven's darker half growled at his other half's hypocrisy. "You truly have become your mother."

"And sure, Dad and I had a little fight, but it was practically a rite of passage!" Steven continued fibbing and shrugged.

Connie and the Gems turned their gaze to Greg, who just scratched his head and let out a nervous laugh.

"I mean, wouldn't it be weird if we didn't?!" Steven kept on ranting. "And sure, I've had Black Rutile feed me some not so nice thoughts while you were at Los Diego that took the form of an inner voice that forced me to punch Spinel, or try and shatter White Diamond, but it's not like I actually went through with it! I did really shatter Jasper after all!"

"WHAT?!" Amethyst screamed at the thought of Steven, this sweet young man who would rather hang out with a fly than hurt it, doing such a thing, especially to a Gem he had tried many times to help see the light.

Although barely anyone could hear, Jasper let out a light moan from the bathroom.

"You're-you're joking right?!" Connie gasped with Greg while Garnet's jaw dropped and Pearl's eyes widened.

"Oh don't worry, I fixed Jasper! I can fix anything!" Steven's temper began to reach its boiling point. "I can just keep fixing and fixing things forever, and you'll never have to worry about anything ever again!"

"Except worrying about how you're deliberately pushing people away while begging them to stay." Steven's inner voice concluded while metaphorically looking around at the shocked reactions of Steven's human & Gem loved ones. "Just look at them all, how do you think they'd ever forgive you for such a horrendous act?"

"Steven." Garnet tried to lend an assuring hand on the boy's shoulder, but she was quickly shoved away.

"How messed up is that?!" Steven gasped as he felt something change in his body. His teeth began getting sharper, his skin became pinker & leatherier, his hands slowly turned into claws, and his pupils started turning pink. "That I've gotten away with all this for so long, forcing my views down the throats of others, tearing apart Gem society to the point where they'll eventually be invaded, actually murdering someone! Black Rutile was right, I am just an awful person! A sociopath even!"

No one could comprehend what Steven was thinking right now. Greg began to tear up at all these horrible things Steven was saying about himself, Connie gripped the father's arm tightly, and Pearl & Amethyst began fearfully hugging Garnet, whose face was completely frozen in horror.

"You think I'm so great, I'm so mature, that I always know what to do, BUT I'M NOT!" Steven began roaring in a more beastly tone. "I haven't learned a thing from my problems, and I never will! They all kept making me worse, YOU all keep making me worse! Are you even sure any of you ever loved or cared about me?! If it weren't for Pink Diamond ruining everything for everyone, I could've been just a normal kid!"

"That's right, just let everything out." The inner voice purred comfortingly. "Me on the other hand, I think I shall take my leave and prepare something more normal for you." With that, the inner voice seemingly vanished from Steven's mind.

"You all think of me as a perfect angel who's too pure for this world, but I'm not a little kid anymore!" Steven boomed before he dropped to the ground with his head between his hands. "I'm just like my mom. A fraud." He began to tremble where he crouched as something began bubbling on his back. "I'm a monster!"

Suddenly, a massive pillar of light pink scales erupted from Steven's back like a volcano as everyone reacted quickly. Garnet stuck her arms out to protect Amethyst & Pearl and Connie jumped back, but Greg was just plain terrified.

--

"I'm a monster!" Steven's final words before his transformation were rewound by Black Rutile as she eagerly replayed the phrase again and again on more of her satellite footage. "I'm a monster! I'm a monster! I'm a monster!"

With an evil grin, Black Rutile paused the video and shut off her screens. "And I have finally won!" she declared triumphantly and let out a booming evil laugh that echoed throughout the cave and scared off the nearby animals. Aquamarine & Eyeball grinned in delight, while White Topaz turned away from her cohorts in shame of what she had participated in. As quickly as Black Rutile finished her victorious cackle, she had another wonderful, awful idea in mind. "Now, onto Phase 2."

--

….holy shit. Uh, see you all for I am My Monster, I guess. And by the way, I did repurpose Steven accidentally playing Rose's message for the Rose trio in Rose Buds for the opening.

[captainrexisboo]

Comfort pt3: Waiting

Remember thirty minutes ago I saidI was writing a part three? Yeah, that part three I’ve actually been working on all day. It’s been a time my guys. Anyways.

Warnings: diet violence (like one slap), emotional stress, emotional vulnerability, The F Bomb (scanandalous), and discussion of sex (ohhhhh shit). 

Notes: Rex x Reader, reader is a woman. Tagging: @pro-fangirls-unsocial-life @000ayfh @pinkiemme @midnightredemption @simping-for-fives I love love love you guys, thanks so much for your comments!! cries

And if you missed it, here’s pt 2

Also!! Pt4!!!

~

“Coruscant.”

You breathed out the word like you couldn’t believe the planet existed, even if you had lived there your whole life. Rex looked to you, standing next to you on the bridge as you looked at all the lights, as if the planet itself was covered in stars. He leaned to you, giving you a hushed tone, “You gonna be alright?”

It was your fleet’s first time back on Coruscant since the break up. Your first time back to base. It’d be a lot harder to avoid the nat born Sergeant now that you weren’t off-world. On the flagship, you could just forward his transmissions, claim you were busy, or even block his calls and blame it on a bad signal. You had been stressing about coming back for a while, Rex knew you weren’t alright, but this was his little reminder that he was here for you. You squeezed your eyes shut, counting to 10 and breathing deep. When you opened your eyes you looked up into Rex’s concerned gaze, and...your mouth was hanging open, but no words came out. You exhaled a wry chuckle after a beat, “I hesitated too long for there to be a good answer, Captain.”

Rex nodded to you, rubbing his hand over his chin, “Do you need one of us to walk with you? Run as interference, in case he tries anything?”

You scoffed, “He’s not a dangerous man, sir. We didn’t break up for anything other than our individual development, he’s just...needy. But not dangerous.”

“Well, ‘needy’ can turn into danger really quickly.”

Rex understood there wasn’t any bad blood sitting between you and this training officer, but he also knew that said officer attempted to call you multiple times during this deployment, and that just didn’t sit well with him. You had agreed not to talk to each other until you both felt like you had good space between the two of you again, and yet he was trying to give you regular transmissions- Rex found it rather disrespectful. And he said as such, “It’s the first time you’ve seen each other since then. I really think you should have someone with you, just in case emotions run high.”

You purse your lips together, scrunching them off to the side in a sour pucker, and hands coming up to rub at your arms. If the two of you weren’t surrounded by other soldiers and staff Rex would probably lay an arm around you, give your shoulder a squeeze to pull you into a hug. But that’s not professional. Instead, he brings his hands to hold behind his back, one squeezing the other to pretend it’s your own. After a minute of you contemplating his words, you sighed, “Okay Captain, you’re right. Since we both have our respective reports to fill out, would you mind escorting me to the GAR administrative office? I can pick up what’s waiting for Admiral Yularen and General Skywalker, then we can make our way to your office so we can fill out our parts?”

Rex smiled at you, giving you a slight nod, “That sounds fine, miss.”

He was glad that you had decided this.

Especially when you both rounded the corner at the base to see your ex standing outside the administrative office, knowing that would be the first place you went once you landed. Your heart jumped into your throat, and you started wringing your fingers together, nearly hiding behind Rex while you two stood in the crowd. Still helmetless, Rex eyed the Sergeant while you and him were still unnoticed. He whispered to you, voice low, “Do you need me to go talk to him? Ask him to move along?”

A slight growl punctuated the end of Rex’s request, it was so soft you were unsure if it was even there or not, but the way he clenched his fists and puffed his chest verified your suspicion as correct. When did he get so protective over you? You glanced around him to see his face in the signature soldier snarl all clones seem to have perfected, but something different sat behind his gaze. A wildfire, one that was distinctly different from his battle hardened stare. You brought your hand up to tug at his wrist, a resolve coming over you. As soon as your fingers brushed against him, his gaze was pulled down to you, features softening but stare still burning. He wanted to fight for you, but this was not his fight to have. It was yours alone.

You steeled yourself, imitating the Captain’s posture, and swallowed down any emotion from choking your voice as you declared, “No, Rex. I’ll handle him, please wait for me here.”

Wait for you. After all the times you were made to wait for him, he could gladly return the favor.

“Sergeant Aurin,” you greeted sharply as you marched up to him. Your hands were held behind your back, chin high and stare flat, taking note of how he seemed to gulp down air at the sight of your guarded self, “Can I help you?”

“Y/N,” he whispered low, trying his best to keep things private in the bustling halls, “Why haven’t you answered my calls? It’s been months, and-”

“And I said I’d contact you when I was ready,” you snapped. You wanted to keep this visit short, hopefully make yourself clear, “Is that all, Sergeant?”

His brows furrowed, and jaw clenched, “Can we talk later? I just feel like we need to, and I want some answers-”

“I don’t have answers,” you could feel yourself breaking, letting out a shuddering breath as your nails dug into your palm, “Not yet, at least. Even if I did, I don’t owe you anything.”

He opened his mouth to give you a rebuttal before some familiar armor caught his eye over your form. He nearly didn’t recognize the trooper without the unmistakable helmet, but he knew that he was the clone that interrupted you that day. He locked eyes with the clone, who gave him a deep scowl in return. Aurin looked between the two of you, suddenly seeing red, “Did you already move on?”

“What?” you shook your head, blinking at him in confusion.

“You’re with him, aren’t you?” he looked back down to you, voice gaining volume, pointing an accusing finger at Rex behind you, “Was I that easy to move on from? You couldn’t grieve what we had first before going and fucking some-”

A ringing smack reverberated down the hallway, and Rex’s jaw hung open in surprise. A red mark was forming on Aurin’s cheek, and Rex could hear your tear strained voice from the silence that now graced the hallway, time nearly freezing with your audience, “I already told you I don’t owe you anything. The Captain and I have work to do, so if there’s no GAR related business that you have with me, please do not stall me any longer.”

You walked past Aurin, who brought up a hand up to his cheek, and closed the door to the administrative office behind you. At the shut of the door, the world seemed to come back to life again, GAR officials and clone troopers moving along again as if nothing had transpired. Aurin looked back up to the Captain after a beat. Rex was standing with his arms crossed, biting back a smirk as best he could, even as the nat born began to march up to him. He stopped just short of Rex, who continued to glare at him down his nose, “Sergeant.”

“Captain,” he ground out through grit teeth. He was huffing with angry breath, eyes shifting between sadness and confusion as he cleared his throat, “I trust you’ll keep her safe?”

Rex let a breath of a deep chuckle escape him, ���She’s perfectly capable of keeping herself safe, she’s made that very clear to me. Especially just now.”

Aurin hadn’t stopped gingerly rubbing at the stinging flesh, barely being able to look Rex in the eyes, voice broken and near pleading, “Just...how long did it take for her to forget me?”

Rex felt his chest contract. It became painfully obvious to him that this break up had greatly hurt the both of you, but while you had Rex to keep you steady, Aurin didn’t seem to have anyone. Rex exhaled slowly, picking his next words carefully, “It’s not my place to tell you. She’ll talk with you when she’s ready, it’s in your best interest to respect her space and give her time.”

Aurin let out a low grunt, “Time. Time...well. She’s worth waiting for.”

That was something Rex could agree with.

Aurin left before you came out of the office, flimsiplasts and datapads in hand as you stiffly walked towards Rex. Before he could ask anything, you held up a finger, “Your office, please, I don’t want to stay out here much longer.”

He nodded to you without a question, leading you to the wings that held offices for the clone battalion leaders. You kept your face hidden from him, and that made him particularly worried, so he got you there as fast as he could, to a door labelled 501-7567. He punched in his code, ushering you inside before shutting the door behind you. As soon as the door shut, you dropped the reports on his desk and turned around to face him, dam ready to break. You had been blinking back fat tears the entire walk, your lashes already wet and shining, brows knit together and lips trembling fiercely. You let out a choked sound as a hand came up to cover your mouth, “Rex, I- I-”

He shushed you, taking you in his arms as was now normal. His hand found its way into your hair, the other one wrapping around your form and pulling you in. You wrapped your arms around his neck as a violent sob racked through you, and he rubbed your back in practiced motions, “Everything will be alright, Y/N. Everything will be alright…”

The two of you stayed like that even after your breathing had settled. Rex’s nose was buried in your hair as he gently swayed you, keeping you grounded. When you spoke again, your voice was hoarse and muffled against his armor, “Am I a bad person?”

“Absolutely not,” Rex snorted, “I would’ve done a lot worse than just slap him-”

“No, not that,” you croaked out a lame giggle, “That actually was a little thrilling. I mean…”

You took a shuddering breath, stopping the slow rocking tempo Rex had, and leaning away from him to look into his kind honey-colored stare, “I… I don’t feel bad about leaving him. Everything went back to normal for me so quickly, I just continued living like he was never a part of me. And when I wasn’t normal, when I couldn’t just pull through, I had you. Aurin has no one… I was the one who helped him pull through, but I can’t do that for him now, and…”

Your throat felt thick with emotion again, and you felt another wave of tears threatening to fall. All Rex could do was hold you.

“And you’re worried about him,” Rex finished for you, voice barely above a whisper. You nodded, not wanting to speak because then the sobbing would begin again. Rex brushed some strands of hair out of your face before cupping your cheek, gently thumbing away the tear stains as you leaned into his touch. You sniffled, shoulders shaking and lips quivering with each trembling breath, and Rex continued, “I don’t think you’re a bad person at all. In fact you are such a good person, that you still want to take care of someone that you have absolutely no obligation to. And… I know it hurts. Not being able to fully be there for someone you care so much for, but you have to trust that if they’re the person you think they are- or the person you want them to be- then they’ll find their own way too.”

You breathed a heavy sigh at the end of his words, a hand coming up to hold the large one that still stroked your cheek. Letting your eyelids get heavy, you let a dry chuckle leave you, “I slapped him because he accused us of having sex.”

… ah.

“I, uh- sorry,” Rex stumbled, clearing his throat as his eyebrows shot up in surprise, “That was- I didn’t realize that’s what was being, ah, being discussed. I-I assume you told him otherwise?”

You smiled at how flustered he got, “Actually, I told him I didn’t owe him anything. It’s none of his business, right?”

Rex felt his face grow hotter as you looked up at him, a sly grin taking over and fluttering your lashes at him. He cleared his throat twice more, suddenly finding the dark gray floor to be so much more interesting, “You’re right, uh, yeah. I guess I just feel... I-I don’t know. I’m a clone, not exactly Mister Coruscant, thought you’d be a little appalled at the thought.”

“Are you kidding?” you let out a puff of laughter, before locking his gaze again, “I didn’t want him disrespecting you like that. You’re not some scavenger, waiting in the wings to rip my heart out. You’re a kind, understanding Captain who just wants the best for the people he loves. I admire that, Rex. I admire you.”

Rex could melt in this moment, you seemed to be the only person to make him do so. You smiled softly at him, looking down at the ground now as you took on a shy tone, “Besides, don’t sell yourself short. You’re at the top of a lot of nat born’s lists on the flagship- honestly, mine included.”

Rex felt him spine and joints stiffen, eyes going wide and grip tightening as he froze in place. Melting one moment, frozen the next. Yeah, you’re definitely the only one to make him feel like this, even as you giggled at the tortured groan that passed through him. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to embarrass you,” your words were lighter now, smile brighter, “I just thought you should know. You’re a looker, Cap.”

You ended your sentence with an exaggerated wink, and that had Rex laughing with you, his forehead coming down to rest on yours. The reports were all but forgotten at this point, the two of you just thinking about how lucky you were to have the other in their life.

[itsclydebitches]

Hello again! Im the tinfoil hat anon with the long ass asks and I finally had the time to read your response. Thank you, it makes my day reading your answers. I honestly just enjoyed them over a cup of coffee like a good book.

Now, the gun pointing scene I mentioned was in fact the one from the droid fight facility like the other anon suggested. But I really liked that you covered the boat scene too, I haven’t thought of it much myself and now I definitely have!

I also would like to mention I love your “candy bar” choice analogy and I 100% agree Hunter’s “invitation” to join back wasn’t welcoming in the slightest. It is very likely just an obligation as you said. Sort of “you gave us a chance, we owe you a chance too”.

And the problem with it is now I am struggling to figure out how the batch members might change their attitude toward Crosshair going forward, especially Hunter. As of right now Crosshair’s best relationship is not with his brothers but with Omega(as surprising as this is). And I think he does realize now she cared about him the most out of all of them during the short time they interacted(both 1st and last episodes). Even between themselves(not counting Omega) I find most of the bad batch members to be cold and distant to each other. They feel less like a family than Rebels for example. And they aren’t even a “found family”(a trope everyone loves) but an actual one! And I get that they’re soldiers and supposed to be tough, I don’t expect them to share all “the feels”. I just can’t put my finger on it but something feels off. I agree with your previous post, the show doesn’t do a very good job showing or even telling they love each other.

Will Hunter and co only start caring about their brother again only after he leaves the empire?(assuming he does at some point). What about Disney’s prevailing theme and message that “family always love and care for each other no matter what”? I guess it’s “family always love and care for each other but only if you’re good guys making right choices”. There is no room for mistakes or wrong decisions. In the last episode everyone form the batch seemed to have given up on Crosshair(besides Omega). For now their attitude seems to be just “you’re not our enemy” and that’s that.

I realize Crosshair is a “bad guy” and consciously made his choice(and we know it’s the wrong one) but to me it felt like he thought he didn’t even had a choice or rather became so lost and confused he actually thought he chose the empire as “the lesser evil”(as in the less shitty choice out of all the other bad ones). We as audience have the benefit to know exactly how atrocious the empire really is but maybe Crosshair still doesn’t realize that.

So what exactly must Crosshair do to get back “in their good graces” as you say? Start saving “the good guys”? Save the bad batch multiple times? There is a popular opinion on how Crosshair can redeem himself. That he eventually heroically sacrifices himself to save them. I personally REALLY hope it’s NOT what’s going to happen but I heard so many people speculating his story is set up to be redemption=death. I know you mentioned you don’t want “Vader style redemption” either. Personally I think it would be a waste of a character who has a lot of potential. And I just think that the batch kind of don’t really deserve his sacrifice(maybe save for Omega) after how they never tried to save him themselves and how they treated him overall. Maybe he will risk his life to save Omega at some point and that will “prove” to Hunter he cares? Although he has already shown he cares by saving her(even if in Crosshair’s own words it’s just so they’re “even”). And the thing is, he doesn’t need to prove that he loves them, he already did that in episode 15 and made it clear he does care. He actually went to extreme by shooting his squad to prove his loyalty. What were the moments the batch demonstrated they care about him? Hunter saying “you never were our enemy” and taking his unconscious body to safety? To me Hunter “not leaving him behind” during bombardment felt more like guilt about the last time it happened and an obligation to Crosshair for helping them with droids, rather than them showing care. And I kinda of think if that was any random civilian(or anyone other than an enemy or a threat) they would carry them out too just because that’s what good guys do and not because it’s their brother. You also mentioned that minutes later Hunter snaps at him with “if you want to stay here and die, that’s your choice” which I agree can be interpreted in different ways. And I think it’s one more point to it being an obligation that in Hunter’s eyes is fulfilled now. He corrected his mistake of leaving a brother behind and saved him this time, now his guilt won’t burden him any longer.

Anyway, I can’t wait for season 2 and I appreciate you and all the anons sharing the tinfoil hat, interacting and speculating together. Those discussions have been a lot of fun!

TLDR: How do your think the relationship between the brothers will mend or evolve in the next season? Do you think S2 will improve in portraying the batch more as a family rather than a group of mercs doing missions together? What are your thoughts on the popular idea of Crosshair’s redemption by ultimate sacrifice? As in, how likely do you think this scenario is?

Anon, that is just wonderfully hilarious to me. Ah yes, the sunrise, a good cup o' joe, and the overly long character analysis of a snarky, fictional sniper. Exactly what everyone needs in the morning! 😆

You know, TBB is far from the first show I've watched where there's an obvious, emotional conclusion the creator wants the audience to come to—the squad all love each other Very Much—yet that conclusion isn't always well supported by the text. It creates this horribly awkward situation where you're going, "Yes, I'm fully aware of what the show wanted to do, but this reading, arguably, did not end up in the story itself. So what are we talking about here? The intention, or the execution?" It's like Schrödinger's Bad Batch where the group is simultaneously Very Loving and Very Distant depending on how much meta-aspects are influencing your reading: those authorial intentions, understanding of how found family tropes should work, fluff focused fics/fan art that color our understanding of the characters, etc. And, of course, whether someone saw TCW before they watched TBB. I personally wouldn't go quite so far as to say they're "cold" towards one another—with Crosshair as an exception now—but there wasn't the level of bonding among the squad that I expected of a show called The Bad Batch. Especially compared to their arc in TCW. The other night I re-watched the season seven premiere and was struck not just by how much more the squad interacted with each other back then, but how those interactions added depth to their characters too. For example, Crosshair is the mean one, right? He's the one picking fights with the Regs? Well yeah... but it's also Wrecker. While they're trying to decide what to do with Cody injured, Jesse calls out Crosshair on his attitude—"You can't talk to Captain Rex like that!"—and Wrecker's immediate response is, "Says who?" and he hefts Jesse into the air. And then he just holds him there, clearly using his superior strength to do as he pleases, until Hunter (sounding pretty angry) tells him to put Jesse down. If Wrecker had put him into a more classically understood bullying position, like pinning him to the ground, it would probably read as less funny—less "Haha strong clone lifts Jesse up in the air!" and more "Oh shit, strong clone can do whatever the hell he wants to the Regs and few are able to stop him." It's such a quick moment, but it tells us a ton about Wrecker. That he's going to stick up for his brothers, no matter the context (Crosshair deserves to be called out). That he will gleefully assist Crosshair in bothering the Regs (something that is reinforced when he later throws the trays in the mess hall, after Hunter has already deescalated the situation). That he's likely been hurt by awful treatment from the Regs too. That he'll only listen to Hunter when it comes to backing off. Little of this work—that interplay among the squad that shows us new sides to them other than basic things like "Wrecker is the nice, happy brother"—exists in TBB.

Or, at least, little exists after Omega becomes an official member of the squad.

Because, as said previously, she becomes the focus. I don't mean that as a total criticism. As established, I love Omega. But if we're talking about why the squad can feel so distant from each other, I think she's the root cause, simply because the story became all about her relationships with the Batch, rather than the Batch's relationships with each other. Having dived headfirst into reading and writing fic, it occurred to me just how many of the bonding moments we love, the sort of stuff we'll see repeated in fics because we understand that this is where the story's emotional center is, are given to Omega in canon:

Someone is hurt and in need of comfort. Omega's emotional state is the focus + moments like her being worried over Hunter getting shot.

Someone needs to learn a new skill. Echo teaches Omega how to use her bow.

Someone reveals a skill they never knew they had before. Omega is a strategic genius and plays her last game with Hunter.

Someone is in serious danger and in need of rescue. Omega rescues the group from the slavers + is the most vocal about rescuing Hunter. (Which, again, is a pretty sharp contrast to the whole Crosshair situation.) Omega, in turn, needs rescuing from things like the decommission conveyor belt.

Similarly, someone is kidnapped and in need of rescue. Omega is kidnapped twice by bounty hunters and the Batch goes after her.

Someone saves another's life. Omega saves Crosshair from drowning.

Someone does something super sweet for another. Wrecker gives Omega her room. Omega gives Wrecker Lula.

A cute tradition is established between characters. Wrecker has his popcorn-esque candy sharing with Omega.

Someone hurts someone else and has to ask forgiveness. Wrecker is upset about nearly shooting Omega and they have that sweet moment together.

Note that most of these examples could have occurred between other Batch members, but didn't. Someone could have created a space for Echo on the ship too. Wrecker also could have apologized to Tech for choking him, etc. It's not that those moments shouldn't happen with Omega, just that there should be more of a balance across the whole season, especially for a show supposedly focused on the original squad. Additionally, it's not that cute bonding moments between the rest of the Batch don't exist. I love Hunter selling Echo off as a droid. I love Wrecker and Tech bickering while fixing the ship. I love the tug-of-war to save Wrecker from the sea monster. Yes, we do have moments... it's just that comparatively it feels pretty skewed in Omega's direction.

So, as a VERY long-winded way of answering your question, I think we need to fix the above in order to tackle Crosshair's redemption in season two. Now that we've had a full season focused on Omega, we need to strike a better balance among the rest of the squad moving forward. We need to re-established the "obvious" conclusion that the rest of the Batch loves Crosshair and that's done (in part) by establishing their love for one another too. To my mind, both goals go hand-in-hand, especially since you can develop their relationship with Crosshair and their relationships with each other simultaneously. Imagine if instead of just having Wrecker somewhat comically admit that he misses Crosshair (like he's dead and they can't go get him??), he and Tech had a serious conversation about why they can't get him back yet, despite very much wanting to. Imagine if Echo, the one who was rescued against all odds, got to scream at Hunter to go get Crosshair like Omega screamed at them to go back for Hunter. Imagine if we'd gotten more than a tiny arc in TCW to establish the Batch's dynamic with each other, providing a foundation for how they would each react to Crosshair's absence. Instead, what little we've got in TBB about Crosshair's relationship with his brothers is filtered through Omega: Omega's embarrassment that she knocked over Crosshair's case, Omega treating Crosshair's comm link like a toy, Omega's quest to save Hunter that just happened to involve Crosshair along the way.

Obviously, at this point we can't fix how the first season did things, but I think we can start patching over these issues in season two. It would be jarring—we'd still be 100% correct to ask where this "Brothers love you, support you, and will endlessly fight for you" theme was for Crosshair's entire time under the Empire's thumb... but I'd take an about-face into something better than not getting any improvement at all. It is frustrating though, especially for a show that I otherwise really, really enjoyed. For me, the issue isn't so much that the show made a mistake (since no show is perfect), but that the mistake is attached to such a foundational part of the franchise. Not just in terms of "SW is about hope and forgiveness" but the specific relationship most clones have with each other: a willingness to go above and beyond for their brothers. The focus on Omega aside, it's hard to believe in the family dynamic when one member of the family was so quickly and easily dismissed. I couldn't get invested in Hunter's rescue as much as I should have because rather than going, "Yes!! Save your brother!!!" my brain just kept going, "Lol where was this energy for Crosshair?" It messes with your reading of the whole story, so in order to fix that mistake going forward, we need to start seeing the bonds that only sometimes exist in season one. Show the guys expressing love for one another more consistently (in whatever way that might be—as you say, soldiers don't have to be all touchy-feely. Give us more moments like Wrecker supporting his brothers' bad habits) and then extend that to Crosshair. Which brother is going to demand that they fight for him? Which brother is going to acknowledge that they never tried to save him? Which brother is going to question this iffy statement about the chip? In order to buy into the family theme, Omega can't be the only one doing that emotional work.

Ideally, I wouldn't want Crosshair to go out of his way to prove that he's a good guy now. I mean, I obviously want him to stop helping the Empire and such, duh lol, but I'm personally not looking for a bunch of Extra Good Things directed at the Batch as a requirement for forgiveness. Simply because that would reinforce the idea that they're 100% Crosshair's victims, Crosshair is 100% the bad guy, and he's the only one who needs to do any work to fix this situation. Crosshair needs to stop doing bad things (working for Empire). But the Batch needs to start doing good things too (reaching out to him). Especially since Crosshair made a good play already, only to be met with glares and distrust. He saved Omega! And AZI! And none of them cared. So am I (is Crosshair) supposed to believe that saving one of their lives again will result in a different reaction? That doesn't make much sense. And no, his own life wasn't at risk when he did that, but does every antagonist need to die/nearly die to prove they're worth fighting for? As you say, he's already shown that he loves them, far more than they've shown the reverse. Every time Crosshair hurt them (attacking) it was while he was under the chip's influence. In contrast, the group has no "I was being controlled" excuse for when they hurt him (abandonment). Season two needs to acknowledge the Batch's responsibility in all this—and acknowledge that they're all victims of the Empire—in order to figure out an appropriate arc for Crosshair's redemption.

Right now, the issue is not Crosshair loving his brothers, the issue is how Crosshair chooses to express that love: trying to keep them safe and giving them a purpose in life by joining the organization that's clearly going to dominate the galaxy. The only way to fix that, now that his offer has been rejected, is for him to realize that a life on the run from the Empire, together, is a better option for everyone. And the only way for that to happen is for the Batch to seriously offer him a place with them again. They need to make the first move here. They need to fight for him. And yeah, I totally get that a lot of people don't like that because it's not "fair." He's the bad guy. He's with the fascist allegory. He's killed people and has therefore lost any right to compassion and effort from the good guys... but if that's the case, then we just have to accept that (within the story-world, not from a writing perspective) Crosshair is unlikely to ever come back from this. When people reach that kind of low, they rarely pull themselves out on their own. They need other people to help them do that. Help them a lot. But with the exception of Omega's reminder—which Crosshair can't believe due to how everyone else has treated him—they leave him alone and seem to expect him to fix himself first, then he gets their support. It needs to be the other way around. Support is what would allow him to become a good guy again, not "Well, you'll get our love when you're good again, not before." That's unlikely to occur and, as discussed, it doesn't take into account things like this bad guy life being forced on Crosshair at the start. If the story really wanted this to be a matter of ideological differences... then make it about ideological differences. Let Crosshair leave of his own free will, right at the start. Don't enslave him for half the season, have him realize he was abandoned, imply all that brainwashing, give him no realistic way out, and then punish him for not doing the right thing. This isn't a situation where someone went bad for the hell of it—the story isn't asking us to feel compassion for, say, the Admiral—it's a situation where Crosshair was controlled and now can't see a way out. That context allows for the Batch, the good guys, to fight for him without the audience thinking the show is just excusing that behavior. They should have been fighting from the start, but since they didn't, I hope we at least start seeing that in season two.

Ultimately though... I don't really expect all of the above. The more balanced dynamics and having the Batch fight for Crosshair rather than Crosshair going it alone... I wouldn't want to bet any money on us getting it, just because these are things that should have been established in season one and would have been more easy to pull off in season one. (If the Batch wouldn't fight for Crosshair while he was literally under the Empire's control, why would they fight now when he's supposedly acting of his own free will? It's backwards in terms of the emotional effort involved.) But again, it could happen! I'd be very pleased if it did happen, despite the jarring change. I don't want to make it sound like I think they're going to write off Crosshair entirely. Far from it, I think there are too many details like his sad looks for that, to say nothing of Omega's compassion. But the execution of getting him on Team Good Guys again might be preeeetty bumpy. I expect it to revolve around Crosshair's sins and Crosshair's redemption, even if what I would like is balancing that with Crosshair's loss of agency, the Batch's mistakes, and their own redemption towards him.

Honestly though, I just hope that whatever happens happens soon. It's a personal preference, absolutely, but after a season of Crosshair as the antagonist, I'm ready for him to be back with the group, making the Empire (and bounty hunters) the primary enemy. Whether his return happens through a mutual acknowledgement of mistakes, or through Crosshair being depicted as the only one in the wrong who has to do something big to be forgiven... just get him back with the squad lol. Because if the writing isn't going to delve into that nuance, then the longer he remains unforgiven, the longer some of us have to watch a series while going, "Wait, wait, wait, I really don't agree with how you're painting this picture."

[lailannajacobs]

A Deal With Kings. What Else Is New? | GIBP I

Pairing: fey!Loki x fem!reader

Chapter Summary: You get to Asgard and try and steal the Hand of Damnation. 

Warnings: None!

Word Count: 5.5k

A/N: Here’s the first chapter! Hope you enjoy it, would love to know what you think! <3 

The gates to Asgard were out of place and definitely useless. Not far from the docks, they were set within a large stone arch, wide enough to let through four carts at once, its gates wide open. Though really, it wouldn’t have mattered if they were opened or closed. The arch was the tallest structure — other than the golden palace in the distance — in the town, but it wasn’t connected to anything else. Compared to Niflheim’s borders which were protected by a massive ice wall and protected by sentinels day and night, these gates looked like they had been erected long ago, more out of custom than necessity. Worn out and paled from the sun and the tropical storms that came through this part of continent, it was a miracle the thing was still standing.

There wasn’t a guard in sight either, but you weren’t going to let yourself be fooled so easily. What little you did know about Asgard was enough to make you pause in front of the rusted iron gates. The realm was ruled by the Court of Magic. These were Fey who could harness the energy flowing through the 9 Realms and bend it to their will. It was rumoured that they had no limit to their abilities — abilities I couldn’t even begin to understand — replicating the unique magic that defined each realm. And you were about to steal from these people.

Even though you didn’t believe for a moment that the city’s limits were left unprotected, you didn’t know what to expect either. There was always the dreaded possibility that if you used your own abilities that they’d instantly know what you were. You knew enough about magic to know that anyone using their abilities let out a burst of energy that was unique to the race. In Niflheim, it didn’t matter, but here…it wasn’t worth the risk. So, you vowed that within these borders, for yours and Nat’s safety, you were human. Nothing more.

Slumping your shoulders and staring down at your feet, you walked in as the forgettable human you needed to be, officially stepping into Asgard. You shivered, half expecting to get caught, but nothing happened. The modest looking market area was bustling with life and you jumped to the side to avoid getting trampled. Vendors shouted from crammed booths at citizens roaming the streets, trying to catch the eyes of customers who might actually stop. Their eyes glanced quickly over you, not wanting to bother with someone who looked so disinterested and poor. The crowd, and even the vendors, were a mix of people from the different realms, the Fey and equal part of the mix, mingling as if this was all something they did every day. Thankfully, even as a human, you’d be able to blend into the bustle.

You wandered through the market, quickly realizing you had no idea where you were going or what you were looking for. Hoping the Hand was in their port city was only a gamble. Odin had only told it it was in Asgard and not where it was in the realm. You were here, but really, you had no idea if it was here too. If the damed book really did exist, finding it would be nearly impossible. You were a thief at best when you could use your abilities — not that Odin knew that’s what you did — finding things had never been a part of the deal.

You needed to ask around, but you weren’t sure where to start so you wandered aimlessly, the weight of the pendant urging you on. It was only when you’d wandered so far into the market that you could barely smell the salt and fish that you felt it. Someone was watching you. You turned slowly, pretending to look at a necklace in the nearby booth, but whatever you’d felt was gone — or in hiding. You grit your teeth and moved on, resisting the urge to use your abilities to lose the tail.

Weaving through the crowd, you tried your best to lose the whatever tail might be following — that was, if someone actually was following you — while looking for anything that might lead you to a dark magic spell book that hadn’t been seen in centuries. Because of course you knew exactly what that was supposed to look like.

You were finally beginning to think you were paranoid when a nasally voice interrupted your thoughts.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”

There was no doubt in your mind that he was talking to you even if you didn’t know anyone here. When you turned around, you were met with a small man who looked altogether too forgettable.  He was short and thin and covered in dirt, with wiry unkempt hair that looked like it hadn’t been washed in weeks. His loose shirt and pants were rags that looked far more worn out than yours, riddled with so many hole they barely covered any skin. His only memorable feature were his eyes; bright green, practically glowing as if they belonged to someone far more extraordinary. He was so frail, you could have easily pushed past him, but you had a feeling that this was the man you’d felt following you. You wanted to know why.

You smiled politely, not wanting to pick a fight before you knew you had to, “are you sure? I come to the market every Thursday for peaches.”

“I’m sure I would have noticed you,” he grinned, revealing a mouth missing half his teeth, “this isn’t a large city, my dear.”

He was right about that. For all the mystery that surrounded Asgard since they closed their borders, there wasn’t much to the bland city with low rising buildings spread before a small palace. You wanted to believe there was more to the city than met the eye,  but it just looked so…average.

He leaned up against the stall, knees buckling, “what are you looking for, dearie?”

“Who says I’m looking for anything?” you demanded too quickly.

“Well,” he hummed, “you are at a market.”

You forced a laugh, “oh, of course. I’m here to pick up silverware. I hear there’s a woman here who’s an incredible blacksmith.”

“I thought you came here for the peaches,” he picked up the fruit in his hand, green eyes gleaming.

He’s set up a trap and I’d fallen right in it. You swallowed, trying to think of something to say, but you’d never been the best liar. Your abilities meant you could go unnoticed most of the time and you’d never had much practice talking your way out of a bad situation — at least not in the last two hundred years. You were beginning to think you should have practiced a little more.

“Who says I didn’t come for both?” you finally countered.

He shrugged, “it’s possible, but I do think you’re here for something more.”

You struggled to keep breathing, afraid your heart had stopped working. Terrified to give anything away, you decided it was safer to ask the questions rather than answer them, “what do you think I’m here for?”

“If I told you what I thought it was, it would ruin all the fun,” he pushed off the stand with a wide grin.

“I don’t think we’re having fun,” you grit out.

“Shame,” he sighed, “I’ll leave you to your peaches and silverware then. Goodbye, YN.”

You froze but recovered fast enough to grab his arm, “how in the seven hells dow you know my name?”

The man stepped closer, peering up at you with satisfaction in his eyes. You were met with the stench of sewers and rotten meat but you were far too worried to take a step back. You didn’t know if you’d been caught — if you needed to run. At least he hadn’t used your real name. That much was a saving grace.”

“It’s in the tallest tower of the palace,” he leaned in further and you cringed, his sour breath heavy on your face, “it’s somewhere in the desk. Good luck.”

He backed off faster than you thought he could move, weaving behind the passing crowd and disappearing out of sight. Your eyes zeroed in on the tallest tower, though you kept glancing around the market to see if the strange man would return. The tower was half the height of the smallest towers in Niflheim and there was only one window toward the top, so there was no way you could miss it. It didn’t look like much, but maybe that was the point. That was if the stranger was actually talking about the Hand of Damnation. You couldn’t be sure, but your gut told you that he was telling the truth. You were also sure it was a trap. But trap or not, you needed that book. You were just going to have to be smart about how you evaded that trap.

The brick was slippery beneath your feet, pouring rain and violent winds having come in from the sea without warning. Every step took more consideration an effort than the last, the soft pads of your boots useless and soaked through. Rain was a bad omen. It was a clear sign that you shouldn’t be here — that you shouldn’t have used your abilities, even if it had been necessary and for the briefest moment — tonight was the night. The Hand was apparently waiting for you inside the palace and that knowledge was worth the risk of superstitious fears.

Pulling yourself up and over the ledge of the turret, you crouched, watching the opposite window for any sign of life. The palace was lit up just enough for your human eyes to make out the massive desk within the office, but not much else. It wasn’t where you imagined you’d find the Hand, but really, it wasn’t like there was a designated place to hide powerful artefacts — no matter how much easier it would have made your job.

Your flimsy coat was drenched through by the time you were satisfied that the coast was clear and with a running leap, you clear the distance between this tower and the next, landing on the roof with a roll. You slid across the stone, head whipping up to make sure none of the guards had heard a thing. The rest of the city had seemed void of any protection, but as soon as you had gotten close to the palace you’d started seeing the soldiers roaming the grounds. You listened. The coast was clear. Tugging your hood back over your head, you crept over the ledge and down the wall, landing on the edge without a sound. You began to jimmy the lock, fingers slick and cold, fumbling with the mechanics. All of this was taking longer than you’d planned. You breathed in slowly, trying to steady your rising heart rate. When you didn’t think you could hang on any longer, the lock gave way, and you tumbled in.

You hit the floor with a resounding thud, the wood floors hard beneath the thin carpet. Your head snapped up, searching the darkness for any clue that someone might have heard. You hadn’t seen a soul in the room but that didn’t mean there weren’t people nearby. You listened but the only sound, other than your breathing, was the drone of a clock; a steady reminder that you were running out of time.

Pushing up from the floor, you squinted in the darkness, too afraid to light a candle just yet. Every step you took was silent but tentative. The pendant was heavy on your chest. You weren’t going to get another shot at this. There were no do-overs.

You let out a small sigh when your hands slid across the smooth wood paneling of the desk. You’d made it. You were here. Your relief didn’t last long. There was no forgetting that you still had to find it and make it back out alive.

After lighting a small candle from your satchel, you sifted through the desk drawers, looking for a small hidden compartment. You didn’t know what the book looked like, but you’d seen enough magical relics to know that they gave off some sort of aura that called to your magic. You’d know it when you got close enough. Or, at least, you hoped you would.

You forced yourself to close the last drawer slowly even though all you wanted to do was slam it shut. Drumming your fingers on the desk, fear crept in, settling deep in your stomach. Maybe you’d missed it. Maybe your information was wrong. Your gut had told you that the man was telling the truth, but the book was nowhere to be seen. You had no idea what to do next. You could search the rest of the palace, but the chances of finding it without getting caught were next to impossible. Going back empty handed wasn’t an option either. Maybe there was something else int he desk you could use to find the Hand.

“If you’re wondering what to do next,” a silky voice purred in the dark, “I can tell that the decision is no longer up to you.

There was no telling who the voice belonged to, but you knew two thing: he was at the opposite end of the room and he was very dangerous.

“You could run,” he continued, “but I can tell you for a fact that you won’t get out the window,”

You didn’t listen to the very obvious threat. Instead, you bolted to the window, knowing you could only get the Hand if you were alive. The only thing you could ear was the sound of your heart pounding in time with your steps. Your fingernails dug into the wood of the windowsill, scraping up and bending backward when it didn’t move an inch. Desperate, you tried again even though you knew it wouldn’t change anything. The windows were now sealed shut and the only explanation was magic. There was nothing you could do against magic.

You whirled around, searching the dark for any kind of weapon.

He let out a bored sigh, this time the sound coming from the other side of the room, “your only other route of escape is through the door, but you’re not sure where it is and again, I can assure you that I’ll reach it first. Your only other option is—”

“If you say death,” you interrupted with a snarl, your anger taking over fear, “I will kill you first.”

He chuckled, “I’m going to assume you’re lying and not incredibly delusional.”

“Want to find out?” you goaded, hoping he would approach so that you could finally figure out where he was in this damned room.

“Quite honestly, I am curious.”

The lamps snapped on, blinding you while your human eyes slowly readjusted. When your vision cleared, the only thing you could focus on was the fey man, lounging in a dark green arm chair as if it were his throne. He was handsome, a fact that annoyingly didn’t escape your notice, with sharp cheekbones and pointed ears sticking out from silky black hair. His emerald eyes, accentuated by the colour of the chair, were so bright they practically glowed as if they were lit up by a thousand lanterns. They narrowed slightly, his head dipping to take in every inch of what he saw, scanning from bottom to top, lingering wherever he pleased.

“If you don’t mind,” you declared, finally focusing your attention on the door — your one shot of getting out alive — behind him, “I’ll be going.”

The corner of his mouth curled into a wicked grin, “unfortunately, I do mind. See, you broke into my palace and I don’t know where you’re from, but that sort of thing is frowned upon around here.”

You clenched your jaw, focusing on your anger rather than the feeling of dread that was rising in your chest, “this is your palace?”

“Interesting that you don’t seem to know that,” he cocked his head a little more, “and I believe you’re telling the truth.”

“I’m not from here,” you muttered, taking a slow step toward the desk.

“So I’ve gathered and yet, you had the audacity to try and steal from me,” his eyes zeroed in your hand that was slowly reaching for the dagger at your thigh and you froze, “that’s terribly rude of you.”

You forced a smile, “my apologies. Next time I’ll know.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

Even if his words hadn’t been horribly ominous, his tone made you to whip out your dagger and point it at him, “let me go.”

He ignored the weapon, “where are you from, human?”

“Midgard,” you lied, choosing the most obvious of the nine realms.

“That’s awfully far,” he mused.

“Everything’s far when you’re the only island off the coast of the mainland,” you pointed out, hating the fact that it was true.

He shrugged, “I like my privacy. What more can I say?”

You wanted to throw your dagger at him. These people didn’t just like their privacy. They were cowards who’d basically sat out the last war and had closed their borders once it was over. They let their neighbouring realm burn to the ground, and this man had most likely been alive during the war. Seven hells, he might have even been king during that time. The thought alone almost ripped away what little control you had over your anger and abilities.

“Can’t fault you for that,” your attempted nonchalance was undercut by the fact that you’d spoken through gritted teeth, “but I think we’re done here.”

You weren't sure what your plan was as you walked to the door, but you were ready to fight anyone that got in your way, regardless of the fact that they all had powerful magic and you couldn’t use yours.

“I know you’re here for the book,” he was dead serious now, “it’s the only reason I get visitors from other realms. Everyone always tries to steal it.”

You paused, your hand on the doorframe. You couldn’t leave. Sure, you wanted to, but he’d just dangled the one bait you were too impulsive not to take.

“And how many of those people returned to their realms alive?” you asked.

There was no hesitation when he said, “none.”

You tried to ignore the nauseating sensation in your stomach and hoped you came across as flippant rather than nervous when you said, “what’s a rule without an exception?”

“Quite right,” he hummed, “quite right. Why do you want the Hand, human?”

“None of your business,” you growled, refusing to get Nat involved, “if you’re going to kill me, do it now.”

His brows furrowed, “but you haven’t heard my proposition yet.”

You eyed him warily, “Do I even want to know?”

“I believe so, but if you don’t want to listen willingly then…”

Pain burst in your stomach, folding you in half as all the air was sucked from your lungs. You choked like a fish out of water until he released whatever magic hold he had on you and you crumpled to the ground, dagger clattering to the ground.

“I’m listening,” you managed to grit out from the floor.  

He smirked, “good. I’m in a bit of a predicament. I’ve been ruling Asgard for some time now, but someone’s trying to steal my crown. They might very well succeed if I don’t do something about it.”

“Why don’t you just kill them?” you groaned as you pushed up to a stand, the pain gone almost as quickly as it had come, “and not get me involved?”

He looked thoroughly unimpressed, “because that’s a crude and overdramatic method of solving problems that isn’t half as efficient as what I’ve come up with. And I don’t want to kill my sister,” he added as an afterthought as if his sister trying to steal the crown from him wasn’t a big deal.

You managed to stifle a sigh this time, “what do you want from me?”

“She’s reminded the council of an old practice that I thought disappeared the day she had. A law that incidentally, prevents me from being king,” he rolled his eyes, “according to the Old Laws, and I quote, ‘No man shall be king without proof that he is capable of love and capable of being loved. Without this ability, no man is fit to be a just and wise king’. I’m sure you’ve now gathered that I don’t have a queen.”

“I can’t see why,” you answered dryly.

He huffed a little laugh, “that’s where you come in, sweetheart.”

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing, “wait. You want me to marry you?”

“Not quite. That is a human tradition after all. I need you to pretend to be in love with me until our coronation at the beginning of the orange moon. Then, when I rightfully take back the crown, you’re free to fake your death and go along with your life.”

“And if I refuse?” You asked.

There was no way I would agree to this, especially that I only had another five moons to get the Hand. Despite his little show of magic, I was going to take my chances escaping rather than getting involved in his whole family drama. A dungeon sounded more appealing than that.

“You may not want to,” his voice was casual, but there was no mistaking the threat.

“So what? My options are death or pretend to love you? Are you really so unloveable that you need to resort to blackmailing a complete stranger?” You growled.

His eyes darkened, “I do what I have to for power. Consider yourself lucky. There are worse things than agreeing to this, and if you don’t, you’ll never see the Hand of Damnation in your life.”

“Are you really so cruel?” You demanded, hoping to appeal to his sympathy because, with the Hand on the line, he had you. He was handing it to you on a silver platter and all you had to do was feign love for a few moons — even if it was to an arrogant coward like him.

“I need an answer,” he sighed, “it’s the middle of the night and my bed is calling me back.”

You had no choice and the two of you knew it. It seemed like you were destined to make deals with kings in order to survive and you hated it.

“Fine,” you snapped, “but as soon as you’re officially king, I get the Hand and I’m out of here.”

His lips pulled into a satisfied grin, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He stood with speed and grace no human could ever match and strode easily across the room until he stood before you. You extended your hand. He engulfed it with his, shook once and then pulled you in close so that he could whisper into your ear, “if this doesn’t work, you don’t get the book. Enjoy being queen, sweetheart.”

You shoved him away, crossed your arms and glared at him, “what now?”

“Now, I show you to your room.”

You didn’t want to follow him. What you wanted, more than anything — even more than to give this obnoxious king a taste of his own medicine — was to escape through the window, grab Nat and vanish to some uncharted realm. But if you could have done it before now, you would have. You knew that if you wanted the Hand and your revenge, you were going to have to play their stupid games. Or, you realized, play them just long enough to find the Hand first.

He led you through the dark corridors, the small candles on the the walls lighting up and extinguishing as you walked past. The act was enough to amaze you and you tried not to look around in awe, especially that he didn’t seem to be breaking a sweat doing it.

On the boat ride here, you’d tried to learn more about Asgard and the magic the Fey harnessed, but after the war, very few people who had been alive when their borders were open had wanted to say anything. The rumours about Asgard ranged from oasis to one of the seven hells. You were praying for your sister’s sake that you didn’t have to pretend to be in love with the king of the seven hells.

You didn’t cross anyone else on the way, though you had the impression that, although it was the middle of the night, he was taking the smaller corridors to avoid any chance encounter. You expected him to say something, anything to fill the silence that shrouded you like a cloud, but he strolled through the halls without looking back once to see if you were following. If he was worried you’d try and take off or stab him in the back, he didn’t show it. And honestly, you doubted he was. You weren’t deluded enough to think you could escape him any more now than you could in the office.

He stopped in front of a plain wooden door.

“I’ll give you the choice,” he began, leaning up against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest.

“How kind,” you interrupted with an eye roll, “nice to know that it won’t only be blackmail from now on.”

He let out a little huff as if he thought this whole thing was funny, “if it were blackmail, you wouldn’t be getting anything in return.

“Semantics,” you grumbled.

“Rather important ones,” he countered, “but aren’t you at all curious to know what your choices are?”

You waved a hand, motioning for him to go ahead and offer your two wonderful choices.

He patted the door like an old friend, “the room here is yours. It has everything you need, except a lock on the door. It also connects to my room, which is the next door over.”

You weren’t keen on the idea of sleeping in the adjoining room even if you were supposed to convince a council of people that you were in love with this man — especially when there was no guarantee he wouldn’t barge in whenever he wanted.

You pursed your lips, “what’s the other option?”

His lips spread into a wolfish grin, “you’re always invited to stay with me.”

You wrenched the door open and stomped inside. The room looked empty despite the massive bed, multiple dressers and standing mirror in the corner. You were pretty sure there were houses smaller than this. Doors on either sides of the room probably led, one to his room, and the other to a bathroom. The decorations were simple, dark red and cream walls lined with silver mouldings, set against dark chestnut floors. It was a beautiful room, but the sight made you nauseous. You stared out the far window — that curiously hadn’t been fitted with bars across it — as if you could see all the way to Nat in Niflheim. You would get each other out of this. You would get your revenge. If this extravagant room and faking love was the way out, then you had to be thankful that it wasn’t anything worse. Although you couldn’t say that some part of you didn’t wish there was someone you could fight for the book instead.

“I’ll come find you first thing in the morning,” he said, peeking his head around the doorframe, “just to make sure you haven’t run off in the middle of the night.”

You crossed your arms, water dripping into your pants, “it’s already past the middle of the night.”

“Then I would suggest you get to it if you plan on leaving,” with another infuriating smirk, he shut the door.

You listened until you heard the neighbouring door open and shut. There was little movement and the silence stretched on long enough that you deemed it safe to go examine the window. It was a stained-glass thing that would probably look nice in the morning, and the bottom three panes had small latches above them. You twisted one slowly, holding your breath until the window popped open, a cool breeze wafting in. Your inhale, although shaky, was the first real one you’d taken since you’d broken into the palace and you let out a long sigh. The air was crisp and smelled like dew and something else tat tugged on a far away memory you couldn’t quite place.

The window looked out into what seemed to be a closed courtyard, but you knew there had to be a way out. The ground was close enough that if you did it right, you’d survive the fall without injury. You could leave. If you wanted to, you could leave through the window and find a way out of this palace in the dead of night. But you didn’t have the hand and realistically, you had no idea what kind of magic warding the palace. After all, he’d known you’d broken into his palace when you could have sworn you hadn’t trigged any kind of alarm, even if you had used your abilities for no more than a heart-wrenching second.

There was so much you didn’t know about here, about him, about why Odin wanted the Hand in the first place. You had so many questions you could practically feel the weight of them like a heavy cloak. Seven hells, you didn’t even know each other’s names. The thought almost made you jump out the window. Everything was riding on convincing this council that we were madly in love and yet, for the life of you, you couldn’t tell anyone his name. You shivered, your wet clothes clinging to you like a second skin. How in the gods names was this going to work?

Loki stared at the ceiling, still wondering if he’d done the right thing. She was the one, he was sure of it, but he had no idea how or why, of all people, he’d been given her name. He definitely hadn’t been expecting a human when he’d pictured the person attached to the name YN. It wasn’t ideal. Asgard had never had a human queen and he knew that convincing the council that they were in love wouldn’t be easy. If he was being honest, he wasn’t even sure she’d survive until the orange moon.

He rubbed his face and tried not to let himself get discouraged. She was important, he knew that much. He just had to trust that he was doing the right thing by making her the solution to his regency.

The sound of the window opening in the adjacent room caught his attention and he waited to see if she would take off. He wouldn’t stop her if she did. If she couldn’t stay by choice, they’d never have a chance at convincing the council. And judging by the way she looked like she wanted to kill them for most of their conversation, he would say their chances were already pretty slim. He wouldn’t blame her either, after the stunt he’d pulled in the office.

Loki listened as she moved around the room, his Fey hearing letting him to know that she was exploring the room, opening drawers and searching for who knew what. Strangely, the noises comforted. At least he knew that she had some sort of fight in her. She’d need it.

As if there weren’t a million other more pressing thoughts in his head, the sound of her opening the bathroom door made him realize that he’d need to bring her clothes tomorrow. What she had looked like it would disintegrate at any moment and he had a feeling there was nothing but weapons in that tiny satchel of hers. But until he could bring her to the seamstress, he figured she’d have to make do with whatever his court had to spare.

The thought seemed trivial compared to Hella’s scheming and the eminent war that Gamora had forseen, but at least it was something to focus on that didn’t make him want to spend the afternoon sparing until he was so sore he couldn’t walk. Loki couldn’t shake the feeling that what he was doing wouldn’t be enough to save his people, but at least he could push it to the back of his mind and focus on the problems he could fix. Like the fact that now that had her in the palace, his court would demand to know everything and would probably have a million things to say about it. Loki sunk a little deeper into his mattress. They could wait until tomorrow. He’d be no use to anyone exhausted anyways. Eventually, he heard the bathroom door open again and then nothing on her side. With only a couple hours until daylight, Loki knew he should try and find sleep as well.

[arcticfox007]

The Stars Within You

Destiel December Challenge 2020

Day 15: Lights

The conclusion of the main storyline! I do intend on posting an epilogue in a few days to tie up some smaller plot points, but this is the last official prompt. If you haven’t read the rest of the story you can check out my masterlist here or head over to AO3!

Thanks again to everyone who has reblogged, left me comments/likes, given me kudos, and continued to follow this story. I have been blown away by the positive feedback and it has really made my holiday season <3

***

               Castiel lets himself feel all of the emotions that had been let loose from his time as a human. It’s a risk, even with everything that’s happened between him and Dean this past week, Castiel is well aware he could be setting himself up for disappointment. He just doesn’t have it in him anymore to resist the feelings pounding at his grace enforced walls. He wants to feel the joy at Dean making a room for him here in the bunker, for telling Castiel that he belongs here. He wants to feel the bubbly happiness at the absurd bee pillow on his bed, the swooping feeling of loving Dean more than he has loved anything for the entirety of his existence. Maybe he’s diving off a ledge with no ability to fly, but he refuses to stop every glorious feeling permeating his being as he drags Dean back to the Christmas tree. He gazes up at the doll version of himself propped up on top of the tree, takes in the Scooby-doo ornaments he’d brought home to make Dean and Sam smile, wrinkles his nose at the truly awful taste earlier Men of Letters had in décor, and indulges in a goofy grin at the lights he and Dean put up together. He dives towards the handful of presents underneath the tree and picks up two small ones carefully wrapped and garnished with curly ribbon. He pockets the smallest of the two, and turns around to press the larger of them into Dean’s hands.

               Dean fumbles with it for a moment. He staring at Cas the way they often stare at each other. A moment later and Cas sees the corner of Dean’s lip tick upwards, just enough movement for them to come back to themselves. Cas pulls at the sleeves of his pajamas nervously, urging Dean with a motion to open the present. Cas watches Dean’s nose scrunch up in concentration as he tries to pull apart the curly ribbon. Giddy with the rush of uncontained emotions, Cas rolls impatiently on the balls of his feet. Dean looks up in surprise.

               “Dude, are you actually bouncing?” Castiel responds with his trademark stoicism.

               “Of course not, Dean. Hurry up.” Dean rolls his eyes fondly at Cas and skips the ribbon to just tear off the paper. He lets the paper fall to the floor and stares at the small potion bottle as his brow furrows in confusion.

               “You want to tell me what this is, Cas?” Cas smiles, feeling almost giddy, and then looks boldly into Dean’s green eyes as they reflect the Christmas lights.

               “I would like to show you part of my true self. A part you can safely see with the aid of that potion.” Dean’s eyes sparkle, he’s clearly intrigued and Cas’ smile grows more confident. “It will give you partial access to otherworldly sight, similar to what many human psychics can see. With the dosage Sam and I measured out it should last for about a day. It’s somewhat variable dependent on your metabolism. If you decide to take it, I will meet you halfway and manifest a small representation of my true self.”

               “Um, okay. Will I have control over this sight, or am I going to be seeing trippy stuff all day?” Castiel snorts.

               “Yes, you will have control to an extent. If something else were to work at manifesting you may see it, but most of this depends on me meeting you halfway. Born psychics tend to take years to see anything substantial, much less be exposed to visions.” Dean nods seriously.

               “Any other side effects I should worry about?”

               “Unlikely, unless you were to go on a hunt. It would make you slightly more aware of ghosts.”

               “Alright, good enough. When do you want to do this?” Cas is nervous again for a moment, but silently redoubles his commitment to finding out where this will go.

               “Now, but we should go outside to the rooftop. I will require space for this. You may want to get a coat and your boots. I believe it is still snowing.” Dean passes the potion bottle to Cas with an eager grin, and rejoins the angel with his coat and shoes in record time. Cas feels his excitement build as he leads the man he loves to the rooftop where Sam had helped him work on this gift only days before.

               “Hey, look, there are lights up here too!” Dean gestures to the string lights propped up on tall stands around the edges of the rooftop. Castiel knows Sam must have put them up and wonders how Sam knew he’d end up doing this at night. Cas silently thanks his friend for the forethought. Dean follows one of the strands back to its source to find the on switch and suddenly the rooftop is softly lit with tiny imitations of the stars in the sky. Cas silently hands the potion back to Dean. It feels as if words aren’t needed in this moment, and Dean must feel it as well. He acts rather than speaking and throws back the potion as if it were a shot.

               “Close your eyes, it only takes a moment to go into effect.” As Dean shuts his eyes Castiel pulls of his pajama shirt, draping it on one of the light stands. He inhales the sharp, cold, snow filled air and pulls on his grace. He breaths out as he shifts his much healthier wings further into the mortal realm, adjusting them to best fit his vessel’s frame. He turns away from Dean, too anxious to see his reaction right away. He keeps his wings close to his body, wanting to give his very human companion time to adjust slowly. Despite the shrouds and adjustments between him, the wings are still very much part of his true form and may be a bit overwhelming for a human.

               “Can I look? Is it okay? I don’t feel any different.” Dean sounds almost disappointed, perhaps worried that the potion did not work on him.

               “You shouldn’t feel different. You can look now.” Castiel hears a soft gasp behind him. “Tell me what you can see, Dean.”

               “I – wow Cas… I see you. Your wings. They’re fucking beautiful.” Castiel hesitates for a moment, but allows the wondering lilt to Dean’s voice to sooth his doubts. He turns slowly to see Dean looking at him as if he’d never seen anything better in his life. This look, more than anything, undoes the knots of worry in the angel’s chest and he smiles broadly and unfurls his wings a bit, stretching them towards the stars. A rush of joy runs through his body as he takes in the awe on Dean’s face and the way he reaches out for Castiel without trepidation. Cas takes his outstretched hand and gently pulls him closer.

               “I can only make them partially corporeal here. Without the potion they have an impression here, the snow falls on them, I can use them as a shield, but you can’t see them except for a shadow. So, please Dean, tell me what you see. I want to know how much of me you can see.” Cas’ can hear his voice grow smaller with need as he speaks, but he can’t deny how much it means to share this small part of himself with the man he loves.

               “They aren’t just shadows anymore Cas. I can see individual feathers; I can see their color – I think. It changes. It’s uh, it’s hard to describe but they look like every color I’ve ever seen shimmering through the blackness of space,” Dean says breathlessly. He seems startled at his own description and laughs softly. “Damn, Cas, they’re so spectacular they’re making me sound fucking poetic. They’re amazing. You’re amazing.”

               Cas inhales sharply as Dean looks right into his eyes, something intense and warm in the way he seems to see more of the angel’s true self in his blue eyes than in the wings themselves. Before Castiel can define what he’s seeing, Dean’s eyes dart to his wings again. Cas notices his wings curling in towards Dean and halts them with a thought. Dean looks almost disappointed, making Cas grin.

               “You can touch them. If you’d like.” It’s not a question, Cas can tell how much Dean wants to pet his wings. Cas is sure it must seem like an odd impulse to a human, to want to pet what appears to be bird-like wings growing out of an adult man’s back, but Cas wants Dean to touch him. He’s never had a human touch his wings before and he’s curious as to what it will feel like to have Dean’s fingers in his feathers.

               “Um, I won’t hurt you, right? I know that, er, birds winds can be fragile, I guess. I know you’re not a bird but they kinda look like -”, Cas cuts Dean off before he starts comparing him to a parakeet.

               “You won’t hurt me. Angels are warriors of God, and our wings were built to aid us in battle.” To illustrate this, Castiel raises his wings above his body, snapping them out all at once with a sharp ringing sound.

               “Oh. Right. Yeah.” Dean’s eyes have widened at the intimidating display of the angel’s wings as they tower over him, but Castiel takes pity on him and softens his stance, bringing them back down. He curls them loosely at Dean’s side to give him easier access. Not one to hesitate when invited, Dean reaches out and gently brushes his hands through the feathers closest to him.

               “Cas… they’re so soft, and warm.” Dean begins to dig his fingers in with more confidence and chases the rainbow of lights reflecting off the obsidian black of Castiel’s wings. At Dean’s continued attention, Cas finds himself relaxing as he lets his head fall on top of Dean’s shoulder. Dean laughs happily.

               “I’m glad I could share this with you.” Cas feels strange but happy. He can’t quite describe what the newer emotions are pouring through him, but it is similar to the relief of coming home when you have been away for a very long time. He does manage to catch himself before he literally begins to purr, but he must have made some sort of sound because Dean ceases his exploration of Castiel’s feathers.

               “Does it feel okay?” Cas manages to pull himself away from Dean just enough to see his face.

               “Yes, I’d imagine it’s like grooming.” Dean chuckles.

               “Grooming? That wasn’t what I was expecting you to say.” Cas tilts his head to the side, trying to interpret Dean’s response.

               “Yes, tactile communication for comfort and bonding. The PBS special on primates said it’s called grooming.” At this point Dean is laughing hard enough that he bends over to try and catch his breath.

               “Yeah, hah, grooming. I think most people talk about it like that for the non-human primates though, Cas. But I don’t mind ‘grooming’ with you.” Dean smirks and Castiel is still not sure what is so humorous. Regardless, this is his gift to Dean and he is not done yet.

               “Dean. Can I touch you with my wings?” Dean’s eyes widen just a bit but he nods his head in agreement. Castiel pulls his wings in and up until he is cradling Dean and they are in a shelter created by his plumage. Dean directs his gaze around the impromptu cocoon and runs his hand lightly over more feathers as they minutely shift in color against a background of darkness.

               “Cas, you’re practically a planetarium. It’s like there are whole galaxies in here. I could look forever and never see all there is to see.” As this is one of the better human descriptions of angel true forms, Castiel feels content that he has shown the man he loves much more of what he really is. That Dean shows such quiet wonder at this glimpse of the heart of Castiel makes him feel safe to take another risk, one that means even more. He presses his wings in to bring Dean even closer, until their chests are almost touching. Cas pulls the smaller gift out of his pocket and lays it in Dean’s hand. Dean’s eyes are alight with curiosity as he peels off the paper. He shoves the crumpled paper in his coat pocket and lets the pendant that had been within drop, carefully holding the chain in his fingers. He squints at the pendant, a feather preserved on top of bronze, and then gasps.

               “Cas. Is this – is it yours?” Castiel nervously raises his fingertips to Dean’s jaw and slowly raises his gaze to meet Dean’s eyes.

               “Yes. It does not retain all of its properties once shed, and it’s once of the smaller ones as it wouldn’t have been possible to make any of the larger feathers as conveniently wearable. It is still a part of me though, a part of my grace, of my true self.” Castiel pauses to make sure Dean understands. Dean’s heart is racing but besides that he seems to grasp the depth of this gift, so Castiel continues. “If you accept this, I can find you if it is with you. If you wear it, I can feel your life, hear your heartbeat. And the feather preserved inside the pendant will exists as long as I exist, no matter where I may be. If there is ever a real need it can even be used to locate me, although it will destroy the feather in the process. If you accept this, it will be part of you and no one else will be able to use it. Do you understand?”

               Dean drops Castiel’s gaze to cradle the pendant in his hand, a bit of a dazed look on his face. Cas waits patiently, wanting to make sure this is Dean’s choice.

               “Cas. I need to know something, because I don’t want there to be any miscommunication here.” Castiel waits for several minutes as Dean works to find the words he needs. “You say you’re giving me a part of yourself, that it will become a part of me. That sounds like, well, more than a friendship to me. And I’d like to know if I’m getting that right.”

               While it’s not exactly a question, Cas understands that he needs to put this in more human terms. “Yes, Dean. You would be accepting that what we have is more than just friendship. I love you Dean. I am content with just being by your side, and if you do not love me the same way nothing has to change. However, these past days have allowed me to hope for more. So, I am offering you more. I am offering you me, if you choose to accept me.” Castiel’s hand has moved up to cradle Dean’s face, but he needs Dean to choose what he wants and does not move further.

“Please don’t cry, Cas.” Castiel is surprised to feel tears drip from his face, he hadn’t realized just how much his emotions were spilling over. Dean wipes the tears away with his thumbs and then he leans in and kisses Castiel.

Cas feels a rush of bliss and his grace warms his wings as he feels more feathers push into existence. He leans into the kiss and wraps his free arm around Dean’s neck as the hand cupping Dean’s faces slides up into his hair. Dean opens his mouth and Cas dives in, the sensation of their tongues touching better than anything Cas could have imagined, although Dean’s hands on his bare waist place at a close second. Too quickly, Dean pulls back to breathe and takes a small step back before Cas can drag him back for more.

“Wait. Just a sec, Cas. Here, I want you to put this on me.” Cas’ eyes widen with surprise and joy, and he thinks that the kissing can wait for just a moment. He takes the chain and pulls the pendant over Dean’s head. Dean pulls his layers away from his neck just enough for Cas to drop the pendant below his undershirt to rest close to Dean’s heart.

“I accept you Castiel.” Dean smiles, glorious in his choice, and his voice is saturated with love as a small flare of grace glows where the pendant hangs. Cas sighs as he can feel Dean’s heartbeat through the new connection, and he watches as Dean takes in the small change in feeling as well.

“You can feel me? I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to.” Dean nods slowly as he presses his hand over his chest.

“Yeah, wow. It’s nothing noticeable I guess, just this feeling of warmth. If I focus on it, it seems to get a little bigger, and I can tell it’s you.” Cas decides it’s time to get back to the kissing part as he feels he may actually be on fire with the amazing feelings coursing through him. Dean participates enthusiastically. Eventually though, Castiel notices that Dean is shivering, even with angel wings around him.

“Let’s go back inside. You should sleep for a while, so we can exchange gifts with Sam in the morning.” Dean frowns in response to this suggestion.

“You said the potion would only work for a day. I want to see your wings for as long as I can.” Cas laughs at the pouting expression on Dean’s face as he grabs his pajama top and switches off the lights.

“Well, I didn’t say anything because I wanted an honest choice from you without bribery, but when you wear my feather you should be able to see them anyway, especially since you said you can feel me through it. You may even be able to see them at times when they aren’t manifested in this realm.” Dean’s face is almost giddy at this news and Cas laughs again. Cas grasps Dean’s hand and this time he doesn’t protest as he’d led back into the warmth of the bunker. Cas takes a moment to push his wings away from the physical realm before going back inside. Dean continues to look behind Cas.

“I can still see them, more like shadows the way I’ve seen them before, or outlines of shadows, but maybe that’s just the potion.”

“Only time will tell, but I believe you will retain the connection. I can manifest them inside later, so you can determine the pendants impact; I just have to be careful and keep them pulled inward.” Dean pulls Cas towards him and kisses him again, this time is softer, and almost hesitant.

“Come to my room? I, uh, I’m not asking for anything else tonight, but I was wondering if you’d be willing to just stay with me until I sleep? If that’s okay, I mean.” Dean stumbles over the words but Castiel is already tugging him in the direction of the bunker rooms.

“I will watch over you when you fall asleep Dean, and I would enjoy doing that while sharing your bed. I would also like to try doing this in my new bed at some point. With my bee pillow.” Dean snorts and Cas smiles happily, wondering what he was so afraid of in the first place. When they reach the room, Dean closes the door behind him and strips down to his boxers, looking at Cas questioningly. Cas mirrors Dean’s actions and then joins him under the covers.

“Cas?” Dean mumbles into Castiel’s chest sleepily.

“Yes Dean?”

“I love you too.” Castiel feels as if he’s flying again, damaged wings or not.

***

@galaxycastiel, @jellydeans, @my-favourite-hellatus, @nguyenxtrang

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

♫ Surfing on a soundwave, Swinging through the stars, Take a left at your intestine, Take your second right past mars!

On the Magic School smelly space bus! ♫

SPOILERS for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #2!

This is a comic where, the longer I sit with a particular issue, the more I’m like, ‘yeah. Yeah. YEAH.’

It’s dense in a way that invites the reader to go through it multiple times, and rewards additional readthroughs.

Also, it helps that the art is FREAKING AMAZING.

Seriously. Evely and Lopes should draw and color everything, forever, always.

(I will honestly be shocked if they don’t get an Eisner nom for this book.)

Anyways, all of this to say: Another issue that I enjoyed. It has one of the most genuinely sweet Supergirl moments I’ve seen in the comics in a good long while.

So, if you’re looking for a quick thumbs up/thumbs down rating, thumbs up!

If you’d like some SPECIFICS, though...

THE STORY

King is an evil genius because we don’t pick up where we left off--rather, we start in the midst of the Space Bus journey.

There is technically a Big Action Scene, but I was honestly surprised by how...casually? the story progressed.

Essentially: Kara and Ruthye are forced to travel by bus because 1.) Krem stole Kara’s rocket and 2.) this corner of the universe doesn’t have the right stars, so Kara’s still recovering from being under a red sun for an extended period of time.

The bus makes occasional stops; they encounter a space dragon; Kara takes some Red Kryptonite and saves the day; they eventually arrive on a planet with a yellow sun. 

And again, all of this occurs with a kind of...breezy ease that I was not expecting at all.

I assumed that the space dragon fight would make up the final moments of the issue, after having built up the problem to a point where Kara needed to intervene.

But, noooope. The space dragon happens somewhere in the middle, which helps sell the central idea that this is simply Kara’s life. She’s been there, done that. She’s a badass who takes it all in stride.

But! Important to note! Ruthye still marvels at the sight of Kara taking out the space dragon, as well she should, because:

OH MY GOD. THE aRT.

There’s only so many times I can say, ‘it’s phenomenal, it’s gorgeous, it’s stunning’ before sounding like a broken record.

But it is. It truly is. This is the prettiest monthly book on the stands right now.

(Realizing I’ve been spelling Ruthye wrong this entire time, maybe? IDK. Apologies if I have.)

It’s in the final moments of the book that we learn what transpired after Krem shot Kara and Krypto and fled: Kara managed to get Krypto and Ruthye to a healer, and then passed out for a week. 

Ruthye and Kara recovered, buuuuut...

Krypto is still very near death because the arrow was poisoned.

The healer can’t treat him until he has a sample of the poison.

Which Krem has.

(See where this is going?)

So! Kara regains her powers! Ruthye has a super on her side! KRYPTO’S LIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE!

Gimme. Issue. 3. STAT.

THE CHARACTERS

Very much enjoyed Ruthye in this issue!

There’s a really tricky balancing act you gotta pull off when writing child characters; you don’t want to just write them as tiny adults, but you also don’t want to be obnoxious or cloying in trying to write ‘true-to-age.’

King gives himself a bit of a cheat, by setting her up as a rock farmer from a...what would you call it. An old-fashioned planet? And thus the kind of character who had to ‘grow up fast’ and behaves more maturely than your typical pre-teen might.

BUT! IMPORTANTLY! This is tempered by placing Ruthye in situations where her (understandable) ignorance is challenged/put to the test. Like, yes, she is mature, and well-spoken, and utterly tenacious, but she’s also out of her depth, and still in need of help and guidance.

(Which is how we get to The Best Scene which I’ll get to in just a sec.)

TL;DR - this issue has really sold me on Ruthye as our POV character and I am officially Invested in the relationship between her and Kara.

Speaking of...

It’s KARA-CTERIZATION TIME!

So, okay. There’s some ‘eh’ stuff in this one, but, BUT!

We got the goods again.

And by ‘goods’ I mean this:

Whatever other nitpicks I have (and I do! Have one! Which I’ll get to!) THIS. This right here! This is Supergirl. This is Kara.

And what a beautiful line to introduce this moment:

“And it began--as most things begin when you’re dealing with Supergirl--with a moment of kindness.”

It’s the same gentle concern we saw in the previous issue, where Kara knelt down to address Ruthye eye-to-eye. 

Here, Kara’s facial expression, and the way she takes Ruthye’s hands and shows her what to do...

It’s just. SO SWEET.

Ahhhhh it’s so good. :D

So good! In fact! That the above scene offsets my one complaint, which is that Kara came off as harsh, IMO, when addressing the bus passengers, looking for Red K. 

Other good stuff from this particular portion of the book: we get Kryptonese (maybe? I think?) And a mention of Kara’s mother being strict about certain things, which is in keeping with the 2000s series version of Alura.

Ruthye also asks if Kara ever tried to avenge the death of her family/culture and she says no; Ruthye says that she heard a lifetime of regret in Kara’s response, which I suppose could be read one of two ways:

1.) That she regrets her choice not to avenge them, or 2.) that she regrets not having the option to avenge them, as there was no one person to punch, no single action that could rectify the destruction of the entire planet.

I personally prefer the second reading.

Which I suppose contradicts the recent-ish “Killers of Krypton” arc, but who knows what is and isn’t canon anymore, honestly. XD

As for the rest of the issue! I found myself thinking of a Grant Morrison interview, actually.

Morrison apparently met a Superman cosplayer at a con and that’s when the character clicked for them: “[The superman cosplayer] was so in the character, but what really got me was the way he was sitting. It was this absolutely relaxed pose with one knee up and the arm bent over, and that’s what broke Superman for me. Suddenly I realized that Superman wouldn’t be a poser, he wouldn’t be a Muscle Beach steroid guy; he’d actually be completely relaxed because nothing could hurt him. He could be so open and friendly to everyone because no one can punch him or hurt him. He can’t get a cold, or be damaged by anything you’re carrying or wearing. For me that was the power of that, whether you want to frame it as magical or not, it actually informed the stories I wanted to write. I felt I understood him in a way I hadn’t until that moment.”

That’s always stuck with me, the idea that Clark would be the most at-ease, chill guy you'd ever talk to.

And THAT, I think, is what we’re seeing here with Kara. That at-ease-ness.

But in a way that is distinct from Clark! In the above quote, it’s clear that Morrison thinks it’s Clark’s powers that are the reason he can be so relaxed and at ease.

But Kara is de-powered here. So why is she so chill?

Because Kara is an alien.

Kara’s in her element, here. She’s used to space travel, she knows the ins-and-outs, she’s not shocked by any of the weird stuff they encounter on their journey. 

Love it. LOVE. IT.

I am SO GLAD that King decided to go with Kara being the wizened mentor, as opposed to the naïve kid learning to be tough. It’s a much more interesting angle, IMO.

Also NO MENTION OF RIVALRY BETWEEN KARA AND CLARK. WOO. LET’S KEEP THIS ROLLIN’.

Alright, last, but certainly not least:

THE GOOD BOY! KRYPTO!

When I tell you I stress-read this entire comic first thing in the morning...XD

And I am STILL stressed. And a little sad that Krypto doesn’t get to go on another space adventure but! This is MIGHTY PREFERABLE to what I *thought* was going to happen, which is that Krypto would die from his injuries, and Kara would likewise be out for revenge. 

Fortunately, that is not the case! 

So like, the stakes?!?! Suddenly sky high. Find that dirtbag Krem and GET THAT POISON BACK TO THE HEALER!!

ART and MISC. STUFF THAT I LOVE

I generally don’t like to post entire pages of a comic, or panels without context, but the...reach? of this blog is extremely limited so. I think we’ll be okay. XD

So, alright! Some moments that I particularly enjoyed!

One of the panels that Mat Lopes shared early on! 

I want this lettered version on a mug.

(Also she looks very ’Grace Kelly-ish’ here.)

Love Kara’s facial expression and her line about space travel being more fun when you can fly.

From the same portion of the book--such a neat detail that Kara keeps her cash in her sleeve!

Another set of panels that I think Tom King shared a few months back.

Love Kara’s little smirk, and the, “I’m wearing a big yellow S on my chest, and a very fashionable red skirt.”

It IS fashionable. WE SUPPORT THE SKIRT, IN THIS HOUSE.

Also the slrrrrrrp. XD

It’s good.

Okay, 1.) VERY COOL SCI-FI DESIGN and 2.) that line is great. “Can you feel it, Ruthye? We’re getting closer. The stars are changing.”

Mmmm, them good cosmic Kara vibes.

Kara’s attitude about the Red K here is fun, like, ‘WELP, sometimes you turn into a monster, sometimes you don’t!’ but again, the line is what gets me.

“Did my hair move?”

“I do not believe so.”

XD

Honestly? I could post the whole comic here. Evely’s vision of ‘public transit, but space’ is just so immediately...not ‘real’, necessarily, because there’s such a fantastical element to it all, but it is fully realized. I think I used the phrase ‘lived-in’ and that’s it--this world feels like it has always existed; every grimy nook and cranny, every rando space bus traveler.

And Mat Lopes’ colors!

There are like, five distinct color palettes at work in this issue, and Lopes handles them all masterfully.

I think my favorite is the...I’ll call it ‘ethereal space aquarium’ lighting in the bus as they view the space dragon.

The glow and the shadows and the blues and pinks...

GGGGGGGGAAAHHHHHHHHHH so goooooooood

So, yeah. :D

I am very much enjoying this weird, wild ride with small, precocious Ruthye and wizened, crusty Kara. XD There’s some stuff that I don’t *love* but my goodness, it could be a lot worse!

Let us end on the beautiful title page:

[watchathon]

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Series Finale: Sozin’s Comet

In case you’re finding this post just by browsing the tags I’ve used for this post, this is the Watchathon, a blog where I’m hoping to watch an episode of a TV show every weekday, with a short blog post where I write down my thoughts as I watch. Each new thought starts with a hyphen and a bolded first word.

- Like so. Now that the introductions are over with, it’s time to break that one-episode-a-day rule and finish off Avatar: The Last Airbender with the climactic grand finale, Sozin’s Comet:

PART 1: THE PHOENIX KING

- Okay, so, Katara in the intro is still saying “He has a lot to learn before he’s ready to save anyone.” I could’ve sworn they removed that part by this point... Maybe that was just something for the DVD?

- I like that the “Previously on” segment is so long. It really emphasizes how much buildup there was to this. How much the Gaang has been through to get here.

- I gotta say, I was not expecting a beach party in this episode.

- Somehow, for reasons I can’t explain because I don’t understand them myself, this ambush from Zuko made the audio of Nicolas Cage saying “Surprise attack!” in Into the Spider-Verse play in my head.

- Zuko’s really lucky that he earned Katara’s forgiveness before this violent pop quiz, seeing as just a half season ago... “You take one step backwards... one slip up... give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang - and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore. Because I'll make sure your destiny ends right then and there. Permanently.”

- It never occurred to me that we didn’t get details on the war meeting before now.

- I’d bet hearing about this plan is the thing that tipped the scales and fully convinced Zuko to join the Gaang, and prevent the genocide of the Earth Kingdom.

- It’s so nice to see Zuko being welcomed into the group hugs. Especially when it’s Katara who invites him.

- I like that Zuko is teaching Aang to redirect lightning, the same way Iroh taught him.

- Even before it’s made explicit, you can tell that Aang’s uneasy about the idea of killing.

- Toph is just delighting in her role as Melon Lord, isn’t she?

- Someone out there has definitely written an AU fanfic where someone gets killed during this training and it’s Toph’s origin story as the malicious Melon Lord. If not, then I will write it myself, and it shall be the crackiest crack fic that ever cracked.

- Y’know what, I wish Toph could’ve actually gone on a life-changing field trip with Zuko too! Everyone else got one...

- This scene of Sokka climbing into Appa’s mouth is even more uncomfortable once you’ve... well, once you’ve grown up and... Okay, I tried to put it subtly, but I just can’t: Once you’ve been cursed with the knowledge of what vore is.

- Well, there’s a bait-and-switch if I’ve ever seen one: “Azula, you’re the new Fire Lord!” “=)” “But I am now the Phoenix King and still your superior who you will answer to.” “=O”

- Nice to see June and her Shirshu make a comeback.

- Does this mean Aang wasn’t running away on purpose? I honestly thought he was just going to that island to get some alone time, maybe meditate or contact the previous Avatars’ spirits.

PART 2: THE OLD MASTERS

- I’m not sure if this is something I forgot from June’s first appearance, or if it’s actually just never been brought up before, but I didn’t know her Shirshu had a name.

- It’s sweet that Zuko is seeking out Iroh’s help. Even if the method of finding him is, ah, well... unorthodox.

- Even Avatar Roku doesn’t know where Aang is. And here I thought it was some Avatar thing that had never been brought up before.

- It’s nice to see these people make a comeback. Bumi, Piandao, even Jeong Jeong and Master Pakku are here for the finale.

- I am surprised that we didn’t get an interaction between Toph and Bumi, though. The man Aang wanted to teach him Earthbending, the girl who ended up doing it... But I guess there’s only so much time, and I don’t think there’s any scenes that could be deleted to make room for it.

- It seems like Aang is just searching for confirmation of his beliefs, rather than actually seeking wisdom.

- I like that we get to see Bumi taking full advantage of the eclipse to take back Omashu from the Fire Nation, instead of just being told about it.

- It’s nice to see so many past Avatars beyond just Roku and Kyoshi, Avatars that we never heard of before, but now we hear their stories. But all of these past Avatars echo the same sentiment that Aang should kill Ozai, even an Air Nomad Avatar.

- What can I say about this scene of Zuko and Iroh reuniting? Forgive me for echoing a post I made on my main blog, but this is a scene that’s both sweet and sad.

Sad, because Zuko’s abuse at the hands of Fire Lord Ozai left him anxiously expecting furious punishment for crimes much less than what he did to Iroh. He can’t even comprehend the idea that Iroh would forgive him. His expression while apologizing to Iroh clearly shows he’s expecting the worst.

Sweet, because Iroh still loves Zuko like his own son, and doesn’t even need to forgive him because he never felt anger at Zuko’s betrayal: Only sadness and a worry that Zuko had lost his way, truly lost his honor. And Iroh is so clearly happy to see that Zuko has found his destiny, and joined the fight against the Fire Nation.

I could go on and on about this scene... It’s my absolute favorite scene in the whole series and it brings me to tears every single time I see it.

Gosh... it’s gonna be so awkward going back to the jokes and little mundane thoughts after this, isn’t it?

- Okay, I have officially given up on the idea of finding out what the heck this island is.

- I like the smile on Katara’s face, when she’s asked to team up with Zuko and fight Azula.

- It’s nice to know that Iroh will get the opportunity to run that tea shop, even if Zuko won’t be there to work with him.

- Okay, okay, so the island was actually a lion turtle. Frankly, I’ve still got a lot of questions. Even some new ones.

- It’s nice to see that the Netlix subtitles aren’t ALLCAPS anymore.

PART 3: INTO THE INFERNO

- Gotta hand it to the music, it can make even a scene of Azula making a fuss over a non-pitted cherry rather unnerving.

- Azula’s... Azula-ness has gone straight up to eleven with her newfound role. Hasn’t it? What with all the banishments, even banishing the entire Dai Li.

- Sokka, Suki and Toph are the real dream team. 

- And we get a great final blind joke!

- I like that we get to see everyone doing their part in this final battle. All the members of the Gaang, even the White Lotus, get their moments to shine.

- The hallucination of Ursa shows that Azula, on some level, has an idea of what’s wrong with her. You can tell that they were thinking of a redemption arc for Azula come Book 4, though I am glad that didn’t happen.

- It’s chilling to see Ozai razing the forests of the Earth Kingdom like it’s nothing. And then to realize that this is what Aang will have to face.

- At first I wasn’t sure what Sokka’s plan was, but now that I see it in action, it’s really creative.

- I like the idea of a final one-on-one Zuko vs Azula duel(...a). It’s been a rivalry since Book 2, and it’s nice to finally see it get settled, even if I can’t imagine it’ll end up that easy: Otherwise, what would Katara do?

- It’s so cool to see Aang showing his prowess in all bending techniques, using them all in this final showdown.

- The background music during Zuko and Azula’s Agni Kai really sells it. It makes it sound almost tragic, and it is: two siblings pitted against each other, no choice but to fight to determine the future of the world.

- Azula might be slipping, but she’s still Azula, all too willing to cheat in what’s supposed to be a one-on-one duel.

PART 4: AVATAR AANG

- Netflix isn’t showing the intro for the individual parts, but I’ve gotta say... There’s no way that Katara’s still saying Aang’s “got a lot to learn before he’s ready to save anyone.” Right?

- I like that we get to see one last use of Metalbending from Toph in the finale.

- Dang, I hope this isn’t really the end for Sokka’s sword, or his boomerang. Especially when the sword was so cool, and one could say meaningful.

- I honestly wasn’t sure the Avatar State would ever be a factor again. But if there was ever a time, this is it. (ADDENDUM: This is probably the best time to clarify that I find and add the images at the start after writing the rest of the post.)

- And it’s so epic to see Aang bending all four elements at once.

- I like that Iroh got to burn down the Fire Nation flag.

- Since Zuko’s down for the count, I guess this means a battle between Katara and Azula, the latter powered up by Sozin’s Comet.

- To be honest, I could barely make out what Azula just said. “kjsdbksrbfkjvf family position to look after, kdcbkfh”?

- Katara may not be stronger than Sozin’s Comet-powered Azula, but she’s much more clever than Azula is right now as she loses her marbles.

- This is just the perfect kind of defeat for Azula. There’s no grace to it, no dignity, just writhing around, screaming and spewing fire as Zuko and Katara look on with pity.

- There’s probably a great practical reason someone could find for Spiritbending being a thing, but here’s why I’m glad it exists: Aang gets a happy ending. He gets to take down the Fire Lord, and hold true to his beliefs. If it weren’t for Spiritbending, if Aang killed Ozai, then he would be conflicted to the end.

And I don’t want that. I want Aang to get an unambiguously, undoubtedly happy ending, where the world is saved and that’s all there is to it.

Plus, Spiritbending is quite the spectacle.

- I’m guessing Sokka’s space sword and boomerang really are done for. But hey, there’s always headcanon. Maybe Sokka searched the forest and eventually found them.

- Weird to think that Ty Lee’s gonna be a Kyoshi Warrior.

- Again, I can’t believe Zukaang’s not the most popular Zuko ship in the fandom. Not a ship I’ll go to bat for, but it’s got all the hallmarks of a fan-preferred couple.

- It’s so nice to see Zuko’s coronation, and the official end to the war. It’s a happy ending for the whole world, the start of an era of peace.

- “Love and peace,” huh...? Now that’s funny to hear in the finale to this show, considering the next show I’m covering, come 2021...

- I like that we get to see one last confrontation between Zuko and Ozai. Even if Zuko’s question of where Ursa is doesn’t go anywhere (in the show, I know they touch on that in the comics), it’s nice to see the newly-crowned Fire Lord Zuko having evolved past a need for Ozai’s attention, or a fear of Ozai’s wrath.

- It’s nice to see the whole Gaang having fun at Iroh’s tea shop, in the end. And I stand corrected, this is where we get the final blind joke.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m lucky in that most of my childhood cartoons hold up as an adult. I watched Kim Possible, Phineas and Ferb, Code Lyoko, Courage the Cowardly Dog...

Still, there’s something special about Avatar: The Last Airbender. It had a unique aesthetic and world that no other show was quite like. It had a story that was like nothing I’d ever seen as a kid.

And it doesn’t just hold up, it’s even better.

When I was a kid, it was as simple as rooting for the good guys to win, and for the Firebenders to lose, except for Zuko once he turned good.

Now, as an adult (but mostly as someone with a DVD player/Netflix account so I’m not just watching whatever reruns I can catch) I can appreciate the character development, the arcs, the entire story.

I can appreciate how Aang grew from a little boy who does indeed have a lot to learn before he’s ready to save anyone, into a hero who could save the world.

I can appreciate how Zuko was an abuse victim who did what all abused children wish they could do and left his abuser.

I can appreciate... Gosh, Iroh’s entire character and dynamic with Zuko.

Some people say that Avatar “starts off as a kids show, then turns serious”, but I’d disagree. Avatar is a show where our heroes change, where they learn lessons, where they come of age and become the kind of heroes who can end a war that’s been going on for over a century.

As relieved as I am to be (mostly) done with these posts for the rest of the year, I am still oh-so-glad that I’ve rewatched Avatar yet again, and I know that I will be whenever I rewatch it in the future.

Now, with all that said... Farewell! Until the Christmas special, at least...

[subtlereferencetomyinterests]

Something to Uplift Us

Ao3,  MasterPost

Relationships:  Romantic DLAMPR (Roman-centric, kinda Remus-centric), platonic Creativitwins!!!

Do I like this??? Meh. Is it something that I wrote? Yes. I will heal myself from SVS-R with Fluff.

Warnings: Remus Typical Nonsense, swearing, mentions of being in Quarantine, all sympathetic sides, non-sexual Pole Dancing

Word Count: 2,667 

Roman was the essence of romance and it showed. For his entire existence, he'd been well acquainted with the hypothetical. If he were his own person, if he had a prince of his own, if he had the chance at a romantic relationship, he knew what he would do. Roman knew relationships, he always had, and it had tortured him to know that he'd never have one.

Which was why it frustrated him to no end that he hadn’t been the one to ask out his fellow sides. He’d honestly never thought that it would be an option. When he first developed his feelings for the others- Virgil, Patton, Logan, Janus, in that order- he had felt nothing more than excitement. He was giddy, he was light-headed, just to know that he could feel that way. He would spend hours daydreaming, just musing over the way they made his heart stop, but he never hoped for anything to come of it. He wasn’t sad, or mournful, or pining per se- just so caught up in the joy of feelings that he forgot that he could do something with them. 

So he thought about it a lot, suffice to say. And all he had now was time to think; it was nearly month three of quarantine. Roman had wrung his brain out like a sponge for anything new to think about- The Imagination was practically turning gray! He tried to tend to it, truly he did, but it was getting harder every day. Creativity's fellow sides had all busied themselves taking up new hobbies- Virgil was teaching Patton to draw, Janus had learnt embroidery, Logan took up knitting, Remus made trash sculptures… They all seemed to be having their own little renaissance (complete with plague), and what was Roman doing? Wasting valuable free time!

  In a fit of desperation, the artistic trait dived under his large canopy bed, rummaging around until his hand caught on the lip of a cardboard box. With no small amount of effort, he pulled the enormous container out from under his bed so that it could be properly examined. There, piled high in the box, were dozens of notebooks and sketchbooks- all of which filled to the brim with writing, drawings, and poetry. Having no clue what he was specifically looking for, Roman upended the box and watched the contents crash to the floor. Something in here would surely spark his mind! Perhaps some old work would catch his eye and inspire some redraws!

The side hadn't needed to search for long. Right at the top of the pile- bright pink, its cover dotted with puffy heart stickers- sat a large, spiral-bound sketchbook. You could almost see the light bulb pop up over Roman’s head as he squealed and snatched up the sketchbook. Flopping down onto his bed, he flipped it open in one hand and placed the other against his chest. 

“Ooh, some of my best,” he cooed to no one in particular, gaze turned to the dozens of love poems surrounded by little doodles of hearts that filled the pages. This was the journal he’d confided in before the sides had all officially begun their relationship, filled with flowery prose about anything from Janus’ scales to Patton’s smile; from Logan’s laugh to Virgil’s freckles (a rare sight, usually hidden by make-up). Roman was so lost in nostalgia that when the ideas hit him, he nearly fell out of bed in excitement at his own thoughts.

Of course! He could take all of these old writings and compose them together, into one eloquent amalgam that would illustrate perfectly all those things that he’d been unable to articulate in the beginning! And it seemed only fitting that such a soliloquy be delivered in The Imagination- in the most gorgeous scenario he could fabricate! Somewhere open to a starry sky, for his left-brained loves- but it had to have ornate architecture, of course, and it had to be cozy. Oh, it was all coming together now.

Roman leapt out of bed, posing with his hand above his head and sinking deeper into The Mindscape extravagantly. He didn’t waste time looking around at the depressing half-formed scenery, sweeping his arms up and erasing the entirety of his half of The Imagination. Time to get to work.

Remus was stretched across the Commons couch, his head in Janus’ lap and feet in Logan’s. The TV hummed with whatever show they’d thrown on as background noise, and a few feet away at the counter, Patton and Virgil were hovering over some sort of scrapbook.  Nobody had the energy for conversation; nobody had the energy for anything. 

It was magnificently boring. The Duke already filled up an entire sketchbook, written half a dozen shamelessly smutty self-insert fanfictions, constructed and subsequently destroyed eldritch beings in his room, and bothered his boyfriends. So, all that was left to do was doze.

It didn’t help Remus’ tired state that Janus was running his fingers through his hair. The monotonous waking world was finally slipping away. Maybe there was something buried in his dreams that could hold his attention.

But just before sleep took hold, a white-hot energy ran through the trait’s body, jolting him so suddenly that he tumbled off of the couch and onto the floor. His arms and legs were all pins-and-needles as he looked up at his very concerned partners.

“There’s fuckery afoot!” Remus announced, wide-eyed. He pulled himself up and grinned, “You guys stay here!” 

Without so much as a good-bye, Remus threw himself into the ground, saving himself the time of sinking out properly. After a moment’s silence, Janus resumed working on his embroidery. 

“Should we go see what that was about?” Patton asked tentatively. 

“Meh,” the three other sides responded in unison. After a moment, Janus added, “It is Remus, after all.”

Roman’s structure was coming together beautifully! Wide marble columns rose up and held aloft the glimmering silver ceiling, the middle of which was a sky-light open to thousands of stars and a brilliant full moon. Surrounding the opening was a spiral of stone roof- through the gaps of which even more astronomically accurate stars shone!

The inside of the building consisted of an immense mahogany stage, currently cloaked by thick velvet curtains and overlooking plenty of seats. Rather than traditional theater rows, Roman had arranged the seating like lovely cafe tables, all of which were given generous space from each other (Except for two at the very front, of course). Lanterns hung from the walls, casting the space in warm lighting. Creativity currently stood at the very back, thinking that it could use just a little more of something. With a smirk, the side snapped his fingers and the wall of the room was pushed backwards several yards. With a few more flicks of the wrist and dividing columns, a little lobby was formed. 

He’d given the theater room maroon carpeting and rich gray walls, but the new back section needed brighter lighting and a more cream-canary color scheme. Now he could just finish the decor!

Or he would have, if not for the fact that at that moment someone crashed into his ribs with all the grace of a flaming motorbike. 

“BRO!!!”

“ACK-!” was all Roman managed, as all the wind was knocked out of him. He glared up at his brother, who was sitting on his chest. 

“I knew you were up to something! You wiped half of the whole fucking Imagination! What is this!?” 

Roman wheezed, pushed Remus off of his chest, and finally pulled himself off the ground to catch his breath. His brother was spinning around the room already, eyes sparkling as he took in the building.

“I had to blank it, I needed my full focus,” Roman explained, back to work and filling the back wall with tall bookshelves, “and it’s a surprise, so don’t tell the others.”

“Oh, I won’t. Provided you let me in on whatever this is,” Remus had an ear-to-ear grin, bouncing on the balls of his feet. After a moment’s consideration, Roman hummed.

“I’m doing something nice for our boyfriends. I think we all could use a little pick-me-up, so do not ruin this!”

“I wanna do something nice for them! Lemme help!” 

“You don’t even know what it’s for! Plus, it’s personal!”

“I already asked what it was for, Stupid.”

Roman huffed.

“I wrote them something. Hence the stage.”

“So, what, you’re gonna bring them all into your fancy library-opera for your poetry orgy and I sit in a corner somewhere and be quiet?”

“Ideally.”

“Not a chance, Whore!” Remus swung himself up onto the concession stand that Roman had just created, tearing into a box of candy (food made in The Imagination always tasted weirder than food or ingredients they conjured elsewhere in the Mindscape, but he didn’t particularly mind). 

“Fine. What do you want to do?” Roman challenged, hands on his hips.

“I. Want. To. Help.”

Roman raised his eyebrows doubtfully. Grumbling, his twin started gesturing around the room as he spoke.

“The stars are too bright, they take the focus away from the stage instead of accenting it. The color of the curtains are too similar to the carpet. You’ve got Corinthian shit in there and bookstore lobby vibes in here, which is garbage and inconsistent.”

Roman blinked, his eyes following along with Remus’ criticism. 

“Hm. You have a point.”

“I’m Creativity too, you know. I have some taste.” The Duke said, gnawing on the cardboard box that had contained Imagination Candy moments before. 

“You’re wearing crocs and jorts, simultaneously.”

Remus waved his hand dismissively, hopping off the counter and rushing across the room.

“Whatever. Come on, I’ve got an idea how I can accompany your performance, too.”

“Oh, goody.”

Hours had past and little had changed in the Mindscape living room- Virgil and Patton had finished up their scrapbooking and were curled up together in an armchair, so Logan was sitting at the counter space previously occupied by the two and clacking away on his laptop, and Janus hadn’t moved. The muddled energy of the room had remained pervasive.

That was, until the door to the imagination slammed open, the doorknob cracking against the wall. Four heads shot up to see Remus and Roman, standing side-by-side (quite looking the part of identical twins, matching smiles and all). 

“Oh god,” Janus groaned instinctively, carefully setting his embroidery on a side table, “What did you two do?”

“Yeah, I don’t trust that look,” Virgil said.

The twins scoffed in mock-offense, continuing their odd coordination.

“We try to do something nice,” exclaimed Remus.

“And not so much as a ‘thank you,’” added Roman solemnly. Eyes were rolled, but Patton perked up considerably (just as planned). 

“Ooo, what are you talking about?” 

“It’s a surprise!” Said The Duke, bouncing up and down. Creativity Prime gave a sweeping motion to indicate the still-open door to the Imagination, which had been steadily seeping into the common room with a bright new energy that it had been lacking for days. 

“Follow us,” he instructed, disappearing through the door once more with Remus at his back. Patton bounced after them immediately, grinning. 

The three left-brained sides exchanged glances, shrugged, and followed suit. 

The twins were backstage in an instant, trusting their partners to figure out where their seats were on their own. Roman began pacing around as soon as they finished warming up. 

“Are you sure you can do this? I’m still not sure if your performance is well-suited to acoustic guitar-”

He was cut off by Remus groaning exaggeratedly.

“I can work with anything, bitch.” 

“Right, right,” There was a beat. “You’re sure you’re ready?”

“I’ve been ready. What’s going on with you?”

Rather than responding, Roman did another lap around the stage. 

“C’mon! Stop pacing before I take a bonesaw to your legs!”

“Okay! Alright! I’m ready!”

Before Remus could come up with any more gruesome threats, Roman snapped his fingers and the curtains began to rise. He took his place half-sitting on a stool up front, a guitar in his arms. Behind him, Remus stood between two sturdy metal poles that rose from the stage and into the ceiling. You can already see where this is going.

When the stage was fully revealed, the lights above the audience dimmed. Figuring that the show would be rather awkward if said audience consisted of four people, the Creativities had The Imagination render dozens of prop-people. They moved and acted like a crowd of humans, but each individual was too vague to focus on for long. Thus it was made very clear where their fellow sides were, sitting right up front with a wide array of expressions from amazed to amused to bewildered.

Roman took a moment to steel himself and then began playing. Originally, he’d planned on spoken-word for his loves, but traditionally there is music involved in pole-dancing, so he’d made a few adjustments in order for Remus to be able to contribute. 

Roman started singing, melting as the gazes of the real audience members turned awestruck (and also very flushed, likely from whatever surprisingly impressive poses his brother was pulling behind him). He liked to think that he poured his heart out into every performance, but for this one it felt quite literal. 

Roman’s voice picked up gradually, and he could vaguely hear metal clanging behind him. It went on like that for a good few minutes- because if there was one thing the Twins weren’t, it was brief- before the show finally concluded. Roman stalled for a moment as both the imaginary and real components of the audience applauded uproariously. Remus swung down from the pole and hopped over to him.

“We bow now, Dumbass,” he hissed, noticeably out of breath.

“Oh- right.”

They took hands and took a couple bows as the clapping died down, standing back up with wide grins and red faces. 

As soon as the auditorium was relatively silent, Patton rushed the stage. He outstretched his arms and hopped up and down excitedly.

“Lemme up!” 

Roman grabbed his hands and pulled him on stage while Remus was still attempting to catch his breath. Morality leaned down to give The Prince a brief kiss, and then bounced over to the much more exhausted half of the act to give him the same treatment. He was grinning so wide that it looked painful, his face a bright pink. The Duke wore a matching expression, but the smile was much more unnatural in that preferred way of his.

“So you liked it?”

Rather than verbally responding, Patton grabbed the hands of both Creativities and made a cheerful ribbiting sound.

“It was wonderful,” Logan supplied, climbing the stairs on the side of the stage to meet them, Virgil and Janus right behind him. He was much less outwardly enthusiastic as the other spectacled side, but no less appreciative.

“Yeah, did you guys put all this together today?” Virgil asked, throwing an arm around Roman’s shoulders. 

“What else did we have to do?” Remus answered with a shrug. 

“Good point.”

Janus cleared his throat lightly, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. His eyes were noticeably rimmed with redness, a small smile on his face as he outstretched all of his arms.

“Here, all of you, now.”

Patton cooed.

“Group hug!” 

Fitting six people into one hug may seem awkward, but it always seemed to work out for the sides. At least, Roman thought so. Virgil would fake exasperation at the affection, but they could all tell he loved it. Logan would try to maintain his dignity and fail miserably. Patton was a ball of warmth and energy that seeped into the rest of them. Janus was by far the best at giving hugs, though it could be considered cheating to have extra limbs.

At that moment it hit Roman that, perhaps he hadn’t started this relationship, but he was still a part of it. And that was all he could ever want.

These    Performances    inspired Remus’. They are oddly calming to watch, and super impressive!

@shrimp-crockpot

[janeykath318]

Darcy and the Prince (Shieldshock)

“I’m going to be so happy when this is over and we can all get on with our lives,” grumbled Darcy, as she helped her friend into her very beautiful white wedding dress, fit for the princess Jane was about to become. Jane had met the Asgardian Prince Thor while visiting the country on a science quest (as Darcy referred to her research trips) and the two had, against all odds, fallen head over heels in love and became engaged a year later. Despite the meddlings, of Thor’s troublemaking brother Loki, they’d made it to the wedding day and Darcy was playing bridesmaid and generally trying to keep Jane from going full bridezilla. 

“Hmm, maybe you’ll be singing a different tune once you’ve met some of Thor’s friends,” Jane suggested, as she was buttoned up. “He knows a lot of attractive, single, people.”

Darcy rolled her eyes and grimaced as she worked on the last few buttons. 

“Ugh. NO, JANE. I do not need that drama in my life right now. I’m gonna finish my masters, then go globe-trotting and enjoy being single and free. Men are more trouble than they’re worth.”

“Sometimes I want to wring Ian’s neck for what he did to you,” Jane said vehemently. Darcy’s last boyfriend had turned out to be an utter cheating scum and she’d ended up with a broken heart, hence her general annoyance with men. 

“Thor and I got our revenge,” Darcy said, smiling at the memory. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to trust again. Don’t be sad, Janie. I’m super happy to have you and Thor and Eric as buddies. Now, let’s get finished so we can get you down that aisle!”

Before she knew it, Darcy was preceding Jane down the aisle and trying not to start bawling. She was a shameless wedding weeper and knew it would be even worse this time since it was her best friend getting married. 

As she blinked rapidly, she took a glance up front where a beaming Thor was standing, along with several other very striking, very well dressed men. She caught the eye of a gorgeous blonde decked out in full prince uniform and he smiled at her, which did funny things to her insides and it took all her self control to not stare at him through the whole ceremony. 

Of course, by the time the happy couple kissed and was announced as husband and wife, Darcy could barely see through her tears and just hoped she’d grabbed the right man’s arm to walk her back down the aisle. 

“I’m sorry,” she sniffled to her unknown escort. “I always weep an embarrassing amount at weddings and these dresses NEVER have pockets to stash tissues in.” 

“Nothing to be sorry for,” a very pleasant voice answered. “I admit, I shed some tears as well. Luckily, I always carry a back up handkerchief. Here.”

A soft cloth was pressed into her hand, and Darcy gratefully accepted it, finally managing to wipe the tears away. Vision cleared, she was able to see her helpful person and let out a gasp as she saw it was the gorgeous blonde princey dude. Up close, it was clear she’d grabbed the arm of Prince Steven, one of the most swooned over royalties to ever grace the papers. 

“Wow, thanks, your highness,” she said breathlessly. “I’m afraid this thing is ruined. It looks like my waterproof mascara is not actually waterproof.”

She held up the handkerchief, which was now smeared with black streaks. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Prince Steven said, pretty blue eyes crinkling in a smile. “Like I said, I’ve got extra.”

“You’re the best,” Darcy blurted, then turned red. “Ohmm….. I’m gonna go repair the damages before they start the pictures. Will you let Jane and Thor know where I’ve gone? It should only take a few minutes.”

“Sure,” the Prince said kindly. “And please, call me Steve.”

Darcy ventured to look back at him, and saw nothing but genuine friendliness in his kind eyes. She fell a bit in love right there.

“Nice to meet you…...Steve,” she managed, a tad shyly. “I’m Darcy, by the way.”

“Lewis?” he asked, recognition appearing in his expression.

“The very same,” she confirmed. “I take it Thor’s mentioned me?” 

“He sure has,” Steve answered. “He calls you his lightning sister and is frequently expounding on your wit, brains, and beauty. I’d have to agree with him. You are stunning.”

Darcy felt herself blush like a tomato. 

“You’re one to talk, Prince GQ,” she sassed, to cover up her internal freak out over his compliment. “Be right back!” 

With that she picked up her skirts and swished off to the restroom, leaving Steve looking after her with great amusement and interest. Darcy Lewis was a very strikingly lovely woman and the blue dress she was wearing greatly flattered her figure and emphasized her bright blue eyes. Thor had tried to set him up with her before, but Steve had stubbornly refused. Now that he’d met her, He thought he’d been an idiot. 

“Are you well, Darcy?” Thor inquired, when she had rejoined the others.

“Yeah. My mascara betrayed me and made me start looking like one of those goth rock stars,” she told him. “That’s the Last time I use THAT brand. Congratulations, by the way.”

She offered up hugs to the happy couple, before they were whisked away for pictures with the official royal photographer. 

Spotting Steve, she casually strolled over and watched a bit as he talked to a group of individuals, who must have been his friends, because he looked so much more relaxed and was laughing and smiling in a very jovial manner. He kept his public persona very buttoned up and stiff, so seeing him like this was utterly fascinating and Darcy was becoming more and more attracted every minute. She chatted with Bruce Banner for a little bit, then helped Jane manage her train in between shots. 

They were so cute together, it was almost sickening. Thor looked at Jane like she was his whole universe and Jane looked at Thor like he was the only man in existence. 

“I want to look at someone the way she looks at him,” Darcy murmured, half to herself, half to the blue and gold clad figure who had joined her. 

“Me too,” Steve agreed, sounding very wistful. 

“Shouldn’t be that hard for you, dude,” she pointed out. 

He chuckled ruefully, blushing a bit.

“I’ve discovered there’s a big difference between starstruck lust, and real love and I haven’t seemed to find the latter yet. Most of them aren’t interested in getting to know the real me at all.”

“That’s sad,” Darcy told him. “You seem like you’d be very interesting, once you get past the whole princely trappings and regal persona. Tell me, Steve, what makes you tick?”

Steve turned to look at her, and she felt like the blue eyes were piercing through her, searching for something. Whatever he saw, it must have eased his mind, because he took a deep breath and started talking.

“For one thing, I’m very passionate about using my position to do as much good as I can, not be just some stuffed shirt figurehead,” he told her. “I’m also very fond of the arts and am in the process of starting an art school for underprivileged kids. I’m hoping they’ll let me teach, because I love to draw and paint.”

“That’s awesome,” Darcy said warmly, giving him an approving nod.

“I also love dogs and help out at the shelters whenever I can.” He continued. “They’re so much more pleasant than dealing with parliament.” 

Darcy laughed at the distaste in his voice, but never got a chance to say anything else, because duty called. They shared a few looks across the room, and Steve shamelessly winked at her once when she pretended to strike a diva pose. 

They didn’t get close enough to actually talk again until the reception, when he sauntered up to Darcy as she was giggling at a ridiculous archery joke Clint had made. 

“Excuse me. Darcy, would you care for a dance?” He asked, holding out a white-gloved hand.

“Y-you’re asking me?” Darcy squeaked. 

“I don’t see any other Darcys around here, unless one of you has something to tell me,” Steve said dryly, squinting at Clint, Natasha, and Bruce, all of whom knew him. 

“Nope, not it,” Clint said, shaking his head.

“She’d love to,” Nastasha answered, giving Darcy a nudge forward.

“Yeah, I would, “ Darcy managed, taking the offered hand nervously.  Steve’s hand closed around hers and she felt a tingle up her spine.

She was in a dreamy daze as the prince expertly guided her around the floor. It was clear his princely education had included good dance technique and he was absolutely courtly about it. 

“Now, Darcy, it’s your turn to tell me what makes YOU tick,” he said after a few minutes of silently gazing at her. 

“Well, I live fueled by coffee and sarcasm, I majored in political science, and I’m not afraid to use my taser on creeps and jerks,” she told him proudly. “Also, I may have a thing for tall blonde princes.”

“Is that so?” He asked, a dangerously flirty tone in his voice.

“Yup,” she admitted. “Which is a little inconvenient seeing as how I’ve sworn off men.”

“That is too bad,” Steve agreed. “Any chance of possibly changing your mind?” 

“I’ll certainly let you try,” she told him, struggling to keep her mind from its fantasies about his magnificent broad shoulders and muscular arms. 

“Good,” Steve said, with another one of his stunning smiles. (If he kept doing that, there was no way she would be able to hold out long.)

“You look like you’re already planning your persuasive tactics,” she told him.

“Well, they don’t call me The Prince With A Plan for nothing,” Steve said, twirling Darcy around dramatically. Yeah, she was in SO much trouble. 

[lizzylunawizardessfanfics]

Changing History?

Pairing: Demeter!Klaus X Hades!Lizzy

Summary: It was very clear that there was a long history of generations of Demeters and Hades hating one another. being this generation's Hades, Lizzy wished to put the past to rest and try to befriend Demeter. Will her efforts pay off, will Klaus give Lizzy the chance to prove herself, or will the continuous loop keep repeating itself.

Warning: Angstish

“Shut in!”

“Control freak!”

“Troublemaking demon!”

“Oohh now we’re calling me a demon, real nice one you egotistical jerk!” Lizzy shouted her pastel blue hair floating in the hair and started to turn into blue flames. Letting out a sigh I could only standby and watch as Lizzy and my brother argued; I really wished he wouldn’t instigate her as I couldn’t help but feel bad for her, no matter how hard she tried to be nice whenever Klaus showed up he’d act coldly towards her. “Oh come now calm down you living candlestick,” I heard Klaus dryly say when instantly I heard Lizzy let out a small gasp. “Kl-Demeter that’s enough,” I quickly shouted as I had to remember to not use his mortal name as despite my attempts to put an end to the arguing I was ignored.

“I am NOT a living candlestick first of all! And calm down? Calm down?! You don’t get to come into my domain and tell ME to calm down when you’re the one who started this all,” she shouted as her hair started to fall back down going back to normal after a moment after taking a deep breath. “I’ve done nothing but try to be nice and to be civil yet every time you come here you’re just mean,” she continued letting out a huff before starting to walk over to me as I saw the fake smile taking form on her face. “Goodbye Lizzy,” I said, giving a small smile of my own hugging my friend as I felt her return it as well. “Goodbye Lias, please do take care. I shall see you again in six months,” she said while pulling away from the hug giving my arms a small squeeze before completely stepping away from me. “Persephone let's go,” I heard my brother say in a strict voice and when I walked forward to leave with him I couldn’t help but glance back once more but she was nowhere to be seen, just the falling of dead flower petals that almost resembled ash.

Once upon arrival back home in the world of the living it hasn’t been five minutes back and Klaus was already asking a million questions about if I was okay or if she tried to do anything. Letting out a frustrated sigh I dropped my shoulders letting out a quick “no, no, and no. Now will you stop asking please, the answer is the same as always.” He looked at me and pinched the bridge of his nose which I folded my arms over my chest and stared at him. “What, what’s that look for,” I heard him ask in which I took a deep breath as it was taking everything in me to finally speak my mind. “What you said back there was uncalled for, and quite honestly I’m mad you hurt her feelings,” I said getting to the point as this truly needed to stop, he needed to see he was in the wrong.

“Persephone the only thing that god feels is anger, she does not need your pity.”

“I’m not pitying her and that isn’t true, but then again what do you know? You haven’t even made an attempt to get to know her!”

“Pardon me, do not raise your voice to me!”

“You don’t get it Klaus! She’s my best friend and all she wants is to be able to get along with you and maybe even be your friend, yet here you are pushing her away before giving her the time of day,” I argued back letting out a huff.

~~~ Klaus’ POV ~~~

Blinking I looked at my younger brother in shock as he got loud with me as he certainly has never been like this before. Letting out a small scoff and to think he was standing up for the god of the Underworld, it didn’t matter how many Hades come and go; they will all be the same.

“Apologize.”

“Pardon me- what?’

“You’re going to go and apologize to her.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“Fine then, I just won’t talk to you until you do so,” Elias said, turning around and starting to walk away from me. “Persephone,” I called his name, but he showed no sign of turning around. Letting out a small growl when I no longer saw him in sight, I couldn’t believe it's come to this. Standing there for a moment I finally gave in and created a portal to go speak with the god.

Arriving back into the gloomy and fiery surroundings I was approached by one of the denizens with a weapon in its hands. “State your business! You’ve already collected the goddess so what could you need from our queen,” it demanded in a questioning manner. “I’ve come… Seeking an audience with Hades,” I said pausing as I couldn’t believe I was doing this. “Follow me then,” the demon said after a brief pause, lowering its weapon and starting to lead the way which I silently followed. Walking through the castle I looked around as admittedly it looked a lot cleaner than how it looked when the last Hades was in control. Moments after walking we entered what looked to be the study room or a library. “The queen will be with you momentarily. Do not touch or break anything,” the demon announced before giving the warning and closing the doors after it left. Rolling my eyes I looked around and decided to examine a few things to kill time.

Over the large fireplace was the mural of Hades herself with her three headed hellhound, she had a soft smile yet it didn’t match the sad look in her eyes- no, no, I wasn’t going to be another fool falling for any tricks or lies. Walking around the room I stopped by the table that had a closed book that caught my attention. Leaning over I read the cover: The Hades tales: Lizette as on the spine of the book after I picked it up I noticed it had engraved 2019 -, so it was pretty much like the book I received when I started. Looking around to see if anyone was in the room I looked back down and opened it to read a little, this would be the best way to get insight on any evil plans she could be plotting.

Entry 4:

Another failed day of attempting to leave the Underworld; it’s official I’m stuck in this fire hole. Though now that I’m apparently a god, goddess? Eh whatever I am I cannot help but wonder about my mortal life; actually I couldn’t help but wonder if I’m here because I died. Not like I’m going to get any answers from anyone or anything for that matter. It’s going to take a while to get used to all of this and all of the duties, but hopefully things will go alright.

Rolling my eyes I continued to flip through a couple more pages till I stopped on another entry.

Entry 17:

I’ve finally managed to restore the garden! Even if many of the plants and flowers are dead or deadly they still deserve to be tended to like any other. Things haven’t been easy, but I’m grateful to the other gods who reside here that have pointed me in the right direction of what I should be doing. As I’ve become very proud of myself; I have declared that depending on the judgments of the souls that appear here that those who are deserving of a second chance will be reincarnated. Though I cannot control how they are reborn, at least they can watch over their loved ones to see them grow… It can only get me thinking of what will become of me when my time comes: will I get to be reborn into a new life or will I just disappear and cease to exist to be forgotten for an eternity with only the tales from this book be all that is left of me.

It was much to my surprise that I learned that she wasn’t keeping the souls condemned here, no wonder why it doesn’t feel as congested as it has in the past. My eyes softened at the words of how she questioned what happens after this life that not even I have really even thought of it that way. Peeking around there was still no sign of anyone in the room so I continued to read through. Then I came upon a more recent entry that looked very long.

Entry 60:

Truly I don’t know why I bother anymore, why do I continue to put the effort into befriending Demeter; I’ve easily given up on befriending the others who dislike me for the very same reason as his… Maybe because it’s simply because Demeter is Elias’ brother, but regardless it shouldn’t hurt so much every time he insults me and there are days where I can take it but even then I can only take so much. I fully understand I cannot change the history of what’s taken place, but that doesn’t mean it has to keep repeating itself right? To whoever reads this after-

“Oh what do I owe the return of the goddess of harvest,” I heard the familiar voice that disrupted my reading and quickly looked up to find where the god was to see her walking across the other side of the table. Before I could even speak I heard her say, “Oh don’t tell me, maybe you’ve come back to remind me just how much you despise me. Or maybe how you hope I rot in hell; oh wait I’m already doing so haha.” She had a straight face as the flat laugh at her own poor joke, the laughter that sounded nothing like the ones that I’d hear whenever she spoke to Elias. Clearing my throat I responded, “I never seek to be making returns here unless it’s for my brother, but no I haven’t returned to simply insult you… I’ve come to apologize.” Hearing that laugh from before I watched as she leaned against the wall and folded her arms with a raised eyebrow.

“You coming to apologize to me, surely it isn’t of your own accord... Let me guess, dear sweet Lias got angry with you and threatened you. To which of course god forbid you’re ever on his bad side that you’d pretty much do whatever to be in his good graces again,” she said pretty much hitting the mark. “Regardless if you are correct or not I’ve come to apologize and then be on my way,” I simply replied to which I saw her baby blue eyes roll. “Then don’t bother apologizing to me. Tell him whatever you wish, but I don’t want empty apologies. I’ve said my apologies and I’m tired of repeating myself so I won’t any more,” she outright told me as I blinked a couple of times not having expected that from her. “Whether you accept it or not I apologize for my… Rudeness,” I apologized for the sake of doing it though seeing her like this gave me an odd feeling.

I noticed her eyebrows knitting together as she was looking at me until I saw her making her way over to me. “Why do you have my book?! Give that to me,” she loudly asked before coming right up to me and snatching her book back and holding it close to her. Looking at her I think this was the first time we were ever this close and actually looking at her… Did she always look this pretty? “I thought reading it would give me insight to see if you were planning anything evil… But from the few I have read there was nothing sinister I could see. Forgive me for intruding into your personal book,” I said honestly before again apologizing though this time I was serious. She was silent with a pout on her face while looking me in the eyes, seeming to debate something mentally before soon enough a small sigh left her lips. Snapping myself out of whatever trance I felt myself slipping into I cleared my throat. “Yes well. Now that things have been settled… I shall be taking my leave,” I said excusing myself as with that I’ve used my powers to head back home.

~~~~~~

There were times when Persephone would grow bored and demand to go visit Hades; however it hasn't been six months yet, so I would take it upon myself to accompany my brother to make sure he would not stay too long. Of course I’d keep my distance, but watching the two interact slowly over time I came to see that their relationship was as my brother had said many times in the past, purely platonic. She certainly was a strange Hades as she never really behaved like one, but I wasn’t going to admit that out loud. Of course we still argued and fought as there were occasions I’d be forced to take part in the conversations the two would have; very much like the one they were having at this moment during tea.

“Again? To think Hercules would keep trying at this point,” I listened to my brother comment about her story from the other day. “You don’t think he could be in love with you,” was the next thing I heard my brother bring up only to hear Hades' laughter instantly afterwards. “Oh lord I hope not haha. Don’t get me wrong, when he isn’t trying to swing his blade at me Ted can be nice… He’s just not that bright,” she replied instantly before adding on “And besides let’s be honest; who is going to love me, of all gods romantically?” Letting that comment sink in I couldn’t help but feel this strange pit in my stomach.

“Well what about Rex? You’ve been telling me how you two were writing letters back and forth as of lately,” Elias brought up possibly trying to prove a point or something. Exactly knowing who my brother was talking about: the goddess of good counsel, Themis. Hades only seemed to shake her head in a no manner. “Or what about Vain? He comes to visit often no; surely a man with that kind of dedication to make time for you is bound to harbor feelings for you right,” Elias seemed adamant to prove her statement wrong. A name of a god I did not like; Kratos was a man I did not care for nor did I get along well with, but why did the possible thought of the brute being involved so closely to Hades bother me so much? It wasn’t like I myself harbored any feelings towards the lonely god... She simply shrugged her shoulders resting her chin into the palm of her hand.

“Yes he comes to visit when he pleases and brings the heads of his enemies as an ‘offering’ to give to me… But I really don’t think it has any more meaning behind it,” she said, shooting down that idea in a heartbeat. An exaggerated sigh came from Elias as he stood up from his seat before saying, “Lizzy there is someone for everyone, just because it isn’t now doesn’t mean that being doesn’t exist. Now pardon me I shall be right back.” With that my brother started to walk away from the table and exited the room with creaking doors closing behind him now just leaving just us.

A silence filled the room only hearing the soft crunch sound of Hades taking a bite of some fruit. Glancing over to her, her gaze was down at the plate I found myself carefully looking at her; how her pastel blue hair cascaded down off her shoulders like a waterfall, the way she delicately ate the slices of fruit. It was almost hard to believe this was the same god I was supposed to hate. Deciding to break the silence I softly cleared my throat and asked, “Do you really think no one would ever love you?” Watching as she picked up her head I noticed an eyebrow raise up when looking at me. “Why would it matter to you? Actually I’m surprised you haven’t agreed with me already and added how I’m just simply an unlovable god,” I listened to her say instead of actually answering my question while slouching in her seat and crossing her arms over her chest. Internally I couldn’t help but wince, honestly hearing her say that so openly felt like a jab to the chest; however I guess that was my own fault for how I’ve mistreated her.

“Lizette list-” I began to talk trying to call her by her mortal name until she cut me off.

“Don’t call me that.”

“What?”

“I have no attachment to that name. Just because it’s written in my book doesn’t mean I have any memories of that name so it means nothing to me. And besides I didn’t think we were anywhere near a mortal name basis,” Lizzy proceeded to explain. I didn’t answer right away trying to find how to properly say what I wanted without sounding rude. “You’re right we weren’t… But I’ve been seeing what my brother has been trying to tell me, I realized I’ve hurt you a lot because I didn’t want to believe that a being could change how a god is supposed to be,” I started off with but didn’t stop there. “I know we fight because of me, because it was all I knew with how all the stories from past Demeters' I’ve read yet… Here you were trying to make that difference and I kept fighting it. I’m sorry Lizzy,” I finished talking and apologized in the end even if she didn’t accept it. After that things got a little bit easier, not perfect but better than the beginning.

~~~~~~

It was a new month as of course it was that time again where the god of thunder threw his monthly get together. “Are you ready,” I called out asking my younger brother as I hated going to these gatherings every single time as unfortunately Albert would never allow me to skip one, speaking of skipping I could only wonder if the ruler of the Underworld herself would be going. Hearing footsteps I saw Elias join me giving a nod of the head in a yes manner so with that I made our portal to Olympus. Greeted by the familiar surroundings already many of the gods and goddesses present greeted us while we made our way to the ballroom. Many were dancing or mingling, crowded as usual. “It seems that she isn’t here yet,” I heard Elias mutter under his breath as it was obvious that he was looking around for Lizzy. “Perhaps she decided to skip this month's party again,” I simply stated as that was one of the things I’ve envied about her; she managed to skip out on countless parties until the god of thunder himself goes to force her to come.

“Ah you made it, it’s so great to see the both of you,” the sound of the all too familiar cheerful voice was already making me feel slightly annoyed. Turning to where the voice was coming from and much to my surprise there Albert was with Lizzy right beside him, she didn’t look all too happy about being here; though then again I couldn’t blame her. Instantly Elias and her greeted each other with a hug as seeing her smile caused a small stir in my chest. There was a brief moment when our eyes met as I wasn’t completely sure how to react so I gave a small nod of my head along with a slight smile which she returned with an awkward one of her own. “Well as usual I hope you guys enjoy yourselves! If you pardon me Elias I’ll be borrowing her for a little bit,” Albert said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders bringing her to him. “Do I really need to dance, I thought making an appearance would have sufficed,” she asked while getting dragged away. “It won’t kill you to loosen up and dance once in a while Lizzy dear! Besides I’ve missed your company,” I could hear Albert say as soon enough disappeared into the crowd of gods and goddesses.

A small scoff came out as I felt myself slightly getting more irritated by Albert’s actions than normal. “Brother are you alright,” I heard Elias’ voice bring me back as I looked over to him. Giving a curt nod of my head I replied, “Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?” He seemed to give me a questioning look and seemed to shrug his shoulders lightly. “It just seemed like something was bothering you is all,” Elias said as I didn’t really do or say anything to his comment. After him excusing himself to go off to walk around I was left on my own finding myself to lean against one of the columns watching everyone dancing. That was when I got a glimpse of Albert and Lizzy dancing together and it only seemed to put me in even a worse mood seeing them together so close. Was this my punishment for how I poorly treated her in the past, was this to feel the pain that she’s felt herself; regardless it wasn’t pleasant. I tried to do everything I could to not feel anything for the ruler of the Underworld, yet here I was in love with her and it hurt. As the party progressed I found myself slightly drinking as I could only watch from the distance while Lizzy was currently chatting with Albert, Elias, and Rex as she looked like she was enjoying the conversation.

“So this is where you’ve been the whole time,” I heard the annoyingly cheerful voice of Hermes in my ear as I didn’t bother to look at him. “Not now Hermes I’m really not in the mood to really converse with anyone,” I stated wishing he’d simply go away. “Aw come now don’t be a party pooper! Oh are you watching your brother with Lizzy and them, Elias was telling me that you and Lizzy have been slowly getting along better,” He rambled on as I let out a sigh. It was when I noticed Kratos himself joining their group and greeted her with a hug, even going as far as kissing the top of her hand; nope I have had enough of watching this. Ditching my drink I simply started to walk over to them leaving Hermes on his own to his own rambling. As I drew closer I seemed to have caught the groups’ attention as Albert seemed to open his mouth. “Ah Klaus so you decided to join us! I was just about to go looking for you,” he said, wearing that usual happy smile that I hated, it always seemed so fake. I didn’t respond while I simply went up to Lizzy and grabbed her upper arm though making sure not to hurt her before starting to pull her away. “Come with me,” I said having mixed feelings as maybe having a few sips of that drink wasn’t a good idea. “Hey what are you doing?! Demeter what’s gotten into you,” I heard her asking while I just kept walking until we were alone out on one of the balconies.

Feeling the cool air against my warm face felt refreshing and helped me recollect myself a little. Feeling her arm rip out of my grasp I looked down at her as she had a confused yet stern look on her face. “Demeter what was that all about,” she questioned me, her arms now crossed.

~~~~~~

Back inside Elias was glancing over at Albert with a concerned look on his face. “Are you sure it was a good idea to take it that far,” Elias asked which Albert simply gave a small chuckle and gave the goddess of Spring a pat on the head. “Everything will work out one way or another. Besides, if he wasn’t given that push then what would have given him the drive to be honest with how he feels,” Albert said plainly as Vain showing up wasn’t a part of the god of thunder’s plans, but it seemed to help. Elias let out a small sigh before saying, “I sure hope so.”

~~~~~~

“Stop calling me Demeter,” I said instead of answering her question.

“Wait what? Then what do you want me to call you… Are you feeling alright?”

“I said stop calling me Demeter, I want you to call me Klaus,” I repeated myself but not stopping there. “Before you say anything I know- I know there was a time when I said I never would be on a mortal name basis with you, but I take that back.” She looked at me shocked with her baby blue eyes but after a moment they went back to normal. “If… That was all you wanted to say, that's fine but that didn’t call for you storming over and dragging me off like you did,” she replied. I felt my heart banging against my chest, taking a deep breath. I said, “But that isn’t all I have to say… I like you Lizzy, I’m in love with you.” All was silent except the winds blowing past and the faint sound of the music playing inside. “That isn’t funny,” I heard her say as now I was confused. “What,” I asked in return. “If- if this is some twisted sick joke of your’s it isn’t funny kay! Don’t go saying you love me if you don’t because I won’t be able to take it,” She explained as I could hear the cracking in her voice. “For the longest time I’ve been convincing myself to move on because I knew I never stood a chance, that you’d forever hate me because of who I am! So please- please don’t say you love me if it’s just a lie,” she continued as I felt my heart ache and sting as if pricked by needles; tears were falling down her face.

I walked up to her cupping her face in my hands to wipe her tears away. “I love you. I’m so sorry that I was so cruel to you, that for so long I just pushed you away and no amount of apologizing will make the things I’ve said go away… But I can only hope that you’d allow me to prove to you that I am serious,” I said, looking at her this close under the moonlight she was even more beautiful than usual. “Why now, what made you have a change of heart,” she asked, feeling her smaller hands overlap my own. “Because when I finally did take the moment to give you a chance I saw what a good person you were, you really aren’t like any of the Hades that came before you. For some time I kept my distance in fear of the possibility I grew attached; I’ve read past Persephones’ books and I found out their happiest days were with their Hades… And if I had to suppress my own feelings for the sake of my brother’s happiness I was willing to do so,” I said explaining myself as it felt good to get this all off my chest. “So… Will you give me a chance,” I asked patiently awaiting her response. A minute or two passed until she gave a small nod in a yes manner before I felt myself smiling with joy. Leaning down I pressed my lips to her soft ones; she slightly smelt of pears and honey. Pulling away I felt myself finally feel completely calm and relaxed which I felt her slim arms wrap around me completing the embrace.

“Could we stay out here a little while longer?”

“Hehe sure Klaus; I could use a break from being in there anyway.”

[bexterbex]

A Soul to Mend His Own | Ch. 69

Happy May the Fourth, to all of my readers. A long chapter is ahead of you, I suggest you grab some tissues for this one. You will need it. 

Warning, PLEASE CHECK TAGS IF YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU DON’T WANT TO READ THEN DON’T READ. Tag lists are closed

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Will tag as I go along, Will update tags, Slow Burn, Influenced by Star Trek and other Sci-Fi themes, References to We Happy Few, Tons of References and quotes to George Orwells 1984 see if you can find them all, The First Order is the new Big Brother,  but who is really surprised, Blatant Nazi Symbolism, Interrogation Themes, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Really just drawn out Slow Burn, Don’t repost without permission, Torture themes, Suggestive Themes, Execution themes, Disturbing Themes, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Controlling Kylo Ren, Physical Abuse, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Kylo Ren is Not Nice, Kylo Ren Has Issues, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, Possessive Kylo Ren, A character shamelessly based on Zelda

A Kylo Ren x Modern! Reader in a soulmate au with canon divergence. —————————————SLOWBURN————————————–

He is already the Supreme leader, searching the universe to find you, his Empress. Your name on his wrist has been the only constant in his life, while you have doubts about his existence and his acceptance of you. He isn’t in the database and why did the name Kylo Ren cover Ben Solo?

MASTERLIST

Chapter 69: Wedding Bells

“Long Live the Supreme Leader,” erupted the crowd in repeat. You stepped back from the podium as the First Order anthem played and salutes were given. After the anthem was finished the crowd fell into deafening chants of ‘Long Live the Supreme Leader’ and ‘Bow to the First Order.’ You quickly took your leave back to your chambers as Hux took over the assembly. He gave you a small nod as a sign of good work.

Kuruk and Trudgen flanked you, back all the way to your chambers. Your staff would be returning when the assembly was officially over, but you had the privilege of only needing to be there for your part. You informed the knights that you would like to be alone.

You sat down and tried to process what you had just seen. Kylo killing her, killing Rey. The woman who thought she could take him away from you. If you were being honest with yourself what you witnessed should have appalled you, but it didn’t. There was something in you that was thrilled at him protecting you, at protecting your relationship with him. He was an unhinged demon sent to protect you, your own personal god.

You were disturbed from your thoughts by your staff entering your chambers. There was a buzz of excited chatter among them. They apparently enjoyed watching the battle, just probably not as much as you did. You all quickly got back to work on ceremony arrangements. You were going to send a few of them down to the surface to monitor and report back on the repairs.

Before lunch, the dressmaker arrived with your dress in her hands. It was covered in a bag, but you sent your staff away as you lead her to your dressing room. Only Adlez and Olivia-Rose were allowed to see it before the ceremony. Your jaw dropped when the dressmaker pulled it out of the bag. “It’s beautiful.” You ran your hand over the lace of sleeves.

“I need you to try it on as there may need to be a few adjustments to be made,” said the old woman. But the dress fit like a glove.

You felt like a goddess and you looked like one too. You were definitely going to stand out from the venue itself. You would look like a rare white Lilium amongst the scorched earth. A piece of delicately pure femininity amongst the masculine obsidian architecture. And next to Kylo you were going to look like the fair maiden that tamed the savage, bloodthirsty monster. A piece of pure moonlight cherished by the most menacing black as dusk creature to grace the galaxy. His own personal star, in the coldness of his grim night sky.

When Adlez placed the veil on your head you instantly knew you were ready for this, ready to marry him, ready to be Empress. For the first time, you felt so sure that this would be your destiny. Your eternity with him.

“Empress Ren,” said Adlez as she looked at you in the mirror.

You met her eyes with a smile. “Yes.”

All three of them sang praises of your beauty. You didn’t even want to take off the dress, but you knew you had to as it wasn’t time yet. With a saddening heart, you watched as Adlez hung it up on the back of the armoire. You would get to wear it in two days’ time, or so you hoped. But for now, you were finishing up plans for the ceremony.

The dress was put away; you had your usual luncheon with members of the High Command, your lesson, dinner, and then getting ready for bed. Your schedule still feeling rather boring as the anticipation of the ceremony growing closer took over your every thought. You were prepared for bed by Adlez and Olivia-Rose, who both insisted that since it was so close to the ceremony that you needed to be pampered every night and every morning. Once they were done you tucked yourself into bed as Adlez handed you your sleeping pill, seeing as really you only needed someone there to make sure you took it after you were already lying down, for your safety.

You woke up the next morning and were pampered again. You were to visit the surface again, just to see the preparations for yourself. Adlez and Olivia-Rose were going to join you as they needed to see the room you were going to get ready in. You wanted only them to see you in your dress before the ceremony, so that meant you had to get ready at the castle.

The descent to the surface felt different this time. None of your party felt as anxious or worried as they did previously. When you exited the ship you were greeted by excited Alazmec. The translation droid told you that they were saying variations of ‘its nice to see you, goddess’ ‘welcome back’ ‘bless you’ and other joyous things. You told the droid to thank them, even if there was no way to directly say it.

You approached the large imposing monument. The repairs on the outside seemed to be coming along. The Alazmec seemed to set up a shrine or offering table right outside the entrance. It made you smile; they seemed to be very happy that the castle was being repaired. The inside of the castle looked even better than the outside. The black obsidian was so shiny they were mirrors. They looked like they could hold your future, but in a way they did.

You were shown to a side room that would be where you were supposed to get ready. Adlez and Olivia-Rose were moving about the room. You heard Adlez speak to an officer about getting a vanity and a full-length mirror. Which he promptly took as an order. You were very pleased at the progress of everything. You left them in that room to visit the ceremony space again. This time the room was immaculate. You imagined standing there with Kylo, being announced his wife, being crowned Empress. Wearing your dress. It was all starting to come together.

You meandered around the room for a bit waiting for the rest of your landing party to join you. Once they did you made your way back to the shuttle and back to the Supremacy. You had a luncheon, your lesson, and then you were alone for dinner. Just after dinner, you decided to curl up by the fireplace upstairs before you would get ready for bed. Tomorrow would be your wedding day, and you wanted to enjoy the peace while you still had it, but that didn’t happen.

You received a holo transmission from Kylo, but he wasn’t there exactly.  You could see him, but it wasn’t your normal call, you almost wondered if this was another pre-recorded transmission like that from the day before with the scavenger, but you could see the little red light to signify that this was a live call. You called out to him but he couldn’t hear you; you kept watching what was happening.

And then you saw her, his mother. She approached him slowly. “Please take off that mask. You don’t need it.” Her voice reflected the tiredness you saw in her eyes.

He dwarfed her in size, “What do you think you’ll see if I do?” His approach towards her was less threatening than it was with Rey. He still looked like a beast before his prey, but this time he regarded her as more.

She looked sad, “The face of my son.” Her voice was earnest. She had the face of a mother that was desperate to see her child once more. The son that was right in front of her.

He took off the helmet. You could see her eyes water more as she looked upon his face.

“Your son is gone. He was weak and foolish, just like his father. So I destroyed him. I am destroying him to protect her.” You could hear waves of emotion in his voice now. They were no longer being distorted by his helmet’s modulator. “Did you come here to say you forgive me? To save my soul?”

She shook her head, “I failed you, Ben, my son.” She was still using the name of the man he despised, the man he wanted to kill.

“You did. And I’m sure you are. The Resistance will be dead. The war is over. And when I kill you, I will have killed the last piece of Ben Solo. I’ve destroyed the scavenger, and soon you, and all of it.” He wildly gestured around him. You wished you could see inside his mind, just like he was able to see inside yours. Tears were freely falling from your face, you knew what was about to happen.

“You don’t have to do this,” she was pleading to the devil now. But he couldn’t save her, he couldn’t save himself. He had made his decision long ago, and now he was fulfilling his destiny.  

“I’m being torn apart. I want to be free of this pain. I want her free of this pain. I know what I have to do, but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it.” You lurched forward in your seat, on edge at what you were witnessing. Your heart constricting as you knew he needed to do it, but part of you was mourning for him. You wished there was another way.  

“You do know this won’t be the end of it? I know you have felt it too. Something is stirring. It needs to end.” She knew something you didn’t. You were worried. What was she saying? Was something worse on the horizon?  

He simply nodded and asked, “Will you help me?” He held out his hand.

“Of course,” she seemed to know what he was asking as she took his hand. He drew her into his arms. You watched as a son held his mother in one last embrace.

“Thank you.” You saw the red flash of his saber. Unlike the scavenger, her ending was peaceful, there was no fight. You watched as he dropped to his knees, clutching her body to his. You heard a singular loud grief-filled sob before her body disappeared from his arms. With his back still to you, he picked up and put on his helmet. His shield from the outside world. He stood, and as he straightened his back the transmission ended.

You felt cold, and you quickly looked at your wrist. The name Ben Solo was gone. Kylo Ren was now in bold black letters. He killed him. Ben Solo was dead. Kylo Ren was victorious. Your head grew dizzy with the realization and before you could do anything you blacked out.

You awoke to a frantic Adlez holding you; you were on the floor. “M’lady are you all right? We’ve been trying to wake you for an hour now.” Your eyes were finally able to focus on those around you.

“I’m fine. The Supreme Leader will be back for the ceremony tomorrow. I need to get some rest,” you responded to her.

The doctor looked at you with a knowing eye. “Yes, in fact, I recommend that you do get some rest.”

Adlez and Olivia-rose got you ready for bed, they drew you a relaxing bath, once that was over they helped you change. When you exited the bathroom, the doctor was still waiting patiently for you.

“I’ll give her her medication tonight, you have an early morning tomorrow. Go get some rest,” said Dr. Dabrini to Adlez.

She gave you both a look but followed orders.

“Now m’lady may I presume that your fainting spell had something to do with the Supreme Leader?” He knew the situation all too well to hide anything from him.

“Yes, he’s finally killed Ben Solo, completely. I think that’s why I passed out,” you confided.

“You are the first known case of this circumstance, so I wouldn’t be surprised, but you and the Supreme Leader are also more compatible biologically than any other match I’ve ever seen. I just wanted to confirm my suspicions.”vHe then gave you your sleeping pill, and you fell asleep quicker this time. You were out by the time he had left the bedroom. Your body’s exhaustion catching up to you. Another black, dreamless night. A comfort to you now.

Adlez and Olivia-Rose singing “Here Comes the Bride” awoke you. This put you in a pleasant mood, to see them in such excellent moods. You were also just excited to see Kylo in person again. To see him as himself fully for the first time, to see him as just Kylo Ren.

They got you into the bathroom for another bath, this time you were heavily inspected from head to toe. You were to be perfect today. And they would make sure of it. Once you passed inspection you were dressed in a long black wrap dress for your travels of the day. As a treat, you had breakfast out on the patio complete with mimosas. You were only joined by them as the rest of your staff were to help with the preparations of the ceremony itself.

After breakfast Adlez grabbed your dress and Olivia-Rose got everything else, you would need to get ready, and then you were off to the hangar to go down to the surface. Your excitement grows with every second. Exiting the ship you were once again greeted with cheers of excitement from the Alazmec, but now there were officers and ‘troopers among them. You felt like a princess.

You entered the castle being quickly ushered into the side room where you were to get ready, “I will personally stick the Supreme Leader with a pin if he tries to see you before the ceremony. I’ve been informed that it is bad luck in your culture and I do not mess with superstitions,” said Adlez, shutting the door behind you.

“Speaking of which,” said Olivia-Rose. “We have some things for you. The first being something old,” she produced a beautiful set of earrings. They featured a small white pearl at the base, but attached to a long delicate silver chain was a larger black pearl. “These belonged to Queen Padme Amidala herself. They are one of the most sensible pieces of jewelry she owned.”

“And this is something new,” said Adlez handing you a matching pearl necklace, with two small white pearls bookending a larger black one on a delicate silver chain. “A gift from the both of us.”

You didn’t know what to say, but you started to choke up while trying to thank them.

“Now, now, now. We shall have no tears before the wedding,” said Adlez, wiping them from your face.

“Thank you both, I really appreciate it,” you were great full for both of them. You would be utterly lost in this whole experience if it wasn’t for them.

“It's the least we can do,” said Olivia-Rose. You saw a sweet smile erupt on her face. But before any conversation could continue, there was a knock on the door.

“Ah that should be the something borrowed,” said Adlez. The door opened to reveal Captain Phasma.

“You should not need this, but here is there something borrowed. It is one of the few things from my planet that I brought with me to the First Order.” She handed you a small intricate knife. The gesture almost made you tear up again, but you held it in.

“Thank you Phasma I hope I won’t have to use it either,” you gave her a knowing smirk. If anyone tried anything while Kylo was present, your knife would be the least of their worries.

“And finally something blue,” said Adlez. It was cheesy, but it was a beautiful blue lace garter. “I think this is something the Supreme Leader will enjoy,” She said with a wink.

You were thankful they paid attention to the small cheesy wedding tradition; it made you feel as if this was the plan all along.

Adlez did your hair in an intricate but elegant style, something more sleek than the late queen ever wore. Olivia-Rose kept your makeup beautiful but simple, bringing out your natural beauty. Once they were done they helped you dress in your wedding gown. Applying finishing touches here and there before putting on your cathedral length veil. You had a bouquet made of all your favorite flowers; it reminded you of when you first met Kylo, the small but kind gesture he gave you. You were ready to go down the aisle.

Olivia-Rose slipped out of the room. She was to inform you when it was time. Adlez was giving you a reassuring pep talk that you really didn’t pay attention to. You were too focused on wanting to rush out and get this all over with. Olivia-Rose stuck her head in, giving you the go-ahead. Both of them guided you through the door into the adjoining hall that led to the ceremony space. It was completely empty, just like you hoped. You wanted everyone to see you at once. You wanted to take their breath away.

You paused at the entrance to the space, Olivia-Rose and Adlez opened the doors for you revealing you to all that awaited your entrance, and most of all to Kylo. There was no traditional march music, you just strode confidently down the aisle to him, and to where Hux stood as the officiant.

Kylo himself looked the same, but different in many ways. He wasn’t wearing his mask or his usual uniform. He was wearing a black coat-like garment that featured embroidery that made him look like the galaxy himself. Once again his hair was braided out of his face, and a single gold circlet crown adorned his head. He looked stunning.

The ceremony itself was just the common practice one from your planet, with all the to have and to hold and in sickness and in health vows. Really, you couldn’t focus on anything other than Kylo. His black eyes searching your face, holding your own eyes hostage. You remember the exchange of rings. Kylo’s being a simple black band with a silver cut out that matched the shape of yours. Your ring was a simple silver band with a large black jagged stone, it reminded you of Kylo.

You also remember the kiss, after Hux said the words “You may now kiss the bride,” Kylo scooped you up into his arms so fast, his lips crashing down onto yours. You could tell he couldn’t really take it any longer, he needed to be with you. He dipped you back in the old fashion way and deepened the kiss. Most couples had a chaste first kiss as a married couple, you did not, but you were not complaining. After you heard Hux clear his throat Kylo brought you back up to vertical and ended the kiss. You had no idea how long your first kiss was, but you didn’t care.

After the kiss was your coronation, which also went by in a rather a blur. You remember having to kneel in front of Kylo as he deemed you Empress, and you remember the removal of your veil and the placing of your crown. Unlike Kylo, you had a proper crown, one that made you feel like the Empress you were. You also remember being announced Empress and hearing a roaring cheer.

You remember taking Kylo’s arm and walking down the opposite hallway to where you came from. You hadn’t explored this part of the castle. Suddenly you remember that you never planned any sort of reception after the wedding, but upon entering the room he led you to, there was no need for one.

There was a small buffet spread, much like the one when you first met him, but you were in a rather elegant bedroom this time. Your anxiety spiked.

“Would you like to eat first,” asked the man in question himself. He could probably feel how nervous you were. It was practically radiating off of you.

In the back of your mind, you had expected a reception before your wedding night. There was always a reception. You felt stupid. “Yes, please.” You were attempting to stall. You haven’t seen him in over a week, let alone really even touch him—kiss him. You felt like a typical blushing virgin at the whole ordeal, but you weren’t.

He guided you to the food, both of you choosing a rather small amount of the rich selection. You were worried that if you ate too much, it might make you sick with your current spiked anxiety. You stuck to light foods, enough to take the edge off of your worries, but not enough to make you look and feel heavy. When you both finished your food Kylo took your plate from you and set it aside.  He then took your hand and guided you to the bed, he paused at the foot of the bed and in a swift but suave motion he brought your hand to his lips where he graced it with a kiss. His lips kissed along the back of your hand and eventually found their way to your wrist, to his name. With hungry eyes he stepped closer to you, enchanting you with his overwhelming presence.

As he drew you in close to his lips found that familiar place behind your ear, his place, his mark. His hand found the small of your back as he pushed you flush against him, that hand trailed its way down to your ass where he held you in place. You could feel him still for a moment before his other hand raised your chin up, so your lips barely met his. “I have waited for this moment for a thousand lifetimes, Kitten.” Something about the way he said his pet name for you at that moment had you melting like putty in his hands.

You felt his hand come back up to the bare opening of your dress; he started to unbutton it. His lips brushed over yours before he said, “Actually, I’ll let the Force handle this.” You then felt his hand leave your back, to cup the side of your face. An all too familiar presence then started unbuttoning the dress for him. You attempted to return the favor, but you struggled, earning a chuckle in response as Kylo assisted you.

His hands guided the dress down your arms, and he took a step back to assist you with stepping out of your gown. You then led him to the bed, you in just your bra, underwear and garter, and him in just the black slacks. He looked down at your little lace garter in confusion, toying with it before he attempted to hook a finger through it but you stopped him. “It’s actually a tradition that you... remove it with your teeth.” You could feel yourself blush as you suggested it.

He cocked a brow, with a smirk dancing on his lips, “With my teeth?”

You eagerly nodded, hoping he would take the hint and indulge you. When his head dipped down to your thigh, you knew you had won a small victory. You felt him kiss the tender flesh of your inner thigh before he nibbled around the edge of the garter, nothing too harsh, but more of a tickle. You then felt him take it between his teeth, and he play growled at you causing you to gasp, as he held eye contact as he slid the piece of lace down your leg and off your foot.

He crawled back up to your face with the piece of discarded lace still in his mouth. He hovered directly over your face as he spoke with it between his teeth, “Did I do it right?”

You let out a cry and agreed feverishly, you could see your blush now extending down to your chest as you got a heated feeling between your thighs, where close to where his face just was. You looked up at him from under your lashes, trying to maintain any semblance of innocence you had in front of this hungry beast. His lips attacked yours, in a familiar but new fashion. Now he had an end goal that was attainable, his desire bleeding into the kiss. His hands winding into your hair, like a prayer on the wind. You braced a hand against his strong broad chest and wound another in his hair, feeling the back of his skull under your fingertips.

Somewhere in between kissing you and making fresh new marks down your neck, he had managed to unhook your bra, chucking it somewhere behind him. His large calloused hands roamed your bare chest, squeezing and testing each breast in his hands. His fingers teasing and pinching your nipples, causing deep moans, where he used the opportunity to shove his tongue down your throat.  Eventually, his lips made their way back down your neck and to your breasts, taking their time as they nipped the tender flesh beneath them. As eager as you assumed him to be, he was taking his time. As if he was committing every individual pore to memory.

You soon felt his wet tongue against your nipple, licking, teasing you, before his lip enclosed around it. And you felt a pleasurable pressure as he sucked and teased your tit. You threw your head back in a moan as your hips met his, grinding against his. You heard a growl like a groan from deep within his chest, “So you like that Kitten?” It was a question that really didn’t need to be answered as he could see, feel the reaction it had on you. His eyes ravenous as the stared at you from his position at your chest. You replied by rolling your pelvis against his.

He switched his attention to your other breast, doing the same as he did before, only this time he tentatively bit down this caused you to yelp in surprise. While you were distracted he hooked a finger into the band of your thong and pulled it down off your body, using the Force to fully remove it from your equation. His lips came crashing down onto yours and dominated you as they always did. He continued to bruise your lips as he feasted upon your tender flesh. He took his time as he made his way back to his branding mark behind your ear, making sure it was as dark as it was before he left. While one hand was toying with your hair, keeping it out of his way, the other took one of yours in his as he guided you to his pants. Assisting you as you fumbled to get them off of him. Both of you eventually gave up as he used the Force to rid his body of them.

And then you were bare under him, just as he was over you, his gaze locking you in place, “Would you like me to be sweet or would you like to meet the beast you married?” His eyes were pooling with desire and power. He was starving and only you could sate him.

Both options thrilled you as you could feel the slick starting to pool between your legs. You had been denying him for too long. “Are those my only options?” You fluttered your lashes at him, there was no need to flirt, but you couldn’t help yourself. It boosted your confidence knowing that he only had passion for you—only you.

“Yes, one or the other kitten.” A smirk gracing his plump, bruised lips. He was doing a wonder on himself as he was worshiping you. You quickly glanced down between you, his hard cock close you your tender wet cunt. You wanted him.

“How about I take sweet first and if I’m up for it afterward, I will tame the beast?” He was too close, yet too far away. You just wanted him to do something about your lust, your desire. You wanted him.

His smirk disappeared for a moment, as a deep desire swirled in the dark pools of his eyes. “As you wish,” his voice probably coming out more hoarse than he intended.

One of his hands fell you onto your belly and slowly made its way down to your crotch. His finger slowly, tantalizingly stroked you, causing a gasp to escape your lips. His face buried against your neck as he chucked, “Purr for me, Kitten.”  The gasps turned into moans as his strokes became circles, teasing your clit, making you squirm with pleasure. He then dipped a finger into your sopping wet entrance. You gasped again, this time arching your back and throwing your head back with want and need.

“Please,” you begged. Your body screaming for him, wanting him inside you.

“Please what Kitten,” he teased. Knowing full well what you wanted.

“Please Kylo, I want you. I need you.” Your brain struggling to find the right words, any words as he thrust his finger in and out of you, teasing a second, long thick finger at your hole.  

“You want me to what Kitten? What do you need from me, say it?”  A second finger fully joining the first scissoring inside of you before he teased a third.

“I want you...” but before you could finish your sentence, he thrust a third finger inside of you, pounding into.

He chucked at your reaction to him, “You want me to what Kitten? I won’t give it to you unless you ask.”

“Please.” Thrust. “Fuck.” Thrust.” Thrust. “Me.” Thrust. “KYLO!” You practically yelled his name as his fingers pounded inside of you, your breasts bouncing at force the motion.

His lips grazed yours before he teased, “Well since you asked so nicely.” This man was going to be the death of you in more than one way.  You whimpered as he removed his hand, but you weren’t able to complain for long as his dick teased your entrance. He lined himself up before slowly inserting his large cock. Your body had previously stretched to his fingers, but this was a different sensation altogether.

He filled you completely, owning up to the title of being more beast than man. Once he was fully sheathed in your hot wet cavern, a hand moved your hair from your face. “Tell me when to move, Kitten.” He was letting you get used to his sheer size. Your walls clamping down around him as you tried to adjust. Your body enjoying the pleasure of being full.

You nodded as words failed you. He took your hips in his hands as he slowly started to fuck into you. His lips finding yours, attempting to kiss you before you both abandoned the idea, to just rest foreheads against each other, panting as one connected being. You could tell that this was taking all of his self-control. He was being rather gentle with you. Asking if you could handle more before fucking into you harder. His pace speeding up and his hips pounding harder.

In the end, his hands abandoned your hips as he braced himself against the headboard. The entire bed shaking at the impact of his thrusts.  His groans and moans of pleasure sounding more animalistic than anything.

You felt the pressure of euphoria building, threatening to make you cum. “Kylo, I…” you attempted to warn him. He took this as a signal to pound into you even harder, which you hadn’t thought was possible, but you should stop underestimating his sheer strength and animalistic nature. Your walls squeezed around his cock as the waves of orgasm washed over you, screaming his name. You heard him snarl in pleasure above you as his thrusts lost their steady pace, joining you in your nirvana. You heard your name ghost his hips as he fucked hard into you before his pace slowed down considerably before he came to a halt. His freshly orgasmed cock still inside you. His forehead resting against yours, as you tilted your head up to kiss him, which for the first time he lazily returned, lacking his usual eager vigor.

“Thank you,” you whispered into his lips. Reveling in your post-sex glow. Your body felt new again.

“Mmhmm,” was his initial response as he was gathering his breathing. His lips returning a kiss, as you could feel his cock stiffening within you, “Now for the beast.”

A/N: I may have committed sacrilege, but it's May the Fourth and I should go out with a bang. Let me know how you are feeling either in the comments or the inbox.