#It's a 6 chapter book... Hm.... Maybe some of the later chapters are really short or something. Begin's were mostly the same length...

[solradguy]

Ok, about 230 words of LtA translated tonight. There was a paragraph with a giant complicated sentence that slowed me down a bit. Better than no progress at all though!

Bernard was introduced in what I translated tonight. I saw on the wiki that it seems he's generally referred to as Ky's butler, but I decided to render the word 「執事」 as "steward" instead because he does more than just cleans Ky's house and bring him tea biscuits lol

Bernard manages crime syndicate reports, compiles summaries of them, and works as an analyst for Ky at the former Holy Order HQ in Paris, too. That's way above a standard "butler," imo. It seems like the word 「家令」 more generally means what we think of a butler as in English anyway.

LtA hasn't referred to Bernard with「家令」 at all, but if Norimitsu uses that or「バトラー」to refer to his job later I'll change it.

[fleetingpieces]

My One in a Million CH 6

Here we go! Thanks for the patience and support everyone❤️

Thank you to my amazing betas @knittingdreams and @inloveoknutzy I love you both so much❤️

And thank you so much lovely @heyitssmiller for your amazing vet knowledge and kind help, I hope what I wrote makes sense!😅

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added! <3 )

@justdyingontheinside @donttouchmycarrots @heyoitslysso @whataboutmyfries @sunflowerfox87 @hereforwolfstarr @potterlocked24-7 @cheekeebabe

CW: dog getting sick

Here’s the Masterlist, and the story in Ao3 if you prefer to read there :)

Chapter 6 - Water tides

Remus let the water wrap around him lazily as he swam down the middle of Gryffindor Tower’s indoor pool at a serene pace. He was glad to have the place all to himself that late afternoon, as he was exhausted after a pretty intense workout.

His day had been fully booked; he’d been out since morning, only stopping home long enough to grab his gym bag and head to the building’s top floor. He was trying to clear his head and organize his thoughts, but just like in the past three days, his mind drifted to the gift that was still sitting face-down in his guestroom, waiting for him to figure out what the hell to do with it.

As he reached the other end of the pool, he stood there with his hands caressing the surface of the water, feeling the slight resistance it made against his palms.

Sirius had seemed so genuinely sorry and like he was really putting in the effort, and Remus didn’t know what to make of it. It was still hard to believe how fast things had changed; this was the man that had been driving him crazy for weeks... but he was also the one that was making Remus open up about his past, even if it was just a little bit. Even Cocoa liked him. It’d been really hard for Remus not to turn into a fucking pile of goo when he saw them together, and fuck if Sirius’ starstruck face didn’t do things to him. People were usually afraid of Cocoa, but Sirius had opened his arms to him straight away.

What an adorable bastard.

Remus groaned and dived underwater. He stayed in place, floating with his eyes closed. Doing this always gave him a sense of peace that very few other things could. With the exception of yoga, maybe.

It was terribly ironic how sometimes he felt like he couldn’t bring air into his lungs when he remembered that time, but being underwater felt so soothing, even if he was obviously not breathing. There was something about the stillness of it and how weightless it made him feel, as if nothing could bring him down; and having his eyes closed, he could imagine having infinite space all around him, like maybe he’d blink and he’d be floating with the stars.

A splash of bubbles that could only mean another person had jumped into the pool reached his ears.

Remus held on for a few seconds more before he stood up, breaking the surface as he passed a hand through his face and hair to get the water out of his eyes.

“Merde.”

The whispered word echoed in the big room, though Remus was probably not supposed to hear it. He froze with a hand still in his curls and turned towards the voice.

“Sorry, I thought it was empty,” Sirius said from a few feet away. He lifted a muscular arm to rub at the back of his head and frowned with a small smile. “Just how long can you hold your breath?”

Remus just stared at him. At the way the droplets of water dripped from his dark locks and ran down his chest and the planes of his stomach. He swallowed, lifting his gaze before it could travel down further and focused on the piercing grey eyes that were already staring back at him. It felt as though Sirius could see into his soul, and it shocked Remus to realise that the thought wasn’t as scary as it should be.

Remus wasn’t sure how long they stood there, it could have been a second or maybe hours, but the smile slowly faded from Sirius’ face.

“I can go?” he asked unsurely.

“No!” Remus said hastily, before clearing his throat. “No, it’s fine.”

“Ok...” Sirius seemed surprised. They stared at each other a few moments more, Remus wracking his brain for something to say but coming up short. Sirius shifted on his feet. “Well, I don’t want to get in your way, so…”

He started turning around to go to the other side of the pool. Remus took a deep breath.

“Wait.”

Stopping mid-movement, Sirius turned around, arching a perfect eyebrow.

“I…” Remus started, but closed his mouth. Sirius’ eyes softened, and Remus started again, more firmly. “I never thanked you.”

That made Sirius frown. “Why would you need to thank me?”

“For the painting,” Remus said simply, though he figured it should be obvious. He couldn’t help but add with a small crooked smile, “and for the cookies too. Even though they were awful.”

Sirius barked a laugh, covering his face with a hand, and Remus found himself wishing he didn’t. He wanted to see the way his eyes crinkled. “Yeah, well. I should have asked first before I did anything, sorry I assumed-”

“No,” Remus interrupted, shaking his head. “No, you had no way of knowing.” He stopped to take another deep breath. “I'm sorry, I overreacted.”

Sirius raised both eyebrows at that, he clearly hadn't expected an apology. He regarded Remus steadily before he shrugged. “It's important to you. I think it's perfectly reasonable to react the way you did.”

Such a simple phrase, and yet something tugged fiercely in Remus’ chest. He tried to ignore it and sank until the water covered up to his shoulders. There was something about this man that made raw emotions come to the surface, and he tried his best to control them.

“Still, you were only trying to do something nice. So thank you.”

Sirius nodded as he stared at him, a small smile on his face again.

“Maybe we can start over?” He swam closer and Remus resisted the urge to sink lower. Instead, he got up when the other man extended a hand towards him. "Hi. I'm Sirius Black, and I live in apartment 12. Nice to meet you," he grinned.

The resolution on Sirius' face made Remus smile too, before he glanced down at the outstretched hand and reached to shake it. Despite the coldness of the water, Sirius’ palm was so warm that Remus felt it in his core, and he looked back up quickly to find Sirius giving him an odd look.

“Remus Lupin. I’m in apartment 10, right next to yours. Funny that we didn’t bump into each other sooner,” he said playfully, earning himself another wholehearted laugh from the other man, his chest rising and falling with it.

“Ouais, funny that,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He let go of Remus’ hand and promptly plunged underwater, emerging only one second later while shaking his hair like a dog and sending a wall of droplets in Remus’ face. 

“You mutt,” said Remus as he raised an arm to cover himself, making Sirius smile widely. 

God, does he ever stop grinning? 

“So, what brought you to Gryffindor?”

The casual way he asked it made Remus relax some more. He sagged back down and moved from the shallow part of the pool, treading water as he thought of everything that had led him here.

“It’s kind of a long story, but the main reason is that I wanted to expand my brand, and I thought living in a bigger city would be better for that purpose.”

Sirius nodded as though he knew exactly what Remus was talking about. “Yeah, that makes sense. Where did you live before?”

A wistful smile tugged at Remus’ mouth, and he noticed Sirius tilting his head in curiosity. “In the countryside, just outside of Gryffindor. I was born there and lived in that town my whole life until I decided to move here.”

“Do you miss it?” Sirius asked softly.

The water lapping around them was the only sound in the air as Remus looked down at his hands, weaving them just beneath the surface.

“Yeah...I miss my mum and Leo mostly. I know it’s not too far, but it’s not easy to see them either. I guess it’s hard for me not seeing them everyday.” Remus didn’t add that it made him feel lonely, or like he was back in room 308, but Sirius seemed to sense that it was making him feel sad, cause he didn’t ask more about that and moved to another question.

“What’s your hometown like?”

Remus smiled thankfully at him. “It’s really small, nothing compared to this,” he made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “But it’s beautiful. There’s this beach that Leo and I used to go to all the time when we were kids, and later on we would always find the time to go there on small camping trips, just the two of us in bedrolls, sleeping under the stars. It became a tradition. And then, there’s a forest on the other side, with these huge trees that go on for miles, and there’s a-” Remus stopped himself when he realised he’d been going on and on without a pause, blushing a bit. He looked at Sirius sheepishly. “Sorry, I got a bit carried away.”

But Sirius was just looking at him with a dopey smile. “That’s ok. I like listening to you speak.”

Remus didn’t know what to do with that, so he cleared his throat. “What about you?”

“Hm?” Sirius asked distractedly.

“Did you always live here?”

That seemed to snap him out of whatever he’d been lost in. He ran a hand through his hair, which stayed pushed back, sleeked by the water. Remus liked it. He could see more of his face like this.

“Uh, no. I grew up in Slytherin, actually. But I went to boarding school when I got older, so I spent a lot of my teenage years there. It’s where I met James and most of the guys.”

There it was again, that fond smile, and Remus found himself asking, wanting to know more, “what was it like, going to a boarding school?”

Sirius laughed at that, and walked to lean his back against the side of the pool, his forearms resting over the edge. He tilted his head back, staring up at the ceiling with a faraway look. “Oh, it was great. Not so much at the beginning though. I lived a pretty sheltered life up to that point, so you can imagine I was a bit of a snobbish dick.”

“A bit?” Remus raised a teasing eyebrow, making Sirius laugh again and focus his gaze on him.

“Trust me, whatever you think of me now, I was ten times worse.”

“I don’t really think you’re like that,” Remus replied, and was surprised to realise he meant it. Sirius’ smile faltered, and he opened his mouth to say something, but Remus beat him to it quickly, “so what made you change?”

There were a few seconds in which Sirius just stared at him with an unreadable expression. “James,” he said plainly in the end.

“James?”

“James,” Sirius agreed. “Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if we hadn’t met. He made me see I was behaving like an idiot, and everything I was missing out on.” He turned his head and gave Remus a sad smile before he continued, “I didn’t have any real friends before James.”

There was a deep pain rooted there that Remus couldn’t completely grasp, but he felt that it wasn’t his place to ask. “So you guys were friends from the start?”

“Pretty much,” he said, and then a laugh escaped him. “I tried to shove him aside at first, but he clung to me like a koala. I don’t even know why he wanted to be friends with me then.”

Remus thought about the way Sirius’ face lit up when he was close to James or when he talked about him. It was obvious to anyone that they were close, and how much it meant to Sirius.

“Well, I’m glad you found him.”

“Yeah,” Sirius said softly, “me too.”

“So how did you end up in Gryffindor?”

Sirius chuckled, “that would be James’ fault again. He grew up here, and I used to spend months at his house during the summer hols. It’s where I went when I finally ran from home; his parents took me in.”

He’d spoken casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world, but still Remus felt his heart stutter. “You...you ran away?”

Sirius’ eyes widened a bit, clearly he hadn’t realised how much he’d said. He glanced at Remus a bit wearily, who hastened to add, “I’m sorry, you don’t have to talk about it.”

Some of the tightness seemed to leave Sirius’ shoulders as he exhaled sharply. “No, it’s ok. I...fuck. My family and I had different views about...things. They own this big company and run in some upper circles of society that I never had any interest in.”

It was Remus’ turn to have his eyes widen like ping pong balls as the realisation hit him like a bag of wet sand. “Wait...you’re that Black? From Black Enterprises?”

The tension in Sirius’ jaw was so sudden and intense, Remus regretted his words instantly.

“No. I mean, yes. I should be. But I left that behind years ago.”

There was a crease between his brows, and Remus’ hand started stretching towards it to smooth it, but he caught himself in time and pretended to scratch at his cheek instead.

“Ah, sorry, my bad. I thought for a second that you were. But you must be the Sirius Black from Gryffindor, huh? I’ve heard great things about him,” Remus said in a light tone. At first, Sirius frowned at him as if he’d gone crazy and Remus shifted awkwardly. But slowly, it started melting away until he started laughing at Remus’ antics, one hand clutching his stomach.

“God, you’re so weird.” There was that sweet smile again, directed fully at him, and Remus’ heart stuttered for an entirely different reason.

After that, Remus lost track of time as they talked and splashed about. He felt surprisingly light. Laughter was not in short amounts, an easy banter settling between them, and sometimes he’d catch Black staring at him with an indecipherable smile on his face. It felt like they’d been friends for years and not just a few hours, which was something Remus’ brain couldn’t completely wrap around.

Their topics went from the most trivial things to some that bordered in way-too-intimate for how long they’d known each other, but it didn’t feel weird or forced.

Remus mentioned how much he enjoyed a cup of tea in the afternoon. Sirius told him that he’d started smoking at 16, and had quit three times so far but started again when he felt overwhelmed. Remus talked a bit about his mum and how hard she worked to bring money in, and how Remus had to practically beg her to let him help once his business had taken off. Sirius confessed to being afraid of spiders to which Remus couldn’t keep in a laugh.

“Really? Spiders?”

“Oh, shut up, you,” Sirius had said with no real venom as he splashed him with water, making Remus laugh harder. Remus didn’t miss how Sirius' eyes hadn’t left his face when he’d looked back up at him.

They had started drifting closer to each other, and right then Sirius was swimming backwards around Remus as he told a story about a school prank. Remus was turning around slowly on his feet to keep him in sight, entirely too conscious of the way that the movement with each backstroke made Sirius’ back look even bigger. And how the waves Sirius was making kept lapping at Remus’ lower belly.

What the fuck am I thinking?

He shook his head just in time to catch Sirius’ next question.

“Did you always know you wanted to teach yoga?”

“Oh. Well, not really. I always thought I wanted to be a writer,” Remus chuckled. “But then after...Um, a couple years ago I decided to start a healthier lifestyle, and discovered I really liked it.” He gave a small shrug. “I decided to focus on that, and I don’t regret my decision.”

Sirius hummed as he kept swimming with his eyes closed. Feeling a bit weird just staring at him, Remus pushed his legs up and started floating on his back, focusing on the ceiling instead.

“So, what do you do for a living?” he asked.

He heard more than saw Sirius stop and stand up at once.

“I um...I work as a freelancer from home.”

“That’s nice. What kind of jobs do you do?”

“Oh, all sorts of things. Y’know, I never learned to float like that,” he said in a rush, which struck Remus as a bit weird. He let his feet angle down and touch the floor, and he pulled himself upright to eye Sirius curiously. He was fidgeting, but smiled at Remus hopefully, so Remus smiled too.

“Would you like me to teach you?”

Sirius’ face lit up. “Would you?”

“If you want,” Remus shrugged.

Sirius nodded enthusiastically and took a couple steps closer.

“Ok, try to align yourself with the water, and I’ll help by holding you until you can adjust your body on your own. It’s easier to float if you take a deep breath and hold it, so let’s start with that.”

“Ok, I can do that.”

“You need to be perfectly relaxed, ok? Save that puppy energy for something else.”

“D’accord, d’accord,” Sirius rolled his eyes. Remus tried to ignore how nicely the words rolled out of his tongue.

He watched as Sirius breathed in and pulled himself into a horizontal position. He held it for barely one second before he started sinking, so Remus took a deep breath too and moved over to place one hand in the middle of his back, and the other under his head.

Soft.

It was all Remus could think as the dark strands of hair fell between his fingers.

“Tip your head back and lift your chin. There should be no tension on your neck.” Remus’ voice was mellow, automatically slipping into the tone he used for his classes. “Put your arms just like this.” He removed his hand from Sirius’ head and used it to bring the arm closest to him slightly up, Sirius’ fingers brushing against Remus’ thigh, and then placed it back in the inky hair.

“My hips keep going down,” Sirius chuckled, making the water ripple in small waves. His eyes were closed, his chin tilted up just like Remus had told him to, exposing the long lines of his neck. Remus looked away, trying to keep a blush at bay.

“Ok, I’m going to move my hand to support you better, is that ok?”

A breathy “oui” was all he got for an answer.

Remus’ hand trailed down, his fingers brushing against Sirius’ spine until he could place it more firmly against the small of his back. He could’ve sworn he felt Sirius shiver, but that could be because of the water.

Looking down at Sirius’ toes, he told him to try and relax more. His eyes went up his legs as he gave small advices on how he should place his body, passing by the blue swim trunks that clung to his thighs, then kept going up his hip bones, toned stomach and chest, telling him to try and push up. He glanced up at that long, elegant neck, until he finally stopped when he found silver eyes staring intently at him.

In that moment, with those eyes locked with his and feeling overly conscious of the skin he was touching, Remus felt a bolt go through his fingers and removed his hands instantly as if he’d been burned, and Sirius flailed his arms and sank.

He stood up spluttering, water dripping everywhere.

“Remus what the fuck-” he started complaining, but stopped short when he realised just how close they were standing.

Remus felt his breath hitch in his throat as he was engulfed in the grey once more. Wet hair fell over his eyes, and this close, he could make out all the shades, every spot in those irises. He felt like he was staring at a tempest sea, the calmness around them making him feel like he was in the eye of the hurricane, and he was about to be swept up in the storm.

Sirius’ breath fanned against Remus’ face, slipping between his parted lips. His eyes darted down to stare at Sirius’ mouth, those pink lips that looked so incredibly soft that Remus wanted to reach up and touch them with his fingers. The tip of his tongue moved to wet his lips, and when he glanced up again he caught Sirius following the movement. The other man inched his face closer, torturously slow, until Remus tilted his head up slightly.

Everything around them seemed to be suspended in time, waiting, waiting… And then that same memory was flashing through his mind and Remus pulled away.

“Remus?” Sirius asked, confused, and Remus’ heart gave another painful tug.

“I...I...” Remus backed against the wall so much he wished he could just become one with it. Sirius took a step back and watched him with worried eyes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...Are you ok?”

“I just- I...I gotta go.”

Not waiting for any answer, Remus turned around and lifted himself out of the water, and basically bolted back to the changing rooms.

He didn’t even stop to take a shower, just changed his clothes as fast as he could, grateful that Sirius didn’t come looking for him.

Once inside his flat, he unceremoniously dropped his bag and keys on the floor, and let his head fall back against the door.

What the fuck was that?

It was so not like him to do something like this. He knew better than to get tangled in... in whatever happened at the pool was. Focus on your career, that was the goal. No time to meet anyone just to get into a relationship, get attached, and then be left broken.

But Sirius just...it felt so natural to be around him. Remus was still surprised at how comfortable he felt around the other man, given the way they’d started things off. If the image he’d had of Sirius was so far off the mark, then maybe Sirius was not like-

No.

He was done with relationships and that was that.

“Ugh, fuck,” Remus groaned, then finally glanced around his flat. “Cocoa?” he called, surprised that he hadn’t been tackled in a bear hug yet. “Cocoa, c’mon boy. Let’s go for a walk. Fuck knows I certainly need some fresh air.”

It was dark outside already, but Remus’ heart was still beating wildly, and he didn’t think he could stand to just stay inside. He needed to calm down and get his mind off dark hair, stormy eyes and wet lips.

When he still got no response, Remus frowned. It was very unlike Cocoa not to rush to greet him or come to him when called. Even if he’d been sleeping, he’d always wake up to the sound of Remus coming back home.

Remus stepped into the living room, walking around the couch to where Cocoa usually laid in his dog bed. And there he was, with his head between his paws, looking up at Remus with big, yellow eyes. He whined when Remus got close.

“Hey boy, there you ar-” Remus stopped himself with the immediate knowledge that something was wrong. Cocoa was trying to get up, but his legs were trembling and he fell over. Remus rushed forward and knelt at his side, noting how fast Cocoa’s heart was beating, and the spasms still going through his body. “What’s going on? Cocoa, what’s wrong?”

Remus was frantically trying to figure out what was happening when his eyes landed on a crumpled piece of paper. He snatched it up and his heart stopped. It was the wrapper for one of his favourite dark chocolates, and there were only a couple of bitten pieces left in it.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, how did you get this? When did you-? Oh my God, when did you eat it?” Remus wracked his brain, trying to remember if the wrapper was there when he’d stop by his flat a few hours earlier, but he had no idea. He remembered thinking Cocoa seemed a bit more energetic than usual, but he hadn’t thought too much of it.

Shaking out of the whirlpool that were his thoughts, Remus carefully picked Cocoa up and rushed to the door.

“Please hang on, boy. Please, please, please hang on.”

[shadow-assassin-blix]

The Assassin and His Lady

CHAPTER 1

Assassin’s Creed AU!Billy Russo/Past!CaspianX x Reader

It’s here y’all. Billy Russo as an Assassin, his past life as Caspian X. No warnings so far. Italics are past life. Billy may be slightly OOC. Let me know if you want to be tagged.

Everything taglist: @mikeisthricedeceased​

The year was 1536, mere weeks after Henry the VIII changed the religion of England simply to divorce his wife. The castle was bustling about as they planned the upcoming wedding of Anne Boleyn and the King. You were a lady in waiting to her and as such, you were tasked with running about getting inane items for her.

You were in the nearby town, picking up orders that Anne had placed for the wedding. You had a carriage nearby for not only transport for yourself, but everything you picked up. A knight stood by helping you to protect the items from thieves.

The last thing you had to pickup was several bolts of fabric. You were grabbing the last of the bolts, when a man bumped into you rudely, making you drop at least one of them.

“Damn it,” You grumbled staring at the white lace that was now covered in mud.

The man turned to her, yelling at her for blocking his path before wandering away.

“Oh yes. Not like you couldn’t see me standing here for several minutes holding my weight in fabric and couldn’t possibly go around me,” You mumbled loudly.

You heard a deep chuckle behind you. You turn to see a handsome man, with shoulder length brown hair and warm brown eyes.

“Did he hurt you?” He asked as stepped forward.

“No. But he did ruin a very expensive bolt of lace that was meant for the queen. So, I’ll have so much fun explaining that to her,” You replied with a heavy sigh, adjusting your grip on the bolts.

You were tired, and you weren’t ready to try and talk to the vendor. He had been very short with you and were not in the mood to try and beg for more fabric.

“Allow me to help you,” He offered cordially, taking the bolts from her.

He walked with her to the carriage and placed them inside. He motioned for her to wait, as he walked back over to the stall. She could see him talking to the vendor, and the vendor walked away and came back with a much larger bolt of lace fabric. You see him pay without a care. He carried it over to her and presented it to her.

“This is very similar to the fabric that was ruined, but much prettier. I’m sure the queen won’t mind,” He stated with a charming grin.

“Why...? Why help a complete stranger?” You asked grateful but cautious, taking the fabric and setting it in the carriage.

“Maybe… I was hoping for chance to ask you for a stroll, or to lunch one day? The tavern nearby may not be as fancy as the royal court, but they do their best,” He proposed taking her hand softly to press a kiss to it.

You stared at him somewhat surprised and bit your lip for a moment.

“Hm. I’m sure they do. However, I don’t even know your name,” You said coyly.

He chuckled, “I’m Caspian and you?”

You tell him your name adding, “But… most my friends call me Dahlia.”

“Dahlia? Why?” He asked her curious.

You stepped into the carriage with a secretive smile, poking your head out lightly through the window once the door closed.

“Guess you’ll have to find out during that stroll and lunch, Caspian,” You teased before having your guard drive off, making your way back to the castle.

Caspian stood there watching it leave, his charming smile slowly falling away. A large bulkier man, the same man who had bumped into you, appeared by his side.

“Is she the one?” Came his deep voice.

“Yes Jasper. I do believe so. She will be my ‘in’ to the castle. Our good king has made far too many enemies. Tis only a matter of time before they try to target him,” Caspian said lowly, his Mediterranean accent coming in more thickly.

“Indeed. Let’s go get a drink aye?” Jasper patted him on the back.

The images faded and blurred all around him.

Billy blinked harshly as he was pulled from the animus. He rubbed at his eyes with his thumb and index finger, as he leaned forward, cracking his neck a moment later.

“Hate the headaches that come with this damn thing. Why was I pulled?” Billy asked Frank looking up at him and Curtis.

“Been in too long. You know the rules,” Curtis said tapping away at the computer.

Frank offered his hand to help him up, which he took with a groan.

Billy sighed, stretching as he straightened up.

“Go get some air. I’m going to sift through the data so far. Go get a drink,” Curtis dismissed him with a wave.

Billy nodded grabbing his jacket, phone and wallet that was sitting off to the side. He made his way downstairs, stepping out onto the streets of London. They were searching for piece of Eden that was located here in London. They were currently residing in a large studio loft that was located off the beaten path.

He made his way to his car, hopping in it, to go for a drive to clear his mind. He drove around for about an hour, making his way deep into downtown London. He parked outside a pub, wanting a drink. He made his way inside, taking a seat at the bar. He ordered a beer, and slowly drank it. As he drank, he felt someone staring at him.

He subtly looked around and saw a glimpse of a woman sitting near the booths. He felt strange as he tried to get another look at her. He felt like he knew her; she seemed so familiar.

He sees her walking toward the door finally. She looked like Dahlia, but that wasn’t possible? Right? He blinked and she was gone. He got up, tossing some money down, and followed the woman. However, when he stepped outside, she was nowhere to be found.

Billy turned around several times trying to figure out where she went. He was confused. Did he imagine her? Was he experience the bleeding effect? That’s not possible. They had been so careful. He decided he was tired and just drove back to base. He went to bed without saying much to the guys.

Several weeks had passed and he kept seeing this woman everywhere. He was sure he was going crazy. After about 2 weeks of it happening, he told the guys about what was happening with a grimace. That admission led to them holding off time in the animus because of it.

One day, he was strolling around the London Eye Pier, bored. He was ready to go back in and figure out where this piece was. He stood off to the side for a moment, watching the Ferris wheel move. He heard a shout to his right, a man running his way, with a bag clutched between his hands, and a woman yelling ‘stop thief.’ Billy stuck his foot out tripping the thief.

The thief tripped, dropping the bag. Billy grabbed the fallen bag and glared at the man who tried to lunge for it again. The man stuttered in his movements, when he spied the look Billy was giving him, before scrambling to run away. He turned to the woman, gasping softly. It was her.

“Thank you so much!” She exclaimed as she took her bag from him.

“You’re welcome,” He replied with a smile, blinking several times, amazed she was real.

“I’m sorry… this is going to sound strange… but do I know you? You…seem oddly familiar,” She said staring at him softly.

“Ya know… I was about to say the same to you. I’m Billy,” He introduced holding out his hand.

She says her name, before going, “But. Friends call me Dahlia.”

She took his hand with a smile. He thought about just simply shaking it, but he couldn’t resist. He gently lifted it to press a kiss to her knuckles.

She gazed at him with surprise, before giggling prettily.

Billy smiled at her, before checking her over for a moment “You okay though? He didn’t hurt you?”

“No. I’m okay. Just surprised me. Thank you for asking. I’m… I’m not usually this forward, but… would you be interested in having dinner with me?” She politely asked with a hesitant smile.

“I would actually. Tomorrow night? Say, 6 pm, you choose the restaurant?” Billy suggested.

“Yeah. Sounds good. Umm. Lemme give you my number,” She said pulling out her phone.

They exchanged numbers, and parted. Billy had a slight skip in his step. He walked in, whistling causing Frank and Curtis to look at him curiously.

Frank slowly followed him over to his room, leaning against the door.

“What’s got you all happy?” Frank asked squinting at him.

“I wasn’t imagining her. It’s… it’s really Dahlia. I ran into her. We… we’re going to have dinner tomorrow,” Billy breathed a sigh of relief.

Frank nodded with a smile, “Good to know you’re not that crazy. We’ll resume animus work in two days then. Is she as pretty as her past self?”

“Better. I mean… technically she looks practically the same, but… seeing her in reality… not just… a memory? I just… She’s gorgeous,” Billy struggled to describe how he felt.

Frank chuckled, “Never seen you so flustered over a woman. Maybe she’ll be good for you. Go get some rest.”

Billy nodded, stripping down to go shower, before laying down. Once he was done cleansing, he laid down in just some boxers, grabbing a book. He tended to read for a bit before crashing for the evening. He read until he felt tired, and he dreamed of a girl with a bright smile and beautiful eyes.

[crystalstar8]

Knights of the Night (Epilogue)

Epilogue

Ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5, ch 6, ch 7, ch 8, ch 9, ch 10, ch 11, ch 12, ch 13, ch 14, ch 15, ch 16, ch 17, ch 18, ch 19, ch 20, ch 21, ch 22, ch 23, epilogue 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29139240/chapters/71536491

pairing: Jungkook x oc

genre: vampire au, college au, twilight, romance

word count: 1,587

warnings: blood (obviously), kidnapping, child kidnapping, needles, France, human trafficking

notes: vampires, vampire au, college, college au, so many twilight references, blood, needles, kidnapping, children, homelessness, dance, ballet, flashbacks, romance, slow burn, probably no smut, idk yet tho, France, French things, attempted genocide, inaccurate French history, bisexual main character, @strawberriewithchocolate-blog @mozy-j  @daechwitad-2​ @zobadak​ @fallenstar-7​​​

summary: Catalina starts college in a small town all the way across the country. She doesn’t know anyone and isn’t exactly looking for friends. She just wants to focus on dance. But when she meets fellow dance major, Jimin, and adventurous, fellow freshman, Jungkook, Catalina ends up discovering a whole new side to the small college town; one that is dangerous but oh so enticing...

                 Catalina took one last glance around her room before heading downstairs. She heard Jimin’s voice, which put a wide smile on her face. Him and Taehyung were back on time, which meant they’d be able to come with everyone that afternoon.

               She ran down the stairs, taking them two at a time, before landing in the foyer. Taehyung and Jimin were taking their shoes off and setting their bags down, chatting with Hoseok and Namjoon. Catalina threw her arms around Jimin and asked him, “How was your trip?”

               He pulled away and smiled wide, his eyes disappearing. “It was incredible. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

               “I can’t wait,” Catalina said, smiling just as wide.

               “We were gonna go to the beach later,” said Hoseok. “Do you want to go with us?”

               “Sure! I think we’ll mostly just relax, though,” said Taehyung.

               “Here, I’ll help you unpack so you can get yourselves settled before we go,” Hoseok said, following them back out the car. Catalina left the foyer and went into the kitchen. The kitchen was beautiful, so different from when she first came into this house. They had it remodeled, actually, they had a lot of the house remodeled. Everything was a bit more modern, but their antiques were mostly still around. Even Yoongi redid his bedroom, saying he didn’t want to sleep in a rat’s nest anymore. He made an incredible amount of money on the antiques in that room, the museums practically begging him to part with them.

               The light was on in the kitchen when Catalina entered, which meant Jungkook was in there. Sure enough, he was standing in front of the fridge, staring into its contents with bleary eyes. His hair was a floof on top of his head and his pajamas were rumpled. Catalina came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. She laid her head on his back and listened to the steady rhythm of his heart, something she’s become so very familiar with.

               “What will you have for breakfast?” she asked. He grunted in response, shifting some containers around on the shelf. He finally chose a container of leftovers and cracked the lid to sniff it. He sniffed it three times before deciding it was edible and dumping it on a plate. While it was heating up, he turned and opened his arms, letting Catalina settle into him.

               “Are you gonna surf today?” he asked.

               “You asked me that yesterday,” Catalina said with a giggle.

               “And you said no yesterday!” he said. She could feel his laughter in his chest where her head was resting.

               “Maybe,” she said. “I heard the teaching process is very hands on.”

               He chuckled and said, “Where did you hear that?”

               “Hm, I don’t remember,” she said. The microwave beeped and Jungkook let Catalina go so he could grab his food. She pulled a blood bag out of the fridge and sat down with him at the dining table, sipping at her drink while he ate.

               “What are you guys doing up so early?”

               Yoongi wandered into the kitchen with messy hair and tired eyes.

               “It’s beach day!” Jungkook said, much more awake now that he was eating. “You’re coming, right?”

               “No.”

               “Yoongi, you don’t have to swim or surf or anything,” said Catalina. “You can just sleep on the beach. Or drink wine on the beach. You need the fresh air, you’ve been at your piano for days. Plus, I think everyone would really like to spend some time with you.”

               “When are you going?” he asked.

               “We’re heading out around eleven,” said Catalina.

               “Oh. I’ll think about it,” Yoongi said. “Are Taehyung and Jimin back yet?”

               “Yes, they just walked in a little while ago,” said Catalina.

               “Good,” he said. “I’m glad their flight wasn’t delayed.”

               With that, he left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

               During the drive to the beach, Catalina made sure to sit in the back of the Jeep with Jimin.

               “So, tell me about the trip,” she said, a giddy smile on her face.

               “Ah, it was perfect!” said Jimin. “I’ve never been to Arizona before so I didn’t really know what to expect about the weather or anything. It really is very dry there. The heat is like heat from an oven. And the places we saw were so beautiful. We camped in the Grand Canyon and… it was insane. The Grand Canyon is insane. Everything was so incredible. And at night, you could see the stars perfectly. When we camped in Death Valley, there was absolutely no light pollution for miles so the sky was amazing. We saw the Milky Way.”

               “Oh wow,” Catalina sighed.

               “You and Jungkook should go next summer,” said Jimin. “You’d love it.”

               “Yeah, I would do that,” said Catalina. “That sounds like a lot of fun. We need to make up for our last trip.”

               They sat in silence for a while before Jimin said, “I can’t believe we’re going to France in two weeks.”

               “I know!” said Catalina. “I can’t believe it! This is something I’ve been waiting for my entire life and I’ll finally be able to do it!”

               “Is your solo ready?” Jimin asked.

               “I mean, as ready as it’ll ever be,” said Catalina. “You know how it is.”

Her and Jimin had both taken the winter semester off to recover from their transformations and to get used to their new bodies. Catalina used that time to choreograph a solo worthy of an audition in France. By now, the beginning of summer, she had perfected it as much as she could.

“I’m going to the studio to practice it tomorrow,” said Catalina. “You should come with me. You can help, or just watch. You haven’t seen it finished yet.”

“What time? I’m babysitting tomorrow,” said Jimin.

“Oh right! You’re doing that every Tuesday now, aren’t you?” said Catalina.

Jimin nodded and said, “Yep, Caleb’s sister has dance on Tuesdays, so I’ll just be there for a few hours.”

“Are you still gonna do that when classes start? You’re signing up for classes in the fall, right?” she asked.

“Yeah, I don’t want to fall behind any more than I am,” said Jimin.

“Me too,” said Catalina. Then she smiled and grabbed Hoseok’s shoulder over the driver’s seat. “And you’re starting classes with us too, aren’t you?”

He laughed and said, “I sure am!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The weather was perfect, and according to Jungkook, the water was ideal for beginner’s surfing. They got set up on a relatively empty patch of the beach. The family closest to them had a few kids, who were building a sandcastle near the water. It was Monday, so thankfully there weren’t too many other people there. Yoongi laid out a beach blanket and immediately laid down, covering his face with his sun hat. He was almost completely covered, with long sleeves and long pants. Catalina figured he was trying to protect his pasty white skin.

               Jimmy K settled down beside Yoongi with a thick book. Catalina had assumed he would be surfing with them that day; he seemed like the type to surf. Jimin and Taehyung lathered themselves in sunscreen and took their spots near the cooler, relaxing and watching the fun just like they promised. After shedding her shorts and tank top to reveal her new white bikini, Catalina lathered herself in sunscreen, since she could already feel herself burning. Then she grabbed her board and met the others down by the water.

At some point, the family next to them left and they were left to themselves on their private stretch of beach.

Catalina, Namjoon, and Hoseok kept their eyes on Jungkook and Jin, who were teaching them the basics of how to surf. They all had boards, rented ones for the newbies, and Catalina was excited to get out on the water. With every glance at the ocean behind her, she felt nervousness twist in her stomach. She had to keep reminding herself that she wouldn’t drown and she wouldn’t get hurt. Her body was stronger than it used to be, which was something she still hadn’t completely gotten used to.

                They were standing on their boards, Jin showing them how to position their feet. Jungkook went to each of them, giving them pointers or fixing their positions. He stepped onto Catalina’s board behind her and nudged her right foot forward a bit, hands on her bare waist.

               “Just keep your knees bent and your legs spread a bit more,” he said. His bare chest was pressed up against her back.

               “…And if you guys fall off, just let the current roll you until it’s settled, then come up,” Jin was saying. “But you guys won’t drown anyway, so no harm.”

               “Right, no harm,” Jungkook said, his hand sliding down to her butt.

She giggled and turned around to face him.

“Did Hoseok get this treatment when you helped him?” she asked with a wide smile on her face.

“He would probably like that,” Jungkook said with a laugh. “But this is only reserved for my favorite students.”

“Ooh, so Namjoon got this too,” Catalina said, winding her arms over his bare shoulders. He threw his head back and laughed. This was her favorite song. The sounds of his laughter, the waves hitting the beach, The seagulls calling overhead, his heart beating in his chest.

Catalina leaned up to press her lips against his, the board wobbling in the sand beneath their feet.

She never wanted this song to end.

[im-gettingby]

30 Days of Carry On

posted (and written by?) @captain-aralias

(I’m doing most of these at once because I said so. it’s long so under the cut)

1. Favourite major character

I literally thought — Simon no Baz no Penny no, Agatha!

I guess I will pick Simon, since I relate to him the most — or at least, my connection to him led me into the fandom.

2. Favourite minor character

I think we all know this one 🐑🐑🐑

I have written many a treatise on Lamb Rights. I’ll spare everyone now

3. Character you relate to the most

Oops— I already answered this, kinda. I relate to them in different ways: I relate a lot to WS Simon because he has abandonment issues and “kid who was told he was extraordinary and then grew up to be ordinary” issues. We also both have a “fix all the things for everyone” complex, too.

Baz — It took me a while to get into Baz’s head, but I would say, I relate to him because of his intense emotional world and tendency to see the world through an intensely romantic/tragic lens. But also he’s a Pisces. and I’d never do that like a Pisces does. (Sorry, not sorry.)

4. Which character would you like to go to lunch with?

SHEPARD obviously. I don’t feel the need to elaborate.

5. Favourite non-Snowbaz ship

Ooh! Probably Lamb/Baz or Simon/Shep or just...literally anything. Like, I will read anything as long as it’s well written. The weirder the better. (Within...legal and moral limits.) in my other fandoms I’ve been a big multishipper and there’s not a lot of options for that in CO - which is fine - but wholeheartedly support rarepairs :D

6. Favourite non-romantic OTP

So, obviously Simon/Penny and Baz/Penny are great ones, but I think the nearest & dearest to my heart is Simon/Agatha. The kind of siblings/unwillingly dating/weird exes dynamic and the way they both shaped each other’s lives is just so interesting. And while Simon & Penny are closer, Agatha and Simon represent their aspirational selves to one another. And the way that they were both tied to one another along with their gender roles/places in society and both broke away at the same time is just...mwah

7. Favourite Baz outfit

I honestly dress kinda like Baz. Anything involving a printed silk shirt or a floral brocade suit, so like, all of them? I love WS Baz, his fashion sense is so thoughtful yet fun. He’s so expressive with it — in the sense of both being guarded, being sexy, and playing with masculinity/femininity.

8. How do you feel about Wayward Son?

In case it wasn’t obvious, I absolutely love it. I mean, from a writing/narrative standpoint, I don’t think it’s the most elegant or engaging book ever written, but it’s just so raw and fresh. I don’t see many examples of an author trying to do what Rainbow did, which is build a complex emotional AND plot-driven story with so many characters and so much lore. I’m very excited for AWTWB.

9. Favourite scene from Carry On, besides Chapter 61

I like what the book does/sets up overall. Honestly probably the first scene, where Simon walks to the bus stop & takes the train and just thinks about his life and makes lists -- I love Simon. I know Rainbow said she thinks that bit is boring, but it honestly says so much about his character in a short time. (and he’s an extremely complex character!) Also, Baz’s dramatic entrance. Also, the chapter where Baz says “and I’m hopelessly in love with him” because it’s just so dramatic, and it comes out of nowhere

10. Favourite scene from Wayward Son, besides Chapter 41

Baz and Lamb’s journey across the Strip - vampire lore, jealous Simon, Baz getting to be his own character— it’s beautiful.

11. Remind us about something in canon readers might have forgotten about

Ahahaha um. Simon says he thinks Baz’s cousin Marcus is fit. That’s pretty funny.

12. What are your hopes and fears for Any Way the Wind Blows?

I don’t have any hopes because I don’t want to be disappointed - and that’s not a cynical thing, I just want to go into it with an open mind. (I’ll take a break from fandom and reread the books beforehand so I’m (more of) a blank slate) I guess just...interesting emotional journeys, whatever that ends up being. There’s a lot that Rainbow has to do in the book and I don’t think any one person could get through all of it -- that’s why we have fanfiction.

Fears? I don’t know. I think just...the series ending. Even though I’ve been in fandom for less than a year I just really love this fandom & the thought of that kind of eroding away is sad. But also I don’t think that will happen immediately, and change is a part of life. I’ve never related as much to Cath as I do now :’)

13. An unpopular/cracky opinion you hold

unpopular: Lamb is the best character; I don’t want Simon to get his magic back; both Simon and Baz should have other romantic options.

14. Something from your head fanon

Hmmmmmmm well. Just mean things about Baz really. Like that he’s weird looking, not that great at football, and actually has kind of garish fashion sense. (which is a self-roast as well - see above.) I just feel like Simon/fandom put him on a pedestal, and Simon’s an unreliable narrator re: Baz anyway. So I like the idea that Baz is this average looking kinda strange nerdy guy who is everything Simon has ever wanted in life.

And before you tell me that Baz was hot at Watford and Agatha was into him, have you ever been to a tiny boarding school? Standards get weird 😂😂😂 and Terry being into him — come on. The guy’s a violent pervert.

also - back to Watford being a tiny school. Baz doesn’t have much competition to be the star of the football team. (also, does anyone except Simon even think that he is?)

16. Favourite location other than Watford

Vegas!

17, Favourite location in Watford

I’m pretty bad at Watford lore/geography bc again, I’m way more into WS. Probably the floor in the Cloisters where everything happens the same way, just a day later. There’s a fic there, but I can’t wrap my head around all the time travel implications enough to write it.

18. What would be your favourite subject at Watford?

Any potions-esque subject because I loved chemistry lab. Latin because I loved Latin in school. Uhhhh I don’t like history class, so not that — maybe a literature course focused on the derivation of spells.

19. What would your magical implement be?

Ooh! This is a good one. I’d like to think it would be a weird body piercing. Or a belt a la Gareth. Maybe some kind of traditional south Asian jewelry, like a nose chain or mang-tikka or something. maybe a hat. like, imagine your magical instrument being a fedora and you just have to...wear a fedora all the time.

21. Favourite canon spell

Hm. Kiss it better? Candle in the wind?I should try to think of a non-horny one. honestly they’re all so cool and clever - I love the magic system in CO/WS.

22. What would your eighth year spell at Watford be or do?

Maybe something from a poem I love. That would probably be pretty but not very functional. Or a healing spell.

23. Who would you want as your roommate?

Agatha is uptight, Penny is passive aggressive, Simon is a slob, Baz is both uptight and passive aggressive.

Definitely Shepard.

24. Favourite item of merchandise, official or unofficial

My @subparselkie sticker

25. Favourite book cover design

WS. Oh, another unpopular opinion - I don’t like the kevin wada cover of carry on. their faces look so weird and the colors don’t work for me. I own the version with the blue and yellow cover art instead

26. Do you want a movie? If yes - any fan casts for the movie?

Probably wouldn’t want a movie! Because I am way too possessive of these books/this version of the story. And I am historically extremely disappointed by adaptations — I get upset with the smallest of changes 😂

27. If they made a movie, what scenes do you think they’d cut that you’d be furious were missing?

See above. A LOT haha

28. If you could ask Rainbow Rowell one question, what would it be? (If you have already, you can share if you like)

What is Lamb’s full name????? Is it actually Lamb Lambert Lamborghini the third???

What is Rainbow’s relationship with sheep and goats. Why are there so many references to them

29. Have you read any of Rainbow’s other books?

Only Fangirl

30. How did you get into Carry On and/or Carry On fandom?

I read fangirl & the pages at the end mentioned carry on, so I read that, and enjoyed it but I wasn’t obsessed. Then I read WS spring 2020, reread it a bunch of times, reread CO, freaked out about the cliffhanger/cool vampire stuff/unresolved sexual tension, had pandemic cabin fever, got on AO3, and the rest is history.

As @annabellelux knows, I wrote my first (published) fanfic after reading her amazing fic Drop The Game. and the first fanfic I read was @captain-aralias’ Greener Grass. I was so obsessed that about a month later, I searched through the AO3 tags for it, because I couldn’t remember the title or author but kept thinking about it.

[ladyanput]

Seeing Red Ch.6

Warning: There’s a bit of gore in this chapter, as well as mentions of sexual abuse and suicide. 

Eva awoke to the smell of something floral. She opened her eyes and caught sight of Jason setting a tray on his coffee table, a delicate tea set and a small plate of biscuits on it. When he caught sight of her, he gave her a smile and made his way to her, giving her a small kiss on the forehead. 

“I take it you slept well..” He murmured against her skin, grinning as he felt her arms wrap around his neck. His hands slid to her naked waist, pulling her body close as he began to pepper her neck with soft kisses. When he pulled back, he took in the sight of Eva, of her sleep messed hair, the traces of sleepiness in her eyes, and how amazing she looked in his bed. “I thought you’d like some tea this morning.”

“Mmm, is that what I’m smelling?” Eva purred softly as she slid out of the bed, picking up a discarded shirt of Jason’s off of the floor and tugged it on. She let Jason guide her over to his sofa, where he handed her a cup of the fragrant floral tea. “Well, Jason, I must say, you have amazing tastes.” 

Jason smiled at her in return, silently thankful for Alfred for his help in the tea selection. 

“I am going to be heading down to the training room this morning. Me and the others agree that since Cat Boy managed to kick our asses, we needed to maybe try some different types of training.” 

“Keep in mind, he was using that weird magic.” Eva pointed out, risking a glance over at where Trixx was resting, on a soft pillow on Jason’s dresser. “I probably would have been killed without Trixx there to help me. He’s a little cutie.”

“More cute than me?” Jason wriggled his eyebrows at her, causing her to grin in return.

“I’d say so.” At his stunned expression, she burst out into laughter, her shoulders shaking and her head thrown back. “I’d say you’re more rugged than cute, Jay.” 

“Well, I guess that’s an improvement. But since you’ve wounded my fragile ego, I say your punishment is that you’ve got to come work out with us down in the training center.” He took a sip of his own tea, making a slight grimace when he tasted it. He was really an Earl Grey kind of guy, but he’d be willing to deal with this stuff at least for the day. 

“Fine. But it’s a pity, I was hoping to go over the whole ‘Miraculous drama’ with Trixx, since I’m basically in the dark about the entire thing.” At Jason’s look, she gave a slight shake of her head. “I’m not asking Marinette, she’s in no way, shape, or form ready for that kind of stuff. I’ll wait until she’s.. Processed all that’s happened.”

The two were then silent for a long time, sipping tea and nibbling on the biscuits, enjoying the sight of the sun rising through the large bedroom windows, casting the room in a warm colour. Trixx sat up and stretched with a soft yawn, lazily flying over to his Chosen and taking his seat on her shoulder.

“Good morning, Trixx, how’d you sleep?” She nuzzled the little fox, who returned the gesture quite eagerly. “You’re looking quite well rested.” 

“I haven’t slept like that in a long time. I guess having such an amazing kit has its perks.” Trixx eagerly took the biscuit that Eva offered and took a big bite out of it.

"So, training today, hm? Anything else on the menu?" Eva took another sip of her tea, feeling the warmth of it spread through her body. She almost didn't want that moment to end, her and Jason sitting in his room, the peace and quiet while they enjoy the moment.

To Jason, there was something so unbelievably domestic about it. A spot of calm in the raging storm that was his life. And seated across from him was a woman he found himself wanting to have that moment with more often.

"I heard Bruce mentioning something about going down to the police station, seeing Agreste. I dunno, maybe let Marinette confront her fears." Jason shrugged.

".. Is that wise? Like, I'm not questioning your guys' judgement or anything, but that bastard only yesterday kidnapped her, basically almost killed her, shouldn't we give her some time and space away from him?" 

"He's going back to France soon, to be prosecuted there. From what I'd gathered from the friends I have at the police station, that teacher of theirs is trying to say it was all a big misunderstanding."

That brought a snort of Eva.

"That's a bunch of fucking bullshit, but no, of course Caline is going to try to get everything swept under the rug. And Adrien's fancy, rich lawyers are no doubt gonna work double time to get all charges dropped." Eva grumbled.

Jason merely sat back and watched as Eva grumbled to herself. He found it rather adorable how her brows drew together and how she was practically snarling. But what really caught his attention was the fire in her eyes. Eyes that always drew him in with how expressive they were, like some open book. He knew a hundred things about Eva, yet nothing at all.

"But I shouldn't stress over it. They're not worth it, and I'm sure that the universe is going to deliver a great dose of karma." She let out a huff, and drained her cup of her tea.

Jason merely smiled and finished off his own tea. It was going to be an interesting day.

…

A morning of being tossed around like a rag doll in the training room, an afternoon of having heart to hearts with Marinette, and Eva found herself here.

Lady Vixen knelt on the ledge of the roof she had managed to scramble to, her breathing coming out in short, fast bursts as she ran, ran as far and fast as she could. 

She had crossed a line, she had gone and manhandled Adrien, because that little bastard had reminded her so much of David, of a past she had practically fled Canada to get away from. A past she had tried so hard to hide. 

Vixen, practically blind to the world, buried her face in her hands and began to sob, unaware of the orange mist that began to swirl around her. 

The ringing of a school reached her ears. Her head snapped up to see a familiar, yet distant scene in front of her; her high school’s main lobby, the rush of student bodies, the laughter, the shoutings, the energy of the youth that was sure that they all had such bright futures in front of them.. And there she was, at the age of sixteen. Eva Bourbon pushing her way through the crowds, engrossed in her own thoughts of papers and other schoolwork that she barely noticed the guy in front of her. 

They had collided, she had dropped her books, he had dropped his cell phone. They had stumbled over apologies and had scurried to pick up their dropped items. They had made clumsy introductions, Eva to the tall, blond, handsome David with the darkest eyes she had ever seen. 

“No, don’t.. Fuck, get away from him..” Vixen croaked out as she watched her younger self, her more foolish self, flirt with David, watched as they exchanged numbers, and continued on their ways to their classes.

And her life began to rush by; David asking her out, their first date at a nice restaurant and then them going and watching an event at the town’s main park, David and Eva agreeing to go steady, David’s many lavish gifts, since the guy was rich and came from an important family that had far too much influence in the town. Vixen watched tearfully the first time Eva had slept with David; in the back seat of his fancy car, the young seventeen year old girl looking so nervous, wanting to back out and maybe try this another time, and David begging, smooth talking, wearing her down until young Eva finally gave in. She watched as Eva went home that night and cried herself to sleep, but told herself that it was fine, afterall, she and David were soulmates, she was supposed to give her virginity to her soulmate.

The two got married just out of high school, moving into a nice large house with a white picket fence, paid for by David’s father. She watched as David’s father was arrested for fraud, amongst other things, and David lost his source of money. As Eva struggled with university and far too many jobs to count, as well as keeping a nice home. As David threw a fit as the two of them moved into a smaller house, because they just didn’t have the money, as he wasted money on drugs, alcohol, reminding Eva of a monster. 

And every time she went to leave him, he threatened suicide, that he couldn’t live without her, that if he died it would be all her fault and everyone would hate her for it, so she stayed, scared for him, for her. Because, foolishly enough, she still loved David, she thought he was her soulmate.

“No, just fucking leave him..” Vixen buried her face in her hands once more, as she witnessed a scene, one of many, of David forcing himself on Eva. “Fucking go.. Fuck, leave, please.. Soulmates don’t exist, that’s fucking fairytales, it’s bullshit, grow up, grow up, grow up..”

And the day that Eva was finally fed up with David, finally let the scales fall from her eyes, and she packed her bags, shoving them into the trunk of her car. And just as she was about to get into her car, Eva heard her name. 

Vixen and Eva both turned their heads, watching as David pulled out a handgun, Eva having never seen it before in her life, and as he inserted the barrel into his mouth, and pulled the trigger. His blood and brains splattered on the white house wall.

It was a scene that still haunted Eva to this day, a scene she saw everytime she closed her eyes, everytime she went to sleep she dreamed of that. And years later, she saw clearly that he had just done that to hurt her. David had been a pathetic excuse of a man, he’d had no skills aside from spending his daddy’s money, he never would have gotten anywhere without her. 

…

Eva stepped through the front door of Wayne Manor. Everyone was standing in the front hall, watching her. She could see the questions in their eyes, see them noticing her red rimmed eyes, her rosy nose, her trembling lips. She even noticed Marinette taking a step towards her, reaching out a hand. But Jason was the one who made his way to her, and she threw herself into his arms, into a pair of arms she knew deep down would never aim to hurt her.

And a few minutes later, she was curled up in his bed, in his embrace, telling her story while he remained quiet and simply listened. Once she was done, he let out a heavy sigh. 

“If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him. Fuck, Eva.. I had no idea.” He murmured as he ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it away from her tearstained face. 

“Oh, you never looked into my background? Never found out I was a widow?” Eva let out a teary laugh, but it ran hollow, false. 

“I wanted to, you know, respect your privacy. I only did a background check for any arrests or if you were connected to anything suspicious.” He admitted. When Eva sat up to look at him, he cupped her face in her hands. “I guess we both have pretty fucked up pasts. I was killed by the Joker.”

“Yeah, really funny, Jason.” She went to roll her eyes, but the look on her face made her stop. “Wait.. No, fuck, Jay, are you serious?” 

And that was the night that the two of them bore the deepest parts of themselves to each other. And Eva made several appointments for Jason to see a therapist, as well as herself.

Taglist: @the-navistar-carol @chocolate1721 @emo-elaine13 @mochinek0 @drarryismylife101 @toodaloo-kangaroo @moonlightstar64 @imtryingsstuff @shamefullove

[theydontknowaboutusimagines]

The Set Up - Harry Styles One Shot (Epilogue)

Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4    Part 5    Part 6  

**

You and Harry were back in London from his mother’s house. The remainder of that trip went well, but you could still feel a little tension between the two of you. Of course, it was expected. Even though you two talked it over, apologized, and agreed to move forward, both of you still had some emotions going through you. The first night of tour was coming up and while you were excited, you are a little nervous about what was to come in this next part of your relationship. 

Funnily, enough, no one has really speculated about your relationship yet. The only talk regarding you and Harry as been a rumor that he would be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine. It all started when Harry followed you and The Mixtape on social media and a few photos of Harry in the background at the anniversary party. It was funny because here were all these clues leading to the two of you being together, yet no one was putting it together. 

Which, to be honest, you didn’t mind it, but you did wonder how long that would last especially if you were seen at one of his shows. Since you had gotten back to London, you had found yourself staying at Harry’s place more than your own flat. You weren’t sure if was the impending time apart or if it was because it just felt normal. 

It was only a few months ago that you were going back to your empty flat making a dinner for one and watching netflix or reading a book every night after work. Now, you did all those things at Harry’s place. Both of you helped with dinner or you picked something up on your way home. Then you two would move over to the couch for some cuddling and either watching tv or reading a book, which is what you were currently doing. 

You had changed into a hoodie and shorts after dinner. You were leaning into Harry’s side with your legs out on the couch as you read your book while Harry had his legs up on the coffee table reading his own. Music played softly in the background as the two of you flipped the pages of your books. Even though you weren’t talking, it didn’t feel awkward, it felt right. 

Once you had finished your chapter, you placed your bookmark in place, putting the book on the coffee table. 

“I’m going to get some ice cream, want some?” You asked. 

“Um, I’m good,” he said. “Maybe some water, though.”

You nodded rolling over to get up from the couch and heading into the kitchen. You put a scoop and half of ice cream into the bowl, grabbing a spoon, and then pouring some water into Harry’s glass before taking it over. You handed it to him before sitting down and taking a bit of your ice cream. A few bites later, Harry smirked taking the spoon and getting himself some, while you looked at your phone. 

“I knew it,” you laughed. 

“Knew what?” He asked with a mouthful of ice cream. 

“That you’d steal some,” you said. “That’s why I put extra in there.” 

He laughed kissing your head, “Then you won’t mind me having a bit more.” 

“You can have the rest,” you said. “I’m done.” 

“Sweet,” he smirked. “Get it.” 

You rolled your eyes, “Yeah, I do.” 

He laughed finishing up the last bit of ice cream before putting the bowl onto the coffee table. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling onto his lap before takin your phone out of your hand and throwing to the of the couch. 

“I was reading an email,” you laughed. 

“Too bad,” he smirked. 

“You’re so needy for attention all of a sudden,” you joked. 

“I don’t deny that,” he laughed leaning in for a kiss. 

The next morning you didn’t have to go to the office until around lunch for a meeting, so you were happy you were able to sleep in. That is until you felt your boyfriend’s lips kissing your naked back and shoulders before wrapping his arms around you stomach. 

“What time is it?” You whined. 

“Eight,” he said. 

“Really?” You groaned. 

“Yep,” he smirked. 

“Why are you awake?” You whined. 

“I had to wee and I couldn’t go back to sleep,” he shrugged. 

“You know how they say don’t wake a sleeping baby?” You asked. 

“Yeah,” he laughed looking at you confused. 

“That also applies to me,” you said throwing a pillow at him. 

“The fuck!” He laughed falling back on the bed. “Sorry,” he said poking his head from the pillow. 

“You’re lucky you’re cute when you wake up,” you mumbled. 

“Or what?” He laughed. 

“I’d be pissed at you,” you said rolling over to lay on his chest. 

He laughed shaking his head wrapping his arms around you. “So, I guess we shouldn’t go out for breakfast then?” 

“Nope, I’m not getting dressed until I have to,” you said. 

“Oh, really?” He smirked, ears perking up. 

“Don’t be a perv,” you laughed. 

He kissed your head as he ran his hand up and down your back. “I’m going to miss this,” he sighed. 

“Me too,” you said. 

“Does that include me waking you up?” He joked. 

“Eventually,” you laughed.

“I’m happy you get to come to the first show,” he said. 

You nodded, “I am too,” you smiled. “You better be damn good, or else I might decide to stay home on the others.” 

“I put on a fucking great show, love, you have nothing to be worried about,” he smirked. 

“Just make sure you keep some energy left for me that night,” you smirked. 

“Oh, what for?” He asked looking at you. 

“Hm, why don’t we have a little preview,” you smirked leaning down to kiss him.

** 

“Welcome back, Mixtape listeners!” Jam said into the microphone. “Before we get into today’s topic, I believe it’s time we caught up on Y/N’s love life.” 

“I believe it’s not,” you laughed. 

“Oh, come on,” she said. “You can’t deny it anymore. You come into work all glowing and happy and shit. So, tell us, how’s it going.” 

You sighed moving around in your chair, “It’s going great. We’ve been together a few weeks now, so we’re still getting to know one another.” 

“Don’t be shy,” she smirked. “Tell our listeners how he brought you coffee and breakfast a few days ago, as well as breakfast for the entire office.” 

“So, basically what you’re saying is not only are things working out for me, but for you, too?” You laughed. 

“Pretty much, yeah,” she nodded. 

“So glad you’re happy for me,” you said. 

“Fucking ecstatic,” she smirked. 

“Can we just get on with our topic?” You laughed. “Our listeners don’t want to hear us rambling for an hour.” 

“Babe, that’s exactly what we already do,” she pointed out. 

“True,” you laughed. “Anyway, but seriously we have a huge topic to talk about and we’re running out of time.” 

“Okay, okay,” Jam said. “Let’s this show on the fucking road!” 

Over the next hour, you finish recording the podcast and then head into your office to finish up somethings. Tour started tomorrow night and you were leaving first thing in the morning with Harry. While you were typing up an email, Jam walked in and sat down. 

“So, do you want to tell me what’s going with you and Harry?” She asked. 

“I knew your questions weren’t going to stop after recording,” you laughed. 

“Because I know we can only talk about a few things, but now that it’s just us, tell me,” she smiled. 

“Fine,” you laughed. “Everything is good, just like I said. I’ve been staying with him most of the time over the last week-” 

“Bow chica bow wow,” she smirked. 

You rolled your eyes, “Can we ever have a serious discussion?” 

“We’ve been best mates for ages, when have you known me to be serious,” he smirked. 

“Anyway,” you said. “Tour starts tomorrow, so I’ll be gone a few days.” 

“Look at you, supporting your man,” she said. 

“Yep,” you smirked. 

“How long do you think it'll be before fans figure out that you two are together?” She asked. 

“No clue,” you sighed. “All it takes it for one post about me being at his show and it could set a fire.” 

“You think you’re ready for that?” She asked. 

“I mean, is anyone ready for that?” You asked. ���From what I’ve gathered from Gemma, there’s usually three types of responses to someone who’s rumored to be with him. Those who love ‘em, those who hate ‘em, and finally those who both hate and think it’s all fake. So, I really don’t know how the response is going to be for me.”

“Well, good thing no one knows who the fuck you are,” she said. 

“Hey!” You laughed throwing a pen at her. “I think I’ve done a good job at giving myself a name. We may not be on the level of Rolling Stone, but we’re doing quite well.” 

“Yeah, we are,” she nodded. “But you know, we would do a little bit better if we had a certain someone featured in the magazine.” 

“Are you serious?” You asked. 

“Look, it’s just an idea. The creative team was bouncing ideas and his name came up,” she said. “Plus, word on social media is, his fans already think he’s going to be in the magazine anyway, so why not.” 

“Because he’s my boyfriend,” you said. “And I’m not using him to sell my magazine.” 

“Our magazine,” she said. “How is that any different than artists we put in our magazine all the time or him doing a different magazine. He gets exposure and so do we.” 

“Look, I can’t discuss this right now,” you sighed. “And besides, he’s going on tour, so he wouldn’t even have time to do anything for months anyway.” 

“Unless,” she said.

“Unless what?” you asked. 

“Unless it’s about the tour,” she said. 

“I’m not following,” you said. 

“Okay, think of this,” she said. “Really think of i with an open mind. Remember when we talked about how it would be cool and different if we covered an artist on tour. Talking about their day, how they feel on stage, what it’s like to be traveling, etc, etc. Well, this is our chance. It can be an entire issue all about him, his band, his crew, etc. Not only does this give us material that would sell through the fucking roof, but you would be able to go with him on tour.” 

“I don’t know,” you shook your head. 

“Like you said, he’s going on tour for months, you don’t have to make a decision now,” she said. “Take some time, think it over, talk to Harry, then let us know.” 

You sighed, “Okay, I’ll think about it and run it by Harry, but if he feels uncomfortable with this, it’s a no.” 

“And we’ll all understand,” she said. “Your relationship is worth more a million magazines.”

**

When you got to Harry’s after work, you couldn’t take your mind off of what Jam had suggested. Part of you thought it was a good idea for both your brand and well, you. But the other part of you thought it was a terrible idea for both your brand and well, you. You had stopped to pick something up for dinner before pulling into his driveway. 

He greeted you at the door with a kiss and took the food from you. “Hey, beautiful,” he smiled. 

“Hey,” you smiled. 

“Everything good at work?” He asked. 

“Yeah, we recorded the podcast and I finalized some things, responded to some emails,” you said. 

“Sounds fun,” he laughed.

“Loads,” you said. 

“Well, everything’s set for you to come with, right?” He asked hopefully. 

“Yep,” you nodded. “I’m good to be out of the office for the next few days.” 

“Awesome,” he smiled. “Let’s eat!” 

You smiled sitting down and downing a glass of wine before taking your first bite. 

“Um, is there something you want to tell me?” He laughed. 

“What? No, I’m just thirsty,” you said pouring yourself another glass. 

“Then drink water,” he laughed. “But really, tell me what’s wrong.” 

“There’s nothing,” you sighed. 

“There is,” he said taking your hand, “Come on, you know you can tell me anything. Did something happen at work?” 

“It’s not really something that happened, just an idea the creative team came up with,” you said. 

“Oh, are you not seeing eye to eye on it?” He asked. 

“Not really,” you said. “I’m torn about it, so I told them I’d think about it first.” 

“Well, you should,” he nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with that.” 

You nodded taking a bite of the food. 

“So, is the idea bad?” He asked shoving food in his mouth. 

“Yes, and no,” you sighed. 

“Can you tell me what it is?” He asked. 

“Funny you should ask,” you said. 

He looked over at you, “Why?” 

“It’s an idea involving you,” you sighed.

“Oh,” he nodded. “What’s the idea.” 

“Well, it stemmed from an idea we’ve had awhile back. Basically, it would be an entire issue all about a certain artist. It would include behind the scenes moments of life on tour, various interviews with the artist, their band, their crew, their fans, etc. Then we would compile of that into one limited edition issue to sell,” you said. “So, the creative team came up with the idea that our first one could be about you and that I would be the one to tag along on tour and get the material.” 

“Interesting,” he said taking a sip. 

“I told Jam, I didn’t feel right doing it because I feel like it would be using you in a way,” you said. 

“Using me, would be to not tell me and do it anyway. To use personal photos, or write about your personal experiences without my knowledge,” he said. “But since you’re telling me, or asking me, if I agreed you wouldn't be using me. It would just be another form of promo for me.” 

“Harry, I would never ask you to do that,” you said. “I don’t want you to ever think-” 

“Why?” He asked. “Why would me being in your magazine be a bad thing?” 

“I mean, it wouldn’t be, but-” you said. 

“Y/N, is it really that you don’t want me to be in because you don’t feel right about it, or do you feel this way because of how it might be perceived by my fans or the public?” He asked. 

You sighed looking down, moving the remainder of food around on your plate, “A little bit of both, I guess.” 

“Hey,” he said. “Fuck what anyone else says, it doesn’t matter.” 

“Are you trying to say you would consider it?” You asked. 

“Possibly, I’d run it by Jeff first, but only if you’re okay with doing it,” he said. “If you don’t want to, then I could take or leave it.” 

“Let me think about it,” you said. “And figure out logistics and then fully present a formal offer and then you can decide then. Also, I want you to look as just another offer for a magazine, not me being your girlfriend.” 

“If I must,” he joked. 

“I’m serious!” You said pointing your fork at him.

“You know, you’re really fucking hot when you’re serious,” he smirked. 

You rolled your eyes, “Just eat your dinner.” 

**

Well, it was the big night. Opening night of Love on Tour. Everyone backstage was pumped up and counting down the minutes until it was time to take the stage. Fans were already lining up outside the venue when you all had arrived and that was hours before the show. You felt a little weird, if you were being honest because you felt in the way. 

Harry and his band were in soundcheck, his crew was finishing setting everything up and go through the lights and sounds. His team were going over details and setting up for hair, makeup, and wardrobe, all while you were grabbing snacks from the snack table and staring at your phone. You wondered if it would always be like this whenever you were at the shows with him or if it was mostly because it was the first night. 

You still didn't really know anyone all that well, so it was still a bit awkward. You got on with everyone in the band, but as far as anyone else, not so much. It’s that you didn’t get along with anyone, it was just more of no one else seemed to reach out to you without Harry around. Because of this, you were certainly starting to wonder if the tour piece you were thinking about doing shouldn’t happen. 

You were still on the fence with it and you really had hadn’t a chance to really dive into details and what not, but you couldn’t help but wonder if you did it, would you just sort of become part of the Harry Styles entourage that followed him where he went, or would you still be the girlfriend. Of course, the latter still sort of feel into the entourage situation, but you didn’t want it to turn in to you just following your boyfriend around. 

And while you technically would be working, could you honestly afford being away from the office for that long. Not that Jam or the rest of your team couldn’t handle it, it’s just would you feel right leaving them to pick up your slack. Granted you could still do a few things as long as you had your laptop and a decent wi-fi connection, but you wouldn’t be able to record the podcast or be there for photoshoots or creative meetings. 

Then there was the part of you that really wanted to do it because then it allowed you to be with your boyfriend instead of having to go through a long distance relationship. However, was it really good for you two to be with each other 24/7 like that with a new relationship and adding a business element into it as well. 

Basically, there were still a lot of details you needed to figure out before you even brought up the idea again. You just hoped whatever you did choose didn’t have a huge affect on your relationship. You were reading something on your phone when someone laid down on the couch, putting their head onto your lap. 

You laughed realizing it was your boyfriend, “You’re lucky it’s you or you’d be on the floor right now.” 

“Good to know you would’t just let anyone lay on you,” he smirked. 

You laughed putting your phone down and pressing your lips to his, “How’d soundcheck go?” 

“Great,” he said. “Now, I’m just waiting until the next time I’m on stage.” 

You smiled playing with this hair, “I can tell. Your heart is beating with excitement.” 

He smirked, “No, that just how I am whenever I’m with you.” 

You rolled your eyes with a laugh, “Smooth.” 

“So, have you given any more thought to the magazine idea?” He asked. 

“I have, but I still don’t know,” you said. “Plus, I haven’t really had time to put a proposal together.” 

“True,” he nodded. “I mentioned a little something to Jeff.” 

“And?” You asked. 

“He said if it’s something I wanted to do, then we should do it,” he said. 

“I guess I’m just a little worried about being away from the office, too,” you said. “I mean I’ve never been gone more than a few weeks at a time.” 

“Well, technically you would be working,” he said. “And I’m sure everyone would help out while you’re gone.” 

“Yeah, I know,” you said. “It’s just a control thing, you know?” 

“You do like being in control,” he smirked with a wink. 

“Will you stop?” You laughed. 

“Nope,” he smirked. “But seriously, I just want you to know that I’m in to do this if you are. I don’t want you to worry about how I feel with it when making your decision. And I’ll support you either way.” 

“Thank you,” you smiled. 

“Hey, I should at least earn a kiss with that, right?” He smirked. 

Rolling your eyes you lean down to press your lips against his. 

**

It was time, showtime. Even backstage you could hear the screams, chants, and cheers all for Harry. He was dressed and minutes away from getting on stage. Everyone was following him down the hallway towards the entrance to the stage. You laughed as you watched everyone pumping him up and then he walked over to you. 

You smiled wrapping your arms around him as he placed his hands on your cheeks. 

“Kiss for good luck?” You smirked. 

“Yep,” he smirked. 

You giggled leaning in towards him for a kiss. He smiled into the kiss before pulling away. “I’ll see you out there in the audience, love. You better be screaming the loudest.” 

“Well, if I’m not out there, I promise to after the show,” you smirked. 

He raised an eyebrow with a laugh before kissing your head quickly and heading out on stage. In the midst of you making your way to where you would be standing for the show, you had gotten yourself and drink and could hear the screams even louder than before. When you got out into the arena, you were shocked at how many people were there and freaking out. 

There were fans who were crying, jumping up and down, and belting out the lyrics of his songs. You looked up at the stage, seeing a new light in his eyes, and you knew up on that stage in front of his fan is exactly where he wanted to be. You smiled at him when he catches your eye. You blew him a kiss and joined in on sing along. He smirked giving you a wink before going on about his business for the rest of the show. 

Once it was over, you quickly went backstage to meet your boyfriend. You could see him hugging Jeff and a few others who had got to him first, but as soon as he saw you, he ran straight over to you. He was a sweaty mess, practically dripping onto the floor, and his hair was now hanging in his face. 

“Baby!” He smiled wrapping his arms around you and picking you up in his arms, spinning the two of you around, before putting you back on your feet and pressing his lips against yours. 

You giggled into the kiss before pulling away, “You were amazing. The show was incredible... and you looked pretty hot and sexy up there.” 

“Hm, really?” He smirked. “So, my girl liked it?” 

“Loved it,” you smiled. 

“Good, now, we’re all going to freshen up a bit and then go to the afterparty,” he said. “Is that okay?” 

“Hey, it’s your night,” you smiled. “I’m down for whatever you want.” 

He smiled, “Thank you so much for being here, it means a lot to me,” he whispered. 

“You’re welcome, baby,” you smiled. 

**

The next morning or more like closer to midday, you and Harry were having a bite to eat at a local cafe. You had woken up before Harry that morning and started brainstorming about what you were going to do. There were a few tour dates you would be with Harry before he went back to London for two shows and then going off to his Europe dates. You thought about what Jam had mentioned and how profiling an artist’s life on tour would be something to make your magazine stand out. 

However, you were thinking of going a different route. You spent most of the morning sipping some coffee and looking through social media. You were looking at fan’s reactions to the first show last and that some fans had even live-streamed the entire show. Between that and what you saw first hand at the show, you had a completely new idea. 

You just had to doing a makeshift proposal first. You wrote down your ideas because you didn’t bring your laptop to fully make a proper one. So, now that you were at lunch with Harry, it was time to give it to him. 

“Tired?” You laughed 

“A little bit,” he laughed. “But nothing a little coffee can’t fix.” 

You nodded, “Do you think I could run something by you then?” you asked. 

“Is this about the magazine?” He asked. 

“Yes, I’ve been working on my idea all morning,” you said. “Now, nothing’s final because I still have to run it by my team as well, but I want your input.” 

“Okay, I’m listening,” he said. 

“So, I was thinking instead of just doing a whole spread on you through what I observe and like behind the scenes etc,” you said. “I was thinking about maybe doing in through the spread in the point of view as your fans. I’m not entirely sure on the details or logistics of things, but I see the way they love you and how the atmosphere is everything to them, and I just I think it would be an awesome thank you to them. Letting them have their moment of recognition.” 

“I mean we’d still have moments about you and behind the scenes, but I’d love to just meet the fans before the show and interview them and stuff,” you said. 

“Wow,” he said. “That’s-” 

“Stupid? Not realistic?” you sighed. 

“No, I was going to say perfect,” he said. “I fucking love that idea.” 

“Really?” You smiled. 

“I do, yeah,” he smiled. “Do you think your team will?” 

“I hope so,” you said. “The whole reason we started The Mixtape is because Jam and I were fans. We talked about our favorite artists, our favorite music, all of that top of shit, so as a music fan myself, I feel like this is exactly what our magazine is for, for the fans.” 

He smiled taking your hand into his, “And that’s exactly one of the reasons why I like you. I think they’re going to love the idea.” 

You smiled, “I think so, too. I typed up the email, but I wanted to run it by you first before I sent it.” 

“Well, send it away,” he smiled. 

You laughed taking your phone out of your bag and finding the email to send it. “There all done,” you smiled. 

“So, if they agree, does this mean you’re coming on tour with me then?” He asked hopefully. 

“Yep,” you smiled. “At least for most of it yeah, there will be some times I’d need to go into the office for my own piece of mind, but yeah, as long as you want me there.” 

He smirked leaning over the table to bring you into a kiss. Well, if everything went okay with your team, you would be joining Harry on tour and you couldn’t wait. 

**

Welp, this concludes The Set Up! Who wants to see their Love on Tour? Ha! Get it? Yeah, sorry, anyway, if you would like there to be another little mini story about these two, let me know! 

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

How’s it coming along, all? :)

Hey everyone!!!

I hope everyone’s been enjoying their challenge so far! We’re 6 weeks in and I thought I’d do a little check-in, totally informal and absolutely voluntary, to see how everyone is doing, check if there’s anything that needs clarifying, or if there are any other questions... stuff like that. :)

I thought it would also be a great time to share a little bit about what we’ve been up to! Favourite fic we’ve read or are currently reading, what book we’ve read or plan to read IF we’re doing said Hard Mode task, how many fics we’ve read, unique authors, different fandoms, if we’ve read a fandom crossover fic and what type... how many words total we’ve read and, if we’re feeling really geeky, how much that averages out to per fic? per chapter? What ship or fandom have we read the most of? Rating? Favourite trope so far, if our data even bears that question out? Have you discovered any new fandoms or ships—new to you, that is? Is there a fic or a fandom or ship you haven’t read in more than 10 years, and somehow, someway, found your way back to? Is there a deep quote you’ve come across? Written by the author or quoted by them from someone else? (Totally valid too, with accreditation!) Have you changed your view on something huge because of a fic you read? Have you found a new favourite ship? Or, like me, have you just added another warship to your giant ship armada? (Pretty sure I’ve read five new-to-me ships already; I love this challenge!)

And so much more! Feel free to talk about, list, or mention anything you like!! Even things you’d like to see next year, or that could’ve been done better or not at all. While being polite, of course. ;)

I’ll leave these questions here for now, answer a couple myself, head to bed, and then tomorrow I’ll share some more of my own stats, favourites, and even some of my frustrations with you! I look forward to it, and to hearing from all of you as well!

If you don’t feel like sharing publicly in reply to this post, please feel more than free to tag me in your own post (and ask me not to reblog) or send me an Ask, or a Submission to this blog that I can approve, or as a Direct Message to this blog or to @juuls — my main blog. I would love some distraction tomorrow, instead of going off on another rant about the world being stupid. :P

I’ll leave you with a few stats to get this started, however!:

I currently have over 700 fics listed on my Reading Log, and only 72 have been read completely!

I read The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins for my Hard Mode book-not-fic task (though I could’ve chosen from 13 other books I’ve already read for that spot!).

I’ve read 52 unique authors.

A new to me fandom (well, sub-fandom, as I’ve read DS9 and AOS/TOS) is Star Trek Discovery, and I’ve even found a fic for literally the very first fandom I became obsessed with as a wee little fanling: Escaflowne. Man! This fic dates back twenty years, back to when I read it on freakin’ GEOCITIES lmaoooo. But then again, I’ve also found some HP fic that goes back further than that, even if I wasn’t actively reading it until one or two years later. My goodness, time flies.

I have also read 25 unique ships and am well on my way to probably tripling that by year’s end. I just love everything, how could I not?

I’ve definitely read short fics, but it looks like my average completed fic (71 fics -- 1,393,005 words total) works out to around 19,620 words! Not too shabby!

The total word count (so far) of the fics I’ll possibly read is creeping well past 12 million now.

I may have a (many) problem(s).

The longest fic I’ve completed so far is a Doctor Who fic at ~207k.

The longest fic I am currently reading -- and it’s still being written!!! -- is an ASoIaF/GoT fic that is ~407k words and counting.

BUT I also have eight fics set in Potterverse waiting for me, which are all more than 600,000 words each. (and tons others in the more than 200k word range -- what is it with that? Do we just love the sandbox or do we want to make Rowling’s characters touch in ways she would despise? 

................ maybe a bit of both.

Yes, dear ones, I am insane. And loving every minute of it.

I may share some more stats tomorrow, but that’s a lot right there! For now, I’m going to go back to an A/B/O guilty pleasure fic (oo, there’s one task down!) I found... ;D 

Anyone have a copy of Draco Dormiens? Coulda sworn I had one hiding out in my hard drives somewhere, but for the life of me I can’t find it... Hm.

Anyway! Have a good night or day y’all! Be kind to one another. <3

And hopefully this rambling made at least one person smile, for that was my aim! I just want this to be fun for everyone and a happy event. No pressure, no best or worst, no comparisons to each other, just to yourself.... learning new things about your own self, too! That’s always wonderful. :) And reading fic in a way that makes it feel like we’re accomplishing something, by making a fun little game/challenge out of it with an aim and a purpose for all those words going in one eyeball and out the other! You can read a book and feel like you’ve “added to your repertoire” and I just want this to feel the same way. :)

It does for me, and I hope it will for you too.

Much love, all.

<3

[pangzi]

Otome gay [Nielan] - Chapter 1

word count: 1663  other chapters:  INTRO - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 [AO3]

When the doctor said Mingjue had to rest for three weeks, he knew it was going to be hard. Maybe if Huaisang still lived at home, or if he had a boyfriend, it would’ve been bearable. But one week in now, Mingjue was losing his mind. Zonghui refused to let him come to the gym to at least do some administration or something. He could do all that from home, Zonghui had told Mingjue. He had no way to get there either, as he couldn’t drive with a broken foot. So Mingjue was stuck at home, alone. 

Luckily, Huaisang had promised to come home for the weekend to keep him company. Mingjue won’t admit it out loud, but he really misses Huaisang. It’s quite boring at home without Huaisang’s constant nagging, without someone to boss around a bit.

Mingjue had only just gotten out of bed, groggily making his morning coffee, when Huaisang burst inside. 

“Dage, I’m home!” He yelled, “did you miss me?” 

Mingjue heard him drop all his stuff near the door. Only seconds later he felt his little brother wrapping his arms around him for a short hug. 

“Can you make me a coffee too, dage?” Huaisang asked, immediately going for the puppy dog eyes he knew his brother had a hard time saying no to. “The coffee on campus is disgusting compared to that honey and vanilla latte you make!” 

Mingjue pushed him away and grabbed another cup as a reply. Huaisang smiled brightly and hopped on the countertop behind him. 

Huaisang just chatted happily about some things that happened at school, while waiting for his coffee. Mingjue didn’t really reply to anything, but he was listening and Huaisang knew that. Huaisang knows not to expect a reply from Mingjue until he’s had his morning coffee, he also knows that Mingjue does enjoy listening to his non-stop chatter no matter how early it is. 

He hopped down as soon as he saw the coffee was ready, handed Mingjue his crutches and took the coffees. 

“Let’s go talk on the couch, you should keep your foot up!”

Huaisang waited for Mingjue to be comfortable on the couch, with his foot propped up on the table, to start talking again. He chattered on happily while Mingjue just enjoyed his coffee and his brother’s company. Mingjue’s heart almost ached with how much he had missed his brother. 

“Now, dage”, Huaisang said when he noticed his brother’s morning mood had passed, “what have you been up to? Have you found anyone yet to fill the void I left when I left for uni?”

“I’ve been working a lot,” Mingjue said, “no time to find anyone.”

“As usual”, Huaisang sighed, “You can’t tell me there isn’t some guy at the gym that has caught your eye at least once”

“I don’t date clients” 

Huaisang rolled his eyes and took the empty coffee mugs to the kitchen. Sometimes he really couldn’t believe how stubborn his brother could be. Mingjue has always been big on following the rules, stubbornly sticking to his own morals and beliefs even when breaking them wouldn’t harm anyone, when they could make his own life better. Huaisang knew several people who only came to the gym because they were interested in his brother, but Mingjue refused to even give them a chance as if he’d be breaking a huge moral code. Huaisang often reminded his brother that he wasn’t a lawyer or a doctor or a teacher or something and the only thing that could happen was that someone stopped coming to the gym, but it didn’t do anything.

Instead of having the same conversation for the umpteenth time, Huaisang changed the topic as soon as he sat down. 

“Dage, now that you’re home for three weeks and you don’t have me to keep you company”, Huaisang said, “you must be bored, right?”

Mingjue huffed. Of course he was bored, all he could do all day was sit around, read a book or watch a movie or tv-series. All big fun, when you have the choice to do other things as well. But instead of giving a snappy remark, he just hummed and asked why.

“So, Wei Wuxian and I had the idea to develop this otome game and we still need someone to try the game, and now that you’re stuck at home for so long you’re the perfect candidate!”

“You developed a what with who? Please speak in a language I understand, a-Sang” 

Huaisang laughed and told him to wait a second. He disappeared into the hallway and came back with his computer in his arms. He plopped down close to his big brother and started his computer.

“So, my roommate Wei Wuxian and I had the great idea to make a game together”, Huaisang started to explain, “He does the coding, I draw the characters and backgrounds, the story and conversations we come up with together.”

Mingjue hummed, as Huaisang clicked open an application.

“We don’t have a name for it yet, and we haven’t agreed on the names of the characters, but except for that it’s mostly done” 

SangXian’s wonderous otome game appeared on the screen in a fancy font, with underneath the options to play, load save game and exit. The background seemed to be a sort of slideshow of, what Mingjue guesses are, the in-game locations. 

“The game is an otome game, which is some kind of dating game” Huaisang explained, the cursor hovering over play for a second before he closed the minimized the application and opened a folder that was filled with drawings. “There are several characters you can choose to try and date, all of them have a positive ending, a negative one and a neutral one.” 

Huaisang selected a few images in the folder and opened them. “I’ll introduce you to the characters now” 

First character he showed was a boy with a scowl on his face. He was wearing all black with a purple apron. His hair seemed to be half long, pulled backwards with a purple ribbon. 

“This is our barista”, Huaisang said, “I cannot tell you much more than that and that he clearly likes purple, what do you think?”

“He looks like he’s trouble, but he’s handsome. Probably an interesting person”

Huaisang beamed at that before going to the next drawing. This one showed another handsome boy, this one was dressed in clearly expensive clothing and had quite a cocky posture.

“Our rich boy, a student at the university your character goes to.”

“Hm, looks nice but not exactly my type.”

Huaisang nodded and opened another drawing. This one gave Mingjue a weird feeling immediately and not in a good way. This one was clearly smaller than the rest, he was wearing what seemed to be tights and a big shirt. 

“I don’t like him,” Mingjue grumbled before Huaisang could even say anything about him.

“What has he done to you? You don’t even know anything about him yet!” 

Mingjue shrugged. “I just don’t like him, gives me a weird feeling, bad weird”

“Well, either way, this guy is a dancer. He is close friends with our next character!”

The next character took Mingjue’s breath away and it made him feel ridiculous. This character was dressed in white dungarees splattered with paint. He was tall, muscular, his hair was neatly cut and he has a soft smile on his face with eyes that radiate warmth and love. Everything about him just screamed Mingjue’s type. 

“I knew you would like him”, Huaisang said when he saw the way his brother was staring at the image. “This is our art guy, probably the nicest out of all characters but… well, all I can say is that he’s a special character.” 

Huaisang opened the last image. A cute boy, innocent looking, smiling brightly. The way his hair covered most of his face made him seem shy.

“Last but not least,” Huaisang said cheerfully, “our sweet med student! Again, he goes to the same school, he dreams of becoming a doctor like his sister and is probably one of the sweetest characters in the entire game”

“Looks like a sweet boy indeed”, Mingjue said and sat back on the couch.

“So?” Huaisang asked, “will you try it?”

Mingjue sighed deeply. He wasn’t the guy for sappy romance games like this. He didn’t really play games to be honest. Some candy crush on his phone every now and then, or Mario Kart with Huaisang when he’s home.

“Come on, dage”, Huaisang pouted, “you’re stuck at home anyway! Just try it for a bit, if you don’t like it that’s okay we’ll find someone else!” 

Mingjue cursed at how weak he was for his little brother. He hated that Huaisang knew how weak he was for him, he hated that Huaisang knew exactly how to get him to do something. Huaisang batted his eyelashes at Mingjue a few times and opened the game again.

“Please just try it”, Huaisang whined.

“All right, all right. But I’m not playing that dancer boy’s route, I don’t trust him”, Mingjue grumbled. 

Huaisang jumped up from excitement before hugging his brother shortly and thanking him profusely, after which he went to fetch Mingjue’s computer to install the game. 

“All right, while this is installing you can tell me exactly what happened with your foot”, Huaisang said after starting the installation process. 

“I already told you, a dumbass took weights too heavy for him and dropped them on my foot when I was trying to help him.”

“No, I want the whole story! I want the tea!”

So, Mingjue told his brother the entire story, what wasn’t much more than what he’d already told Huaisang, just a lot more swearing. Then he sent his little brother to the store for some groceries with the promise that Mingjue would try the game while he was gone. So with a sigh, he opened his computer again and started the game.

[starspatter]

Heroes and Thieves, Ch. 15

Title: Heroes and Thieves Fandom/Universe: BTAS, pre/post-RotJ flashback

Summary: A story about second chances, healing, and having hope.

Rating: PG-13, for references to character death, child psychological torture and trauma.

Genre: Romance/Family/Friendship/Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 4,800 Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Also on ff.net and AO3. ...I lied.  This is totally a harem story. *flees*

She held onto my coat that night, like a kid lost in her sleeves Oh we warmed the ground, we hushed our sound We slept on walking feet Oh Darlin’, pardon me Can you help me remember When we were all flying free

-Gregory Alan Isakov, “Living Proof”

————————–

After.

Barbara breathed out as she stood before the large, warehouse-like building, gazing anxiously up at its second floor (and watchful security cameras she knew were installed overhead). The reinforced structure still seemed relatively sound despite the recent disaster. The… original occupant certainly knew how to choose a hideout location and prepare for all potential outcomes. …Must've been a habit he picked up from his previous landlord.

With a wary hand, she buzzed the doorbell.

Sooner than she expected, the entry flew open to reveal an unfamiliar face: a young man with a short crop of mane spiked in the front like flames, similar in color to her own.

"Well hellooo there," he greeted with a wide grin, eyeing his guest up and down. "What can I do you for, miss?"

Barbara stared at him in surprise.

"Er, is Tim home? He… does still live here, right?"

The stranger licked his lips, resting toned muscle casually against the doorframe.

"Who cares about him? What say you and me get to know each other a bit first, as fellow redheads, hm?"

He loomed towards her, admiring her luscious saffron locks. Barbara grimaced, getting ready to give the kid a good taste of a police twist hold (if not taser) – when a voice she recognized interjected from behind.

"She's a cop, Roy. And she used to be Batgirl. I wouldn't try anything if I were you."

Tim emerged beside the other teen, regarding the two dully. Unfortunately the statement only seemed to fuel his friend's lust further.

"Hot damn. You here to arrest me, officer?" He waggled his brows. "Slap some cuffs on me and take me down to the station? I wouldn't mind that on the first date."

"Roy."

"Kidding, kidding. Jeeze, you really have no sense of humor now, do you?" He lowered his limb dejectedly. "Anyway, you didn't tell me you were acquainted with such a gorgeous babe. Ain't you gonna introduce us?"

Tim sighed.

"Roy, meet Officer Barbara Gordon, the Commissioner's daughter and former Batgirl. Babs, this is Roy Harper, a.k.a. Speedy, Green Arrow's ex-sidekick."

"Ex-partner," the other boy corrected. "And it's 'Arsenal' now."

"Whatever. Now could you please give us some privacy?"

"A'ight, I can take a hint to take a hike," Roy smirked with a suggestive wink. "I've got a 'date' myself anyway. I'll leave you two alone. Don't wait up~"

He whistled and growled as he passed by Barbara on the way out, who shot him a dirty look before resuming attention to Tim.

"I see you've been keeping company. Honestly, he's worse than the Flash." (What was it with all the male copperheads she met giving her ginger brand a bad name?)

"We know each other from the Titans," he replied in a dry tone. "He needed a place to stay after Queen kicked him out – again. Dick said it was okay."

Barbara paused.

"You talk to him recently?"

Tim shrugged as he moved aside to allow her in.

"We keep in touch. He calls every so often to check up on… things."

She studied his backside as they started heading upstairs to the loft.

"And? How are 'things'?

"Fine."

She glanced around the interior of the room as they approached the top; it looked pretty much the same as she remembered. There was the ornate wall of Asian-styled checkered windows overlooking the city, and the ninja sword rack hanging next to a decorative dragon panel (behind which she knew there was a concealed compartment that used to contain Nightwing's costume). Dick did always have a flair for the Orient.

Running her hand wistfully along the armrest to the sofa, she recalled how she and Dick used to sit and cuddle together on it, enjoying late-night Chinese takeout and talks, among… other things.

A frown settled on her face as she noticed something… "off" about the couch cushions.

"'Fine', you say. …Is that why you have 'this'?"

Tim's eyes immediately narrowed as she stretched behind the seat and unzipped the foam, removing a bag of greenish-purple powder from deep within.

"It's not mine."

He answered, a little too hasty.

"Whose is it then?"

"Roy's," he stated flatly, seeming nonchalant about selling out his flatmate.

"And you're telling me you've never used any?"

He hesitated, eyes slanting aside in silence. She scrutinized the stash, recognizing to her horror that it was likely the popular new drug that was being distributed in the streets amongst decadent youth; an isolated chemical strain similar to Joker toxin, but more mild. Not strong enough to cause permanent psychological damage (at least when taken in minor doses), but enough to mimic the euphoric high for hours on end.

"Have you been doing deals with Jokerz?"

"Like hell I would," he snapped.

She reached out to sternly grab his wrist, trying insistently to meet his eye.

"Tim. Be honest with me. Please."

He yanked his arm away, glaring fiercely in anger.

"What is this, some kind of bust? Fine, go ahead, book me. I don't care. Why don't you just charge me with murder while you're at it?"

"Tim…"

"You don't get it, Barb." He clutched at his sleeves, digging digits deep into his skin. "You don't know what it's like, living with fucking laughter inside your head all the time. At least when I'm laughing louder I can't hear him."

She swallowed, biting her lip. Gently, she set the plastic down on the table.

"I do understand," she whispered softly.

He blinked at her.

"Tim, the reason I came here, is because… Lately, I've been having these… visions." She sank down on the lounger, steepling fingers in front of her. "You remember the time Scarecrow gassed me and left me in a hallucinogenic nightmare state?"

He nodded.

"It's like that, only now, I get them when I'm awake as well, at complete random. Ever since the quake, I'll experience these abrupt panic attacks, and see all kinds of terrifying shit. Then, the flashbacks start, and there's one that's always recurring…" She closed her eyes, reflecting reluctantly. "All of a sudden I'll see myself back at Arkham, fighting against Harley. We go over the edge of the cliff, and I'm hanging on like before, and she starts to slip… Only this time, I fall with her. I – I die, just like that time in my dream."

She hunched in on herself further as she continued.

"It doesn't end there though. It keeps going, and I can still see everything else play out, like when I visualized my dad going after Bruce afterwards. I – I see him and Joker, and you – JJ – there with the gun – and – and… The shot hits Batman instead."

Her speech tapered off as she finished the sentence. Her audience was deathly quiet as she carried on in a tremulous hush.

"Then you and the Joker – he – he makes you do all these horrible things – so many deaths – including Dick's – and finally my dad's the only one left – and he has to take you both down by himself – and it ends with either him shooting you – or you shooting him – and either way everyone I love is… gone."

She looked at him, tears starring her eyes.

"I'm sorry. You probably don't want to hear any of this. I – I just had to come see you…"

"To make sure I haven't gone on an insane murder spree?"

Barbara lowered her head in apology.

"I didn't mean it like that…"

Tim exhaled, unlinking his limbs as he leaned back against the table.

"For what it's worth, I don't think I've done anything recently that would land me a spot in Arkham. …Anyway, shouldn't you go see a doctor about this or something? Or someone else who can help, like…"

The weight of unspoken word hung heavy in the air. She shook her head.

"I'm scared. What if they can't treat it, say my condition's permanent? I'm no good to the force like this, I can't function out in the field. I'll have to give up my badge, after I worked so hard to finally get here..."

Tim rolled his eyes slightly.

"Gee, I wonder what that could possibly be like?"

Contriteness crossed her countenance again.

"…Sorry. That was dumb, I shouldn't have said that. I was being selfish, only thinking of myself. I shouldn't have bothered you with this. You've got enough to deal with, you don't deserve to have my issues dumped on you as well."

Tim held up his hand.

"Look, it's okay, Babs. …Is there anything I can do?"

She lifted timidly, chewing her lip.

"I – I was just hoping maybe we could… I don't know – talk for a bit?"

Tim remained mute, mulling for a moment, before turning and walking over to the mini-fridge. Opening it, he retrieved two chilled beer cans before revolving back.

"You want a drink?"

She boosted an eyebrow, but nevertheless gratefully accepted the offering of booze.

"I'm not even going to ask how you got these."

She muttered as she popped the tab and started to chug it down.

…

A nearly emptied six-pack later, they were both more than a bit tipsy, but Barbara especially so. Turns out she wasn't very good at holding her alcohol.

"I mean, who do those jerks think they are?" she slurred as she slammed her container down. "I'm not some little girl or someone's possession. I can date whoever I damn well please."

Tim perceived her lurch lopsidedly as she groped for another, growing concerned.

"Don't you think you've had one too many?"

"I'll be the judge of that," she hicced as she swatted his hand away. Tim persisted however, prying the prize firmly from her fingertips.

"That's it. I think you've had enough."

As he stood up to put the beverage back, he simultaneously fished out his phone and began dialing with his free hand.

"I'm calling your dad to come pick you up."

He felt a pressure on his lower waist, and he looked down to see Barbara clinging to the back of his shirt, burying her flushed forehead against his spine.

"Please," she mumbled into the fabric. "Just let me stay here a little longer."

He gulped, but submissively sat back down. She warmly nestled her head against his shoulder, causing his chest to beat rapidly in confusion.

"…What the hell happened to us, Tim? How did we end up like this? The four of us, hardly even speaking to each other? Dick would never return my phone calls, and Bruce – God, Bruce – I don't even know where to begin with him."

"To be fair, he was never much of a conversationalist to begin with," Tim griped bitterly. "Besides, don't you, uh, have a new boyfriend now?"

He cleared his throat, and Barbara sighed as she sat up, hugging her knees close to her for comfort instead.

"Sam's great. He understands, but… He doesn't really 'get' it, you know? What we've been through."

She traced a rim of condensation on the counter.

"Hey, you remember that time Bruce almost married a plant-woman? That was wild."

"Yeah? What about when Farmer Brown unleashed a bunch of giant mutant insects on Gotham? That's got to be the craziest adventure we ever had."

"Please. You weren't there when Baby Doll and Killer Croc teamed up and nearly nuked the city. I mean, can you imagine those two together? You can't compete with a weirder pair than that."

It was startlingly simple, to slip so smoothly back into nostalgia. Swapping stories, trying to one-up each other's exploits. Barbara would even fondly describe some of the times she worked with the original Dynamic Duo, back during the "good ol' days" – of colorful costumed villains, wacky crimes, and ridiculous motivations. Telling increasingly tall tales and amusing anecdotes that almost made Tim laugh. …Almost.

"So let me get this straight," she repeated, "You flew the Batplane all the way to outer space… to the Justice League Watchtower… by yourself?"

"Yup," Tim responded as he sedately cracked open the last metal vessel still in his lap and took a sip.

Barbara shook her head in disbelief.

"You always were a risk-taker. I still can't believe Bruce went missing and got brainwashed… again. How come I never knew about any of this? Why didn't you contact me?"

"You were off at grad school. I figured I could handle it."

Barbara propped her elbow on the plush, leaning her cheek thoughtfully against it as she tucked her legs underneath her.

"...It's good that you went to them for help."

Tim peered down, picking absently at the paper label, peeling off aluminum.

"Mr. Kent told me afterwards, that Bruce did call him in secret. The operating room's walls were lined with lead though, since they used to take X-Rays and brain scans there. Even the curtain and that stupid apron Joker wore had lead shielding. He had hench-spies stationed everywhere, in Metropolis as well, so he could render me unconscious as soon as Superman showed up and I wouldn't be able to scream. …He really was prepared for everything."

Barbara couldn't believe it. Just how long had that disgusting sicko been planning this?

"What about the Martian? He's a telepath, isn't he?"

Tim shook his head.

"Apparently the last time he attempted a city-wide psychic sweep to look for Luthor, he wasn't able to shut it off. The flood of thoughts nearly drove him mad afterwards. Bruce didn't want to risk it."

"That still doesn't excuse-"

"What's done is done," Tim curtly cut her off, crushing the canister in his grip to transfer his own resentful rage, before tossing it in the trash. "I've accepted the damage. There's no use in going back and flinging hindsight accusations at this point."

Barbara surveyed his sullen expression in overwhelming sympathy.

"…There's one thing Joker didn't count on."

"What?"

"You fighting him off in the end. You were stronger than him. You won."

Knuckles balled on Tim's kneecap.

"That wasn't a win. We lost the moment I confessed everything to him."

"That's not true, Tim."

He shook his head.

"I killed him, Barb. I did what none of us were ever supposed to do. And the worst part is, I – I was glad about it."

She extended her palm to wrap reassuringly around his wrist.

"So? You have every right to be, after what he did to you."

Tim's fist only tautened further as he avoided her eyes, ashamed of his own ugly sin.

"You know, it's ironic – Batman got gassed by Scarecrow once too. Only instead it took away all his fear. He was seriously out of control, to the point where he wasn't even afraid to kill criminals. I had to take him down myself. I… managed to keep him from making a big mistake."

He laughed then, though it sounded hollow. His eyes had such a pained look, moreso than anything physical could've caused him. The hurt was in his heart and soul. Barbara's own heart broke to see him like this. Her brain swam, swarming with remorse. Wishing there was something she could do to help heal him, convince him that he had a good heart, one that was still worthy and capable of loving others, and of being loved in return…

…

Slowly, she inclined forward – and kissed him.

…

For a second, all Tim could register was the flavor of liquor mixed with black licorice – lush and luscious on her lips – before panicking and pushing away.

"What are you doing?"

"I… don't know."

"…I think you're making a big mistake."

Barbara bristled.

"Who says?"

From their positions, she was practically on top of him. He grasped her shoulders, keeping determinedly at bay.

"You're drunk. And probably hallucinating."

"I'm not hallucinating."

He sighed, scraping a hand through his hair.

"I'm not Dick or Bruce, you know. …I'm nobody."

"You're not nobody."

Conflict clouded his eyes.

"Look, this is all kinds of wrong. What about Sam? Besides, your dad would probably kill me…"

The whites around her blue irises widened.

"Kill you…?"

…Shit.

"Babs, no, I didn't mean-"

She slid off, seizing arms around herself, impressing into her flesh.

"He'll kill you. You'll kill him. …Everyone's going to be killed. And it's all my fault."

Shit. Shit shit shit. He should've known better.

"No one's dying. We're all still alive." (…If what they had could be called "living".) "You're just imagining it."

Her claws only clamped tighter.

"Sam… What if he comes after Sam? I'm putting him in danger. Oh God." Her pupils contracted, zoning into the distance. "Sam, don't open the door – he's got a gun!"

This was not good. He was losing her. He tried to twist her around, get her to see him instead of… of… whatever it was she was trapped by.

"Babs? Hey, hey, look at me. Look at me. Whatever you're seeing right now, it's not real. You hear me? It's not real."

She stayed stiff as a board though, staring far off into vacant space.

"Dad. Oh my God, what's he doing to Dad? He's trying to turn him crazy too. No, no, make it stop!"

Worriedly, Tim shook her shoulders.

"Babs, hey, c'mon! Snap out of it!"

Her eyes were glazed, no longer glued to one spot but rolling everywhere else. Darting frantically to and fro. Features contorted, seemingly in some kind of phantom agony.

"My legs. I can't feel my legs. He took my legs."

Nails curled around her abdomen area, clenching cloth in anguish. Scrabbling, scratching, as if searching for something.

"Babs!"

"The baby," she sobbed. "I lost the baby. I couldn't protect him. Couldn't protect… im…"

The last part was muffled by a wounded choke, but… From the way she said it, it kinda sounded like…

His name.

Helpless, Tim looked on with an aching empathy as the normally tough, take-charge woman he always knew coiled into a fetal form, crying miserably. He mused if this was how he must've often looked to the others back then. He didn't know what to do, how to help her. He felt so utterly useless.

Running over options, his mind halted at one possibility. Something that used to help him deal with nightmares as a kid, before… everything. It was probably dumb and desperate, but it was worth a shot.

"Wait here. I'll be right back."

He dashed to the bedroom, opening up the nightstand drawer and fumbling around inside. Withdrawing the object from the far back, he considered it grimly for a beat, before gritting his teeth and resolutely taking it back to where Barbara was now rocking herself.

"Babs? Hey, look: Remember this?"

She ceased instantly when she saw the Batarang suspended in front of her.

"You always felt safe whenever Batman and Robin were around, right? Nothing… bad can happen to you as long as they're there."

Sentiment welled in her ducts as she reached out tentatively for the reminder, cradling it close to her breast.

"Just in case you run into trouble up there."

"Dick… Bruce…"

Tim drew her in towards him in a compassionate embrace, soothingly stroking her quivering back as if she were the child.

"It's okay, Babs. It's okay." He reiterated the phrase in her ear. "You're okay. I'm… okay. We're okay."

They stayed like that for a while, and eventually the shudders and sniffles subsided as she seemed to fall into a fitful sleep. While she still whimpered occasionally, holding the Batarang nearer did appear to help somewhat.

Just then, he heard the opening and closing of the front door as Roy returned from his "date", bounding up the steps and stopping short upon witnessing the scene before him.

"Whoahey, am I interrupting something?"

He grinned, and Tim scowled at the guy's terrible timing.

"This isn't what it looks like. Just hurry up and help me get her to the bed."

Roy was about to open his mouth to make another snide remark, but promptly shut it upon seeing the searing look Tim speared at him, and the sweat and tears on the moaning visitor's visage. Switching into serious mode, he lent a steady hand with supporting her to the mattress. He was still a hero himself, after all, always available to aid any damsels in distress.

As he agreed to take over looking after the patient for the time being, Tim thanked him and left the bedside temporarily, pulling out his cell again as he traveled downstairs. Inhaling deeply, he began to punch in another number he knew all too well, forever engraved in the back of his skull.

After a couple rings, the other end picked up with a gruff greeting.

"…Yes?"

The cold, almost impatient lack of pleasantry was all Tim needed to confirm he had indeed reached the right person.

"Bruce, it's me. …Barbara needs help."

…

When Barbara finally awoke, the first thing she spotted was Tim sitting on a reversed chair next to her, chin reposed idly on his forearms.

"Hey."

"…Hey."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, I guess. …How long was I out?"

"The whole night. You were tossing and turning a lot."

She elevated gradually, sensing a moist towel fall from her crown onto the sheets in the process. Had he been nursing her this whole time?

As she tracked its descent, she saw she was still adhering to the Batarang as well. She blushed a bit at how babyish she must have seemed, to have to rely on something like this to calm her down.

"Um, thanks. …You can have this back now."

He relieved her of the improvised crutch, and in exchange he handed her a small vial of medication.

"Here, take this. It's similar to what Dr. Thompkins used to give me, but more concentrated. It's not a permanent cure, but it should help with the terrors. It'll likely knock you totally out for a few more days, but you won't have to suffer nightmares during it. If it doesn't work or you're still experiencing symptoms afterwards, call her and she'll adjust the dosage."

"You got this from Leslie?"

"Bruce did."

She gaped in astonishment.

"You actually spoke to him?"

"He just told me what I needed to know, then hung up and sent Alfred over with the stuff. …Typical, huh?"

His jaw drooped a little further into folds, as did his tired-looking lids.

"You're not the first Scarecrow victim to undergo relapses like this. It's rare, but everyone responds to the fear serum differently. Yours is a more severe case."

Barbara thought about how many others had to live their lives in a compromised state (or lost them entirely) all because of some psychopath who kept breaking out of Arkham – no matter how many times they put him back in – if not released through the revolving door due to (hell, courtesy of) all the corruption in the system. How many lives were really spared, while others still suffered because of their incompetence? Inconsequence.

"You know, sometimes I wonder: If what we were doing was ever really the right thing? After what happened with the earthquake… God, I don't know. Maybe this city is beyond hope. …In the end, did we even make any difference? Was it worth it – any of it? We've saved a bunch of people, sure, but at what cost? I mean, just look at us… We're a mess."

Tim simply shrugged.

"At least Dick's still doing okay over in Blüdhaven. And Bruce seems to be handling things fine on his own. Besides, it's not like he ever really needed us anyway. Because he's Batman."

Barbara observed as Tim toyed with the Batarang in his hands, balancing the tip on the chair back. She dropped her view towards the blankets.

"…You're not him, you know," she pronounced harshly. "You'll never be him."

Her own fingers fumbled with the damp napkin, and bottle of medicine, before looking up again with a smile.

"But, that's not a bad thing."

As she said this, she extended out to pat his cheek, noting the dark bags under his eyes. Had he even slept at all, she wondered? …Then again, she was probably taking up his bed, she realized with sudden embarrassment.

Tim seemed even more embarrassed by the affectionate contact, turning away with a cough. The memory of what she had done surged back to her cheeks, and she hastily detached, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, which bloomed a matching humiliated hue.

"Listen, about what happened last night…"

Tim merely waved off whatever she was about to say in advance.

"We were both drunk. It doesn't count."

"…You're awfully quick to dismiss." Detecting his fidgeting, she gleamed in comprehension. "Ah, don't tell me – you've never kissed anyone before?"

A pure pink tinge faintly colored his complexion, corroborating her suspicion.

"Ehehe, did I steal your first kiss, Boy Virgin?"

"Sh- shut up."

His flush deepened further.

"It's not like I've exactly had much opportunity to try it," he murmured in his defense. "…Besides, if we're counting that kind of thing, technically my first time would've been with Dick."

"Oh."

He sniped a sulk at her reaction.

"I gave him CPR once. What were you thinking?"

"Nothing," she declared innocently, hand hovering over her mouth to obstruct a snicker. "I bet this time was a lot better though. I'm sure you must've thoroughly enjoyed it, if not to some extent."

Tim averted his eyes again as she winked at him.

"Wh- who knows."

"Oh please. Don't deny you were the least bit curious. You think I never noticed you sneaking peeks while we were getting changed?"

Tim burned burgundy as he shifted sight down to his toes.

"I was 13. What'd you expect?"

She nodded sagely.

"You are a boy, after all. It's only natural for these things to occur."

She giggled in entertainment at his expense. When the chuckles died down, she checked the time on the alarm clock by the pillow.

"…I guess I should get going now. I'll need to call in to the station to tell them I'm taking the next days off."

He helped see her out. Standing awkwardly in the entrance, he rubbed his neck before addressing encouragingly.

"You're a great cop, Barb. You're gonna do a lot of good things for this city. I know you'll make it a better place."

She beamed.

"Thank you, Tim. …I'll start by confiscating 'this'."

She held up the contraband, which Roy had taken the liberty of hiding again, but there was no way he could outsmart a Bat, even if she wore a different symbol now.

"And I better not catch you with anything like this again, or I will take you in. Got it?"

Tim winced at the strict lecture and slap on the wrist, but nodded. Barbara softened as she reached around to envelop in a broad hug.

"…Don't be a stranger, Tim. You're the only one I can still talk to about all this."

He wavered, but kindly reciprocated the gesture. As she withdrew, she raised an arm to lightly pet his hair, discerning he had finally hit that growth spurt; he was almost at her height now.

"Listen. Someday, you're gonna meet someone special, who loves you just the way you are. And she's gonna be so lucky to have you in her life."

Tim scoffed.

"Yeah, right. Like that's ever gonna happen."

She took his hands in hers. Hands that still twitched and trembled every once in a while, as if afraid to even be touched. Hands that had, in his opinion, committed the greatest act of transgression, taking another's soul and doomed toll on his own – but had also toiled all night to keep changing her cool kerchief, tending and tenderly wiping her temple in enduring devotion to charitable ideals. That had prostrated and prayed, begging for a favor from "God" for her sake, subjugating self in spite of whatever spiteful feelings he bore towards said sore subject. …That had rescued so many lives at the risk of his own, without asking for any reward other than to have a place to call "home", and a "family" who cared for him as much as he did for them. (And even that had been mostly taken from him too, something for which she regretfully shared the blame.)

"Don't give up hope. Things will change. It's gonna get better. I promise."

She stooped forward to peck his cheek, before letting go.

"Thank you, again, for everything. I'll see you around, Tim."

"Yeah. See ya."

She left with a wave, and he halfheartedly did the same as he watched her go.

…

About a week later, after she'd fully recovered and gone back to work as good as new, she received an urgent call from Roy at the hospital.

…

Tim had tried to kill himself.

————————–

That sky glowed all calico, like phosphor in the sea To the ground we fall, she owns us all Kings and boys and beast Kings and boys and beast

[darkjanet2]

Drusilla's Soul Chapter 10

Back in San Francisco, Ca

Drusilla’s house-

Drusilla was training in her home. She was doing kickboxing, punching a bag, she was doing bench press and weightlifting. And of course she was doing Meditation to calm her mind, it treated anxiety, depression, pain, and gained her sanity. After she finished training, she took a hot shower washing her hair with Herbal Essences with the fragrance of rose hips. She moaned with bliss as she massaged her scalp and then rinsed the suds from her head. She then picked out Olay Total effects 7 Body Wash and poured into the loofah and washing her ivory, naked body to make her skin smooth and soft. Now she turned off the shower and blindly picked out a white towel around her body and got out of the shower.

Drusilla put on a silk lilac camisole and short, and she blow-dried her brunette hair. She sprayed deodorant in her armpits. She went to the living room and watched TV. In a few seconds later, she turned on her iPhone X to logged in her social media. She wondered what Brittney and David were talking about, this app was called Tinder, right? Yes, she remembered that night talking about the app to start on a date. She wasn’t quiet sure how to use it, but she would give it a try. She already created an account a night ago, she logged in, to her curiosity, she clicked the tutorial to learn how to do setting, locations, maximum distance, gender, and age. Now she finally understood. She began to create her profile to picture herself, her name, her age, her age, and her location. She was a woman who seeking men.

She read “About you” profile description.

‘About me? Hmm…’ Drusilla thought.

She wrote it about herself that she liked reading books, playing video game, cooking, playing with her cat. She then wrote her current job that she was a private investigator. And when she was done, she began to seek handsome men. Of course, she had sexual experience with Angelus and Spike, but they were long dead in Boxer Rebellion in China. They no longer terrorized them. Now that Drusilla was a heroine, and she saved people from horrendous vampires.

Now she began to seek handsome men in profiles, she tapped likes, crosses, and super likes.

A screen suddenly popped up a notification on her phone, she tapped it. It revealed a redhead drew cut hairstyle, fair skin, green eyes, muscular, wearing a gray sweatshirt and red jeans. He was handsome, and his name was Nicholas. He was 26, and he was from Trenton, NJ.

Nicholas: Hi, how are you?

Drusilla replied.

Drusilla: Hi. I’m fine. And you?

Nicholas: I’m doing fine.

Drusilla: That’s good to hear. :)

Nicholas: What are you doing?

Drusilla: Nothing, just watching TV.

Nicholas: Are you bored?

Drusilla: Not really. I think it’s my first time to use Tinder. A friend of mine told me that night she wanted me to chat any people. You know, like dating.

Nicholas: Ah, I see. You’re here for a date.

Drusilla: Hahaha, I don’t know. I’m quite kinda nervous.

Nicholas: Oh, don’t be. Maybe I can help you to overcome your nervousness and socially awkward.

Drusilla: Really? You’ll help me?

Nicholas: Of course. Here, let me send you a link.

Nicholas sent her a link and Drusilla click the link. She watched the video of how to overcome your socially awkward and make those conversations smoothly. And when she finished, she thanked Nicholas for the advice.

20 Minutes Later

Drusilla had chatted so many guys, thanks to Nicholas’ help. Everything went smoothly. It was really fun to chat many people on the internet. She went to the kitchen to get pig blood. She poured into the mug and warmed it up in the microwave. She took out the mug from the microwave and sat on a couch to relax. She heard ding notification from her phone. She looked at notification from Tinder app that said you got matched. Curiously, she opened her Tinder app to reveal a handsome man in his mid-20s. He had midnight black hair, grey eyes, muscular, white T-shirt with black leather. His name was Leon. He was from San Francisco that Drusilla lived in the same city.

Leon: Hi, how are you doing?

Drusilla: I’m fine. How about yourself?

Leon: I’m okay. What are you doing?

Drusilla: I’m drinking my tea. And what about you?

Leon: I’m working on my music production. I’m a DJ producer.

Drusilla: Oh, that sounds neat.

Leon: Yeah, do you like music?

Drusilla: Of course, I’m a music lover.

Leon: Lol, well, you’ve got a lot of fun, huh?

Leon: What’s your favorite genre?

Drusilla: I like techno, dance, pop, country, and rock.

Leon: Cool. I like hip-hop, dance, trance, techno, and electronic.

Drusilla: That’s awesome.

Leon: Lol, well, I’ve never seen a girl who has such beauty.

Drusilla: Lol, you’re making me blush, Leon.

Leon: Oh, am I? I’ve never seen you around here before. Can you show me a photo of you?

Drusilla: My photo?

Leon: Yeah. I wanna see what you look like.

Drusilla: Show me first.

Leon sent himself a photo to her, revealing a handsome guy putting hands in his pockets wearing a black leather jacket, white shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

Drusilla: You’re so handsome.

Leon: Thanks. And yours?

Drusilla: Okay.

Drusilla sent herself a photo to him wearing a silk lilac camisole and shorts in a sexy pose, revealing her cleavage a bit from her camisole.

Leon: You’re so gorgeous.

Drusilla: Thank you.

Leon: Hey, I was wondering if you want to go out with me.

Drusilla: Yeah, sure. Wanna start a tomorrow night?

Leon: Yeah, tomorrow will be perfect. How about we go to dining place?

Drusilla: I think I know the place. It’s one of my favorite dining restaurant called The Big 4. How about this?

Leon: Perfect. I will see you tomorrow night. Meet me 6 PM, okay? ;)

Drusilla: Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow, Leon.

End of conversation.

‘Yes! Yes! He asked me out!’ Drusilla thought, jumping excitedly. ‘Better mark my calendar.’ She marked the calendar it was her first date tomorrow at six o’clock in the night. She couldn’t wait.

The Next Night

Drusilla caught an Uber to ride down to the dining restaurant. She glanced at her watch it was 5:45 PM. It was 15 minutes before her arrival at 6:00 PM. She had to be there for her first date. The Uber driver had arrived to his destination, she thanked the driver and got out of his car. She scanned around the area looking for Leon. With a sound of car honking caught her attention. It was a black Mercedes-Benz. A man got out of his car and walked toward Drusilla.

“Hi, are you Drusilla?” he asked.

“Yes, I am. And you are Leon?” She asked.

“That’s me. How are you tonight?” Leon asked.

“I’m doing great. I got here early.” said Drusilla.

“That’s great. So, shall we have a bite to eat?” asked Leon.

Drusilla nodded, “Yeah. Let’s go.”

They entered the dining restaurant, the host welcomed them and guided them to the dining table and gave them a menu. The waiter asked them what they want to order. Leon ordered Cioppino and Drusilla ordered salmon. He offered them a red wine. Their orders would be here in 30 minutes.

“I love how this restaurant is so huge. You can hear the piano playing. It’s marvelous.” said Leon.

“I know, I’m just glad I chose the right place. And I’m glad I meet you for the first time.” said Drusilla, smiling.

Leon laughed, “I know, right? This place is gorgeous that I’ve never been in there before.”

“So I say this is your first time to being in here in the restaurant, indeed.” said Drusilla.

“Hm, you’re very sharp-witted.” said Leon.

“So, uh, how’s your family doing?” She asked.

“Oh, they’re alright. My family and I are very close,” Leon said. “ We talked through things. My parents are so amazing, they’re brilliant.”

“That’s nice. I had a family, well… I lost my family when I was very young. They died in a sort of accident.” said Drusilla, sadly.

Of course, she had to lie. Her family was killed by Angelus in right front of her. He mentally tortured her mind that melt away her sanity before she sired by Angelus. She shed a tear a bit, and when Leon felt sympathetic toward her and held her hand. Drusilla looked at Leon in the eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Dru. I didn’t realize.” said Leon.

“Uh, no. It’s fine. I’m just get over with.” said Drusilla, wiped her tears.

The waiter finally had their order, and they started to eat.

After they finished eating their food and desserts and paid the food bill. They bid farewell to the host and walked to Leon’s car. Leon drove Drusilla home. They had so much fun tonight. Leon had arrived to Drusilla’s house. Drusilla gave him a kiss.

“Thanks for riding me home.” smiled Drusilla.

“Oh, it’s no problem. Here, take my card. Call me when you need me.” said Leon, gave Drusilla a business card.

“I will. Good night.” said Drusilla.

“Good night.” said Leon, began to depart at Drusilla’s house.

Drusilla entered her housed and closed the door behind her. She sighed. She was so exhausted tonight. She took off her heeled sandals and walked to the bathroom upstairs. She unzipped her red dress and put on a robe. She turned on hot water for a bath. She turned on a water jet, she had a jacuzzi tub. She poured bubble bath and Epsom salt into the tub. She tore the rose petal and sprinkled into the tub. She turned off the water. She went downstairs to the kitchen to get a bucket of ice with champagne, and picked out the wine glass from the cabinet, and she went back upstairs to the bathroom. Next, she found some white candles from the closet. She poured herself a champagne, lighted those candles, and turned off the light with the beautiful alight candles. She took off her robe and turned on a radio with jazz music. She picked a glass of champagne and got into the tub and relax.

After she bathed, she dried herself and put on a lilac nightgown, and she brushed her teeth. And now she blew all the candles and went to sleep.

[smkkbert]

We ended as Lovers (6/12)

Summary: Three years ago, Felicity’s life was perfect. She was offered a job at two great companies. Her boyfriend just started his own fashion label, and they picked a perfect apartment to live in together. The more heartbroken she was when Oliver got cold feet and it all ended. Now, Felicity is coming back to Starling City, well aware that she is destined to run into her ex-boyfriend there. While old feelings revive quickly, the pain still goes deep. Besides, for some reason Oliver seems to be angry with her. 

Previous Chapters: 1  2  3  4  5 or read on Ao3

* * *

Chapter 6: Run-Away-Shoes

When the elevator arrived at the topmost floor, Felicity straightened her spine and put her shoulders back. Here in the executive elevator of the company, she felt powerful. She was in her element when she just got to be a business woman. Talking about her work and working itself made her feel safe and strong.

As soon as the doors opened, Felicity stepped out and turned towards the desk at the other end of the long hall. This time, it wasn’t Robert Queen himself but his assistant sitting there. She was busy typing on her computer, but she had the time to look Felicity up and down over the rim of her glasses at least briefly.

There had been a time when Felicity would have been unsettled by the way Robert’s EA looked at her. She would have felt the need to hunch her shoulders and lower her gaze, making her smaller than she really was. Her hands would have fumbled nervously, probably playing with her ponytail if they hadn’t found anything else to occupy themselves with. A deep blush would have spread on her cheeks and traveled down her neck to where the flush would cover her chest like flecks.

That was different today. She had so many friends, Sara and Lena in particular, who brimmed over with self-confidence. They stepped into a room and owned it instantly just through their presence. Heads turned in their directions, and they were just taken seriously because of how they presented themselves. It had always baffled Felicity, so she had decided to take a page from their book and work on her appearance.

The thought made her smile now as she had proven more than once that she was someone who should be taken seriously too. Although the world of technology still wasn’t easy on women, at least in the managing positions, she wasn’t easily overlooked.

The sound of her heels on the marble floor sounded like music as she crossed the large room towards Robert’s EA. In the tight black skirt, the gallant blouse and pink blazer, she knew she looked exactly like the successful businesswoman she was. Still, she felt utterly comfortable. She knew those were the best conditions for a successful afternoon.

If everything worked out the way Felicity hoped, she and Robert would be able to agree on the terms of their collaboration and maybe even sign the contract today. She had sent Robert a first proposal for the contract earlier this week. If she was really lucky, he would agree to it the way she was. Usually, there were changes demanded, so she wouldn’t be surprised if it was the same this time.

“Ms. Smoak,” Robert’s EA said when Felicity stepped to her desk, “you can go right in. Mr. Queen is already waiting for you.”

“Thank you.”

Felicity flashed the EA a smile, thinking about how easily she could have ended up on the front desk of a man too if her talent had been overlooked. Thanks to her decision to go to Gotham City and work for Bruce Wayne, she had met the right people. That way she had made her way to the top of her own company that she shared with two equally talented and devoted women.

Even before Felicity got to knock at the glass door to Robert’s office, he lifted his gaze. A wide smile spread across his lips when he saw her. Pushing aside whatever papers he had been reading in until now, he got up and walked around the desk to approach her.

“Felicity,” he said softly, spreading his arms, “it’s so great to see you.”

He put his hands to her upper arms, pulling her a little closer to hug her. Although his arms were strong and felt like he wanted to hold her there for a long time, he let go of her rather quickly. Moving back, he held her for a moment longer and just smiled at her.

“If everything goes the way we have planned, we might be able to see each other a lot more in the future,” Felicity replied, “you have to visit me in Hub City.”

“I am looking forward to that.” Robert let go of her and gestured to the seating area with the two more than comfortable looking leather couches instead of his desk. “It’s been a while since I have been in Hub City the last time. I think it’s been in 2018. I would love to go back there though, especially for that small Indonesian restaurant on the harbor.”

“You mean Mekanan?” Felicity asked, sitting down on the leather couch to realize that it was just as comfortable as it looked. “I love it there. Guntur and Merpati are very dear friends of mine. I don’t even have to order anymore. They just know what I want.”

“Then I guess you understand why I want to go back there too.”

“Absolutely.” Felicity chuckled. “It’s my favorite restaurant.”

Robert made a short detour to the small kitchenette, getting them some coffee. That man just knew that she couldn’t work until caffeine was rushing through her veins.

“Apart from the good food, I am interested to see what Helix Dynamics looks like,” Robert explained, “I have seen so many companies, and I always think that the style of a company’s building says a lot about the people responsible for the company.”

Felicity puckered her lips, taking a quick look around to compare Robert’s style with the style they had established at Helix Dynamics. “Less marble, more wood?”

Robert chuckled. “Down-to-earth.”

“Hm.” Felicity puckered her lips, cocking her head. “Do you think that’s a bad thing?”

“Absolutely not.” Robert shook his head firmly, handing Felicity one of the mugs and sitting down on the other. He took a sip of the hot liquid, taking a thorough look around. “If I could design this building once more, I would do a lot of things differently.”

Felicity couldn’t hide her surprise. Robert had always looked utterly content when he was in here like it was exactly where he belonged and how he wanted things to be. Of course the company was quite different than his home, but both of them were furnished elegantly and luxuriously for sure. She didn’t even dare to guess the worth of all the furniture in his office alone.

“I think the sudden success of Queen Consolidated blinded me for a while,” Robert added with a soft smile, shrugging his shoulders, “I made those first millions so quickly that I felt like I was floating on a cloud. I just didn’t have that many concurrents because a lot of people were still shying away from this branch, thinking it wouldn’t offer long-term success. When this building was set up, I thought I was creating my mark with it. Hence, I made sure it showed exactly how successful the company is.”

“And now?” Felicity asked. “What would you do now?”

“I would make sure that it’s a good place to work at. It’s important that employers feel comfortable. They need efficient workplaces with short distances between the departments as well as possibilities to refuge during their breaks. If employers don’t do their part in making sure that employees stay healthy, they have no right to complain later.”

If Felicity had ever doubted why Robert had been her role model lately, this was the best reminder she could have been given. As demanding as Robert could be, he wasn’t reckless. He took good care of his employees, and he always searched for ways to become a better boss. It was a pity that too many companies were managed by people that were just greedy for profit, not matter the cost.

She was glad that she and Robert got to exchange a few private words before they turned towards business. Felicity liked to know more about the people she worked with. She already knew a lot about him, but it was still the same, especially since they were much more on the same level now.

Smiling at Robert, she took a sip of her coffee. In the meantime, Robert cleared his throat, put his mug down and reached out for the contracts she had sent him.

“Now, let’s get to business,” he said, “I am sure your time is precious.”

Felicity shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t have many plans for today. I promised Thea to come by later, but that’s about everything I am planning to do today.”

“Sara’s and Nyssa’s dress are going to be fitted today, right?”

Putting her mug down, Felicity nodded her head. She shouldn’t be surprised that Robert knew since most occasions regarding the wedding were taking place in his home. Although she knew that, she was still surprised. She remembered that Oliver had always said that his father wasn’t taking much interest in his children’s life, so why should he remember the fittings?

Felicity had always wondered if maybe Oliver’s picture of his father had just been tainted by the fact that Robert had been quite hard to him at times. Admittedly, with the stories Felicity had heart about Oliver’s youth, he might have needed strict limits, but Oliver had always felt like he wasn’t enough for his father. He felt like he was pushed in the direction of taking over Queen Consolidated one day when that had been something he had never wanted.

“Yes.” Felicity smiled, guessing that Robert might have changed. “I already heard a lot about the dresses, but I am very excited to see them now.”

Robert nodded before he turned the conversation back to the contract. Handing the papers to her, he said, “The contract is fair. I discussed it with the board, and we can generally accept the terms of collaboration.”

“But?”

“But,” Robert repeated pointedly, smiling at the fact that she had known a but would come, “our lawyers suggest two little changes. I hand wrote them to the margin on page four and page eighteen.”

Felicity browsed through the papers until she found them. Queen Consolidates wasn’t really changing anything about the deal. The suggestions were much more meant to clarify some of the terms Helix Dynamics had written down.

“I have to double check this with Lena and Lily as well as our lawyers,” Felicity said, closing the papers, “but between you and me I say that we will probably agree.”

“I am glad to hear that.” Robert smiled genuinely. “Paperwork is just the worst.”

“Oh, you are saying.” Felicity chuckled, putting the papers away to grab her mug of coffee once more. “I love to be in a powerful position because, ultimately, that is where the most important decisions are being made, and I can still work in our laboratories whenever I want because I am the freaking boss. I think I would love being in charge even more if it wasn’t linked to so much paperwork.”

“I never really got used to do it either. Elaine, my EA, has to remind me to work on all the paperwork that piles up on my desk at least once a week.”

“I’m glad I am not the only one with that trouble.”

She raised her mug to Robert with a low chuckle before she took the last sips from her coffee. It definitely was better then the dishwater she had been offered on the plane. The coffee was just great.

“I am going to get myself a brandy to celebrate this joint project,” Robert said and emptied his mug of coffee too, “can I get you one too?”

“Will you think less of me if I tell you that I don’t like it?”

“Not at all.” Robert smiled. “Is there anything else I can offer you? A glass of wine, water, more coffee?”

“The latter would be nice,” Felicity replied, “but I can help myself with that.”

“Gladly.” Robert gestured towards the kitchenette. “Feel free to treat yourself with as much coffee as you like to.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t say that.” With a chuckle, Felicity got up and strolled towards the kitchenette. “If I get good coffee, I might never leave.”

“I think I could handle that.”

Felicity released a doubting hum. She was sure that living together with her or even just having her as a permanent guest was quite exhausting. Felicity still had no idea how Sara had managed to live with her for so long.

With their drinks, Felicity and Robert met back on the couches. They both leaned back and just enjoyed their drinks of choice in quiet.

“Sara told me that you will pay for the wedding and everything.”

Robert smiled, nodding his head. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. He just took some sips of his brandy. Felicity could see in his eyes that he was thinking about what he could possibly tell her in response to this.

“Barely anyone knew that, but Quentin and I used to be friends when we were younger,” Robert said eventually, releasing a deep sigh, “we just took quite different paths in our life and lost sight of each other for a long time.”

“That’s life,” Felicity said quietly. “It’s sad, but it’s life.”

“Yes, I guess that’s true.” Robert nodded his head. “When someone you knew and have been friends with dies, it just prompts you to take a look at your life. I wondered what I would want and need if I died, and all I could think of was my family. I would want someone to watch out for my family. So that is what I am trying to do for Sara.”

Felicity smiled sadly. She knew how terrible Quentin Lance’s death had been for Sara, but she also knew that she had found a lot of comfort with the Queen Family. She got to spend the holidays with them, was invited to fancy dinners for her birthday and was just included in their family life. Felicity wasn’t sure if Sara knew about this backstory, but it was nice either way.

“I know that paying for the wedding is not really what taking care of someone means, but I felt like it should be part of it.” Robert took another sip from his brandy before he chuckled. “Besides, who knows if I will ever be allowed to play host for another wedding.”

“No hope for your own children?”

“I don’t know.” Robert sighed, shrugging his shoulders. “I think Thea would feel like a captured wild animal if she was getting married. She loves to be free and go wherever she wants to. She loves with her whole heart, but she lives a hundred percent in the moment. I don’t think that she will risk losing that. I wish her nothing else but everything she wants in her life, so, if she does want to get married, I hope she finds the right person. I wouldn’t be surprised if she never gets married and just dumps whoever proposes to her.”

Felicity puckered her lips. She wasn’t sure if that was really true. She could see Thea getting married because, as wild as Thea was, she was also a romantic. Felicity just doubted that she would ever get married to someone who lived in the same quarters as Robert, Moira and their friends. Thea needed someone who was just as wild as she was.

“And Oliver,” Robert said with a sigh, “well, you know how he is.”

That did indeed not need any further explanations. A short glance at the tabloids, and that sentence explained itself for anyone who didn’t know what exactly that was supposed to mean. Besides, who would bear his moodiness and broodiness permanently?

“Unfortunately, yes,” Felicity mumbled, “all too well.”

Robert looked at Felicity intensely. He had his eyes narrowed slightly, and Felicity could see that he considered asking more about this. Since they had basically come to an understanding about this collaboration already, he probably thought that she wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable if he asked about this now.

Quickly, Felicity changed the subject because she would feel uncomfortable if she was asked about this. It didn’t even matter who would ask her about this. She just didn’t want to talk about Oliver or their break-up, especially after these last days since she had returned to Starling City.

“The rehearsal dinner is taking place tomorrow,” she hurried to say, “so if there is any help you need, I am here. I didn’t really do much as the maid of honor.”

“Thea took care of everything else gladly. I think you did her a favor with leaving her in charge of everything. Organizing fancy occasions like that is just her thing. All that matters is that you are here now. I can say that it means the world to Sara that you did.”

“I think she would have killed me if I hadn’t come, or at least she would have taken a flight to Hub City and kick me all the way through the US until I arrived in Starling.” Felicity chuckled. “Since her mother and sister are coming to the rehearsal dinner and wedding too, I am sure she needs the backup now more than ever.”

Robert nodded his head. “Family reunions like that are always hard. I mean they haven’t really talked out what has happened, but they all have to pull themselves together because not inviting her Dinah and Laurel to the wedding would have just put a dark shadow over the occasion. I have no idea what exactly has gone down between the three Lance-Women, but it’s obvious that there are still a lot of hard feelings involved. Sadly. I think a family should always stick together.”

Felicity nodded her head, thinking back to her own family. They weren’t sticking together either. At least they hadn’t stuck together since her father had left. He had destroyed the family because, in a lot of ways, he had been the link between Felicity and her mother. They just didn't have as much in common.

If her father came back now, Felicity knew that it wouldn’t fix anything though. The way he had just left them overnight without as much as saying goodbye made him undeserving of any trust or any forgiveness. Felicity was proud enough to not take him back when he finally remembered that he had a daughter, although she knew that seeing him again would be incredibly hard for him.

“Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out.”

 * * *

 Since Felicity had spent a lot more time at Queen Consolidated than she had thought she would, just chatting with Robert like they were old friends, she didn’t bother to go back to her hotel room. She would barely be there before she had to leave already to make it in time for Sara’s dress fitting. Hence, she took a direct path from Queen Consolidated to the Queen Mansion.

She parked her car at the edge of the broad driveway in front of the Queen Mansion right behind an all too familiar motorcycle that told her that Oliver was already here too. Felicity could just hope that she would only meet him in the room for the dress fitting. When Sara was around, maybe they would be able to pull themselves together enough to not get into another fight or have sex again.

Shaking her head, Felicity pushed those thoughts away. She had managed not to think about Oliver at all today, or at least not more than was natural when you spend half a day with that person’s father. She didn’t want anything to change that.

“Only a couple more days,” Felicity whispered to herself, getting out of the car, “only three more days.”

She would have to get through this dress fitting today. She would have to sit through that rehearsal dinner tomorrow, making sure Sara wouldn’t clash with her mother and sister over old issues. She would attend that wedding the day after tomorrow, being the best maid of honor that she could be for Sara. She would probably have a hangover the day after which wouldn’t make the flight more bearable, but she didn’t care. She hadn’t wanted to spend even a single day more than necessary in Starling City.

Stepping in front of the door, Felicity lifted her fist to knock. Soon enough, she remembered that the front door was barely ever locked. She guessed that the Queens felt safe enough with the security men that guarded the gates at the end of the driveway, making sure that only selected people got access to the property.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Felicity opened the door and wasn’t the least bit surprised that Thea was already waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. The security guards had certainly told her that Felicity had arrived. Tiptoeing into the Queen Mansion without being noticed was just impossible she guessed.

Thea beamed at Felicity, crossing the distance towards her and pulling her into a hug. Although she didn’t say a word, Felicity could almost feel that Thea was already thinking about the day Felicity would go back to Hub City. Seeing each other again after the last three years, had reminded both of them that they were friends. Neither of them wanted three more years to pass before they saw each other again, but it wasn’t easy to stay updated on each other’s lives when they were living so many miles apart.

Neither of them said anything about that though. They still had a couple of days to spend together, and thanks to the tasks they shared when it came to the wedding, they would spend a lot of time together. Focusing on Sara and Nyssa’s wedding was what they had to do.

Linking her arm with Thea’s, Felicity let her friend lead her into the Queen living room. Nothing about the spacious room reminded of the party that had taken place here only yesterday. Still, the usual structure of the living room hadn’t been restored. Instead, a large table for twenty people had been set up.

“I am sure your mother is happy when the living room is hers again, isn’t she?”

“Maybe.” Thea grinned. “I love to drive her nuts by besieging it though.”

Felicity smiled, squeezing Thea’s arm. She knew that Thea loved her mother and the other way around, but the two Queen Women were so damn different that it wasn’t always easy between them. That Moira had decided to dedicate all her time to Oliver’s career hadn’t made it easier.

“Is there anything I can do for the rehearsal dinner?” Felicity asked. “Is there anything that still has to be done?”

“No, I think I’ve got everything handled,” she said, nodding her head slowly, “but if there is anything you can do, I will tell you.”

“Good.” Felicity glanced at her watch. “When will Sara be here? Her fitting is the first, right?”

“Yes, Nyssa is only coming later.” Thea nodded her head. “Sara’s already upstairs in my room though. We had to accelerate the appointment a little bit… for reasons I can’t even say.”

“In that case, I will go right upstairs.”

“I have to make a phone call,” Thea said, gesturing with her phone, “but you know where my room is. Just go ahead. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

Felicity flashed her a smile, nodding her head. She squeezed Thea’s arm once more before she turned around and went ahead just like they had agreed on.

On the way down the hallway where Thea’s bedroom was located, Felicity felt her heart starting to race. She was nervous because she liked wedding dresses, and she knew how beautiful Sara would look in hers. She might actually make her cry.

That wasn’t the only thing that made her nervous though. Felicity knew that, if she stepped into Thea’s room, she’d see Oliver again. If he hadn’t let anyone else help fitting her dress for the maid of honor, she certainly wouldn’t let anyone fit the wedding dresses. The first meeting after their first slip had been awkward already, so she was sure that it would be even worse after last night, especially with their fight.

In front of Thea’s bedroom, Felicity took in a deep breath. She would just focus on Sara and completely ignore Oliver. After all, she had come here to support Sara and not to bring even more trouble into this wedding.

Felicity knocked at the door softly and was immediately asked to come in. She opened the door and stepped inside. Felicity felt her breath getting stuck in her throat the moment she saw Sara standing on a small pedestal in her wedding dress. Just like she had assumed, because Sara had a phenomenal sense for fashion and Oliver, as little as she might think of him as a person, was a great designer, Sara looked incredibly beautiful.

The dress was made of white silk. It fitted her slim figure tightly until her upper thighs where the fabric started falling loosely into a short train. The deep V-neckline emphasized Sara’s back, and the playful peplum. Otherwise, the back of the dress was made of a half-transparent fabric that allowed everyone to see Sara’s muscular dress. The dress really just made sure that all of Sara’s best assets were put in the spotlight.

Sara beamed at Felicity happily. Despite all the self-confidence she was exuding, there was a little bit of nervousness on her eyes. Felicity was sure that she was the first person outside of the OJQ employees to see the dress, so her opinion was probably quite important to Sara.

“You look so beautiful,” Felicity said and to her own surprise she felt tears pricking in her eyes, “Nyssa is going to faint when she sees you.”

Sara frowned at Felicity, and from the corner of her visual field Felicity could see that Oliver was looking similarly confused about the choice of words. With a couple of pins between his lips, he had turned his head back over his shoulder and frowned at her.

“Okay, that would be bad,” Felicity agreed, “so she won’t faint, but she is going to be very, very emotional. I mean she is going to love it, obviously, since you are the one wearing the dress and she loves you.”

Oliver rolled his eyes before he turned back to continue pinning the hem of Sara’s dress. Felicity lifted her gaze to Sara’s face and watched her ogling herself in the mirror. Her fingers stroked down the front of the desk almost a little nervously.

“What’s wrong?” Oliver asked without looking up. “Anything bothering you?”

“I don’t know,” Sara said, “I mean the dress is perfect. It’s exactly what I wanted, and I loved it during the first two fittings, but-“

“No, no.” Oliver hurried to get up from the floor. “I know you what you want to say, but no.”

He stepped behind Sara and put his hands to her shoulders, so he could turn her until she was facing the mirror directly. His fingers brushed against the neckline of the dress gently.

“You think this might be a little too much, right?” Oliver asked, his voice so very soft. “But it’s not. If we put the neckline a little higher, your body loses height. With this cut, we stretch your upper body a little bit, and everything still covered.  Even if you dance, this cut allows a good hold, so nothing will fall out.”

Felicity was weirdly touched by how gentle Oliver was all of a sudden. Sometimes she forgot that he wasn’t only a good fashion designer because he had a good sense for fashion. Oliver also tried to give the women that were wearing his clothes a new feeling. He was trying to give them confidence and good feelings about their bodies. He wanted them to feel fabulous and comfortable, a mixture that Felicity felt was rare when it came to fashion.

Oliver’s words seemed to be exactly what Sara needed. At least she squeezed his hand and nodded her head slightly. Still, a little bit of insecurity stayed.

“I think Oliver’s right.”

It surprised Felicity that those words actually fell from her lips, especially since she hadn’t mumbled them to herself. Instead, she had said them out loud and clear, leaving no room for hesitation. That Oliver was right there to hear them didn’t make it any better.

“Well, what did that words taste like?”

“Vinegar essence.”

Felicity and Oliver looked at each other intensely after this brief exchange of words. There was something in his eyes that Felicity felt was meant to provoke or at least tease her. She didn’t miss that sparkle of anger that was shining through and after last night she didn’t think that she should play along to that.

With Oliver’s moods, it felt like she never knew what she was at when it came to them. He could look at her like he wanted to devour her one moment, fight with her like she was his worst enemy the next and act like they were good friends at other occasions. Felicity didn’t know how to deal with that, so she wouldn’t continue dealing with it.

For Sara’s sake, Felicity would do her best to be adult. She wouldn’t make a scene. She wouldn’t tell him to go to hell and leave her the hell alone. They had to respect the other’s presence, but they really didn’t have to communicate.

Felicity turned her gaze away, sitting down on the edge of Thea’s bed. Although she didn’t look at Sara and Oliver, she was sure that the awkwardness and tension she felt embraced them too. It was hard to miss.

Oliver cleared his throat. “I think we are done here. Sara, you can go next door. Becky is waiting for you to help take off the dress. Nyssa will be here in half an hour. You should be gone by then. Bad luck and everything.”

“Thank you for everything, Ollie,” Sara said and kissed his cheek, “the dress is exactly what I wanted and more.”

“Good,” Oliver squeezed her hands. “Use the last hours before the wedding to catch some rest. The dress will look even better with a well-rested bride inside.”

Sara chuckled. “I will do my best, but I am so nervous that I doubt I will get any sleep before the wedding.”

“There is no reason to be nervous,” he told her seriously, “just relax. Everything will go just as planned. You know my little sister. She won’t allow anything to go wrong.”

He winked at her before he turned around to leave. His eyes met Felicity’s briefly, filling with coldness and regret at the same time. Not letting that stop him, he continued on his way to the door and left without another look back.

As soon as the door opened, Felicity released a long breath. She was relieved that Oliver was gone, but that only made her feel all the more terrible for having a part in making things awkward with the happy bride-to-be right there. She shot Sara, who was still standing on that small pedestal, her hands on her hips and her eyebrows perked up, an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, “I promise that I will be better these next two days.”

Sara smiled a little sadly. “I just want the wedding to be kept out of this. I know you two still have issues, but-“

“I will be on my very best behavior. I will be like an angel, not saying a single bitter word about him or anything, even if he tries to provoke me to do so. I promise.”

Although Sara didn’t seem exactly convinced, she nodded her head. Since Thea stepped in that very moment, a young brunette following right behind, Sara didn’t get to say anything else anyway.

“Becky is ready to help you undress.” Thea gestured for Sara to follow the brunette, “you can go next door where your clothes are. Nyssa is not here yet, so the coast is still clear.”

Sara shot another meaningful look at Felicity before she followed the brunette out of the room and closed the door behind herself. Thea, who had observed the moment quietly, cocked her head at Felicity.

“What was that look supposed to mean?”

Felicity shrugged it off. “Nothing.”

It was obvious that Thea didn’t believe her. With the way she tilted her head even more to the side and crossed her arms in front of her chest, she proved that. She definitely wanted to know the truth, but Felicity was sure that would change if Thea knew what was really going on. She hadn’t wanted to hear the word sex in the same sentence as her brother’s name three years ago, and Felicity doubted that had changed.

Figuring that a change of subject would be the easiest way to stop Thea from trying to stare her into telling the truth, Felicity got up from the bed and walked over to the small desk. Some designs of dresses and diverse accessories were pinned to the magnet board above it. Felicity didn’t even have to look twice that those weren’t Oliver’s works. The way the designs were sketched didn’t look like Oliver’s sketches, and they weren’t exactly his style either.

“Did you do these?” Felicity asked, shooting Thea a brief glance. “They look great.”

“Felicity,” Thea said in a singsong, “you are changing the subject.”

“I know,” Felicity replied in the same singsong, “is it working?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Thea grumbled, but she stepped next to Felicity and took a look at the designs. “Yes, these are mine. The dresses are older designs, but the accessories are rather new. After Ollie showed me the first sketches for his new collection, I got inspired. I spent an entire weekend, day and night, on these. Most of them would fit for some of the items in his collection.”

Felicity looked at the purses, belts, gloves and other accessories. They looked elegant. With the softness they exuded, Felicity was sure they would create a good contrast to Oliver’s fashion that was usually a little rocky for the lack of a better word.

“Did you show Oliver these?” Felicity asked. “If they are for the collection-“

“He’s too busy,” Thea interrupted her with a shrug of her shoulders, “after the presentation, he might have five minutes to take a look at them. Before that, especially with the wedding, he just doesn’t have the time.”

“After the wedding is a little late though, don’t you think?” Felicity cocked her head at Thea, looking at her as urgently as Thea had looked at her before. “Maybe some of your designs can make it to the catwalk.”

Thea rolled her eyes. “You don’t really think that Ollie will allow any changes or additions to his collection, right?”

Felicity pursed her lips. When it came to his work, Oliver was indeed a little distinct. He needed to be in control of everything, and he wouldn’t allow anything to go out on the catwalk that he hadn’t approved to at least three times. Given how critical he was with his own work, Felicity was sure it was even worse with the work of others.

“What about your mother?” Felicity asked, unwilling to let go of the idea that Thea couldn’t have the same success her brother had. “Did you show the designs to her?”

“Yes.” Thea sighed. “After our talk, I thought I’d gather my courage and ask her for her opinion. I mean I don’t want to disappear in Ollie’s shadow for the rest of my life. I want to design my own stuff, and I want to be recognized for it. My mom took her time and really took a look at everything. She thinks I am talented and that I do have a chance at doing my own thing one day, but she thinks the designs need a more personal note at first. She thinks I am not ready yet, but she promised to support me whatever my next steps are and that she will help me build something for my own when I am ready eventually.”

Felicity pursed her lips, looking at the designs. To her, Thea’s accessories looked great. She had several items in her closet that would look great with a little addition like that. She wasn’t a designer though, so Felicity wasn’t sure how qualified her opinion was.

“Your mother isn’t a designer. She is a good business woman, but that doesn’t mean that she understands the trends of fashion. I mean when Oliver first told her about his vision of becoming a fashion designer, she turned him down too. Talk to Oliver. He knows.”

When Thea only shrugged her shoulders, still hesitant to really take that step it seemed. Felicity put her arm around Thea’s shoulders, pulling her closer, and rested her head against hers.

Families were always a little messy. Thea might have made a better hit than Felicity or Sara had when it came to families, but the special circumstances of family and business mixing still didn’t make it easy for her either. Family members were supposed to support each other, but this special situation made it difficult to do that sometimes.

With a glance at her watch, Felicity sighed. It prompted Thea to tighten her hold on her friend.

“You have to go?” she guessed.

“Unfortunately, I do.” Felicity released another long sigh. “I gotta catch Lena and Lily for a video call before they leave Helix Dynamics.”

“Is this about the deal with Queen Consolidated?” When Felicity shot Thea a surprised glance, she shrugged her shoulders. “Dad told me.”

Felicity nodded. “Your dad agreed to the project, but he suggested two changes in the contract. Now I have to check with Lena and Lily and our lawyers that they agree to these terms, so I can meet with your dad again and finally sign the contracts.”

“So if I keep you here a little longer, that means you don’t get the okay and have to stay to finalize the deal?”

Felicity chuckled. “No. If you keep me here a little longer, that only means that your dad and I might have to leave the wedding for an hour to sign the contracts in his office.”

Thea scrunched up her nose and let go of Felicity, pushing her away playfully. “Fine. Go. Leave me alone.”

“We will spend a lot of time together tomorrow and for the wedding,” Felicity promised her. “Make sure we sit at the same table.”

“Next to each other of course. I am not an amateur.”

“Never doubted that.” Felicity winked. “Now, are you walking me to the door or-“

“I will go and check on Sara. I think she wants to wait for Nyssa, and I have to make sure the two won’t meet as long as any wedding dress is visible.”

“Alright.” Felicity hugged Thea tightly. “We see each other tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” Thea hugged her back just as tightly. “If you have a free minute, I wouldn’t mind to spend the afternoon with you already.”

“If I have time, the afternoon will be reserved for you.”

They left the room together. While Thea walked into the room next-door, Felicity headed towards the stairs.

The more she saw of Thea’s talent, the more convinced she got that Thea needed to step out of Oliver’s shadow. Even if Moira was right and Thea wasn’t ready yet, Thea needed the chance to develop her own style. As long as she was belittled and compared to her brother, she would never get a chance of doing that.

Felicity wondered if maybe she herself should talk to Oliver about it. She was probably the last person he would listen to, but this wasn’t about them after all. This was about Thea, and Felicity knew that she meant the world to Oliver. He would never admit it, or at least he would never cause an emotional scene, admitting his feelings, but he loved his little sister like only the best big brothers did.

Scrunching up her nose, Felicity noticed the warmth spreading in her chest. She disapproved of the way it filled her at the thought of how close Oliver and Thea were. Of course it was great for Thea, but she didn’t want to think about all the good sides of Oliver anymore. Those just brought her into trouble and-

Completely distracted by her thoughts, Felicity didn’t focus on placing her foot safely on the next step of the stairs. Unable to balance out the misstep, she twisted her ankle and lost balance completely. Her hands moved out to grab the banister and keep her from falling down the rest of the stairs, but she failed to get a hold of it.

Luckily, before he knees could hit the edge of the stairs and she could fall forward completely, two strong arms wrapped around her. They kept her from falling. Still, she crashed against the arm so hard that she felt her ribs aching at it.

“Wow,” Oliver said, his voice showing much more concern than anything else, “Are you okay?”

Bumping into Oliver seemed to turn into a terrible habit. Maybe she should take a class in balance and observing surroundings. That way she might make it in and out of a building without bumping into someone all the time. Of course the fact that the only person she was ever running into like this was Oliver could also tell her something else, but whatever fate might want to tell her, Felicity wasn’t interested in hearing it.

As soon as the first shock had passed, Felicity hurried to escape Oliver’s arm. She took a step back, holding onto the banister. She bit down on her tongue firmly, doing her best to bite back a hiss. Putting any weight on her foot just hurt too much.

A small furrow formed between Oliver’s eyebrows at the strangled sound that fell from her lips nonetheless. He looked her up and down. His gaze got stuck at her foot that she still couldn’t put any weight too.

“Sit down,” he asked her, his voice much gentler than it had been at any point since she had come back to Starling City, “I will take a look at it.”

“That’s not necessary,” Felicity said firmly, “I just tripped. It’s nothing. Thanks for catching me, but I will-“

When Felicity tried to walk past Oliver, she lost her balance again. Her ankle just wasn’t fit to carry any weight. If it hadn’t been for Oliver, who reached out and kept her from falling once again, she would have fallen down the stairs.

“You are not going anywhere. Now sit down.”

Felicity pressed her lips together. For the break of a second, she considered just walking past him nonetheless, but she was sure that she couldn’t take it if she fell right into his arms once more. It was probably the only thing she could bear less than sitting down and letting him take a look at her ankle.

Grumbling, she put her hand into his and let him help her into a sitting position. She did her best to look everywhere but at him when he kneeled down in front of her. He lifted her foot into his lap and carefully took off the shoe. He palpated her ankle carefully, making Felicity hiss in pain. Immediately, his eyes lifted towards hers. Concern was written all over his face.

Felicity told herself to look away because the intensity of Oliver’s eyes had gotten her into trouble more than once already. As much as she tried to do so, she felt drawn to them. She felt like she could get lost in the way he looked at her. It made everything inside of her tingle. Her lips prickled with the desire to taste him.

How did he always do that? She had every reason to be angry with him, and still all it took was a single look into his eyes and all the feelings she had tried to push away for so long were back. It wasn’t fair.

“What’s going on here?”

Felicity flinched, quickly breaking eye contact. Looking past Oliver, she saw John standing at the foot of the stairs. He looked back and forth between the two of them suspiciously like he had his own ideas about what was going on here, but Felicity had to disappoint him. After all, John had come soon enough to prevent anything else from happening.

“I just twisted my ankle. It’s not that bad.”

“But it will be terribly swollen before the end of the day.” He shot John a quick look. “Can you get an ice pack for her?”

“That won’t be nece-“

John didn’t listen to her protest. He didn’t even wait for her to finish her protest. He had just turned around and was already on his way to the kitchen.

With a sigh, Felicity leaned her head against the banister and closed her eyes. Starling City really didn’t bring good luck to her. Whenever something good happened here, something bad seemed to happen too. Starling City just didn’t want her to be too happy.

“Ice pack comes.”

Felicity opened her eyes just in time for her to see Oliver catching the ice back John passed him. He put it to her ankle with his left hand and caught the compression dressing John passed him with his free hand.

“Hold the ice here.”

Felicity did as Oliver suggested while he wrapped her ankle with the compression dressing. His hands brushed against hers every now and then. It caused goosebumps to spread all over Felicity’s arms. She wasn’t the only one affected by the touch. She could see goosebumps on his arms too.

“John,” Oliver said, “please tell the driver to get a car ready. I am going to take Felicity home.”

“That won’t be necessary, John, I-“

Again, John didn’t listen to her protest. He just went outside to do as Oliver had asked him. Felicity stared at the closed door with open mouth. Why did nobody listen to her protest?

“He works for me,” Oliver said, “and he likes his job. That is why he doesn’t listen to you.”

Felicity frowned at Oliver, wondering if she had said that out loud. When Oliver just rolled his eyes and put his head back, Felicity realized that maybe he still knew her as well as she sometimes felt she still knew him. They had been together for quite some time after all.

John stepped back in a moment later. “The car is waiting for you.”

Pursing her lips, Felicity shot John a look. He only looked at her matter-of-factly, so she knew that she wouldn’t get him to say that she didn’t need anyone to drive her home. She frowned angrily and looked at Oliver instead.

“You don’t have to drive me.”

“I know,” he said with a sigh, “but I will do it anyway for whatever reason.”

He said the last words so very quiet that Felicity could barely hear them. She wasn’t sure if she had been supposed to hear them or if Oliver had maybe been unsure if he wanted her to hear them too. Either way, his words proved that he wasn’t too happy with his decision either, so Felicity would certainly offer him a way out.

“What about Nyssa’s dress fitting?”

Oliver faltered briefly, telling Felicity that he had indeed forgotten about that for a second. Maybe there was still a way for him to give up on his idea to drive her home.

“John, tell Thea to take care of that. She is skilled. She has good eyes. She can do that.” He pressed his lips together briefly. “And if she messes it up, she will be banned from the atelier for at least a year. Tell her that.”

“I am not going to tell her that last part,” John said, shooting Oliver a pointed look, “but I will make sure that she knows everything else.”

Oliver nodded his head before he turned to Felicity. “Ready?”

Felicity guessed that she didn’t have much of a choice. She knew that she couldn’t drive herself home, and Oliver probably wouldn’t let her call a cab. She had no idea what drove him to feel like he had to take care of this personally, but she didn’t want to lose time fighting with him. At the end, he would probably drive her anyway.

Nodding her head, Felicity tightened her grip on the banister and got up onto her feet, well, her foot. She wanted to take the first step down, but Oliver already stepped towards her. He wrapped an arm around her back and pushed the other behind the back of her knees, lifting her into his arms like she was featherlight.

Her side was pressed to his chest, and she could feel his muscles working to keep her tight and safe in his arms. He was so close that she could smell him. She could really smell him and not just his aftershave. His breath was ghosting over her skin.

“I can walk.”

Oliver snorted. “Sure.”

He carried her down the rest of the stairs and out of the door that John held open for them. Right in front of the door, a fancy Porsche was waiting for them. Oliver opened the door to the passenger seat and sat her down there. When he reached out to buckle her seatbelt, she slapped his hands away, shooting him a pointed glare. Oliver pulled his hands away immediately. Leaning out of the car, he closed the door and walked around the car to get onto the driver’s seat. He only looked at her briefly before he hurried to switch on the engine and direct the car down the driveway and onto the street.

During the drive through the city to Felicity’s hotel, they barely talked. Felicity leaned her head against the cold window pane and kept her gaze outside, watching the city pass by.

Oliver parked the car on the small parking lot behind the hotel and hurried to walk around the car to help her get out. For a small moment Felicity hoped that he would let her walk, but he lifted her back into his arms quickly. She bit back any possible protest this time because she knew it was useless anyway.

“Which floor?”

“Fifteenth.”

“In that case, we will take the elevator.”

Felicity cocked her head, perking up her eyebrows. “Not in form?”

Oliver stepped into the elevator and looked at her. There was something about the expression in his eyes that Felicity didn’t understand. She had no idea what he was trying to tell her with the way he looked at her.

“What?” she asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Now you are teasing me?” He narrowed his eyes at her slightly. “When I teased you before, you looked like you wanted to shoot daggers at me.”

“I was angry at you.”

“You? Angry at me?”

Although his voice wasn’t angry now, Felicity knew that this subject would only get them to fight right now. Their fight wouldn’t be fair with the pain in her leg. She couldn’t focus on being mad and angry with him with the way things were.

“I think it’s better if we don’t talk.”

“I get the same impression.”

They made the rest of the way in silence. Oliver carried her to the door of her suite where he went down a little, so she could unlock the door. He carried her to the couch and sat her down there. Felicity almost expected him to just leave her like that, but as tense as the situation was thanks to the brief conversation before, he still took care of her. He pushed a pillow under her foot, making sure it was slightly elevated. He even got her a glass of water and put it on the table next to her.

Felicity felt her heart ache, lowering her eyes. She still didn’t understand why everything had to be so complicated. It didn’t make sense that life was making it so hard for them.

“Anything else you need?”

To her surprise, Oliver seemed to bite back on his annoyance or anger or whatever his reaction was to their conversation before. He tried to sound soft. He tried to smile comfortingly. Maybe he didn’t manage it to do it fully, but he did his best, so Felicity did the same.

“I could need some painkillers.”

Oliver perked up his eyebrows. “You hate them because you always feel like your head is made of cotton wool when you take them.”

Felicity guessed that Oliver knew better than anyone else how truly badly she reacted to painkillers. She had trouble to control her brain-to-mouth filter most times as it was. With painkillers, it just got worse. They caused her to just say everything she was thinking without considering whether it was appropriate to say it. It was terribly embarrassing for her and everyone around.

“I know.” Felicity sighed, leaning down to touch her ankle that felt quite swollen already. “I need them though. They are in the bathroom cabinet.”

Felicity nodded in the direction, and Oliver hurried to get them.

Looking at her ankle, Felicity scrunched up her nose. She had thought that she would get to dance a little tomorrow and the day after that. Now she wasn’t sure if that was a smart idea. She doubted that she would be able to walk easily these next couple of days.

When Oliver came back, he handed her the small pillbox. He stayed standing right next to the couch, watching her while she was dropping two of the painkillers onto the palm of her hand. She gulped them down with some water. Closing her eyes, she shook herself. She hated taking pills just as much as the feeling she got after she had taken them.

Felicity kept her eyes closed for a moment, taking some deep breaths. A part of her wanted Oliver to leave, so she could lie back and pity herself for all of this. She knew that she couldn’t really kick him out after he had taken the time to take her here and make sure that she got everything she needed. It wouldn’t be fair to just kick him out.

With a low sigh, Felicity opened her eyes. She was about to offer Oliver a glass of water too, but the question got stuck in her throat when she noticed the way Oliver looked. He was still standing close, his gaze lowered to the newspaper that was lying on the couch table. His thumb was rubbing against the tips of the other fingers nervously.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Bad critics?”

“No.” Oliver sucked in a deep breath. “Our townhouse- the townhouse we wanted to rent is back on the market.”

Frowning, Felicity grabbed the newspaper. It took a moment until she found the ad, but Oliver was right. Mr. Baker’s townhouse was back on the market and searching for new people to rent it. The price is still the same although renovations had been carried out as recently as last year.

Her heart tightened a little. Last night, she had allowed herself to recall all the memories of their break-up. It had made it impossible to push away the pain that came with it. She felt the slightest of reminder of this pain rushing through her.

“It really is the townhouse we have taken a look at.”

“And that we wanted to rent.”

“That I wanted to rent.” Felicity shot him a pointed look. “You wanted to buy that loft which I gave into.”

“You gave in?” Oliver snorted. “In what world did you give in?”

“In that world, this world to be exact, where I agreed to buy that loft that I could not afford at all because you loved it so much,” Felicity said, all the anger suddenly rolling over her in an unstoppable wave, “which also happens to be the same world where you didn’t show up to sign the purchase agreement, so I was standing there like a complete idiot, finding excuses for why you didn’t come. I obviously made a fool out of myself because you didn’t only not show up. You also never called or texted, not even as much as saying that it’s over.”

Felicity glared at Oliver for a moment, but she quickly looked away when she felt the intensity of her outbreak pull at her heartstrings. Tears were welling in her eyes, angry tears she told herself. It didn’t matter if they were teas of anger or tears of heartbreak, she didn’t want Oliver to see them. She didn’t want to start crying in the first place.

Although Felicity still kept her head down, looking everywhere but at Oliver, she could feel his gaze on her. His gaze was tickling on her skin, making a cold shiver running down the length of her spine. It took everything inside of her not to start crying as the pain was back with the same intensity that it had accompanied her these first days after their break-up.

Felicity wanted to ask Oliver to leave her alone. She didn’t want him here any longer. She knew that if she tried to speak, she probably wouldn’t be able to hold back the tears. She needed a moment more. If shot took some deep breaths, she would find her voice again.

“Right after we have viewed the townhouse,” Oliver suddenly said, “you said it was going to be either the townhouse or the loft, but someone had to give in. We both agreed that we knew who that would be.”

Gulping down the burning feeling in her throat, Felicity took in a deep breath and lifted her head. Her eyes met Oliver’s. He looked at her calmly, but there was something quite unsettled in there too.

“Me.”

They said it at the same time, making Felicity shake her head.

“I gave in, and I called Janice and made an appointment with her. Hence, I waited at the loft where you didn’t show up.”

“Well, because I was at the townhouse where I asked Mr. Davis to come to, so we could sign the rental contract. I was waiting for you to sign the rental contract.”

Felicity frowned for a moment. Something about the way he looked at her almost told her that he really meant it. Still, she couldn’t believe him. It just didn’t make sense unless he was just claiming this was true because he tried to hide his guilt in their break-up. He was trying to cover the story.

“Why would you have done that?” Felicity asked. “We agreed on that loft and-“

“No, we didn’t.”

Oliver looked at her firmly, not letting her object. He really meant it, and to Felicity’s own surprise she almost believed him.

The only problem was that she really didn’t want to. She didn’t want to believe that he wasn’t lying. If Oliver said the truth, that meant that their break-up had been a misunderstanding. It meant that none of the angry and bitter feelings she had kept bottled up in herself for the last three years had been necessary. Nothing would have been real.

She thought back to that day three years ago, thinking about hints that Oliver was lying. She remembered that he hadn’t picked up his phone. She had tried to call him again and again, and he just hadn’t called her back. He had also told Adrian that they had broken up without as much as trying to reach out to her.

In the back of her mind, Felicity knew there were dozens of explanations for this. Maybe he had taken her fight more seriously than she had thought and he had taken the fact she hadn’t come as a sure sign that it was over. Maybe he hadn’t dared to reach out because he hadn’t wanted her to hear him say that it was over.

It wouldn’t make everything go away. Oliver hadn’t trusted her or their relationship enough to even consider reaching out or fighting. That was an issue no matter what exactly had happened that day. It just wasn’t as heavy as the story that had been her truth until a minute ago.

Felicity’s eyes were still glued to Oliver’s face, looking for any sign that he was lying there now. There was nothing to be found though.

“It’s all been a misunderstanding,” she whispered, “everything has been a misunderstanding.”

Felicity really didn’t know if that was a reason to be happy about or something to make her even angrier than she was already. She felt like it was the second, but a little bit of the anger she had held for so long seemed to fade already.

For the break of a second, it seemed to be the same for Oliver. He looked at her with the same struggle in his eyes. His thumb was rubbing against his fingertips nervously once more. He gulped, making him Adam’s apple jump in his throat.

It didn’t last long. His hand suddenly tightened to a fist, and his eyes turned cold. He sucked in a deep breath. Although there was a slight tremble in the way he sucked in the air, it made his muscles tighten.

“It’s not like everything has been a misunderstanding.”

With that, he turned around on the balls of his feet and walked away. Felicity almost expected him to slam the door shut behind him. Instead, he closed it quietly which was almost worse.

Felicity frowned after him, still not exactly understanding what had happened. If Oliver’s story was true, their belief that they knew each other inside out and could communicate without any words being said had caused them to think the other had backed out of moving together. A misunderstanding had caused their worst and most insecure sides to react in the stupidest way possible.

Maybe Oliver was just as confused and irritated by this reveal as she was. Maybe that was why he was-

Sucking in a deep breath and closing her eyes, Felicity shook her head. She had spent so much time trying to find excuses for Oliver and trying to understand him. If these last few days in Starling had proven anything, it was that Oliver hadn’t changed and she was just done wasting her time.

Maybe everything that had happened between her and Oliver these last couple of days hadn’t been what she had hoped for when she had come to Starling. She had hoped for an apology and for them to come to a point where they could be respectful with each other.

Obviously, this wasn’t what had happened. Her acceptance that this not only hadn’t happened but would never happen either might not be what she had wanted, but it might be exactly what she needed. This wasn’t the clean cut she had hoped for, but sometimes an ugly rip could do the same job. 

* * *

@fannaz @promiseyoullbepatientwithme @bytemegeekette @felicity-said-just-in-case @phanseptiic @orangeisorange @mspotatohead14 @whentheheavenfades @emmaamelia95 @smoakingskye @seaolicity @ourwritinginvein @1022bridgetp @felicityqueenforever @leagueofolicity17 @yryssss @myhauntedblacksoul @sherlock44 @sinceriouslybea @olivyflavescentdeer @olicitys-castle @ofnothingcharming @vaelisamaza @smoakedandcharmed @alexisa1206 @mysaudadespt2 @florence-bubbles @addictiontelly @olicityshipper19 @memcjo @hysterical-for-joshifer-blog @oswinelevenforever @olicitylovemaking @bandanab310 @mymusiclove101 @lynslogic @scarletqueen23 @olicityshipper19 @alex-wesley @arrows-4ever @unabashedlynerdypatrol @louehmysoul @ligiapimenta @chattyyana @charlie-leau @coal000 @samcrowleys @ishippolivia @julianegomesqueen @malafle @miriam1779 @charlinert @melaux @ontheolicityship @myshipperlife @wrightainsley @almondblossomme @ladygreenwood @multi-fandom-crazy-fangirl @morinamel @mje-thomas @kebarry @canadianheartgirl @nannett2307 @almondblossomme @kathrynelizabeth89 @imdfabulous @mrt2501 @arsipaci14 @salasvia @brandis91 @cainc3 @morganmiguess @pr0fessi0nal-fangurl @iamisalima @nessafrancis-blog @jonhdiggle @niki-is-amazing @universed-posts @hopeful-warrior @senoritaswiftie @bellemmie @green-arrows-of-karamel @iheartarrow @olicityovereverything @oliverfel4 @olicity-in-the-heart @fullychippedcreation @geemarie @everything-but-normal-cat @myarroworld @tjmartinez @pleasantfanandstudent @j69confessional2 @scentedcolorpirate @icanica74 @tjmartinez98 @certainmentalityface @turnupthemusicandscream @ryelew @wildwillowzepplin @missafairy @letsplaymurde-r @lipizette @positivepiper @nuttymilkshakehologram @laksagirl @turnupthemusicandscream @pumpernickle93 @onceuponanolicity @1106angel @jaspertown @fadinglands @morganashimi83 @mochababychristy @omglovechrissie @mariejr88-blog @thetaufactor @onceuponanolicity @speakandseethetruth @bri206 @aglasgo @geemarie @pineprincess @nerdgirljen @eternal-olicity14 @allyouhadtodowas-stay-stay-stay @lovelycssefan @tsseract @flowerandsunshine @dcnmarvelgamergeek @blondeeoneexox @monetsmark @bb-olicity @mashamarty @rulerofsilence @erika-amber​ @nothingmorethanmyotps @kayleenyc @tonto16 @olicityfluv​ @olicitea1990​ @haahaaa2408 @pattid1​ @faegal04​ @24karatgem​ @wrldtravler​ @readerkas​ @olicity-beliver @greencoffeecups @snorlaxishere

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[thewritewolf]

Rekindle Chapter 31: Supernatural Creatures

Our heroes settle into their new routine, eyes firmly fixed on the future.

Thank you to everyone that has read Rekindle! It has been a long two months as this story careened wildly out of my control, but I am very proud of it. I hope you’ll join me on Monday as I finish off the Love Square months with a Ladynoir story, and stay with me to finish off Close to You. 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30

And, as always: Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

One year later...

“How is the latest article going?” Marinette directed her question across the cafe table to her long standing best friend.

It wasn’t very often that the four of them got to meet together, but it had gotten better once Alya and Nino had moved back to Paris. The patrols were nice but that was rarely more than two of them at a time. These weekly coffee double dates weren’t always easy to attend, especially with how busy their schedules were these days. But after so much time lost, they found a way to make it work.

“Pretty good, M. Just need some editing before I turn it in. Care to lend a hand?” She passed a USB towards Marinette with a smirk. Marinette slipped it in her purse, knowing that it was sure to have more than just the standard news articles on it if she was getting it this way.

At Marinette’s side, Adrien grinned. “I take it you’re high in demand these days?”

“Lots of places are looking to hire the freelancer that did the expose on the mayor.” Alya’s grin became predatory. “After all, anyone that can uproot the rich and powerful of Paris is someone you want on your side.”

“I hear Alya isn’t the only one that’s doing good, dude.” Nino said between sips of his coffee. “A little dude told me you two have something to tell us.”

Adrien and Marinette exchanged a look. They knew letting all their kwamis mingle would end up biting them in the butt. The only question was, which of their kwamis did the tattling? Was it Tikki, the gossip, or Plagg, the mischief-maker?

“Well, if the cat’s already out of the bag…” Adrien shrugged and nodded at her.

Reaching into her purse, Marinette slipped on her engagement ring and held it out for their friends to see. They leaned forward and marveled at the relatively plain but beautiful ring. Not that Adrien hadn’t wanted to give her something much more ornate, of course, but he knew her well enough to know what she truly wanted.

Crossing her arms, Alya snorted. “It’s about time you two dorks got married. I’ve only been shipping this since we were fourteen, girl!”

“Nice, dudes!” Nino grinned and leaned forward onto the table. “So when’s the wedding and, more importantly, the honeymoon?” He waggled his arms suggestively at Adrien, prompting his wife to smack his arm.

“Leave my innocent babies alone.” She looked at them out of the corner of her eye. “But seriously, when is the wedding?”

“We’re not sure yet, honestly.” Adrien shrugged. “It’s been a lot of work just getting sales rolling and wiggling our way into the big shows. Although we’ve had it easier than most, though, since my beautiful fiancee has been preparing for this since before we’d even met.” He planted a kiss on the top of her head.

“Don’t sell yourself short, hot stuff,” Marinette said as she looked up at him. “You’ve been a godsend, and not just because you know the ins and outs of these things. You’ve kept me going even after I felt burnt out.” She leaned forward for a kiss, but Alya cleared her throat. “Oh fine. Anyway, we can’t really plan a wedding yet, not when we’re in the process of building a property for the Dupain-Cheng fashion house and hiring staff. And obviously we can’t just leave the moment we finish all that…”

“Yeah, yeah, busy busy, I get it, M.” Alya waved her hand impatiently. “You just better not elope on us or else me and Sabine are going to have to hunt you down. I didn’t endure all your mutual pining for over ten years just to get robbed at the last minute.”

Marinette giggled. “You don’t have to worry about that. Adrien has his heart set on a nice wedding, especially since I won’t let him splurge on a fancy ring.”

“Well, how else can I tell all of Paris that I love her?”

They all laughed, but as they took a few moments of companionable silence, Alya frowned. “Wait, the Dupain-Cheng fashion house? How is that going to work if you’re getting married?” She turned to Marinette. “Are you going to be keeping your last name?”

Before she could reply, Adrien nodded. “Yep! And I’ll be taking hers. Too much baggage with the Agreste name, you know?” He took a sip of his coffee. “All the more reason to get married sooner than later.” Silence reigned again, this one more introspective as everyone briefly remembered Hawkmoth’s long reign of terror and how it still touched their lives today.

Nino’s eyes widened and he scrambled to pick up his things. “Shoot, that reminds me. I’ve got training with old man Fu today.”

“Has he finally taught you any secret Guardian techniques yet? Anything you might be willing to pass off to a friend?” Adrien blinked innocently at him, laying on the charm thick.

“This isn’t one of your cheesy animes, dude. It’s mostly just recipes and taking care of old books.” Marinette heard him whisper in Adrien’s ear as he passed, “But if I find anything like that, you’re first on my list.”

“Thanks, man.” Adrien fist bumped his old friend and Nino left them alone.

Alya sighed. “I guess I’d better get back to research then. Paris certainly hasn’t gotten any less weird since I’ve gotten back.” They all stood and made their way out of the cafe.

Adrien dropped his voice to a whisper as they walked down the street. “Have you found any pattern to it, yet?”

“Centerfold, everything I’ve found I just passed to Marinette.” She shrugged. “With all that magic out there, stuff that’s been gone for centuries is coming back. It hasn’t been anything big yet, but… well, maybe all those legends weren’t just legends, you know? Just keep your eyes peeled and I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated.”

They said their goodbyes as Alya got on the bus, leaving just Adrien and Marinette alone. They walked in silence for a while. The crowds thinned around them as they found their way to less populated areas, eventually finding an abandoned alley. There, Adrien bowed deeply to her as he transformed into Chat Noir. He rose with a cocky grin on his face and stepped close to her as he pressed her against the wall. With one finger, he lifted her chin so she was looking up at him.

“What’s a sweet girl like you doing in a place like this?” She snorted and rolled her eyes at his ridiculousness, but there was a smirk on her face nonetheless. “What do you say I take you home with me, princess?” He kissed at her neck and it took all her will to continue pretending it was having no effect on her.

“Hm… I don’t know… Will there be delicious home cooked food there?”

He chuckled against her. “Give it an hour and there will be. The tastiest Italian pastas you’ve ever had.”

“Sold!” She surprised him by jumping onto him, causing him to scramble to catch her. “Take me away, you alley cat!”

He laughed. “As my lady commands!”

Chat Noir carried her in his arms and she basked in the cool evening air. Even after all this time, it was something that she had never grown tired of.

----------------------------

Once they were inside, Adrien dropped his transformation and gently set Marinette on the couch with a kiss. He cupped her face with a smile as he pulled back.

“Stay there while I make dinner.”

“Fine, but only because I’m curious about what Alya has found out.” Marinette pulled her laptop out from underneath the living room table, along with the USB from her purse.

Familiar complaints prompted him to shove some of the cheese that he was working with towards his hungry kwami. It was rare that a week went by without finding another shard, but they were handling it well. Four active heroes helped, especially since the need for secrecy among them was over. With Alya’s investigative skills and Marinette’s rapidly improving aura sensing skills, it was almost child’s play to track down the shards before things got out of hand. Add in Nino helping Master Fu with research between recording albums, and they were working like a well oiled machine.

Thoughts of strategy and duty fell by the wayside as he turned his attention back to the moment. The kitchen was larger than what Adrien had gotten used to working with. Sure, the one in his old house and the manor had probably been even bigger, but it was only at Marinette’s old apartment that he had truly hit his stride, cooking every day for his lovely lady. Sometimes it was a chore, but there was nothing more rewarding than seeing how Marinette’s eyes light up as he set a full plate down in front of her. He’d make dinner every day for the rest of their lives if it meant he got to see that look on her face.

Their living space was bigger than what they’d moved out of, but with how well the business was doing it was something they could reasonably afford. And that was with money going towards the fashion house - which Marinette still refused to let him use his savings on. He’d just have to make due with being the best model and spokesman for her fledgling brand that he possibly could be. Seeing her dreams come true was the least he could do for her, after everything she had done for him.

The house was nice, spacious enough for their purposes. But who knows? If things kept going the way they were going, maybe they’d need to upgrade again before too long.

Adrien stood in the kitchen and watched the back of her head as she poured over Alya’s hard earned research. A smile came to his face as he remembered all that they had gone through to get here - all the time spent apart, all the pain and sorrow, the twists and turns. It had all been worth it in the end, just to get to this moment. He felt like a fire had been rekindled inside both of them, driving them forward towards a bright future.

Here and now, they were happy.

[transgender-scout]

Okay I found a pdf online of the Angel experiment and started reading it last night when I couldn’t sleep. It turned into less of a list of me complaining and more of a reaction as I relived my life in 6th grade. I’ve got the first four chapters + the prologue so I’ll do 5 chapters at a time. To keep from clogging dashes I’m going to drop this bad boy under the cut.

Book 1:

Prologue

•Oh my god I actually missed these prologues where the protagonist talks so dramatically to the reader like this. Gives me a real animorphs vibe hell yeah

•OH MY GOD 14 I USED TO THINK THAT WAS SO OLD WHAT HAPPENED

•WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO RELEASE A LITERAL CHILD INTO THE WORLD LIKE THIS

•God I’m losing it this sounded like a deviant art bio

•Oh god I see where I got my flare for dramatic introductions

•It always bothered me that they’re only 2% bird. I feel like that might have given them some patches of feathers maybe instead of wings and improved hearing and sight and strength and metabolism an

•There it is again-“the only experiments to make it past infancy” I have a couple of books’ worth of proof that says that’s wrong. Yeah sure Max probably didn’t know about everything that was going on at the school but don’t sound so definitive about this. What is this, supernatural?

•Also why were the Erasers the only ones who could morph? Wouldn’t it be better to have wings that could morph into your back?? More useful???

•Also I hope the internet taught them about furries so they could make snide jokes tinged with nervous laughter about how Erasers are furries.

•“Welcome to our nightmare” GOD THAT'S SO 2005

•I still have no idea what Max meant by “if you read this story, you become part of the experiment.” I don’t see any wings popping out of my back, Miss, I’d like a refund.

Chapter 1

•GODDD NOW I SEE WHERE I GET MY WRITING STYLE I HATE THISSS

•Also still not sure what the whole point of this dream sequence was besides padding out a first chapter (which honestly? Mood). Any insight?

•W-if the Erasers are chasing after Max, why the fuck do they have bloodhounds? Isn’t wolf smelling on par, if not better than dogs’?? I understand this is a dream but like. Yo.

•Everyone always draws Max’s wings like eagle wings and they’re even colored like that in the manga, but the wiki says they resemble hawk wings. Hm.

Chapter 2

•Also the E shaped house always bugged me, too. The way it sounds, it’s not secluded by trees or anything, but Max says they’re totally hidden?? Surely someone goes hiking in the mountains around there.

•Ah yes. Jeb. Bastard man.

•Wait did he just. Fuckin up and leave? Like in the middle of the night like “bye kids gonna go get some milk” and never came back? How fucked up is that?

•And how the fuck did he expect three 12 year olds to take care of a 9 year old, a 6 year old, and a 4 year old by themselves??

•No doctors. Is Max part of the anti vaxx movement? Surely the folks at the lab weren’t like “well obviously they need all their shots if they’re to function normally in society and not die of chickenpox.”

•Also I like how dramatically this chapter ends. He literally could have kept going djsjfjsfn

Chapter 3

•Why is Gazzy a walking potty humor joke? That literally comes into play once in like the third to last book. #GiveGazzyTheCharacterDevelopmentHeDeserves2k19

•I forgot if this was mentioned but how do they know Gazzy and Angel are siblings? Is it just because they look similar?

•IGGY. SON.

•Also I’m remembering every page from the manga in like super high definition rn

•I saw someone else discuss this, but where in the fuck do they get food from?? Max makes it sound like she’s never gone into real society before and a 14 year old buying at least $1000 worth of groceries every week seems super sketch to literally any place ever.

•It always struck me as weird that Angel likes cozy places considering she lived in a dog crate for the first few years of her life.

•It’s so weird to me that literally the only person who got powers was Angel. The rest develop their (single use) powers along the way whenever it was convenient but I guess she just started out with hers? Idk I literally have no room to talk tho one of my ocs has inexplicable mind reading powers too lol

Chapter 4

•JDJSFJ THE CONVO AB THE STRAWBERRIES IS SO SHORT AND FORCED FJSJFJSJK I know it’s just to start the plot but shakfjajfjwj???

•CHAPTER 4 IS LITERALLY A PARAGRAPH LONG WHAT IN THE HELL

•Oh also why don’t they ever use Gazzy’s voice mimic thing?? JP could have made things where it was voice locked but Gazzy could have had a personality and been like “yo guys I got this!”

•Also how in the world can an 8 year old perfectly mimic a 14 year old’s voice? I’m guessing it’s an implied bird thing maybe.

•“Most of us had [weird abilities].” LITERALLY ONLY TWO OF YOU DO.

Chapter 5

•Oof trained? I can see why Jeb would train the kids to fight but like,,, yikes. Those are literal babies,,,,, plss

•Also I thought it was weird how they could just clap their hands around the Eraser’s ears and their eardrums would just fuckin pop. Do wolves really work like that? Someone who knows more about wolves than me look that up.

•Honestly?? The flock should have tons of scars n shit from all the times they’ve fought the Erasers. I’d really have liked to hear them come up at some point.

•Was there a reason they only wanted Angel or…? It’s been a long time since I read the series. From what Max was saying, pretty much half flock was out cold and would have been easy pickings for the Erasers to take back to the lab.

•Well the one thing I can say is that at least Ari is acting like a jealous seven year old.

•Lowkey wish there’d been more time to establish Ari, in hindsight. While we do get his view point in later books, we still really didn’t even get to know much about him. I’m not sure if that was for a reason or just a character who didn’t get developed. I wish there had at least been a name drop or something in the priori chapters like “I’m pretty sure Jeb had a son. Wonder where he went. Oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯”

•Also I forgot again but was there a reason Jeb didn’t bring Ari along?? Like, he couldn’t have done the same things as the flock, sure, but at least he would be there with his dad and like, other kids near his age to interact with. Did we ever get any info ab Ari’s mom? Again, shitty memory.

[ontherockswithsalt]

A Made Man

/1/ /2/ /3/ /4/ /5/ /6/ /7/ /8/ /9/ /10/ /11/ /12/ /13/ /14/ /15/ /16/ /17/

A/N: So I changed this story’s rating over on ao3 to Explicit because jeez. New year, same shenanigans. Please enjoy a spinach salad and a smutty Joble Saturday afternoon.

Chapter 18.

“I don’t think we’d ever both been in that shower,” I note, sliding onto the barstool at Noble’s kitchen counter. “I might have to reconsider my loyalty to New York with its small-ass showers. That city is stupid.”

He laughs, glancing over at me with this hopeful flicker in his hazel eyes, then checks on the chicken that sits grilling in a pan on the stove.

“Can I help?” I wonder.

“I could use you on prep,” he decides, motioning with his head for me to come back and join him. “Come slice these apples.”

“I thought about having lunch ready for you when you got home from work,” I tell him while he sets out a cutting board and a knife for me. “But. I figured there were other... priorities.”

“Um yeah. I wouldn’t have even pretended to be appreciative.”

“It was the thought that counts.” I muse as I get started. “Like this?”

“Yeah.” He passes by and lightly pinches fingers at my waist, directing, “Thin. For a salad.” Then takes the apple slice I’m offering and bites down on it.

“Yes, Chef.”

Noble returns to the stovetop and turns the chicken on his grill pan before he makes his way to the refrigerator. “So you’d move to Miami for the shower space?”

I smirk. “Something like that.”

“You’re a damn heartbreaker. Don’t even tempt me with these ideas.”

“I’d move here for a few reasons and you know it.”

“Let's get back in bed. I can do all kinds of convincing.”

I have to smile as I glance down to appreciate the memory of that reunion we just had in his shower that continued with a fast fuck in his bed once we got out. I could hardly blame him. It had been a while.

“I know you can,” I chuckle. “After we eat, though. I'm hungry.”

If only it were that easy. If only Noble could lure me away from New York with promises of colorful meals and fulfilling orgasms. I'd let him try, though. With him, I let myself indulge those kind of surface attributes of a relationship. When’s the last time I actually did?

I know it’s more, though. What we’ve become is deeper than anything I’ve ever felt. It seems ridiculous to think that way about someone almost no one knows.

Not long after the chicken is grilled and sliced, Noble adds it to the spinach salad that he’s tossed up with apples, walnuts, and goat cheese, splitting it between two over-sized bowls for us.

“In an ideal world…” I start, moving around him for glasses of water and forks to set out. “Where would you be?”

He doesn’t even glance up or pause for thought when he pulls out his stool and answers. “In New York. With you.”

Slowly, I slide the silverware drawer shut with my hip while I look at him. “Really?”

“You said ideal.”

A smile nudges the corner of my lips and I cross over to my seat. “With a restaurant?”

“Maybe. Maybe cooking for someone else.”

“Apartment in the city or outer borough?”

He tilts his head to consider it as he picks up his fork. “That depends.”

“On what?”

“Long term? Maybe Queens.”

My brow curves upward. “Long term?”

“I mean--” His shoulders lift defensively while he chews. “I’d want a place to park my car. I’m not renting a space in the city.”

I nod at his reasoning, amused, and wonder what else in the long term he’s been pondering. “Queens, huh?” I murmur. “No Tribeca?”

“I could do that too. I’d better get my ass some Michelin stars if I want to afford that neighborhood, though.”

“Ideal world.”

“Right.”

“I’ll give your ass Michelin stars.”

Glancing over with a cute scrunch of his cheek, he takes a sip from his water and bumps his knee against mine. “How many?”

“The most.” I shrug. “Exceptional ass. Five stars.”

He laughs, setting down his glass as he shakes his head. “Three is the most. But I appreciate the honor.”

“Of course.”

“Gotta have a big shower,” he lists. “For… quality time with you.”

“Oh, I’m invited?”

“Yeah, you can come over and hang out.” He smirks, cutting me a playful side glance.

I return the look, holding back words to chew thoughtfully instead. I wonder in this long term concept, what kind of relationship the two of us have, if one at all. But with all of this in the hypothetical, it doesn’t really make sense to get specific.

“What else?” I ask.

Inhaling a deep breath, he thinks. “Bianca would be there. Somewhere at a… reasonable distance. Maybe in Jersey or something.”

I laugh softly. “Okay.”

“And that’s it.”

I let a quiet moment sit there while we eat and I contemplate the simple vision. “A few years ago, did you ever think you’d say in an ideal world, you’d live in Queens?”

He laughs into his glass of water, shaking his head as he manages to down another gulp. “Hey, I feel like I need a yard now. At least something. And Brooklyn’s not really an option.”

“My brother in Staten Island has a yard. That’s an option--”

“Oh god, kill me,” he mutters, scoffing at the notion. “I don’t want a parking spot that bad.”

*****

Later after lunch, we make our way to the living room and spend the afternoon lazy, stretched across the couch together. Limbs draped over one another’s, I’m content listening to the rhythmic lull of the breath filling his chest and appreciating the idle tracing of his fingers in my hair.

“So about tonight--” I speak up.

He hums softly, probably almost asleep. “Are you mad?” He murmurs, the inhales deeply as he shifts beside me. “Listen, I don’t even want to go. We can make up an excuse.”

“No, I mean you had already agreed to it when I picked the weekend,” I tell him. “I don’t mind either way.”

In our desperate planning to get me to Miami for a weekend, I had let Noble know about the first Saturday I was free. At the time, he told me about existing plans to go out with a group of guys for a bachelor party. It’s supposedly low-key, just a night of bar hopping with guys from work and friends of friends. We had both just kind of agreed, yeah whatever that I’d tag along for a portion of the night, have a few drinks and we’d slip out. With the holidays approaching, my other weekends for the month were booked.

“I guess it could be fun,” he muses.

“As far as you and me…”

He questions me with a sleepy noise in his chest, his fingertips drawing a line down my shoulder.

“We’re not together, or we are together, or--?”

“Make no mistake, you’re mine, dude.”

I smirk against the soft cotton of his t-shirt. “Okay, but when it comes to this group of people we’re going out with.”

“I haven’t told them.”

My head settles comfortably against his chest. “That’s alright.”

“I can,” he offers. “I don’t care. We can make out on the pool table or whatever and then I don’t have to worry about remembering some just friends act with you after I’ve had a few cocktails.”

“Oh, no no,” I tease as I push my hand under the edge of his t-shirt, my palm coasting across his stomach. “I’d actually like to see you try to keep up that act, Nick.”

“Oh-ho, you're so full of yourself,” he laughs. “You think I'm the only one who gets handsy.”

“I didn't say that.” And easily I shift to slide on top of him. “But none of these people know me. I can be whoever I want.”

Settling into the couch beneath my weight, a little breathy grunt rattles in his throat. “Yeah? Who're you gonna be tonight?” His hands trail my back, down to my hips where he tugs me against him.

My knee bends, inching up by his side when I tilt down, urging a spark of friction between our bodies. “I'll be your friend.”

“Mm-hm. Okay, friend.”

Leaning down, I touch my lips to the ridge of his jaw. My tongue just barely teases the hard angle there below his ear. “Will you be my friend?” I wonder.

“Ugh, fuck,” he sighs. “You're such a jerk.”

I can't help my satisfied smile against his skin. “Well when we get back home, I'll be whatever you want,” I remind him, dragging a hand up his head. I dig my fingers there at his mess of brown hair and rock against his growing hard-on once more.

He groans softly and slides his grip down the back of my gym shorts, beneath the waist and grabs a handful of my ass. “You know what I want. You gonna make me ask for it?”

I nod, brushing parted lips across his cheek before I close my teeth on the edge of his bottom lip. “Oh yeah, you're definitely gonna ask for it.”

“Why do we have to wait ‘til we get back home?”

A content rumble of pleasure sounds in my chest when he pulls me into him. My stiff cock strokes his inner thigh when I grind my hips on top of him.

With both hands in my shorts, he grips my asscheeks, massaging, parting them just enough to tease me. But fuck no I won't let him take over.

“Mm,” I exhale a quiet moan. “Because you're not ready.”

His throaty, taunting laugh vibrates beneath me. “I've been ready. You know this.”

A smile curves on my lips as they touch his. More than once in our time apart, Noble and I had talked about switching up our positions. He'd been curious.  So it's that good huh? He wondered over one of our text exchanges. The way it feels, I told him. To come while you're inside me is so fucking good, I can't even describe it. Needless to say, he's been a little crazed about it since.

“We'll see how ready you are tonight.”

“Oh my god,” he groans, almost a complaint as he arches his head back.

I don't bother saying anything else while I press into him stretching up before my mouth falls hard on his. I reach down for his shorts, grasping the waist and pushing them lower.

Then I sit up, rushed breath escalating and my movements quicken as I finish pulling off his shorts, his boxer briefs. I lean over him again and he helps me drag his shirt off, tossing it to the floor beside the couch before he gets my t-shirt off too.

My hand wraps around him, stroking for a moment. I ease back to look at him, swallowing hard at the rigid temptation of his cock, the solid plane of his stomach. The lines there broaden to a firm chest, his skin perpetually kissed by the sun and good Mediterranean genes. Goddamn he looks good naked, like absolute fucking sin and I remind myself to tell him more often.

“You think I won't beg for it?” He manages, exhaling hard with a laugh as he tips his head back. “Because I will. You know I'm shameless.”

“Beg? No, I wouldn't do that to you.”

“I think you would.”

“Beg for what?”

“For you to fuck me.”

“Mm.” I consider it with a hum of satisfaction.  “Like you'd say please and everything?”

“Yes. Please.”

“Hm.”

“Jamie.”

Another intrigued moan sneaks out of me at that.  “Maybe I will make you beg.”

“Ugh.”

“Later tonight.”

He groans again in frustration and I have to laugh, my hand continuing its idle path up his shaft, beneath his balls. “Some friend you are,” he accuses.

Amused, I slide my hand away, down his leg that's closest to the back of the couch and push up his knee a little. There, I lean into him, urging his knee out until he puts his leg on top of the back couch cushions.

“I'll be a very good friend, I promise,” I murmur as I settle closer between his legs. Glancing up, I drag my tongue along my palm before I close a slick fist around his dick.

His neck arches back, showing off the thick path of his throat as he exhales hard toward the ceiling. Reaching up, he rests his hands in his own hair as he urges himself into my stroke.

Before I can get him too caught up in a rhythm, I release him and inch back a little more. My mouth wet, I suck the length of my index finger before trailing it slow along the center path where it slips between the cheeks of his ass.

My other hand slides beneath his hip and I pull him closer and my fingertip pushes further to gently circle the sensitive rim there.

He flinches, his whole body jumping at the contact. This isn't the first time I've taken my time exploring there but I can tell he's needy as hell for what's to come and every move from me has him restless.

His hands move from his head to the arm of the couch where he reaches overhead and holds on.

Slowly I sink my finger inside, just a little. I practically crush my lips together in restraint, it's so fucking tempting. I put on an act like I'm so in control of him right now but it takes some serious self-discipline not to grasp my own shaft to pull it from my shorts and bury it inside him.

“Oh fuck,” he groans, coughing out a desperate sigh that's almost a laugh as he tilts into me. Pushing his head back against the arm of the couch, he approves with this gravelly, murmured chant of yes yes yes.

He feels so good, my touch delves deeper until eventually, the whole length of my finger fills him.

I come down on top of him, letting my lips fall on his just as he buries an unguarded cry into the heat of my mouth. He kisses me hard but we both pull apart in breathy concentration.

“Do you think you'll want more than this?” I ask him, just barely curving my finger. Balancing on my knees, I reach down for his cock and it twitches in my grip.

A noisy exhale escapes his open mouth and he nods.

It's almost a growl that rumbles in my chest as I watch him. I jerk him a little harder, more determined, and I'm so mesmerized studying the way his climax builds in his breaths, he can't catch it, he just calls out and sinks into the sofa cushions, swearing overhead as his orgasm consumes him.

I ease my stroke, my fist guiding the length of him as he comes hot across his stomach, some on his chest, his whole core contracting with each sharp quake that sneaks up on him.

“Oh my god,” he sighs. “Fuuuuuck.”

Pulling out of him, I slip both hands beneath his hips and lean into him. “Damn,” I muse, offering him a smirk -- the same way he's done to me I don't know how many times as I’ve laid there beneath him, spent and breathlessly unwound.

“Good thing we agreed we're just friends,” I tease him. I move closer and dip my head before I touch a kiss to his stomach. “Otherwise we'd get ourselves in all kinds of trouble tonight.” Then with a subtle stroke of my tongue, I taste the salty trail collected on his skin.

“Holy fff--” Noble coughs in disbelief and his head drops back. But he quickly lifts up once more to watch me, his breath heavy in his chest. “You better watch it, friend.”

Provoking him, I hum an appreciative little moan and taste him some more, working my way across the path that he left.

“You're the best,” he praises, “--nastiest friend I've ever had.”

I laugh there against him and push myself the rest of the way up until I collapse on top, pushing a kiss into the side of his neck, then assure him, “I feel the same way about you.”

[theshatteredrose]

A Gathering of Guardians - Prologue (Chapter 6) - Etrian Odyssey Nexus Fanfiction

AN: Another long chapter for this update :’D Hope you’ll enjoy reading~!

Ao3 | Wattpad | FFNet

Chapter 6:

Remedy watched as Lynus and Axel left the room, Zadkiel awkwardly but eagerly taking the lead. He couldn’t help but noticed that Axel had his hand resting on the small of Lynus’ back as they left. He already knew that they were married. He just got the feeling that they were rather affectionate toward one another. His brother and Jemella could be the same at times.

It was nice to see. Especially in regards to how relaxed they were around other people.

Remedy turned his gaze toward his fellow Etrians and gave them a questioning look. “What do you guys think?” he asked.

“They certainly seem nice enough,” Simon answered truthfully, a thoughtful look on his face.

Zircon nodded his head in agreement. “Yeah. I don’t get any bad vibes from them at all.”

“Axel possesses a very powerful aura,” Lindis stated matter-a-factly.

“Yeah, I noticed that, too,” Zircon was once more agreeable. “It’s not…completely off-putting, though.”

Remedy felt Axel that he was far stronger than he looked, and he looked pretty impressive. Quite the power stance without the arrogance or over-confidence. He just gave the impression that he could take the head off a dragon in one swing and then joke about it.

Honestly, Lynus had quite the presence of his own. Opposite of Axel’s. Axel had protective strength. Lynus felt warm and nurturing. Quite formable.

“Lynus is much the same,” he mused before he turned to look at Simon. “Right?”

“Right,” Simon immediately replied. “I’m most interested in learning from him, to be honest. If his reputation is anything to go by, then I have a lot left to learn.”

“Aiding them with their search and rescue missions are sure to be highly interesting as well,” Lindis mused aloud, his expression thoughtful before a small smile made its way to his lips. “Hm. Maybe we can teach them a thing or two in return.”

“This expedition should be fun,” Remedy couldn’t help but state, smiling also.

“We’ll have to wonder about the troubles we might face later,” Zircon suddenly stated. “Maginia will take flight some time today, so we better get ready.”

Oh, he was right. Whenever Maginia took to the air, or even hit any turbulence, the whole city would shake and tremble. It was disconcerting for those who weren’t used to the quirks of a flying city. So, the city council had to issue out departing times, allowing for everyone to prepare by tying down loose items, gather materials needed to keep inside for hours or even days on end.

The city was pretty self-efficient and sheltered when in flight, but it was still strongly advised that they limited outdoor activities. That was why the buildings were so large and made of sturdy material.

“Let’s get to work, then,” Simon said. “This shouldn’t take long.”

With that said, they parted ways briefly to ensure that their personal belongings were securely taken care off. After that, they were likely to make a few rounds just to ensure that the building was structurally sound. The way the city would shake and tremble as it took off was really, really worrying. It wouldn’t be surprising if some structures were damaged, despite their sturdiness.

After Remedy inspected his room, shoving some of his books and belongings into the draws and closet, he decided to head out into the playground to remind Quinn of Maginia’s departure time.

He subconsciously moved to a jog when he rounded a corner, only to crash all-but face-first into something, or rather someone tall. He stumbled back a step as a hand immediately flew up to touch his nose.

“Oh, sorry!” Remedy said as he smiled sheepishly and rubbed his nose absentmindedly.

He looked up at the one he ran into, another apology on his lips when he fell still. A man he had never met before stood before him. His long blond hair fell over a red scarf that was covering the lower half of his face. His eyes, a bright blue, were piercing. And honestly a little intimidating.

“Um, I-I’m really sorry,” he uttered again.

The blond-haired man simply looked at him with narrowed eyes. Suddenly, they didn’t look…all that intimidating anymore. Well, he looked intimidating in appearance, but his gaze was more…searching than frightening.

Suddenly, another blond appeared from behind the man and stepped to stand next to him. This man looked far more friendly. Short blond hair, and bright blue eyes, though a shade darker than the other man. He appeared rather tall and with subtle muscles.

“Ah, no harm done,” he said in a polite and friendly tone. “Don’t worry about it.”

Remedy took a moment to look at the two. “Hm? Are you members of the Guardians?”

“That’s right,” the short blond-haired man replied before he tilted his head to the side in curiosity. “And you, you must be Remedy, yes?”

Remedy blinked before he lifted a hand to point at himself. “Do I look that much like what Lynus did?”

He laughed lightly and nodded his head. “You do, honestly. Though, I hope you don’t take any offense, he was a lot scrawnier and meeker than you appear to be.”

“R-really?” Remedy found himself stuttering, honestly finding it difficult imagining the benign man he had met could be meek. “I can’t imagine it.”

The man’s eyes took on a faraway gaze while the one who had been silent seemed to mutter darkly under his breath. “He’s…been through a lot, you could say.”

Remedy felt a strange sense of intrigue mixed with surprise.

However, before anything more than could be said on the subject, the taller blond placed a charming smile on his lips once more. “Oh, let me introduce ourselves. My name is Jhon. And this is Tobyn, my husband.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Remedy replied instinctively before he raised his hand in an inquisitive manner. “Um, question? Is everyone from your guild married?”

Jhon laughed once more, sound genuinely amused. “No, not all of us,” he said before the smile on his lips turned softly playful. “The rest have fiancés.”

Wow…they feel way more mature and well put together…

“Remedy, there you are.” Zircon’s voice interrupted before Remedy could form a response. “Are you-?”

Remedy turned to look behind him, curious as to why Zircon stopped mid-sentence. He seemed to be looking at Jhon and Tobyn curiosity, Simon and Lindis doing the same behind him.

Jhon and Tobyn appeared to be gazing at Zircon with equal interest. Tobyn just looked, however, while Jhon tilted his head to the side questioningly. “Hm?”

“Oh, ah, let me introduce you,” Remedy said to break the small fragment of tension that seemed to have fallen over them. “Um, you already know my name. This is Zircon, Simon, and Lindis.”

While Tobyn continued to remain curiously silent, Jhon righted himself and nodded his head, placing another pleasant smile to his lips. “Pleasure to meet you. My name is Jhon and this is Tobyn. I assume you’re all here because of Villard?”

Remedy nodded his head. “That’s right.”

Jhon seemed sincerely pleased to hear that. “Ah, that means that we may be working together in the future. Have you met anyone else from the Guardians?”

“Well, we’ve met Axel and Gerald,” Remedy replied. “And I’ve met Azure. But that’s it.”

“Well, there’s a lot more for you to meet,” Jhon said before that somewhat playful smile returned. “I best leave that to Lynus, shall I? He loves prattling about his guildmates, after all.”

Remedy felt himself perk up slightly at that. “I certainly got that from him. He doesn’t like talking about himself, though, does he?”

Jhon shook his head. “No. He’s extremely modest. He has nothing but praise for everyone else. I’m sure you’ll get along well.” He then paused and furrowed his brow slightly. “By the way, do you happen to know where Axel and Lynus went?”

“They were asked to visit the Explorers Guild,” Remedy immediately replied. “They’ll probably be back soon.”

Jhon looked relieved. “Ok, thank you.”

Tobyn still hadn’t uttered a single word and Remedy was beginning to wonder if he was in fact mute. He honestly hadn’t met anyone quite as quiet as him. That hexer fellow, Zalaph was it? He was pretty quiet, too, though.

Jhon’s eyes suddenly flickered over the top of Remedy’s head and he smiled warmly. “Ah, you’re back.”

Remedy turned to look behind him to see that Axel and Lynus had indeed returned. With them were Jemella and Zadkiel. They walked together, so obviously had returned from the Explorer’s Guild together.

“Hey,” Axel greeted as his group met up with the others. “Looking for us?”

“Yes, actually,” Jhon said as he turned to give Axel his full attention. “Apparently, Maginia is getting ready to take flight and Villard feels it would be best for everyone to be gathered within the dining hall.”

“Hm. That would make sense,” Axel idly replied.

“Oh good, you’ve met Jemella,” Remedy piped up.

Jemella turned his attention toward him and gave him a half grin. “Hey, kiddo. I’ve got good news. From today onwards, the four of you are members of the Guardian Guild.”

“…Huh?!”

Apparently, Remedy wasn’t the only one surprised!

Axel gave a short laugh as he folded his arms across his chest casually. “Mueller’s idea. He thought it best that we have one guildname for everyone who agrees to help Villard to explore under. Make things easier at least.”

“The general consensus is that the Guardians is a fitting name for what Villard hopes to do,” Lynus explained further before he turned to look curiously upon Remedy. “We hope you don’t mind?”

“N-no, not at all,” Remedy stuttered a reply immediately. “We were just surprised.”

Axel turned slightly and unfurled an arm from his chest. He then used that arm to loop around Zadkiel’s neck and pulled him closer. Zadkiel stumbled forward. He probably would have fallen on his face had Axel’s arm not be secure around his neck and shoulders. Zadkiel blushed a bright red, but didn’t attempt to dislodge himself from Axel’s hold.

“We’ve already signed up Zadkiel here,” Axel said. “Still need your signatures on the forms, though.”

“You’ve got some high expectations to live up to, but I’m sure you lot will be fine,” Jemella unexpectedly stated, seemingly aiming that toward everyone present.

He soon focused his attention in on Remedy, however. And Remedy half expected the other man to make some kind of sarcastic comment or remark about Remedy needing to stay out of trouble. And how that would be a feat in of itself. He could be quite rude when he wanted.

Instead, he asked him a question. “Anyway, where’s Quinn at?”

“He’s at the play park with the kids,” Remedy answered.

Jemella nodded his head. “Better go round them up. Catch you lot later.”

With that, Jemella turned and head in the direction of the doors that led outside. It wasn’t at all a surprise for him to immediately go in search of Quinn when he returned. Now that they were no longer in Etria, no longer in their important roles, they both had the habit of just seeking each other out. Not so much to keep an eye on each other, but rather to simply spend time together.

This was their ��vacation’ time, after all.

“Lynus!”

Lynus lifted his head up and turned in the direction of the new voice. From the hallway that led directly to the dining hall, three more figures appeared. One that Remedy recognised to be Azure, Lynus’ apprentice. But the blond-haired man with a ginger and white cat sitting on his shoulder, and a shirtless man with black hair and golden armbands were new to him.

They were obviously more members of the Guardians.

“Hm?” Lynus hummed, his brow furrowed slightly in concern when Azure immediately took hold of his arm and the blond-haired alchemist (by appearance) stood directly in front of him. “Is something wrong?”

But the blond-haired man shook his head. “N-no, we just wanted to make sure you both had returned before Maginia takes flight.”

“Ah.” Lynus relaxed and raised an arm toward the feline on the man’s shoulder, scratching it under the chin. “Is everyone starting to gather into the dining hall now?”

“Y-yes,” Azure answered over the really quite loud purrs of the cat. “We just wanted to make sure everyone knew.”

“That’s fair,” Lynus said in acceptance. He soon remembered that Remedy and his companions were still there and he turned to give them a short, apologetic look. “Ah, excuse me. Let me introduce you. This is Magnus, Shen, and Azure, my apprentice.”

“Nice to meet you,” Remedy replied politely. “I’m Remedy, this is Zircon, Simon, and Lindis.”

They had better get used to introducing themselves, hadn’t they?

Lindis unexpectedly walked forward, toward Magnus, and stopped. “Is this little one your mascot?” he asked.

Magnus nodded his head. “Her name is Zanna,” he replied, the cat swishing her tail as if in response to her name. “You can pat her, if you want.”

Lindis did just that, scratching Zanna under her chin. Something she seemed to appreciate, if pushing her head further into his hand for more scratches was any indication. “She’s very beautiful.”

“She’s also a snuggle-bug,” Lynus chuckled before a contemplative look appeared on his face and he turned his attention to Shen. “Speaking of which. How’s Chi-hung and his little wolves?”

Wait, wolves?

“They’re really nervous about their new surroundings,” Shen replied simply.

Lynus sighed and nodded his head. “That’s to be expected. We best stay with them as much as we can.”

“Shen and I will keep them together in the dining hall,” Magnus immediately offered, earning himself a small smile from Lynus.

“Yes, please do.”

“We’ll help,” Jhon volunteered before he turned regard Remedy and his companions. “Nice meeting you.”

“Ah, you, too,” Remedy automatically replied.

And watched as Jhon and Tobyn walked past him to join Shen and Magnus. Zanna settled back down on Magnus’ shoulder, the blond giving Lindis a small, almost shy wave as a farewell before he joins his guildmates. Lindis returned the small wave before he, too, moved to stand with Simon.

Azure, however, stayed clinging to Lynus’ arm. He appeared very meek and almost skittish. He seemed only really comfortable staying close to someone he knows quite well. And it was obvious that Lynus was the one he trusted the most. And Lynus was just as protective of him.

“Staying with us, Azure?” Lynus asked Azure softly, receiving a nod in response. “That’s fine. Oh, good news; Zadkiel is a member of the Guardians now. I’m sure you’ll both get along.”

Azure glanced over at Zadkiel, lingering there for a moment, before he turned back to Lynus. And nodded softly.

Lynus smiled in reassurance before he turned his attention back to everyone. “Well, shall we go to the dining hall, too?”

“Of course,” Remedy replied.

Remedy took the incentive and led everyone toward the dining hall. As they approached, he could hear voices of those who were already there. It was somehow comforting. In a way. When they first arrived, it was so quiet, just them in such a large place.

But now that there were thirty-three more of them with more to come, it was only going to get louder.

“And this is the dining hall,” Remedy explained as they walked into a large room.

Four long tables with chairs were within the very centre of the room. Cupboards surrounded two walls of the hall, and two swinging doors on the western wall. They, of course, led to the kitchen area. A sizeable kitchen, too. Which was excellent as they were going to have a lot of mouths to feed.

Hmm, Villard was likely to ask everyone to pitch in with certain chores. He’d probably get to that later. Or everyone would figure it out for themselves.

“The dining room is far larger than I had expected,” Lynus confessed.

“Villard is hoping to use this an impromptu meeting room should there ever be a case where he needs to speak with everyone,” Simon added.

“There are a lot of chairs here,” Lynus commented as he made note of the number of the chairs. There had to be at least a hundred or more. “No doubt he’s hoping to amass a huge gathering.”

Remedy glanced around and rubbed his arm. “Yeah. It was really empty when we first arrived.”

“Well, it’s going to be about half-way full now,” Lynus said with a as other began to file into the dining hall, too. “Why don’t we sit and I’ll tell you all the gossip about my guildmates?”

Remedy had to chuckle and nodded his head. But as he turned to look for a table where to could seat themselves, his eyes landed on two men as they walked in together. One was Villard. And the other was a certain detective who made himself quite renowned in Etria for his investigator skills.

“Oh, that’s Austin,” Remedy said as he motioned toward Austin with a wave of his hand, both Lynus and Axel turning to take a look himselves. “He’s a detective, like Villard apparently.”

“Austin, huh?” Axel repeated, his tone contemplative as he continued to stare at Austin for a few seconds longer. “He has a punchable face.”

The small statement surprised Remedy, but it earned a slight eye-roll from Lynus, a soft giggle from Azure, and a half laugh, half snort from Lindis.

“Yeah,” Lindis unexpectedly replied. “Absolutely. Five minutes into speaking with him and you’ll want to sock him in the teeth.”

“He can be rather…insufferable at times,” Simon added, trying hard to be more diplomatic than Lindis. “Nice enough, just very confident.”

Axel gave a short laugh as he turned to face them again. “I better avoid him, then,” he said with a grin and gazed toward Lynus to tell him something. “We should probably keep Zeryn away from him, too.”

Lindis perked up and furrowed his brow questioningly. “Zeryn? Six-foot-six with blond hair?”

Axel immediately turned to look at him once more. “That’s him.”

“He’s from my village,” Lindis explained.

“Really?” Surprise was evident in Axel’s voice. “You wouldn’t happen to know someone call Gage, too?”

“Six-foot-seven with brown hair?”

“Right.”

“I haven’t seen or heard from either of them in years,” Lindis murmured as he glanced around at the occupants slowly filling the hall. “Are they both here?”

“Yep,” Axel replied. “You’ll hear Zeryn before you see him. And Gage has the habit of sneaking up on you. They’re total opposites.”

“Why don’t you reunite Lindis with the two before Zeryn finds him first?” Lynus suggested.

Axel thought that over for a moment before he nodded his head. “Yeah, that could lead to untold chaos.” He then wrapped an arm around Lynus’ shoulders so that he could pull him toward him and press a kiss to his lips. “We’ll be back for the city takes off.”

Lindis turned away from the affection to glance over at Simon. To offer him his own reassurance, it seems. “Won’t be long. I’ll introduce you to them later.”

“Alright,” Simon replied with a slight frown. “Be back before we take off.”

“Of course,” Lindis promised before he turned and walked away with Axel, the redhead seemingly chatting with him as the moved.

Lynus watched the two as they left with a small smile on his lips before he turned to regard Remedy once more. “Well, shall we find a seat?”

Remedy nodded his head and moved to take the led once more. “Sure.”

“Coming, Zadkiel?” Lynus called out questioningly.

“Ah, yeah,” Zadkiel murmured as he followed Lynus and Azure closely behind.

Remedy led the small group over to one of the tables. The chose to sit across from each other. Lynus with Azure and Zadkiel on either side of him took one side. While Remedy sat on the other. With Simon and Zircon on either side of him.

Lynus seemed to take a moment to ensure that Azure was comfortable before he turned and folded his arms atop of the table in a relaxed manner. “Well, let’s start with who you haven’t met,” he murmured as he looked around. “Hm. Oh, there’s Ryker. The survivalist with the turquoise hair. He’s absolutely amazing at finding high quality materials. If you’re looking for something specific, he’ll find it for you.”

Remedy looked in where Lynus indicated. He saw two men that were talking with each other. One was obviously Ryker. The other appeared to be that of a medic.

“Redhead with glasses is Darrell,” Lynus continued. “He’s a medic and has a lot of hospital experience. He’s here to help in the construction and management of the Maginian Hospital, actually. He also has experience as an explorer.”

So, he was a medic. That was reassuring to know that there was going to be at least five medics on this expedition. They’d have to be in some serious trouble if they needed more.

“Oh, and there’s Shiki!” Lynus suddenly exclaimed. “I was wondering where he’s been all this time.”

Remedy turned to look in the same direction that Lynus was. He saw that his brother had finally returned to the dining hall with Jemella and the kids. Gerald, the gunner he had met earlier was also with them. As was his son and another man.

“The ronin with the bandages,” Lynus pointed out. “That’s Shiki. Gerald’s husband. He’s a dad-dad, if you know what I mean? He has the habit of adopting vulnerable people. Or just anyone, really.”

Quinn and Jemella seemed quite comfortable with the two already. They seemed relaxed. Jemella even sharing a laugh or two with Shiki. It was honestly good to see. They appeared to have a bit in common, so it was nice for hard-working Quinn to make some friends of his own.

Ghali suddenly broke from Gerald’s hand to run over to a tall, muscular man with blue hair. And hugged him tightly around the waist.

Lynus had also seen the sight and chuckled. “Ah, the man with blue-hair? That’s Simmons, Shiki’s son. He’s a very sweet, innocent man. That family…has been through a lot. It’s unfair, really.”

Another man appeared. Shorter than the first, but dressed similarly to that of a dark hunter. And Ghali hugged him around the waist, too.

“The white-haired dark hunter is Rahas,” Lynus continued to explain. “He is Simmons’ partner and extremely protective of Simmons and his family. And I mean, extremely.”

From across the hall, a voice suddenly boomed above all the noise, startling Remedy enough to jump in his seat. “Aye, Lindis! How the fuck is ya?”

Lynus winced lightly before he smiled. “That’s Zeryn. You really do hear him before you see him. Though, he’s not as bad as he used to be. Topaz has calmed him down somewhat.”

“Is Topaz the blue-haired man following him?” Remedy asked as he watched Zeryn, the tall highlander make a bee-line for Lindis, a rather regal man at his heel.

“That’s him,” Lynus chuckled.

During his walk to Lindis, Zeryn bypassed another with short green hair and a cape. The little crown he wore gave the indication that he was someone of royalty. Or someone who liked to think himself as such.

“Hey, little Dickie!” Zeryn greeted as he swiftly moved past.

The kid spun around with a dramatic flare. “It’s Benedict, you uncouth swine!”

“And that’s Benedict,” Lynus said with a laugh. “Benedict Richardson the Third. He’s…special, I suppose you could say. Don’t worry; if you forget his name, he will remind you.”

They certainly had some colourful characters in their guild.

A hexer in maroon robes strolled past Lynus and their end of the table. He suddenly dropped to the floor, face first, making a loud thud. It caused Remedy to jump in his seat yet again and he saw the others do the same as they simultaneously turn to look toward the source of the noise. However, Remedy also noticed that Lynus didn't look. Instead, Lynus had closed his eyes and drew in a slow breath.

"Mahogany," he murmured under his breath.

He didn't look annoyed or agitated, but there was obvious exasperation in his voice.

A hand suddenly reached up and slapped against the table, startling everyone once again. Slowly, the hexer, likely called Mahogany, used the table to struggle back to his feet. He drew in a sharp breath before...standing straight and idly fixing his hair. Like nothing had happened.

"How odd," the hexer murmured.

"Don't say it, Mahogany," Lynus unexpectedly warned.

"I've matured past that, now," Mahogany replied with a careless shrug. "If you're interested, it’s the one with white hair."

Lynus eyes flickered over toward Simon. Sympathy, perhaps even empathy, caused his gaze to soften. It was a fleeting moment, but Remedy caught it all the same.

“You really need to stop scaring people, Mahogany,” Lynus chided lightly as he turned his attention back to his guildmate.

Mahogany shrugged, apparently either dismissive or nonchalant about his startling behaviour. “I don’t do it on purpose. Most of the time, at least.”

With that said, he turned and walked away, completely oblivious to the discontentment he left in his wake.

Lynus broke the uncomfortable silence that followed with an audible sigh. “He’s always like that. You’ll have to forgive his…quirkiness, I suppose.”

“Hexers are renowned for their particular skills,” Simon responded before he glanced over the rims of his glasses to give Lynus a rather…pointed look.

Lynus unexpectedly sighed as he folded his arms atop of the table and leaned against them. "He always leaves me to explain. Mahogany has a particular...skill, you could say. One that allows his to see past events of the lives of...other people. The more traumatic the event, the easier it is for him to receive that vision."

They fell into an uneasy silent after Lynus’ explanation. Simon in particular was unnerved. Remedy could almost feel his unease.

“What could he…?” Simon muttered under his breath as his gazed off to the side. That breath was soon caught in his throat, gasping in realisation.

“He did the same thing to me,” Lynus quickly admitted, likely in an attempt to calm or reassure Simon. That admission earned a surprised glance from Simon. “It’s very unnerving, to be quite frank. Sent me running.”

Lynus was absolutely attempting to disarm the tension that had fallen over the group. Finally, Simon nodded his head and idly pushed up his glasses.

“We’re all explorers,” Simon said. “It’s an unfortunate fact that we’ve endured trauma in our lives.”

“Very true. And the fact that we’re all still here proves how stubborn we truly are,” Lynus added with a smile.

“We’re back.”

A flicker of relief appeared in Lynus’ eyes upon the sound of Axel’s voice. Zadkiel scooted to the side to allow for Axel to slip in between him and Lynus. While Lindis walked to the other side of the table and sat next to Simon. Whom of which also wore an expression of relief.

“Seems like Maginia is about to take flight at any minute,” Axel explained as he slipped an arm around Lynus, intentionally pulling him closer.

“We’ll soon see how we’ll handle this, then,” Lynus commented.

“We heard Zeryn,” Simon said to Lindis, likely looking to change the topic subject. “I’m almost afraid to ask how he greeted you personally.”

Lindis gave a short laugh as he rested his elbows on the table. “He’s actually gotten better. Still, I understand why Elder kicked him out in frustration.”

“He’s very proud of that,” Axel quipped.

Again, Lindis laughed and shook his head. “Doesn’t surprise me. But it was nice meeting Gage again.”

A loud siren that blared for several consecutive minutes interrupted everyone. Other then the siren, no one else made a sound. They remained silent when a rumbling noise was heard. Tat indicated that the engines were powering up to lift Maginia up off the ground.

Remedy instinctively held onto the table in front of him, while Axel and Lynus reacted by reaching out to one another. Axel kept an arm firm around Lynus’ shoulders while Lynus used one hand to latch onto Axel, his other reaching out to comfort Azure. Out of the two, Azure had the most negative reaction; immediately scooting over to Lynus and burying his face into his shoulder.

They didn’t immediately panic, however. They remain relatively calm throughout the trembling and noise around them.

Perhaps they had been warned beforehand. Perhaps they knew that they were fine once that got to cruising level, as it were. The take off always rattled some buildings and nerves.

Thankfully, where they were located, they didn’t have to deal with the constant hum or roar of the engines. They were located close to the centre of the city, away from the powerful winds and engine noise.

Finally, the noise and rattling began to subside. And it was replaced by a new sound; children crying.

Remedy immediately looked over to where his brother sat with Jemella and the kids. Quinn had Benji on his lap, comforting the boy. He had reacted the same way when they lifted off for the first time. The loud noise and rumblings frightened him.

And it appeared as if he wasn’t the only one startled by the event; Gerald was comforting Ghali, the blond-haired boy clinging to him with his arms around his neck.

Poor kids. They’ll likely be afraid of every take off. The sooner they got to Lemuria, the better.

Turning his attention away from the frightened boys, Remedy looked back toward Lynus. Axel still had his arm around his shoulders, but Lynus seemed to be comforting Azure more than reacting to the events around them. Azure, for his part, had lifted his head from Lynus’ shoulder, but he was obviously still unnerved by what had occurred.

“You handled that rather well,” Simon complimented as he relaxed a little. “Austin dropped to the floor in a duck-and-cover position when he experienced take off for the first time.”

“Ah. This isn’t our first time in a flying city,” Lynus unexpectedly revealed.

“You’ve been to Maginia before?” Remedy asked, clearly surprised.

But Lynus shook his head. “Maginia, no. There’s a stratum in Lagaard’s labyrinth we called “Heavenly Keep”. It’s a flying castle of sorts.”

That immediately gained Simon’s interest. “Really?”

“Oh yes,” Lynus said with a smile. “I’m sure we’ll be able to tell each other of the quirks of labyrinths, hm?”

“Speaking of which, what our next stop at?” Axel asked.

Remedy thought for a moment. “Well, from what I understand our next port of call is Armoroad.”

“Hm? Armoroad?” Lynus perked up a little upon hearing the city’s name. “Oh good. I hope to find Flavio there.”

Simon tilted his head to the side. “Flavio?”

“Yes, he’s also from Midgard Library.”

“Yes, I remember him,” Simon murmured as he straightened his posture. “Him and Fafnir were inseparable. I’m afraid I haven’t heard anything about the two for at least two years.”

Lynus’ bright expression suddenly dimmed slightly and he looked apologetic. “It’s a very long story, but Fafnir was stranded in Armoroad and Flavio, of course, went off to find him immediately. His party member and friend, Bertrand, accompanied him to find Fafnir.”

Simon frowned. “I sense that this has an extraordinary story behind it.”

“Flavio will be able to tell you more than I could,” Lynus said with a sad smile. He trailed off for a moment, lost in thought. He soon shook his head, however, and rested his arms atop of the table once more. “What other cities will we be visiting?”

“Ah, Tharsis and Iorys,” Remedy answered.

Again, Lynus seemed to brighten. “Oh good, we are visiting Tharsis. I have a penpal there. I’ve been wanting to meet him and his guild.”

“Iorys is going to be interesting, to say the least,” Simon added. “It’s an isolated island that rumours state they have their own unique races and skills.”

It was a shame that Maginia only stayed at their chosen ports for a day or two, using that time to gather materials. It would be nice to visit other labyrinths, to see for themselves that kind of environments and materials that could be discovered.

Oh well. They’ll just have to deal with the surprises that Lemuria had in store for them.