#Lizzy you were a bit dizzy by his gentleness

[ilovedoggys]

I was reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austine and came across the gayer tone?!! IDK what it means but NICE👍

[storytellerofuntoldlegends]

an icarus and his sun: chapter 5

A/N: it's formal ball time :) where nothing will go wrong :) (also this morning i saw a tweet from scott smajor casually mentioning he looked at the empires smp tag on tumblr AND mentioning something about liking the "art and stories." so i've been dealing with the mortifying possibility of being known all morning, hope y'all are having a good day/night/whenever aksfdgkl)

Warnings: kissing, explosions, betrayal, violence, swordfights, mild disassociation 

AO3 Link - Tumblr Masterpost

-

The night of the House Blossom Ball had arrived. Jimmy had to admit, getting Lizzie’s help with an outfit was a good idea. He wore a black suit with intricate, swirling bronze details that shimmered when the light hit them. He had a dark green bowtie as a nod to his empire, and he had indeed ditched the cod head. Instead, he wore a bronze colored masquerade mask that looked like two cod fish curling around his eyes, their fins spreading out and covering his forehead. It felt weird to have his hair exposed, but Lizzie helped him make sure it was presentable. Speaking of Lizzie, she was wearing a dress with the typical navy blue color of the Ocean Empire, but it had an ombre shift into the magenta of Mezalea at the end of the skirt. Joel wore his typical Mezalean garb, but with a navy blue sash instead of a green one. They walked into the ballroom as quite the dazzling trio- and then Jimmy’s heart just about stopped at the sight of Scott.

He was chatting with Pixl and one of the new rulers, a man with colorful wings like a parrot’s. But Jimmy was too busy staring at Scott to really pay attention to Pix and the other ruler, because Scott was wearing a ballgown. The main body of it was long sleeved and form fitting, made of white lace with shimmers of gold worked in, and was backless to allow room for his wings. Then there was a light blue overskirt to go with it, making the dress look like a full ballgown. Gold jewelry adorned him as well- on his wrists, around his neck, and hanging from his ears.

“Close your mouth, Jimmy,” Joel murmured with a teasing lilt. Jimmy snapped his mouth shut, looking down at the ground and extremely relieved that his masquerade mask covered the blush on his cheeks.

“How about we go and mingle with the other guests, I think Jimmy needs a minute to compose himself,” Lizzie teased. Jimmy nodded, too flustered to even protest. The three of them walked over to Katherine, who was chatting with Gem, Pearl, and a gnome girl in a dress that reminded Jimmy of a mushroom, with its red poofy top and white floor length skirt. The girl jumped a bit at the sight of Jimmy and Lizzie, but quickly composed herself.

“Hello! I am Shrub of the Undergrove. You may call me Shelby if you like though,” she said, seeming a little skittish as she spoke. Lizzie smiled gently, giving a curtsy. Joel and Jimmy quickly followed her lead, bowing at Shelby.

“Ocean’s blessings. I am Queen Lizzie, of the Ocean Empire. This is my husband, King Joel of Mezalea. And this is my dear friend, the Codfather of the Cod Empire,” Lizzie said, gesturing to each of them in turn.

“You can call me Jimmy though, if you want,” he added with a smile. Shelby jumped a bit when he spoke, but nodded and gave a hasty curtsy. Joel looked at her with gentle concern.

“Is everything alright?” he asked. Shelby nodded, a bit too hastily.

“Yes! Just not uh. Not super used to this many people,” she said with a nervous laugh, eyeing Lizzie and Jimmy warily. Joel frowned a bit at the way she was looking at them, but didn’t say anything.

“Jimmy, you aren’t making an enemy of our new friend already, are you?” Fwhip’s voice asked from somewhere behind them. Jimmy whirled around to glare at Fwhip, and of course Sausage was at his side.

“I’m just saying hello, Fwhip. Surely that’s allowed,” Jimmy huffed.

“Sure, that’s how it always starts though- next thing you know he’s stealing your things,” Sausage chimed in. Shelby looked rather alarmed, and Jimmy let out a frustrated sigh.

“For the millionth time, you had said that I could-”

“Oh listen, the music’s starting! Let’s dance!” Katherine interrupted him, and the whole ballroom seemed to let out a collective sigh of relief as people found their dance partners. Jimmy fully intended to step to the side and watch as the others danced, but then he met the mischievous glint in Lizzie’s eyes.

“Joel, is it alright if I go dance with Scott? I simply must compliment his dress,” Lizzie said airily. Joel smiled, just as wickedly as the glint in his wife’s eyes.

“As long as you don’t mind if I dance with the Codfather for a bit,” Joel replied.

“Of course!” Lizzie chirped, before heading off towards Scott. Jimmy squinted at Joel suspiciously as he led him to the dance floor. It wasn’t the first time the two of them had danced together, Joel had insisted that Jimmy practice with him before his wedding day. But it had frankly been a while, and he didn’t like the look he and Lizzie had exchanged before she went to dance with Scott.

“What are you up to?” Jimmy asked as he rested his hand on the small of Joel’s back, and Joel rested his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. Their other hands were clasped together, and the two of them began gently swaying.

“Oh, nothing,” Joel replied, and that was all Jimmy could get out of him as they danced. They slowly made their way across the ballroom floor, and soon they were close to where Lizzie and Scott were dancing. And gosh were they a sight, all swirling skirts and elegance. Jimmy could tell Joel was just as distracted by Lizzie as Jimmy was by Scott. Then Lizzie noticed them staring, and she and Scott twirled closer.

“Jimmy! Let’s trade partners, I’d like to dance with my husband now!” Lizzie chimed, and before Jimmy could process what exactly that meant, he was spun into Scott’s arms. They were almost as close as they had been the day they fought- and there were those butterflies again. He didn’t know what to do with his hands- there was the issue of Scott’s wings and the fact that his dress exposed a lot of the skin on his back. But there wouldn’t be a point to worrying about that, Scott would surely push him away- but then Scott chuckled and took Jimmy’s hands in his, guiding them to where they should be.

“Here,” he said softly, placing one of Jimmy’s hands on his shoulder while his fingers laced with the other, then moved his free hand to rest on Jimmy’s back and pull him impossibly closer. Jimmy swallowed nervously, glancing over at Lizzie and Joel (who nodded encouragingly) before looking back to Scott.

“You look gorgeous,” Jimmy blurted as the two of them began to sway. Jimmy internally cursed himself for saying the first thing that popped into his head- but then Scott’s face flushed and it suddenly all felt worth it.

“Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself,” he teased. Jimmy laughed.

“Lizzie helped,” he admitted. Scott laughed as well, the sound all sunshine and glittering gold.

“Should’ve known,” he replied, seeming distracted for a moment. Jimmy wanted to ask what was wrong, but Scott plastered on a smile and gently spun the two of them. Jimmy couldn’t help but smile along, heart soaring.

They continued dancing until the song ended, and then Scott was just… gone. He had twirled Jimmy and when he had finally managed to stop spinning and catch his balance, laughing and about to make a teasing remark about Scott making him dizzy- he realized he had vanished into the crowd. It felt like Scott had taken a bit of Jimmy’s heart with him. Jimmy looked around for him, and met Katherine’s concerned gaze instead. She gave a comforting smile as she walked over to Jimmy.

“I saw Scott go upstairs, I think he just needed some fresh air after dancing. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind some company,” she said with a wink, nudging Jimmy towards the stairs. He chuckled, thanking Katherine before heading up the stairs. She was right, there was no need to be worried! Jimmy just kinda wished Scott would have said something.

Jimmy’s breath was once again taken away when he saw Scott standing on the balcony. If Jimmy thought he was beautiful in the sunlight, he was even more stunning in the moonlight. The white of his wings practically glowed, and while the gold didn’t shimmer quite as bright as it did in the sun, it still sent Jimmy’s heart fluttering all the same. The only thing that ruined the image was how… distressed Scott looked. His hands were fiddling with the gold bracelets he wore, and his mouth was fixed in a frown. Maybe he needed some space, clearly something about the dance upset him- he probably hadn’t really wanted to dance with Jimmy, and just played along cause everyone was watching. Jimmy should definitely apologize before giving him some space.

“Scott? I promise I’ll leave you alone after this, but I just wanted to apologize,” Jimmy said, trying not to let his heartbreak show. Scott jumped in surprise, turning to look at Jimmy.

“Apologize? For what?” he asked, seeming genuinely confused.

“The dance. Joel and Lizzie schemed against my will, I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” Jimmy explained, guilt welling up in his stomach. To his surprise, Scott gave a soft laugh.

“You don’t need to apologize for that. I… I liked dancing with you,” he confessed. Jimmy’s heart was sent fluttering once more, and he stepped closer to Scott with a grin.

“Oh! Good, I was just worried because you left and you looked upset when I came up here,” Jimmy said, deflating only a little bit when Scott only smiled and nodded in response before gazing out over the lands of the Overgrown. There was awkward silence for a moment or two, until Scott suddenly moved closer to Jimmy, almost as close as they had been when they were dancing. Butterflies sparked in Jimmy’s stomach at the little distance between them.

“I need to tell you something,” Scott blurted. He looked nervous, almost like he had been when Jimmy first had come up to the balcony.

“Of course, what is it?” Jimmy asked soothingly. Scott looked him in the eyes, mouth opening and closing uselessly- until he broke eye contact for a brief moment before locking eyes with him again, something desperate in his gaze. Then suddenly Scott’s hands were gently cradling his face and there were lips on his. Scott’s lips. Scott was kissing him. Jimmy gasped in surprise against his mouth before quickly sinking into the kiss and running his hands through Scott’s stupid perfect hair. Scott’s hands drifted down from his face to his waist, pulling him in closer as his wings wrapped around them both, shielding them from the outside world so it was only Scott and Jimmy. Then Scott tilted his head and the kiss went from pleasantly warm to blazing, sending sparks racing up Jimmy’s spine. It left him dizzyingly breathless, like Scott had spun him a thousand times on the dance floor, and Jimmy never wanted it to end-

And then a thundering BOOM rattled the castle, breaking them apart. Scott clung to Jimmy, arms tightening around his waist as his breath hitched in fear, and Jimmy held him back just as tightly. There was something unreadable in Scott’s expression alongside the fear, but Jimmy didn’t have time to decipher it before another BOOM shook the castle. Jimmy was about to ask what was going on, but the sound of someone landing on the roof behind him and the voice that went with it stopped him cold.

“Well what do we have here?” Fwhip crooned, and Scott practically snarled as he shifted his hold on Jimmy so that one arm was curled protectively around his waist, his wing shielding him as well, as he drew a sword from somewhere within his skirts and pointed it at Fwhip. Dimly, Jimmy remembered that there weren’t supposed to be weapons at the ball, Katherine had made a rule.

“Leave before I make you,” Scott growled, the sound of his voice sending liquid fire through Jimmy’s veins. Fwhip gave an incredulous scoff, shaking his head.

“Playing the part a little too well, are we?” he sneered, and just like that the fire in his veins went cold, and he realized what that strange look on Scott’s face had been before. Guilt. Scott’s grip on him suddenly felt suffocating, more like he was holding Jimmy hostage rather than protecting him.

“Let go of me,” Jimmy demanded, voice hollow. Scott’s grip only tightened on him, and Jimmy’s heart rate spiked in fear.

“Don’t listen to Fwhip, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Scott said shakily. Fwhip let out a cruel laugh.

“Oh come on Scott, you’re the one who helped make this possible,” he jeered, and the castle shook with another explosion. Jimmy’s stomach dropped. Scott was in league with Fwhip. Scott had plotted against him, and lulled Jimmy into a false sense of security with dazzling smiles and soft lips.

“Jimmy-” Scott started, but was cut off by the sound of people bounding up the stairs and shouting. Jimmy’s head whipped over to see Katherine, Lizzie, and Joel coming up to the balcony.

“Fwhip! How could you do this!” Katherine demanded, tears streaming down her face. Fwhip merely laughed.

“I told you the ball would be a blast, Katherine,” he sneered. Anger boiled in Jimmy’s stomach at Fwhip’s tone towards Katherine, and he squirmed against Scott’s hold.

“Jimmy,” Scott warned, voice low. Joel mistook the tone of Scott’s voice, and leveled his sword at him- somehow Jimmy missed that he was holding it, he must have grabbed it from the chests at the front of the castle.

“Release the Codfather. Now. I won’t let you destroy this castle and take an ally hostage,” Joel growled.

“Joel, stay out of this. You don’t understand what’s happening,” Scott said, voice calm and even. Joel let out a harsh laugh, tightening his grip on his sword.

“I understand plenty,” he snarled, leaping at Scott. Scott was forced to toss Jimmy to the side to block the incoming strike, and Jimmy watched them fight with some sort of dazed confusion as he fell to the ground. Everything felt cold and hollow, and Jimmy didn’t really feel connected to his body as Lizzie scrambled to his side, helping him up and murmuring words of comfort.

“C’mon Jimmy, we’ve gotta get out of here,” she said, voice soft but no less urgent as she gently squeezed Jimmy’s hand. He met Scott’s eyes briefly as he was holding off Joel, and that was decision enough for Jimmy. He squeezed Lizzie’s hand back, and ran with her.

-

Taglists below! Ask to be added/removed!!

MCYT General Fic Taglist: @corazon10000 @damiensaidno @franticfandomfanatic @gattonero17 @hetapeep41 @space-ace123 @vyeoh 

AIAHS Taglist: @anty-kreatywna @devilwoodkitty18 @riobug 

[chilling-seavey]

Hiiiii I haven't sent an ask in AGES and rn I'm struggling to cope with the reality of pss 2.0 since Charlie got back home so- how about some Frankie and baby Charlie + baby Richie content? 🥺

Frances Mae, as we know well by now, was a born caretaker. She later was to be a dedicated nurse in the Second World War and had always stuck up for her brother (and her father) when ever she could. Although she had a strong relationship with her brother, Richard, it wasn’t very smooth at first.

At barely two-years-old, Frances was terribly displeased at the fact that her darling father had his attention taken by a strange child who randomly appeared in her house one day. She did not like that one bit and it took her a few weeks to really warm up to the idea of having a sibling. Yet, once she did, there was no breaking that bond.

Richard was born not even a month after Charles and the eldest Seavey baby and the youngest Besson baby were as close as twins. Now, Frances loved her little brother by the time her second birthday came and went, but in her little mind, she technically had two little brothers. That was incredible.

Corbyn had bought her a little dolly at the shops and she was easily catching onto how to care for a baby – well, the best a two-year-old could – between her doll and watching her mother with her new baby brother. However nice the dolly was, it was measly in comparison to the real baby that slept in the room down the hall from her. Richie was just so much better.

It was June 3rd and the Besson’s had gone over to the Seavey’s to celebrate Elizabeth’s birthday. Frances was proudly two and her baby brother was freshly three-months-old. Christine carried the baby into the parlour and Frances hurried after her with her dolly in hand, joining both of the women by the short bassinettes near the wall. Four-month-old Charles was sleeping in one of them and Richard was laid in the adjacent, the two boys looking like little angels side by side and dressed in white.

The two pairs of parents swooned over them a little and Frances smiled proudly from her place in front of Corbyn’s legs, his gentle hand petting over her wavy brown hair.

The adults soon sat themselves around the parlour with tea and talked amongst themselves. Frances had the whole rug to play on with her dolly but her gaze kept drifting back over to the bassinettes nearby. With the parents busy talking about grownup things, Frances declared herself primary caretaker of the boys since she was obviously the only one with her eye on them. There was a small mewl from one of them and Frances got herself to her feet and patted over quietly to the bassinettes.

“Frankie girl.” Corbyn’s voice had the two-year-old looking over at him quickly, “Be gentle, please.”

She only smiled reassuringly at her father, “Yes, Dada.”

With one hand on the end of each bassinettes, Frances rose up onto her tip toes to peer over the sides. Two pairs of blue eyes were staring back at her, one set shaded a little more like the foamy ocean and the other a little more like the springtime sky.

“Hi, babies.” France cooed softly, her toddler voice rising even higher still.

Richie was munching sleepily on his fingers, blinking up at his big sister, and Charlie’s little mouth opened in a yawn, his arms stretching above his head as his eyes scrunched closed for a moment. Frances rocked the bassinettes side to side carefully, her actions slow and aware – she certainly didn’t want to upset her father by making a wrong move – and watched the boys’ eyes flutter closed. To put it plainly, Frances thought the boys to be hers. They were her perfect little dollies to play with whenever she pleased.

“Night night.” Frances smiled proudly, scurrying around the side of Richie’s naptime bed. She set her hands on the side and tried to lean over to kiss him, nearly dumping him out if Corbyn didn’t throw himself across the parlour at record speed to snatch his toddler and steady the baby.

“Careful, Frankie love.” Corbyn whispered.

“Kissy.” Frances protested.

“You can kiss them when they wake up, alright?” Corbyn steered her back to her dolly on the parlour rug.

Frances frowned but obeyed and sat herself back down to play all by herself.

A few moments later, the boys woke up hungry, squirming and crying together, and Frances jumped right up to tend to them.

“Shh, shh, babies.” she soothed, rocking each bassinette again gently.

Christine came up behind her daughter and leaned over to scoop up her crying son.

“Mine, Mama.” Frances jumped up and down eagerly, holding up her hands to her mother gently cradling her baby brother.

“Richie needs his lunch first, love.” Christine said, leaving her daughter with a stroke to her cheek before finding her place back across the parlour.

Charlie cried shrilly from his small bed and Frances went back up on her tiptoes to reach in and pat his tummy gently.

“Shh.” she whispered, easily copying the habits of her parents.

“You’re a good little Mommy.” Elizabeth chuckled to her goddaughter as she came over to tend to her own son.

“Charlie’s my baby.” Frances said sweetly, batting her big brown eyes up at her.

“I see that. You have your hands full with two babies, don’t you?”

Frances nodded proudly. She watched as Elizabeth leaned down and carefully lifted her crying baby from the bassinette, her actions a bit more hesitant than that of Christine since Charlie was her firstborn. Habits had yet to become second nature but they were getting there. Frances skipped after Elizabeth and stood in front of her while she started to feed the baby, making sure she had her shawl draped over her politely in front of their guests. Daniel, who was sat at his wife’s side, watched her quietly and gently ran his fingertip over his son’s soft head.

Frances copied him, gently petting her tiny hand over Charlie’s thin brown hair. Daniel smiled lightly at the little girl. She leaned right down and kissed the baby’s head.

“Leave Auntie Lizzie alone, Frankie love.” Corbyn chuckled.

Elizabeth only laughed quietly at the toddler’s sweet innocence and watched her skip over to her own nursing mother. Frances kissed her brother’s head too and gave him a little pat under the shawl their mother had draped over her shoulder for privacy.

“Me too.” Frances said, climbing up on Corbyn’s lap and then lifted her dress up around her shoulders and reached for her baby brother.

The adults laughed loudly, much to Frances’ confusion – what was there to laugh about?? – and Corbyn hurried to pull his daughter’s dress back down.

“No, no.” he corrected her gently, smoothing out the material safely over her lap, “That’s only for mommies.”

Frances didn’t argue – she rarely argued with anything her father stated as fact – and just sat quietly and looked between her two babies nursing. When their lunch was finished and they were each burped, Frances jumped at the opportunity to have some playmates. She was sat back on the rug, framed with two cushions, and the babies were placed in each of her arms.

Frances beamed with pride, holding her babies like a grown up under the loving eye of her father sat on the rug across from her just in case. She couldn’t decide which baby to look at, flicking between Richie and Charlie, left and right, one and the other, until she was nearly making herself dizzy.

The boys were staring up at her quietly, Richie sucking contently on a pacifier and Charlie munching on a rubber baby toy, both pairs of blue eyes soaking in the gentle toddler that held them ever so carefully in her small arms. Richie reached up messily towards his sister’s face and he could just barely brush his tiny fingers over her skin.

“Richie.” Frances giggled, and leaned down to kiss his head, almost dropping Charlie in the process if it wasn’t for Corbyn’s extra hand reaching out to hold him in place.

But Frances thought she was the best little caretaker for the boys, her little chosen twins. Even as they grew up into active little troublemakers, she made her status as eldest perfectly known to them. She was their reality check and their protector and, arguably, the one who loved them the strongest.

[melacka]

BRACE + CLOTH + Lizzington? Please and thank you!

Hello there! It may take me some time but I got there! Thank you for the prompt!

‘i love you’ prompts

You can read the fic on AO3 here or keep reading below.

Title: A Helping Hand by Melacka

Summary: Red summons Liz to help him deal with some minor wounds he has sustained. Unfortunately he can't remember where, when or how he sustained said wounds. Liz is not best pleased.

Red regained consciousness slowly. He was aware of some pain somewhere in his body, but it was like he was experiencing it from a distance. Almost like a memory of pain he’d felt before. But that didn’t matter. He’d been having a nice dream and he wasn’t quite ready to let go of it yet.

“Red?”

He smiled. Lizzy was here.

“Red can you hear me?”

He always liked the dreams with Lizzy in them, especially when she was happy to be with him.

“Come on, Raymond, wake up for me.”

Lizzy sounded concerned. About him. That wasn’t right. He furrowed his brow, straining to understand what was going on.

“That’s it, you can do it,” she said gently. “Come back to me, now.”

“Lizzy?” he croaked.

“Yes, it’s me.”

He felt a hand at his forehead, and he leaned into the touch, grateful for its coolness against his skin.

“Red, do you know what happened?”

“When?”

“I don’t know,” Lizzy said, sounding concerned again. “You sent me a message about an hour ago, asking my to come to your Bethesda apartment.”

Red nodded. This was perfectly understandable. He often wanted her to be with him.

“When I got here, you wouldn’t open the door. I called your phone and could hear it ringing inside. I called Dembe and he said he was out of town, something about completing a business deal for you.”

Red finally managed to open his eyes and the Lizzy’s face swam into view.

“Lizzy,” he breathed, pleased to see her. “You’re here.”

“Yes, I’m here,” she said impatiently. “Dembe seemed to think that you wouldn’t have been doing anything that would cause concern.”

“Of course not.”

“So, imagine my surprise when I came in to find you collapsed on the floor.”

“Collapsed?” Red repeated, disoriented. “On the floor?”

“Yes! I had to break in, Red, I was really worried about you.”

“I’m sorry to have worried you, Lizzy,” he mumbled.

“I’d rather you worry me and let me help you than the alternative.”

He smiled at her happily.

“I don’t know what you have to smile about, Reddington,” she huffed. “You were bleeding pretty badly when I got here and I’m worried that you’re developing a fever. You won’t let me take you to the hospital, will you?”

Red tried to wave a careless hand to demonstrate how unconcerned he was, but his hand felt heavier than usual. He stared at it, baffled at the sudden difficulty.

“Try not to move too much, Red,” Liz said gently. “At least not until I take care of your wounds.”

“Wounds?” Red asked, confused. “I’m wounded?”

“Yes,” she said patiently. “I was able to get you off the floor, but I still don’t know how long you were down or how exactly you ended up there. We may need to call in your medical team anyway.”

“Nonsense! I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Lizzy looked adorably concerned and Red felt his heart flutter slightly in his chest.

“You need to take better care of yourself,” she whispered, her hand lingering against his cheek. “What if I hadn’t come by? What if I couldn’t get in?”

“Well that doesn’t matter, Lizzy,” Red said dismissively, struggling to sit up and grunting with the effort. “I did call you and you were able to get in. It seems that I can always count on your ability to enter my place of residence, whether I open the door to you or not.”

“I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or—”

“You should,” he interrupted her. “You definitely should take it as a compliment. It’s a very useful skill to have.”

“Please, just stay put,” she said, putting both her hands on his shoulders and pressing him back against the chair. “I’m going to get your first aid kit. Is it still in the bathroom?”

“I’ll come with you,” Red said, trying to stand up and in the process nearly knocking them both off their feet.

“Whoa!” Liz said, slipping her arms around his waist in an attempt to hold him steady. “You can come with me if you promise to let me help you. Can you do that?”

“I don’t need help, Lizzy, I’m quite alright.”

Liz raised an eyebrow and removed her arms from around him, taking a step back from him. He wobbled and she shook her head at him, sighing deeply.

“You can keep arguing if you want to, Red, but I hardly think you’re in any condition to resist me.”

She slipped an arm around his waist and flung one of his arms over her shoulder.

“I’m never in any condition to resist you, Lizzy,” he murmured, turning his face so he could smell her hair.

“Right,” she grunted. “You’re going to be so embarrassed by all this tomorrow. Alright, let’s go.”

They began an awkward lurch across the apartment. Red frowned in concentration, finally able to pinpoint one of the mysterious sources of pain.

“I think I may have a sprained ankle,” he said in wonder. “How on earth did that happen?”

“Do you really not remember what happened to you?” Liz asked breathlessly, propping him carefully against the doorframe to the bathroom.

“I went out to meet an associate for dinner,” Red said carefully. “I haven’t seen her in years.”

“Her?” Liz said stiffly, switching the light on and drawing him into the room. “Lovers quarrel?”

“Hardly,” he grunted, lowering himself gingerly to sit on the closed toilet lid. “We were never lovers, but we would work together occasionally. She is pleasant company, Lizzy, nothing more.”

“Makes no difference to me, Reddington,” she lied unconvincingly, rummaging through his first aid supplies. “I’m just trying to figure out what happened to you. A graze on your head, what looks like a knife wound in your shoulder and a possible twisted ankle. Whatever happened tonight, it wasn’t just dinner with an old associate. Could she have done this, do you think?”

“I doubt she’d care enough about me to hurt me like this,” Red said tiredly. “Although I am at something of a loss to explain it otherwise.”

“Hmm,” Liz said absently as she started to clean the graze on his head. He winced and she quirked an apologetic smile. “Does it sting? Here, let me try this.”

She started to blow gently on the wound, holding his chin in her hand. He stared at her, mouth hanging open stupidly.

“Better?” she asked, her face very close to his.

Her eyes were so blue. Had he ever been this close to her before?

“Much,” he croaked.

Her eyes flicked down to his lips briefly and she moistened her lips quickly. Then she seemed to get a grip on herself, shaking her head as if to clear it and stepping back to put more space between them.

“Uh,” she said awkwardly. “I’m going to need you to take your clothes off.”

“What? All of them?” he said teasingly, trying to put her at ease.

“If you prefer,” she said coolly. “But I really only need your shirt off.” She considered him in silence and then grinned, saying, “Possibly your pants.”

He smiled fondly at her and would have stripped immediately, just to fluster her, if he hadn’t been a little concerned that he would fall over if he tried.

“Of course, Lizzy, whatever you need,” he said graciously. “I put myself entirely in your hands.”

“Well, that sounds promising!”

He let out a loud laugh and said, “You’re in quite a mood this evening, Lizzy!”

She shrugged and carefully applied a dressing to his head, smoothing it out gently and taping it in place.

“I’m just happy I could help, Red. It’s not often I get to help you with anything other than Blacklisters.” She knelt down and started to undo the laces on his shoes. “And having you at my mercy kind of sweetens the deal, if I’m being honest.” She pulled his shoes off and examined his ankles carefully, picking up first one foot and then the other. “Probably not sprained but your left ankle is a little swollen. Could you have twisted it?”

“Lizzy, I could have done anything to it,” Red said in exasperation. “I have no memory of how I got in this state.”

“I don’t think it needs to be bandaged, but I can do it if you’re worried.” She sat back on her heels and pushed her hair out of her eyes. “Or you can just take it easy tonight and see how you feel in the morning?”

“Does that mean you won’t be removing my pants?”

She bit her lip and looked down coyly.

“Play your cards right,” she murmured, her hands tracing teasing patterns on his thighs. “It could still happen.”

“Oh?” he breathed.

He couldn’t say anything more articulate than that, he was too busy focusing on the little thrill of pleasure he got with every movement of her fingers.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “Just let me injure you somehow, those pants will come right off.”

“Such compassion, Lizzy,” he said dryly.

“I am here on a mercy mission, Red. I wouldn’t want to leave any injuries untended. Speaking of which,” she switched modes abruptly, going back to brisk professionalism, “I need to do something about that wound you have in your shoulder.”

Red submitted to her care without further comment, trying not to wince too much as she removed his shirt. He could tell that she was trying to be gentle, but there was only so much she could do. He was more beat up than he cared to admit. Truth be told, he was starting to feel a little dizzy, but he didn’t want to worry her. Within moments, the wound on his shoulder was cleaned and a fresh dressing was applied to it.

“Done!” Liz said with satisfaction. “Can I help you get to bed?”

“I can manage,” he said, not entirely sure that he could.

“Oh, really?” she scoffed. “Come on, then. Prove it.”

“Scepticism does not suit you, Elizabeth.”

“I happen to disagree, but that’s not the point. Come on, show me how well you can get yourself to bed.”

“Lizzy,” he whined pathetically. “Must you gloat?”

“On this occasion? Yes, I must.”

They glared at each other for a minute before Red sighed, conceding defeat with very little grace.

“Would you be so good as to assist me, Elizabeth?”

She grinned slightly in triumph.

“It would be a pleasure, Raymond.”

He tried not to show the effect it had on him when she called him Raymond. He had the awful feeling that she already knew and that she did it on purpose.

Clever girl.

She stepped forward and put both arms around him, supporting him as he stood up slowly. Then they resumed their earlier position, with his arm slung over her shoulder and her arm firmly around his waist.

“Try not to put too much weight on your sore ankle,” Liz said as the limped awkwardly through the apartment. “I don’t think it’s too bad, but you’ll still need to take it easy for a few days at least.”

“Of course.”

“And make sure you call Dembe, he’s worried about you.”

“I will.”

They’d made it to his bedroom and Liz extracted herself from her position at his side.

“Well, I think you can handle it from here,” she said, sounding agitated all of a sudden. “I’ll call you tomorrow, maybe come around to check on you?”

“That would be lovely, Lizzy.”

“And I can bring you some breakfast, save you trying to move around too much?” Liz must have noticed the look of shock on his face because she hurried on, “I don’t have to, I just thought it might be good. You need your rest, of course, and you still don’t know what happened tonight, there may be a threat out there that we need to deal with—”

“Lizzy,” he interrupted her nervous chatter with a gentle smile. “I would love to see you tomorrow morning, in whatever capacity you choose.”

She nodded quickly, looking relieved but still embarrassed.

“Great, that’s settled, then. I guess I’ll be going now.”

Red nodded and made his way slowly to the bed.

“Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight, Lizzy,” he sighed, sitting down with a relieved groan. “Oh, and Lizzy?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” he said sincerely, “for looking after me tonight. I would have been in a very bad way if it weren’t for you. So, thank you.”

Liz regarded him in silence, a slow smile spreading across her face.

“You’re welcome, Red.”

[jovialyouthmusic]

Girl’s Night Out

A multiple AU piece of fun featuring my female LIs

Elizabeth finds out more about the three women she has just met, and is scandalised.

Word Count 1519

A/N No Warnings...

1 Discoveries

‘I think Lucy should start’ Sophia said ‘She was Les’s first work – she’s our writer. The three of us are based on characters from one story’ she explained’ Lucy took a deep breath.

‘Well, keeping it simple, my story involves two men. I met them both at the same time, and I had a hard decision to make. I married the King of Cordonia, but I was also in love with his best friend, who was a commoner’ Elizabeth frowned

‘That’s the simple version?’ She queried. Lucy laughed, tossing her hair.

‘It was the premise of the story we’re all based on. You have the chance to choose between four love interests. Les found it hard to choose, so she wrote a story where she could have two of them. She made it so the King changed the laws of Cordonia to support marriages with more than two partners’ The prospective bride’s eyes grew wide.

‘You have two husbands?’ she asked, dumbfounded. Lucy smirked and nodded. Lizzy swallowed, leaving the details of that bombshell for later on ‘So it’s a story within a story’ she said thoughtfully.

‘Yes, that’s right’ said Charlotte. It’s called fan fiction. You could take that novel over there and change it however you wanted – make the villain into the hero, set it in a different country’

‘Oh, how intriguing’ the young woman said ‘Please tell me more’ She looked sideways at Lucy, sitting languidly in contrast to Charlotte’s regal posture.

‘Well that’s about it for me’ said Lucy ‘I married both of them – King Brad and Drake, and we live happily ever after’

‘You go on adventures then? You travel perhaps?’ Elizabeth asked ‘It’s what I’d do’ Charlotte stifled a laugh and Lucy smiled wryly.

‘Not exactly. Most of the story takes place in the bedroom – or the bathroom, or the hot tub…’ she had a dreamy expression on her face, and Elizabeth suddenly realised what she meant.

‘Oh!’ she said ‘I’m not sure that is proper’ Sophia patted her hand.

‘It’s just the way we’re written’ she assured her ‘You said you’re about to marry your Captain – and the story’s set in regency Scotland. Does that mean you’re a v…’ she cleared her throat ‘You’ve not been intimate with your sweetheart?’ Elizabeth blushed to the roots of her hair.

‘We’ve kissed’ she said softly ‘Every time he touches me it makes me feel warm - and tingly’

‘Oh sweetie’ Sophia said ‘You are going to have such a good time, Les will write a wedding night you’ll never forget’ Lucy laughed.

‘We’re lucky, Les is usually gentle with her characters. Some go through all sorts of stuff, and some are – well, let’s just say some authors write unhappy endings’

‘Oh how dreadful’ said Elizabeth ‘John’s first wife died in childbirth. I wonder if our writer put that to paper’

‘She’s not much for sad stories’ Sophia assured her. ‘Anyway, Charlotte can tell her story next’

‘Please do’ Elizabeth said ‘and call me Lizzy’ Charlotte smiled and absent mindedly smoothed out her skirt.

‘Well, my story is different again. I was sole heir to the Cordonian throne, and the character who was King in Lucy’s story was a bartender in Edinburgh’ Lizzy smiled in recognition ‘and Drake was my childhood friend. I had to choose between many worthy suitors for someone to rule by my side’

‘Oh how exciting! Let me guess – you chose the bartender and made him King?’ said Lizzy brightly. Charlotte smiled

‘No, I chose Drake, Lizzy’ she said ‘But it wasn’t easy. To cut a long story short, yes I married him and there has been a little drama since, but we are very happy together’ Lizzy turned to Sophia.

‘So what tale do you have to tell?’ she asked ‘Are you a princess?’ Sophia laughed and shook her head

‘No, I’m just an ordinary person – no title, just Sophia Turner.’

‘And you married a prince?’ she asked tentatively.

‘Wrong again. I fell in love with the head of security – another Captain - who looks after King Liam of Cordonia’

‘Oh’ frowned Lizzy ‘Is he very handsome?’

‘Oh yes’ Sophia said dreamily ‘He’s perfect…’ she cleared her throat ‘Well actually he has his moments. He’s a neat freak and he likes his routines…’

‘Freak is the word’ muttered Lucy, and Charlotte reached out to tap her knee disapprovingly

‘But you love him all the same?’ Lizzy went on heedless.

‘Very much.’ Sophia smiled ‘Which brings us to you’

‘Oh? What lies in store for me?’

‘Oh, I don’t know that – but my fiancé is a descendent of yours, so I suppose you are his great great – I don’t know how many greats – grandmother.’ Lizzy looked at her, wide eyed.

‘Oh – pray tell me what is his name?’

‘Bastein Lykel’ she smiled fondly

‘Oh how exciting! My beau is John Lykel. Tomorrow I will be Mrs Elizabeth Lykel.’ Her blissful smile changed to a frown ‘Though the word ‘tomorrow’ loses its meaning a little. Is time passing for him right now? Does he understand things as you do? How long until I see him again?’

‘I suppose you could say we are all in limbo’ Sophia said ‘Waiting for Les to write more or for someone to read our story’

‘I miss John’ Lizzy said sadly ‘I hope I can see him soon’

‘Well, I suppose we could call Les and ask her’ Sophia mused ‘She said she’d be busy for a bit. There’s something odd going on in her world – she said people were getting sick and she had some things to do – then she’d be free to write more to help keep folk’s spirits up.’

‘We could have a hen party’ piped up Lucy

‘A what?’ asked Lizzy

‘A hen party’ she repeated ‘A batchelorette party – you know, all girls together to celebrate the bride getting married. We could really let our hair down’

‘Let our…?’ Lizzy was puzzled, but by now the other two were catching on to the idea

‘Oh yes’ said Charlotte ‘We could have a Ball’

‘Now come on Lottie, you know what a hen party is’ said Lucy ‘What’s more, you had yours in Edinburgh. I think I’m the only one here who hasn’t been there’ Sophia waved her hands

‘Pipe down you two. I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we share ideas and have an extended party? We could do something each of us would enjoy’

‘I vote for strippers’ Lucy cried out ‘I could get my men to perform for us’ She waggled her eyebrows in a way Lizzy was not sure she liked.

‘Strippers?’ her head was spinning with all the unfamiliar terms.

‘Careful – Lizzy here won’t have seen a man naked’ Sophia warned ‘Ooohh - we could have a pyjama party!’ She spread her palms down in front of her and blew her breath out slowly, closing her eyes. ‘Okay, calm…’ she said, and everyone fell silent. After a while she opened her eyes again.

‘Right’ she said ‘Lizzy, what do you expect from a party? No expense spared, all four of us are the guests, you can invite anyone else you like – but bear in mind it’s strictly girls only.’

‘Could we not invite our beaus for a little dancing?’ she pleaded ‘I would have the front parlour decked out and my friend playing piano for us’

‘Sounds boring’ chipped in Lucy, stifling a yawn ‘This is your last night as a single woman, you should really push the boat out. Think big, darling!’

‘Boat? What boat?’ Lizzy was puzzled yet again. She put her hand to her forehead and rubbed it. Lucy sighed, and Sophia frowned at her. Charlotte cleared her throat

‘Well this isn’t getting us anywhere’ she said, picking at a piece of lint on the couch. She looked up sharply ‘We should go to the bar where it all started – for me’ She closed her eyes, and the room started to look fuzzy.

‘No not yet!’ Sophia said sharply, and Charlotte opened her eyes again. Lizzy blinked and breathed a sigh of relief as a wave of dizziness receded. ‘We need to dress up before we go out on the town, and we need to prepare Lizzy’ Sophia scolded. She turned to Elizabeth.

‘Sweetheart, we are going to show you what us girls in the twenty first century do for fun. I’ve taken a sneaky peek at your story - and you are seriously repressed. In a couple of hundred years, women are going to live much more liberated lives. You won’t be treated like property, you’ll be able to make your own decisions, you can work for a living, even vote.’ Elizabeth gasped.

‘I don’t believe you!’ she cried ‘This is all a dream.’ She started to weep. ‘I want John’ she sobbed ‘I just want to marry my Captain.’ Sophia made soothing noises and put her arm around her shoulders

‘You will darling, you will. I’m sorry I upset you. I really want you to enjoy yourself. Trust me, dry your eyes and I promise we’ll look after you. You’ll have a ball’

[lizzylunawizardessfanfics]

Danced Your Way Into My Heart

Pairing: Rex Blanc/Lizzy Luna

Summary: The new mystery of the Phantom Thief has come and the prefect’s of the royal academy and two past prefects of the night class have been brought together to take on and solve the case. Meeting many new faces as well as seeing a few familiar faces, Rex finds one in the mix of them all that is particularly interesting. What will Rex find while strolling around the school when the sound of music grabs his attention.

This was unbelievable as I regret even accepting this job in the first place as not only was Zeus here but worst of all Nox Noir also seems to be working on this case as well. Just hearing the two talk made me want to go home already though I suppose there was a small silver lining to all of this; I looked over as by where the group of day class prefects stood among them a charming girl with pastel blue hair as she wore a peony flower as she had the prettiest baby blue eyes. I snapped out of my daze when I saw her look over and our eyes met in which I mustered up my best smile as I watched as she returned it.

Some more time had passed as the meeting came to an end as I decided to go over to meet her as I walked over to where she stood as she seemed to finish speaking with one of the other prefects as I cleared my throat a bit. “Hello there,” I started off with as I saw her turn around in which she seemed confused until she saw me as she gave a smile and waved a bit, though she looked pretty afar she was even prettier up close. “Oh hello there! I look forward to working with you Rex,” she said cheerfully as she held out her hand to me which I smiled in return reaching out to shake her hand as well. Shortly after she lightly smacked herself in the forehead as she laughed a bit as it made my heart flutter a bit as I heard her say, “I’m sorry I forgot to introduce myself; I’m Lizzy Luna.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well Lizzy, I look forward to working with you too” I said in return as shortly after I took my hand back as she did the same. “Sorry to interrupt you two, but you said your name was Lizzy correct,” I let out a sign as there goes my good mood out the window as there appeared Nox as he stood at the other side of her. Turning so she could look at him she gave a nod of her head as I heard her reply, “Yup that’s me, it’s nice to meet you Nox.” Here we go again I thought to myself while rolling my eyes as Nox gave a smile before reaching and picking up one of her hands as I felt a small fire stir inside when he brought her smaller hand closer to him. “Such a lovely name for a cute girl, the honor is all mine,” Nox said placing a kiss on her hand before she seemed to quickly take it back. “I was hoping you’d be able to give me a tour of the day class school,” he asked as she seemed surprised but nodded.

“U-Umm sure,” she said as she then looked over to me and smiled as that fire seem to subside as I felt a flutter in my chest. “Rex would you like to join us for the tour,” I heard her ask as I may have slightly internally panicked a bit as not knowing what I should really say I ended up saying, “Thank you but I actually have to speak to Klaus about a few things about the case. She nodded as she said, “Alright well then another time, take care.” With that the two turned around and walked out of the headmaster’s office as that went great, way to go Rex; you’ve really did a great job with handling that. “Just a little forewarning; as kind and cute Lizzy might appear to be be-” I heard a voice to my left as I looked over to see Klaus as I raised an eyebrow as I suddenly spoke out cutting him off saying, “You think she’s cute?” Seem to be taken by surprise he coughed probably from choking on air he instantly said, “That’s not my point. I’m saying that she can be quite the troublemaker so don’t let your guard down around her.” It was kind of hard to believe, but I would keep that in mind as I went about my day.

~~~ Later That Day ~~~

I was walking the halls of the day class as I decided to go looking around a bit just so I could avoid having to be around Zeus. While admiring the beauty of the surroundings of the day class I was I tad spaced out until I brought back by the sound of soft music playing in the distance as I curiously raised an eyebrow. Deciding to see what was going on I continued down the hall as the closer I got the louder the music sounded as there was no mistaking it that someone was playing the piano. Finally arriving to the room I carefully slide the door open and poked my head in first looking over to where the piano was as oddly there was no one sitting here playing which could only mean it’s been enchanted to play. But then when I looked over to the other side of the room my eyes widened for a second as there was Lizzy dancing beautifully as she didn’t have on the prefect’s cloak or jacket on. I brought myself to smile a bit as I leaned against the door frame deciding to watch her a little longer as once the song ended I had a smile on my face as I started to clap lightly.

“That was a beautiful, you’re quite the dancer Lizzy,” I said out loud in which she seemed turn spin around and jumped lightly as she screamed a bit from seeing me, oops my bad. “Holy crap Rex you scared me, h-how long have you just been standing there for,” she asked as her face seem to turn pink as I soon saw a rottweiler walk around from behind the piano and bark as I could only assume was her familiar. I got off the door frame as I walked into the room more as I strolled my way over to the piano as I said, “Not too long, my apologies for scaring you; I happened to of heard a familiar song and I wanted to see who was playing the piano.” Lizzy knelt down as she started petting the dog as I could only chuckle while watching the dog’s butt happily wiggle. “I didn’t think you had a familiar,” I commented as she looked back up with a smile and nodded. “Yup this is my familiar Rufus,  Rufus this is my new friend Rex,” she said as Rufus let out a loud bark as if greeting me as I waved to him before running my hand along the top of the piano feeling its smooth surface.

“It’s nice to meet you Rufus,” I said as I saw the dog walk back over near the piano and lay back down as he’s one of the most well behaved familiars I’ve ever seen. “So you like the piano,” I heard her ask as she stood back up looking me in the eyes as there was that fluttering feeling in my chest again as I glanced down to the keys of the piano as I smiled. “I love the piano, u-umm do you mind if I play a little,” I said before asking the last part looking back up to her as she seemed a little surprised; her faces were pretty adorable to look at as I chuckled slightly. “N-No I don’t mind at all, go right ahead,” she said as I took a seat on the bench as I looked down at the keys as I thought about what song to play first.

Like it was second nature I started pressing my fingers down on the piano keys starting to play the song Dance of the Little Swans. I glanced up as to my surprised Lizzy was ballet dancing with the song as no words could describe just how serene and beautiful she looked while dancing around the room. Her hair as it moved with her movement reminded me of gentle waves of water as it felt almost soothing as I had to look down at the keys to make sure I was on the right keys since I slightly got a bit distracted. I looked up as I watched her effortlessly pirouette spin a few times before continuing to dance flawlessly, if I even attempted to do one I’d need a minute from getting dizzy. If I haven’t known better I would of thought she was a professional dancer. Soon I pressed the last keys ending the song as I saw her bow at the end as she straightened herself up before looking over smiling.

Usually two people would have conversations to get to know one another better though I feel like between the two of us here there was just so much that was being said through her dancing and my piano playing that there wasn’t any words needed. Soon I started to once again press the keys as I started to play The Second Waltz. I looked over to Lizzy to see she was dancing once again as she pretended she was dancing with someone else. Watching her twirl herself around before continuing to dance the waltz by herself. In that empty space I could only imagine myself being the one holding her close as the two of us danced around the room, that’s when a light bulb went off in my head in which I whispered a spell to enchant the piano again so it could keep playing as I carefully got up the bench and started to make my way over to her.

When she looked like she was going to twirl again I stepped closer taking her hand that was in the air as I guided the rest of the twirl in which she seemed surprised to see me as her baby blue eyes widened for a short period of time before going back to normal. “I hope you don’t mind me joining you,” I said as I gave a sheepish smile as I danced with her as my other hand rested gently on her waist as I mentally thanked myself that I was wearing gloves because I would of been embarrassed if my hands sweated. She giggled and gave me a smile as her other hand went onto my shoulder as she said, “Not at all,” I felt a small sparks from the contact as I just had to remember to keep breathing. It was nearing to the end of the song as releasing her hand I placed it on her other side in which I decided to pick her up and spin around once as I heard her laugh a little as I grinned a bit as I carefully set her back down on her feet. “That was a lot of fun,” she said smiling up at me as smiled back and nodded letting out a small chuckle. “Indeed, thank you for this dance,” I said I started to walk back over to the piano.

“Aside from being such an amazing dancer what else do you do, do you play piano as well,” I asked looking over my shoulder as she stretched a bit. “I haven’t played in years, a lot of what I do is invent things and dance; like I kinda remember how to read some sheet music but I always mess what which keys are which,” she said laughing which was most likely at her own self as I sat on the right side and patted the spot next to me. “I have a hard time believing that,” I said raising an accusing eyebrow as she walked over and sat down next to me as I helped her put her hand on the correct keys. “I didn’t get the chance to say this but you play beautifully Rex,” I heard her say as I felt the sweetness behind her words as I prayed that my face wasn’t visibly blushing. “Thank you, it means a lot to me to receive such high praise,” I thanked her happily as I put on hand on the other keys as which my free hand I flipped through the pages of the music book that was there till I found a song that wouldn’t be too difficult for her to follow.

Soon enough we started to play together as I would glance at the sheet now and again though I would look more down our hands as when I looked over to check on her she seemed to be trying hard to focus as she was looking between the sheet music and her hands on the keys. “You’re doing good,” I said reassuring her as I heard a thank you from her right after as the two of us continued to slowly play the song. It was moments after when we finished when I looked over to her it seemed she was looking over to me at the same time as this had to be the most I’ve felt at peace to be spending time with anyone. “That wasn’t bad, people on their first try wouldn’t of done that well,” I said as I remember when I first started my hands were all over the place. “Thank you though I might stick to my dancing… I had a really nice time hanging out with you, I feel like I got to know you a lot better,” I listened to her say as I nodded in agreement. “Yeah I couldn’t of said it better myself,” I instantly replied with as looking outside the window the sun seemed to be already setting from the oranges and yellows in the sky. “W-We should head to the night cafe,” she said as she momentarily stopped as before I could look over to her I froze up when I felt a soft pair of lips briefly pressed against my cheek as my heartbeat sped up. I looked over to her surprised as she was standing up from the seat as she wore a small grin. “Don’t want Zeus hunting us down and dragging us there now do we, come on,” she said giving a small wink as now I was starting to see what Klaus was possibly talking about though oddly it made me all the more curious about her. Nodding I quickly got up and adjusting my uniform she picked up her stuff as Rufus followed right beside her as once we were both set the both of us left the room to go to the night class cafe; I wasn’t looking forward to being around Zeus and Noz, but if I got to spend more time with Lizzy it wouldn’t be a completely horrible time.

[bamby0304]

The Hart II: Highway

Summary: Off on her own, without the Winchesters, Bobby, Ellen or Jo, Lizzie tries to get back to what she does best… hunting. But time is running out, Dean’s soul is on the line, and now everyone knows Lizzie is psychic like Sam. Can the brothers and Lizzie work through their problems? Or will they lose everything?

Bamby’s Masterlist

The Hart Masterlist

The Hart II: Highway Masterlist

Part Twenty: A Little Dream

Warnings: Some violence, some angst, and a lil’ bit of fluff.

Bamby

EPOV

I sat up with a start, panting hard. I was aware of the guys next to me, waking up as well, but before I could check to see if they were okay I was hit with a dizzy spell that had me falling towards the edge of the bed.

"Whoa!" Dean reacted quickly, grabbing me before I could fall. Pulling me over so I leaned on him, he watched me carefully until I seemed to be okay. "No more mind tricks for you."

...

I sat on the bed with Bobby, at the end, watching him as he flicked through some paperwork. I was still worried about him. There was no way in hell that I was going to leave him alone for a while. Hell, I was thinking about hunting with him instead, just for a few weeks at least, until I was sure he'd be okay.

"Hey, Bobby," Dean spoke up from where he sat next to the bed. "That, uh... that stuff, all that stuff with your wife? That actually happen?"

Bobby looked over at him, answering simply. "Everybody got into hunting somehow."

Dean looked away, feeling guilty for bringing it up. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. If it weren't for you-" Bobby looked to me then. "Both of you. I'd still be lost in there. Or dead." There was a beat as he turned to Dean again before finishing. "Thank you."

Dean's only response was a slight nod and a twitch of his lips. While I reached out and grabbed Bobby's hand, offering him a smile. Dean had said Bobby was like a father to him. But to me, Bobby was the only father I knew.

"So, uh," Sam walked in to the hospital room then, "stoner boy wasn't in his dorm. My guess is he's long gone by now."

"He ain't much of a stoner," Bobby commented, picking up a picture of the guy who'd put him in the coma.

Dean looked surprised and confused. "No?"

"No. His name's Jeremy Frost. Full-on genius. Hundred-and-sixty IQ. Which is sayin' some, considering his dad took a baseball bat to his head. Here's Father of the Year." Bobby put the photo down and grabbed a piece of paper before handing it over to Sam. "He died before Jeremy was 10."

"Looks like a real sweetheart." Sam was clearly being sarcastic.

"Injury gave him Charcot-Wilbrand. He hasn't dreamt since," Bobby noted, talking about Jeremy again.

"'Till he started dosing the dream drug," Dean added.

Bobby gave a short nod. "Yep."

But there was one thing I just didn't understand... "How'd he get to you?" I asked. "How'd he know your worst nightmare? I mean, doesn't he need some of your DNA or something?"

"Yeah. 'Fore I knew it was him, he offered me a beer. I drank it." Bobby shook his head, not exactly happy with himself. "Dumbest frigging thing."

"Oh, I don't know. It wasn't that dumb." Dean gave a nervous laugh.

We all turned to him seeing the look on his face.

Sam sighed. "Dean, you didn't."

"I was thirsty."

Sam was pissed. "That's great. Now he can come after either one of you."

I felt my heart began to race as my worry returned. "Dean..."

He stood and stepped over to me without really thinking, my worry moving him. "Look, it'll be fine. We'll find the guy and stop him. It'll be fine. We just have to find him first," he tried reassuring me.

Instinctively, I let him grab my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine as they lay in my lap. His eyes stayed glue to mine, watching, searching, understanding my concern.

"We better work fast... and coffee up," Bobby ordered. "Because the one thing we cannot do, is fall asleep."

DPOV

Two days. It had been two days and we still hadn't found Jeremy, and I still hadn't slept yet. Bobby and Liz were working with Bela, trying to find him using the spirit board, while Sam and I were on the road, looking all over the place.

The whole situation had me pissed. Being exhausted wasn't helping. "I mean, this Jeremy guy's not a friggin' ghost. Where the hell could he be?"

"Dean, you sure you don't want me to drive? You seem a little..." Sam looked over at me from the passenger seat, "caffeinated."

"Well, thanks for the news flash, Edison!" I snapped back. My phone began to ring then. As I fumbled for it, mumbling angrily to myself, I eventually pulled it out of my pocket and brought it to my ear. "Tell me you got something!"

"Dean... strip club was a bust?"

Hearing Liz's voice, I calmed a little... just a little. "Yeah."

"That was our last lead," Bobby noted in the background.

"What the hell, Bobby!"

"Don't yell at me, boy," he warned.

"Hold on," Liz sighed as she put me off speaker. "Look, Dean... we're trying here, we really are."

"Sorry, I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm- I'm- I'm tired."

"I know. I know."

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself a little more before asking, "What's Bela got?"

"What you got, Bela?" Liz asked before there was a pause. "She's, uh... she's got nothing."

I bit back my anger as I let out another sigh. "Great. Well, I'm just gonna go blow my brains out now."

"Dean..."

"Yeah, I know." The worry in her voice was the only thing keeping me from going off. "Look, just call me when you get something. Bye." I flipped the phone shut, hanging up.

Driving down the road a little more, I saw a turn up ahead, making my mind up, I turned into it suddenly. I kept going a little more until we came to a clearing in the woods. That's where I stopped and turned off the car.

"All right, that's it. I'm done." Shaking my head, I leaned back and got comfortable.

Sam watched me, confused. "What are you doing?"

"Taking myself a long-overdue nap."

"What?! Dean, Jeremy can come after you."

"That's the idea."

"Excuse me?"

"Come on man, we can't find him, so let him come to me."

"On his own turf? Where he's basically a god?"

"I can handle it."

"Not alone, you can't." Before I knew what he was doing, he reached over and plucked some hair from my head.

I sat up quickly, bringing my hand to my head. "Ow!" I looked over at him, glaring. "What are you doing?"

"Comin' in with you."

"No, you're not."

"Why not? At least then it'll be two against one."

I didn't answer right away, but eventually told him the truth. "'Cause I don't want you digging around in my head."

"Too bad." He shrugged as he reached for his bag to make himself a tea.

...

"Dean." Sam hit my arm, waking me up.

"Jeez. For the love of God." I groaned, looking around, seeing that we were still in the car in the woods. "What are we still doing here?"

Sam shrugged. "I have no idea."

A sound outside the car, caught our attention.

"There's someone out there." Sam noted, reaching for his door.

We both got out and looked around for any sign of other people. That was when the song Dream a Little Dream of Me began to play as a spot light turned on behind us. Both Sam and I turned to see Liz sitting on a picnic blanket laid out on the grass of the woods. She was dressed in a white lace dress with her red leather jacket thrown on top. Barefooted, hair falling around her, she looked gorgeous. I was speechless...

"Hey." She smiled, slowly getting up. "Been waiting for you."

I didn't move as she started towards me, but I could feel Sam watching a step or so behind my shoulder. "I've never had this dream before," I insisted to my brother. But it was a lie. Most nights I dreamt about Liz...

Sam took a step closer, looking at me with what looked like pity.

"Stop looking at me like that."

He stopped, looking away. "Sorry."

"Dean." She sounded so real.

Turning to look at her, I found she was now standing right in front of me. Her gentle hands reached up, cupping my face as she leaned forward. My eyes closed automatically, in anticipation of the kiss.

When her lips pressed against mine, I sighed contently, leaning forward as I rested my hand on her waist, getting lost in the moment, forgetting she wasn't real. Forgetting I was in a potentially dangers dream. Forgetting Sam was watching.

All that existed was Liz and me...

The music jumped and stopped. I pulled away and opened my eyes just in time to see Liz flicker and fade away.

"Where'd she go?" I asked, looking around for her.

Sam was looking as well, when he spotted something. "Dean," was all he said before he was off.

I followed his gaze and spotted Jeremy racing off into the woods. Moving quickly, I was right behind my brother, following him into the thick of the trees and bushes, wanting to get to Jeremy and end this once and for all.

But as I rounded a tree, still behind Sam, I could no longer see him or Jeremy. In fact, I was no longer in the woods. I was in a hallway, the walls covered in woodland wallpaper. Doors lined the edges.

"Okay." Well, this can't be good...

SPOV

I was still running after Jeremy in the woods, thinking Dean was right behind me. But when I came to a clearing and stopped to catch my breath, I found I was alone. Dean didn't come out. I looked around and waited a moment or two longer as my worry increased.

"Dean?"

DPOV

Walking down the hall, I neared the end of it, having not touched a single door on my way. But as I got to the last door, it began to open on itself. I stopped and watched, ready for anything. But nothing happened. The door simply opened a little more, revealing the motel room.

Having no real choice, I walked in. I could hear clicking as I entered, and looked over to where the noise was coming from. Sitting by the desk was a man I guessed was Jeremy, clicking the lamp on and off.

"Jeremy?" I asked, coming to a stop in the middle of the room.

With his back still to me, he clicked a few more times before he chose to leave the light on before turning to look at me. That's when I got to see that the man... was me.

He slowly stood and turned more, not looking happy in the least. In fact, he looked... hard. As odd as that sounded, he looked mean. But the more he turned, he softer he appeared. It was... odd.

"Hey, Dean."

Out of reflex, I grinned at Dream-Me. "Well, aren't you a handsome son of a gun."

"We need to talk."

"I get it. I get it." I nodded as I began to walk in a circle at the same time he did. We moved in the same direction, across from each other, at the same pace. "I'm my own worst nightmare, is that it? Huh? Kind of like the Superman III junkyard scene? A little mano-y-mano with myself?"

"Joke all you want, smart-ass. But you can't lie to me. I know the truth."

We stopped walking, having swapped places. It was then that I realised he now stood between me, and the door... my only exit. Yeah, this really can't be good...

"I know how dead you are inside," he went on. "How worthless you feel. I know how you look into a mirror... and hate what you see."

I swallowed hard, trying to get a hold of myself. "Sorry, pal. It's not gonna work." I smiled. "You're not real."

"Sure I am. I'm you."

"I don't think so. 'Cause see, this is my siesta. Not yours." I raised my left hand. "All I gotta do is snap my fingers and you go bye-bye." Snapping my fingers together, I really expected him to disappear... but he didn't.

My smile faded as I snapped my fingers again, but still nothing happened. Dream-Me still stood there, watching, waiting as I snapped my fingers not once, not twice, but three more times. Sighing, I let my hand drop, giving up.

Dream-Me gave an I-told-you-so nod. "I'm not going anywhere. Neither are you." The door slammed shut and locked itself. "Like I said..." He raised his right hand which now held a sawed-off shotgun. "We need to talk."

SPOV

I woke up with a start, back in the Impala. I looked over to my side, seeing Dean asleep in the driver's side. "Dean." I reached over and hit him on the arm with the back of my hand. "Hey. Wake up." I hit him two more times.

He turned around quickly. Only it wasn't Dean, it was Jeremy. I was still asleep and he was pissed.

Jeremy acted quickly, holding his bat again, he hit me in the stomach with it, hard. I let out a pained grunt and reached for my door handle, opening the door. I fell out of the car, still groaning in pain.

Jeremy got out as well, moving around the car as he watched me, resting his bat on his shoulder. "Boy, you just don't know when to leave well enough alone, do you?" He walked towards me, closing my door.

I moved against the ground, on my back, moving slowly. "You're a psycho."

"You're wrong."

"Yeah? Tell that to Dr Gregg."

He stopped then, tilting his head slightly. "The doc? No, no. The doc's the one that got me hooked on this stuff and then he took it away." He smiled, leaning against the trunk of the Impala as he watched me, bat in hand. "But I needed it, and he wouldn't let me have it."

"So you killed him?"

"I can dream again. You know what that's like, not to be able to dream? You never rest, not really. It's like being awake for fifteen years."

"And let me guess. That makes you go crazy?"

He leaned down towards me, holding the bat out at me. "I just wanna be left alone. I just wanna dream."

I gave a short shake of my head. "Sorry. Can't do that."

"That's the wrong answer."

Suddenly I was pushed against the ground. I groaned as the force held me there so I couldn't move. Looking to my wrists, I could see that I was now tied to railroad spikes that dug into the ground, as were my feet.

"I'm getting better and better at this." Jeremy looked down at his bat. "Stronger and stronger all the time. But you and your brother? You're not waking up. Not this time. I'm not gonna let you. And then I'm going after your friends. The old man and the girl. No one's stopping me from dreaming."

DPOV

"I mean, you're going to hell and you won't lift a finger to stop it." Dream-Me shook his head at me as we circled each other again. "Talk about low self-esteem," he chuckled. "Then again, I guess it's not much of a life worth saving, now is it?"

"Wake up, Dean," I told myself. "Come on, wake up."

"I mean, after all, you've got nothing outside of Sam and Liz." He shrugged as we stopped, back in our original spots. "You are nothing. You're as mindless and obedient as an attack dog."

I smiled, refusing to let him get to me. "That- that's not true."

"No? What are the things that you want? What are the things that you dream? I mean, your car? That's dad's. Your favourite leather jacket? Dad's. Your music? Dad's. Do you even have an original thought?" I scoffed at his words, but he just went on. "No. No, all there is, is, 'Watch out for Sammy. Look out for your little brother, boy!'. You can still hear your dad's voice in your head, can't you?" He motioned to his head with the barrel of his gun. "Clear as a bell."

My smile was more forced as I shook my head at him. "Just shut up."

He lowered the gun. "I mean, think about it," he began to walk towards me as my smile started to fade, "all he ever did is train you, boss you around." He stopped in front of me. "But Sam... Sam, he doted on. Sam, he loved."

"I mean it. I'm getting angry," I warned.

He ignored me. "Dad knew who you really were. A good soldier and nothing else. Daddy's blunt little instrument." His vice changed to anger. "Your own father didn't care whether you lived or died. Why should you?"

"Son of a bitch!" I pushed him hard, knocking him to the wall above the desk as I screamed at him. "My father was an obsessed bastard!"

He tried getting up, but I just kicked him back onto the desk. I grabbed his gun and held it like a bat, using it to hit him a couple of times before I pinned him against the wall.

"All that crap he dumped on me, about protecting Sam! That was his crap. He's the one who couldn't protect his family." I stepped back, hitting him with the gun again and again. "He's the one who let mum die." Pinning him again, I continued to snap. "Who wasn't there for Sam. I always was! He wasn't fair! I didn't deserve what he put on me." I backed away, seething. "And I don't deserve to go to Hell!"

Lifting the gun, I aimed it at his chest and shot him twice, killing him.

I lowered the gun and cautiously moved forward, my anger gone. I was more shocked now, shocked at my outburst and the fact I killed me.

Suddenly Dream-Me's eyes opened, but now they were as black as a demon's. My own eyes widened as I pulled away as quickly as possible.

He sat up, looking me in the eyed, pissed. "You can't escape me, Dean. You're gonna die. And this? This is what you're gonna become!"

SPOV

Jeremy hit me with the bat over and over. On my arms, legs, body. He hit me everywhere. Enough to hurt but not enough to kill. No, he was just warming up. By the time my body felt like it was one massive bruise, my muscles on fire, he finally stopped.

Moving closer to me, he pointed the bat at my face. "You can't stop me. There's nothing I can't do in here."

"Because of the Dream Root," I panted.

"That's right."

"Yeah? Well, you're forgetting something."

He raised the bat, ready to hit me again, only this time it would kill me, I was sure of it. "What's that?"

I looked up at him, showing no fear. "I took the Dream Root too." I smiled.

"Jeremy!"

Jeremy turned at the sound of an angry man's voice in the woods, coming closer and closer. I was only just able to see his father, Henry, standing at the edge of the clearing now.

"Jeremy!"

"No. No..." Jeremy lowered the bat, both surprised and scared. "Dad?"

"You answer me when I'm talking to you, boy," Henry ordered, moving towards his son.

Jeremy backed away from both me and his father, dropping the bat. "No..."

I moved quickly. With Jeremy's mind focused on his father, I was no longer bound. I used this moment to grab his bat, get up and hit him across the face with the bat a few times.

Jeremy fell to the ground after the second hit, shaking before he finally died.

...

I woke up suddenly, sitting up in my seat in the Impala. This time when I looked to my side, Dean was there and awake, panting just like I was. We were both covered in sweat. I wasn't sure what he went through in his dream, but I sure it would have been horrible. Jeremy would have made sure of that.

By the look on Dean's face, I was right.

EPOV

I was in the hotel room with Dean, our lips locked together in a heated kiss.

I know, it's immature and we probably should have been more careful seeing as Bobby and Sam would be back any moment. But after he and Sam told me they'd fallen asleep on purpose to face Jeremy, and that Sam had nearly died and Dean had faced his nightmares, plus I hadn't seen him properly in two days... well, I'd been worried.

His lips moved to my neck as his hands pressed me against him. I could feel everything.

"Dean," I moaned. "Dean, they'll be back soon."

"I know," he mumbled against me. "Just..." He sighed, pulling back. One look in his eyes and I could tell what he was feeling.

"You'll never admit it, but you were scared and worried. You really thought Jeremy was going to win."

His eyes changed, now surprised. "How do you know me so well?"

Grinning, I wrapped my arms around his neck, giving a slight shrug. "Hunting with you and Sam is like taking a class in Winchesters 101."

Eyes searching mine, wondering, he then leaned forward to press his lips to mine again, pulling me closer as his arms around me tightened.

The sound of the door opening had us both pull apart suddenly. I moved to the bed, taking a seat, as Dean turned to face Bobby and Sam as they walked in. Neither of them seemed to have noticed anything between Dean and myself, thankfully.

Clearing his throat, Dean spoke, "Hey, you guys seen Bela? She's not in her room. She's not answering her phone."

Sam closed the door behind him, shrugging. "She must've taken off or something."

"Just like that?" Dean looked unconvinced. "It's a little weird. "

"Not when it comes to Bela," I noted.

"Yeah well, if you ask me what's weird is why she helped us in the first place."

Dean frowned at Bobby, confused. "I thought you saved her life."

Bobby looked equally confused. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Bela told us you saved her life in Flagstaff," I explained, the brothers and I watching Bobby.

He just shook his head. "That thing in Flagstaff was an amulet. I gave her a good deal, that's all."

"Well, then why did-" Sam cut himself short, as confused as the rest of us.

Bobby sighed. "You three better check your pockets."

As Sam and Dean reached for their pockets, my body went cold. "He doesn't mean literally," I told them, getting off the bed and rushing over to the safe. As I opened it, I found my suspicions were right.

"The Colt." Sam shook his head, pissed. "Bela stole the Colt."

"Damn it!" Bobby snapped.

Dean was moving in an instant. "Pack your crap," he ordered, walking over to his bag on the couch.

Sam watched him. "Why? Where are we going?"

"We're gonna go hunt the bitch down."

DPOV

Standing by the open trunk of Baby, I zipped my bag up before throwing it in just as Sam threw his in as well. "Hey, Sam." I paused as I looked over at him. "I was wondering. When you were in my head, what did you see?"

"Uh, just Jeremy. He kept me separated from you. Easier to beat my brains out that way, I guess." I scoffed at his answer. "What about you?" he asked. "You never said."

I shook my head. "Nothing. I was looking for you the whole time," I lied, not wanting to tell him the truth. I don't think I'd ever tell anyone the truth.

Pulling my keys out of my pocket, I waited as he closed the trunk before we both moved to get in the front of the car, while Liz waited in the back. Sam sighed, getting comfortable as I thought about our situation for a moment or two longer.

"Guys."

Sam looked to me. "Yeah?"

"Mm?" Liz hummed from the back.

I didn't look at them as I cleared my throat before speaking. "I've been doing some thinking, and... well, the thing is... I don't wanna die. I don't wanna go to hell."

Neither of them said anything for a moment before Sam nodded slowly. "All right. Yeah. We'll find a way to save you."

"Whatever it takes," Liz added.

I looked to Sam first, then to Liz, before looking away again, nodding as I gave a small smile. "Okay, good," my voice shook, still a little unsure, because no matter how hard I tried, Dream-Me's voice still echoed in my head.

"You can't escape me, Dean. You're gonna die. And this? This is what you're gonna become!"

Bamby

[gunsnfcknroses]

Deal Preppy? (part two)

A/N: I’m sorry this took so long to post, but I’ve had some personal issues I needed to fix. It’s not anything special, but I hope you guys will enjoy it :)

Pouring the last drinks you couldn’t wait for your shift to finally end. You headed to the bathroom to make a few touch-ups on your face and tease your hair up high- just like Brigitte Bardot used to do hers. You pulled the tight leather skirt from your bag and struggled to pull it on, at the same time making sure that everything stayed in the right place. You felt sexy and you needed to look sexy as well, after all you had a date with one cute package.

Once you got back from the toilet, you sat by the bar chatting with the bar- back and waited for Axl to show up. You glanced over your watch turning a bit frustrated since it was already 8:10. But just a few seconds later you saw the gentle wave of that straight, soft, strawberry blonde hair coming through the door, wearing those tight, shiny pants with a Thin Lizzy T- shirt and the sight of him sent shivers down your spine. You were surprised however, that you would even be attracted to a guy like he is. “Oh, well… guess that’s it…” you wishpered to yourself, got up and strutted towards him in all your gracefulness. His piericng eyes searched for you in the drunk crowd. Once they stopped on you, a smile crept onto his face, revealing his white teeth that almost blinded you.

“Well hello there, pretty woman,” he said in that low voice that made your knees go weak.

“You sure know how to make a woman feel like a little girl, don’t ya’ preppy?” you winked at him and grabbed him under his strong arm that felt so good next to you. “Where are you taking me?”

“I had a bottle of wine and a walk on the beach in mind sweetheart” he pecked your lips and finally took you out of that smelly bar, down the streets of L.A. The salty smell of sea soon came running through your nose and made you think of all the days you spent down there as a child, building sand castles and chasing your friends around.

“You seem awfully quiet tonight Y/N. The last time I saw you, you couldn’t bring yourself to shut up. Is everything okay?”

You looked at him and felt strange. ‘Why is he so caring?’ you thought.

“I’m fine… I was just thinking about the old days… don’t worry about it.”

“So I suppose you’ve always lived here?” giving you a soft smiled he turned to you when you sat down on the sand, the moonlight brushing his hair and him gently stroking your fingers.

“Well, actually my family moved here from San Diego when I was about five or six years old. I ran away from them when I was sixteen, moved to Arizona with my boyfriend at the time and came back after a year of living there. I was pretty fucked up you know… my parents never talked to each other and when they did you only heard screaming… and my mom always worried a little too much about me.” he saw the sadness as you looked down.

“Why didn’t they get a divorce then?”

“I don’t know. I guess they were just so used of living with one another that they didn’t felt the need to do it.” He gave you the bottle and you took a large sip, right away making you feel dizzy and happier. After that it was Axl who started to talk about his abusive step-dad and how he felt like a complete outcast in that family…

“…and so once all that had gotten above my edge, I packed my shit and hitchhiked the country, and now we’re here.” He took a drag of his red Marlboro and looked into the distance.

After a short period of time you guys have gotten really comfortable with each other (blame it on the wine). Joking around, laughing so hard the whole city seemed to went bright- lighted you came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe he isn’t that preppy rock star  you’ve mistaken him for. His eyes were so sincere you could easily tell he was honest with you-  he did had it rough as a child and was probably just as fucked up as you were and that might be the reason you guys had hit it off so well.

“Y/N, tell me something.”

“Of course, anything.”

“You like me right?”

“Well, are you a good guy?” you felt your cheeks getting bright red once the heat of that question came running through your veins.

“I think I am. Why are you asking?” you saw the awkward smile that glanced over his lips.

“My mom wanted to know.” He giggled to your answer and accidently poked you so hard you fell over. When Axl tried to lift you up, a wave came after him and he feel directly over you, leaving just inches of space between you two. He put your wet hair away from your face and admired your features while brushing your cheeks. Leaning in he left a gentle kiss on your lips, asking for permission and when you kissed him back, you started off slowly, getting passionate second by second. He pulled away after a few minutes of making out there on the sand, under the stars, leaving you breathless. You laid there for a little while, when Axl turned to you:

“Y/N, I really, REALLY like you… and this is really hard for me to say too, but I can’t hold it in. you’re way too smart and way too gorgeous for me to let you go. But I need to know if this means something to you too, so I don’t waste my feelings…” his voice came off a little sad to you. Maybe he was scared of you not liking him in the same way he liked you, so you pulled him up and placed a hand on his right cheek as you looked deeply into his eyes:

“I’m not gonna lie to you Axl. I do like you. A lot. And this meant something, because I don’t just kiss any guy on the first date and I most certainly don’t stay up ‘till the dawn with him.”

Axl let out a sigh of relief and held you in a tight embrace, kissing your hair and letting you slide down his chest to finally fall asleep.

[shimmershae]

Stupid Cupid, Chapter 5 (Caryl).

Sorry for the delay, everybody.  It took me forever to get this chapter whipped into something I even halfway liked.  I'm still a little iffy about some parts, might even go back and do a bit of a rewrite later, but until then, I hope you enjoy.  Mistakes are all mine.  I hope there aren't too many because I'm posting this and forcing myself to go to bed, haha. 

Deeper and deeper our babies fall. 

Stupid Cupid

    xx5xx

      Carol was up early the next morning, before the sun had even fully broken the horizon.  With a cranky Judith perched on her hip, she inventoried their food stores and supplies between bouts of pacing and rubbing her index finger along the baby’s painful gums.  It should have been a distraction from Daryl’s impending departure, but her heart and her mind were always with him.  Had been since the Farm, and that held especially true when he left the safety of the Prison’s fences.  Still, that mattered none to Judith, and between hiccupping cries, she gnawed fretfully at Carol’s offered finger, rubbed her teary face against her cheek.  “I know.  I know.  It doesn’t feel good.  Does it, Sweetheart?”

  “Reckon it don’t.  Looks to me like she’s about to make a meal out of you.” 

  Carol grinned against her charge’s feverish little brow.  “You didn’t.” 

  “You smiling, ain’t you?  Don’t mean nothing of it.” 

  His blue eyes did the smiling and the apologizing for him, and Carol felt that now familiar swell of warmth start to overtake her when he stepped closer to her, from her fingers all the way to her toes as he cupped Judith’s head in the palm of his hand.  His voice dropped to a low, lulling rumble, and the tiny girl responded to it, weakly pushing against her and leaning heavily into the warm, solid wall of his chest.  Truth be told, after such a long and restless night, Carol longed to do the same.   

  “Got a tooth comin’ in, AssKicker?  Lemme see.”   Daryl made no move to take the infant from her arms.  He simply shuffled closer, bringing them toe to toe, Judith supported between them.  Before long, the baby’s exhausted lids started to droop, and the small fist that had been halfway to her mouth did the same.   

  “What were you, some kind of baby whisperer in a previous life?”  Carol busied herself with straightening Judith’s twisted clothes as she whispered the teasing question, stroking tender fingers across her fretful brow.  She didn’t trust herself to look up and chance meeting his eyes.  Not in that moment.  It was so peaceful and soft, unguarded and fraught with possibility, and their proximity had her blood fizzing like champagne bubbles in her veins.   

  “Naw.  Nothing like that.  Weren’t nothing at all, really.” 

  She did look at him then, and her hand found his face, her thumb traced the downward pull of his mouth.  “You were always something, Daryl Dixon.  Somebody.  Even when you thought you were nothing.  Always remember that.” 

  His lashes lowered as he nodded at her, and his lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but the words?  They just weighed too much. 

  Maybe it was a trick of her hopeful heart.  Hell, maybe it was sleep deprivation, but Carol could have sworn his eyes flickered for the briefest of seconds to her mouth.  It didn’t matter, though, because Glenn was clattering tiredly down the stairs, and suddenly there was Michonne, waiting, and Carol’s hand drifted to the gentle rise and fall of Judith’s back as she took a step back, uttered a familiar goodbye.  “Looks like it's time for you to go.  Stay safe out there.” 

  “Nine lives.  Remember?” 

      <3<3<3

      Carol occupied herself with busy tasks the rest of the day, helping with the preparation of the meals, going around and gathering up laundry, just things that needed done.  Late afternoon found her in the library again, and she was pretending to listen as Ryan read to the children from a well-loved copy of The Hobbit when the man’s youngest daughter, Mika if memory served her correctly, stood up from the cross-legged group and approached her.  Carol offered her a small smile when she reached her.  “You don’t like the story?”

  The girl’s small shoulder lifted in a shrug and she gathered her bottom lip between her teeth.  “I’ve already heard it before.  Don’t you like it?” 

  Carol’s smile faltered.  She watched as the child arranged her assorted art supplies on the table before climbing into the chair across from her and regarding her thoughtfully.  “I do.” 

  “Then how come you weren’t listening?  Were you daydreaming?” 

  “Maybe,” Carol admitted.  She didn’t see any point in denying it because it was true, and she couldn’t lie to the girl.  She was too sweet, too genuinely curious, too pure in a tainted world, and for a moment, her baby’s beautiful face swam before her eyes.  She didn’t let herself be swallowed up by the sudden, fierce pang of longing she felt, though.  Nothing good would come of it.  Besides.  She had to believe her Sophia was in a better place.  Instead she propped her chin in her hand and asked, “What are you making?” 

  “More hearts.” 

  “More?  What are they for?” Carol murmured. 

  “They’re not to hang up.  They’re for people to give to their Valentines at the party,” Mika answered her matter-of-factly.  “The white ones are for families like me, Lizzie, and Daddy,” she explained.  “The pink ones are for people that like each other and want to be boyfriend and girlfriend.  And the red ones are for people that love each other.” 

  She giggled as she said that last bit, her big brown eyes shining, and the wispy ends of her braid brushing against her mouth, and Carol felt her own lips curl upward.  “And the yellow hearts?” 

  “Those are for friends.” 

  “Friends.”  Carol nodded to herself.  Yellow hearts, yellow flowers.  It made sense.        

  “You can have one to give to Mr. Daryl,” Mika offered.  “Just pick.  Whichever one you want.” 

  “Any one?”  Carol’s arm reached across the table.  Her fingers hovered in the air.  “As simple as that?” 

  “Yep.” 

      <3<3<3

        Carol was cleaning and stacking up the dinner dishes, Beth long since sent to bed, when the run crew came straggling in, each one looking worse than the last.  By the time Daryl limped through the door behind Glenn, her fingers had gone nerveless and her heart.  Well, it would be a while yet before it started beating normally again. 

  Rick pulled Michonne aside.  Maggie and Glenn embraced in reunion then followed Hershel.  Tyreese tiredly said his goodnights. 

  Daryl wordlessly started climbing the steps to his cell. 

  Swallowing against a dry throat, Carol looked to Michonne in question, and the other woman rest a hand on Rick’s arm, broke away from their hushed discussion. 

  “He’s okay.” 

  “Did something…” 

  “Carol.  He’s okay.  Why don’t you go see for yourself?” 

  “Go,” Rick encouraged. 

  Taking the stairs two at a time, Carol frowned when she reached the space Daryl had claimed for himself.  It was empty, no trace of him, but then she heard his voice.  Gruff and sounding exhausted, he called to her.  She whirled around.   

  “Hey.  You think you could…” 

  She guided him into her cell, his fingers tethered to her own, and gave his shoulder a gentle push when it seemed he didn’t know what to do, how to act, had him sit on the edge of her bunk while she crossed the small space to gather up some towels, some bandages, the small bowl of water she used at night to wash away the grit of the day.  Her Hershel-approved Daryl Dixon basic survival kit.  When she had everything that she needed, she returned to him, and all her worries, all her fears were in every line of her face as she stared at him.  Studied him.  Finally asked, “What happened?” 

  Daryl offered her a smile that was really more of a grimace.  “Rather not say.” 

  “Daryl.” 

  He lifted his chin at the warning in her voice, stubbornly asserted himself.  “Naw.” 

  “Fine, then.  You can patch your own self up.”  He surprised her then, reaching out and reclaiming her hand.  Beneath the fresh, blossoming bruises on his face, a telltale tint of color arose, and Carol softened.  “I can take it, Pookie.  I’m a big girl.”   

  Daryl ducked his head, lowered his eyes, and then he mumbled, “S’embarassing is all.  Rather not talk about it."

  She smiled, a barely there thing.  “Scale of 1-10.” 

  “15,” Daryl muttered.   

  She lifted her free hand to his face, gently brushed his sweaty, disheveled hair aside to get a better look at a small cut above his left eyebrow.  She probed it with tentative fingers.  “That bad?”    

  Daryl winced, and his hands reflexively found her waist.  “Yeah.” 

  The warm press of his fingers through the thin layers of her clothes was dizzying, almost overwhelmingly so, but Carol willed herself to ignore it as she tended to his wounds.  Likely, he hadn’t even realized the placement of his hands anyway, being tired and in apparent pain.  His usual defenses were down, and they were friends.  He felt comfortable with her, in a way he didn’t feel with anybody else.  It was simple as that, and oh.  Oh.  Deeper and deeper they were falling.  This must have been how Alice felt when she followed after the Mad Hatter.  Her heart started doing somersaults beneath her ribs as his blue eyes found hers and his fingers started unconsciously playing with her belt loops.  “Daryl?” 

  “Hmm?” 

  “What is this?  Are we still pretending?” 

  “Hell if I know.”

[spicycreativity]

Soft-Shoe Shuffle - Ch 2

Chapter: 2/12 Additional Notes: See Ch 1 for more information. Read on AO3 under "WizardGlick." Any formatting/italics errors are holdovers from AO3 that I was too lazy to fix. Chapter Content Warnings: Forgetting to eat, fainting Excerpt: "You can’t stand seeing Hot Daddicus Finch sad. You want to fix it for him. It’s funny, actually.” To illustrate his point, Remus gave a shrill, hyena cackle. "After all those nights complaining about his, what did you call it, 'saccharine simpering,' it turns out you --" he poked Janus in the chest-- "have a sweet tooth." “I--” All of Janus' instincts were screaming at him: deny, deny, deny! But shock stilled his tongue and left him staring at Remus as a horrifying realization dawned on him. Remus seemed to reach the same conclusion at the same time. "Holy shit, was I right? I was just teasing!"

Speak easy on the grapevine Keep shufflin' in a shoe shine Old tin lizzy, do it 'til you're dizzy Give it all you got until you're put out of your misery

A gentle tapping on his door interrupted Janus' fitful attempt at sleep. It couldn't be morning already, could it?

He chalked it up to sleep deprivation when the sight of Patton's face in the doorway actually made him smile. After all, irritation flooded in soon after. Janus had been trying (and failing) to sleep .

"'Morning!" Patton said, his own smile a touch strained.

Janus hid a yawn behind his hand and blinked slowly at Patton until his higher reasoning kicked in. "Good morning, Patton. I assume you need something from me? Or have you developed a magnetic attraction to my door?"

"What?" Patton stopped leaning on the doorframe and stood up straight. "No, I-- I was just about to make breakfast and I thought I'd come see if you wanted to join me."

Janus could practically feel the steam coming out of ears as he tried to come up with a way to decline that wouldn't hurt Patton's feelings. "I don't usually eat first thing in the morning," he said, only just managing not to stammer.

"Coffee, then? Black coffee."

"Like my soul," Janus said automatically.

Unfortunately, Patton seemed to take this as an agreement to join him. "Great!"

His smile wavered a little and his eyes kept flickering to the top of Janus' head-- "Just a moment." Janus ducked back into his room, put his hat back on, and followed Patton down the hall, surveying himself with distaste. His outfit was wrinkled after a night of tossing and turning, and that simply wouldn't do. Janus focused and watched in satisfaction as the creases receded from his clothing.

Then he did some mental math.

Even now, there was no chance that Janus was Patton's first choice of companion, and Patton would have at least had the good sense to warn him if any hostile parties awaited them in the kitchen. At the moment, Logan, Virgil, and Roman all counted as 'hostile parties.' This being the “light” side, Remus didn’t factor in. Ergo, Janus and Patton must have been the only ones awake or willing to come out.

The eerie silence lent credence to that conclusion. The Light side was usually full of such spirited bickering that Janus and Remus could hear it on the other side of the curtain if they listened.

It was a bit odd that Virgil and Logan weren't showing their faces. Virgil in particular couldn't have known Janus was there unless Patton had told him, but Patton had given no indication last night that he was planning on speaking to anyone.

It was quite the mystery, and Janus was more than happy to let it lie until he was better-rested. Last night's headache had returned with a vengeance and exhaustion clawed at the corners of his mind. His capelet may as well have been wet denim, the way it weighed down his shoulders.

"Black coffee," Patton handed Janus last night's ouroboros mug, "espresso-ly for you!"

Janus shook himself. He hadn't even realized they'd arrived in the kitchen. "Thank you," he said, for once at a loss for something sarcastic to say. He thought about much smoother his day would go if he didn't have this budding migraine to contend with and quickly swallowed down the aspirin that appeared in his palm.

"You're sure you don't want breakfast?" Patton asked. "I could make something light. After all, you should know better than anyone not to skip breakfast, Professor Self Care."

"I'm not skipping anything," Janus said, trying to keep a lid on his irritation. He leaned back against the counter and forced himself to take another long swallow of bitter black coffee. "Just delaying it."

"Okaaay," Patton said, sing-song, "but you're gonna feel icky later."

Janus almost responded that he felt pretty 'icky’ now and the nagging wasn't helping, but managed to keep his mouth shut. It didn't help that Patton was technically correct.

Now there was an uncomfortable thought.

Janus leaned against the counter and let his mind wander, idly watching Patton crack eggs into a skillet.

Janus had work to do. Now that Thomas was prepared to listen, Janus' subtler methods of suggestion would serve him no longer. He had thought patterns to dismantle and others to build, not to mention that he wanted to see Remus and find some time to take a nap if possible. And of course, he would have to find time to eat breakfast. Just not now. Not with Patton.

However… Patton's aversion to being alone meant that Janus would have to wait until another side emerged so he could pass off the baton.

Speaking of…

"Patton?"

"Yeah?"

"I understand Roman's hesitancy to show his face--"

"Hey."

"--but surely Virgil or Logan aren't scared of me. I'm a bit surprised Virgil hasn't shown up to try to run me off."

Patton bit his lip, his brow creasing. Janus hadn't been trying to upset him, but Patton looked like he'd just been forced to give his favorite puppy up for adoption. "Probably not." A beat. "Every time I try to talk to Virgil, he just says he's 'going through it' and won't open the door."

Janus hurriedly raised his mug to his lips so Patton wouldn't see his smile. That certainly sounded like Virgil. "Surely Logan has been more forthcoming."

"I knocked on his door a few times, too, but he won't answer at all. I think he's upset with me."

Now that was an interesting development. And problematic, because that meant Janus was going to have to babysit Patton until something gave. "I thought Logan didn't get upset."

"You heard him yesterday. He said we didn't care about him!"

Janus studied the seams of his gloves, feigning disinterest. "Yes, I did think he was being a little melodramatic. Of course I didn't hurt him."

"He wasn't being dramatic!" Patton insisted. "If Logan feels like we don't care about him… It must have been going on for a while, and none of us noticed. We're supposed to be his friends!"

"I'm sure he'll get over it soon," Janus goaded.

"I don't know, Janus." Patton fixed him with a sorrowful look before turning back to the stove. "I've never known him to get this upset about anything. It feels like everything got really bad all at once and I don't know how to fix it. I don't know what to do."

Janus downed the rest of his coffee and immediately went for a refill. Of course Patton couldn't fix it; the Lights needed more than nagging and platitudes, more than just the Band-Aid solution of superficial apologies with no changed behavior. No, they needed someone to help them introspect, someone smart enough to see through their self-absorbed nonsense.

"Penny for your thoughts," Patton said.

Janus didn't jump like he'd been electrocuted. "My thoughts are worth far more than that," he said, recovering smoothly.

"Can I get a friends and family discount?" Patton asked. He switched off the stove and carefully levered the eggs he'd fried onto a bagel.

"I was thinking about all the work I have to do today," Janus said. It was never too early to start dropping hints.

"Don't forget about breakfast,” Patton said. Nagged. “I could bring you something later, if you want."

Something in Janus' head clicked. Roman and Logan both seemed like the type to get caught up in their work and forget to eat. Patton had probably grown used to babying them. "Don't worry, Patton. Unlike certain other Sides I can actually take care of myself."

"Oh?"

"Yes, it would make perfect sense for the embodiment of self-care to forget something as basic as eating ."

Patton circled around the counter and hopped onto one of the barstools. "Sorry, I wasn't trying to be pushy."

He looked at Janus with an expression of earnest regret, his eyes sparkling in the overhead lights. Somewhere deep inside him, Janus' heart pounded. He set his coffee mug aside. Patton must have brewed it strong; it usually took at least three cups to get his heart racing like this and he hadn't even finished his second yet.

"Janus?" Patton looked at him over the tops of his glasses.

"Hm?"

"Did you hear me?"

"...Yes."

Patton smiled. "I asked if you wanted to work in the living room. You know, since, um. It's just gonna be the two of us."

"No," said Janus automatically.

"No?"

"Yes."

"Now I'm confused."

So am I, Janus nearly said. He schooled his expression behind the distraction of another sip of coffee. "I have business with Remus I need to attend to." Why was Patton's bereft expression so unbearably painful? "Maybe later we could," don't, "play cards again."

Patton's sun-bright smile was so dazzling that Janus nearly had to look away. "I'd love that!"

Janus tipped his hat and sank out before he could sign himself up for any more bonding activities.

--

The Dark Side was pitch black. Janus stood very, very still. "Remus?" he called tentatively, not wanting to interrupt if Remus was focused on a project.

A spotlight clicked on, illuminating Remus standing in the center of a stage. "Oh!" he said, glancing in Janus' general direction. "Hi!"

Janus looked down with annoyance to find that his sensible black oxfords had been replaced with pointe shoes. He changed them back with a concentrated effort. "What's this?"

"I was working on a nightmare for Thomas." In a blink, Remus restored the living room. He flopped down on the couch and kicked his feet up on the coffee table, revealing blood stains on the tips of his own pointe shoes. “Little early for day drinking, don’t you think?”

Janus realized he was still holding the coffee mug Patton had given him. He switched the contents out with water and took a long drink. The aspirin had barely touched his headache and the nagging, low-level pain invited in nausea and lightheadedness. Better to take care of that before it escalated into something worse.

He sat beside Remus on the couch and ran a hand through his hair, knocking his hat askew in the process. “You have no idea what it’s like over there.” He straightened his hat and squinted at Remus' shoes. “Wait. A nightmare about ballet?”

“You remember Black Swan?”

“Oh. Well. As much as I’d love to waste your time when you clearly have something better to do, I can always come back later.”

“No, no.” Remus changed his pointe shoes back into boots. “You look like shit. What did they do to you?”

“I do not!” Janus set his water down and summoned a hand mirror. He did look, perhaps, a little tired, but that was easily fixed with a small illusion. He sent the hand mirror back to his room and didn’t glare at Remus. “I do not.”

Remus’ smile shattered into a laugh. “Go on, what did they do to you? Wrap you up in a blanket and make you cookies? Wash your feet with scented oils?”

“Yes, right after the parade they held in my honor.”

"And then they all took turns sucking your--"

"Please put that image in my head."

Remus just gave an apologetic shrug and settled back into the couch cushions. "So what's really going on, hm? It hasn't even been a day and you're already running back to me to bitch about it. They’re not still fighting, are they?”

“Ugh, Remus.” Janus tilted his head back, pressing the back of his hand to his brow in an exaggerated swoon. Still, he was careful to keep his voice low in case anyone was listening. “They're all locked in their rooms pouting. Except for Patton, who keeps following me around like a lost little puppy. "It’s so…" A litany of words sprang to Janus' mind; to his horror 'endearing' was among them. "Ugh," he said, waving a hand vaguely.

“You like it.” Remus’ grin was positively demonic.

“Oh, yes, I do so enjoy having a nagging little tagalong,” Janus said, but it was too late. Remus had latched onto the idea like barnacles to a boat's hull.

"You like him !"

"Oh, yes, Remus, I've been planning out our wedding all day. I just love the sad little puppy dog look he gives me whenever I try to leave the room. It was love at first self-righteous lecture."

Remus' grin widened until it threatened to split his face (a very real possibility when he was involved). "The snakey doth protest too much, methinks."

" No, I--"

“What’s your plan?" Remus interrupted. "Going to seduce him? You going to write a love poem ?”

“Oh, definitely ," Janus sneered. "What rhymes with ‘exasperating’?”

“Masturbating? Kind of a slant rhyme, but I think you could sell it.”

“Charming.”

“Hey.” Remus shrugged. “You came to me for romantic advice.”

“Yes, that was why I came to see you. Not to complain about how The Great American Nag won’t stop following me around and sighing wistfully about how his friends are sad, boohoo.”

Remus’ eyes sparkled. “You do have a plan to deal with him.”

“One that doesn’t involve seduction via dirty love poetry, I’m afraid," Janus said, making an exaggerated pouty face with accompanying hand gestures.

“Boring," Remus replied.

“But you’ll listen anyway because you love me ever so?”

“Like flies love dookie.”

Janus held up a hand to stop Remus from actually summoning a cloud of flies. “If I can at least get Logan out of his room, then Patton will stop following me around and I can get back to--”

“Lusting over Daddy in the shadows?”

Janus took a long, measured breath. “I’m not lusting--”

“Face it, Snakehole."

"Ew."

"You can’t stand seeing Hot Daddicus Finch sad. You want to fix it for him. It’s funny, actually.” To illustrate his point, Remus gave a shrill, hyena cackle. "After all those nights complaining about his, what did you call it, 'saccharine simpering,' it turns out you --" he poked Janus in the chest-- "have a sweet tooth."

“I--” All of Janus' instincts were screaming at him: deny, deny, deny! But shock stilled his tongue and left him staring at Remus as a horrifying realization dawned on him.

Remus seemed to reach the same conclusion at the same time. "Holy shit, was I right? I was just teasing!"

If Remus were any other side, Janus would have thrown an insult at him and made a tactical retreat. Instead, he stood, fussing with his cape so he wouldn’t have to look Remus in the eye. “I have to go speak with Logan.”

“That means I’m right, right?” Remus cackled again, longer this time. “Careful, Jay, you’re getting predictable.”

“No, this was all according to plan,” Janus said, already walking away. “You’re just a pawn in my vast chess game.”

“I prefer checkers,” Remus called after him. “Good luck! Don't forget to wear a condom!"

--

Janus chose to appear right outside Logan’s door, the better to avoid an accidental run-in with Patton. Despite Remus’ taunting, Janus really didn’t want Patton to know what he was up to, and not because he thought it might hurt Patton's feelings, and certainly not because he feared the effect that Patton’s starry-eyed gratitude might have on him. He just preferred to handle his dealings in the dark, that was all.

Strategy remained something of an afterthought. Remus' teasing had left Janus too flustered to focus, and now he was outside Logan's door.

Well.

First, he had to get in. Then he could draw the details out of Logan and improvise from there.

Janus knocked on the door with the back of his hand. “Logan? It’s Janus. I had a question for you, if you’re not too busy.”

It was gentle flattery, but flattery all the same: Janus humbling himself before Logan’s intellect. It was also an appeal to Logan’s natural curiosity; surely he would want to know what it was Janus needed help with.

Sure enough, Logan opened the door a crack. His eyes were blank behind his glasses, his mouth a straight line. “Did I hear you correctly? You want my help?”

“No.” Janus couldn't help but roll his eyes. “I was hoping to have an intellectual discussion with Roman. Isn’t his door blue?” His head throbbed and he realized with some irritation that he had forgotten to eat something before getting on with his business. Patton had been right after all.

Logan didn’t budge. “What’s your question?”

“Logan, I’m surprised at you. I'd think you would know better than to leave a guest standing in the hall.” “I'm sorry, but I don’t desire company at this time.”

“Well.” Janus straightened up. “Maybe I will ask Roman instead. For all the good it'll do me."

It was an obvious bluff: Janus weighing Logan’s jealousy against his anger.

The scales tipped.

Logan opened the door properly and stepped aside. “Come in.”

Janus fought to keep the smile out of his voice. “Thank you.”

Logan shut the door behind him and crossed to the opposite side of the room. He neither sat nor offered Janus a seat, only stared at him with cold expectation. “Your question, Deceit.”

“Janus.”

“Excuse me?”

“Call me Janus.”

“Very well.” Logan stared him down. “Your question, Janus.”

“What’s that? ” Janus had never been the best at eye contact whereas Logan insisted on it. Janus had flicked his eyes away from Logan’s icy gaze and caught sight of a line of sickly blue bruises on the side of Logan’s neck. An instinctive wave of guilt made his stomach clench.

“They are bruises,” Logan said matter-of-factly, though his facial expression displayed an intense desire to talk about something else. “Bruises form when capillaries, small blood vessels near the skin’s surface, are broken, usually due to an impact with something hard.” He hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Something like a wooden shepherd’s crook, for example.”

Janus chose to avoid meeting Logan’s gaze; his capelet was sliding off his shoulder and he needed to adjust it. “You know as well as I do that injuries only affect us if we believe in them. Or have you forgotten Remus’ little throwing star lobotomy?”

“I’m aware,” Logan said stiffly.

Another dizzying wave of guilt threatened to knock Janus over. He took a half-step backwards to keep his footing. “Look. If it’s any consolation, Logan, I wouldn’t have done that if I had known it was going to hurt you.”

Logan’s face twitched with something that Janus recognized a split second later-- suppressed rage. “Janus,” he said, his voice somehow even. “I do not believe you.”

"Oh, yes," Janus spat, every word laced with venom, "You're right . I love causing unnecessary bodily harm to other Sides, that sounds exactly like me."

Logan gave a slight shake of his head. “You-- all of you --have made it abundantly clear that my presence is neither welcomed nor, in many cases, even tolerated. You would have done whatever it took to get me out of the way so you could pursue your agenda, and the others would likely not have stopped you even if they had known. Or rather, had they tried to stop you, it would have been in the service of doing just that: stopping you, rather than in service of assisting me ." Janus' defensive anger gave way to something very like concern, but Logan was still going: "They have given no indication they care about me; in fact, I believe they have grown to dislike me.” Logan broke off, breathing heavily. He didn’t seem to notice the way his fingers dug into his neck. "So, no, Janus. I do not believe you. Kindly ask your question and leave."

“I…” said Janus, for the sake of not making Logan feel judged while he came up with something of substance to respond. He hadn't been expecting that . “Didn’t Patton come check on you?”

“He left,” Logan said. “I waited, and he left.”

“You wanted him to apologize,” Janus guessed. “You wanted him to notice that he’d hurt you and apologize for it.”

Logan adjusted his tie. “I do not feel, and therefore I do not want.”

Janus didn’t even have to respond to that, only raise his eyebrows and look at the bruises that marred Logan’s skin (the bruises he had left).

“Janus, I do not understand what you stand to gain from this conversation,” Logan said. “I don't believe you would have come here just to watch me embarrass myself. Did you have a question, or was there something else you wanted from me?"

Janus ignored the question. He had just landed on his strategy. “Would you like to learn something, Logan?”

“Always.”

“Even though you might not like it?” “It is irrational to dislike knowledge.”

“So it doesn’t bother you that 85 is divisible by 17?”

For a moment, Logan looked like he might argue. Then he sighed, and might even have smiled a bit. “Go on.”

"You," Janus pointed at him, "have been derelict in your duty." He waited for Logan to look suitably offended before he continued, "Not as Logic, but as a friend."

Logan frowned, not offended, but puzzled. "I have?"

Janus thought it might be a bit too much to change Logan's room into a stage, but it was alright; he didn't need the physical change to feel the spotlight on him, to see Logan sitting, rapt, in the audience. “If you haven’t told the others how you feel, you have no right to expect them to just know . Patton and Roman especially have a difficult time intuiting how others are feeling unless you spoon-feed it to them. You cannot lock yourself away and expect them to come crawling on their knees, begging for your forgiveness. You need to communicate. You need to tell them how you feel .”

“How,” Logan said drily, “does one ‘spoon-feed’ emotions?”

“Please keep trying to deflect; you're so good at it."

“But you’re saying that I should explain to the others that my f…”

“ Go on.”

“Feelings are hurt.” Logan winced.

“Growth is often uncomfortable,” Janus said, adding a silent ‘ not that I would know’ for his own benefit.

“And you’re sure they’ll listen?” Logan, for the first time since Janus had known him, looked unsure. He adjusted his tie, which was already immaculate, and stared at Janus.

“One can only hope, since they claim to be your friends," Janus said to reassure him. "And you know, use ‘“I” statements’ instead of ‘“you” statements,’ you remember elementary school.”

A pause.

“Janus? Please elaborate on one thing for me."

"Yes?"

"Why are you helping me? Last time we were in proximity, you gave no indication whatsoever that you cared for me or my 'feelings,' nor for anyone else's. What changed?"

"It's complicated," Janus said, trying to evade the question.

"It's my job to handle 'complicated.' So tell me: Why are you helping me?"

Oh, Janus just loved feeling cornered. His eyes kept finding their way to the bruises on Logan's neck, tangible proof of all the pain Janus had caused. "Quid pro quo," he lied. "Patton misses you and I owe him a debt." His head swam and he forced himself to stand perfectly still to try to keep his balance. Blue bruises dominated his vision.

"Falsehood."

"Fine." Janus curled his lip. "Because I felt sorry for you--"

"Janus," Logan said in a tone of patient annoyance, like an irritated schoolteacher, "please."

Janus took a breath and tried to swallow down the sick guilt clawing at his chest. He wished Logan would have offered him a chair. Now was probably a bad time to ask. “It's because I’m sorry . I--” The room tilted sideways and he staggered in a bid to keep his balance, as there was nothing to steady himself against. “I’m sorry I did that.” He gestured at Logan's neck, fighting for breath. Every word seemed to require twice as much oxygen as usual. “It was wrong of me to silence you. And…” Deep breath. “Even though I thought it wouldn’t affect you--” Telling the truth didn’t usually hurt like this; he felt a little like he was going to be sick. What was going on? “It did, and I'm sorry."

[chilling-seavey]

Passchendaele - XII

A/N <3

T/W War related violence, blood, mentions of death and means of warfare torture

It moved silently, skipping and tumbling over the craters and bodies that littered the nearly demolished field, swallowing up everything in its path. It turned the sky a deep greenish yellow, claiming the air and the earth all around it, suffocating anything that got in its way. Chlorine gas, a silent killer, creeping up towards the British lines with the wind, mostly undetected.

Elizabeth noticed it first, moving towards the edge of the trench to peek out at it as the men bent down to carry Jack’s body towards camp. She stared at it curiously for a moment before turning to ask what it was. She didn’t need to get a word out before Daniel had seen it too, nearly tripping over Jack with shock.

Everyone seemed to move in slow motion; Corbyn and Zach’s eyes widening as they looked out at the heavy cloud making its way across the field, Daniel pulling Elizabeth back from the fire step as if the few feet between them would make much of a difference from the gas.

“Do not abandon your posts!” Lieutenant Colonel Seavey shouted as everyone started to notice the miscoloured cloud dangerously close to the edge of their trenches and run for safety.

“What do we do? Suffocate?” Zach asked loudly over the ruckus.

“Hit the ground!” someone shouted from farther down the line. Men dropped to the ground, covering their heads with their hands and leaving their face in the mud, some simply covering their mouth and noses with their uniform handkerchiefs.

Daniel grabbed Elizabeth’s arm and pulled her around the corner into another trench, buying them a few more seconds as the four of them kept low and snuck back towards camp, leaving Jack’s body to be engulfed by the cloud as it poured over the edge of the parapet.

The sound of men gasping and choking from behind them was unmistakable, and many rushed after them to get as far away from the moving cloud as quickly as possible. Lieutenant Colonel Seavey stopped them in their tracks as they rounded a corner, Zach running right into him and nearly toppling over.

“Abandoning your posts is forbidden, gentlemen.” Christian spoke as strongly as he could muster.

“Sir-” Corbyn started.

“Take your men back to their posts, Sergeant. That is an order.” the Lieutenant Colonel pulled his handkerchief from his uniform pocket to press over his mouth and nose before walking off through the lines. The rest of them rushed to do the same as they turned to brave the incoming cloud.

“I overheard one of the doctors say that urine acts as a filter.” Elizabeth rushed out, tearing her eyes away from the slow-moving gas to look over at Daniel.

“What?” Daniel glanced back at her.

“If you urinate on your cloths and put it to your nose it blocks the gas.” she said.

“That’s disgusting. I’m not doing that.” Zach shook his head.

“It’s a matter of life and death, Private Herron.” Elizabeth said sternly. “Hurry.”

The three men looked at each other before turning against the wall of the trench and following her instruction. When they were finished, they all hesitated, making Elizabeth sigh with annoyance and push their hands to their faces. Zach let out a small, unpleased whimper.

Elizabeth quickly led them to get onto the ground, stomachs down, their cloths against their mouths and noses.

“Don’t move.” she ordered before starting to rush back down the trenches.

Daniel looked up just in time to grab her leg, stopping her, “What are you doing?”

“Saving anyone I can.” Elizabeth said quickly, bending down to pull his tight grip off her leg.

“Elizabeth.” he whispered sharply, trying to grab her hand as she stepped away.

“So, help me God, Daniel. Keep your head down and don’t get up until I say so.” she pushed his head down again and he shut his eyes tight as he felt her hand pull back and heard her feet rush off into the distance.

The gas was upon them mere seconds later, engulfing them completely. Daniel, Zach, and Corbyn kept their heads down, eyes shut tightly and hands pressing the cloths against their faces. It felt like a warm, gentle wind grazing over their backs and trying to pry softly at their fingers to try and suffocate them silently and wickedly. It was like Daniel’s mind switched to simply trying to survive, all thoughts of Elizabeth disappearing from his thoughts as it went blank. Zach was pressed up beside him as they were laying squished together in a row, his body heat seeping through their uniforms so Daniel could feel him still alive beside him. He held his breath and kept his eyes shut, praying that the warmth would stay until the cloud passed.  

How did they get there? Barely two hours before they were reading letters from home and about to play a game of cards and suddenly Jack’s gone and death was sitting now on their backs, trying to press the air from their lungs.

Daniel didn’t know how long they were laying there for. It truly felt like a lifetime.

Finally, movement started to be heard around the trenches and Daniel slowly raised his head from the ground as soldiers marched right past them, carrying bodies back towards the camp. He watched them move in silence, their boots in the mud the only noise. Daniel looked over to Zach and Corbyn and nudged them.

“Christ,” Corbyn exhaled deeply, wiping his face with his sleeve as he sat back against the wall of the trench, “It would be too soon if I never have to do that again.”

Zach glanced up at Daniel, his cheeks stained with tears and he let out a choked sob, burying his face in the crook of his arm, embarrassed.

“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked softly, letting his gaze linger on another passing body behind them before looking back to Zach.

“I just wanna go home.” Zach sobbed, his bottom lip trembling as large tears spilled from the corners of his hazel eyes.

Corbyn set a hand on his shoulder from behind him and sent an expressionless look to Daniel. Zach cried louder, curling right into Corbyn’s comforting touch as he leaned his head against his chest. The Sergeant was taken back by this action but hesitantly wrapped an arm around his back. Daniel shrugged lightly at Corbyn’s confused stare before glancing down the trenches to try and see Elizabeth through the soldiers passing them. He couldn’t deny that his heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest, both from the fact that they basically cheated death and because Elizabeth still hadn’t come back yet.

“Let’s get you something to eat.” Corbyn stood up and helped Zach to his feet, letting the young boy lean on him. “Are you coming, Seavey?”

Daniel stood up from the mud too, his eyes still focused down the trench, “No, I’ll meet you there.”

“Alright.” Corbyn sighed, sort of wishing he could have had Daniel’s help with the emotionally drained sixteen-year-old, but he left him there alone, guiding Zach down towards the mess tent.

Daniel broke off into a fast-paced walk, shuffling against the wall of the trenches going the opposite direction from the flow of the other soldiers. He kept his eyes scanning his surroundings, passing over each solider that he walked by and others that were still in the distance. It was hard to stand up against the annoyed and tired shoves from the other men who didn’t like that Daniel kept getting in their way.

He was desperate to find Elizabeth if it was the last thing he did.

Farther down the front line, he ducked his head and stepped over a few bodies that still littered the torn-up soil, scanning each of their faces for any familiarities. The more he walked, the more nervous he got, his desperation only increasing with each step. His panic only rose as he turned down another trench, finding it near empty and he rushed down it, now at a light run. His breathing was loud in his ears and with each breath he felt more and more suffocated by the realization that he should have fought to save her too. The guilt was worse than the gas.

He fought back tears as he ran the lengths of the trenches, ignoring other soldiers’ questions as he pushed past them, wide eyes still scanning the area.

Daniel could recognize Elizabeth’s face with ease, her soft skin stained with mud and her blonde hair matted short on top of her head. She was slouched against the wall of a small dugout, her knees curled up to her chest.

“Elizabeth.” Daniel sighed, rushing over to her and fell onto his knees in front of her, taking her face in his hands. “Lizzie. Elizabeth. Oh, thank God.”

“Daniel.” she rasped, pulling a soft smile and set her hand over his.

“Why didn’t you come find us? I was worried sick about you.” Daniel whispered, moving over to sit beside her to let the working men pass, still carrying bodies back towards camp. It was a never-ending parade.

“I was really dizzy.” Elizabeth sighed, leaning against him tiredly. Her voice was deep and rough, and her hand rose to her throat to rub it gently.

“Why didn’t you stay with us?” Daniel sighed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pressed a discreet kiss to her head.

“I had to try and help people. I’m a nurse above all.” Elizabeth mumbled, coughing lightly through her sentence.

“But you’re my girl above all.” Daniel corrected, moving back a little to look at her. “Are you injured?”

“My throat is a tad sore but I’m okay.” she said, setting her hand on his leg as she closed her eyes for a moment, “And maybe a little dizzy still.”

“We need to take you to the nurses’ station.” Daniel said quickly, starting to stand up.

“No, Dani. I can’t. They’ll recognize me.”

“I don’t care!” Daniel whispered sharply, glancing at a group of passing soldiers before turning back to Elizabeth. “I need to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m a nurse, Daniel. I know I’m okay. Just inhaled a bit too much of the rotten stuff.” Elizabeth pulled a soft smile to assure him, squinting in the sun as he was stood in front of her.

Daniel bit lightly at his bottom lip, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared down at her, unsure what to do.

“Help me up.” Elizabeth held out her hands and he pulled her to her feet. She swayed dangerously and fell into him.

“You’re not okay, my love. Let me help you.” Daniel whispered, wrapping his arms securely around her to keep her upright, his fingers dancing over her hair line. He stayed still as another group of soldiers passed by, carrying a few more bodies, and he kept his head down, his cheek pressed against Elizabeth’s head as she leaned on his shoulder. When the area was clear again, Daniel pressed a kiss to her forehead, “I’ll walk you down to get checked out, okay?”

There was no answer.

“Lizzie?” Daniel shuffled back a little to look at her face, her body falling limp in his arms, her green eyes closed lightly, almost peacefully, and he clung onto her to keep her from collapsing onto the ground. “Elizabeth!”

Daniel pushed his panic to the side and picked her up, the army training helping the once weaker boy to hold her over his shoulder as he pushed his way towards camp. Her body was weak enough to cause his worry to rush over him, she was just as limp as Jonah or Jack, but he rushed on, pushing a line up of men to the side to get to camp before them.

Corbyn and Zach were sitting in the mess tent, Zach calmed down enough to eat his barely warm ration as he kept his eyes focussed on the line of men bringing up the bodies from the trenches. There was nothing like a line of the dead to fuel someone’s appetite.

Zach’s eyebrows furrowed over his canteen as he saw Daniel stumbling out of the trenches, pushing past the men carrying the bodies with someone tossed over his shoulder. Zach nearly choked on his water when he realized it was Elizabeth and he jumped up from the table to rush over to him, Corbyn running after him. Daniel was gasping for air as he fell onto the grass, Elizabeth’s limp body falling underneath him, tears welling in his blue eyes but refusing to fall.

“What happened?” Corbyn asked quickly, kneeling down beside him, taking Elizabeth’s wrist in his hand to feel for a pulse.

“She...she passed out!”

Corbyn wasn’t a stupid man and he had known form the moment he laid eyes on the new arrival that Elizabeth wasn’t a man, but he didn’t dare question it. Especially now, with Daniel near choking over each breath, staring down at this woman who he clearly loved more than life itself.

“She still has a pulse. Let’s get her up, okay?” Corbyn stood up and picked Elizabeth up himself, carrying her strongly across camp to the nurses’ tent. Daniel and Zach rushed after him, Daniel desperately clinging onto her the best her could, refusing to let her go even for a second.

“How did she get here, Private Seavey?” Corbyn spoke sternly.

“She…she was nurse in Ypres. I t-told her not to come out here but she’s…Christ…she’s so bloody stubborn. She wanted to.” Daniel cried.

A nurse waved them over as they entered the open nurses’ tent and he laid her down on one of the tables. Daniel nearly threw himself on the table with her but Corbyn held him back as the nurse got to work to check her out.

“Gas inhalation.” Corbyn spoke quickly to the lady. “We’re assuming. She’s not supposed to be here.”

The nurse looked up at him, with wide eyes, “She? How old?”

“18.” Daniel rushed out, his voice shaking. “She needs to come home with me.”

Silence fell among them as the nurses examined her, “It’s serious. We’re going to send her down to the hospital in Ypres. You need to tell the officers what happened. If she recovers, she will need to be sent home. Women aren’t allowed to be fighting on the front-”

“If she survives?” Daniel gaped, trying to lunge onto the table but Corbyn’s arm held him back. “Oh, God, no, she needs to be okay.”

“Private Herron, take him to get food.” Corbyn ordered strongly, shoving Daniel back. Zach took Daniel by the arm and started to pull him off towards the mess tent. Daniel stumbled blindly behind him, keeping his eyes on Corbyn as he spoke to the nurse over Elizabeth’s weak body laying in front of him.