#Nick would’ve found it funny if she didn’t take it too far so now he has to pretend to be disappointed in his daughter. | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

razorblade180 · 3 years ago

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Twin Snowflakes 27:Hill climbing preparations

Part 26 here!<-

Rehearsals were going well. With Darren out of mind and no further incidents, students had gotten back into a steady blow of progress. The band was a little shaky at first but Summer had learned that Nick had a point about her being a bit strict in the beginning. With that hurdle jumped, Summer felt comfortable enough to take a short break. Her feet swung from over the stage's edge like a kid on a swing while she took a moment to call Oscar. It had been a few days since their last check in date. The fact that he didn’t blow her fun up meant his own hands were full. Fortunately, two rings was all it took before his face popped up on her screen, covered in what was hopefully seawater.

“Hi Oscar! Ummm sea life treating you will? You look a little…”

“Wet? Sigh, I can’t believe I’m saying this but I miss the cold of the tundra. All the storms and aquatic grimm yanking me off the boat is getting annoying. Anyways, Penny told me you had a little scare recently? Everything okay?”

“Yes, I think.” Summer rubbed her face. “Well…as okay as things usually get. I do feel better than usual. I’ve gotten to perform quite a bit the last couple days.”

“Really? Did you take my advice by any chance?”

A guilty smile found its way on Summer’s face. She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Nah. I’ve just been singing a couple of covers and a few originals that anyone with a radio has heard. The lyrics in the journal are just that, in the journal. I actually wanted to talk to you about a trick Nick got me to try. You’ve actually mentioned it once before early on.”

“Is that so- woah!” Oscar yelped, nearly falling from the rock of the ship crashing through a wave. “Hehe. Sorry about that!”

“Everything okay over there? I can call later?”

“No it’s fine; just rough seas. That’s good though. Challenging waves and other harsh weather factors have been swelling for quite some time. You’re too young to remember this but Atlas was actually a bit warmer. Hot places were cooler and sailing wasn’t as wild.”

“I’ve heard about that in class. Don’t scientists think it might have something to do with magic being back?”

“Or the gods roaming through Remnant.” He smirked, confident about the latter theory. “Harsh conditions mean it’s difficult to press forward. As if the world itself is trying to keep things away. With a little luck, passing these hurdles are all the answers we need.”

Answers. Summer couldn’t begin to imagine having those. It was more terrifying than reliving if she had to be honest. She wouldn’t know what to do if the gods themselves didn’t know what to do. The only thing worse is them saying she couldn’t do anything.

“Let’s cross our fingers you aren’t on a boat for nothing. Speaking of Shiva, Nick talked me into entering my headspace willingly. I was even able to manifest a shovel in it!”

“A shovel?” Oscar quirked his head.

“Yeah it wasn’t the usual blue empty space. It waslake; the lake as a matter of fact. I chucked a shovel at Shiva and told her to start digging her grave.”

“Nick told you to do that!?”

“Weeeeeeell… he only told me to confront her with unwavering resolve in a way Veronica would. I’m pretty sure that meant being cut throat but I may have defaulted to cock intimidation. Pretty sure I stoked the flames of war. But it felt good!”

The cheerfulness in her tone was genuine. While manifesting and confrontation was something Oscar had tried to get her to do early on, there are ways to go about it. Headspace or not, poking at a beast was always risky. “I’m glad you’re feeling good, but exercise caution. I wouldn’t try that alone. There’s a lot we don’t know about that space. I doubt you can actually die there but if that really is your mind you're traversing then serious backlash might happen if things go wrong. Remember, Shiva has an edge. Don’t let her play you in your own head.”

“Believe me, that’s the last thing I want. I’ll be careful Oscar. Thanks for worrying about me. Couldn’t ask for a better therapist”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Ruby and your dad give some pretty solid motivational speeches.”

Hehe, don’t sell yourself short. I should probably get going. Good luck! Watch the gods tell you to perform an exorcism or drown me in sacred water.”

Oh if only it was that easy. “If she had any signs of a soul I would’ve tried that already. Take care Summer. Call me when you need me”

“You know I will.” She hung up and looked over at Nick. A few of the girls had taken the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him. In typical fashion, Nick just let them fawn in vain. “Geez, take a hint ladies.” She mumbled.

“Oh my gods! I wasn’t aware you could sing!”

“So talented!”

“Can you sing for my birthday!?”

All the back chatter and compliments made it hard to focus on one person. Nick did his best to calm them all, giving a faux laugh and smile. “Hehe, thanks. I can hold a note, I’m not as good as my sister, and I’m way too sheepish to sing at a birthday. Now we should probably get back to working maybe? Practice is almost-” his eyes caught the door entrance before he finished. Valerie had walked in.

As if by will, her head automatically turned to meet his eyes. Valerie couldn’t help but give some kind of disarming smile, giving a small wave that was quickly rejected when Nick went back talking to the people around him. Not even Valerie could deny that burn. She put her hand down before she felt anymore like an edit, walking over to Eliza to get what she had to do over with.

“Hey soldier.”

“Huh? Well look who finally decided to show! I expect more from a representative of this school.”

“Oh brother…” Val couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “I’m not even gonna pretend that I’m sorry like I usually do. Look, at least I did what was asked of me. Boiler is fixed for now and there should be no problem getting hot water when the big day arrives.”

“Keep a keen eye on it just in case. I don’t have any time to deal with tiny problems during the tournament.”

“Yeah you and everyone else in this room. Now if you excuse me.” Valerie pointed both thumbs back and tried backing up slowly.

“Hold on…”

“Uuugh. Yes? I got plenty of practice to work on. Make this quick.”

Eliza narrowed her eyes. “Wow, someone is more aggressive than usual. If that’s how you’re going to be then I’ll spare you the lecture. Just know you better be careful or I might pull the rug out from under you this year.”

“Hmph, bold words. You gotta make it to the top of the hill before challenging the ruler. Though you’re more than welcome to kick Nick around and take his spot for all I care. See ya. Just text me the meeting information. Got things to do.” Valerie turned around and headed off. On the way out she saw Summer staring at her with a raised eyebrow from afar. To make matters worse, the cheerleaders moved by the exit. Veronica being among them. Valerie was ready for some kind of sly comment but to her surprise Veronica briefly acknowledged her, nodded, and then went back to what she was doing.

Eliza looked at the time and figured everyone made enough progress for one day. “Alright everyone! You can all start wrapping things up. I’m sure all of you have things to-” the sound of everyone packing their belongings overpowered her voice. “Do.” She finished. At least she could trust everyone to clean up on time. “Nicholas, get your butt in gear.”

“Oh thank goodness!” Nick wasted no time squeezing his way through the girls that lingered around him. “Sorry! The VP calls! Let’s go Summer!”

“Right behind you.” She turned towards the band. “It would be a good idea for you all to practice a little longer. Not because you may or may not need it but because I’ll finally give you room to experiment. Just no funny ideas about adding drum solos.” Summer hopped off stage and headed off, quickly catching up to Nick, Eliza, and Veronica. “Well aren’t we an interesting looking bunch?”

“An idol, witch, heir, and fashion designer. This is the beginning of a bad joke I’d say.”

“Bold of you to call someone a witch when they’ve agreed to help you train.”

“Would you prefer magical girl, or maybe sorceress?” Nick nudged her.

“I prefer my name. However…sorceress is endearing, I suppose.”

“I could call you that while you teach me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” She said in a shrill voice. “I’m already regretting this.”

“Well while you two train to death, I’m finally going to get some real shut eye. I can hear my bed calling my name already.”

“Not so fast.” Veronica interjected. “Since we ended up being free at the same time and I have to work a little more diligently…”

Summer didn’t like where this was headed. “Veronica, my hot headed designer, I’m well aware of what it’s like to be a perfectionist. However, please don’t rope me into this.”

All three of them looked at her at once. “It’s your dress!”

“I know that! No need to remind me! I am tired though. It’s Monday, the weekend was crazy, and I just put in a full day of school with extra curricular activities. Allow me two hours at least!?”

“Ugh, ever the whiner. Fine but I don’t want to hear any complaints about design. Most would be thrilled to be heavily involved with their clothing.”

“Well consider this a show of good faith towards your skills.”

The four of them continued to talk all the way to the manor. Eliza tried to stay on important topics while Nick did his best to keep things casual. It never really worked out considering Summer's insistence to not help her dear brother and Veronica’s curiosity about events to come. It was only when the girl’s feline ears twitched by the gate did she begin to quiet down.

“Hmmm?” She stopped immediately.

“Huh? What’s wrong Vee-”

“ACHOO!!!” The girl yelled. The sneeze was so strong Veronica lifted off the ground slightly. “Phew…sorry about that.” She sniffled her loss and continued walking like nothing happened, leaving everyone confused. Veronica was the first to enter with everyone lagging a bit behind. Her eyes looked around until they spotted her mother, Blake, coming down the stairs in casual clothes and wet hair.

“Hey everyone! Finally home I see? And with a friend?”

“Uh classmate. I wouldn’t exac…ummm that’s not important. Hehe, I’m Eliza Marigold.” She stammered. It didn’t really dawn on her that she’d be meeting Mrs. Belladonna herself today. “You look lovely. Though…you look a little red? Are you sick?”

“Oh it’s nothing! Just umm got out of the shower is all.”

Veronica’s eyes narrowed. “Where’s ma?”

“Out back with Jaune.”

“Really?”

“One hundred perfect!” Blake said, unusually preppy. “Well I don’t keep you kids held up. I’ll be in the living room. Nick, Summer, I think your mother is in the garden.”

“Cool. She must be setting up the candle test already. Follow me Eliza.” Nick took her hand and guided her.

“Think I’ll get lost or something?”

“No, I just don’t need you judging every inch of this place until you find something to criticize.”

“……It’s too bright in here.” She heard Nick snicker at her attempt. “You suck.”

With those two out of the way it was time for Summer to mosey to her room. “Finally, nap time!”

“Don’t you wanna practice too?”

“What they’re doing is something I already know. Besides, Nick and I do most of our practices separate. He’ll get me when he needs me. Wake me up if you need anything.”

Veronica waited for the girl to get out of sight before giving her mom a look meant to inspire shame and embarrassment. “Really? We’ve been out all day ya know? You had plenty of time.”

Blake put her hand over Veronica’s face. “Shush your face. It happens sometimes. Thank you for the heads up.”

“Y’all are gross but that’s nothing new. I won’t mention it again if you could bring dinner up to my room. I’m gonna be spending quite some time in there.”

“Even across the world I guess some habits don’t change. Deal.”

xxxxx

In the garden, Weiss stood on the balcony with a cup of coffee. The sound of footsteps behind her caught her ear. She was more than a little surprised to learn that they belonged to not just Nick. “Eliza?”

“Mrs. Schnee. Thank you for allowing me in your home.” Eliza gave a curtsy.

“How’s your father?”

“Oh you know him, always up to something.”

Weiss wasn’t sure if that was good or bad considering his track record. “I see. Well make yourself comfortable. Nick, everything is already set up. Never would’ve thought this is how you’d try to get this done. Don’t push yourself.”

“Heh, push myself? Me?”

Weiss playfully rolled her eyes and left the balcony, ruffling Nick’s hair on the way out. Nick looked at Eliza confused. “You know you don’t have to be so formal around her, right?”

“Let’s not focus on my speech and pay attention to why we’re here. Anyways, how does this training work exactly?”

Nick walked to the railing to point at the fifteen candles spread throughout the garden. “The goal is to light all the candles at once without burning anything. It’s harder than it looks. It requires timing, speed, accuracy, and control above all.”

“Never took you for one who cares much for traditional methods of fighting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you use your glyphs to manipulate the elements.”

“Yeah, because I suck. Summer on the other hand…” He hunched over in defeat. “Not so much.”

Eliza couldn’t help but scan the area multiple times. This couldn’t be all there was to it. Could it? The five candles in the actual hedge maze looked a little challenging, but Nick was…Nick! Despite her reservations about his attitude, he was smart and knew how to work.

“Do you increase the candle amount as you go?”

He nodded. “That’s the natural progression. Summer can do thirty without thinking much about it.”

“Meanwhile you can’t even do half that amount. You sure you’re the older twin?”

“I don’t see how that’s relevant.” He pouted. Nick grabbed his sword and got into his low stance.

“So I’m just supposed to observe you?”

“No. I’m going to need help with the fires too.”

That’s not something she wanted to hear. “Tsk, alright. But first, let me see if I’m able to do it. Wouldn’t be that good of a teacher if I couldn’t.”

She climbed on top of the railing to get a better look. She raised her right hand to the sky and took a breath. Five flames ignited her fingertips as she thought of the best approach. Moments later, Eliza launched all five with a downward swing, another five swing left, then the final five to the right. Each flame danced on the winds below them before finding their targets.

Amazed, Nick’s jaw dropped for a second before saying anything. “First try!?”

“Not exactly. You did say all at once so that may have been cheating. Let me try again.” She wrapped both arms around herself then swung them out, causing a gust of wind that blew out the candles.

Nick watched closely. Breathing, posture, line of sight; anything he could to gain knowledge. Eliza cuffed her hands together. A small flame flickered into existence and grew slowly until it was the size of a baseball. Eliza threw it over the garden underhanded. The moment it reached max height she pushed her hands downwards like if she closed a lid. This made the flame split apart into embers that fell quick enough to reach each candle. Nick couldn’t believe she was two for two.

“Seems I got the hang of it.” Eliza blew the candles out and hopped off the railing. “I’d do it while off the railing but I’m positive we know the results.”

“Yeah no kidding. While I’m lucky I picked the right person to help me, doing that so easily kinda stings. Not gonna lie. You really are a sorceress.”

“Tsk, flattery gets you nowhere. Assume your stance.” She ordered. Eliza kept a close eye on Nick. He opted to square his feet with his shoulders, a sturdy stance for sure. “So far so good.” His blade pointed up and outwards. A red glyph began to form at its tip, conjuring a ball of intense flame that was as big as a softball. Eliza’s eyes narrowed. She could not believe what she was watching. “You’ll miss.”

“Huh?” Nick said, trying to focus.

“If you shoot the fireball then you are going to miss.” Eliza channeled a silver orb in her palm that bursted into shimmering light. Nick’s glyph suddenly vanished and took the fireball along with it.

“Hey! Don’t just negate my semblance out of the blue! I didn’t even shoot it yet!”

Eliza wasn’t sure what she had expected from this training. It was clear now why a talented person like Nick was fumbling. Frankly, it was annoying. Down right inexcusable. Eliza folded both her arms. “You’re so idiotic in the strangest ways possible, you know that right? To think you’re stronger than me?”

Nick huffed. This wasn’t constructive at all. “You gonna actually help, or continue to insult me? If I knew how to do this on my own then I wouldn’t ask for help.”

Nick ran his hand through his tangled hair and let out a sigh. Eliza could tell he genuinely had no idea what was wrong. It kinda got to her. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be picking on you like that. You weren’t wrong to ask for help.”

“Normally I have an inkling of how to progress but I’m hitting a wall. All of this is just…”

“Too much?” Eliza leaned over and thumped his head. “Because it is. That’s exactly your problem. You are doing far too much at once. Why are you trying to do so many steps at the exact same time?”

“What do you mean at the exact same time? All I did was make a fireball.”

Eliza could feel her eye try to twitch. “Okay. I should’ve expected that from you. Guess I’ll teach by showing.” She stood beside Nick and made a flame. “See? Now this is as basic as it gets, just straight up fire. A fireball requires controlling the shape of the flame;maintaining its heat as well.” The flame swirled around itself to make just that.

“Okay? I’m following you so far.”

“If a fireball was all you were making then no big deal. However, I just saw you attempt to make a fireball that has to keep its shape, burn hot enough, long enough, and must be aimed at multiple targets at once. No mind can do all that on a dime. It’s simply too much.”

Nick watched Eliza move behind him, putting her arms right on top of his, guiding his movements as if she was holding his blade. Her chin rested on his shoulder to get a clear line of sight. Nick was no stranger to being led through an attack, but man was it weird to have Eliza this close!

“Ummm…”

“Bear with it and focus.” She uttered, trying not to yell in his ear. “Make a flame. Just a flame. Let it heat swell and dissipate in sync with my breathing.”

“Shouldn’t it be with my own?”

“Not when your heart is beating like a drum. To think Nicholas Schnee would lose composure from a girl touching him?”

“Can’t hear you, focusing.” He was trying anyway. Eventually he managed to slow his heartbeat. He could tell Eliza was taking deep breaths on purpose to help. In sync, he made another fire glyph as she ordered.

“Good, now make it as hot as you want, then make it into a ball.” The flame shaped into the size of a baseball this time. Eliza smiled. “See how easy it is to control the size after you’ve completed the previous steps? You’ll save dust this way.”

“What’s next?”

“Aiming. You already know where your targets are but you also aren’t in a rush. If you need time to make a shot then all you have to do is make the time.” Eliza raised Nick’s sword higher in the air. “Launch it into the air, confirm where you need the fire to hit, then guide the flames to it.”

Nick took a deep breath and launched the fireball ball in an arch over the garden. He waited for it to reach the middle and fall briefly before making it burst into smaller flames that hit the candles. Eliza finally let go so he could pump his fist into the air.

“Woohoo!”

“Don’t celebrate yet, but good job. A moving target would be harder but not impossible. Repetition will allow you to eventually group certain steps together without having to think about it. You’ll get used to making fireballs that are a certain size and speed as long as you allow yourself to process each step as you are now. I noticed you let the fireball fall. Why?”

“I always end up not lighting them all because the fire dies too quickly. I realized the flame wasn’t hot enough the moment I shot it, so I let it get closer to the candles before having to split it up. Good thing you told me to aim higher or I may not have noticed.

“He can process things like that but not realize breaking the steps up will make things easier? How does his brain work!?”

Another gust of wind blew the candles out. “I’m willing to help you further but I think it’s time you held up your end of this bargain.”

“Antsy, aren’t we? Fair enough.” Nick put his sword down and sat on the railing. “What I’m about to tell you is going to make your tournament life a hundred times simpler. This is your second King of The Hill. Remember the rules?”

“Of course I do.” She followed his lead and sat down as well. “All previous tournament and combat skills leading up to the tournament are calculated so they can rank you compared to the other contestants. In order to progress higher you must defeat the person directly above you in the rank to switch places. Those who win are rewarded a reprieve from being challenged immediately to decrease rematches, but the loser can be challenged by whoever is directly below them. Conversely, if you challenge a person and lose, then you have to wait a set period before trying again while defending your current spot. The entire tournament is on a time limit that tests endurance, strategy, and the skills you’ve used all year. The winner is whoever is ranked number one by the end; the king of the hill.”

“Correct! It’s pure chaos. However, you forgot an important thing. You’ve participated once and managed to get third, so that’s automatically where you start.”

Eliza’s eyes lit up. “That’s a rule!?”

“Yep. As long as you still participated in prior tournaments this year, which you have. Congratulations on skipping the taxing part. Now you’re in the grueling section. The only way you go up is through me and Valerie. A slip up could cause you to waste too much energy and that could drag you out of third if you lose or even win against me immediately, because if I get challenged and win, then I can challenge you again before you challenge Valerie or after you hypothetically lose to her. Let that sink in for a moment.”

Eliza could feel her heart drop to her stomach. If she were to beat Nick and lose to Valerie then at best she’s at a third of her strength for a rematch she doesn’t want. Beating Nick was a goal but she didn’t need to do it twice in a day! The worst part is she is at his mercy in this scenario; getting a reprieve only if he needs one. He could very well best her and then she’s even more tired defending third place.

“Is it sinking in? Third place is its own special hell. Let’s knock Valerie into it.” He smiled.

“And how do we manage that exactly?”

“By knocking me into it! I want to take a dive in our match. A good one. The two of us will put on a spectacle to show our might that ends with me losing. This will throw everyone off into thinking you are exceptionally strong and-”

“Are you saying I’m not!” She folded her arms.

Nick chuckled nervously. “Let me finish before you get upset. Yes, you're strong, but will think you’re stronger than me by a decent margin. This is where the mind games kick in because the two of us haven’t actually used that much energy, but the other contestants don’t know that.”

Eliza rubbed her chin. “You…want them to fight you?”

“Exactly. No one's gonna pass up the opportunity to get a leg up on me. You know that better than anyone. Unfortunately for them, I’ll actually be trying against them and I fully intend to go end them quickly. This does multiple things. It makes the gap between the top three look bigger, allows me to stir the lower ranks rotation, keeps you rested, and makes Valerie anxious because you will not immediately challenge her. We are going to burn time until it gets to a point that once she’s knocked out of first, getting back up will be nearly impossible.”

“I fail to see how that’s possible. If she’s rested-”

“That’s just it, she won’t be. You can challenge her freely and not worry about me for most of the tournament. Use the time to learn how to fight her then I’ll challenge you again and win, then immediately go fight her. You’ll briefly be back in third place but fourth place holders will be exhausted and think twice about challenging you, Eliza Marigold; the person who beat Nicholas Schnee.”

“You made a safety net for third”

“I made a safety net for you! I will beat Valerie so she’ll fall to second place and that’s where you jump in to knock her to third. By that point she’ll have to wait and losing twice in a row is gonna give people ideas. Even if she beats them it’ll be a race against the clock and you can challenge me to avoid fighting her if it comes down to that. Boom, guaranteed second place for you with a potential at first place.”

The plan was insane, daring, and yet clearly thought of. “This is…a lot. Not to mention not full proof. What if I actually don’t need you to weaken Valerie and can take first place for myself?”

“Then by all means take it. I’ll knock Valerie to third myself and then fight you. Careful though. If I win you’re stuck with her and plenty of time you have to stall.”

She didn’t like the sound of that. “What if I refuse this off altogether?”

“That’s fine. We’ll just all have to do our best.”

“Your entire plan hinges on you beating Valerie. What if-”

“I’ll win.” He deadpanned. “I can take her this year. No questions about it.”

He started giving that same exact look he did a few days ago. “Not that I’m not interested but this feels a little unlike you.”

“Is that bad? People are always saying I’m too soft around Valerie. This is a tournament and there’s no rules against teamwork. You in?”

He hopped down and extended his hand. Nick did his best to seem casual about all of this but it was clear to Eliza he was pretty frustrated at Valerie. It wasn’t her place to pry. If he was willing to go this far then she might as well keep an eye on the entire thing. A chance to progress, and a good event. As long as those two things happened without incident then she had no reason to object. Then there was the other problem. She already helped him train…Eliza shook his hand.

“Glad to do business with you. I guess it’s only fair now that I give you the choice to stop training me. Wouldn’t want this to feel like I’ve gained so much tangible progress while yours relies on-”

Eliza tossed him his sword. “Quit with the chivalrous act. If I don’t train you to my standards then I’m positive your plan is bound to fall apart. Helping you here can only benefit me, or did you already forget I could teach you a thousand ways to improve your glyphs and still even the playing field?” She made another silver orb.

Nick gulped. He actually did forget how big of a pain in the ass it was gonna be fighting her. Semblance training doesn’t mean much if you can’t use it. “Have I ever told you that you can be terrifying and comforting at the same time?”

“Nobility should be just that. It’s why people like your face so much whenever you look like you beat the crap out of somebody.”

“People like my face because I’m handsome!!!”

“Less chitchat. More candle lighting.”

Nick hunched over in defeat. Marigolds, what can you do with them?

#rwby #rwby au #nicholas schnee #summer schnee #oscar pine #weiss schnee #blake belladonna #eliza marigold #val valkyrie #rwby twin snowflakes

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clandestine-j · 3 years ago

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Gossip Girl, EP. 4 Reaction & Review

Finally, I've gathered all of my thoughts for ep. 4! I had this really cool extra post to the intro and had more thoughts but then I lost the entire thing so I had to re-write the entire post SO, yeah, this is all I have for this part. Also, if anyone has those bts photos please let me know, i’m looking for the ones that have the audience reacting to max’s dick pick from the fashion show, aki biting his lip. please send.

ADULTS:

Kate & CO: JAIL JAIL JAIL. We had that one teacher being turned on by incest and ruining kids lives. DO BETTER IN JAIL. I'll say tho, the male teacher makes a better gossip girl, he doesn't feel bad and is enjoying it. Kate could never.

Rafa: JAIL. JAIL. JAIL. JAIL. JAIL. I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU, WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU. I hate that they showed us this man having common sense. This man, pushing Max away sexually but understanding that he needs serious help. I hate that they just didn't have them flirting and show us him saying no, I'm so upset. I'm even more upset that I fell for him being the character to subvert the trope. I can only blame myself but blame HBO as well. I also hate the comments saying it's okay or well, the show needs scandal and spice. They could've been photographed together in normal clothes, just standing next to each other. Max could lie to GG. There are a bunch of ways these could become an IC scandal without having them cross the line. If you support this, you need help.

OUR KIDS:

Max: My boy needs therapy, lots of it. Maybe rehab. On one hand, he's being taken advantage of because he's clearly going through something and more than just his dads and he has been for a while. His escapism is dangerous and anyone would be able to prey on that. On the other hand, I need someone to beat his ass. His lines to Rafa about money and career were punch worthy and out-right willing to lie about Rafa doing something to him, even just to press Rafa's buttons. He needs help, he needs to be taught boundaries, he needs a lot. And why were the only two people concerned for his week-long disappearance Aki and Audrey, the whole squad should've had the guns out, friends since childhood, sure.

Obie: My boy, I get that you didn't like where you saw Zoya headed. I get that in some aspects you were right about her being a little too involved and suspecting Julien. That being said, she was having real problems and troubles and needed support. Do better. Obie still isn't the worst character on the show and many of them are SOOOO much worse. He doesn't deserve the all of the smoke he's been getting when their are better people for it.

Monet & Luna: I hate them as people and love them as characters that move the plot. I guess I could see how they thought the fuck school thing was horrible (and Julien too since she planned on showing Obie). The directors cut, I don't think they thought it'd ruin Zoya, they're just fucking cruel and found it funny. Let's box. Also, why are ya'll so pressed over this CHILD. Like get over it, find a real up-coming social media star.

Aki & Audrey: My good sis, you brought a gay man to make Aki jealous. I'm sick, it was fucking funny. Her comments at first were off the wall, I wish the writers would've done something else but a lot of woman don't see it as normal so I sort of get it. I'm glad she came around by the end. And Aki...he was a little spicy this episode, my boy was ready to pop off a bit AND I AM HERE FOR IT. My dude said, 'I don't regret kissing him' I was THROWN. Aki being with Audrey helps me like her more because she's a bitch that's still ready to gun for a now 15 year old girl but her and Aki's relationship is cute. They could break up and be fine which is great, I love that their relationship is really more than just dating and the friendship is strong. I'm here for it.

Zoya: It's just bad writing but my head canon is trauma. Trauma from her moms death death, trauma from the past and current bullying that caused her lash out. I felt like this was her breaking point (so far) and anything gossip girl related as always came around to Julien. If she trusted Julien more, she wouldn't have thought of her as the person causing her issue's but she doesn't trust her. They were civil but even at the end of ep 2. Her 'hell yeah' to Julien about bonding was too dry, too dry. I think a big part of her just doesn't trust Julien and she'll always think the worse because she's seen mostly the worse. And that video, horrible, I'd hate everything about my birthday too after that and even before. Her emotions during the scene and the talk with Julien, ouch. And while I'm happy that Zoya found herself in the end, YES GIRL POP OFF. THIS IS WHAT I WANTED. THIS IS THE FLAVOR. I WAS WAITING FOR THIS AND I WANT MORE. I DEMAND MORE. I SEE A SPARK OF A BITCH, LET HER OUT GO, GO ALISON DELAOTRUINES ON THESE BITCHES.

Julien: Once again, I love Julien as a character, I know she's supposed to be struggling and for that, It's fun to watch her BUT. Julien could never be on my team, she's too wishy-washy. That is my issue, she's too, just...flip-floppy with no substance. Like, when she does things wrong, they're expected to be forgiven / are forgiven without true reflection or anything on her part. She fucks up, she see's its wrong and then she says sorry and goes on it does it again. This episode was just the worst example, like, the moment she heard buffalo, she was ready to send in a tip. Instead of just doing the party normally and being best because she's hear, she sends the video to Monet. She believes Luna and Monet (Monet talking about her throne being taken when Zoya isn't even an influencer) and she eats it up. They were the ones who did the dick pick thing, like girl, THINK. And why does she never get the full plan, why would she not watch the video or why is she so shocked that Luna and Monet would play something like that? She knows them. Friends since childhood? Sure. Using your moms name to make the party about charity? SIS, THE FEUD IS NOT WORTH IT. She says she wants to be sisters but then she switches up so fast and the witches up again, it's whip-last and I'm sick. I hate that she's doing this to her and I hate even more that's is the writers fault. I don't mind a character having personal conflict but make it a conflict. Like after four episodes, why is she still friends with her sisters bullies? At the end of the episode, she says she's gonna tell them to lay down their weapons, NO, shut it down. correct them. make it clear and make it known. I love my girl because she's flawed but I wish they'd linger on things and have her really think about it. I was fine with the i'm sorry speech up until the camera part.

Other random thoughts

fuck the rafa max thing again, i'm not over, i will never be over it

evan mock isn't the best but he does give me face at times, his 'wtf stare', little sly looks, the 'wtf' moment when audrey first asked him if he was gay like 'this bitch' also, give him more annoyed, irritated scenes, he gives in those

have julien go full nice or full evil for a while, pick a side and stick with it for more than one episode

i wish zoya was a bitch at her old school but i'm fine with this too, it explains why she was so reactionary when it came to the bullying at constance, not again!

i wish we could've seen julien talk with davis after that stunt

nick and davis, KISS, the ride scene was 100%

don't talk about obie so soon

i like that she chose to be with julien for the night, it was cute

emily makes these faces that i can't get with

eli brown is a good actor, that shot of him during the traumatic reveal

i will say, zobie might be boring but when they talk, they talk, their communication is p good, i don't hate it

i’d be here for obie x aki bc they’re friends, they got chemistry, aki was giving look lil up and downs this episode, aki was giving a lot of looks this ep, honestly, idk i just don’t want him heart broken

aki menzies is still my comfort character

i couldn't take rafa serious with his ass out,

whitney's acting in that talk scene, perfect, my girl had me in tears because DAMN

jordan is pretty good but in that scene, go girl, give me nothing

fuck max and rafa

max lied about his dads or at least one, AT LEAST one, i don't think they'd do that, he saw his in and took it

aki and aud, just have that open relationship, ya'll will make it, the way he tucked into her, it was so sweet

davi and nick secret relationship plot

jail for all of the teachers, once again

the hallway scene was great, the cinematography is been clutch overall

music wasn't as jarring

that's about it! i have more thoughts on the show overall that might be another post, they have a lot of amazing ideas but they need to stick with one and flush it out is the overall gist, i'm still into it!

can't wait for five bc i love the angst that's about to hit.

#c;gg #gossip girl reboot #gossip girl hbo

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snarkwrites · 4 years ago

Text

04 | trouble | greg sanders | csi:vegas

Notes:

So this came to me earlier. And I make no promises that this is even remotely accurate for how things would actually play out or progress, but it’s fanfiction. I did my best with realism, but you’re warned up front. I am not either a law enforcement professional, nor am or have I ever been involved in things like this.. Nor do I claim to know how shock / people would react in a situation like Belle is in currently. I’m doing my best with it.

That being said, I hope you guys are enjoying this so far. It’s been another fun one to write because it has crime and stuff in it AND romance and fluff ( well I mean it will eventually)

Warning:

Mentions of murder / crimes. Attempted murder. Stalking & slight hints at violence. Your typical crime show type stuff. Read with caution, loves.

Summary:

Belle’s come to Vegas to escape an ex fiance. To try and pick herself up and move past what she’s witnessed. But she might just be in over her head this time...

Pairing:

Greg Sanders X Sidle!Sibling OFC, Belle.

Other Parts:

[ one - two - three part 1 - three part 2 - soundtrack ]

Tagging:

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@twistnet

Other Stuff:

[ faq & tag list doc ]

FOUR.

The calls started a day or two later. From an unknown number. At all hours of the day and night. I’d gotten to a point where between the calls and the nightmare and my mind replaying everything I’d seen in the alley that last night in New Orleans, I was barely sleeping.

I’d just started to doze off on the couch in front of the television when the cell phone charging on the end table started to ring.

I gulped, suddenly wide awake all over again.

My hands shook as I reached out to pick up my ringing phone, just to see who it was. I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding when I realized that it wasn’t another unknown number, it was Greg.

“Greg, hi.”

“ Hey. So, I thought I’d call. Make sure you were okay while I’ve got a thirty minute break.”

I stretched and smiled a little. The tension that had built up in me was starting to subside and I slipped off my sister’s couch, pacing the living room of her apartment for a few seconds. “How’s everything going there?”

“It’s been a slow night tonight. What about you?” he answered.

… aside from every single time I try to get some sleep, I’ll hear a noise and freak out, go for the gun I caved in and bought myself or my switchblade.. Or when I do manage to drift off, I’m getting creepy calls or I see a slow mo replay of how I watched my ex fiance kill a man in cold blood or how he almost ran me over with his car… Instead of dumping it all on Greg, I shoved it down all over again.

I guess my thought process is that if I shove all this down deep enough, it’ll eventually disappear and I’ll be fine again. Logically, I know it’s not true, but it’s the only thing I can do right now.

,, aside from staying in this apartment and never leaving the safety of it again. How’s that working out for you, huh?” my mind taunted me. I used to be a lot braver than this. I used to always have a ton of ideas and approaches for women who found themselves in my situation right now. Funny, when I need it most just to get by, that bravery and boldness has pretty much vanished.

I never thought I’d be the girl who had an actual panic attack at the thought of going out to pick up groceries and go for a job interview. A job interview that I’d no doubt been so jittery during that I wouldn’t be getting.

Fingers tangled in my hair, tugging as I paced the darkened room. The silence felt heavy. And I felt like I was being watched.

Just like I have every single night since I left New Orleans.

“Are you there, Belle?” Greg’s voice brought me out of my own head and I managed a shaky “Yeah. Yeah, I’m here, I’m fine.. Just thinking.” response. He repeated his question. I knew he didn’t believe a single word when I reassured him for a second time that I was fine.

I thought I heard the ladder to the fire escape rattle and I tensed, going quiet. My breath catching in my throat.

Almost as soon as I heard the guy who lives below my sister and Gil start up a conversation on his cell phone, I let out a ragged breath.

“Have you been able to sleep?” Greg asked a few seconds later.

It was a question I didn’t dare answer because I’m discovering that apparently, Greg is gonna be the one person other than Sara that I can’t hide things from. My mouth opens and out comes the truth.

And he’s already involved in this bullshit enough.

I finally sighed. “Here and there.”

It wasn’t a complete lie.

“You need sleep, Belle.”

If the situation I was in weren’t scaring me to death. If I didn’t have so much on my mind already, the tone of his voice all calm and firm… It would’ve done things to me.

,, being a sucker for a firm tone and a pair of deep brown eyes hasn’t done you any favors at all so far in life, Belle.” was my immediate thought. And that was followed by a quieter one. It almost didn’t sound like my own thought at all… It kind of made me think of and miss my mom.

,,We Sidle women certainly have ourselves a well established type.” for a few seconds, I wasn’t sure if it were the delirium from lacking sleep for a while now or my own memories of her… But I could almost close my eyes and see her perfectly as she said it. It had been the opening line of her toast to my aunt years ago.

It had been the last thing she spoke on mine and Sara’s actual father, and it was the very thing she said in a dreamy tone when she met the man that ultimately became our stepfather years down the road… A man who come to think of it, reminded me a lot of Gil Grissom. ,, And Greg.” my mind interjected but I shoved it back out quickly.

And if I really thought back further… The little bits I remembered about our father reminded me an awful lot of Vinnie.

I sighed.

“I know, I just… Can’t. I keep replaying it in my head.” I wiped at my eyes. Lack of sleep had them burning.

Again, it wasn’t a total lie. It was the truth, just leaving out the simple fact that there was so much more to the story than Greg even really knew.

I flopped back down on the sofa and my eyes settled on the microwave’s clock. Only a little after 1 am.

“Yeah, I know what you mean… a few years back, I went through something similar.” Greg admitted, going quiet on his end of the line for a second or two. I heard him take a sip of something and it made me think of the Corona sitting on the counter in the kitchen. Probably lukewarm by now. I rose from the couch, slinking into the kitchen and picked up the glass, taking a long sip. I nodded to myself when he gave me the vaguest runthrough of what happened to him. Sara had mentioned the incident to me back then. I remember actually buying a Vegas newspaper just to see how everything played out. It just seemed so senseless and cruel, what he’d had happen to him.

“All I want to do is sleep. Forget. But every time I’m close, I’ll hear a noise in this place and I’ll be wide awake.” I admitted it before I could stop myself.

Greg cleared his throat. For a few seconds that stretched into hours it seemed, he was quiet. Like he was thinking. Like there was something he wanted to say.

“I’ll be fine, I swear.” I reassured him, even though I honestly didn’t know I would be.

I didn’t even really know if I was going to make it out of this situation alive if I were going to be totally honest about it.

XXX

“Heard you talkin in here.” Nick spoke up from the doorway of the break room.

Greg nodded, continuing to pace the room. It was harder to talk to her on the phone than in person. And it was driving him insane, knowing that she was going to do everything in her power to seem fine.

After telling Sara the whole story earlier, -or what he knew of it so far, Sara filled him in on how Belle tended to avoid handling things. Told him that she’d always been real skittish. Avoided confrontations, especially with men, like the plague. Knowing why that was really made him angry. Had him feeling more protective.

Everything Sara told him in their earlier conversation about Belle’s situation when he called to warn her stuck with him. It explained why she always seemed to want to back away whenever she’d get close. Or stop herself short of saying something on more than one occasion. Like she wanted to trust him but she was too afraid. ,, between the two exes Sara did tell you about and this asshole Vinnie… Can you really say you blame her?”

“I heard what happened a few nights ago, man. Is she alright?”

“She’s not sleeping. I think I’ve seen her leave Sara and Gil’s place two times since… Without me.”

Nick eyed him and gave a knowing smirk as he did so. “Whaddya mean without you?”

“I said what I said. She’s over there freaking out, Nick. What am I supposed to do, just pretend I don’t know?”

“Oh. Oh.” Nick muttered as it all clicked into place for him. For as long as he could remember, Sara had always threatened to introduce Greg to her little sister. Kept saying she had a ‘feeling’ about the two.

,, looks like big sister’s hunch might just be right because he’s in head over heels. This is even more than he got involved with that Ellen woman a few years back.” the thought came but Nick kept it to himself.

Greg insisted it was friendship. It was because Sara seemed worried about her when she’d talked to him about her sister using the apartment while she and Gil were away on sabbatical. But Nick wasn’t stupid. He could see it.

Clearly.

“What the hell do you mean Oh?” Greg questioned, pacing a little, finishing off a burrito, swearing because as per usual, when he got to the middle of it, it was still mostly frozen. Nick nodded to a chair and Greg sat down, drumming his fingers on the table.

Nick turned the chair so that the back was against his chest and he sat down, chuckling as he shrugged. “I told you ya had a type, Greggo.”

“I don’t have a type. And it’s not even like that. She’s here by herself, man.” Greg pointed out, taking the last bite of the less than satisfying burrito.

“And in danger.” Nick reminded Greg gently. Greg nodded, shrugging. Nick happened to see the flash of anger in the other man’s normally warm eyes and he chuckled, shaking his head. “The more you keep tellin yourself this isn’t what it’s turnin into.. The faster it’s gonna turn into that.”

“Look. There’s something there, okay? But I’m ignoring that for now. All I know is that she’s going through something.”

“Just be careful, man.” Nick warned.

“This isn’t the same thing as Ellen, Nick.”

“I didn’t say it was. I don’t feel like it is at all, man. I just feel like there’s more to this than you realize.” Nick admitted, standing up.

“C’mon. Langston just sent me down to tell ya we got a case anyway, man. On the outskirts, near that one shady biker bar.”

“Just fuckin great.” Greg grumbled, standing. Launching the wrap that his burrito had come in at the trash. “What’s it look like this time?”

“Well, it was a shootout. Probably rival MC’s. There’s no tellin out there, man. You know that same as me.”

Greg nodded, the two men going silent.

XXX

Movement down in the parking lot caught my eye. More to the point, movement over by my car. I stared out the window, watching the black hooded figure pacing back and forth. The glow of a cigarette dangling between their lips. I could see it from where I stood in my sister’s living room window.

My heart was pounding a little faster. When the black hooded figure turned and seemed to be facing me, I dove out of sight, pressing against the wall. My breathing ragged, filling the heavy silence.

It was a little after 3 am now. And I’d almost been sleeping. But then I thought I heard the doorknob to the apartment’s front door start to jiggle, rocking hard as if someone were trying to force their way in. It hadn’t been, because I sat there in the dark, staring at the doorknob for almost ten minutes with nothing. Tensed up, my hand never far from the gun I’d stopped to buy myself earlier.

The gun sat on the end table, in my line of sight. It hadn’t left my sight since I’d stopped to buy it. It wouldn’t leave my sight anytime in the foreseeable future, either.

The moonlight through the window settled on the gun and I swallowed hard, squeezing my eyes shut. Trying to take a few long and deep breaths, trying to tell myself that maybe it was just one of the guys in the building, staggering around the parking lot too drunk to function and they’d just stopped by my car purely on accident. A coincidence.

But why linger for such a long time? Why stare up at the building?

After a few minutes of standing there, I made myself look down into the parking lot.

The black hooded person was gone, and I took a few long and shaky breaths to pull myself together.

Maybe it was nothing.

Yeah, it had to be nothing.

Deep down, I had the distinct feeling that it wasn’t just a random inconsequential happening. That the person had been lingering by my car. And not by accident, either.

,, Welp, there goes any hope of sleeping tonight. Between the nightmares and the replay of a few nights ago and what I just saw…” I thought to myself as I made my way into the kitchen, preparing to brew myself a very strong pot of black coffee because that was probably the only way I was going to stay awake.

#greg sanders fanfiction #greg sanders imagine #greg sanders fanfic #greg sanders imagines #my writing ; greg sanders #my fanfiction ; greg sanders #my fics ; greg sanders #// I swear ya'll... it'll get better sooner or later bc off. rn it is... tense af #// stalker tw #// murder / attempted murder mentions tw #// injury tw - for the last two parts. its not in here #// read with caution loves

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sea-side-scribbles · 4 years ago

Text

Fanfiction: Sympathy For A Downer

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22737214/chapters/76637180

Chapter 59

Morrie had left the door of his room slightly open, so he could hear what was happening in the corridor. He had been waiting with curiosity, would’ve stayed the whole night there, waiting for something to happen.

Or nothing.

He would’ve been fine if Norbert had stayed in his hideout all night.

He would’ve liked to witness that.

But when he heard his lover leave the dressing room, with a slight squeak of the door, and his footsteps coming quietly downstairs, he wasn’t disappointed. He was somehow beyond that point of being disappointed. He only wanted to see the truth. So, in fact, he rather thanked Norbert for his audacity. Without it, he would’ve never learned the truth.

Morrie was certain that Nick would lead him there. He needed to go after him, after all. He had suspected that Norbert felt a lot of sympathy for that random reporter.

Well, Norbert liked people, that fas a fact.

He was almost naive, trusting strangers and being comfortable around them. That was why every fan immediately believed they were close friends. Someone who didn’t know him couldn’t see the little difference between sympathy and well, further interest.

The image of how he had lifted Arthur up from the ground appeared in front of his eyes. Morrie quickly blinked.

Oh, Norbert just liked his tall guys.

Morrie’s plan didn’t go as far as knowing what he should do when he saw them together.

Jump out of a bush? Boo?

That would’ve been funny.

But Morrie never was the funny type.

After everything that had happened, he didn’t know if he even wanted to scold Norbert. Morrie had known better, all the time, but simply all those empty years without his reckless lover had given him enough reason to stay.

He had lied too.

He wasn’t done trying.

He wasn’t done hearing excuses and he wasn’t done watching Norbert pleading for his love.

That reporter had no idea who Norbert was, what he needed and what he did!

However, there was still another possibility. What if that reporter had completely different intentions? Norbert also had the bad habit of trusting the wrong people, and every wrong word in the press could bring him to fall. He needed protection. And all he needed to do was to understand that only Morrie could be his protector.

His heart was throbbing. This was pulling his nerves. The farther Norbert went, the more he was afraid. But he had to wait, gather all his patience, until he could finally leave his room and follow, passing by the drunkards in the hallway. At the top of the stairs he waited. Norbert was careful but decisive. He didn’t hesitate once when he walked out of the backdoor. Morrie already felt cold before the night breeze touched his skin.

Panic took over him because he couldn’t find Norbert in the dark. He turned a corner in the narrow backyard, listening carefully over the sound of his own footsteps.

There was so much noise. The whistling, stomping Bobbies of the night shift, the humming drones, squealing of rats in the grass - how was he supposed to hear the footsteps of a light-footed rockstar?

He went the only way that made sense to him, towards the street, not the cliffs, god forsake, and soon his eyes fell on a slim figure walking in a hurried, but careful pace.

He must’ve done this before, the way he was completely calm around the functioning alarm system, fooling it constantly. Morrie stumbled along, starting to wonder if it really was a good idea to take a night stroll only for good old verity’s sake. Walking over the cobblestone, his footsteps were incredibly loud to him, no matter how faintly he treaded. The way they echoed along the streets was unbearable.

But wait - were they his own?

Morrie promptly stopped, pressing himself against a wall, staring at Norbert’s figure that went off in a steady pace. Drops of sweat ran down his forehead. He was definitely not made for this. Shortly glancing back, he found only dark emptiness behind him.

God, his nerves! His intuition went crazy out here!

He broke away from the wall and hurried behind Norbert.

Nick had to keep himself from thinking too much. If he realized what he was doing, he was afraid he’d panic and hide under his blanket again. He had no idea what he’d say to Arthur, if he could stick to his quickly worked out plan, or if he’d simply break.

The image of saying goodbye to someone only brought back bad memories.

It was never done right.

It shouldn’t be done at all.

So all he could do was being afraid, actually keeping his chest from bursting with fear and climb down the ladder.

For the first time he felt like he could trip and fall at any moment. The walls seemed to watch him, as if he was an intruder, the chaos invading this silent den of toxic fog and rats.

Arthur was right.

This was a romantic place only for a stoned druggie. Not a home for a man like him.

Back on solid ground, nothing stopped Nick from running anymore.

When he reached Arthur’s shelter, he found the door open. The lump in his throat kept him from speaking while he turned every corner in the shelter.

It was empty. Just the dirty, abandoned place that it had been before Arthur had filled it with life.

“No…“ His whisper echoed through the chamber. He hurried to his tunnel suite. Inside, the bed was still unmade. Nick walked over to it, his gaze wandering along every little fold that held the last memory of their forbidden love.

The last beautiful moment before everything had fallen apart.

Nick sat down on the bed, ran his fingers along the sheets and started to sob.

Bad timing!

Bad fucking awful timing!

Why did that always happen to him?

Because he had to go down memory lane, dwell in his own fucking self-pity before he got his arse up! No time to live in memories during his escape, right? So better do it now.

And then thinking he’d be hungry at his journey. He couldn’t just walk into a shop as a Downer in the Parade. Of course he had to go the easiest way. And there was a still good-filled storage nearby, owned by someone who wouldn’t notice if a few things were missing. Or all of them. Someone who bloody deserved an empty kitchen! But of course it couldn’t be that easy, Arthur thought cowering behind a counter.

This didn’t look like it would end soon.

Did Sally cry for him after she betrayed him? If so, was it self-pity too?

Was there a selfless way to cry?

Well, Nick didn’t betray him. He just…broke up with him for no reason. And now he was crying about it. Should’ve made up his mind.

Instead, he made Arthur want to walk over and put his arms around him. Maybe pet that pretty caramel hair.

Oh, for fuck’s sake, why couldn’t he be tougher? He had been tough with Sally, right? Well, throwing a stranded girl out onto the streets had been not very tough.

Oh, heavens!

His legs started to itch. He needed to get out of there. Arthur crawled along the counter and then eyed his options. Nick was focused on the bedsheets, perhaps he wouldn’t look around. Arthur darted out of his corner and found a new spot behind a shelf. He gasped triumphantly while his heart nearly jumped out of his throat.

This wasn’t so bad! Nick wouldn’t see him, if he squeezed around the furniture and disappeared into the tunnel. Quickly, he began to crawl, setting his eyes on the devastated rockstar.

What an image! This was almost like he saw him for the first time. Broken, desperate and helpless. This image had been very impressive because during all the crying and rueing, he had also shown deep interest in a certain Downer…

Arthur couldn’t help but dwell.

That sweet taste, their intimacy that Arthur hadn’t felt since…

It had been a dream.

A world where nobody could harm him, where his own desires mattered.

Well, every dream eventually ended.

It was time to wake up.

Forcefully, Arthur brought himself to move on. With his gaze still set on Nick, he didn’t notice that he had moved the clobber on the shelf along with him. When he saw something golden floating in the corner of his eye it was already too late. The statue of Nick touched the stoney tiles and shattered into little shiny pieces.

“Sorry“, Arthur said to a flabbergasted Nick, “Was that important to you?“

“Arthur…you’re still here.“ Nick’s voice was a rasp. Arthur nervously clutched the bag he had packed with Nick’s stash.

“Uh…I…I need supplies for my escape and…I figured you wouldn’t need these anymore…since you have the Avalon suite and your own kitchen and your manager who gets you things and… I don’t have to explain myself to you! Why are you here? Stroking the bed, as if it was some precious treasure of yours? You’re the one who broke up with me!“

Nick watched Arthur rant, spilling all these words out of his mouth. He barely heard them. They sounded hostile and made Nick clutch the sheets, adding more folds to the picture.

“I made a horrible mistake“, he brought out.

Arthur talked over the pang he felt in his chest: “No, you’re right! If you want to stay here, there’s nothing I can do for you! It’s better we…stop lying to ourselves and do what’s best for us!“

God, did he have to sound so much like an arse, Arthur thought while the darkness of the tunnel lurked in the corner of his eye. It was so close, one tiny step and he’d be out of here. But his feet didn’t obey him.

“Why do you want to go so badly?“, Nick asked, no, pleaded.

God, why did he have to make this so awkward?

“Why? I told you, I can’t live this life! There’s more important things in the world than Wellington Wells! Things like…like…“

Family?

Arthur stopped himself just at the last moment.

“What does it matter to you? It’s is none of your business anymore!“

Nick let go of the bed. His hands now clung to each other.

“I wish it was.“

Arthur let out a silent breath. “What?“

Nick got up.

Run, Arthur, run!

But his damn feet…

Nick’s feet worked just fine. He stopped in a safe distance to Arthur, not close enough to make him run away. “Arthur, I know I sounded like I don’t care about you anymore. But that’s not true. I care very much about you. You mean…a lot to me.“

Arthur’s expression darkened. “So what? What do you want?“

Nick had gone a long way to come this far. He had accomplished so much. He was only one step away from fulfilling his dream.

From this day on, he could be true, let all his past mistakes go, find the better person in himself and become the man Morrie had always wanted. All it took was sacrificing the poor bugger that fate had made cross his path.

Easy as that.

But didn’t better people aways say you should listen to your heart?

“I know I don’t have the right…you asked for it before and I refused…but I have to ask you now…Could we…start over?“

“What?“

Suddenly the bag in Arthur’s hands felt very heavy. He had no idea how long he’d been holding it. And he really planned to go all the way to the bridge with this?

“No…we can’t…I prepared everything and I really need to go…“

Nick lowered his head and his shoulder fell. “I didn’t want it to end like this…“, he said quietly.

“Me neither, but you…“

The bad slipped from Arthur’s shoulder and the many cans inside caused a loud clank.

“What is this, Nick?“, Arthur cried out. “First you break up and now you want me back right after? Just like that? Is that how it works with you?“

Nick made an awkward gesture as if he wanted to shrug and then decided otherwise.

“You see…I’m a bad person…but believe me, I love you!“

Arthur gave the bag a helpless glance. He could still lift it up and go. But it didn’t look like it was in a hurry.

“What are we supposed to do now?“

“Well“, Nick dared to make a few steps forward. “If you’re too mad at me for now, you could tell me to leave you alone. I could come back later, when you know if you still want me around or not…Or we could try it right now…We could act like we met for the first time.“

He leaned against the greasy wall with one arm, in an overly nonchalant way and gave him a look with a spark in his eyes that suddenly came out of nowhere.

“Hello, beautiful stranger“, he purred. „Nice to meet you down here. Would you like a drink?“

It was so over the top. Arthur wished he could pull off a perplexed chuckle, or a sigh, anything else than turning as red as a beet. How weird was he to find that cute?

“That doesn’t work“, he said trying not to smile. “I know you.“

“Sure you know me. Everyone knows me. You can call me Nick, just like everyone else“, he replied as if Arthur wouldn’t know that by now. “So, can I cheer you up with a drink? Believe me, talking is much easier when you’re sitting down and smelling a fruity bouquet.“

It had been a question, but still Nick was setting himself into motion right after. Arthur followed him without hesitation. “Fine. But no drugs this time“, he demanded.

Nick made an upset expression. “God, no! What gave you that idea? I’m just talking about a harmless, tasty refresher. You’ll see, you’ll like it.“ Nick put two glasses on the counter before his eyes wandered along Arthur’s features. “By the way, what’s your name?“

Arthur blinked. “Guess.“

Nick opened his mouth in surprise, then let out a playful chuckle. “With pleasure…hmm…I think you have a name with a strong meaning…a name that people consider as common but describes you better than any other…“

“You’d find all of that out at the first meeting?“, Arthur teased, accepting his drink.

“Sshh“, Nick hissed quietly and waved him off. “I think you are a…“ He eyed him nonchalantly. “A Percival, yes?“

Arthur nearly choked.

“A…P…Percival…huh…“, he stuttered wiping his mouth. “Why?“

“Because it’s strong, because it has the right sound, because I think it has a connection to you…no?“

“Uh…well…it’s close…“, Arthur stuttered, trying to sound amused. “I’m impressed.“

“Only close?“ Nick said with fake disappointment. “Aww, I thought I had it.“

Arthur tasted more of the drink. It was a more subtle savour, not overly sweet but not bitter either, with an indeed fruity smell surrounding it.

“Nick…perhaps we should act normal…“

“Oh, sure.“ Nick smiled warmly. “Just be natural. Do whatever you want around me. Be free.“

“No, I mean…I don’t think this works.“ He drank more.

Nick sighed and leaned an elbow onto the counter. “At least the drinks are drinkable, hm?“

Arthur put the glass down, still feeling the taste on his tongue. “Nick…I don’t know what you put into this again, but it makes me want to grab you.“

Nick’s face lit up. “Whoa, tiger, you really let it all out on your first date! I like that!“

“Is this even a date?“

Nick chuckled irresistibly. “I think so…“

“Honestly, what did you put in there?“

Nick lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure you had alcohol before?“

Arthur reached out a hand. “Let me touch you to see if you’re real.“

“Oh my…“ Nick acted flattered. “I don’t even know your name yet…“

Arthur palpated the other man and immediately felt his warmth under his fingers. The cloth was so soft…to touchable.

“I’m afraid we have to save that for later…“

Nick was beaming with joy. “You go by ’beautiful stranger’ for now.“

Arthur leaned over to Nick. “Fine with me…“

The shadow moved, soundless but definite, stalking his prey. There couldn’t have been a better night. Starless.

There was nothing that could stop him, because someone’s time was definitely over.

He had been curious about how it’d turn out for this particular one. He had been watching him for a while, how he kept spilling venom into Nick’s heart and put him in chains. It had been a very interesting time. But now he had to end the farce.

Morrie’s fear grew again when Norbert suddenly left the road. Turning around, he was seen only for a short glimpse, then he was gone, and only Morrie’s sense told him that he hadn’t vanished into thin air.

He was thankful when his feet touched grass again. It was so soft and quiet. In a corner behind a fountain he found Norbert again. Morrie ducked behind it.

Great, he’ll meet him here, of all places. Wasn’t there a better location for…?

His train of thoughts was cut off when he saw Norbert put his hands on a wheel and turn it. What was that about? A hatch? Really? Morrie shivered in the cold. He didn’t want to go down there. What the hell was Norbert doing? Morrie suddenly had a very bad feeling in his guts. What if this wasn’t about a love affair? What if Norbert was in real danger this time? A second later, Morrie found the heart to come out of his hiding spot and rush over to Norbert, hands reaching out for him.

“Nick, what are you doing?“ Arthur chuckled helplessly. Nick had grabbed his hand, his other hand lay on Arthur’s hip, and he dragged him away from the bar.

“Have you never danced before?“, Nick teased him.

“Not in this state“, Arthur protested, while he clumsily tried to follow the other man’s pace. He let out a surprised gasp when Nick suddenly swirled him around.

“Careful!“

Nick moved fluidly. “Step on my feet all you want, beautiful stranger.“

Arthur grabbed him, eyes fixed on the ground, watching his lovers’ feet move and slowly adjusting to the rhythm. He began to feel comfortable. Nick’s tender eyes assured him he could do no wrong. Each time they set foot on the stoney floor their bodies came closer. Arthur was about to embrace Nick, what made his nerves tickle with joy. He figured that they danced like his schoolmates must’ve done it at parties. Not really dancing, rather hugging while moving along.

Did he ever dance like that?

If he wasn’t fooling himself, he remembered having at least a tiny bit of talent. Perhaps he could pull it off…

He put both hands on Nick’s hips and lifted him up in the air. Soon, he heard Nick rejoice. Two hands quickly clutched his shoulders for security. Then Arthur panicked about his spontaneous courage and wondered about the next step. If he recalled it right, he was supposed to put his partner back down in a romantic way. A second later, Nick landed not only on his feet, but also in Arthur’s arms, that were his only protection between him and the floor.

Nick melted away. He felt save. And loved. Also, it was a lot of fun.

“Can you do that again?“

Morrie didn’t come very far. The moment he decided to run was also the moment that something else caught his attention.

All he could see at first were eyes. In the glimpse of the moment, their red shine emerged from the dark. They were set on him, distorted with anger, with black pupils that stared right trough him and made his insides turn to ice. The face they belonged to, even though covered in an unnatural shimmer, seemed familiar, but Morrie couldn’t tell why. The way the stranger approached him made Morrie feel that this was very personal. But he was sure that only the devil himself could look this way.

When he realized his fate he felt grief. Grief for himself, for his love and for the world that had been beautiful once. His mouth was wide open when he took a breath, gasping a silent cry.

“Nick“, Arthur sighed and reached out for the other man, needing multiple tries to find him.

“Yeah?“, Nick purred with a voice like silk.

“Do you always put a spell on people you like?“

“Uh…I guess so…“ Nick, stuttered, not quite getting it. His fingers stroked Arthur’s skin.

“I could be far away by now. In a strange country, without even knowing you.“

Nick’s hand stopped, lingering on the spot.

“It’s true…I’m sorry…“

Arthur turned around, crawling towards the other man, until his lips nearly touched the other man’s cheek.

“Thank you“, he whispered into Nick’s ear.

#wehappyfew #we happy few #whf #whfnick #whf nick #nick lightbearer #nicklightbearer #nickxmorrie #nickxarthur #arthur hastings we happy few #whfarthurhastings #whf arthur #whfarthur #morriememento #morrie memento

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theazkabandreamer · 4 years ago

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The Lucky Birthday

A belated Happy Birthday to Harry Potter. Can also be read here.

___

Birthdays were supposed to be fun- At least that’s what Harry Potter was supposed to believe. But his birthdays were never fun.

To him, a birthday was just another day when he was chased by Dudley and shouted at by Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. This year for his birthday, he was stuck at batty Mrs Figg’s house for a week whilst the Dursley’s were holidaying in Spain.

Mrs Figg’s house was crawling with cats. Everywhere Harry turned, he would be greeted by the sight of one. He found them in the flowerbeds, hiding in saucepans and he got a shock many years ago when he accidentally sat on a cat that was hiding under the sofa cushions.

But Harry didn’t have time to relax; Mrs Figg made Harry clean the floors, empty the litter boxes and when he had nothing to do, Mrs Figg made him look at the photos of every cat she had owned.

Mrs Figg had a new cat called Winnie. Harry thought that Winnie was the strangest cat that Mrs Figg had owned. Far stranger than Tibbles, Snowy, Mr Paws and Tufty.

Winnie would be constantly watching Harry as he did his chores for Mrs Figg. He had an impression that he had seen the cat before, but he couldn’t remember where.

Even though he was bored to death, at least he was able to watch what he wanted on the telly and the food wasn’t too bad. It may be slightly overcooked and the cabbage unbearable to eat, but at least he didn’t have Dudley nicking everything.

_____

On the morning of his birthday, he woke to the smell of cooking. He got up and made sure that there wasn’t a cat hiding underneath his camp bed and entered Mrs Figg’s kitchen to see her at the cooker.

Three cats were sitting on the counter, sniffing the air as Harry sat at the table.

“Oh, good, you’re up,” Mrs Figg said briskly, tipping the contents of the pan onto a large plate. “You’ve got a busy day today. Eat up.”

She put the plate on the kitchen table and Harry looked to see something swimming in gravy. He wrinkled his nose at the smell.

“What’s that?” he asked, dreading the answer.

“Liver and bacon,” Mrs Figg said at once and Harry’s stomach did a summersault.

“I’d rather have eggs,” Harry said, pushing the plate back.

“Nonsense,” Mrs Figg snapped. “A skinny thing like you needs a hearty meal to start the day.”

“I like being skinny,” Harry said reproachfully.

Being the smallest and skinniest of his class, Harry found he had a manoeuvrability advantage which he used to get away from Dudley and his gang. It had been months since Dudley had punched him on the nose.

“If you’re not going to eat it, I’ll feed it to the cats and you can go without,” Mrs Figg said.

Several cats peered around the doorway and a fat ginger cat stuck its head from out of a flower pot. Harry groaned, admitting defeat. He couldn’t go a whole day without having any breakfast so he grabbed the plate and began eating.

It didn’t taste as bad as Harry feared, but he wouldn’t have it again. Dudley certainly wouldn’t have it- He would’ve screamed and knocked over the table.

After he had eaten all he could, he fed the leftover pieces of liver to the cats and jumped down from the table, but Mrs Figg called him back.

“Your Aunt has a birthday present for you,” she said, holding a rectangular package wrapped in brown paper. “I believe you’re seven today. You’re almost a big boy.”

Harry wasn’t particularly excited about his presents. Unlike Dudley-who was lavished with lots of presents- Harry’s presents always turned out to be disappointing.

Last year, the Dursleys got him a coat hanger for his birthday as Aunt Petunia was fed up of him leaving his clothes around the house.

As expected, Harry’s present turned out to be disappointing. It was a tube of toothpaste.

“At least they’re thinking of your teeth,” Mrs Figg said, looking at the scowl on Harry’s face. “Now, I want you washed and dressed. I have something I want you to do for me.”

Harry proceeded to Mrs Figg’s tiny bathroom full of dread. Whatever Mrs Figg wanted him to do, it wasn’t going to be fun.

Once Harry was washed and dressed, he entered the kitchen to find Mrs Figg present him with a shopping list and some money. He was told to get a bus into town and get the things on the list.

____

Ten minutes later, Harry found himself at the bus stop. It was a hot day and the sun glared down on him. He also had a funny feeling that he was being watched.

Once the bus arrived, Harry found himself sat between some irritable woman at the front and loud teenagers at the back.

The teenagers were ignoring him but the irritable women kept shooting him dirty looks and muttering under their breath about him.

“Who in their right mind would send a child on the bus all on his own?”

“Some women shouldn’t be mothers,”

“She could’ve at least dressed him properly. The state of his clothes!”

“The state of his hair! He needs to get down to the barbers and get himself a haircut!”

Harry ignored them and spent the journey looking out of the window, watching as the bus drove past his and Dudley’s school.

Harry watched the grim Victorian building with its red bricks, high windows and iron railings go past and he miserably reminded himself that he would see it again in September.

_____

There was a market taking place and the town was packed. Harry went from shop to shop getting the items on Mrs Figg’s list. He got the lamb hearts and liver from the butchers, the tins of cat food from the supermarket, the tuna from the fishmongers and the bread from the bakers.

After he got the items from the shopping list, he ticked them off.

At each shop he went to, he was met with stares and he heard people whispering about him and making similar comments to the women on the bus.

As Harry headed to the greengrocers for the last items, he had a funny feeling that he was being followed. He looked up and down the street but it was full of people going about their business.

Maybe he was imagining it. It was a hot day and the heat did funny things to the mind.

He spotted Dudley’s friend, Piers Polkiss in the greengrocers and he hid behind the grapefruits in case Piers spotted him.

But Piers was too busy being embarrassed by his mother who was loudly telling her friend about the Polkiss’s summer holiday plans.

Harry was hidden for fifteen minutes and bored senseless as Mrs Polkiss gave her friend a complete itinerary of their travel plans. He wished the Polkiss’s would hurry up and fly to Paris- He was going to be late!

It happened suddenly; a pigeon flew into the greengrocers and Mrs Polkiss let out an almighty shriek as it landed on her head. Her friend fainted as Mrs Polkiss fell sideways, sending the coconuts rolling around the shop and causing people to trip over.

Piers jumped back knocking over the stand of raspberries and sending them flying. The pigeon flapped around the shop and the manager grabbed a broom and chased it out.

Harry- who was trying not to laugh- spotted a cat running into the shop, looking around for the pigeon.

It took him a moment to realise that the cat belonged to Mrs Figg. It was her new cat, Winnie. Was it Winnie who was following him all this time? Harry knew she was an odd one.

Not willing to explain to Mrs Figg why her cat was missing, Harry ducked out from his hiding place and approached the cat who was looking for something.

“Winnie,” he hissed, trying not to attract attention.

The cat gave Harry a sharp look and turned around and to Harry’s confusion, trotted out of the shop.

With his arms numb with pins and needles, Harry followed Winnie who stopped and looked back at him expectantly.

“You- you want me to follow you?” Harry muttered.

The cat sat down, eyeing Harry with a look reminiscent of a stern schoolmistress.

Harry headed out of the shop, past Mrs Polkiss who was giving the manager of the shop a piece of her mind and gesturing to Piers who was drenched in raspberry juice and looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Harry stifled a laugh behind his hand as he left the shop and followed Winnie up the street.

“Mrs Figg will be looking for you,” Harry said to Winnie who stopped and sat down again, staring at him. “We need to get you home.”

The cat continued to stare at him as Harry made his way to the bus stop. Harry could feel its eyes bore into the back of his head like one of Uncle Vernon’s drills.

“Why are you just sitting there?” Harry asked exasperatedly, turning around to face the cat. “We’ve got to go back to Mrs Figg.”

But the cat just sat there, staring at him expectantly. Harry had a funny feeling that he had forgotten something.

“But I’ve got everything,” he said out loud, attracting some funny looks from some passers-by.

Harry pulled out the shopping list that Mrs Figg gave him and looked at it. He seemed to have ticked off everything on the list:

He had got Mrs Figg her cat food, her bread, her lambs’ hearts and liver. He had gone into the fishmongers for some tuna. He had just come from the greengrocers with her fruit and cabbage. What could he be missing?

Then it hit him.

“Oh, yeah,” Harry exclaimed. “I’ve forgotten the eggs!”

The cat ran off at once and Harry had to run to catch up with it. He soon found himself outside a newsagent. He went in and bought the eggs.

As he left, he saw the cat eating someone’s discarded fish supper. Once the cat had finished, it licked its lips and followed him up the street.

_____

It was mid-afternoon and Harry was starting to get hungry. The liver and bacon seemed like a lifetime ago. Harry headed to the market with Winnie the cat following him. Mrs Figg had given him a lot of money and he still had some left.

As it was his birthday, he thought he could at least buy himself a present. He couldn’t buy anything that he could keep forever- Dudley would have it off him faster than you could blink. But it didn’t mean that he couldn’t have something tasty to eat.

There were cheese stalls, fish stalls, meat stalls and stalls that sold the beer that Uncle Vernon would dismiss as ‘foreign muck’.

The cat gave Harry a dirty look as he passed the beer stall.

“I can’t buy a beer, I’m too young,” Harry told it, feeling as if he had been told off. The cat sped up forcing Harry to jog to keep up with it.

Harry held his nose as he went past the olive stall and saw a stand selling fresh doughnuts. Harry’s mouth watered; The Dursleys never allowed him to eat doughnuts despite allowing Dudley to do so.

A minute later, he was sitting on a bench eating a large sugared doughnut and it was the most delicious thing he had tasted. It was even better than cake!

Harry sat on the bench, watching what was happening. Little Whinging was busy as people rushed about the shops in a constant state of hurry.

He always felt as if he didn’t belong here. People always looked down their noses at him as if he were a piece of dirt. But it wasn’t like he could get away from the place- He was stuck here.

Winnie the cat was sitting at a short distance from him and Harry had a distinct impression that the cat was guarding him. He could see the cat looking up and down the street as it was expecting something to swoop down and attack Harry.

_____

It was getting late and Harry looked at his watch, certain that Mrs Figg was wondering where he was. He got up from the bench and went to the bus stop. The cat followed him there and once he got on the bus, he looked out of the window to see that the cat had vanished.

Harry felt his spirits sink. He had no idea how he was going to explain to Mrs Figg that he had somehow lost her cat when it had followed him to town.

Harry spent the bus journey in a bad mood and stepped miserably off the bus, not noticing Winnie following him back to Mrs Figg’s house.

When he walked up to Mrs Figg’s front door, it burst open and he had to jump out of the way as seven cats came scurrying out of the front door. Harry gulped as he came face to face with a furious Mrs Figg.

“What sort of time do you call this, boy?” she snapped. “If you had been any longer, I would’ve reported you missing! Have you got my shopping?”

With shaking hands, Harry handed her the bags and she checked her list.

“I see you’re not as useless as your Aunt says you are,” she said. “Well, don’t just stand there. Come in and help me put the shopping away.”

“Mrs Figg, your cat,” Harry said panickedly. “Winnie followed me into town and when I got back on the bus, it disappeared. I swear I didn’t do anything to it, I promise!

“Calm down, boy!” Mrs Figg said sharply. “You don’t need to worry about Winnie. She’s always wandering off on her own. Here she is now.”

Harry was both shocked and relieved to see Winnie the cat sitting on the kitchen table, looking at Harry with those stern eyes.

The cat continued to watch Harry as he put the shopping away for Mrs Figg which wasn’t easy. Every cupboard he opened, a cat was hiding behind it. He got a shock when he opened the fridge to see a fluffy white cat tucking into Mrs Figg’s ham.

By the time he was finished, Harry was exhausted; His arms were aching from carrying the shopping and his legs ached from all that walking.

“Well, that’s everything,” Mrs Figg said. “I’m going to start preparing dinner. You can go and make yourself scarce. Have a look at what’s on the telly.”

“We’re not having liver again, are we?” Harry asked dubiously.

“I’ll think about it,” Mrs Figg said brusquely. “Now run along.”

Before Harry could move, Winnie the cat moved towards him, nuzzling her head on Harry’s arm. Harry scratched the cat’s head and it closed its eyes lazily, enjoying the fuss. The cat then looked to the kitchen doorway as if it was dismissing Harry.

Harry headed to Mrs Figg’s cluttered living room, where he checked for any cats hiding in the sofa cushions before sitting down and turning on the telly.

After his busy trip, his body ached with tiredness. Today had turned out rather well. He managed to get everything on Mrs Figg’s list, saw Piers Polkiss completely humiliated and didn’t get punished for losing Mrs Figg’s cat.

Out of all of his birthdays, Harry had to admit that this was the best one. Maybe seven was a lucky number after all. With those comforting thoughts, Harry closed his eyes and fell asleep straight away.

_______

Back in the kitchen, Mrs Figg gently closed the door. She was relieved that the boy came home in one piece. It was a good thing that she sent Winnie to watch over him. She glanced at the tabby who was still sitting on the table and approached it.

“It was a good thing that you were here today,” Mrs Figg said quietly. “I couldn’t have pulled it off it wasn’t for you, Professor McGonagall,”

Mrs Figg turned to look at the cat only to see that the cat had gone and a tall woman wearing emerald green robes stood next to the kitchen table.

She had a stern face, square spectacles and her hair was pulled up in a tight bun.

“No problem, Arabella,” Professor McGonagall said. “The boy was no trouble at all. It amazes me how he looks so much like James, but with Lily’s eyes.”

“I was startled by the resemblance myself,” Mrs Figg said. “Did he get anything for his birthday? I made sure to leave just enough money for him to buy a little something for himself.”

“All he was interested in was a doughnut,” Professor McGonagall said looking rather amused. “You should’ve seen his face, Arabella. I’ve never seen a child get so excited over a doughnut.”

“I don’t think his Aunt and Uncle allow him to have something like that,” Mrs Figg said thoughtfully. “They give him the bare minimum whilst letting that awful lump of a son stuff his face.”

“I told Dumbledore that those Muggles were the worst sort imaginable, but he wouldn’t listen,” Professor McGonagall said disapprovingly.

“I don’t think I’m in a position to question Dumbledore, Minerva,” Mrs Figg said. “The best I can do is watch over the boy and make sure he’s safe.”

“I believe he gets bullied,” Professor McGonagall said sadly. “He was trying to avoid a boy his age in the greengrocers. He was a short boy, face like a rat.”

“Piers Polkiss?” Mrs Figg asked, frowning. “I believe that he’s friends with Dudley. I’ve seen them trying to chase Harry. That boy is a nasty piece of work. I never trusted him since ten pounds went missing from my purse. The boy said he didn’t do it, but Tibbles returned with the money. The Polkiss boy has been avoiding me ever since.”

“He was in there for such a long time, I had to cause a distraction,” Professor McGonagall said. “The Polkiss boy got drenched with raspberry juice in the process. Harry got a good laugh out of it though.”

“I would’ve liked to have seen that,” Mrs Figg said, smiling at the prospect of a happy Harry. “It’s about time that that thieving boy got his comeuppance. There are plenty of times when I wish I could give Harry a hug. I sometimes think I’ve been too hard on the boy, but I can’t break my cover. The best I can do is make sure the boy is safe.”

Mrs Figg’s voice cracked and Professor McGonagall whipped a tissue out from her robes.

“Have a tissue, Arabella,” Professor McGonagall said, patting Mrs Figg on the arm comfortingly. “I know it’s hard. I had to watch Dumbledore place the boy on his Aunt and Uncle’s doorstep that night. It was a good suggestion of yours to get the boy out for his birthday. He’s very bright for his age.”

Mrs Figg blew her nose and gently opened the door and peeked her head in the living room to check up on Harry. She saw the boy sitting on the sofa fast asleep with three of her cats sleeping close to him. He looked as if all of his troubles had melted away.

Mrs Figg wished that he looked like that when he was awake, but orders were orders and Dumbledore trusted her to watch over him.

“How is he?” Professor McGonagall whispered.

“See for yourself,” Mrs Figg said and Professor McGonagall peered around the living room door.

Mrs Figg saw Professor McGonagall’s expression soften as she looked at Harry. She took a tissue from her robes and blew her nose.

“I’ll let him sleep for a while and then do his dinner,” Mrs Figg said. “The poor boy needs it.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” Professor McGonagall said quietly. “And for heaven’s sake Arabella, don’t go giving the poor boy liver again. There would be an almighty riot if we served it for breakfast at Hogwarts. If he wants eggs then cook him some for his birthday. After all, it’s not every day that you’re seven.”

“Four years until he comes to you, Minerva,” Mrs Figg said.

“I look forward to it,” Professor McGonagall said, smiling at Mrs Figg. “The day Harry Potter returns to our world will be a day of great celebration. Give the boy a biscuit for me.”

With that, Professor McGonagall turned on her heel and opened the front door before turning into a cat again and trotting off down the road.

Mrs Figg stood there watching her leave, pleased that she had done her bit in keeping Harry Potter safe.

#Harry Potter #Arabella Figg #Piers Polkiss #cats #Shopping trips #Little Whinging #Surrey #Happy Birthday Harry Potter #Harry Potter's Birthday #Lot's of cats #happy birthday harry writing fest

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kindofcashton · 5 years ago

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𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕕 • chapter 13 (Calum Hood AU)

I MADE SURE to stay just barely tipsy through the night. I knew how I got when I was drunk, and tonight I didn’t want to lose control. Too many things were on my mind, and I knew even the cocktail in front of me would fail at clearing my thoughts. But I made sure to wipe all preoccupation from my face; Hannah needed to have a good time, and I would deliver it to her.

While I was almost sober, she was rip roaring drunk. I had to haul her off of quite a few tabletops in fear she’d fall over and break a bone. She was sloppy and sad and sucking down fruity martinis like she was a thirsty traveler in a dry desert, and I didn’t have the heart to stop her. If I were her, I’d be devastated too. I knew it was possibly self-destructive behavior, but I’d had my own fair share of that as well. So I stayed by her side, vigilant and ready to jump in at a moment’s notice if she needed me.

Dropping her head lazily onto her hand, Hannah pouted at me. “Scarlett,” she slurred, clumsily reaching out to grab my arm. “You need to go.”

“What?” I questioned immediately, pausing in my absent-minded stirring of my drink. “What are you talking about?”

Hannah shook her head, hair falling in front of her eyes. “No, not leave. Go. Over there.” She lifted a shaky finger and pointed somewhere in the crowd of bodies in the center of the club. I couldn’t decipher her target, and frowned.

“Han, I don’t--”

“Scarlett,” she interrupted. “I’m talking about going over where that guy has been staring at you for the past hour.” I tracked her gaze and followed her pointed finger until I caught sight of him; tall, with messy brown hair and stubble. He was in a cluster of other guys, his friends presumably, but every now and then his eyes drifted over to me. When he caught me watching him, he smiled, flashing a row of perfect teeth.

I groaned, turning back to Hannah. “He’s definitely cute, but I don’t want to leave you.” It was more than that; I was scared to at this point. Who knew what trouble she’d get herself into.

Hannah sighed loudly. “Scarlett, I don’t think I have a boyfriend anymore. Normally when I’m single, I can’t keep my hands off people. But seeing as I can’t even see three feet in front of me, you need to pick up the slack.”

My brows furrowed, and I took a sip of my drink. “Are you saying you want me to get with that guy for the both of us?”

“Yes,” Hannah exclaimed, shaking her fists in victory. “Go get some, for my sake.”

As I licked my lips, considering her demand, I thought about Calum. More particularly, the way we’d left things at the house. I was mad at him for saying what we did was nothing, but then he wasn’t thrilled that I was going out. What did all of it mean? Was he thinking about me right now, wondering if I was doing what I’m about to do? Should I do what I’m about to do, if I would rather do it with him?

Hannah’s pleading eyes gave me my answer. And besides, knowing Calum he probably didn’t care at all. So I stood up from the table, downed the rest of drink, and strided into the throng of dancers.

I pushed through the crowd, worried for a second I wouldn’t be able to find him. But then my eyes locked with his clear blue ones, and my stomach flipped. Cuter up close, I thought approvingly, my smirk growing as I approached him. His friends saw me and gave him a clap on the back and a round of cheers before backing off to let us talk.

When I finally reached him, I crossed my arms and quirked one eyebrow. “My friend just informed me you’ve been watching me for a while.”

His smile was sheepish, illuminated by the roving rainbow lights above us. “She caught me. But can you really blame me when you look like this?” His compliment sent a flush to my cheeks, and I started to feel the cocktail working its magic as my brain became fuzzy and my smile clumsy.

“I guess not,” I replied. At that moment, the song switched into one I recognized, and I closed my eyes blissfully. It was slower, with a sultry melody that dripped into my veins. “Oh, I love this song.” It reminded me of being at school and going to big parties with far too many people. My hips swayed naturally to the beat, and when I felt hands gently fall onto my hips my eyes snapped open. The guy had moved closer to me, holding my waist as his head bent low. Grinning, I wrapped my arms around his neck and we moved together, his hands grazing lower until I felt them on my bum. I giggled, moving my hips in tune and throwing my head back.

“I’m Scarlett,” I added.

“Nick,” came his response just as the song switched into a much livelier one.

I lost track of how long we danced, all of my focus on Nick and his hands and his smile. I definitely wasn’t drunk, but the world had a funny glow to it all the same. I felt comfortable and confident here with him, two things I almost never felt with Calum.

Shut up, I reprimanded myself. Why can’t you just forget about him? Somehow Calum always crept up in my mind just when I was feeling happiest. He had some sort of power over me that I hated; just once, I wanted to be free of his oppressive stare.

What are you saying? came another little voice in my head, the one that actually liked being with Calum. Guilt flooded through me as I remembered the events and revelations of the day. Calum pouring his soul out about his family, the kiss I gave him by his car, the way I’d never felt more connected to someone in my life. Maybe I was the bad guy in this story, seeing as I had left him.

The war of perspectives waging in my brain was suffocating. Did I like Calum, did I hate him. Did he hate me, did he secretly need me. It was all too much, and I found myself sighing.

Nick looked down at me in concern. “Everything okay?”

I shook my head, sobering up after a long night of dancing. “It’s nothing, just...I totally forgot about my friend.” It wasn’t the true reason for my change in mood, but I did completely forget about Hannah. My eyes scanned the perimeter, finally locating her at the bar as she tried to convince the bartender to give her another drink. She was so wasted he was definitely not going to budge, and I saw the frustration clear on his face.

Turning back to Nick, I placed my hand on his chest. “I think I have to go,” I admitted regretfully, but he grabbed my arm to stop me, bringing his face close to mine.

“Come home with me,” he whispered, and my heart leaped in my chest. The idea wasn’t unappealing, and for a brief second I imagined what it would be like to go home with him. But worry for Hannah superseded any desire, and I shook my head.

“I really can’t, she needs me right now. But trust me, I want to.” I thought that was the end of it, but then Nick pulled out his phone.

“Let’s just put a pin it, then,” he offered with a smile, and I pursed my lips in amusement. We exchanged numbers, and before I left I planted a long kiss on his lips that would definitely keep me on his mind for a few days.

Weaving through the club, I reached Hannah and tapped her shoulder. She flinched, clearly disoriented and out of it. When she saw me she raised her empty glass.

“Scar, tell this guy I can have another drink.” The bartender looked about ready to throw her out, and I set him an apologetic glance. Taking her by the arm, I led Hannah towards the door despite her protesting.

The wait for our uber was long and cold. A chilly night breeze had my teeth chattering, but Hannah seemed so intoxicated she didn’t even feel the cold. She just wobbled next to me, groaning about her headache and the bad aftertaste of the fireball shot she’d done.

“Do you feel any better?” I asked, hoping our night out had served its purpose. Her frown was evident as she shrugged, eyes glassy with either tears or alcohol.

“It felt good in the moment. It always does, though. And then the moment ends.” Her words were short but they carried weight. I understood her completely; I felt similarly about Calum. When I was with him, I never wanted to leave. But when we were apart, there was nothing but a bitter taste in my mouth.

When we slid into the backseat of the uber, I had the sudden urge to confess everything to Hannah. Tell her about my three kisses with Calum, how he spent the night, how he whisked me away when Ashton turned on me. I needed to tell someone, or else I’d lose my mind.

Luckily, Hannah provided the perfect segue by asking, “So why didn’t you go home with that guy? He was hot.”

I bit my lip, deciding to just dive in. “I wanted to, but...someone else was on my mind.”

This peaked her interest, and Hannah twisted to face me. “Who? Not Jeremy, right?”

“No way, I haven’t though of him in forever.” I took a deep breath. “No, actually I was thinking about Calum.”

Hannah’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and her jaw dropped. “Really?”

I nodded shyly. “Yeah. We’ve actually kissed a few times, and once he even slept in my room. But every time things are good between us...they go bad.” It felt good to get this off my chest, even if Hannah was so drunk she might not remember it tomorrow. In a way, I would’ve preferred this.

She considered the explanation for a second. “I knew there was something weird between you two,” she remarked. “Calum was just so...odd whenever you were around. Normally he’s an asshole, but with you it’s like a whole new level.”

“Tell me about it,” I murmured. “It’s exhausting. I just want him to decide if he hates me or not, because this back and forth is too much.”

Hannah nodded, leaning back and exhaling deeply. “I don’t know if Calum has ever been able to figure out what he wants,” she confessed. “He’s been through so much, I kind of just let his bad attitude slide.”

“But I want to help him. Letting him wallow in his misery isn’t doing any good.”

Hannah laughed shortly. “Calum hasn’t let anyone help him his whole life, good luck cracking that shell.” She must have detected my disappointment, because Hannah added, “But who knows? You might be the first to do it. I say you’ve got a pretty good shot.” Her smile was warm and comforting, and I leaned against her arm. I didn’t know whether I would keep trying to help Calum, honestly. It might not have been worth it.

The house was dark when we got back. Michael’s car wasn’t in the driveway next to Calum’s mustang, and when we got inside there was a note saying Michael and Luke had gone to Ashton’s for the night. I hid the note from Hannah, who hadn’t noticed the missing car, and gave her a tight smile as she went down to the basement.

Blowing out a sigh, I leaned back against the kitchen counter. I was pretty much sober again, pouring myself a glass of water to wash out the last remnants of alcohol from my mouth. I kicked my heels off and yawned, reading 2:24am on the small oven clock.

Just as I placed the empty glass in the sink and decided to head to bed, Calum appeared by the kitchen entrance. My heart clenched at the sight of him, wearing joggers and a gray shirt. He looked wide awake despite the time, and I knew then I was in for a long night.

“Look who’s back,” he commented icily, hands resting in his pockets as he leaned against the wall nonchalantly.

I kept my expression neutral as I answered, “Yeah, Hannah was pretty out of it so I thought I should bring her home.”

“How thoughtful of you,” he sneered. “You’re such a great friend, letting her get shit-faced and then bringing all the broken pieces home.”

Sighing, I fought against my instinct to react harshly. That’s exactly what he wanted: a reaction. But tonight, I would not be giving into him. “Look, Calum, I’m sorry I left so suddenly before we got a chance to talk, but I did it for Hannah. She needed me.”

His smirk soured into a glare. “What makes you think I wanted to talk? I have nothing to say to you.” His arms crossed defensively as the air got tenser by the second.

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I pushed off the counter to take a step forward. “Okay, if you didn’t want to talk to me why did you look so pissed when I was leaving?”

“I wasn’t pissed.”

“Bullshit,” I refuted, folding my own arms now. I wouldn’t let him lie about what I knew I saw; he didn’t want me to go, but I needed to know why.

Calum just scoffed. “No, you’re bullshit Scarlett. Your obsessive need to know everything and try to help everyone is bullshit. I don’t care what you do, because I couldn’t give less of a shit about you.”

I swallowed roughly, already feeling moisture build in my eyes. Don’t let him see you cry. Pulling my lips into my mouth, I fought to keep my composure. “You know Calum, a lot of people put up with your shitty attitude. But soon you’re gonna drive everyone away when they don’t feel like dealing with you anymore.” For emphasis I brushed passed him, stalking up the stairs and tugging at the tight, uncomfortable fabric of my dress. I was hot and irritated, and needed to unwind alone in my room.

But footsteps behind me alerted me to Calum’s insistent following, and I whirled around before entering my room.

“What?” I demanded.

He scowled down at me, his towering frame suddenly very intimidating when it was so close. I felt the emptiness of the upstairs without Luke here, and with Hannah all the way downstairs Calum and I were truly alone.

“My attitude might be shitty, but at least I don’t drive everyone insane with all the lying and the stupid good-girl act. I think people are gonna get sick of you far sooner than me.” His words were clipped and cruel and they dug deep, but not enough to truly hurt me. Instead, I retaliated by pulling my phone out and dialing the newest number added to my contact list.

“Oh, really?” I countered. “Let’s see how sick of me Nick is.” At the sound of another guy’s name, Calum tensed, and I felt a rush of evil satisfaction. The phone rang a few times, obviously going to voicemail since it was so late and he was probably asleep.

Smiling darkly, I spoke into the phone, “Hey Nick, it’s Scarlett. The girl you couldn’t keep your eyes off of at the club--or your hands.” A vein in Calum’s neck twinged, but I kept going. “I wished I could’ve taken you up on your offer to go home tonight, but things got in the way. How about we try again tomorrow night--dinner, a movie, whatever you want.” I made sure that last proposition was bathed in innuendo, and luckily it hit Calum right where I needed to. He looked about ready to smash my phone into a million pieces as I wrapped up the voicemail. “Anyway, give me a call when you get this. I’ll be waiting.”

Just as I hit the end call button, Calum eliminated what little distance was left between us as his chest pushed me against the wall. I inhaled sharply, surprised at the sudden movement.

I could barely see his dark eyes in the pitch black hallway. “I hate you,” came his voice, deep and resonating. My lips parted, soft air exhaling as my breath quickened.

“Good,” I murmured, gaze flitting down to his mouth. “Because I hate you too.”

The last word had barely been uttered before his lips crashed into mine. This was a far different kiss than the one we’d shared in the parking lot of the diner. That had been gentle, intimate, full of feeling. This was hot, rushed, and dripping with desire. Anger fueled our bodies and lit us on fire, the passion between us born from hatred.

Calum’s lips were rough on mine, and he wasted no time in driving his tongue against mine. My fingers gripped his curls, pulling slightly and eliciting a slight groan from his throat. He tugged at my bottom lip with his teeth, a sort of pleasurable pain I’d never felt before. His hands scorched up my sides, practically burning holes through the thin fabric of my dress.

Wrapping my leg around his waist, I felt his hands hitch under my ass as I moved my lips across his face. I found a spot below his ear and focused my attention here, sucking and nipping and licking until I heard the sounds of pleasure rumble in his throat.

In a swift motion, he gripped the back of my thighs and brought me towards the door of his bedroom, pushing through and slamming it behind him with a deft kick of his foot. I had no time to register my dark surroundings before I was hurled onto the bed, my dress bunched up at my hips.

Calum’s large frame loomed before me in the dark as he crawled up the bed, settling between my legs as I wrapped them around him. He reconnected our lips for a moment, and then moved to explore the skin on my neck and collarbone. My breathing was erratic as I felt his tongue swipe out against my skin, love bites being littered across the creamy white surface. His hands ran up my thighs, pushing the dress further up until I was sick of the garment altogether.

Gripping the back of his neck, I pulled his head back to mine and whispered, “Off.” It took him no time to react, and as I leaned up he practically ripped the dress off of me, the zipper surely breaking in the process. He threw the dress off to the side, landing in a heap of fabric. Once my body was freed from the cover, his eyes greedily roamed across my chest. I hadn’t worn a bra, now only clad in my panties.

Calum ducked back down, kissing down the swell of my breasts until his lips found my left nipple. I moaned as he began licking at the sensitive bud, his hand working to massage my other breast. My back arched into his mouth, hands dragging across his still clothed back and impatiently pulling at his shirt. He leaned back so I could rip it off, eyes glinting in the darkness.

His tongue lashed against mine as we kissed again, my breasts pressed against the skin of his chest. I felt his leg dig between my thighs, brushing against my thinly covered core and making me whine. Calum heard the noise and leaned back, shifting so his hand could drift down my body. It skimmed across my breasts, the dip of my stomach and finally stopping at the band of my underwear. I sucked in a breath, anticipating what was to come.

I felt his fingers ghosting up my thighs, my pulsing heat so close to his touch. His index finger dragged across my covered center, making my hips shift towards him. He was teasing me, hovering above my lips as he stopped kissing me and danced around the one spot I desperately needed him to touch.

I didn’t know how much longer I could take his feather-light touches, and was about to complain when all of a sudden my panties were pushed to the side and his fingers finally traced my slit. A string of moans fell from my lips as my hands gripped the sheets, and I cried out when he sunk a finger into my slick folds. He circled his hand, pressing his thumb right on my clit. My whole body jumped at this, heat erupting from the bundle of nerves he had complete control of. I couldn’t control the sounds leaving me as he pumped his finger harder, using his thumb to expertly circle my clit until I was an unraveling mess.

“God, Calum,” I breathed, eyes rolling into the back of my head. He added a second finger, stretching my core deliciously. My fingernails dug into his bicep, surely leaving marks. But this only quickened his movements, and the waves of pleasure began to cascade over me.

With one final flick of his thumb on my clit, I was gone. The burning in my stomach erupted into fireworks as euphoria pulsed through me, causing me to cry out in ecstasy. I rode my high all the way through, feeling Calum’s fingers work me until I was finished. When I’d recovered from the orgasm, he removed his fingers and brought them to his lips, glistening with my arousal. As he wrapped his mouth around his wet fingers, I felt myself getting turned on again despite my release, and I channeled this into confidence.

Flipping us over so I was on top, I pressed a light kiss to Calum’s lips. My legs straddled him, and I moved down until my hands gripped the waistband of his joggers. I watched his face the whole time, taking in his wild eyes and panting breaths. I pulled the sweatpants down until he could kick them off, and ran my hands up his legs until I reached his boxers. An unmistakable bulge had grown underneath the black fabric, and I trailed my hand over it, making him suck in a breath.

Grinning in the pitch black room, I kissed up his chest until I reached his jaw. I felt his heaving chest under my palm, and brought my hand lower and lower until I grazed across a thin line of hair leading into his briefs. I sucked on his neck, expertly running my hand across his growing mound and causing him to jerk at the sensation. I was teasing him just the way he teased me, skimming under the band of his boxers before finally letting my hand disappear into them.

His length was long and silky, and I felt his impressive size with my fingers. Calum tried to suppress the groans rising in his throat, but when I wrapped my hand around his cock he couldn’t resist letting a groan leave his lips. I pushed his boxers down slightly further, letting his stiff erection spring free. Moving my lips to his mouth, I swallowed his moans of pleasure as I pumped his cock. I collected the moisture at his tip and used it to slide my palm up and down, creating a rhythm that had his hips bucking in pleasure.

“Fuck,” Calum swore, hands tangling into my hair as his body reacted to my hand. I let my fingers massage his tip, his cock twitching and his brows knitting. He grew stiffer and stiffer as he neared his end, and as I grazed the base of his length near his balls he moaned, punching the sheets beside me.

Another slick pump and he was done, white release shooting out onto his lower abdomen as curses tumbled from his mouth. I rubbed him down from his orgasm, pausing our kiss as I held my face above his. My eyes met his, seeing how blown out his pupils had gotten. His parted lips reached up to meet mine, and I met his body willingly.

He reached an arm out over the bed, fishing for something on the floor as he used another hand to reposition his boxers. I saw him grab a towel and swipe it across his stomach, tossing it over and rolling onto his side to reattach our lips. My head was buzzing from my high, my whole body bathed in the aftermath of what he’d done to me. We were both only wearing underwear, but I didn’t care as I laid on top of him, breasts flush against his skin.

Eventually our kiss slowed, ending with a final press of my lips to the corner of his mouth, and I watched his eyes flutter closed as he pulled the blankets over us. I fell asleep with my hand on his chest, his arm under my head, entangling our bodies in a way I never wanted to undo.

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thorne93 · 5 years ago

Text

Unforeseen Chasm (Part 47)

Prompt: Two sisters fall for men that are absolute enemies. The love they have could tear all of them apart, or it could bring them together.

Word Count:1900

Warnings: Language, this part continues through Ultron Movie song for this part: Note: This is by far the longest thing I’ve ever written (including my novels). It’s a collaboration with the amazing @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo. It started as a funny “What if…?” and it evolved and got huge. This took two years to write. We are both proud and happy and we hope you enjoy it. It follows from Thor 1 to Endgame in the MCU. Some of the timelines may be off in order to fit certain people, and some characters may show up earlier or in different ways than they have in the movie. But for the most part, it follows the MCU. It also has a bit of crossover with some other Marvel characters throughout the story.

Masterlist for Unforeseen Chasm

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

When you woke up, you were inside the jet. You sat up quickly before Steve calmed you down.

“What happened? Is Shannon okay? I was with her and--”

Steve put a hand on your shoulder, shaking his head. “She’s fine, she’s fine. We’re all.. Fine. That twin -- she put memories, or… visions in our heads. Things we didn’t want to see.”

You slowly sat up further, a blanket falling off you. “Shit. The vibranium. Ultron. Did you kill him?”

“No. They got to all of us too fast.”

“So where are we going?” you asked, looking around.

“I think Clint is taking us to a safehouse.”

“Safehouse… wh--”

“Banner... She unleashed him. Tony had to fight him. Some civilians got hurt. Tony collapsed a building with him. The public isn’t exactly Avengers friendly right now.”

You shook your head. “So he's getting exactly what he wanted,” you said with a sigh.

“Looks like it. So, until this blows over, we have to lay low somewhere.”

You nodded and Steve was about to get up before you suddenly grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry I got your team involved in this. If I had known it would lead here, I never would’ve…”

All he did was nod his head and give you a soft smile before you let go of his hand. As he left you, he went to sit down. Everyone was in their own world, in their head. Your eyes traveled to Shannon, who sat across the jet from you, behind Tony, a feeling of fear and guilt strangling you. No one even sat near each other.

--------------------------------

The jet ride was a long one. You’d fallen asleep twice, only to be woken by turbulence. At one point, Tony sauntered over to you and plopped down.

“You know, I’ve never been able to figure you out,” he informed.

Your body was tense with him beside you. You felt like you always had to be on the defensive with him.

“Before the coo-coo for Loki puff’s thing, you turned down a job at Stark Industries. A job anyone else would kill for. You’ve got the brain, but you didn’t accept a job that paid triple what you were getting paid with Foster.”

You remained silent, wondering where he was going.

“Then we find out you’re Asgardian. Okay, no big deal. Shannon’s got powers, you’re an alien. Nothing that out of the ordinary.”

Still silent.

“Then you throw yourself off the edge of a bridge, into the abyss, for a guy you barely know. Only to show up a year later, and nearly kill your family and friends.”

“Tony, I--”

He held up his hand. “You move Heaven and Earth just to get to us, only to purposely fail a mission that could end in your death, at the very least imprisonment. Then, you bend over backwards to prove you’re turning over a new leaf, even trying to join the Avengers. You even backed me up when a bot went rogue.”

“Because you didn’t do anything wrong…” You thought for a moment before saying, “You’ve never done anything wrong. Everything you’ve ever done, or said… I agree with. You have Shannon’s best interest at heart, and you’re always looking out for your family. Your heart has always been in the right place. Despite our differences, despite what you feel about me, you’re a good man, Tony.”

“I still can’t figure you out…” he mused, eyeing you up and down from the corner of his eye. “But I think in some twisted way… you’ve got the same principles I do.”

“I believe in protecting my loved ones,” you stated quietly.

“I know,” he said, a tone of wisdom wrapping his voice. “I just wanted to say thanks…”

He waited a second before getting up and walking back near Shannon.

-----------------------------------

Finally, you were at the safe house. A farm, in the middle of nowhere. It was Clint’s house, with his wife and kids that none of you knew existed.

All of you got showers and settled in, about to eat dinner when suddenly Nick Fury walked in. From there, you all pieced together that Ultron was trying to evolve, evolve a form of himself. That could be done with Dr. Cho and her team and he had the scepter, he could do whatever he wanted with her.

That was the next part of the plan.

Steve was to infiltrate Cho’s office, determine what he was doing. You, Nat, and Clint were in the jet. Steve found out there was a new body in a cradle, that needed to get to Stark. Shannon was with Steve. Her job was to get the cradle while Steve distracted him.

Steve was working to fight Ultron, keep him focused on him. Steve was starting to need some help, so Clint sent in Natasha. Your job was to protect the cradle once Shannon got it to you, while Barton flew the jet.

“Little help here, guys,” Shannon said into the coms.

“What’s up?” you asked.

“Ultron has some guards. Need them out of here before I can get the cradle.”

In any other situation, she could’ve just ripped them apart with her powers, but she couldn’t risk the gem inside the cradle getting jostled and leveling the city. Eventually Nat got to Steve to help.

“Maybe I could draw them out,” you offered, talking to Barton.

“No, we need you here to make sure my ass doesn't get killed.”

You frowned, worried for Shannon and the rest of the team. You wanted to be more help. You’d had offensive training, now would be a good time to use it.

But you stayed put. You weren’t an Avenger. You were here out of a courtesy, so you obeyed orders. Then Clint went down and shot at Ultron to draw out the bots. It worked, except now you were flipping inside the jet.

“Hang on!” Clint ordered. “Gotta shake these things.” Suddenly he spun the jet like a corkscrew, and you held onto one of the handles inside for dear life. Surprisingly, you didn’t get motion sickness. You thought you would, but maybe your Asgardian form could take it. It knocked them off and they began flying back towards ground.

“They’re headed back to you, so whatever you’re gonna do, Shannon, do it now,” he advised.

Suddenly the bots elevated the trailer of the semi and it was flying.

“Okay, package is airborne,” he said, readying the missiles. “I have a clean shot.”

“No, don’t. I’m still inside,” Shannon informed.

“What?” you asked, stepping forward beside Clint, looking into the trailer. “Shan--”

“Just… I’m sending the package to you. Get ready.”

“Ready,” he stated. He angled the jet so that she could let the cradle fall. She held onto it, falling with it. But suddenly Ultron came and grabbed Shannon. You weren’t sure if he was trying to grab her and the cradle or what his goal was -- but he only nabbed her.

“Shannon!” you screamed as you ran to the edge.

“Where the hell did she go?” Clint asked. “I don’t have eyes on her. Cap, you got eyes on her?”

“If you have the package, get it to Stark! Go!”

“Do you have eyes on Shannon?”

Nat spoke up. “I don’t see her, Clint,” she said with a sad tone.

“Go!” Steve ordered.

You and Clint exchanged a look. He submitted and began to fly off, angrily, he shouted, “Damn it!”

You sighed as you sat down in the back of the jet, looking at the cradle. “How are we going to tell Tony we lost his wife?” you asked, despair in your voice before glancing to Clint.

“We didn’t lose her. She can cover herself. We gotta get this back to Stark though.”

You nodded in agreement and all too soon you were back at the tower.

“You actually pulled it off,” Stark remarked as you all got it unloaded and put in one of his labs. “Wait, where’s Shannon?”

“Tony, I--”

“Ultron took her,” Clint chimed in. You narrowed your eyes at him.

“He what? How--Am I missing something or were you supposed to be there for more protection?” Tony asked, pointing at you, his face clear with rage.

“I was, but Tony she was mid-air and I couldn’t get to her. Our mission was to get the cradle--”

“Your mission? First of all, you’re not an Avenger, alright? And you never will be, we don’t exactly let ex-cons into this group. The only reason you even got to go on this little field trip is because my wife -- who is missing now because of you by the way -- begged me. Secondly, your mission was to protect the team. God, I honestly thought you were turning a new leaf, but you couldn’t even follow through with that.”

“I tried, Tony, I did. But the cradle is the most important--”

“Why? Because it’s got that stone in it? The thing that powered the precious scepter. God, have I been right all along? Has this only been about the stone, the power to you?”

“No!” you cried out, tears threatening. “I’m just as upset that Shannon is gone, maybe more, alright? But Steve told us to get back here, that Shannon could take care of herself.”

“Tony, let off the kid, alright?” Clint asked. “We tried to go after her but like she said, Steve told us to get this thing to you. Her mission wasn’t to protect everyone, it was to keep the cradle safe and to keep Ultron off me. She did her job. She obeyed orders.”

“Glad that’s all she can do,” he remarked. He shook his head and started to walk toward the cradle.

You gave Clint a silent thanks. All he did was eye you up and down in response. “I’m gonna go check the radio frequencies. Try some old-school spy stuff.”

Then Bruce and Tony began working on the cradle, to dismantle whatever Ultron had built. You tentatively stepped forward. “Is there any way I can help?”

“No, actually, I think you’ve done quite enough.”

Your gaze cast to the floor as you nodded. “If you uh… don’t need me… I’ll head home then.”

Bruce glanced to you, but said nothing. Tony ignored you altogether.

Without another word, you nodded, pressing your lips together before returning home to Loki.

“How did the mission go, love?” he asked and suddenly you burst into tears. He immediately wrapped you in an embrace, kissing your hair. “Darling, what happened?”

“Shannon...She was kidnapped. Tony blames me. I blame me… I was no help….”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” he disagreed sweetly, holding you.

“Loki--”

“Darling,” he began, pushing you slightly away so he could look at you, “I know you. You’re a fierce, loyal fighter. If there was something you could’ve done for her, you would’ve done it. You did your part of the mission, hmm?”

“Well, yes, I got the cradle but--”

“Then that’s all that matters,” he assured, his hands on your shoulders. “Shannon is a smart woman. She isn’t your responsibility.”

But she felt like it.... She was your best friend, your sister. You weren’t supposed to let anything happen to her… But what could you do now? One thing was certain -- she wasn’t dead, or Ultron would’ve been gloating by now, and he wasn’t.

So she was still safe… for now.

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

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Loki: @lostinspace33 @ultrarebelheart @lenawiinchester @esoltis280 @tngrayson @wangdeasang @harrymewmew @jayfantasyatyourservice

UC: @lokis-high-priestess

#unforeseen chasm #loki x reader #loki fic #Loki Laufeyson #tony stark fic #tony stark #tony stark x ofc #steve rogers #natasha romanoff #clint barton #bruce banner #thor #nick fury #maria hill #age of ultron #the maximoff twins #mentions of bucky #mentions of thanos

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misscrazyfangirl321 · 4 years ago

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trubel and sean: Putting arm over their shoulders

(So this is the result of a headcanon/AU possibility @taleasoldastime-andspace and I discussed. I’m probably never going to write the full backstory, but all you really need to know is that Trubel and Sean find out that she’s actually his daughter. Meisner knew, but no one else did.)

This is for Friends and Family August. Brief mentions of romance, specifically of Sean with Trubel’s mother, but this is mostly family love.

He’s not as surprised as he should be to find her at the grave.

She’s leaning back against a tree, staring blankly at the simple stone. There’s no name on it, of course; no engravings, nothing to risk any of his many enemies finding it. No honor for Martin Meisner, then, even in the end.

“You following me?” She asks, and he’s prepared for anger, but not… This. Bland, lifeless, impassive. Like something inside her has cracked. (This is his fault, all his fault-)

“No.” He takes a tentative step toward her, careful not to get too close. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

She frowns. “Then why-” She pauses, and a sharp, bitter laugh slips from her lips. “You’re here to yell at him, too.” It isn’t a question.

It feels wrong to agree, to fess up to being angry with a dead man (especially one dead by his hand, no matter the circumstances), but he cannot fully deny it, either. “I’d like to ask him a few questions,” he allows.

No response. She exhales, refusing to look up at him, and he has the strongest sense that she’s waiting for him to walk away and leave her there. Maybe that’s what she wants. Maybe it’s even what they both deserve. But he can’t-he cant-

He won’t abandon her again. Not if he can help it.

“Mind if I join you?”

She scoffs, all sharp edges and emptiness. “Go for it. So far, though, he hasn’t been real chatty.”

He thinks, briefly, of telling her about the days a few short weeks ago, of seeing ghosts and trading rings for answers. The words stick in his throat, though, and he swallows them down. Instead, he simply settles on the grass beside her, careful not to touch. There isn’t another tree, so he has nothing to lean against, and his back immediately protests, but he ignores it.

To his surprise, she doesn’t let the silence hang for long before she breaks it. “Why do you think he didn’t tell us?”

The question has been playing on loop in his mind since he found out the truth, and he’s still not altogether sure he has an answer, but he can at least make a guess. “I think he wanted to protect you.”

She turns to him, eyes flashing dangerous. “That wasn’t his choice to make!” She nearly shouts, before looking away sharply. Every inch of her is tense, trembling, and he has the sense that she’s barely holding back tears and hates herself for it. Then, she exhales, looking back. Her eyes are dry, and he wants to break every person who has taught her to bottle up her pain, to let it destroy her from the inside out.

“I know.”

“He should’ve told us. Told me, anyway. I was his friend.”

He lets the jab slide, understands all too well how deserved it is, and nods. “I know. Believe me, I wish I’d known sooner.”

“Would it have mattered?” She runs a hand through the grass around her, tugging it suddenly. “I mean, you still would’ve done everything the same, right? Black Claw, going after Nick… All of it.”

Oh, how he wants to lie to her, wants to tell her that he would have given up everything for her in an instant, but the truth is, he doesn’t know what he would have done. Could he truly have traded one daughter for another? (More than likely, he would have tried to recruit her, and if he had failed…. He shudders to think of what Black Claw would have done to her.)

“Probably with Black Claw,” he admits after a moment. “But maybe if I’d known, I would’ve handled things differently with Nick.”

“You mean you wouldn’t have sent the whole city on a manhunt to kill him?” And that’s… That’s fair. He has many regrets in his life, and the things he did to two of the only men he’s ever called friends-Meisner and Nick-will keep him up at night for a long time.

“I’d like to think that.”

She gives a humorless snort. “Yeah. Me too.”

He’s not altogether sure what to say to that. A part of him wants to apologize, to ask her questions about her life, to try to reach her. Another part wants to run as fast and far as he possibly can. Finally, part of him just wants to let her take the lead.

He listens to the last part, falling silent, absently running a thumb over his ring finger. Time was, he’d twist his ring around when he was nervous, but he lost the habit long before he gave up the ring. It was a vulnerability, and he couldn’t afford those.

Ha. Look at him now: sitting in by his best friend’s grave, with a daughter beside him that hates him, and one waiting for him at home that doesn’t know what kind of person he really is. Vulnerabilities on every side, and nothing to be done about it. (Well, nothing he’s willing to do.)

“What was she like?” Trubel asks suddenly. “My-my mom.”

Without permission, a half-smile tugs at his lips. “Rachel was… Brilliant. Funny. Reckless. Showed me how to take risks.” He searches his mind for a story, something to give Trubel a better picture of the woman she never got to know, and after a moment, one occurs to him. “When she was pregnant with you, she always craved peanut butter. Always said I should be grateful that it wasn’t anything weird, but she’d run out at odd hours of the night, and I’d always have to go pick her up a new jar. So one day, she… She ordered this huge box of jars. I came home to find two dozen jars of peanut butter on my front porch.” He shakes his head. “Cravings stopped not long after that, but she didn’t miss a beat. Just started making sandwiches for the neighborhood kids.”

Trubel laughs, a little too hard for the story to warrant, and he raises a brow at her curiously. She shakes her head. “It’s nothing, it’s just… I hate peanut butter.”

He cannot help but picture the face Rachel would make if she could hear that, and soon they’re both laughing, loud and out of place in the dreary graveyard.

Finally, they sober.

“I’m still mad at you,” she mutters, and his shoulders sag. “I mean, you may be my dad-” In spite of himself, his chest tightens a little in awe of that word. “-but Nick’s my family. Meisner was, too. And you-” She trails off, giving him a pained look that pierces right through him.

“I know. And I don’t blame you for being mad. You have every right. I’m not asking you to just… Call me dad, move in with me and Diana, and pretend like nothing ever happened.”

“Then what are you asking?”

The question hangs heavy between them, deadly serious, and he knows that if he answers it wrong, this conversation will be over. “I’m asking for a chance. A chance to be there for you. To be in your life.” The way I would have been all along, if I’d only known.

She considers this for a long moment, before nodding. “Yeah. Okay, I guess. And… Like you said, I’m not calling you dad or anything, but-” A mischievous flicker in her eyes that reminds him oh-so-much of Rachel. “Does this mean I get to call you old man?”

He sputters as she dissolves into laughter, halfheartedly swatting at her. She pushes back, still cracking up, and somehow, in the fray, she ends up with her head on his shoulder and his arm around her. He tenses, briefly, fully prepared for her to pull away, but she just sighs, the fight draining out of her.

Tentatively, he rests his hand against her arm, mind racing in circles. For a brief moment, he’s flung back more than two decades, to the first time someone placed her in his arms. Back when her name was Ella, and she could fit just perfectly in his hands. So much time wasted. So many years he could have been holding her, if only he’d known.

But at least he is now.

They don’t move for a long time.

#wow i actually finished a faf august thing early #(i mean i've been working on this for ages but still)#theresa rubel #sean renard #grimm #grimm ff #my fics #my writing #my works #mine #answered #gelpen is great #okay to track the logic on this one if anyone's interested (and it's thin so hang with me)#sean wore a ring all throughout the series #until he traded it for answers about meisner's ghost #so obviously he was married at some point #but by the time the series starts #no longer #SO #i feel like he married young #never told her what he was (zauberbiest)#but she knew #and he didn't know she was a grimm #they had a child #their house burned in a fire (courtesy of the royals)#and he thought they both burned with it #but meisner rescued the child #knowing the royals would come after her again he let the world believe she was dead #but when hw recruited him he immediately started looking for ways to bring her in #he wanted to tell sean

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niccolocraxxi · 5 years ago

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❛ JUST THIS ONCE ❜ — OCTOBER ‘58

Somehow, it all started at dinner. It was his and his wife’s last night in Lake Como and they’d toasted to a thirty-day Honeymoon well-lived. The food had been plenty, even the dessert, but especially the wine. Nick had started early, wanting to make the most of their final night there, and never seemed to slow down. Faye had no problem keeping up with him, but sipped on something else that Nick couldn’t remember. Whatever it was, it was enough to kickstart the sort of evening they’d already had twenty-nine times before. At least, that’s the hint Nick got when he felt his wife use her foot to tease and prod him underneath their dinner table. Thank God the tablecloths went all the way down to the floor. As usual, Faye’s discrete seduction worked like a charm and he was more than happy to take her back to their suite as soon as they’d finished and he’d tipped the entire restaurant staff. It’d been his last chance to do so. Nick had lost count of how many times Faye had been on her knees for him during their stay, but she eventually found her way there once again. This was after she’d slipped into something a bit more comfortable—impossibly small, lace lingerie and a matching silk robe. At one point, maybe two, they’d found the time to mix their alcohol with what Nick had left of their cocaine. Truth be told, there was still plenty. He’d brought too much. And while his body struggled with being up or down, he sat in one of the chairs and contently watched as his wife blew him yet again. But then there was a knock at the door to their suite. Nick had felt himself on the precipice when he first heard it, ready to finally give his wife the reward she’d worked so hard for while on her knees between his legs. It was funny the way they froze when they first heard it, almost unsure if they’d actually heard what they thought they heard. When it happened again, slow and curiously hesitant, Faye sprung up to her feet to answer it. Nick had been too far gone at that moment to notice that she did this without even bothering to close and tie her robe. Not that it would actually cover much. It was Paolo, their reliable bellhop behind the door. He’d been assisting them a lot during their month-long stay and had proven even to Nick to be a good, consistent help. He’d spoken to him a number of times, always in Italian, but not as much as Faye, who didn’t speak a lick of it. Paolo had been immediately starstruck when he’d caught sight of her. This hadn’t surprised Nick. He knew how desirable his wife was. While he’d never enjoyed that aspect of her lifestyle, he’d at least learned to live with it. To the bellhop’s credit, he was never disrespectful to Nick and was never even mildly flirtatious with his wife. At least, not in front of him, which was a rare occurrence since it was usually Nick that had to translate. Faye, on the other, didn’t know how to not play to the crowd, especially when coming across such a huge fan. At the time, Nick didn’t know whether he was more annoyed by his wife’s excitement to see Paolo again or the fact that he’d been interrupted right before he was about to come. Eventually, he joined his wife at the door, just in case he needed to translate, and overheard them talking about the autograph Faye had promised she’d give him at the end of their stay. Paolo, good kid as he was, seemed almost embarrassed to be there reminding her in his broken, basic English, and also seemed to be in a hurry; something about having to meet his girlfriend for a late dinner. Of course, Faye was more than happy to acquiesce. As if reading Nick’s mind, Paolo mentioned in Italian that he had the next day off and wouldn’t see them leave. He was going sailing with his girlfriend, so this was his last chance. When Nick relayed those details to his wife, she added to his annoyance by insisting that Paolo come in and have a quick drink with them while she searched for a good pen and something to write on. Nick, feeling his euphoric high start to plummet, grudgingly agreed. Not at all thrilled, he pulled the kid inside and gestured towards the wet bar against the far wall, insisting that he pick his poison while his wife sauntered off to make Paolo’s dream of an autograph from the Faye Fairaway come true. Nick didn’t even bother to explain the several lines of coke ready for anyone to partake in on one of the glass edges of the bar. By the time she returned, Faye’s robe seemed to be as loose and as open as it could be without falling off her shoulders. Neither her high, drunk husband nor the patient, nervous Paolo commented on it. Hell, Nick didn’t even notice, but it was certain their guest did.

The next thing Nick knew, he was extremely focused, his heart was racing, and he was practically on the edge of his seat. Like before they were interrupted, he watched from his plush armchair as Faye bobbed, tilted, and buried her head deep down until not an inch of cock was left for her to consume. She looked to be happy about it, if not outright giddy. That new dose of cocaine had clearly kicked in and his wife seemed intent on not wasting any of that new energy she felt. Then there were the sounds she was making, too. If you couldn’t see how hard she was working in their dimly-lit suite, you could definitely hear it. Choking. Slurping. Gagging. They were wet, loud, and reached a level of vulgar that he’d become accustomed to over the years. A level of vulgar even the Hollywood rags could never even dream of reporting. And it all would’ve felt as great as it looked and sounded except his cock wasn’t the one in his wife’s mouth. To Nick’s right, seated in the armchair that was the twin to his, Paolo was practically trembling as he watched his shaft disappear and reappear over and over again from inside Faye’s mouth. It even seemed to glisten in the sparse light thanks to all of Faye’s saliva. Like before, the kid was staring at her in awe, but now it was a different kind of awe. Of course, Nick had no recollection of how this came to be and his current sense of euphoria seemed to keep him from dwelling on it at the moment. This was probably for the best. Poor Paolo was probably trying to come to terms with his own list of things right then, too, and Nick wagered that none of them had anything to do with what he’d say to his girlfriend about standing her up. To Nick’s amusement, the poor kid kept on not knowing what to do. He just sat there reacting, unable to comprehend the situation he’d found himself in and now too on something to remember how he even got there. Whenever Faye wasn’t provoking a groan out of him, he was struggling with what to do with his hands. Most of the time, they stayed on the arms of the chair. Other times Nick could see that he wanted to touch her; his fingers curling as if they were already in her famous, golden hair. But they never made contact. It made sense. Paolo was going through a lot; awe, surprise, panic, and so on. That’s what happened when a seemingly world-renowned, married starlet had your cock practically lodged in her throat. Nick also liked to think that the kid’s apprehension was partly a sign of respect for him. At the very least, maybe he was too intimated to freely touch the older man’s wife, even if that wife was not being at all hesitant in touching him. In those moments where Nick just sat there and watched, and even when he just waited his turn, the very possibility that that was the reason for the kid’s reluctance was enough to put an arrogant smile on his face. Paolo was completely submissive. A toy for his wife to play with and completely control, which her very drunk and very high high husband figured was the point. At least for now, their bellhop felt too guilty and felt too nervous to try anything, even if they were already past the point of no return. Naturally, Nick had no such compunction. Whenever it was his turn again, whenever he watched his wife eagerly crawl back between his legs, he was always ready to take back control. He never hesitated to grab her by her blonde hair and guide her head up and down while he was in her mouth. More than once, he told her to look up at him just so he could see those pretty blue eyes of hers as she deepthroated him. And whenever he felt like she hadn’t gotten him deep enough, even when she had, he’d violently jerk her head up until he came out of her mouth with a wet pop! and slap her convincingly across her cheek a couple times just to get his point across. Then he’d just shove her head back down and make her try again. In Nick’s warped, coke-fueled mind, it was understandable. The gravity of the situation would no doubt hit him sometime in the morning, after the drink and the drugs were out of his system and he’d gone through a long, well-earned rest. But they weren’t even in the thick of it now and he felt like he had something to prove. It was a ridiculous notion, but even if that wasn’t the case, he was also a naturally competitive person. So, under the influence and boosted with a lot of energy, things would play out as they were and they’d cross that inevitable bridge of consequences in the morning. For now, he just wanted to be better. The best! As if to remind her she was his. And it wasn’t lost on Nick that his wife blew him longer than Paolo each time, which he appreciated. Deep down, it was his only solace as his brand new wife just went back and forth, from one cock to the next, in control at one stop, surrendering control at the other. Ever the considerate host, whichever cock that wasn’t in her mouth at the time usually had her small hand wrapped around it, tugging and stroking to keep the blood flowing. When Paolo finished first, when he let out a sudden, almost wounded groan to signal the explosion he let off in Faye’s mouth, Nick was not surprised. His wife had talents that even he sometimes couldn’t handle, so a young man as built but as inexperienced as their bellhop could only last for so long, especially in round one. It didn’t help that Faye wasn’t the type to just stop. She’d keep going and drain you of everything she wanted, knowing full well that she had you at your most vulnerable; almost literally by the balls. Poor Paolo could only sit there and writhe, wanting to stop her, but not. Still unsure where to put his hands, both remained on the arms of his chair, clutching for dear life as his favorite Hollywood actress just kept on sucking him dry.

#╟ ❛ just this once ❜#╟ october '58 #021

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the-goddess-of-mischief-writing · 4 years ago

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Would you believe me if I told you my story {18}

Chapter summary: Albeit your cautiousness towards Pepper you let her take care of you and not until she leaves does she let on she may remember meeting you.

Pairing: Avengers x reader (will change over time)

Rating: Mature

CHAPTER NO/ONESHOT: Chapter 18/?

Word count; 3.379

Warnings; None

Author; @the-goddess-of-mischief-writing

SERIES MASTERLIST

A/N: Either if you love Pepper or not she’s a bad bitch woman and will certainly have her deserved part in this series.

”Just wait here for a second, I'll go and get them”, Pepper excused herself. You had not gone to the Captains levels and your room there, but instead Pepper's, also what you assumed to be Stark’s. Pepper had said she was more than happy to lend you a set of clothes, although when she said that, you didn’t think she meant her own.

Even if you now knew it was their level, you think you pretty easily could've figured it out. Compared to the design of the Captain's level and you presumed the rest of the team as well, theirs had large open areas with few walls, making you able to see pretty much their whole living room and a bit of a private kitchen. A corridor to the right, similar to the ones on the normal levels, was the way Pepper had walked. You guessed towards their bedroom and what other room they could have.

You weren’t comfortable being here, especially not as Stark could walk trough the elevator behind you at any second, as it was his room, to begin with. You tensed at the thought, making your body more rigid than it already was.

”I got them”, you jumped slightly at the voice, even though it was Peppers, ever so, calm one. She walked towards you, her hands holding a set of neatly folded clothes. ”Sorry to have you wait, it would’ve been much handier if I could’ve set out some for you already. Although I didn’t know you would come”

”No you didn’t, so it was impossible to do”, she nodded to what you said, pressing the button for the right level. The ding came not more than seconds later and you walked in, heading to your level and room. My room, you still felt weird thinking about the space like that, because it didn’t feel like your room. Something just rubbed you wrong with it. But you went to it and as soon as you entered Pepper ushered you to the bathroom, handing you the clothes while saying, I’ll wait for you so don’t worry. But you did worry.

The warm water was soothing for your muscles which felt like stone for how much you had tensed them. The straining feeling in the back of your skull began to slowly disappear and it made it easier to move without hissing out in pain as you wanted to do before. But you didn’t relax. You felt like you couldn’t. Yes, you weren't as tense, but you were still highly alerted. The smallest sound caught your attention even though there wasn't many penetrating the sound of water falling down around you.

You washed, hair and body, scrubbing so hard you thought bones soon would be visible. Although it didn't happen, at least it didn't go further than your fingers beginning to look like raisins. The water had turned colder from when you initially stepped in, now dropping towards lukewarm. You knew you needed to turn it off and step out if it, but what held you back to standing under the trickling water, was your uncertainty. What would you do next? You hadn't planned further than to meet Nick and the team, as well as introducing yourself in whatever goddamn way that would be. Everything happened, perhaps not in the way you wanted or in the right order, but what could you do about it now. There had been so many things which you didn’t know about, you being a part of the official initiative for one. You presumed it made things easier, following how everything went but you… you didn't know really. You shook your head to try getting out of your thoughts, your wet hair not following the movement as it was plastered to your back, tough droplets of water flew all different directions.

Turning off the tap you stepped out, reaching for the towels and began to dry yourself. When your skin only was damp, you reached for the brush Pepper lent you. You tried brushing out your hair hastily, although the knots created by the wetness made it impossible to do that. So you took your time and in the end, it was worth it, as no knots found it ways between your fingers as you skimmed trough it while putting it up into a high bun.

Even though your skin still was damp you put on the clothes Pepper had given you, thankfully they weren't any fancy clothes. Funny enough, she had apologised for them "Not being the most appropriate", which you only shrugged too, asking where else you really would go.

She had given you a college shirt with long sleeves and tightly fitted sweatpants.

”Doesn’t look half bad”, Pepper's voice made you look up when entering the main part of the room. She sat on the couch facing your way. You noticed that she had taken her heels off, them standing at the edge of the couch. "Perhaps they’re a bit too long…”

”I don't exactly have the length of a model”, you hadn't noticed she'd mumbled it more to herself, not until you stated your thoughts.

”I’ll take that as a compliment”, she said as she looked at you, a small grin tugging the side of her lips which. ”But you aren’t that short either”, she pointed out, something you raised your head to, as well as brows.

”Perhaps not”, you crossed your arms as you looked back at her. Without her heels on and your boots thrown in the pile of your other clothes, you heights weren't far from one another.

”The food will be here in just a few minutes”, you raised a questioning eyebrow at her as she stepped into her heels without much difficulty. Not because of the food, that you were rather grateful for her to get, but rather where she would be going. ”I have a few things I need to deal with, work-related”, she waved the vague end of her sentence of, but at least you knew what she would be doing.

You didn't really follow her to the door, but you took a few steps in the general direction of the couch group. Standing behind the back of the couch, which was opposite the one Pepper sat, you leaned against it while lifting one leg to rest on the top of it.

”Ah, at least I know you won’t be starving while I'm gone”, you hadn't let go of her with your gaze, neither would've done it until she closed the door behind her, but now she stopped before doing that. It was open and she gave a smile to the one standing on the other side. You couldn’t see who it was, as the door opened the wrong way. Pepper just looked over her shoulder, smile widening. ”It was nice meeting you and hopefully I’m going to do it again”, you’ve heard that phrase before. You felt your eyes widen as she walked out of the door without any response from you. She said the same thing the first time you met her. You shot up from your place but was frozen after doing it. Was she serious? You didn't know if she said it on purpose or if it was a phrase she usually used, but she had said the same thing twice. No difference between the two times.

As you stood there, in what most would call distress, you noticed that she left the door open, presumably for the one standing there to come in.

You recognised the blonde hair, then his eyes. Blue but not electrical.

”Captain”, you recovered as fast as you could from your previous emotion, closing the thoughts away, although the tension from them lingered. He nodded as a greeting while pushing the door close behind him. It wasn't until then, when he did it with his odd hand, that you noticed he had a tray in his hand. That must be…

”I got the food”, he said. He walked in your direction, although you saw he opted for the other couch. You rounded the one you stood behind, sitting down and crossing your legs, near enough the armrest so you could rest on it. You watched the Captain setting down the tray on the table between you and him, while he did you studied what was on it. Two plates and one glass. On one plate with a sandwich of sorts, the other fruits. Sliced apples, peeled oranges, whole bananas and even strawberries mainly made up the plate. In the glass was a translucent liquid, which you just presumed to be water.

”I’m sorry we didn’t think of this”, the Captain said, gesturing to what stood before you. Watching him, you saw his sheepish look.

”Don’t think about it too much”, you assured him but continued without really knowing why. ”I have gone longer”

”Why?” He sounded surprised as he sat down, leaning forward on his knees.

”Are you going to stay and watch me eat?” you mused towards him but his expression remained the same, not trailing away form his question.

”If you can go days without eating, then yes I’ll stay to make sure you eat”, you clicked your tongue to what he said, narrowing your brows.

”Just because I can go a long time without eating, doesn’t mean I want to”, you said and he seemed to relax, as he leaned backwards.

”Then why?” He asked again. You had leaned forward, taking one of the apple slices and began nibbling on it. You felt his eyes on you the whole time and it felt like they burned holes into you.

”Why? I think you almost can figure out that yourself, hm?” you questioned him back, swallowing the last piece of the fruit you took. You thought he perhaps would’ve answered, but he only cocked one of his brows at you. ”I already told you I didn’t have the most glamours life, that life didn’t really entail food every day, sometimes even longer”, you shrugged it off taking another piece of fruit from the plate.

”How was it?” you glanced up to his voice.

”How was what?”

”Living how you did?” He clarified his question, which made you huff.

”Living wasn't really what I did, I survived”, it was a cut answer and he seemed to understand that as he didn’t continue asking. You didn’t know why, but it felt like you only got asked the same questions. How? Why?

You kept eating the food in small portions. You started to feel the silence defeating as the only thing heard was your own munching. The silence by itself didn’t disturb you, although the attention got you bothered. Leaning in, you took a few more strawberries then earlier, most of them were for you, although when you had leaned back you took one of them, throwing it at the Captain. As he had watched you the whole time, he caught it exceptionally.

”What for?” He asked holding the berry gently between his fingers.

”Because your gaze doesn’t make it any more comfortable for me to eat”, you stated, placing one more greenery from the strawberry on the table. ”So the least you can do is to eat with me”, he grinned at that while looking down at the plates.

”What exactly?” His teasing voice made you look down. The fruit plate, it seemed like, you almost had devoured, only a few bits left, although the sandwich was left untouched.

”If the Captain isn’t too picky, there’s a sandwich laying right there”, you pointed at said food.

”I’m not the one which should be eating it”, he said stubbornly and you rolled your eyes to it.

”Just take it. If I haven’t touched it yet, I’m most defiantly not going to do it either”, you acknowledged reaching for the glass. Grasping it you leaned back, sipping the water while watching him, his gaze met your own until he caved.

”Fine…”, he muttered. The Captain, reached forward, taking one part of the sandwich which was cut in half. You chuckled at his antics as he began eating the sandwich, although it wasn't so much of eating as it was gone in less time than you thought.

”If I knew you were that hungry, I would’ve let you have the sandwich earlier”, you said eyes wider then normal. He chuckled to what you said, shrugging slightly.

”What can I say? If you haven’t eaten anything that is what happens”, you tried to straighten your back to see over his shoulder to what the time was, worrying for how long he hadn't eaten for. ”It’s only 10 AM, I’ll live”, he continued with, which made you sigh out in some form of relief.

The silence had become more comfortable as you keep sipping the water, although you felt that he didn’t really want to be this quiet.

”Captain”, his title caught his attention as he had been looking around the room. ”I know there’s something you want to ask, so do it”, you instructed him.

”How do I know you’ll answer?” He had crossed his arms and it made a smirk spread on your lips.

”You know I’ll answer, but not if what I say is true”, you began with, his brow cocking, which you ignored as you continued. ”However I assure you I will”, he didn’t say anything immediately, instead he seemed try the words in his mind before saying them out loud.

”I know you don’t know the name”, you leaned forward in your seat, even tough your crossed legs didn’t allow you to do it much further. ”But James, he’s an old friend of mine and I’ll hope you maybe want to meet him someday?”, his voice was gentle as he said it, you couldn’t help to feel compassion for him. From this little only, you could tell that his friend meant a lot to him.

”Perhaps I will”, you nodded mindlessly as you went to put the glass back.

”I guess you don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day”, his question caught your attention, if not also amusement.

”No how could I?” He rolled his eyes while standing up, you follow the movement shortly after.

”Well if you don’t have any restrains, we can go to the gym later”, he didn’t direct it as a question, which you reacted to.

”Shouldn't you ask if I want to, Captain?”

”I guess you already feel cooped in this room and Fury said you needed to get your training going again, so no”, you still scowled at the thought, him being your caretaker. You will never stop questioning Nick about that. However, the Captains suggestion didn’t sound totally awful and he was right, this room already felt more imprisoning then the interrogation room, where you’d been in literal cuffs

”A bit of fresh air never suits anybody wrong”, you stated before continuing, "Nevertheless it seems like you forget something”, you pointed it out.

”Don’t worry about clothes or such for time being, I’ll fix it”, he said before continuing, informing when you would meet, which would be just a few hours from now. He gave you directions of how to come to the gym, which you tried memorising, before he nodded goodbye and went out the door.

You didn't do much while waiting for the time to go, mainly because the room didn’t offer much to do. You walked around in the silence, mapping out the room as if you already hadn’t done that. But time went, quicker then you thought. It was while you sat in the couch fiddling with the edge of the blanket which you grasped how soon you would meet the Captain.

”Miss?” A female voice sounded throughout the room and swiftly you surveyed the room, noticing no one was in here.

”Yes”, you said it with a steady voice, however no less cautious because of that.

”I’m F.R.I.D.A.Y, Mr Stark’s Artificial Intelligence”, once… she… said it a thought hit, the voice sounded familiar to Vision’s. ”Mr Rogers wanted me to remind you that the fitness centre is located in the west wing of level 86”, as she said this you checked the time, noticing that it was merely ten minutes until said time when you would meet him.

You didn’t know how to answer the A.I, so you settled with a ’thanks’. You headed for the door, twisting it open as no-one had locked it since the Captain left.

Taking a left you ventured down the hallway towards the elevator, which didn’t take more than a few seconds to arrive. Nobody was inside it so you stepped in, eyeing the buttons on the side. 86th floor, six levels above Pepper and Stark’s, two below the Captains. Once finding the button, between the floors which you remembered the numbers of and who they belonged to, you pressed it. The elevator moved silently downwards and it didn’t take long before it dinged open.

When you stepped out of the elevator you were met with the familiar lounge area which seemed to greet one on most levels. However, this room wasn’t as high in the roof. Looking around you saw a staircase on the right, leading up to a second floor and probably what made the roof lower. What surprised you the most, however, was that it wasn’t a long corridor leading towards the left, which would be towards the west wing. Instead, you walked towards the only door opening.

”Holy…”, as said, you didn’t think this would be the layout of the level from the description, so walking into a training area almost as large as a sports centre, was both surprising and impressing. Standing on the threshold, you knew what you saw must be a segment of it, still it didn't count as small. To the right of you, following the wall, benches were put out. They only followed the curve of the wall until doors made them stop, which you clearly could see and read was two different changing rooms. Further down, covering the full short side of the room, was a machine park. Training equipment which you had both seen and not, made up the sea of machines. You thought you hinted the tiniest bit of your own reflection, making you assume there was a mirror covering that wall.

”Had the same reaction the first time I saw it”, you had noticed his light steps before his voice reached you, but that was what made you turn to him. Looking the way his voice came from, one of the first things you noticed was the multiple punching bags and corresponding things behind him as he walked towards you.

”It’s a valid reaction”, you said and he nodded.

”Yes it is”, his confirmation came. You began taking a few steps forward, not towards him, nevertheless it made his way reaching shorter. Taking another step, you set your foot on something softer than the floor, although harder than the material of a carpet. Looking down you saw the red material which differed from the otherwise black coloured floor.

”Sparring mat”

”I could’ve guessed”, you answered, looking up to see that he now had come to a stop beside you.

”You could’ve, but maybe it wouldn’t have been right”, his comeback made you feel the smirk forming on your lips.

”Maybe it would’ve been”, he smiled but didn’t continue on what you said, instead handing you a uniform. It was similar to the one you remembered agent Hill had worn. Sleek in a grey-black colour, with a small S.H.I.E.L.D emblem embroidered on the chest.

”Go put this on, then you can begin”, he nodded towards the changing rooms.

”What, don’t you think my attire is good enough?” you gesticulated towards what you had on. Not the sweats you had been lent, instead the same black clothes you had earlier, now freshly washed as Pepper somehow managed to do that, while also stopping by to drop them off. The Captain only shook his head, although not missing the sarcasm in your voice as he said.

”It's good, although such fancy clothing you wouldn’t want to be destroyed, so I suggest changing”, chuckling you took the clothes stretched towards you.

Forever taglist: @flowerchild1216 @haven-in-writing @krystallynx @lancsnerd @thejamesoldier

Series taglist: @leenat23 @colie87 @ohhhmyloki

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chyrstis · 5 years ago

Text

Rain or shine

This is kinda shameless fluff that got out of control, because I wanted to skip ahead and write something cute, and also write more Sharky in general. I just wasn’t expecting Nick and Kim to show up as well.

Pairing: F!Dep x Sharky Boshaw (pre-ship but the feelings are there)

Rating: T

Word Count: 4.5K

Link to AO3!

___

After a mission Sharky’s left with something he wasn’t prepared for: one sick deputy.

______________

“Almost there?”

Sharky held onto her tight, making sure she wasn’t going to fall. “We sure are, chica. I can see their house from here.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie, he could see parts of Nick and Kim’s through the trees ahead, but it wasn’t the clearest of shots. Still, he heard her chuckle, and felt her lean into him more with each step.

He was half-dragging her by the time they got to their front porch, and she set herself down on one of their chairs. When he crouched down to look her in the eye, she couldn’t hold the look. Just kept on letting her attention skim him as her head bobbed in place.

“I think,” Hana started, holding her eyes open for a few seconds as she blinked, “…I don’t actually feel that great after all.”

“You’re not looking great, shorty. Not gonna lie about that.” He looked her over, taking in how pale she was starting to look, and worry set in quick. “Sit tight, and I’ll be right back.”

He got to ring the doorbell, trying not to pace in place, and found himself knocking only seconds after going for the bell. “Yo, Nick? Kim? Either of you home?” No one answered immediately, and he shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from jabbing the bell again.

“Coming!” A voice eventually answered, just as he started to pace in earnest. He glanced over at Hana, watched her give the weakest thumbs up he’d ever seen, and knocked on the door even harder.

“I’m coming, can you calm down a little!” Kim opened the door, and she gave him a surprised look. “Oh, hey! Didn’t expect to have you drop by like this, not without a call at least. Hana with you?”

“Yeah, that’s just the thing,” he began, talking fast. “We would’ve, but we were in the area, and H wasn’t looking all that hot after we had to run from those cows, then it was pouring, and we were trudging through-“

“Sharky, seriously, it’s fine-“

“And since you’ve still got that bun baking up in there, we didn’t wanna cause any problems, but Dep’s not feeling right enough to make it down the road even with help. Think we nearly fell twice just trying to get up the stairs, and we’re both stone cold sober. Back me up on this, chica, because the lines we were walking were like this.”

He mimed the movement, showing the rise and fall of a wave as it jumped back and forth with his hand, and watched Kim blink at him. Hana, however, he didn’t hear a peep from.

His hand came to a stop mid-wave. “Uh, Dep?”

She was out. Out like a light, judging from the way she was slumped against the chair, and he ran right to her with Kim on his heels.

“Hey, H? Yo, you there?” Nothing. He put a hand on her shoulder, shaking her gently, and her eyelids fluttered, but didn’t open. That made him tense immediately.

“Shit, you weren’t kidding,” Kim said, getting a good look at her. “Quick, let’s get her inside.”

Sharky pulled her up, placing her arm over his shoulders before getting his arm under her knees, and by the time they were through the door, she was mumbling against his shoulder. Not much better, but she was saying something at least. He’d take it, even if he wanted to babble right back at her just to see if she’d understand him too.

“Okay, put her here for now, and I’ll just…” Kim pointed towards the couch, and stood in the living room for a few seconds before heading upstairs. “Blankets! I’m grabbing blankets. Grab some water from the kitchen!”

Setting her down wasn’t hard, and he spent probably too much time trying to arrange the pillows beneath her head to get her comfortable, but he tried. Watched her face for a few seconds too long for anything off before forcing himself to step away to grab just what Kim said to grab.

She just didn’t say to place it in what, and he went right for a glass, because Hana needed something to drink, right? He went with that first, and headed right back to the living room. By then Kim was on her way down with blankets, and between the two of them they were able to finally get her settled in.

So, there she was, under two blankets, both tugged up to her chin. It would’ve been a funny sight, and one he was sure they’d both be laughing about, if he wasn’t left wondering just what it’d take for her to feel better again.

Her forehead was warm, but not feverish, and she wasn’t shot or bleeding. The lack of color to her was a problem, and she still tried to say things every now and then. Just nothing the two of them could really join into a sentence that made sense.

“Look, I’ll call Nick,” Kim said, running her hands through her hair. “He was out over by the airstrip, but there’s a clinic nearby. It’s the same one we’ve gone to for our checkups. Last I heard, there’s a nurse out over there that John managed to miss, and we’ve spoken to her on and off for the last few weeks. Maybe we can get her over here and have her take a look.”

He nodded, standing there awkwardly. “Yeah. If anyone’ll know what this shit is, it’ll probably be her, right? You want me to go grab her?”

The words were out before he could think against it, and he was torn. It wasn’t completely safe on the roads, not with the convoys John still had running. The nurse would need someone to get her here safely. Kim needed Nick. They had a kid-shaped situation they were still working out, and taking him away during that wouldn’t help.

As for them, Hana had a bunch of people willing to have her back, but right now all she had was him. Kim and Nick counted too, but they hadn’t spent days with her on the road.

And why didn’t he notice it sooner? Most of the day had been as close to normal as others spent in the valley, minus any help that could’ve come from Grace. She was off running shooting exercises with the Resistance, and wasn’t going to be back for another day or two. So, Hana said they’d stick to what worked for them.

They’d wake up, pick a new target guaranteed to get John mad – and fuck that guy, Sharky just wished there were more signs to mess with to really get him steamed - but the target that day had more to do with cow wrangling than actual damage. “Think re-appropriation of resources,” Hana had said. Kind of disappointing, but she promised him they’d hit a silo on the way back for old time’s sake.

Up until the downpour he hadn’t suspected much either. She’d even been laughing at him earlier when he’d slipped in a muddy patch, even when he’d tried to drag her down with him.

With her sunglasses perched on her head, he’d focused on her grin as she helped him back up, not the sleepy look in her eyes. Sure, he’d looked into them and let himself enjoy that for a few seconds too, but didn’t have a chance to say anything before the two had to break into a run. Getting stampeded by a herd of pissed off cows was not how he planned on dying, and was going to fight that if given the option.

Mid-run she had started slowing down and breathing hard, and that’s when he could really see how beat she seemed. How she couldn’t wave him off, or keep on downplaying the points earlier when she had been staring off into the distance. She hadn’t bothered waking him up for watch a few nights back when they had to camp out either, and he found himself wondering how much sleep she had been getting.

Either way, it was too late now, he told himself, shaking himself out of it. Sitting here worrying about her wasn’t doing shit for her. Getting some kind of doctor or nurse here was the better option.

“Where’s the clinic at?”

“It’s not too far from here, but…”

“You two got any wheels?” he asked, pointing towards the door.

“We do. Just our old truck out back. Sharky. Hey, wait.” He got as far as two feet from the front when Kim grabbed his arm. “Sharky, stop for a couple of seconds, okay?”

“Kim, you two are great,” he said, turning towards her, “but you really wanna send Nick out there? I’ll go, grab her, be back before the sun’s down, we find out what’s really going on with H in there, and then we get her some kind of get-well fast shot, something guaranteed to punch the shit in of whatever’s bothering her. Then we'll go back to our usual thing, kicking more Peggie ass once she’s up for it, and it’ll be all fine!”

“Fine?”

“Finer than fine.”

It was easier to buy when he put it like that. He just didn’t like that he was trying to convince himself of it as much as Kim.

She stood there, ready to say something to argue against him, but let it go. “I’ll have to call her anyway to tell her you’re not out to kidnap her, but…okay. You know how to get there?”

“Uh, no. But you’re good at directions, right?”

The exasperated exhale she gave told him what she thought of that.

---

It was not as easy as he hoped. There was a shortcut, and an actual path, and he didn’t wait for Kim to explain it further. Just took the quicker way at upwards of eighty, and didn’t think about the crowds of trees bombarding him.

He needed to be fast. Careful always came later, but Sharky did feel sweat start to gather on his brow when a moose nearly blindsided him.

Can’t help if you’re dead. Can’t do shit if you’re dead, his mind told him after that, and he eased off. Went more for fifty-five when the road kept on being squirrely.

The clinic came up ahead, and he tried not to make too much of a show of stopping. The squealing of the tires rang out loud as he skidded, and he winced. If anyone was paying attention, that would be the thing to check out, and he hopped out to head inside.

It wasn’t hard to find the nurse, a woman named Danielle, and he shouted out who he was before barging in further. She had been hiding, with a gun out by her side, and had been ready to put two in any Peggie that might’ve barged in. Lucky for him he gave her the warning, but that didn’t make her any less nervous as they made their way back outside.

They were back on the road in no time flat. Nick was on the radio by this point, arguing with him about the entire thing, and he nearly clipped a sedan going in the opposite direction when the two couldn’t come to a truce over what was worse, heading out there half-cocked alone, or leaving Kim with only a down and out deputy to defend her.

It was a stupid fight, and even Danielle tried to get them both to cool it. But they kept up with it, only letting it go when Kim came through on the other end to put a pin in things.

When they rolled up in front of the house, he hit the brakes harder than intended, getting his second screech in of the day. Only Danielle’s seatbelt kept her from jumping forward, and he gave her an apologetic look before helping her get out.

After that it was a matter of getting her inside the house, and once Danielle crossed the threshold, she was all business. Making a promise to check with Kim once she was done, she settled down by the couch and started asking questions.

‘When did this start? What are her symptoms? What has she eaten?’ were a few of them. Most he was able to answer. Others he wished he had more to give, and trailed off as she started checking Hana in earnest.

It was completely out of their hands. But right at the back, watching her work, he couldn’t sit still. Not like this.

Ducking outside, he took Hana’s spare pack of cigarettes and lit one up. He’d meant it when he’d told her he didn’t need them as much as she did, but it was a way of getting his lighter out without lighting anything up, and he’d pay her back. Shit, he’d get her five packs if she wanted them.

One cigarette turned into two, and by the time he went for the third he found himself threatening to wear a hole into the porch from the path he kept on taking. Fiddling with his lighter wasn’t much better. The click that came with opening and closing it helped at first, but the longer it was open, the more he wanted to use it, and the urge built with every repeated motion.

It was when he started eying a dry patch of brush nearby for maybe one small controlled fire, that the door to Nick and Kim’s house finally opened. He’d hoped for the nurse, but found himself looking over at Nick instead.

The disappointment showed, judging from Nick’s reaction. He shook his head at him and held out a beer. “Well, glad to see you too. Thought you might need this.”

Sharky hastily put out what was left of his cigarette before taking it. “…This fucking sucks.”

“Yeah, it does. It’s weird seeing her laid out like that. The Deputy, our big damn hero, resting right in the other room half-covered in mud on my couch. Weird and wild, and just another day here in Hope County.”

“Spent half of ours mud-wrestling, and it wasn’t even the fun kind. No extra ladies, no cheering while we’re making it rain. Just cows. Lots of fighting off cows,” he muttered. “…And sorry about the couch. Didn’t think we’d drag that much in.”

“Don’t worry about the damn couch. We’ll clean it later.” Nick placed a hand on his shoulder. “But Shark, I mean it. Just drink, kick back, and chill the fuck out for a bit. She’s in good hands, and you’re watching her too, so nothing bad’ll happen long as you don’t look at her wrong.”

“That’s nice, man. Real nice coming from a stand-up dude like yourself.” Sharky flashed him the finger after the jab, but managed a smile. “You still think relaxing’s the way to go?”

“There’s nothing else to do, but that. And after that, sleep. You both probably need it. What was this I was hearing about being out there for a week straight without getting in a single wink?”

“It wasn’t, but some nights you hear one wolf howl and that’ll ruin any good feelings about a spot. You can’t stop, and Hana here just…didn’t stop either.” He jabbed a thumb into his chest. “That was on me.”

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it, okay? You can play the blame game all you want leading up to this, but accidents happen. And when she needed you, you brought her here and got her help. Think about that too.”

Nick gave him one solid pat on the arm and the two settled into silence after that. Forgetting the lighter for the beer, he cracked it open and tried not to drain it too fast.

After a minute, however, Nick spoke up again. “Sorry.”

“About what?”

“About…being a real shitbird earlier. Neither of us were entirely in the right, but I get what you tried to do. Hell, what you did do.”

Sharky glanced over at him, and gave a small shrug. “It’s nothing. She would’ve done it for me. Probably wouldn’t have hit half the shit I did on the way up and back.”

“Nah, you were thinking of Kim, and there’s no two ways about it, I am stressing the fuck out over little Nick Jr. in there. It’s settling in and making me short with a whole lot of people I’d rather not be, and I don’t wanna leave that hanging between us. So, I’m sorry.”

Sharky held out his fist, and smiled when Nick returned the fistbump. “We’re cool.”

“Might owe me a few for new tires for the truck, though.”

“Man, what the fuck!” he exclaimed, and Nick burst out laughing. “Starting with we’re cool, and bros and shit, before going into that.”

“There’s enough rubber on them left to use, but I know a bald set of tires when I see them.” Nick stopped to take a drink, and pointed towards the truck. “They were looking mighty fine this morning before heading out on the road. Now...”

Sharky threw up his hands in exasperation, but chugged down the last of the beer first, making sure it wasn’t about to go to waste. He wanted to go another round? Round two was on.

That was when the door to the house opened, and Sharky snapped his mouth shut when Danielle stepped out. He hadn’t tried to get his hopes up before, but with her looking both glad and relieved, it was hard not to.

“All right. No need to keep on hanging back here. Everything’s clear.”

Sharky felt his heart jump, and Nick turned towards her as well. “Clear?”

“Well, almost. Come inside and see.”

She waved them inside, and they quickly followed her in.

Hana was still one blanket short of a burrito on the couch, but seemed comfortable now. No longer half as close to miserable as she had been before, and actually looked like she was resting.

But what had knocked her clear out? In the end, Danielle gave them all the simplest answer. Exhaustion, and what was looking to be a mild cold. Nothing rest, food, and water wouldn’t fix.

The heavy feeling sinking into him lifted, and he took in a deep breath before letting it out. Hana wasn’t up and moving around yet, but this wasn’t the major fuck up he’d been dreading. She would be able to bounce back from this, and they’d be out and about in no time.

Hanging back while she packed up, Sharky found himself wandering over by the couch, and rested his arms on the back of it. Curled up below, Hana had turned her face into her pillow, and was dozing along, completely at peace. The blanket had inched down below her shoulders, however, and he reached down to tug it back up.

“We got you, shorty. Told you we would.”

---

It was tough to sleep, but he managed it, camping out nearby just in case she woke up in the middle of the night.

When morning came around, he yawned, stretching his arms out wide before peeking over at the couch next to him. He nearly rolled off of it onto the floor when he saw a pair of dark eyes staring over at him. Her red hair was a mess, sticking up as she tried to sit up to look at him, and she let out a long sigh.

“Fuck me running,” Hana murmured. “The roller coaster come to a proper stop yet?”

He got up, and found himself split between hugging her, and yelling for Nick and Kim. When neither decision seemed to win, he opted instead for giving her the glass of water by her side. “Not even close. It’s been going non-stop ever since you fainted outside.”

“Fainted? Ugh.” She took the glass, and gulped down a mouthful of water before handing it back. Her voice was rough as she closed her eyes, but wasn’t pained.

“Yeah, Kim and Nick were cool with setting us up - shit, they’re still cool, just sleeping - and we had to get a nurse in here to look you over. It’s all fine now, but it was tough for a few hours the night before.”

“Don’t tell Grace. She’ll give me so much shit if she hears about this.”

“About the fainting bit, the nurse and not getting back up part, or where I had to carry you inside all heroic-like?”

“Hush, you. I only have your word on the last one, so for all I know, you’re embellishing it.” She pulled the blankets up and over her head, and Sharky couldn’t help but laugh. “I hear you out there! Don’t think I can’t, even with this up.”

“Just saying it was pretty great. All dramatic, looking every bit the sexy outlaw that we both know I am.”

The blanket shook as he heard her muffled laughter come right through, but it soon gave way to a set of coughs. “Totally,” she rasped. “But Mr. Sexy over here better cool it before he makes his cop friend hack up a lung. Got it?”

She waved him off, reaching out from under the blanket, and he let his posture relax. “Okay, shorty. Holler if you need anything.”

The rest of the morning he spent wandering between the living room and kitchen, trying not to poke around at too much until Kim came downstairs to check on them.

Having over ten hours of rest really did the trick. She didn’t seem confused or dazed, was up for talking as long as there were breaks, and took any food that they offered. All good signs, and Sharky set himself up to help out when he wasn’t tailing Nick and Kim for ideas on other things he should be doing. By the early afternoon he was officially banished to the living room.

Which led him to his current idea, as he sorted through the books and magazines nearby. He felt Hana’s eyes on him as he looked around, but she didn’t speak up or say anything. Just kept on watching until he picked up a magazine, gave it an approving smile and sat down by her on the couch.

“Uh, so to help you kick back and take it easy, I figured I’d read something to you. Not that there’s much down here, and I didn’t want to dig through their things upstairs or go for any of the baby stuff. This plane mag’s not bad, though.” Sharky flipped through it, going for the main story in the middle. “Kinda wish I had one of my comics on me from home, because at least I could do the sound effects and make it a whole lot more fun to listen to.”

“Hey, you don’t have to worry about doing that stuff.”

“It’s something I know I’d like when I’m feeling lower than dirt, so…”

Her next few words were soft, and he almost missed them. “You’re a sweetheart, you know that?”

He sat there stiff as a board for a few seconds, staring right at the picture of the pilot in the magazine, and wasn’t sure if he should look at her or not.

“Because you know you don’t have to do this.”

“Don’t what?” he asked, talking around the growing lump in his throat. “I said I had you covered, shorty. Rain or shine.”

“Ride or die?” She coughed, and he couldn’t help but look at her. Her lips were twisted into a frown, but they didn’t stay that way as she relaxed. “I’m not dying, man. It’s okay. And sticking close’s a recipe for getting sick yourself, so I’d really hate to be to blame for that.”

He was leaning down towards her to hear, and she did have a point. Just one he wasn’t too bothered by. “But if you need anything-“

“They’re in the same house, Shark. Or area. I’m not dying here. Just spoiled rotten by you for the moment.” She was still sleepy, but the smile she wore was bright as ever. “Careful, or I’ll get used to this.”

He wouldn’t have minded that. Not one bit. The words were a second away from spilling out of his mouth too, when he let the moment go. “I’ll shotgun some OJ from the kitchen, and I don’t know. Eat five pounds of apples or something. Might grab you a few for later too.”

The magazine was scrunched together between his hands, and he let it curl back out.

“Now I’m gonna go ahead and try this, but if this blows, or if you’re about to take a cue from the Exorcist let me know and I’ll put the brakes on.” He cleared his throat, and flipped back to the story in question. “If you ever wanted to fly a plane in Wyoming-“

“Wait a sec. Wyoming?”

He looked over at her, then back at the magazine. “Yeah, she’s from Wyoming. The pilot. She did a trip where you go from the Pacific to the Atlantic, but made a few stops here and there along the way.”

“Just to get away from Wyoming, I bet. …Actually, no. That’s pretty mean to say. I don’t even know that much about the place, except that the license plates have a guy on a horse on them.”

“Mountains are nice. If you like mountains.”

“I could. Oh, and there is Yellowstone,” Hana said, perking up. “Doesn’t it have that supervolcano? Like, the one totally on the verge of popping?”

“Shit, you’re right. That’s right in our backyard.”

“Oof. Nice having a potential front row seat to that. Probably won’t go the way of what 2012 showed us, but…” He started chuckling, and she paused. “What? You really don’t think the Earth’s just a ball of magma, and the continents are skidding along the top like some kind of demented air hockey game?”

“Nah, just…I fucking saw that, and didn’t think anyone would ever bring it up. Ever.”

She gave him a look. “Are you questioning my movie taste?”

“Only thing I’m questioning is why you didn’t move here sooner.”

Surprise crossed her face, but as it faded, the corners of her mouth curved up and he found himself on the other end of one of those smiles of hers. The kind that he didn’t want her to stop giving away. “Anyway, you were talking about that pilot before I derailed you. Did she want to do anything other than hit the coasts?”

Forcing himself to go back to the magazine – again, he pointed out – he gave the words in front of him a quick read. “Uh, yeah. She wanted to see how long it’d take with her class of plane. Hit a record or two.”

“Cool stuff.”

“The goal was always to get back home, though.”

There was a light hum as she thought it over. “I feel that. Finding home again. …You can keep on going if you want.” She propped her head up on one arm to look at him, but kept the blanket tucked under her chin. “You’re right. It is nice.”

Not quite hiding the smile that earned, he went right back to the beginning, and started over, making sure she could hear every word.

#far cry 5 #deputy hana #sharky boshaw #kim rye #nick rye #female deputy/sharky boshaw #fanfiction #fic series: you'll be okay I promise #finally!#this was fun to write but I really did think this was only going to be a 1.5-2K #not this much #and this hopefully doesn't have too many errors but I've poked at it enough

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razorblade180 · 4 years ago

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Twin Snowflakes pt 20: Choice Words

“All right everybody, I wanna see some hustle!” Harriet shouted at her students playing basketball. She blew her whistle loudly to get them going for the fourth time. Veronica had learned after the first blow to really dial back her senses if she wanted to avoid ringing in her ears. “Your coach really loves that thing.” Veronica looked down from the bleachers to see Summer stretching on the floor. To no surprise, the girl was pretty flexible, able to get her chest to the floor with her legs spread out into a v-shape. “Make sure to really get around your hips, knees, and lower back. I could tell your body was tight the day I took your measurements.”

Summer looked at the girl annoyed. “I don’t need a peanut gallery. I know how to stretch.” She stood and bent over backwards slowly. The sight of Veronica glaring at her made Summer turn the other way. She wasn’t expecting Valerie to be checking her out. “What the- how long have you been here!?” Valerie started stretching out both arms and wrists. “Well I would’ve been here sooner if I wasn’t waiting for you outside the locker room. You hate going in by your…” Valerie’s attention shifted up towards the bleachers where Veronica sat. “Self… What the hell are you doing here? Come to start trouble?” Valerie cracked her knuckle.

Veronica gave the longest eye roll of her life. “Please don’t make me embarrass you in front of a crowd.” A threat that prompted Summer to point at her while nudging Valerie away in vain. It had been two seconds and Summer was already playing babysitter. She was gonna nip this in the bud right now to avoid an oncoming headache. “No, stop talking to each other. Just shut up. Veronica you’re already on thin ice so don’t antagonize people unless you want actual problems to occur that will involve you being kicked out” Veronica’s attitude got a bit more bored and vexed. “Yeah yeah….” She groaned, annoyed by her situation. “Hard to stay quiet when a loud mouth is just begging to be put in their place.” Summer closed her eyes. Why’d she have to say something like? Valerie moves right past Summer. She wasn’t gonna let that slide. “By all means, what am I asking for?” Her tone was ripe with anger.

Veronica stood up and walked down to get right in the taller girl’s face. “Valerie, you are absolutely stupid. Childish in its purest form; a girl so self absorbed in the opinions of others yet utterly blind to that fact to the point it’s crippling. And for what? Ego? Some distorted sense of pride? It’s pathetic and insulting. I don’t understand why Nicholas is in love with a person like you.” Valerie’s hand swiftly rose half way up to Veronica’s face before Veronica grabbed her wrist. “Don’t ask for something then get made when you can’t handle it. Don’t get triggered by my mention of him if he’s nothing more than a friend. I would think you’d be desperate for him to look at someone that isn’t you.”

“I’d never want that person to be as cold and cruel as you.” Valerie bit back, harshly. “You’re the definition of self absorbed and ego. I can’t even name one time you’ve considered other’s feelings when it didn’t benefit you; besides Nick obviously. You treat Summer like shit.” Summer scrunched her face up as if she had just been called to the front of the class. Why did she have to be the example? Yes, Veronica walked all over and nothing about it ever felt nice, but she didn’t want to be a point of tension. Not right now at least. Veronica burrowed her eyes into her very soul, expecting an answer. “Well? Just gonna let this copper top speak for you?”

Copper top, now Summer knew Veronica was pissed. She wasn’t the person to insult appearance. “I mean you are pretty terrible. That’s putting it mildly. It’s like you always have a thorn stuck in your side, or itching to fight.” Valerie crossed her arms. “Behind that pretty face isn’t anything to brag about. Not even a brain from what I can tell; don’t act like you know. If someone has to watch you so badly then go hassle Nick instead of us. He has patience for it.” Veronica was at a loss for words. She couldn’t help but let out the tiniest chuckle. “Do you not know? Nick didn’t tell you?” Valerie looked at Summer puzzled. “Nick isn’t here Valerie. He’s been sick in bed since the fight yesterday.” Valerie’s face only got more shocked. “Wait, did you know about the fight?” Valerie shook her head. “Nick was in a fight yesterday!? I saw him right before I had to change. We-” Valerie’s words got stuck in her throat. She told Nick that she wanted space, to leave her alone. Did that upset him? No, he’s not the type to lash out. Nick didn’t tell her to honor her request. That idiot! Valerie bit her lip in frustration. She looked at the two girls in front of her. Summer looked concerned while Veronica was enjoying Valerie’s shocked expression. “Gee, it’s shocking Nick didn’t tell you. Can’t imagine why. Well, no I can. What was I saying about pride and being childish? Not sure of what you did but I bet it involves those two things.” Valerie had finally reached her limit with Veronica.”Fuck-”

“Well well well, look what the cat dragged in.”Jordan called out, annoyed by the sight of all three girls. She walked past them with disgust in her eyes and a group of girls in cheerleading uniforms behind her. Suddenly the argument taking place seemed secondary. “Was that attempt at being funny, or racist?” Veronica had to know.”Whatever one you want, fleabag.” That one was easier to figure out. Unlike with Valerie, Veronica did nothing but take a deep breath. Summer had other ideas. “Wanna try saying that for the whole class to hear!?” She shouted with ease. Harriet immediately caught wind of the forming chaos and blew her whistle. “Jordan, hurry up and get your butt over here before I make the cheer team do drills until you can backflip in their sleep!” Jordan picked up the pace.”Fine, nothing of value over here anyways..” she mumbled.

“That takes care of her!” Summer slouched. That plan actually worked! She raised her voice to someone and they didn’t get the chance to do the same. It would’ve been a proud moment if Veronica wasn’t looking at her like she had been the racist. “What? I’m paying you back for yesterday is all. Why are you upset!?” Veronica flicked Summer in the forehead. “Stop assuming. You caught me off guard is all. That bitch is a cheerleader? She definitely has the attitude.” Valerie did her best to hold her tongue on that statement. “Jordan is the leader of the team. Nobody performs as good as her,unfortunately. That alone inflates her ego.” Veronica carefully watched the group of girls get in formation and start doing their routine; specifically watching the way Jordan jumped into a split after doing a handspring. Was that really it? Her posture was good but that landing was far too heavy. She was gonna injure her ankle if she wasn’t careful. Veronica could do way better. In fact….”Hey?” She called out to Summer and Valerie with petty intent. “Want me to deflate her a little?”

xxxx

“Jordan hurt her ankle?” Nick said, clearing space in the messy guest room. “And now you’re taking her spot for the tournament?” Veronica snickered freely. I told her not to attempt an aerial after a back handspring that followed a cartwheel, but she had to prove she was better. Too bad she didn’t have anything to help with balance.” The happy wave of her tail picked up a deck of cards. Veronica opened the box and started shuffling just for the hell of it. This always calmed her mind for some reason. It was a perfect eye graber, displaying how nimble her fingers were and skill in sleight of hand. “So yeah, productive day. Valerie and argued for a moment. Sorry.” Nick nodded, “Nobody threw a punch. I’ll take what I can get.’ He reached for a single card and pulled a joker. The trickster looked like a hysterical skeleton with a sword through him. Nick failed to see what was so amusing. He gave the card back and focused on Veronica’s shuffling. It would be his job to find that card again. “How’d the office conversation go? Must’ve been fine if you’re embarrassing students.”

“Yeah. Your principal is a good man. All I have to do is have a council member by me at all times. Between you and Eliza, it’s basically a slap on the wrist.” Veronica cut the deck in half and started shuffling them separate. The chance of Nick finding that joker was nonexistent unless he caught on to her trick. Every third card her finger grazed was turned intangible and went through five cards before she stopped using her semblance. Finally she held twenty six cards in each hand. “If you can’t find the joker then you go back to bed when I’m done with your measurements.” Those were high stakes. Why couldn’t somebody let him do work!? “And if I find the joker?” Veronica smiled, “I’m at your mercy. You can decide whatever you want me to do.” He didn’t know why but that made him blush. He’d never abuse such power, yet it almost seemed like she expected him to say something outlandish. Veronica waved her hands. “Eliminate half of the deck. You’ll either increase your odds, or make them zero.” Now the pressure was really on. He eliminated the left deck and Veronica fanned out the right. So far so good. The joker was in the spot she always put it, thirteenth card out of the twenty six. She was corny like that. Only her parents and Ruby had ever found the joker when it was the target. All the cards had a reason for their placement. Most people just don’t pay attention through various rounds. Nick finally reached out and picked the tenth card unfortunately, grabbing the ace. “Awww, oh well.” Nick said. “I thought I had this in the bag.”

Veronica picked up all the cards and started grabbing measuring tape. Next was putting her hair in a ponytail and putting on glasses. She barely wore them around others. Being a faunus that couldn’t see in the dark was lame enough. Needing glasses to sew just felt like an extra blow to her fragile faunus pride. “Better luck next time. Anyways, let’s get down to business. Take your jacket off plea-” she had forgotten Nicholas was only wearing a tank top underneath. An audible gulp came from her as she stood in front of him with her tools. Nick spread his arms out for her to start measuring. “Ready.” He said, not realizing Veronica was gawking a little. Her hands studied his shoulders and chest. They had gotten broader. She could tell he’s been putting his all into his training, yet nobody would guess that with the typical close he wore. Slight tension around his right torso intrigued her. Veronica pressed her hands against it to find out that it was actually a little tender. If she remembered correctly, the Paladin had struck this side. Both hands felt their way done to his waistline. It was hard to ignore that his tank top stopped a little about it, revealing a little skin. Veronica’s mind was on autopilot. Half was expecting him to provide helpful advice and get an idea of what to add to his garb. The other half was turned off, logically that is. It was too busy admiring his body. Any designs for him were usually done with previous numbers. Veronica usually doesn’t get the chance to be this close; this intimacy with her clients was always the best way to make something. That’s why she always asks permission to touch them beforehand. Nick realized she had forgotten that rule this time around, but didn’t think he should bring it up. A blush cams across his face. Being looked at like this was a little...intense. Then, Veronica started purring lightly.

Nicholas wasn’t made for this kind of pressure. It was too much! Recent confessions only added to it. Veronica wasn’t looking at him. Veronica was looking at him. “Ummm, Vee?” He said nervously, hoping it was loud enough. Thankfully it was. She snapped out of her daze to meet a blushing boy looking right into her eyes. The overwhelming feeling of insecurity and anxiety was crystal clear in his eyes. Veronica’s face began turning red as her hands left the warmth of his body. She had gotten swept in the moment, choosing to break their gaze by looking away. “Sorry…” her voice now meek, losing any of the commanding confidence it once had.

“It’s okay…” he muttered, unsure of this situation. “I was a caught off guard is all. That kind of attention is pretty new to me.” Veronica went back to taking his measurements appropriately. “New? Girls throw themselves at you all the time. Don’t tell me you hadn’t noticed?” Nick shook his head. “It’s not the same. They throw themselves at me because of what they can get. Status, money, fame; another guy can have those and they’ll move on. Not like I’m bringing anything else to the table.” His voice trailed off. “Physically, what’s to be desired?” It wasn’t meant to be so somber but it was. To Nick, he was nothing more than a runt. An average looking one at that. If a guy had half the money he had and bulky or tall then they were way better off. It’s only natural to want the best choice. “It’s rude to talk about yourself like that.” Veronica said, her tone a bit more stern and upset than before. “Especially in front of someone who thinks you’re handsome and doesn’t care about what’s in your wallet.” She picked up a pen and paper to write down measurements. Nick assumed he could relax his body for the time being. “Thanks. Telling Summer something like that might boost her spirit.”

Veronica chuckled to herself. “Isn’t that her therapist’s job? Not much of a good one if he’s not doing that.” She put the pen down, annoyed by the thought of him. “Yet my parents keep bringing up the magic man himself. Says he’s a good listener if I need anything.” Nick was sorely confused by her attitude. Oscar is great! “What’s wrong with Dr.Os?” He couldn’t fathom anybody not liking a guy like him. Oscar was such a good man! Veronica didn’t seem to share that opinion however. “I just don’t believe listening to a person’s problems for an hour or two for a week does much. Therapy sounds like a big ploy and his smile is a bait.”

“Huh, well that’s an interesting viewpoint to say the least.” Nick wasn’t aware she had such strong feelings about it. “Well it’s a ploy with some benefits. He’s definitely helped me a bunch.” Veronica looked at Nicholas smile softly as he started running his hand through his hair. “Wait, you’ve gone to therapy?” She asked. He’s never mentioned such a thing. “Of course, when I was younger that is. I had a whole schedule along with Summer. Still check in from time to time.” He sounded embarrassed about that last part. “Seeing your family hospitalized for an incident you caused us heavy stuff, especially when you’re a kid. The only thing more daunting is seeing that person’s face become twisted as they try to kill you. Don’t tell Summer, but Shiva has done more than a little to unnerve me.” He laughed, playing off the severity of it to ease himself. It was clear by the frown Veronica wore that she felt sad for him. “What’s with the face? I’m fine, talking about it isn’t a problem for-” Nick was interrupted as two hands were raised in front of his face. “Ten minutes.” Veronica said with a commanding presence. Nick split her hands apart to see her absolute confidence stare at him. “If you ever feel like you need to decompress or rant like there’s no tomorrow, then come to me. Speak your truth unapologetically for ten minutes and I won’t hold or mention any of it. Deal?”

This was surely a change in attitude. The girl was just talking about how a couple of hours isn’t enough time and here she is offering ten minutes. It was so strange. So spontaneous, yet generous. It was so….Veronica. Nick couldn’t help but appreciate the gesture. He clicked his teeth, “only if you do the same with me. I think you’ll find having someone listen to your problems is precious no matter the length of time.” The offer was expected. “Typical Nicholas, taking an act of kindness to help someone else. Learn to be greedy once and a while. Deal.” She removed her hands until Nick held onto them. Veronica’s brain started frying. He was getting closer, leaning closer. “Nick?” She said quickly. His face seemed so calm as he got close enough for Veronica to feel the warmth of his body and breath invade her space. Her own face became hot. She didn’t know what to do! Nick had completely caught her off guard. Was this a dream? Veronica hoped not or else that meant she still might be in school, or worse, that day hadn’t started. “Calm yourself Veronica! You wanted this for years! Just calm yourself and-” Nick’s head suddenly fell down and rested around her shoulder and chest gently. Veronica looked down at him. “Huh…?” She brought her hand to his face to look at him. Not only was it flushed but it was burning hot! His fever went back up! “Nick! Your fever!” He only grumbled, tired and willing to comply with what came next. “Maybe I overdid it a little. Help me back to my bed?” He might’ve asked but it was more of an obligation. His eyes closed seconds later as he drifted off to sleep. Veronica could only remain still, overwhelmed by her own assumptions. A few seconds later and she would’ve stolen a kiss by mistake. Life truly was cruel for teasing her like that. The girl stood up to support his body and started walking. At least he was light. “Can’t believe this. Why is life like this!?” She cried out internally.

xxxx

Long hallways were a dumb idea. Putting Nick to bed would’ve been done sooner if his family didn’t live in a modern day castle. Walking back to her room was worse, now she was alone with nothing to think about but him. She was glad he passed out after all the measuring was finished though. Proper progress could finally start with his outfit. Hopefully he won’t be too sick. Adding a dust of some kind to energize his body or keep him comfortable might be a good idea. Speaking of dust, Veronica knew it was a must for Summer. The way Nick talked about Shiva made Veronica’s skin tense up. Her single encounter with the woman, if you could call her that, was actually unnerving. “It might be best to tell Summer about that after all. Along with asking questions about Shiva in general. My design won’t be any good if it unleashes a frozen hell. Then I’ll really deserve some nasty looks.”

To think time away from Menagerie would be more complex than staying. The only difference was Veronica was now dealing with other people’s problems. A welcome change in her opinion. She kept walking and came across Summer, who was just about to enter her room again. A white guitar with a paw print on it was in the girl’s hand. “Oh yeah, you did have a dog.” Veronica said aloud. Summer finally noticed her. “Huh? Oh this? Yeah, named this beauty Dolt. Just like him.” She strummed a few cords to give a beautiful sound that filled the hall. How such talent could exist within a person like Summer was beyond Veronica’s comprehension.

“So, you tell Nick about my little water works moment?” Veronica looked at the girl as if she had just spoken gibberish. “I don’t care what you do in the privacy of your own room. That is, unless it deals with that strange dust you’re hiding behind your mirror.” Summer’s heart immediately stops. Veronica points to her own nose and crinkles it. “It was only for an instant but I definitely smelled a painfully potent dust when I entered your room. Actually… it was the same sent as Shiva’s” Veronica admitted, watching Summer get even paler. “Y-You saw- when could you have possibly-” Summer couldn’t keep her head in order. Her body began to shake as her mouth became dry. The beating in her heart began to sound like thunder in her eardrums while her chest felt tight. “I was asleep wasn’t I? What did she do!? Who did she- is she why you want me drinking milk!?” Summer shouted, tears welling up and freezing the moment they ran down her cheeks. “What stunt are you trying to pull!? Don’t listen to her! I shouldn’t have listened to you! All you-”

Veronica pressed her hands hard against Summer’s face. The stinging sensation reddened the twin's face and brought attention to the composed look of acquaintance. “ You need to calm yourself.” Veronica said sternly. She inhaled then exhaled repeatedly for Summer to imitate. The shear cold of Summer’s own skin made Veronica’s hands feel numb. Along with the unpleasant smell of peppermint, it was clear to tell that Summer had been losing herself in the panic. Forget musical talent, Veronica couldn’t figure out how a person like her was still alive. That panic attack looked like it was gonna be the final nail in a coffin. Veronica took Summer’s hand and pulled her inside of her questionably hot room. “Summer, relax…”

Summer tried her best. She bit her bottom lip and took one deep inhale through her nose then out of her mouth. “Okay, okay…” her voice trembled, regaining composure. “I’m alright. Just give me a second.” Summer walks to her bed and lays flat on her back. A light layer of sweat ran down her forehead. Things will be okay. Answers, calming down, and a plan. Then she’ll be okay. “When did you see her?”

“The night I got here. Apparently you passed out without turning on your heater or anything. I bumped into her in the kitchen trying to eat, mainly dairy.” That last part didn’t sit well with Summer. Her eyes narrowed from Veronica’s words. “Don’t look at me like that. I was gonna force dairy into your diet anyways because of our arrangement. If anybody seems to be dancing with danger then it’s you.” Veronica took a good whiff of her surroundings. The scent led her to Summer’s vanity mirror. She reached behind it carefully until her fingers ran across two small vials and grabbed them. The dust glowed a beautiful light cyan color. A few seconds into holding them and Veronica started feeling the cold go through her, making her put it down. She had Never felt dust that was constantly active in any form. “Where the heck did you get this?”

“Penny’s lab. I, I stole it…” Summer mumbled. Guilt didn’t begin to describe how she felt about going through with it. “That stuff made Shiva appear so maybe it can unmake her. Nick and I secretly go out sometimes for me to practice controlling her. Not alone typically. If I learn to use her powers-”

“You’re gonna kill yourselves…” Veronica interjected, her voice colder than the dust. “Give me a break. You’d drag your brother into a situation like that? And I do mean drag, because the only reason he’s going alone with it is because you’re his precious little sister. Ugh, it makes me sick; do you ever get tired of being a burden?” Those words cut a little too close to the heart. Of course she was. All Summer ever thinks about is being on her own. The girl rose up to retaliate in anger, only to be shoved back down with ease. Her entire body was trembling again. “What? More water-”

“Fuck off Veronica.” Summer said through clenched teeth. Her forearm covered her weeping eyes. “What makes you think you can just say whatever the hell you want; of course you wouldn’t understand.” Summer refused to lay down and got up again right in front of Veronica. “It must be nice to be so perfect and unbothered by everything. Do me a favor and stay out of my business.” Blue clashed with lilac silently. How many times have they been at odds like this? More than Veronica cared to count. She could remember how many times Summer looked this angry. Everything about her was shaky, including her clenched fist.

“Relieving tension or contemplating swinging hitting me?” Summer didn’t answer. Not even she could trust her response. As angry as she was, Veronica wasn’t the one she wanted to let it out on. “Can’t decide? Guess I’ll choose for you.” Veronica walked away, opening the door to leave. “Tomorrow, seven o’clock, the both of us are going down to Mantle’s forest. Bring one of those stupid viles with you.” Summer finally stopped tensing up. “What…?”

“You’re brother is still sick and won’t be getting better dealing with you pulling stunts like this. Since you clearly aren’t going to change your mind I guess I’ll fill in. Don’t oversleep, and for your sake, bring your sword. Punches aren’t your style.” Veronica left on that note. She immediately went through the ground and went searching for her. Perfect and unbothered? Yeah right. That couldn’t be further from the truth. She found her mother watching a movie in what was probably a theater room. Yang heard the girl barge in. “Hey sweetie. Wanna w-”

“Get your boxing gloves.” Veronica said quickly. She barely understood what she said herself. “I need to vent, badly.” Yang could see the girl’s eyes burn with emotion. The movie was out on pause and Yang stood up. “Okay. Give me your best shot and let’s mix things up too. I’ll meet you in the garden in five minutes.” Veronica nods and walks off. Yang didn’t know what put her daughter in such a foul mood but Yang was determined to find out. But before any of that she needed to call Blake. A lot has happened the last couple of days that she would no doubt want to know. “Hey Bl-”

“VERONICA STARTED A FIGHT!?” Yang went pale. Looks like Blake already knew about a few things. This would definitely take more than ten minutes.

Part 19

#rwby #rwby au #rwby twin snowflakes #nicholas schnee #blake belladonna #summer schnee #val valkyrie #harriet bree #yang xiao long #bmblb #veronica belladonna

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nozomijoestar · 6 years ago

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I had an idea for Violentine eventually getting married and because society as we know it has been dead so long they just get creative about the whole thing

Also time jump from the end of the game and Texas Two is now Big, AJ is a preteen, Clem and the older of the former kids can now pay their taxes if those were still a thing

BGM if you like that when you read, lyrics here

“Been a while huh Tenn? Everything’s so busy these days I haven’t had the time. I’m sorry.”

She sat cross-legged on the partly overgrown ground. A small wreath of fresh flowers hung from the top of a cross. The wood was faded and weather-beaten, but the name carved there could never leave her memory. From her pocket she pulled a paper, unfolded it, then placed it. Violet sighed, even her smile seemed exhausted. Her eyes threatened to brim over with tears she thought she’d long left behind.

“AJ made that for you. He’s gotten a lot better at drawing you’d probably love it. He’s a little past your age now. Shit I’m, I’m taking too long to get to the point aren’t I?”

The breeze picked up making the trees rustle as though they communicated the will of ghosts. She looked around. The crosses had multiplied through the years, each one a new nick on her heart. She chewed her lip and fiddled with her bun. Now wasn’t the time for death. Her stomach churned butterflies. A genuine smile bled into her voice.

“I wanna ask Clem to marry me. Just saying it out loud feels weird and amazing all at once. I honestly didn’t think she’d want me this long but life kept happening.”

In one motion she laid spread eagle and stared into the pink clouds that signaled dusk. She closed her eyes as another sigh fell from the trees. The sound of people beyond the graveyard drifted in voices, laughter, and song. Though the years since there’d been largely silence were gone she could never shake a need to be prepared. Even if the walls had expanded far past the former Ericson gates, danger never slept. It was something Clementine loved to reinforce.

The thought of the way her face went stern and her voice deepened made Violet chuckle. She rose to her feet and dusted herself.

“I should get a move on. It was great talking to you again.”

After a final readjustment of the wreath she passed through the yard. A flag decorated with many stitches flapped in the wind reading ‘Texas Two’. Sometimes she looked up at it and still laughed at its ridiculousness. Though since she’d been responsible for it, that was the same as laughing at her old self. Her old self, she pondered, the Violet who hadn’t dared to entertain the thoughts she did now. When had that person changed? She didn’t think she’d ever know.

Inside the old admin building echoed a section of Chopin’s ‘Winter Wind’ in A minor. The anxious dance her nerves were doing calmed. Louis would be finished teaching piano lessons for the day. Her stride became confident. If she was going to make a sappy fool of herself it would be out of public view. Of her old mannerisms she could at least keep that one.

He sat continuing to play though he knew she’d come by the pattern of her gait. His lack of a tongue elevated a need to pay notice to the finer things in other ways. She leaned against the doorway and folded her arms. They carried on in silence. Violet closed her eyes again, taken by her imagination. The shrieking highs and nervous lows seemed to pull every worry she’d ever had like threads off a loom.

She saw Clem’s head bashed open like a ripe fruit, or the paling of her bite ridden skin and its missing chunks. Right behind it came the thought of AJ’s neck dyed red as he took Tenn’s place at the bottom of a herd and picked clean. Their home at the bottom of smoldering ashes. Worst of all above the extremes, she would bare her soul for Clem greater than she already had to see her spirit fall. In one moment for some reason or other everything they’d made of love would fracture, and Violet might as well quit the venture entirely.

As if reading the tone of her thoughts the music stopped. Her eyes reopened to find Louis scribbling on a scavenged notepad. With a grin he turned it to face her. His eyes twinkled with their unquenchable charm.

‘That get your attention?’

She tucked her raw feelings back into their cage. The processed version rolled off her tongue.

“A little too hard Lou. Guess that means you’ve graduated from sucking.”

She finished with a soft laugh seeing him flip her off. The way he wiggled his eyebrows told her he found it funny. He gestured for her to come over and made room on the piano seat. She sat with her hands folded and stared nervously into her lap. Her stomach churned while the words she wanted to find were slow to come. At the touch of his hand on her shoulder she shook her head.

“It’s nothing bad I’m only overthinking again. I just...tonight I’m gonna propose. I want to. What do you think?”

He smiled and stared wide eyed filled with glee. A rush of air she guessed equated to a gasp came as he clapped. It made her blush and seem sheepish curling into herself. The sound of Louis scribbling excitedly refocused her attention.

‘About damn time! I almost thought you’d never bring it up. My advice, take her to a spot important to you guys. Get her thinking about all the deep stuff you’ve done together. If you’re really feeling it serenade her. That’s what I’d do.’

“I want her taking me seriously not laughing her ass off. By now my singing’s gotta be shitty.”

‘Oh come on Vi, live a little. Singing or not the point is you may never do this again. Make it a memory. You two were doing just that all this time anyway.’

Violet sighed and rested her forehead against the piano, defeated. The keys she pressed let out a wail. Another note was put before her.

‘Don’t sulk tell her how you feel. Clem’s gonna love you more than she already does.’

“...How do you know she won’t say no?”

He cocked his head and interrogated her with a bewildered stare. Her stomach sank; her voice had been whiny like a child’s. In the end, she was being silly. It made the confidence she’d mustered drop in shame.

‘We don’t know Vi but if she’s stuck around this long it means something. Clem’s the kind of girl to take off if she really didn’t believe in what she sees.’

She groaned and the keys played an ugly sound.

“You’re right. I’m being a coward. I fucking hate it. I thought that side of me was done with.”

‘It’s ok to be scared. This is a big deal! You know how you’re guaranteed to fuck it up though? Having a negative attitude. Positive vibes Vi, positive.’

“Yeah yeah. You’ve given me an idea. If you see her tell her to come to the bell tower tonight. That it’s urgent.” She said with a lazy smile.

They bid each other goodbye leaving Louis to start up the piano solo of Kreisler’s ‘Liebesleid’. He’d reached halfway using a laser-focused concentration when another, larger presence filled the door. His deft hands stopped. Clementine smiled and clapped as she walked towards him. Without a moment to waste he ripped out the used pages of his notepad; they were stuffed into his coat pocket. It didn’t go unnoticed when Clem raised an eyebrow but gave no comment.

She stood balancing her weight on her natural leg and leaning against the piano. Were she anyone else, even Violet, Louis would’ve sooner scolded her for lacking manners. He looked down to find her prosthetic ( a newly improved design of Willy’s built with higher mobility in mind ) still in good condition.

“Caught ya.” She said giggling.

He looked up at her strong face, thick eyebrows, and overwhelming mane of curly hair. She had a stern beauty that always caught him by surprise for its rarity and strength. Violet sure knew how to pick ‘em.

‘Wanted to make sure your foot was ok. Doubt Willy would screw it up but still y’know?’

“Thanks. Listen Louis...are you free for a little while? There’s something I wanna talk about. I want your honest opinion.”

A glint in his eyes betrayed his excitement. His gut instinct gave him an inkling of what hovered unsaid. He almost laughed at the coincidence of it all. She slowly sat at his invitation and fiddled the keys. After a meandering pause she cleared her throat; he wore a grin.

“You know Violet and I have been together a while now. Longer actually than I ever thought possible. I’m grateful for it everyday. It’s sadly not something a lot of people can say. That’s why...I don’t know if this is still the right word but, I want her to be my wife.”

She stared at him and twiddled her thumbs. Rarely had he seen her hesitate, much less be meek. The sight made him sit up straighter, listen harder. From the corner of her eye she caught his expectant stare.

“I guess regardless of what it’d be called these days that’s what I want. She’s too important for me to lose. It’s time she really knows it and how I feel.”

For a moment she gauged his face for the slightest reaction. The intensity radiating as if a conjured aura from her body reminded him of someone constipated; he again fought a laugh. It was as though she resigned herself to a do or die mission. A determination not a far cry from what she summoned up before a supply run. In his opinion, they both were taking this to lengths so ridiculous it bordered on comical. That however would remain a secret.

He nodded with enthusiasm and that seemed to lighten her worry. On his notepad this time he thought hard before writing.

‘It can mean whatever you want it to Clem. You love her, that’s the most important part. I say go for it. Any plans on how you’ll ask?’

“Well there’s really only one way right? I have to tell her outright, just not sure where to do it.”

‘Y’know she asked to meet with you tonight on the bell tower. There couldn’t be a better spot if you ask me.’

“Did she? That makes this easier.”

She sighed in relief and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I love her Louis. More than she might know.”

‘Tell her not me.’ he said with a smile.

After dinner the night air blew warm embracing the essence of summer. Clementine found Violet pacing in front of the ladder they’d once helped construct. She remembered seeing her like this then too, anxious over everything turning out right. Her suspicion turned on and her eyes narrowed in concern. She had yet to be noticed from a distance.

In seconds that weighed like minutes she sighed and mumbled to herself.

“Alright Clementine all you have to do is talk. Sure Clementine, like it’s that simple. You’re stalling now. Get yourself together.”

“You sure don’t mind keeping a girl waiting.”

Violet’s voice seized her attention from the grasping hands of her thoughts. Before she could say another word laughter filled the silence. It made her blush even as she frowned in mock irritation.

“I didn’t think you’d notice.”

“I wouldn’t have if we weren’t the only ones here. Feelin ok?”

“Yeah just was wondering what’s on your mind to have us meet at this place.”

She smiled feeling a kiss on her cheek. Violet wore the look that always came when an idea longed to burst out before it drove her mad. Clementine slowly trailed her eyes up and down as though they were meeting for the first time anew. The demure air in her posture broke the obscuring fog of Clementine’s own nerves. Her expression softened into a look of curious wonder.

The streaks of moonlight cast across Violet’s face bent her grin toward the mysterious. She ran her thumb over Clementine’s knuckles and gestured at the ladder.

“Come with me and you’ll find out.”

Above them the stars filled the horizon into an infinity none would ever measure. The moon aided their brightness and bathed all it touched in an ethereal glow. The ground beneath her feet shined as though she walked on a river of silver; as though she were weightless. A breeze carrying the scent of flowers and wood-smoke, of life below, rustled Violet’s hair. Clementine felt her heart thud louder.

The bell tower had remained untouched through the years save for a few new cracks and crumbling bricks. Vines entangled a section of broken stone railing, the same as the first night they’d sat together. She dared to imagine the ghosts of their old selves caught in a roller-coaster of teenage emotions; each burning more intensely than the last into love. They stopped and leaned against the railing beside the spot.

They were gazing at the sky when Violet spoke first; her thoughts tumbled from her like a waterfall. A part of Clementine was relieved.

“So uh, Clem, I wanna be real honest with you. These past seven years went by so fast some days it feels like my head’s spinning keeping track. All this below us? All these people? If you’d told me before we’d be dealing with this I’d have called you crazy. Hell, if you’d told me there’d be a time where I could have nights not having to worry something would break into the school, I’d never believe it.”

She took a break to breathe and look over the dozens of smaller lights in varying buildings that stretched into the pushed back treeline. Each one signified a condensed hope and dream from those it kept warm. Their numbers lifted Violet’s spirit to continue. Clementine stood mesmerized, her eyes trained to Violet and Violet alone. It was as though each word revealed a deeper truth than the last.

“We wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you. I know you can say it was a group effort, it’d be true, but you’re our motivation. I don’t think I’d be half the person I am today if I hadn’t met you and AJ. Point is...remember when I said once I couldn’t imagine life without you?”

“...Of course. It took me completely by surprise.”

“I still feel that way. Clem, I want you in my life till it ends someday.”

The breeze stirred into a mild wind as Clementine’s eyes widened softly. She stumbled to speak then went silent when Violet leaned closer. Her entire body pleaded a need for recognition, as if another chance would never come again.

“Marry me.”

Without hesitation Clementine pulled her into an embrace as their lips met. Her hands wandered to cup Violet’s face and not let go. They pressed together and sunk slowly to their knees. When at last they separated neither cared if anyone below had seen. Violet’s eyes shut in bliss feeling a gentle stroke on her chin and kisses peppering her face. There came a whisper on the verge of tears into her ear when Clementine hugged her tighter.

“You beat me to it you ass.”

“Heh, I can still keep you guessing.”

“Troublemaker.” came the reply with a grin.

AJ stood watching Ruby arrange bundles of wildflowers with the same care she gave all things. Though only twelve he’d nearly reached her height. He’d lost some inches shortening his hair to a buzz cut hidden beneath Clementine’s faded baseball cap. It was something he continued to be reminded of when Ruby’s motherly presence loomed so large.

“Hey there shorty could ya give me a hand? These bouquets can get real messy.”

“Sure, but it’s Alvin Junior.”

“I know I know. Reminding me ain’t gonna help us no faster. I’ll tell Clem if you do good.”

That made the hint of sourness in his expression bloom into an excited smile. Around them a small team of five busied themselves with the same task. They moved as Ruby directed to arrange each in a circle open only at the northern and southern sides. A myriad of colors blue, white, orange and so on occupied the center of the restored sports field. AJ sweated hoisting another bundle for the ring and nearly dropped it. Wordlessly Ruby caught it before it hit the ground and with that the last of it lay in place.

They stepped back performing a final check several times until Ruby proved satisfied. On a clear spot amidst the flurry of activity around them (an army of chefs led by Omar; Willy’s team arranged benches) AJ rested. A sheen of sweat covered his face and exhausted eyes. The first clue he’d received for what lay ahead came when Louis slipped him a note and a wink at breakfast one morning. ‘Congrats on the new mom kid!’ he hadn’t understood what it meant; a part of him still felt he didn’t even when Clementine explained that no, weddings weren’t something you ate.

As he felt the day’s work burn in his muscles he concluded whatever it looked like had to be worth the aches. He spotted Aasim approaching with a squirming bundle in his arms; AJ sprung to his feet. Every lecture he’d ever received on slacking echoed in his mind in unison. Aasim towered over AJ’s stature exuding an almost regal air were it not for the slight gruffness of his beard. In his shadow AJ straightened himself and stifled a laugh when a baby’s hand swatted his chin. His stare spoke of a sense of urgency matched in his baritone voice.

“Have you seen Ruby around AJ? It’ll be her turn to look after Susanna during the ceremony. Seems like that’ll start any minute now.”

“We worked on the flowers together but after that I’m not sure. Maybe she went to check on Clem and Vi-”

“The brides are ready Aasim, just had to go fetch ‘em after their fittins’.”

From behind them Ruby appeared with a blushing Clementine and Violet in tow. She pressed a kiss to Aasim’s cheek before reaching for the baby.

“Guess everything’s ready. I’d have come sooner but we had to finish cataloging that cache of recovered books in the library.”

“It’s alright I’ve got her, you just focus on those two. Lord knows they’re eager to get started and I don’t blame ‘em.”

Susanna piped up in her mother’s arms and stretched a hand toward Clementine.

“Ba!”

“Hey there Susie you doing ok?” Clementine cooed as she let her nose be patted.

“Guuu-ba!”

“Looks like you’ve got a way with kids that aren’t AJ too.”

“Well Vi she’s not Auntie Clem for nuthin’. Go on and say bye to Auntie Clem and Violet, Susanna.”

“Baaba.”

They waved in parting as Ruby left for the quickly filling crowd. Dozens well over a hundred sat chatting among themselves; more than a few stole curious glances to center stage. A hundred and so on more joined soon after. Clementine felt Violet graze her arm and gesture at a dazzled AJ. His eyes held awe that grew when Clementine pet his head.

“Ruby told me you were a real help goofball. I appreciate it.”

“You guys...you both look amazing...”

“Thanks kid. The rest of it’ll blow your mind if you stick around and watch.”

Without needing to be told further AJ nodded and made way for the benches; he looked back only once wearing an encouraging smile. The field was bare save for its key players, and the crowd fell into silence. Aasim signaled to take places then addressed those seated with a wave of his arms. Clementine and Violet stared at one another on opposite ends of the ring; Clementine’s grin made Violet blush and stare at her feet.

“Good afternoon everyone! We’re here today to witness the ceremony of a union; one long in waiting. This couple wishes to affirm their love for one another through a promise of lifelong devotion. You may both enter the ring.”

They obeyed having eyes only for each other; it formed a safety net against the pressure of so many others upon them. Softly Violet mouthed “It’s ok.”

“We’ll begin the professions of love. Clementine you may start.”

She cleared her throat and traced over every inch of Violet, of her flowing hair and single braid that whipped up from the back of her tunic in the breeze. The blue fabric lined with white threaded patterns complimented her pale green eyes. A crown of flowers adorned her head. Every detail was memorized.

“For as long as we’ve known each other you’ve supported me; even if you took time to open up. There’re so many moments, so many close calls where I’d never have made it out if it weren’t for you. Each day makes me feel more alive than the last. Not just because of our friends, or because of all we’ve done, being able to know you’re there is enough. I dedicate this dance to your affection.”

Slowly she took a step forward then pivoted into a practiced twirl. A dance of passion sent her traveling about their arena. Sweat flew from her brow and splattered in places on her belt’s spinning tassels. One misplaced step threatened to topple her but slyly she recovered before worry could disturb Violet.

With a grin she launched into a new phase. Her arms spun and, where able, her legs kicked. The movements blended so fluidly few could pinpoint the moment aggression gave way to softness. To even fewer it revealed its heart; a reflection of her lover’s metamorphosis.

There were moves describing sarcastic defenses, cowardly silences, sections mapping the rush from kind words and intimate quiet. As if anew they were pulled into the haze of honest kisses, the whirlwind of lovemaking that went deep into sleepless nights. On occasion they were plunged headfirst before icy fear and protective worry that pricked to the bone. Those moments would be quickly broken by a return to memories of the warmth in living.

Almost instinctively the full result of a week’s practice strengthened its control as she neared the end. Her mind sank into an empty plane, speaking only what little remained unsaid through her rhythm. When it was done the sight of Violet brimming with tears told her everything. Wordlessly she gathered herself then bowed.

Aasim stood in entranced silence. The edges of his solemn eyes had grown misty, defying his self restraint. He gestured and caught Violet’s attention away from her thoughts.

“Feelings have been expressed that require an answer. Violet, you may give your reply.”

“I’ve heard them. Clementine you taught me it’s alright to feel; that holding everything in and running from help is what makes a coward. Choosing who I want to be in life by learning from others is a gift that takes courage. You kept trying even when I wanted to shut you out. I’d never seen anyone so dedicated. Because of you I remembered the people who care about me, away from the ghosts I wanted to chase. I dedicate this dance to your strength.”

This time the was an elegant start defined by tight turns and precise footwork. Each move linked firmly to the last and the next. Clementine’s chest tightened as she watched; her breath caught in her throat. Within the dance she felt herself be peeled back. There was the Clementine she saw herself as, steel willed and cautious, in places fragmented. It morphed to show the rare moments of worry and the storms that wracked her in anxiety. In a few moments that still churned her stomach she felt a lurking shadow of the cruelty that’d tumbled so easily from her whenever she’d been cast astray.

Her body grew hot, her shoulders heavy before she saw the dance shift and the feeling passed. There was a return to gentleness and the power in mercy. Like glittering bubbles memories flooded her mind fresh as they days they’d been reality. She’d cried and screamed and torn her hair each time someone had been lost; yet she pressed forward hopeful. She’d witnessed distrust seize people’s eyes as they coveted rather than strive for understanding; yet never closed her ears to humanity. She’d cried awake sunken to the floor and teeth grit replaying each life she’d taken, each selfish need she’d served; yet her remorse was proof she retained a soul.

Tears trickled down her face, and she felt not a care to stop them. The sensations of the present returned only when Violet had finished. In an instant that moved in her vision like slow motion she was embraced. Aasim’s voice grounded her beyond the sensation of Violet’s heart beating in time with her own.

“We have witnessed them speak to each other’s deepest self. In this they have found unity, and taken hold of that which they seek for themselves in another. It is time for the final step. Let them now dance together and display the bond when two become one. Music for them, if you’d all please.”

Clementine felt Violet shift against her the crowd clapped a beat.

“You ready?”

“Yes.”

They took up position smiling through their flushed faces. The dance moved slow and contemplative as if longing to savor each moment. All else began to fade replaced by a rhythm that held a peaceful trance. Neither kept track of how long they swayed until Clementine said,

“Why don’t we show them what we’ve got?”

“Ready when you are partner.” Violet replied grinning.

In one motion they separated still holding on by one hand, throwing themselves into a spin that ended in a twirl. Violet laughed finding herself again in Clementine’s arms then out once more. She took her turn twirling Clementine, her eyes sparkling and heard racing. They spun holding each other then separated to link arms each facing the other’s back but continuing to lock eyes. It prefaced another separation as they spun alone only to jump back together. At this they laughed.

Violet’s vision was filled by the bright sky when Clementine dipped her then leaned close. Violet wrapped her arms around her neck and pressed their foreheads together.

“I love you.”

“Love you back.”

“Promise?”

“Hell yeah.”

Their kiss found Clementine with hands roaming her hair but she didn’t care. A ways away the roar of the crowd filled their ears. Beside them Aasim clapped and wiped his face. He turned one last time to project his proud voice.

“I present to you all a married Clementine and Violet! May they have a happy life together.”

“That better not have jinxed anything Aasim.” Violet teased with a snicker.

“Shut it and go have fun with your wife. You guys deserve it.”

“Thanks for all this, really.”

“Keep treating her right Clem.” he replied smiling.

The after party blew quickly into a spectacle. Louis had attracted a cheerful gathering as he played pieces back to back. Clusters of people filled the admin building to the seams; further groups had piled into the school yard. The campus in its entirety lay at the heart of town from which hundreds of simple houses, storage, and shops fanned out. The multitude of guests had been guaranteed with more passing colorful banners AJ had overseen.

A few carried weathered but functioning instruments, guitars, harmonicas, large and small drums. They formed a small band that led the tune of those dancing in the yard. A sizable banquet had been prepared from their surplus; beside Ruby chatted with Aasim while Susanna sucked on her bottle. From the balcony at the admin building’s face Clementine stood observing. Out of her regal wedding attire she nearly blended into the revelry were it not for her commanding presence.

Any tension soon melted from her when she felt Violet’s arms around her waist. She smiled and leaned into the nuzzle against her neck.

“How’s it feel? Thinking of anything?”

“I was wondering how things are closer to the wall and that group we sent out a day ago.”

“You mean Randy.”

“None of us can afford him screwing up. He’s been very...vocal lately. It’s giving me bad thoughts.”

“Hey none of that ok? Today’s our day to celebrate, we can worry about later when it comes.”

Clementine closed her eyes and pressed their foreheads together.

“Where’s AJ?”

“With the other kids. Us grown ups are too intense for him right now. I don’t blame him, he seemed happy though.”

“I can think of one reason to justify that.” Clementine teased in a husky voice, her hand wandering below Violet’s waist.

“Clem not while everyone’s around.” came the reply followed by a giggle.

“Just teasing. We can go over it all later.”

“In that case you’ve got my interest.”

“Really? How about something like this to start.”

She pulled Violet closer and leaned her back against the railing. She studied the way Violet tilted her head as their lips met; saw the beauty in how her hair framed her face. Slowly she traced her fingers along her jaw, welcoming the feel of Violet grabbing a fistful of her shirt. They broke off at the whistles thrown at them from below. One glare and eye roll from Clementine silenced them. Violet chuckled. Her arms wrapped lazily around Clementine’s neck.

“I’ll never forget today.”

“I hope not. If you ever do I’ll remind you.”

“Heheh, yeah.”

The music and chatter came to a sudden halt with a banging at the yard’s iron gates. Shocked dancers parted a pathway for a team in neat ranks, their boots marching in step. A man with a thick trimmed beard and thicker hair led them and adjusted the grip of his spear. It had a long curved edge akin to a beast fang and tassels that jiggled in time with the pistol on his belt. The well kept armor he wore, decorated in the motif of a cougar as his rank allowed, enhanced his bulk. His burly arms were defined by gnarled scars that betrayed his continued Old World hobby of rigorous exercise.

He signaled a stop by raising his fist and was immediately obeyed. His beady eyes stared at Clementine without faltering. She read the challenge within them clearly and stood stiff backed,unwavering. From the crowd she felt multitudes looking to her in surprise that yielded to fear. Beside her Violet’s expression hardened and simmered with open disgust. The man spoke, his voice embed by a natural cunning.

“We’ve returned from our expedition with a generous offering from the community to the west.”

“Welcome back, I trust everything went well along with it.”

“Yes, yes of course. Nice to see we’ve been missed.” he said letting a sarcastic bite slip into his tone as he looked around.

“C’mon Randy we can talk about this anywhere but in front of everyone. There’s no need to put on some kind of show.” Violet added.

His eyes studied her in frayed patience then flit back to Clementine. He made a gesture and his group dispersed.

“Sure I can be civil and play house with those wearing the big pants. Let’s have a private chat.”

He disappeared into the admin building. Clementine sighed deeply and let herself slacken. Tenderly Violet touched her hand, she took it without hesitation. She stared into the sky gathering herself until at last all her courage was summoned. With a nod she followed Violet’s lead into her office, something more animal than man fast approaching.

#twd #twdg #violentine #my writing

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itsshortfurball20 · 5 years ago

Text

Percy Jackson, The Avenger

Summary: Percy has an encounter with Nick Fury. A year later, he’s being called on to help protect the world… again. He’s not alone in this Avengers Initiative. A genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist; a super soldier; a green scientist; a Norse god; and two secret agents. What could go wrong?

This chapter has 2,102 words.

2 – I’m Ariel’s Uncle

1 Year Later

Percy was settled on the floor, leaning back against the couch. Annabeth sat above him running her fingers through his hair while his two-year-old sister, Estelle, sat between his legs as they watched The Little Mermaid.

“I can’t believe I’m just now realizing this,” Percy said as the movie ended. “but if Ariel is the daughter of Triton… and Triton’s my brother…”

“It makes you Ariel’s Uncle,” Annabeth concluded, following Percy’s train of thought.

Estelle giggled. “Percy mermaid!”

Percy ruffled her hair affectionately. “I’m not a mermaid. I’m just related to mermaids.”

“Don’t let them hear you calling them mermaids,” Annabeth told him.

“I wasn’t planning on it. Last thing I need is my brother showing up here or in New Rome. We’ve had three years of peace and I don’t plan on breaking that streak anytime soon.”

Sally poked her head in the living room. “Everything going okay?”

“Just finished the Little Mermaid.”

“I seed fish.” Estelle clapped her hands together.

“Saw,” Sally gently corrected. “I saw fish.”

“I seed fish.”

“It’s a pointless battle, Mom.” Percy picked Estelle up and settled her on his hip, gently bounding her. “Wanna join us for a round of Go Fish? We were just about to play.”

Sally frowned. “Actually, I have to run out for a while. And Paul’s still with his friends. Could you watch Estelle for a little while? Maybe take her to the aquarium.”

“The aquarium?” Percy looked affronted.

Annabeth was to quick soothe him. “It’s not like Phorcys. That was cruel, but at an aquarium, fish don’t have to worry about finding food, shelter, or predators. They’re taken care of.” Percy looked skeptical but nodded.

“Thanks guys.” Sally thanked them before grabbing her purse and rushing out.

Estelle grabbed Percy’s hair, yanking hard. Percy gently detangled his hair from his baby sister’s grip. “You wanna go to an aquarium?” He asked, inadvertently taking on a baby voice. Estelle nodded eagerly. Percy sighed, clearly having been hoping for a different. “Seems I’m out-numbered. Shall we?” He held out his hand to Annabeth.

She took it with a smile. “We shall.”

\~*~/

It was a lovely day out. The aquarium wasn’t too crowded as Percy pulled the wagon behind him. Estelle liked the wagon a lot better than she ever did the stroller, mostly because of the noises Percy would sometimes make as he ran with the wagon. Annabeth walked beside the wagon, pointing to all the fish, and making sure Estelle didn’t fall out of the wagon while it was moving.

As soon as they had entered the building, thousands of voices filled Percy’s head. Son of Sea God. Son of Sea God. When they walked by tanks, the fish gravitated towards him. Annabeth found it funny to watch the fish crowding one another to see Percy.

The aquarium, Percy decided, wasn’t too bad. He soon found himself pointing out the different fishes to Estelle. “That’s a Moorish Idol,” Percy told them as they passed a particular tank filled with colorful fish. “They’re omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.” He pointed at another fish. “That’s a black-tailed humbug. They’re more aggressive than other fish, but they’re usually only three to four inches long.” Percy turned back to Annabeth who was staring at him. “What?”

”You just became a walking fish encyclopedia.” Annabeth pointed out. “Honestly, you have a collection of some of the best and weirdest powers ever.”

He chuckled. “I guess. Having my own hurricane? That’s cool. Knowing every fishes’ mating season, not so much.” Percy turned back to Estelle who was standing up. She had her hands pressed against the glass; eyes wide as she watched all the different fish swim by her.

Percy smiled. He turned to the nearest fish.

What’s your name? He asked a Cherub Angelfish, a little blue fish swimming around the coral implants.

My name is Phil, my lord.

Well Phil, do you think you could do me a favor?

Phil swam in a circle excitedly. Of course, my lord. I would be honored.

Do you think you could swim in front of my baby sister? It would mean a lot to me if you did.

If that is what you desire, my lord, then I shall do it.

Estelle giggled ecstatically when Phil swam in front of her. “Look Percy, pretty fish!”

“I see. Every fish needs a name. What do you think, should we name him?”

“Yeah!”

“How’s… Phil?”

“Hi Phil.” Estelle waved at Phil and Percy saw Phil wave back at her. She continued to talk to Phil, blabbing about random things.

Annabeth sidled up next to him. “That was sweet of you.” She whispered.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course.” Annabeth’s eyes twinkled, and Percy was reminded just how lucky he was to have her. Looking around, he saw a tank filled with seahorses on the other side. AN idea popped into his head and he grinned. Hey.

Hello, lord, came about a dozen different voices.

So I’m here with my girlfriend and—

Son of Sea God has a girlfriend?

Uh, yes. Do you think—

Is she the tall blonde?

She’s cute.

Think about their babies—

With his eyes and her hair—

No, his hair and her eyes.

Are you crazy?

Percy couldn’t stop the blush creeping up on his neck as the seahorses started arguing about how his and Annabeth’s children would look and oh gods Annabeth’s looking at me now.

“What’s going on Seaweed Brain?” she asked. “You’re blushing like crazy. You okay?”

“I, uh, well, um…” Percy stuttered, not able to say a word because now the seahorses had moved onto the topic of how many kids they would have and the names of each, with the number so far at a total of twenty.

“That’s too many kids,” Percy whispered in horror.

Annabeth frowned. She followed his gaze, looking for a large group for kids that may have entered but found nothing. “What kids? Percy?”

Percy shook his head, his cheeks still very pink. “It’s, it’s nothing.” He waved her off. The dark-haired demigod turned back to the seahorses. Guys, really quick, do you think you could form a big heart?

Are you trying two trying to get it on?

No, I’m not trying to—

Hey guys, we gotta make a heart so our lord and his girlfriend can have the babies.

Wait a sec—

It was a lost cause. The seahorses were already excited and had formed a big heart, linking together. People walking by pointed and started taking out their phones to take photos. Percy gently took Annabeth’s hand and pointed at the tank.

Annabeth’s smile was big. Percy gave her a kiss, ignoring the loud chattering of the seahorses as they cheered him on. “Love you, Wise Girl.”

“I love you too, even if you are a Seaweed Brain.”

They kissed again. This time, they were interrupted by Estelle as she grabbed Percy’s hand and started leading him towards the seahorses. Percy let Estelle lead him towards the tank. Annabeth watched Percy point out different seahorses, saying something that made Estelle giggle.

The scene made her heart warm. Ever since she was seven, she had longed for a family. She thought she had found one with Luke, but that had gone south. With Percy, however, she finally felt that sense of peace that had been missing for so long, she almost didn’t recognize the feeling.

“Thank you,” she told Percy when he walked back over. His brows scrunched up.

“What for?”

“For just being you.”

Percy smiled. “Come on, let’s go check out the sea lion performance.

\~*~/

The rest of the day went by quick. They saw the sea lions perform, went to the touch pool, and got ice cream before leaving. It was only five-thirty when they left the aquarium, so Annabeth decided they should go out to eat dinner.

They skipped past the seafood restaurants that Percy hated and continued on until they reached a small diner. It took them two and a half hours to order, eat, and pay the bill, and by the time they walked back out, the sun had started setting. The trio made their way back to Sally and Paul’s apartment.

Walking down the hall, Percy felt like nothing could ruin the moment.

“Mom, we’re home,” Percy called out as they entered the apartment. Annabeth started unpacking the wagon while Percy took the sleeping Estelle into his arms. He entered the living room, expecting to see his mom and Paul watching TV together on the couch.

Instead, Percy found his mom serving cookies to a man he’d never seen before. Percy didn’t know suits well enough, but he figured that it was expensive. It fit the man well, not like the baggy ones that he and his friends had worn to school dances.

His mom turned to him, her face tense. “Percy, this man says he’s here to see you. Says he from…”

“Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” The man said quickly. He stood up and held out his hand for Percy to shake. “But we call it SHIELD for short.”

Percy froze. He had forgotten all about the incident that had happened a year ago. The demigod couldn’t believe how rotten his luck was. He could recall the terms for his freedom, and he specifically remembered promising Pirate-man he’d fight for him if ever needed. The odds, he thought, would’ve been small, not Olympian throne room sized.

Sally noticed the look on her son’s face and stepped forward. “I’m sorry sir but I think you’re going to have to leave.”

Coulson dropped his hand, and looked over at Sally, noticing her protective stance. He held his hands up in surrender, backing away from Percy. “I meant no harm, Mrs. Blofis.”

“Mom,” Percy spoke up. An awkward tension still hung in the air. “It’s fine.” It’s not. He handed Estelle to his mom, who squirmed a little before falling back asleep. “Here, we wore her out for you. Ask Annabeth for the bag from the gift shop, there should be a stuffed animal in there that we bought for her.”

Sally hesitated, staring at Percy for another moment, wanting an explanation but not pressing for one at the moment. She gave the man a quick glance before exiting the room. The man lowered his arms. “Sorry to bother you like this, but we need your help.” The man held out his hand for a second time. “Agent Coulson.”

“Percy Jackson—” Percy shook the man’s hand. “—but I’m sure you already knew that. Your group seems like the ‘stalker’ type. Except less Facebook and more personal.” He dropped the other man's hand and heaved out a sigh. “So Pirate guy has a fight?”

If Coulson was amused by Percy’s nickname for the serious director, he didn’t let it show. “This isn’t just a matter of national security,” he said casually like it was something he experienced every day, and coming from his line of work, it easily could’ve been. “The stake of the whole world, and possibly more, is on the line right now.”

“Am I doing this by myself or…”

“You’ll be part of a team. You specifically will be out there in the fighting.” Coulson handed him a small packet. Percy was surprised to find it in Greek. He quickly flipped through a couple of pages, seeing lots of words and not enough pictures. The pictures he did see varied—one featured a man-shaped suit of red and gold armor; another featured a huge green monster.

“Please don’t tell me I’ll have to wear a suit.” Percy pointed to a picture of a man wearing a tight red, white and blue suit with a shield. “I’m just saying this now, I don’t do the whole spandex thing.”

This time, Percy got a smile out of Coulson. “Duly noted.” The agent’s phone beeped. “Hang on a sec,” he pulled the phone out answered. “You get him? I’m on my way now, just finishing up with… okay.” He pulled the phone away.

“You have somewhere else you need to be?” Percy asked, gesturing to the phone.

Coulson nodded. “It was nice meeting you. And tell your mother I said thank you for the cookies however… blue they were.” The man was gone a second later. As soon as the apartment door closed, Annabeth and Sally peaked their heads out of Estelle’s nursery.

“Care to explain what that was?” Annabeth asked.

Percy swallowed, turning to his confused girlfriend and mom. “Surprise.” He said weakly.

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