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bellarkeselection · 3 years ago

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Little B's birthday

Part 14

Thank you to everyone who sent in ideas.

Everyone gives her gifts @CoreBore123 on Wattpad

Kayce gets her a dog @15kmudd on Wattpad

Y/n has flashbacks of her and kayce riding horses. She gets injured but he tells her to trust him when he says get back on the horse and beat the fear @Ash54817 and @coffer-bish both on Wattpad

(Bree's dog)

Weeks have gone since Kayce left the ranch with Monica and Tate. But I don't want to worry about that today or tomorrow. Because tomorrow is Bree's birthday, September 10th. John has given everyone working on his ranch two days off to help set and celebrate the party. My phone rings as I'm driving to pick up her cake and my present which is a golden necklace with a picture of our family inside. "Y/n don't hang up please. I just wanted to hear your voice. I love you and I'm sorry for continuing to lie to you-" I cut Kayce off taking in a deep breath. "Kayce lisen to me. I don't want to talk about our messed up relationship. I - just..." Trailing off I see the picture of me and Beth holding baby Bree with Lee, Jamie and John all together at the hospital laying on my dashboard. "Bree's 11th birthday is tomorrow. That's all I'm focused on. So can you just be a good father and show up, maybe bring a present. Tate and Monica can come too if they want. Tomorrow is all about her, nothing else."

He replies through the phone. "What times the party?" I responded with. "1:00, at the ranch obviously." He clears his throat as I pull into the parking lot of the cake store. "I love you Y/n. That's the truth. Trust me-" Opening my car door and hanging up our conversation quickly I headed to grab the cake. "If only it were that easy. See ya tomorrow Kayce." Bree's cake is a chocolate and Strawberries are on the inside. Driving back home I set it in the kitchen hearing John coming down the stairs. "The cake looks great. She's upstairs asleep." Leaning my back on the Island I questioned him about birthday presents. "So what did you get her for her birthday?" He picks up his brown hat off the wall hook placing it on his head. "Well I know I can't get her another horse. She's already got her hands full tending to Holly. But I went into town a few days ago and saw this little play ranch set." I nod with a smile as we both stepped onto the back porch eyeing the Dutton graveyard a few yards away from us. Running a hand down my face I still hear Kayce's words from our phone call. Trust me. He'd said that to me a year after we'd been dating.

The wind blows through my hair as we both rode through the fields up to this place he said there a breathtaking view of the valleys of the ranch. I'm still getting the hand of riding horses. We reach the top of the hillside. The hills drop down into different ray's of green and a bunch of trees. Kayce dismounted his horse tieing his horse's reigns to a wooden post so it can't run. "This is beautiful Kayc." I awed hearing a low growl making me glance over my shoulder I gasp seeing a wolf watching my horse. "Uh Kayce..."

He turns his head but doesn't have time to respond before my horse starts freaking out. I try pulling the reigns getting him to stop but it doesn't work. Kayce hollers out to the wolf telling it to run. "Go on, go on get!" The wolf runs off as I cry out trying to calm my horse. But he stands on its back legs throwing me onto my back harshly into the dirt. I land hard on my right wrist and feel it twisted the wrong way making me cry out. "Ah!" Kayce gently grabbed the horse's reigns holding him down. He slowly breathed out brushing his hand over its fur shooshing it. "Easy boy. Easy. You're alright."

He ties the horse up with his bending down on his knee brushing hair from my eyes. "I'm sorry baby." He sees my wrist brushing his hand over it. "It seems to just be sprained." I just nod my head with him helping me to my feet. I stare at the horse shivering in fear. The horse neighs at the ground seeming calmer now. "Hey Y/n look at me. It's okay now." He clearly sees me shivering, my eyes holding fear.

"Kayc I - I can't ride him again..." I stuttered out burying my face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around me resting his chin ontop of my head. He kisses my hair tilting my chin up so I stare into his brown eyes. "Lisen to me darlin'. Horses are difficult like people. But I've learned that if something scares ya you gotta learn to fight against." I try to argue back to my boyfriend. "But what if he throws me again?" He rebuttals with slowly leading me towards my horse. "He'll feel your scared. That's why he tossed you backwards. But if you show him with your body language that everything's going to be okay. He'll treat you just fine."

He intertwines our left hands resting them on the saddle. "Y/n..." He trails off squeezing my right hand in his freehand. Glancing to him from the corner of my eye I mumbled his name. "Kayce..." His eyes shifted from mine to the foothold on the horse. I slowly put my left foot into it, swinging my right leg over the saddle. Kayce keeps holding my left hand rubbing his thumb over it. "Just trust me. I'll never steer you wrong honey." He squeezes our intertwined hands staring into my eyes deeply. He released my hand so I placed both hands on the reigns kicking the horse and it gently rides ahead.

I wish it was simple now. To just trust him like he'd never lied to me. Never chosen somebody that isn't me. Never left this family. The next morning Ryan woke me up from the sun had risen warning me to be quiet with a finger to his lips. Climbing down from our bunk above Lloyd's gently enough to not wake her he holds his hands over my eyes making me confused as we exited the Bunkhouse. "Ryan, what are you doing?" He replies removing his hands once we're outside. "Trust me you're love it." Adjusting my eyes to the darkness I see little lantern lights strung up above some picnic tables and hanging at the entrance door to the Bunkhouse. Presents sitting on one end with all the Bunkhouse cowboys and Teeter smiling at me. "You all did this?" I gasped walking around the cute birthday set up.

"Boss said we should do something special." Ryan spoke up leaning down kissing my cheek. "Besides little B is a member of the Yellowstone after all." I jump into his arms smiling and he gently hugged me back. "Thank you - thank you all." I broke away gesturing with my freehand to everyone else still grinning. The sun had finally risen over the horizon when Rip, Beth and John showed up sitting their presents on the table. Bree was wearing a simple yellow dress with leggings underneath and brown boots, her hair in a braid down her back. I'd changed into a orange flannel with a tan jacket thrown over. Blue jeans and black boots with my hair partly pulled back with a hairpin. Everyone is sat down as I'm about to say something a black truck entered under the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch sign. He actually came.

A car door flings open and I hear Monica cry in warning as he races to hug Bree. "Tate!" Hearing that reminds me the day my life completely changed once again. The day Kayce came home. Bree squeals rushing to him tackling one another in a tight hug. "Tate!" It warms my heart seeing the pair so happy after the incident months ago. "Happy birthday. This is for you. I made it." He pulls out a bracelet that has multiple fall colored beads attached to it. He slipped it on her wrist showing her his matching one of his same wrist. "Thank you, Tate. It's really cute. "I responded giving him a hug that he equally replicated as his mother walks up. "Thank you for inviting us Y/n." I smile lightly seeing Kayce finally come out of his truck. His brown eyes trailed my body with a weak smile. Yet my eyes stay trained on his eyes, feeling tension between us.

Walker thankfully broke it picking up his guitar trying to find the right toon. "Let's sing and eat cake ya'll." Picking up Bree in my arms I sit her in front of her cake with 11 candles lit ontop. Everyone gathered around. Kayce and I standing on each side of our daughter as Walker started playing Happy Birthday on his guitar. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday Bree. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday Bree." Everyone sang before she blew out her candles and I hear a camera from a cellphone flash. Ryan grins showing me the picture he took. "Got it." Kayce is on her left with me on her right as she blows out the candles. We're both smiling huge grins. Beth sits down her bottle of alchohol clapping her hands together smiling. "Present time, my adorable niece."

She sits down a pink box watching Bree open it to pull out a black leather jacket and light orange-pinkish shirt with a horse on the front. Rip tips his hat voicing out the jacket. "I thought she needed a cool jacket to go with it." Next Colby and Lloyd stepped up handing her a tan cowgirl hat with jewels attached and she sits in her head grinning. Ryan gives her a long box and she tosses the wrapping paper to see a jewelled belt buckle that looked fancy like all the boys have. Teeter hands me two tickets. Flipping them over I read that's it's for a bull riding event. Raising my brows in confusion she clarified. "For when she's older. I'd like her to get a ride on a beast." She flips her baseball cap around smacking her gums together. Walker sits a tiny guitar case on the table and she opened it to see a tan colored guitar like his own. "We'll start lessons later, babydoll." He grinned matching her smile.

"Here you go little B." Finally her grandpa John steps up with a small box. She ripped the paper and squealed excitedly. "Horses mana!" Kayce chuckles alongside me as she takes them out of the box. Setting up her own little ranch set up. Bree gets to her feet pointing out a older cowboy labeling him. "He's you uncle John." John smiles helping her set up her ranch until Kayce clears his throat making everyone turn the heads his direction. "Bree do you wanna see my present?" She nods excitedly seeing him go open the backseat of his truck smacking his hands on his knees he said. "Come on boy." Kayce what did you get her. A dog's bark boomed through the ranch as we see a golden retriever come running alongside Kayce. He got her a dog.

Bree jumped from her chair racing to the dog as he sits wagging its tail happily. "Puppy!" She runs her hands over his fur and Tate even comes up join in her fun. Bree grins up at her father as he bends down clipping a red collar around his neck. "He was a stray at the shelter. When I saw him I thought of you. How does the name Maxon sound, sweetheart?" Bree jumped into his arms giggling even getting a smile from Tate. Finally I step up causing him to get to his feet with everyone else going to check out the new doggy. "I never expected your gift to be a dog, Kayce." I spoke once we'd walked a few steps away from the others. He shoves his hands in his pocket glancing to his feet instead of looking by direction. "Y/n, trust me. It was just to make her happy."

"Kayce I -" I started to speak but really had nothing to say. He finally looked at me staying true to his word, this time at least. "Hey like you said yesterday. We leave our romance trouble for tomorrow. Today is our daughter's birthday." He leans forward planting a kiss to my forehead walking over to play with the dog with the others. Bree wears her birthday necklace as her and Tate plays fetch with Maxon. Kayce's right. I should listen to my own rule and wait until tomorrow.

Comment you’re thoughts and reblog 🤗

Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving to whoever celebrates

Tags- just ask to be added

@rosie-posie08

@whateverthecostner

@stellarosedutton

@lizzydutton

@kcloveswrestling

@kaymudd

@the-morning-star-falls

#kayce dutton #kayce dutton x reader #luke grimes #john dutton #john dutton x reader #kevin costner #rip wheeler #rip wheeler x reader #cole hauser #ryan yellowstone #ian botham #walker yellowstone #ryan bingham #yellowstone

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puckrph · 4 years ago

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‘ YOU’RE AWFUL, I LOVE YOU ’ SENTENCE STARTERS

feel free to change pronouns, etc!

LOVE ME DEAD

‘ love me cancerously. ’ ‘ kill me romantically. ’ ‘ you’re awful. i love you. ’ ‘ you know just how to hold me. ’ ‘ when your edges soften, your body is my coffin. ’ ‘ love me dead. ’ ‘ you’re an office park without any trees: corporate and cold, gushing for gold. ’ ‘ does the fun ever start? ’ ‘ how’s your new boy? does he know about me? ’ ‘ you’ve got the mark of the beast. ’ ‘ you’re born of a jackal. you’re beautiful. ’

DRUNKEN LAMENT

‘ self-loathing is quaint. ’ ‘ you’re gone and i’m lost. ’ ‘ you said “forever.” ‘ ‘ tell me, why can’t you stay? ’ ‘ i’d ride in your pocket all day, but i just don’t fit. ’ ‘ i’ve been drunk since saturday, without you, without restraint. ’ ‘ i’m starving for words that would ration my sadness away. ’ ‘ you were the mermaid for me, till one day you found your feet, leaving me in this god-awful bottle, a model of heartache and grief. ’

PLEASE

‘ take me over. ’ ‘ please save this for me. ’ ‘ i’ll come back for you, love, i promise to. ’ ‘ my love will burn, and my heart will stay. ’ ‘ i’ll be gone by first light, last chance, hold on tight until then. ’ ‘ i lie awake and memorize your face as you sleep next to me. ’ ‘ the road looms lonely, but i will not fail. ’

TOPEKA

‘ i found god in a catalytic converter in topeka on a monday night. ’ ‘ i taste blood every time i think of summer. ’ ‘ i’m waiting desperately to get out of town. ’ ‘ you’ve been known to obsess over the future. ’ ‘ do you think you’ll get away from the past? ’ ‘ consider what you might have found. ’ ‘ every saint has a past. every sinner has a future. ’ ‘ you know what keeps me hanging around. ’ ‘ from here on, you can count on all things going the way they must’ve from the start. ’ ‘ all you feel is the current flowing through you and seizing your infected heart. ’

LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN

‘ rest your soul and feed your brain. ’ ‘ you’ll get to see everything the water can be. ’ ‘ the rain was coming down. ’ ‘ it was the kinda night that makes you think the whole world’s going to hell. ’ ‘ wade to where the shallows break. ’ ‘ the interstate was flooded. ’ ‘ bad move, in retrospect. ’ ‘ come back! ’ ‘ there were no bodies; i’ve got none to hide. ’

SUCH AS IT ENDS

‘ i’ve been losing sleep for days. ’ ‘ love, such as it ends, breaking the hearts that wouldn’t bend, closes the doors you used to listen through. ’ ‘ we’ll start again. ’ ‘ in the end, i’ll be with you. ’ ‘ you’ve been burning up for days. ’ ‘ you know they can’t all be saved. ’ ‘ i’ve been vacant for so long, but you were there. ’ ‘ you look so tired now. just please, love, let me take it on my shoulders. ’ ‘ we might make it home. ’

MUTINY BELOW

‘ put me in my proper place. ’ ‘ i’m not the one for you, but you’re here now. ’ ‘ can you come in? ’ ‘ you made me feel alive again. ’ ‘ you made me feel alive again. i wish we’d never met. ’ ‘ i finally let go and learned to live without you. ’ ‘ there were nights when i was sure your love was all i had. ’ ‘ we’ll work it out tomorrow. ’ ‘ let me go. ’

STREETLIGHTS

‘ when the streetlights come on, the pooling night is leveed aside and pressed in twilight against our two rooms. ’ ‘ i’ll see you tonight. ’ ‘ the pavement is aching, cicadas are crying, the wine-colored air is breathing thoughts through your hair, breezing to me, leading me there. ’ ‘ i come alive as the shadows parade. ’ ‘ my hot summer blood comes in floods and in waves. ’ ‘ i’m not longer afraid of what you’ll say. ’ ‘ streetlights will keep watch over me: they flicker like stars. ’ ‘ the secrets carefully kept inside run the streets red. ’ ‘ now, there are no words, only the glow in our wires. ’ ‘ our lips set the sun. ’ ‘ i’ll never leave you. ’

GO-GETTER GREG

‘ you must be new, i guess. at least, you’re new to me. ’ ‘ i saw you unpacking your car so i said to myself “maybe i should help her out,” since we’re neighbors now, and all the other people here are elderly and probably a little stand-offish, and i’ve got nothing to do, and whatnot... by the way, i live in 207, my name is ______ . ’ ‘ i’m a go-getter guy with a gun on my hip. i’m just searching for that someone to be firing it. ’ ‘ i’ve narrowed down the field and i’m taking a glance, and i’ve say you’ve got a pretty good chance to be my girlfriend. ’ ‘ didn’t mean to sneak up on you there. ’ ‘ you could come over tonight, i’ll be watching cop dramas, smoking fatty-fatties. ’ ‘ i really think you could use a guy like me in your life, looking after you. ’ ‘ i’d never leave you along. ’

THE HORROR OF OUR LOVE

‘ i’m a killer. ’ ‘ i’ve murdered half the town, left you love notes on their headstones. i’ll fill the graveyards until i have you. ’ ‘ i can smell your softness. ’ ‘ love, i’d never hurt you. ’ ‘ oh, the horror of our love; there was never so much blood pulled through my veins. ’ ‘ i wake in terror. ‘ ‘ i’m your servant. ’ ‘ break my skin and drain me. ’ ‘ that ancient language spoken through fingers, the awful edges where you end and i begin. there’s catastrophe in everything i’m touching. ’ ‘ you’ll die like angels sing. ’ ‘ you’re a ghost, love. ’ ‘ you are a dream among the sharks: beautiful and terrifying. ’ ‘ we dance in dark suspension. ’ ‘ bury me in the ocean floor beneath you where they’ll never hear us scream. ’

SCREAM, SCREAM, SCREAM

‘ a man is many things; let’s count them all tonight. ’ ‘ there’s nothing catchy about the life of a saint. ’ ‘ if i scream about a good man’s life, would you ever stop and listen? ’ ‘ sing it sad and sweet. ’ ‘ say goodnight, goodbye, love: in the morning, you will see. ’ ‘ it’s breaking me down to tears. ’ ‘ i’d rip my eyes out for you. ’ ‘ i’ll pull you close. ’ ‘ it’s so dark tonight. ’ ‘ would it make you cry? ’ ‘ would you finally see that all your lives are moments? ’ ‘ all your words and closeness keep you here and human. ’ ‘ do you think they’ll ever care? ’

IN SPACE

‘ the moon is old, all dusty craters. ’ ‘ stretching in the morning light, no celestial body could compare to you. ’ ‘ all i think about is you and me and the atmosphere. ’ ‘ i can’t wait for gravity to bring you close to me. ’ ‘ i bet the leaves are changing there again. ’ ‘ i’m hurtling and pressurized; if only i could get a breath of you. ’ ‘ i hope this message finds you, and you won’t feel so alone, even if i never make it home. ’ ‘ your picture’s all i look at. ’ ‘ my place is with you. ’

#memes #ask memes #askbox meme #rp meme #ludo sentence starters #rp sentence starters

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criminalshminds · 4 years ago

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A Broken Whisper

A very, very, very late prompt from @eprcntiss, but good things happens to those who wait, right???

Prompt: “What are you doing here? It’s late.” Pairing: Hotchniss (Emily Prentiss x Aaron Hotchner) Rating: General Audiences Words: 1968 TW: Canon faked death, slight intrusive thoughts

Summary: He didn’t know why he felt the need to check up on her, but he’s glad he did. Though he never thought she’d be here. (Post Doyle)

*****************************************************************

He couldn’t say why he had the urge to check on Emily, he just did. Something has been up with her since she came back after Doyle. Hotch has tried to be a sounding board for her, but her walls are always up that she manages to deflect any of his concern and places it back on him. But he saw her face at the take down that night. He saw the lone tear that fell down her cheek, one that she quickly wiped away before anyone could see it. Maybe that one tear led him to her apartment. He parks in a spot that looks directly up into her apartment. A spot that he has been in plenty of times before, back when things were simpler. Back when they would steal little kisses. Where she would wave at him from the window in her living room as he left to go back home to shower and change before work. Where he told her that he loves her. Back before she started to pull away. Back when things made sense.

Since her return, they haven’t spoken of the past. Actually, they haven’t really talked at all. The only words they utter to each other are work related. Well, that’s not completely true. She did utter a goodbye today. Maybe that’s why he felt the need to see her. Looking up at the window that used to hold her smiling silhouette now just holds a darkness that sends a shiver down his spine. Like he’s not supposed to be here. Like he is intruding in a life that he doesn’t belong in anymore. Taking a chancery glance around the parking lot, the first thing he notices is that her car isn’t in its designated parking spot. Second thing he notices, is that she hasn’t been home since leaving work five hours ago, if the snow piled up on the concrete has anything to say about it. Knowing that she could be literally anywhere, he huffs out a sigh before digging around his pockets for his cell phone.

“Bossman, I know I am the goddess of all wisdom, but even goddesses need their beauty sleep.” A grumble comes through the phone, definitely not the cheerful voice of Penelope Garcia that Hotch has come to know.

“Garcia, can you do me a favor?” He speaks quickly into the phone, no room or time for nonsense.

“Does it involve me coming back into the BAU?” Hotch hears some rustling noises, and only now does he realize that he is calling at almost midnight.

“No.”

“Hit me with your best shot.”

“Don’t raise any alarms unless I say so.” Hotch runs his hand over his mouth before asking his request. “Can you get me a location on Prentiss?”

She immediately shoots out of bed and races to her laptop. She skids to a stop, barely landing on her couch before frantically typing and shooting out questions. “What? Why would I – why is she? She’s not – “ Not again, not when we just got her back.

“Garcia!” He interrupts her panic raise of questions hoping to keep her head on straight.

“Right, sorry. Um, give me a minute. You sure it’s nothing?” She waits for a second, getting no response she continues to type on her laptop before it pings her location. “I got it! I sent it to you. Please bring our girl back home.”

“I will Garcia, and remember – “

“I know, I know, not a peep.” As soon as the last word left her mouth, Hotch moved the phone from his ear and immediately went to his messages. Letting out a sigh, he puts the car in reverse and makes his way down the empty streets.

His shoulders don’t sag in relief until he sees her car parked in the desolate lot. Pulling into the space next to her, he glances at silver sedan hoping he’ll be lucky to see her behind the wheel. Mentally groaning when the car is as barren as the parking lot he is in, he turns off his car and shuffles out into the chilly night. It didn’t take a genius to know that she has been here for a while, if the buildup of snow on her car was any indication. The steady stream of snow flurries coming down has covered any footprints that could potentially lead him to her. Although, none of that was necessary. For the seasoned profiler he is, he knew exactly where she went once the coordinates led him here.

Quantico National Cemetery

He stares at the sign, willing his feet to move. A staring contest that even the famous Aaron Hotchner glare can’t win. It’s not until a particularly strong gust of wind whips around him for his feet to catch up with his brain. A shiver races through his body. Either from the cold or from that sinister feeling of being alone in a graveyard at night. He silently moves through the sea of headstones, a walk that is second nature to him. One that he frequented quite often for months. He makes his way up to the tree that helped shelter the gravestone from the elements and finally sees the back of her head. He knows that she hears him coming, the crunching of the snow beneath his feet hard to miss, even past the sound of the wind. Stopping a few feet behind her, he waits a minute before speaking.

“What are you doing here? It’s late.” He’s expecting her to turn towards him, but she sits as still as a statue staring at the engraved stone. She doesn’t respond right away, making him move closer to her. He opens his mouth to ask again when he hears her soft voice reply.

“I come here to think.”

Curiosity got the better of him. “About?”

“Life.” Her soft declaration carries through the wind and wraps around him. She reaches forward in a practiced motion and brushes the fresh snow away to keep the text visible.

Emily Prentiss

October 12th 1970 – March 7th 2011

Fidelity Bravery Integrity

“It’s so precious. You never realize how special it is until it gets taken away.” He continues to stand behind her, keeping his mouth shut. This is the most open she’s been since her return and he’s not about to ruin it. “I didn’t think it’d be this strange. Basically coming back from the dead. You know I came here the first time purely out of curiosity. Taking my picture off a wall is one thing, but removing a whole grave?” She lets out a humorless chuckle.

“With a click of her finger, Garcia could get it removed.” He speaks before he could stop himself. He holds his breath hoping that he didn’t just cause her walls to build back up.

“No.” Her head tilts back towards the sky. “I need the perspective.”

Furrowing his brow, he carefully walks next to her before slowly lowering to the ground. He starts to reach for her before quickly retreating, remembering that she’s no longer his to touch. He starts to question what her fake grave can help her with before remembering something she said after a case years ago. I need to know that I can be human.

“Being reminded of your own mortality isn’t the right perspective to have.” He spoke softly even though he wanted to scream.

“Don’t you get it? It’s a reminder of how fragile life is. Logically speaking, I shouldn’t be here.” She scrunches up her eyes, a tear streaks down her face as she pounds her fist into the ground.

His hand shoots out and covers her fist that is still resting on the snow-soaked grass. His touch finally breaks her out of her trance with her eyes finally meeting his.

“But you are here. Living, breathing. Dammit Emily! Don’t you understand? You can’t move on until you finally accept that you are meant to be here. With me! With us.” He is grasping at her hand like she will disappear any second while his shoulders are shaking with the intensity of his breath. She keeps his stare for a second, before turning away back to the headstone.

“Am I?” She whispers. He lightly grasps at her chin, moving her head to face him again.

“Forever and always.” That little phrase breaks her. In a second, she leaps from her spot into his lap, burrowing her head into the crook of his neck. The reaction almost pushes him backwards into the snow, but he quickly settles himself. His hand moves and starts stroking the back of her head in a practiced movement before he gently starts rocking them consoling her quietly in her ear trying to overpower her chant of “I’m sorry.” They stay wrapped around each other until he spares a glance at his watch, telling him that it is half past one in the morning.

“Come on. Let’s get you home.” He whispers into her ear, helping her up to her feet. He feels her shiver against him as a large gust of wind almost knocks the both of them from their feet. Only now does he notice that she’s been in just a sweater this whole time.

“Jesus Em, you couldn’t have brought a jacket?” Shedding his coat, he drapes it over her shoulders before wrapping his arm around her waist guiding her to his car.

“Left it in the car. Didn’t realize how long it’s been.” She chatters out to him, leaning closer towards him for warmth. He lets out a frustrated sigh before picking up the pace, trying to get her to shelter.

He helps her into the passenger seat of his car, passing off her concerns about her car. “We’ll take care of it in the morning.”

He quickly makes his way into the driver’s seat to turn the car on. They sit in the warming car for a couple minutes in complete silence. Neither quite knowing what to say to the other. After another minute, Hotch figures it’s best to start to drive to her apartment. It’s not until they are halfway there that she finally speaks up.

“Aaron?” She says no more than a whisper.

“Hm?” He hums out, sparing her a quick glance before looking back to the empty road.

“I – I, thank you.”

His lips start to curve up into a smile and he removes one hand from the steering wheel to grasp at hers, stopping her from the continued picking of her nails. He squeezes her hand gently in response before leaving their fingers intertwined. Neither of them speak until he parks back at her apartment complex.

She starts to let go of his hand to make her exit before his voice stops her.

“Em?” With her hand still on the inside latch, she turns to face him. “I know it’s not my place anymore, but please don’t be afraid to come to me. If you’re having a bad day, let me know. You mean so much to me. I meant it when I said forever and always.”

She slowly nods her head, before leaning forward to give him an awkward hug across the center console. Pulling away, she shyly gives him a peck on the cheek before whispering. “Forever and always.”

She opens the door, and goes to leave his jacket on the seat, but he holds up a hand to stop her. “Give it to me tomorrow.”

Smiling softly, she nods before closing the door. He patiently waits until he sees the light go on in her apartment. He waits until he sees her figure standing in the window, giving him a small wave. Like before. He slowly pulls out of the parking space, smiling to himself. Yeah, things are starting to make sense again.

#prompts #prompt writing #allie writes #hotchniss fanfic #hotchniss #we love when inspiration strikes you #also love doing prompts way out of order #i apologize to the other prompts that came before this that i sidelined to write this one #very late tho #this is from my 350 celebration #which was at least 2 months ago??#sorry besties #hope you enjoy

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tcm · 4 years ago

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Interview with Richard Benjamin on Making Comedy Look Easy in MY FAVORITE YEAR (’82) By Donald Leibenson

To hear Richard Benjamin tell it, MY FAVORITE YEAR was a charmed production. For his first film as a director, he had been looking for a comedy (“I’m just kind of bent that way,” he jokes) and the stars aligned to bring him a script that, he says, was everything he knew. He had Mel Brooks as the film’s guardian angel. He had a bona-fide movie star that his wife, Paula Prentiss, recommended after another actor regretfully declined the film’s plum role. And he heeded Carl Reiner, who gave him succinct advice about making a comedy: “Get funny people.”

Which he did. The film is character actor heaven, with Joseph Bologna, Anne de Salvo, Selma Diamond, Adolph Green, Basil Hoffman, Lainie Kazan and Bill Macy.

MY FAVORITE YEAR is set in the mid-1950s when television was live and comedy was king. Mark Linn-Baker stars as Benjy Stone, a young comedy writer on a variety show reminiscent of Your Show of Shows, where he ardently pursues the show’s not-amused production assistant (Jessica Harper). During one life-changing week, he is assigned to chaperone the show’s guest star, his idol, former swashbuckling screen hero, Alan Swann (Peter O’Toole in an Oscar-nominated performance), who has a penchant for drink, womanizing and otherwise behaving badly.

Benjamin spoke with TCM about casting O’Toole, trying to pin down Mel Brooks and why you should never end a comedy in a graveyard.

To quote Alan Swann’s great line, dying is easy, comedy is hard. With MY FAVORITE YEAR, you make it look so easy. How did the project come to you?

Paula and I were in New York. My agent, David Gersh, sent the script by Norman [Steinberg] and Dennis [Palumbo, credited as co-writer due to the Screen Writers Guild arbitration]. I remember reading it in the hotel room and as I finished, I said, ‘This is everything I know.’ I was in high school when Your Show of Shows was on. I would get on the phone with my friend Shelley Berger, who I am still close to, and we would do all these routines they had done on the show on Saturday night. I grew up loving Errol Flynn and those swashbuckling movies. I had also worked at 30 Rockefeller Plaza [the film’s setting] as an NBC page and guide, and I knew every inch of that place. [The script] was right up my alley, as they say.

Brooksfilms produced the film, and Mel Brooks was a writer on Your Show of Shows. Did he serve as the film’s guardian angel or offer any input?

Guardian angel’s good. He kept saying he would give Norman and I two full days to sit down and go over the script to see if we could make it even funnier. The truth of the matter is that the script didn’t need much of anything, but he promised that. Trying to get Mel to stop moving is a feat. We went to his house, and he invited us in and then said he was going out. He said he had to walk the dog. Then he comes back, and he said he had to go, that there was a crisis at Fox. I said, ‘No there’s not,’ and he said, ‘Well, there could be.’ So, what he ended up giving us was two hours, but it was a great two hours. And the next thing you know, he was gone.

But Norman and I came up with one of the best jokes in the movie while we were standing in his driveway watching him drive away. It’s the one where Swann falls off the roof and plummets past the two elitist guys. And one says, ‘I think Alan Swann’s beneath us,’ and the other guy says, ‘Of course he’s beneath us, he’s an actor.’

I cannot imagine anyone but Peter O’Toole as Alan Swann. Was he the first choice?

Albert Finney had been offered the role, but he had not committed. He was up in Sausalito making SHOOT THE MOON [’82]. They told me I had to go up there and convince him to do the film; otherwise they couldn’t make the movie. The list of people M-G-M would go with was very short, because who are you going to believe with a sword in their hands? So, I’m on this mission, because if he says yes, I’m going to get to make a movie. We arranged to have lunch together. He’s completely charming. I get ready to ask the question – which could change my life, by the way: ‘Will you do it?’ He said, ‘Well…,’ and I could tell it was going to be a no. He thought the script was really good, but he had done two or three movies in a row and he said he wanted to get back to the theater. Then he said to me, ‘Why don’t you get O’Toole?’ He said, ‘We do this all the time. I turn something down, he does it, he turns something down, I do it.’ When I got back home, Paula who had made WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? [’65] with Peter, said, ‘Get Peter. He is perfect for this.’ Finney said it, Paula said it. And I asked [co-producer] Michael Gruskoff if M-G-M would make the film with O’Toole, and Michael said yes.

What was the meeting with Peter like?

(Laughs) That meeting! That meeting was quite something. First of all, we couldn’t find him. We could tell we had the right person because the behavior was just like the character. He had a farm in Ireland with no phone. You had to call this pub to get a message to him. I called the pub and they said Peter wasn’t there. His agent didn’t know where he was. I called his manager and said, ‘We’re trying to find your client.’ He said, ‘He’s at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. He’s been here for a week.’

So, I’m actually talking to Peter O’Toole, and he said he had heard about the project and to send him a script and we would get together the next day. I go over and there he is in a beautiful suite wearing a smoking jacket; he is the character. He said, ‘Here’s the thing…’ and I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ He said he liked it very much, but he hadn’t read the last ten pages and to please indulge him and he would call tomorrow. The next day, on the dot, he called and he said to turn to the last page of the script.

Now, in the original script, there’s a scene which I shot that would have played after what’s in the movie. It took place in a Hollywood cemetery, and Benjy is walking past the gravestones. He says in voiceover that Alan Swann made him promise he would do something on his birthday every year. Alan has passed away, and Benjy comes to his grave, kneels down and pours a bottle of Courvoisier over the tombstone. That’s what’s on the last page. Peter asked me to read the date that was on the tombstone. It was Aug. 2. He said, ‘Aug. 2 is my birthday; did you know that?’ I asked Norman if he knew that, and Norman said no, he had made it up. And Peter says, ‘Therefore, I must do the film.’

What happened to that scene?

I was terribly reluctant to take that out because Peter did the movie because of it. But people at M-G-M said I couldn’t end a comedy in a cemetery. We had two audience screenings, one with that ending and one without it. In the screening with it, the audience enjoyed the picture, but the scene put a pall over things. Then we had the screening without it and the audience was very enthusiastic and very up as they came out.

How did you find Mark Linn-Baker?

Our casting director Ellen Chenoweth said the first person to get was Mark Linn-Baker. Mark came in and read and was terrific. I said, ‘This is my first movie, I can’t cast the first person who walks in here.’ I saw maybe 25 to 35 more—some really good people—but she was right, so after all of that, I said to get him.

Peter and Mark had great chemistry.

They seemed to hit it off right away, but later, back in L.A. after we shot the long scene on the roof, which played like a mini-farce, Peter came up to me and said, ‘I like the lad, you cast him well.’

Was Peter game for the physical stunts?

I couldn’t stop him from doing them! The bathroom scene required him to fall headfirst into the wall. I came to him before we shot and I said, ‘The camera is so close, I can’t pad this wall.’ He said, ‘I was brought up in music hall. I can do this all day. Don’t concern yourself.’

Director Howard Hawks once said that a good movie was three or four good scenes and no bad scenes. I lose count watching MY FAVORITE YEAR of how many great scenes there are in it. Between those driven by comic banter, the TV sketches, the physical comedy scenes, the quieter romantic scenes and even the dramatic confrontations, did you have a favorite type to direct?

I can’t say there was a favorite. It’s all of a piece. I will tell you that one of the scenes I like is in the Stork Club and getting to do something that reminded me of all these kinds of wonderful comic movies I loved growing up. I do remember that one of the first things we shot was the scene in Central Park where Alan Swann mounts the horse. It just seemed to lack energy. And I was thinking, ‘I have to go tell Peter O’Toole that he has to pick up the pace and it has to be lighter.’ I went up to him and said, ‘It’s good, but…’ and before I could finish, he said, ‘You want it faster and funnier.’ I said, ‘You’ve got it,’ and he said, ‘And you shall have it.’ And I thought, ‘This directing thing is not so hard.’ (laughs)

Were there directors you worked with as an actor who particularly inspired you when you became a director? For example, you worked with one of the best, Mike Nichols.

Mike, yes. He directed me in the national company of Barefoot in the Park and [the film] CATCH-22 [’70]. Mike’s thing was he’d come up to you very quietly and say, ‘Just like in real life.’ That was his main thing. It meant that there should be no ‘acting’ here; your character responds to situations as they would in life. It’s like what [critic] Walter Kerr once said about Neil Simon’s jokes: They have the truth in them. This is what funny people know: You can’t try to get a laugh, because you won’t get it.

At one point, Alan Swann says that doing the TV show was the most fun and the hardest work since the world was young. Was that what making MY FAVORITE YEAR was like for you?

It was the most fun, there’s no question of that. It was a magical experience because of the screenplay and everyone involved. Everyone’s game came up because of Peter. You don’t need many takes with him, that’s for sure. But how all of this came about and got to the point where I would be offered this, and what has to happen in your life to come to that moment – you can’t make it up. And when that moment comes, you’re hopefully ready. I was really fortunate.

#Interview #Richard Benjamin #peter o'toole #Mel Brooks #comedy #old hollywood #new hollywood #cinema #Donald Leibenson

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oscar-lettjohanssonloveme · 4 years ago

Text

Purple Roses pt. 2 (Miss Venable x reader)

hiya..its 4 am in germany and im really tired :3 but here we go, Mina is damn soft in this fanfic..i hope its okay sksks..here is the first pt.:

https://littlejeaniehugsbumblebees.tumblr.com/post/640902350735818752/purple-roses-ms-venable-x-reader

summary: Mina meets ur parents and u have ur coming out..ouhh and she wants to ask u smt

warnings: nothing its super duper fluff i guess :D

tagglist: @d14n4ol

google translate sksksk

"Earth to Mina ..", you grumbled and reached out your finger to tap her cheek gently.

"What?"

Your girlfriend looked away from her newspaper with a frown to look down at you, who was lying in her lap.

You had to grin as she stared down at you in confusion as the glasses slid down a few millimeters on the bridge of her nose.

"I asked you something.."

"And what did you ask?"

"So ..", you started after your fingers had moved to her glasses and you had pushed them up again.

"Imagine you had to decide: Either you are the only mortal human among immortal humans or you are the only human who is undying among all mortal humans.. What do you choose?"

"Is that a test?"

"A test for what?"

"For finding out if I'm a psychopath or something like that?" She asked, still staring down at you, frowning.

"No ..." you shook your head. "I just saw it earlier on instagram and was just thinking about it .."

She looked at you thoughtfully for a few seconds.

"I would probably want to be the immortal human among mortals .."

"For real?" You shouted, tilting your head.

"Then you should see all your friends die .."

Mina raised an eyebrow.

"Which friends?"

"Oh wow .." you rolled your eyes.

"So, am I a psychopath now?" She smiled and you could see her white teeth.

"No .." you mumbled as you started to play with her purple blouse.

"I would probably have taken that too .. but just because it would have been weird to be the only person who would have to die at some point .."

Mina let out a low snort.

"Imagine that, a graveyard for one person ..".

"Yes! .." you exclaimed cockily. "I would probably be exhibited in a museum as the only human corpse. And I would get a coffin made of gold and people would come from all over the world just to see me dead .."

"Or some crazy scientist would use your dead body for their projects .."

"Ew .." you made and grimaced. "That wouldn't be that great ..".

"Better to be immortal, then ..", Mina said with a grin before leaning forward to put her newspaper on the table.

"Now I have a question for you, Y / N .."

"Oh yeah?" You looked confused into her brown eyes and she hummed in agreement as her fingers started to comb through your hair.

"Okay, imagine a bitter old woman comes up to you and asked you, if you want to marry her, what would you answer?"

"I would say no, of course ..." you said, tilting your head to one side.

"First of all, I don't find old, bitter women really attractive and, secondly, why should I marry an old, bitter woman when I can just have the most beautiful woman in the world?"

Mina laughed softly before tapping the tip of your nose with her index finger.

"You know what I'm getting at ..".

"What I know is that you could then leave your show-off house and then finally move into my horror apartment ..", you grinned cheekily at her and she just rolled her eyes.

"You know, I've been thinking, Y / N .." she continued, suddenly sounding serious. "We've been a couple for almost a year now and the only person who knows about it is your aunt and some of your friends .."

"Should I start tagging you on my pictures now?" You laughed.

"You're the one who doesn't like all the love stuff in public and that's not supposed to be a reproach .. I-"

"I want to get to know your parents ..", she interrupted you and looked at you carefully.

You met her gaze for a few seconds before you swallowed.

"My parents?" You repeated quietly.

"Your parents."

"Uhm..okay..that's unexpected .." you muttered as you rose from her lap to sit up.

"So my parents are nice people, but you know, that they dont now that I am ... you know-"

"That you are attracted to old, bitter women?"

"Oh shut up Mina .." you hissed and slapped her gently on the upper arm.

"If you say that again, break your stupid stick and throw it in the fireplace ..".

"Ouhh now I'm scared .." Mina teased, grinning, but you just shook your head.

For a moment there was silence between the two of you and Mina was finally the one who interrupted them.

"I don't want to force you to do it and if you say, you don't want to do that, then that's okay .. I don't want to drive a wedge between you and your parents either .." she said and put her hand on yours. Your gaze landed on her hand, ran down her arm to finally meet her face.

"Maybe it's a good idea .." you muttered and she smiled gently.

"At some point I have to tell them anyway .."

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

"Hello beautiful woman .." you greet your girlfriend who entered your shop. Like she did every Tuesday night after work ... It was one of your favorite traditions in your relationship.

"How can I help you today?", You smiled brightly at her as she leaned against your counter

"Well Miss Y / L / N, my wonderful girlfriend and I will be with her parents for dinner for the first time tomorrow evening .. You know, her parents don't know that she is a lesbian ...", Mina explained seriously and brought you to grin.

"That sounds interesting .."

"That's it! We're both just pretty nervous and I thought it would be a good idea to bring flowers to her parents ...".

"That's a great idea, Miss Venable .. what were you thinking of?", You tilted your head and wandered your eyes over the woman who was just standing in front of you.

The lavender suit, the way her hair was perfect and the dark lipstick ... she was so fucking beautiful.

Mina cleared her throat briefly when she realized that your attention was no longer on your conversation.

"You know, Miss Y / L / N, I love to watch your talented little fingers remove the thorns from the roses ..", she playfully raised an eyebrow and you couldn't help but laugh.

"How vulgar, Miss Venable .. just make sure that your girlfriend doesn't notice this, otherwise she'll get jealous ..".

You bent down briefly to get the box with the red roses from under the table. You put them on the table between you and Mina and took out the small knife to start removing the thorns.

"How was your day, honey?" You finally asked her after a minute had passed.

"Good," she said curtly.

"Good?", You looked at her grinning. "You sound like a school child who is asked how it was in school ..".

Mina shrugged her shoulders.

"I hate those idiots from my office, but that's nothing new ..".

"Imagine if I would work for you .. maybe you wouldn´t hate it so much anymore ..", you muttered while you still slid your knife over the flower stems.

"I think that wouldn't be a good idea .."

You just nodded and stared intently at the roses in front of you.

"What about the purple roses?", Your friend suddenly asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You had these roses once and never again .."

"That was a special delivery .." you explained and reached under the counter, took out the paper and wrapped the roses in it.

"But we can also make some ourselves ..".

You put the flowers in Mina's arms and looked expectantly into her confused face.

"How is that supposed to work?" She asked.

"You water white roses with purple color .."

"Should we try it sometime ..", she mumbled and you nodded.

"Listen Mina, you wait in the car and I'll finish everything here and then we can go home .."

"Sounds good .." she replied just before she turned around and strutted out of the shop.

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

Her dark eyes stared at Mina in the mirror as she smoothed her blouse with her hands. Miss Venable was usually never nervous, which was because, due to her dominant demeanor, she almost always had the strings in hand when it came to dealing with other people and she didn't care how much she hurt someone with her words. But that was you, her precious little princess and what she wanted least of all was to see you sad because of her. She also knew that she couldn't win over your parents if she intimidated them.

She leaned forward to apply her dark lipstick when you stepped into the bathroom behind her and let out an impressed whistle.

"Is that the blouse you wore on our first date?" You asked, examining the silk fabric on Mina's skin.

"Yes .." she muttered.

Miss Venable's eyes watched you in the mirror while she admired how beautiful you looked in the dress you were wearing.

"My parents should just like you and not want to go to bed with you .." you said with a grin when her eyes found yours in the mirror.

"Ha ha ..", Mina made dry before she screwed the cap of her lipstick back on and turned to you.

"Are you ready?" She asked and you nodded while you smiled wryly.

"You look beautiful .." she muttered and planted a quick kiss on your temple before walking past you to leave the house.

"So to summarize again what my parents know ... or rather

what they think they know .. "you started staring out the window of the moving car.

"Well, actually they don't know anything .. I think they used to think that I had something with my best friend because he was my homecoming date .. And now they think I was single and I told them on telephone you were a good friend... "

"That sounds like it will be a very relaxed evening ..", Mina joked and you couldn't help but grin.

"I'm just afraid it might be a little too much .."

"Too much?" Mina repeated confused.

"Is it a good idea to come out and bring your girlfriend with you? Don't get me wrong, it has nothing to do with you .."

"Well ... you have a point, but let's speculate ..", Mina said when the car stopped at a traffic light.

"How could they react?"

"So .. we have these two iconic situations: The first situation would be this "we always knew it mimimi".

The other situation would be that they will be angry ... and so angry that they don't want to see me anymore .. "you explained and Mina could hear the concern in your voice.

"Something like that is sure not going to happen ..", Mina muttered as she took her right hand from the steering wheel and placed it on your thigh.

"I hope so .."

You were silent for the rest of the journey and that's why Mina decided not to say anything. Would you want her words, you would let her know.

"Here we are ..", Mina mumbled when she finally parked the car in front of your parents' modest house. She looked at you sideways and found that you were staring at the house as if you were about to start crying.

"Hey .." she cooed gently and grabbed your chin to force you to look at her.

"Everything will be fine..".

She examined your worried face and grinned when she saw that there was still a print of her lipstick on your temple.

"What?" You asked confused.

"You have my lipstick on your face ..", Mina mumbled and wiped her thumb over the print to remove it.

"And I think you don't want your parents to find out about your homosexuality that way."

"Not funny ..", you rolled your eyes.

Mina glanced at the car clock.

"We should go in, princess, we are already 5 minutes late .."

"Okay .. here we go ..", you mumbled and suddenly sounded brave as you leaned forward to press your lips against Minas for a moment.

When you both stood in front of your parents' front door and your mother opened the door for you both beaming, Mina immediately noticed the resemblance between you and your mother. This woman seemed just as straightforward as you, and you both had the same laugh. If your mom were really as carefree as you, then the evening wouldn't be complicated, Mina thought as she greeted your mother.

The first half of the evening was totally relaxed, your parents seemed to be really nice people, as far as Mina could tell.

While your mother was just as crazy as you, your father was a bit more introverted, but he had the same sense of humor as you and he was the one who cooked. A fact that somehow gave Mina hope, as it showed that your parents didn't seem to care about the old gender roles (cooking housewife and working businessman).

It was really nice. Mina, who usually had her problems with people, thought she might really like your parents at some point. they didn't ask private questions, didn't let an awkward silence reign, and were totally open-hearted people.

And yet she felt how nervous you were while you were sitting next to her at the dining table and trying to choke the food down even though you were probably extremely sick. Usually you played with your fingers when you were nervous or excited, but since your hands were holding the cutlery, it was your leg that was pushing off the floor all the time. And it was Mina who then, invisible to your parents, put her hand on your knee to calm you down.

It was around 9 o'clock when the four of you ran out of conversation and it was you who finally broke the silence.

"Well uhm, I actually came to tell you something .." you said and your voice sounded thick. Immediately all pairs of eyes were focused on you and Mina tensed her hand on your thigh to show you that she was there.

"Oh yeah?" Your mom asked confused before you nodded.

"Well, you always wanted me to be in a relationship with someone .." you continued and stared lost at the half-empty wine glass in front of you.

"And surprise..I'm in a relationship .."

"Oh really?", Mina could see your mother's eyes starting to glow and she wondered if the whole thing was really a good idea.

"Yes ..".

"Who is he?" Asked your father.

"Well uhm she's sitting right next to me ..".

Mina closed her eyes for a moment when she felt the confused looks of your parents on her. For a few seconds no one said anything and she felt you start to slide back and forth on your chair.

"Oh ..", Your mom finally pounded when she understood what you were talking about.

Mina opened her eyes again and stared into the flame of the candle that was on the table.

"You and Wilhemina ..?", Your mom looked confused between Mina and you.

"We've been together for almost a year .." you added and Mina heard your voice break at the end.

"What does being together mean?" Your mom asked sharply.

"She is my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend like best friend?"

"No, girlfriend like i love her ..", you muttered and looked carefully at Mina who smiled gently at you while she rubbed your thigh.

"Does that mean that you .....?", Your mother stared at you with her eyes wide open.

"I'm a lesbian, yes .." you said firmly and returned her gaze.

"Damn it .." your mom muttered and fell back into her chair.

Finally your father cleared his throat, too, who hadn't moved an inch before.

"How long have you known?" He asked, leaning forward.

"Since Highschool i guess ..".

"Since high school? Are you kidding me?" Your mom shouted angrily and Mina could feel you flinch under her hand.

"Why are you telling us this now?"

"Maybe because your most asked question to me was whether I have a boyfriend or when I will finally get one ..?" You croaked.

"Because we thought you were straight .." your mom yelled back. "If we had known that you were into women, we would never have asked such a thing .."

"I thought you'd be disappointed or something."

"Disappointed? Oh damn Y / N ..", your mother shook her head in disbelief and looked at you sadly.

"Can you say something too, Dad?" You asked after two minutes of more silence as you looked away from your mother to look at your father, who was staring at you thoughtfully.

"I uh ... so when you have a daughter, as a father, you imagine all the things your child has in store for you ..." your dad began.

"That includes the person your daughter wants to grow old with at some point and I just imagined that this person was a man and now it's a woman .. And now I need a few seconds to turn this man into one woman .. if you understand.."

"Okay ..." you replied quietly.

"You know, at the same time I wonder if I have said anything homophobic in all the years of your childhood that could have scared you .." he continued and you nodded slowly.

"Who knows it?" Your mother suddenly asked.

"Uhm .. some friends and aunt Phoebe .."

"Aunt Phoebe?" Your mother frowned when you mentioned your aunt.

You shrugged your shoulders.

"She noticed that Mina only comes to the flower shop when I'm there and then wanted to know why .."

"My sister knows that my daughter is a lesbian and I don't know?" Your mother called, sounding reproachful.

"I was afraid that you would be angry or something .." you defended yourself.

"Y / N you're still our damn daughter .." your mother mumbled and swore again.

"No Y / N, you are our daughter .." your dad interfered.

"There is no place for a 'still' because you are simply our daughter and your sexuality could never change that .. Who you love is your business and you do not need our permission .."

You stared at him and felt tears welling up in your eyes.

"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that .." you muttered before getting up and walking over to your dad to give him a hug.

"Thank you so much .." you whispered against the fabric of his shirt.

Suddenly you felt your mom, who had also got up, put a hand on your shoulder and pulled you from your dad's arms into hers.

And while you all played happy family, Mina was still sitting a little lost at the dining table and watching the situation in front of her. It all happened faster than expected.

In her eyes, your father had taken it a little better than your mom, who seemed a little disappointed because you had only told them now.

"I should go to the bathroom to fix my make-up ..." you mumbled and smiled sheepishly as you withdrew from your mom's arms.

Your mother just nodded before you turned around to jump out of the room, leaving Mina alone with your parents.

"So you're a lesbian too .." said your mother, mumbling as your parents sat down again.

"I am.", Mina replied curtly and pressed her lips together.

"And is that serious between you?"

"It is."

"This is probably the moment when I should threaten to kill you if you break her heart .." joked your father.

"I'll propose to her," Mina said firmly.

"So it's really serious ..", your mother's eyes widened at Mina's words.

"It is .." repeated she.

"Well, we would be happy if you would invite us to your wedding..", your dad interjected and Mina decided at that moment that she liked your parents.

A few seconds later you were standing in the doorway and had your radiant smile back on.

"I think we should go now, Mina .." you said and Mina hummed in agreement.

"That's a good idea.."

As soon as you were outside, after hugging your parents for a long time, you jumped into the arms of your girlfriend to kiss every inch of her face.

"Jesus Y / N ..", Mina muttered, who stumbled a few steps back from your sudden attack.

"I'm such an idiot ..", you laughed. "I've been worrying for free all these years and now they have reacted so well to it ... I should have done that much earlier .."

Mina smiled as she pressed a quick kiss on your forehead.

"I'm proud of you, princess .."

"So and now ..", you shouted cockily and pulled her hand to your car.

"Now I want to get to know your mother .."

"No way..You don’t want to meet that witch ..".

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

"Come on, Y / N .. you promised me .." Mina pleaded.

"But it's really cold up there and besides, I'm tired .." you replied.

It was New Year's Eve and the two of you had decided to spend the evening at your apartment and then climb onto the roof around midnight to watch the fireworks. To your surprise, it was Mina who suggested going to you, although she usually doesn't like visiting your "horror apartment".

"If you put on your winter jacket you won't be cold and besides, I'm there ..", Mina tried further.

"You know, I think the idea of you as a human heater is really cute, but we could just drive to you ..".

"That wouldn't be the same."

You sighed.

"Okay ..", you mumbled and had your friend give you your coat.

Surprisingly, you found out that you were the only ones on the roof. At least you couldn't see any of your neighbors when you went over the roof to your self-made bed.

It was currently 11:37 pm and until the fireworks started at midnight you had enough time to watch the beautiful starry sky, as you always did when you were with her.

Your head was on her shoulder as always while she had an arm around you as always and was playing with your hair.

"I actually wanted to talk to you .." you mumbled after a few minutes.

"Is everything okay?", Mina asked and looked down at you worriedly.

You nodded quickly.

"Yeah .. it's just uhm, you know I love the flower shop, but I don't think that's what I want to do for the rest of my life ..".

"No?"

"No ..", you said. "That's why I'll catch up on my school leaving certificate and then probably study something ..".

"Thats great, princess .." Mina smiled gently at you.

"And what do you want to study?"

"History .. I guess and then I'd like to work as a professor .. At schools or colleges .." you mumbled.

"Professor sounds hot," said Mina and you had to laugh.

"The good thing is that when I study I can still live with you."

"Yes?"

"Yep .." you nodded. "We have a college in town, in case you forgot .. and if they take me, I don't have to move to campus ..".

"That would be great ..", Mina muttered and glanced at her watch.

11:52

"In 10 minutes it will be ready ..".

"Ouhh, we should stand by the railing .." you said before you jumped up and stretched your arm to help Mina up.

"Well ..", you began as you clung to the railing of the roof and leaned forward a little so that Mina was afraid you would fall off the roof at any moment.

"Josh lives back there ..", you explained and pointed with an outstretched finger at another tower block. "He is the brother of a friend of mine. He makes a lot of fireworks with his friends every year. Then my neighbors, the Andrews, who are not there today for whatever reason, always let a lot of fireworks rise from our roof, even though it is actually is forbidden .. And then there are all the people on the street who bring their fireworks .. ".

You stared at a group of people who were standing on the corner of the street in front of the bakery and were already setting off fireworks

"It occurred to me, I think Josh broke his leg and can't even go on the roof .." you mumbled with a frown and Mina hummed in agreement, not even listening to you.

As your eyes wandered over the city, hers glued to you and looked at you lovingly. She looked at her watch one more time (11:55) and took a short breath before reaching into the pocket of her coat to feel the velvet-covered can with her fingers.

You didn't even notice it when you were still happy watching other people's fireworks

"Okay, Y / N .. I'm not good at this, but I'll try my best, okay?" Mina said suddenly and you looked at her confused.

"What do you mean?"

"We've been together for almost a year and I have no regrets, except for one small thing .."

"Oh yeah?" You frowned as she continued.

"About a year ago you asked me in the evening, if I believed in love at first sight and I told you, that I generally don't believe in love and that was actually a lie. So it was true somewhere, I didn't believe in love until the moment I walked into your little flower shop and saw you cut your finger because of your lack of concentration.

You know how much I hate people, but with you it's different..I can't hate you and I never could hate you and I hope that you understand that between all the 'hate' I try to explain to you how much I love you .. because I do and I have no idea what I would do without you, I would probably just be a bitter old woman .. ", she finished and grinned when she saw you roll your eyes.

"I hope you're not mad at me, because I can't get down on my knees because of my handicap .." she mumbled and took out the small velvet box to hold it towards you.

"But do you want to marry me?"

You stared at her in shock.

"Shit, that wasn't a joke?"

"Does that mean no?", Mina frowned.

"God no! I'm just- Oh damn, Mina, of course I want to marry you ..", you grabbed her face between your hands and pulled her close to kiss her tightly.

"This is going to be great .." your eyes lit up as you pulled back.

"I already have so many ideas for the wedding, I'll take your name and all that .. Y / N Venable sounds amazing, change my mind.. and then I'll move in to your house and then I can catch up with school and maybe one day we'll adopt a lot of children from poor countries..".

"Slowly, Y / N ..", Mina laughed and took your hand to slide the ring onto your finger.

"We still have enough time to plan, let's celebrate New Year's Eve now, please..”

"God, it is beautiful .." you muttered, staring at the silver ring on your finger. Mina smiled as she leaned over to press her lips against your forehead.

"Happy new year, princess .."

"Happy new year, my dear future-wife.."

#wilhemina venable x reader #sarah paulson x reader #wilhemina venable imagine #american horror story #purple roses

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dcforts · 4 years ago

Text

[day 11: sharing is caring]

That’s just what they need.

It’s not enough that they’ve been digging up graves in the snow and that they’re dirty and tired and aching – the weather had to play its part and send them a storm.

From where they’re stuck in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin, home seems far, far away.

“Do we know anyone around here?” asks Cas from the passenger seat and Dean closes his eyes and sighs.

“Yeah,” he says disheartened, “We know Garth.”

It’s not that Dean doesn’t like Garth. In fact, he likes him very much. And he’d be happy to see him. It’s been a while and his warm smile it’s never a bad sight.

It’s just that – he’s a lot. And he brings up some stuff.

He may pretend like it never happened but Dean remembers how he first reacted when he’d found out that he’d been bitten and how he acted around his family. And then there’s the fact that Dean doesn’t like bothering hunters who got out of the life. He feels that who he is and what he carries with him, it’s something that they’ve put behind them and don’t wish to see again.

Not to count the bitter feeling that surges in him everytime he’s reminded that Garth not only managed to retire and have a normal life, but he double did it. There are not many hunters, or werewolves, or hunter-werewolves for the matter, that can say that. Dean certainly can’t say that.

Still, when they call him and Garth says he’ll be happy to have them, Dean feels relief flooding over him, if not for the prospect of a warm and dry place to rest for a few hours, just enough to wait for the storm to calm down.

He can manage.

Or at least that’s what he thinks until he and Cas are huddled together on Garth’s front porch and even above the wind Dean hears Christmas songs blasting from the inside.

His eyes find Cas, who’s looking back at him, alarmed, but the doorbell has already been rung and it’s too late to back out. Garth opens the door with his patented smile.

“Guys!” he shouts above the music, “You made it!” he hurries them in the tiny entrance and closes the door.

Dean finds himself enveloped in a cocoon of warmth and lovely aroma of pine wood and cinnamon. His cheeks and hands tingle and he lets out a sigh.

Garth comes back into his view; Dean opens his mouth to speak but he has already wrapped his arms around him. “It’s so good to see you,” he says in his usual cheerful tone. He moves on to squeeze Cas into a similar hug and Cas stiffens and tentatively pats his back. Garth gives out a little laugh, “That’s it, buddy,” he encourages.

“Hello, Garth.”

Alright, Dean thinks, maybe it’s gonna be a little funny.

But then he notices the two-feet-tall inflatable Santa that’s bumping against his shins and when he looks up he’s stunned into silence. It actually takes his eyes a moment or two to register what’s surrounding them: the garlands on the doors, the tinsels around the banister, the baubles hanging from the ceiling all above them. Judging from the giant Christmas tree he can spot in the living room, he’s pretty sure the rest of the house isn’t in much better condition.

Garth himself is wearing an bulky red knitted cardigan with reindeers all over it. Seeing that, combined with the songs and the decorations, Dean feels the need to ask, “Uh – Garth? Are you guys celebrating something?”

Garth slaps him on the shoulder and laughs like he’s made a great joke. “It’s December, Dean-o! Every day is a celebration. The most magical time of the year, right?” he says beaming “You’ll have to wait for the carols but you’re right on time for hot cocoa!”

Dean feels dread creeping in. He takes a step back, “Wha- Garth, no – we don’t mean to -”

Apparently Cas is on the same page as him because he also starts saying, “This is your family time,” and steps back with him. “We don’t want to intrudr –“

Garth shakes his head vigorously, “Guys, guys, guys,” He holds up his hands to shut them up, “It makes Bess and I very happy to have you here to share it with us. Sharing is caring. And we happen to care a lot about you two,” he says making a silly voice and pointing a finger at them.

Yeah, nevermind, this was a terrible idea.

Cas throws him another freaked out look Dean can’t help but reciprocate, but Garth pays no mind to their lack of enthusiasm and shepherds them cheerfully into the living room. Dean feels even more out of place among the pastel walls and the embroidered pillows, the toys and the dolls. He tries to make himself weight less so that he doesn’t leave traces of dirt on the carpet. Everything seems soft and cozy, which is a real change from the hard leather seats and the icy wind.

“So, how was the journey?” Garth is asking Cas, as if they’re coming back from a cruise. “It’s been so long, man. Just the other day I was thinking ‘When I’m ever going to see them again?’ and then - ”

Dean gets distracted as he feels something tugging at the duffel bag he’s carrying and when he lowers his gaze there’s a blond head and two little hands trying to hold on to the fabric. “H-hey,” he says, shifting back a little to get out of his reach. He doesn’t think it’s a good idea to have clean, innocent baby hands near a bag that was in a graveyard an hour ago. But the kid takes an unsteady step forward and grabs it anyway. “This is – no, no – uh, G-Garth?” he calls, horrified.

Garth stops drowning Cas in questions and shifts his attention to the ground. He laughs and picks up his kid, totally unbothered, “Sammy, these are not toys for you,” he shakes his head, “He’s such a curious kid.”

Bess comes down the stairs right in that moment, wearing a green cardigan that matches Garth’s. “I thought I heard you two!” she says, even if Dean is pretty sure they’ve barely said a word since they’ve come in. “Garth, why don’t you bring their bag in the guests’ room? I’ll be right out with the drinks.”

There’s another round or “No need -,” and “This is really not necessary -,” and “We don’t want -“ before Garth yanks the bag from Dean’s hold with one hand.

He always forgets how strong he is.

“Of course you’re gonna stay. There’s no way I’m letting you leave in the cold and the dark. Come on! You know me,” he disappears down the hallway shaking his head and saying, “We’re gonna have so much fun.”

Bess gives them an encouraging smile, “Relax guys, take off your jackets, sit on the couch.”

So they do. Sit on the couch.

They both let out a sigh when they sink into the cushions and Dean would call Cas “old” if he hadn’t made the exact same sound.

“This was a bad idea,” whispers Dean.

“You think?”

In the sudden emptiness of the room, with It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year in the background, and the giant Christmas tree twinkling in the corner, it’s weird to just - sit there.

Dean is dirty and smelly and feels marginally better only when he looks over at Cas who seems so much out of his comfort zone that he might as well be a tropical bird.

He takes a hopeful look out of the windows behind the couch but the weather seems to be even worse than it was five minutes ago.

“Are you still cold?” asks Cas.

“No.”

“Good.”

They look away from each other again.

In the last few weeks they’ve settled in a pretty hectic routine. Find the case, drive to the case, work the case, drive home, rinse and repeat.

It’s a well-oiled machine, but that doesn’t leave much time for – well, anything else. Definitely not sitting around and relaxing – and it’s just awkward all of the sudden to be alone in a place that is not a sticky diner, or a dusty motel, or a morgue.

It sounds depressing but that’s the hunter life for you. Without even noticing you become your job and it gets easier to just put your head down and work.

After three hunts in a row, Dean realizes this is the first time they’re actually taking a break. He looks over at Cas, his messy hair and the hands folded in his lap, and he feels the need to say something conversational.

What comes out is, “Last time I was here, Garth fixed my teeth.”

Cas’ face scrunches up in confusion but then Garth comes back.

“Have you seen Cas?”

Dean blinks at him and then slowly and dubiously points at his right.

“No, I mean,” Garth laughs, “The little one. I’m so excited for you to meet him,” he says, leaving the room again.

“How do you lose a kid?” Dean asks under his breath, looking around. His attention is drawn to a group of pictures on the little table beside the couch. There’s a bunch of the family on holidays, and then a bunch of the kids. One of the frames says Castiel and, on the bottom, Always our little boy.

“Hey, Cas,” he picks it up to show it to him, “Want me to get you one of these?”

Cas glares at him and doesn’t dignifies him with an answer.

Dean smirks and shrugs, “Fine, we’ll get the one that says Sammy. Can’t wait to see his face on Christmas morning.”

Cas doesn’t look at him again but Dean sees the corner of his mouth stretch a little so he calls it a victory.

Then Garth comes back and finally sits down in the armchair across from them. “He’s asleep. I forgot he was asleep!” he rolls his eyes at himself, “Cas,” he says, clicking his tongue, “he’s the best. He’s got this look, you know?”

“Wait, who are we talking about now?”

“Him. No, uh -” Garth laughs and bangs a hand on his forehead. “Sorry, I keep getting confused. Alright, alright, lets call our Cas 'Little Cas' and we’ll call you, 'Big Cas'.”

Dean stifles a laugh.

"I don’t think-" starts Cas, but it gets drown out by Bess coming back with a tray.

From the steaming mugs comes the rich smell of chocolate and on the surface Dean can see mini marshmallows shaped like little trees. He watches as Bess and Garth pick up their mugs and toast before taking a sip and notices with a smile that even their mugs are matching. Bess’ says “Mine” and Garth’s says “Yours”. He thinks it’s cute, whatever.

But then he looks down at his own mug and realizes that there’s something written across it too. It says “Perfect” and when he dares to look in Cas’ way his whole body blushes when he reads “Together” on his.

He takes a sip of chocolate and tries very hard to avoid Cas’ eyes and stop blushing. He fails on both fronts and burns his tongue.

At least it tastes great and the sugar warms him up and makes him feel much more comfortable.

Cas drinks it too without making a fuss over molecules and Dean wonders if it’s because he’s very polite or if he’s a pain in the ass just when they’re alone.

Finally Cas meets Little Cas and Garth keeps telling them how smart he is, because apparently he’s learned how to use the remote.

Dean snorts, “That’s already more than Big Cas can do,” and Cas shoots him a deadly “Stop calling me that,” that shuts him up for five minutes. Dean agrees it was a bad idea anyway.

Kids love Cas, for some reason. Little Cas stretches his arms towards him the whole time he’s in the room and Cas just pretends he can’t see him, as if avoiding eye contact is enough to make him stop. It amuses Dean greatly.

Even Gertie, when she comes in with a gingerbread cookie, looks between them and chooses to give it to Cas.

“I only have one,” she tells Dean, who is totally not offended.

But then Cas says, “It’s okay,” with his soft voice, “We’ll share it.”

And for some reason that makes Dean’s heart flutter. It’s something in the way he casually snaps the cookie in half and hands him a piece.

Somehow it’s different than sharing a car, a motel room, a bed, all kinds of weapons and bags and just space, in general.

Dean doesn’t know what it is, but somehow there’s a difference.

Garth is fairly disappointed when he finds out that angels don’t know Christmas carol by heart just because they’re angels.

At some point he just starts playing the piano and expects Cas to start singing along.

Dean says it was a hard blow for him as well, knowing that he couldn’t play the harp, just to enjoy the way Cas rolls his eyes with his whole head.

“What about Holy Night?”

“I- I don’t know that one,” says Cas, for the thirteen time in a row and Dean would love to stay on the couch and watch him awkwardly handle the situation if he wasn’t afraid Garth would eventually try and bring him into it.

So he jumps up at the first occasion to follow Bess into the kitchen right under Cas’ betrayed look.

“What songs do you know?” Garth’s voice carries through the walls.

“Uh, I know Led Zeppelin?” says Cas and Dean almost drops the mugs as his heart expands.

Now he kind of regrets having left the room but then Garth is saying, “Oh no, silly, I mean Christmas songs,” and Bess is asking him, “Do you play any instrument?” so he focuses back on her.

Dean puts down the mugs in the sink and opens up the tab, “Uh - just the guitar – a little bit. Never had much chance to practise.”

“Oh, you should. Then you can bring it up here sometime and play for us at the church.”

Dean scoffs, “You sure they’d want to see me again, after last time?” he asks and can’t hide the genuine uncertainty from his voice.

Bess rests a hand on his arm, reassuring, “Well, it’ll be different. Last time we said, ‘This is Dean, he’s a hunter’. This time, we’ll be saying, ‘This is Dean, he plays the guitar’.”

It’s such a simple concept but it hits him like a brick. He needs a moment to try and see himself from another point of view and he really doesn’t know what to say. Bess doesn’t seem to mind. They dry the mugs in silence and when Dean looks up to smile at her, she smiles back.

Dean, he plays the guitar. It could work.

They go back to the living room and Bess and Garth duet over Silent Night and it’s only a little embarrassing.

It gets dark pretty soon after that.

Before they bring their kids upstairs they all take part in the traditional – apparently daily – lightning of the tree. They turn off the lights and when Garth says “Ready?”, Gertie says “Yes!” and he lights it up.

Only, in the dark Cas gets really close to him and when Garth says “Ready?” Dean can hear him too say “Yes,” and so he turns towards him just as Garth plugs it in and his breath catches in his throat as he sees his face light up with the colours dancing on his skin.

Bess turns on the lights again and Garth puts a hand on Dean’s shoulder and it startles him.

“Amazing, right?” he says, “Gets me everytime,” and only then Dean realizes that he’s missed the whole thing.

“Yeah,” he says.

Watching them at the table is always a jarring experience.

But just a "How’s the – dental practice going?" is enough to kick off the longest most absurd recount of Garth’s last few years and Dean finds himself laughing heartily with a hand on his chest, having forgotten all about the raw cow hearts on their plates.

They talk about things to do in Winsconsin and Dean tells them about that one time when he was a kid and got sick on cream puffs at a fair. Even Cas talks about Claire non-stop for a solid minute an a half, which is honestly impressive.

Bess and Garth want to know all about Sam and Eileen. When Dean says they’re splitting up more these days, Bess nods and says, “Yeah, I imagine you all enjoy a bit of privacy.”

Dean hears loud and clear the implication that him and Cas are like Sam and Eileen but doesn’t really know how to correct her, so he doesn’t.

He knows he can’t blame her. He’s not totally oblivious to the way they look from the outside. Working together, living together - just that would be enough to assume. But Dean hasn’t looked at anyone else in years either so – yeah. He knows how it looks.

Cas doesn’t say anything either, and doesn’t show any signs as to whether he’s picked up the implication but Dean can never really be sure with him.

That’s about around the time Dean realizes he’s shifted towards him and has an arm draped on the back of his chair.

Cas hasn’t said anything about that either. Dean doesn’t remove it.

Garth proposes a toast to Bobby and Dean loves him a little bit more and then Bess asks them what they’re doing for the holidays and looks shocked when he says that they haven’t really thought about it yet.

“But Christmas is in two weeks!”

Dean is about to say that they never really did holidays and they’re always on the road anyway, so it doesn’t matter and they don’t care, but for some reasons he settles for, “I guess – if we’re not working – then we’ll get Sam and Eileen and just -”

He doesn’t know what they’ll do.

Garth makes that face he makes when he finds him adorable.

It makes his skin crawl.

“What would you like to do?” he says and Dean feels hot all of the sudden as Cas looks his way as well.

“Nothing,” he blurts out, feeling his face reddening, “I mean, just stay at home, relax. That’d be great.”

Bess smiles, “That doesn’t sound like such an impossible plan now, does it?”

Cas softly says, “No, it doesn’t,” and Dean’s heart starts pounding.

“Next year we could get the families together,” jumps in Garth and that makes him laugh again.

From the fact that he doesn’t think right away that it’s the most horrible idea that Garth could possibly have, he realizes he’s having a good night.

And even later when he brings to the kitchen the last of the plates and sees Garth and Bess share a kiss and a laugh over the sink, he smiles. He’s careful not to make any sounds as he puts the plates down on the counter and tiptoes back to the dark living room.

Cas is standing near the tree, looking at the decorations and Dean silently joins him.

They smile at each other briefly and go back to watch the tree.

Considering how they’ve started the day, Dean thinks it’s not a bad way to end it.

The guest room is – well, like the rest of the house, colourful wallpaper, soft carpets, floral-scented bedsheets. And a Santa on the nightstands with cheeks that light up. Dean puts it under the bed first thing cause it creeps him out.

Garth says, “Are you gonna be alright in here?”

“I don’t sleep,” reassures him Cas and Dean wants to retort that for someone who claims he “just lays down” he sure knows how to steal the covers.

“Yeah, Garth,” he says instead, “We’ll be up early and leave through the backdoor.”

“Well, guys,” Garth says on the door, his eyes swelling up, “It’s been so good to have you here.”

“Yeah, thank you for everything, Garth,” Dean says and he really means it. “We had a good time.”

Garth shakes his head. “You guys make me cry.”

He pulls him into a hug and then moves to do the same with Cas.

“Come back, whenever you want. And have a very merry Christmas.”

Dean closes the door behind him and leans his back against it with a deep sigh. “If I’d walked home instead of coming here I’d be less tired, I think.”

Cas huffs a laugh as he unties his shoes.

They undress in silence and slips under the covers.

Dean turns off the lights and looks up at the ceiling.

"It’s nice,” Cas says unexpectedly in the dark, “what they have."

A weight drops on Dean’s chest.

"Yeah,” he agrees in the end, “it's nice."

After a moment, Cas speaks again.

“Dean?”

“Mh?”

“We don’t have to – go home straight away,” there’s a pause. The familiar shape of Cas shifts next to him, “We could find some cream puffs for you to get sick on.”

“That’s sweet,” Dean huffs a laugh. “I appreciate it, Cas.”

He settles more comfortably against his pillow.

“I mean it,” Cas keeps going, and his whisper is a lullaby, “We don’t have to find another case. We could just go meet Sam and Eileen in Illinois. Drive home together.”

Dean likes the idea very much.

“Yeah, we could do that.”

He feels his eyes falling shut.

“We could make it home in time for Christmas,” Cas’ voice is saying.

Dean’s lips stretch into a smile.

“Yeah, let’s do that, Cas.”

He falls asleep.

joining @bend-me-shape-me in doing this!

#SPNAdventCalendar2020 #deancas #destiel #deancas ficlet #destiel fanfic #3.6k #garth fitzgerald iv #holiday time at garth's house #fluff #this one exploded on me #but i had a lot of fun #i love these prompts !!!!#they light up my brain #domesticity is my vocation #my writing

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jorvach · 4 years ago

Photo

Been using the Take Notes - Journal of the Dragonborn mod for Skyrim to, well, take notes in an ingame journal for a kinda-sorta fanfic. Here’s what I have so far, plus some screenshots to set the mood.

---1. Some Life Experience--- Master Drogolf has sent me all the way to Riften to pick up some kind of magic crystal! He wouldn't tell me what it's for, but I'm sure it's important... though not important enough for him to go in person. When I asked about that, he said it'll be a chance for me to explore the real world a bit, rather than just sitting around in the tower in Helgen and reading about it.

I can't argue with that, so I'm off! First stop, Riverwood!

---2. City on a Hill--- Riverwood was a pleasant little village, and the people were friendly, but I didn't stay long, being excited about seeing the big city for the first time! Whiterun sits atop a great hill rising up from the plains, painting a breathtaking picture! The Jarl's palace, Dragonsreach is at the very top, looking down on the city. The stories say the dragon Numinex was held captive in that very building... How I wish he was still there, I've always wanted to speak to a dragon! Sadly, they're all extinct. And then there's Jorrvaskr, mead hall of the legendary companions warrior band. This city is truly steeped in history! But before learning all about it, I should head to the local inn and get a hot meal!

---3. Journey to the East--- During my stay in Whiterun, I did some odd jobs for some of the citizens, earning me enough coin to prepare for the journey through Eastmarch, which is supposed to be far more dangerous than the area between Helgen and Whiterun. That much is true, for on the border between Whiterun Hold and Eastmarch stands Valtheim Towers, home to a small gang of bandits. Or I should say, -was- home to bandits. As soon as my spells felled their leader, the rest of them fled into the hills, leaving the main road to the east a safer route... for now.

It's getting late, so I should find a place to rest. Perhaps that ruined tower set into the mountainside.

---4. Kaidan--- The tower turned out to be some kind of hideout for the Thalmor! Fortunately, it seems to have been almost abandoned, as there were only two of them inside. Good thing, as I'm not sure I would've fared well against a full garrison of Justiciars! They also had a prisoner, a man named Kaidan. I freed him and helped him get his equipment back from the Thalmor, including a large Akaviri sword inscribed with some strangely familiar runes. For aiding him, Kaidan has offered to become my bodyguard to repay the debt. I tried to tell him he didn't owe me anything, but he wouldn't hear of it, and so I've earned myself a travelling companion! I shall have to ask him about the runes, but for now, I really need some rest!

---5. Inigo--- We've arrived in Riften at last! While renting a room at the nearest inn, the innkeeper said that she'd been asked to watch out for someone matching my description, then handed me a strange note asking to meet in Riften Jail... Weird. I'll look into it later, for now, I should meet with the court wizard and collect Master Drogolf's crystal. --- Terrible news! Wylandriah, Riften's court wizard, tells me that Drogolf's crystal has been stolen! I'd rather not return from my first real adventure having failed, so I'll try to find some clues as to who stole it, and where I might find them. Following up on the mysterious note from the inn seems as good a place to start as any. --- I met with the one who left the note, A Khajiit named Inigo. He seems to think he tried to murder me, which is why he turned himself in to the guards and has been wallowing in guilt ever since. I tried to tell him he was mistaken, but he wouldn't hear of it, and begged me to kill him. I refused, of course, but still, I couldn't find it in me to just leave the poor fellow to his despair, so I offered to let him join us in our travels, to make up for what he thinks he did. Kaidan didn't like it, but something tells me Inigo can be trusted. Time will tell if I'm right.

Unfortunately, he didn't know anything about the crystal. Back to square one.

---6. Lucien--- A priestess of Mara, Dinya, said she saw a shifty-looking man handing over something that "looked like a soul gem, but green" to a figure in a black cloak! From what Dinya overheard of their conversation, the cloaked person might be going to Falkreath! It's not much to go on, and I don't even know for sure if it's the right crystal, but it's all I have. Luckily, a merchant is leaving for Falkreath very soon, so we could hire on as guards and get to Falkreath quickly! --- We asked around at Falkreath's inn, but apparently, strangers clad in black are common here. No surprise, considering the famous graveyards in these parts. After a fruitless, day-long search, we took a room at the inn. The next morning, as we were having breakfast, we were approached by a pretty fancy-looking young man in even fancier clothes, who asked us if we could take him to Helgen. He wants to meet with my master, apparently. After finding out about my apprenticeship, he became very enthusiastic, and offered a large sum of gold to escort him there. Having no further clues, I suppose I'll have to return home empty-handed... hope the crystal wasn't too important.

---7. Black Wings--- Something horrible has happened! As we approached Helgen, we saw great plumes of smoke rising from the town, and then heard a terrible roar! And then, taking wing from within the walls, a massive beast with wings black as night! A Dragon! Helgen is ruined, burned to ash and razed by the might of the dragon. We couldn't find anyone left alive, and Master Drogolf's tower, the only home I've ever known, is nothing but rubble. We didn't even have time for a proper search, as the dragon flew off toward Riverwood. Inigo insists we must follow, to warn the townspeople of the danger, provided they haven't already been slaughtered too. As much as I would like to stay and mourn for my home, I knew he was right. --- We've each been dealing with the events at Helgen in our own way. Lucien has been borderline panicked ever since, and talks incessantly about anything and nothing to keep calm. Kaidan is even more silent and brooding than usual, and is constantly grasping his bow, watching the skies for any sign of the dragon. Inigo, bless him, has been trying to keep our spirits up with jokes and encouragement, but I can tell he's shaken up bad. And as for me, I alternate between grim determination and feeling like I'm a daze, like I'm only having a terrible nightmare.

---8. A favor for a Jarl--- Riverwood was, fortunately, not burned down. We continued on to Whiterun to warn the Jarl of the danger. Jarl Balgruuf seems a sensible man. When he heard our news about Helgen, he quickly commanded his Housecarl to send men to protect the other settlements in his hold. He also introduced us to his court wizard, a somewhat abrasive man named Farengar, who has been studying the history of dragons. He's asked us to delve into a ruin in the mountains above Riverwood, named Bleak Falls Barrow, in search of something called a Dragonstone, supposedly a map of ancient dragon burial sites. --- As people say, Bleak Falls Barrow is full of Draugr, undead monstrosities who patrol the halls and strike down intruders. Their eyes glowing in the dark chill my spine. What with that, and the destruction of Helgen, it'll be a miracle if I ever get a peaceful night's rest again! Unexpectedly, Inigo is also terrified of these undead, despite being an adventurer of great experience. Perhaps I'll ask him about it sometime. For now, we will continue into the dephts of the Barrow, to find the Dragonstone.

---9. The Word Wall--- We've found the Dragonstone! In a sealed tomb deep in the barrow, it rested in a sarcophagus with a powerful Draugr, perhaps their leader or something - if Draugr have any kind of hierarchy... Something weird happened when we approached the back of the tomb however. There's a wall with a bunch of ancient writing - a Word Wall, Kaidan called it. When I got closer, I heard strange chanting and saw some of writing glowing? And then it was as if the world went dark, save for that noise and light. When I came to, the Draugr had risen from it's sarcophagus and was fighting my friends! Fortunately, they slew it just as my eyes cleared, and they seem no worse for wear. I'm very confused about what happened to me, and the others are clearly concerned about it as well. Still, I feel fine for now, and we need to return the Dragonstone to Farengar. If I'm lucky, maybe he'll know something about the Word Wall too.

---10. Success Story--- We got the Dragonstone back to Whiterun, and were well rewarded. Farengar even promised to look into the incident at the Word Wall! I suppose I'll return to Dragonsreach and ask him about it later. For now though, Inigo's suggested we celebrate our success with a hot meal and a bottle of mead or two, so it's off to the Bannered Mare for that - and a good room for the night afterward! It feels like ages since I've slept in a warm bed! ---

#skyrim #tes5 #tesv #tes #the elder scrolls #fanfiction #fanfic #journal #kaidan 2 #skyrim kaidan #inigo the brave #inigo #skyrim inigo #lucien flavius #alindra #alduin #screenshots

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sherrybaby14 · 4 years ago

Text

All the Same

This is for the wonderful @lancsnerd 1K challenge (Sorry I am so late)!

Pairing: Geralt x female reader

Warnings: Domestic Violence, Smut, Angst, Violence, Blood

Words: 6k

Prompt: “I was your assignment, and then you fell in love with me”. (Changed it a little)

Summary: The Witcher is coming to your village and you have been tasked with finding out why.

The drunkard on the piano was playing the same song he did every night and you rolled your eyes as you filled another pitcher of lager.

Some nights you wished more than anything you got moved off the graveyard shift, but others you were grateful the drunks would leave soon and your time at work would consist of watching the empty bar.

“Best to keep an eye out tonight.” Your boss leaned against the doorway to the kitchen.

“Why’s that?” You glanced to the dagger kept underneath the bar.

“Word is, a Witcher is on the road. Stopping here.” He flung the rag over his shoulder.

“Here?” You about overfilled the pitcher. “In our tiny village? Why?”

“That’s what I want to know.” He glanced across the barroom, watching the dwindling crowd. “Find out for me, would ya Love?”

“Not my job Sir.” You had never met a Witcher, but your heart raced at the idea.

“How about now?” Your boss tossed a bag of coin next to you. “Still trying to get on your feet aren't ya? I’ll double it if you give me anything worth my while.”

You did not hesitate as you picked up the bag and shoved it in your pocket. A pang of guilt hit your heart, you were no spy, but were desperate. You needed to get back on your feet. Besides, this was the first bonus your boss had ever offered.

“Consider me hired.” You turned to drop off the pitcher, the customer closing out their tab.

The piano player abandoned the instrument and you could tell the mood had shifted.

“Witchers are bad for business.” Your boss kicked off the door and went to the kitchen. “I want him gone.”

“Monsters are worse.” Of course the idea of a monster in this town was silly, the only one who lived here was your ex.

The crowd was gone by one. It was strange, you were used to forcing people to their rooms around two, this was the earliest you could remember the place being empty.

You picked up your current book and tried to read, but every thought went to your boss’ warning. Why would a Witcher come here? You hadn’t heard a single rumor of anything off. Maybe he was passing through? If memory served you right there was a sheep slaughtered a few weeks ago. People said it was a wolf, but maybe more, would a Witcher come for that though?

The door opened and your breath caught in your throat. There he was, pale skin with pale hair that stood out against the vibrant oranges of the wooden walls dancing with firelight.

You shook your head and shut your mouth, trying not to show your awe for the man.

The mug you grabbed shook as you turned and poured him some mead.

“I heard you were coming.” You spun back around and set the drink on the counter.

“You did?” He blinked in confusion and glanced around the empty room.

“Oh, I’m not a psychic or anything.” You gave a nervous laugh. “My boss, he told me. He said you were coming here though and I never asked how he knew that part. It’s been bothering me all night.”

The man walked slow, his eyes taking in everything. You cringed as you grabbed a smaller glass and poured yourself a bit of wine, hoping to drown your embarrassment.

“I am sorry. I should not have been so forward.” You smiled as you drank it down. “I should have played it much more smooth. May I start over?”

“Please.” The man grabbed the handle of his sword and you turned around, half expecting a vicious beast behind you. “Now it is my turn to apologize.”

You looked back to him as he let go of the handle, holding his hands in the air.

“I am not used to hospitality.” He pulled out the chair and had a seat. “This is most unusual.”

“You are most welcome here.” You poured another shot of wine and took it down. “So, did my superior mean here as in this bar or here as in the town? I mean, we are the only bar in the town and it is no secret Witchers like to indulge, but there is a much nicer inn not far from here, but we do have a few rooms if you would like to stay the night? All are vacant, we are not frequented, occasionally a drunkard needs a spot for a few hours, our rates are reasonable but for you it will be gratis of course and have I mentioned I babble when nervous?”

Worst spy ever. You grabbed the bottle of red and brought it to your lips, this time taking a chug as the Witcher smiled.

A warmth spread through you at the sight. A Witcher smiling. You never knew such a thing was possible.

“I am not sure what your supervisor was aware of, but it’s no secret Witchers indulge?” He picked up the mug in front of him and looked inside, his eyes wide as if he were studying.

“My father, he used to tell tales of fairies and dragons and warlocks and vampires.” Your eyes flashed as you pictured his face. “And Witchers too.”

“Did he tell you how we strike down the wicked? Or how we are sell swords?” The Witcher took a drink and then brought the mug away from his face, staring at what you poured him with shock.

“He told me how easy it would be to poison your drinks.” You smiled but the man almost fell out of his chair as you burst out laughing.

You clapped as he grabbed for his sword handle, hesitating as you grinned at him. Then he relaxed in his seat as his eyes looked over your face.

“I am sure you have far better insight into a Witcher than my father, enlighten my poor soul?” When you sat down the coin in your pocket jingled, reminding you of your mission for the night. There was no harm in getting to know the man in the process though.

“I have not spoken as many words this night as I have all of the past year.” Geralt’s eyes continued to dance on your face.

It would have been easy to shy under his gaze, but as the dawn grew near your mind was being tugged elsewhere.

“Does the sun rising bother you?” His brows furrowed.

“Not in the slightest.” In fact, you frowned, wishing you were just waking up instead of readying for bed. “I would give anything to not sleep in a tiny bed upstairs, not work overnights at a place where the bulk of my wages go to room and board. I am saving up. This is temporary.”

“Then why do you keep glancing at the door?” Geralt shifted, you watched his hand shift toward his weapon once again, but this time he did not come close to grabbing it.

“Fell in with a bad lad.” You shook your head. “Controlling type. He works overnights as well. Only I am off at eight and he is off at six. I expect him any second. He will sit down, beg for me to come home, lament about his problems, like I give a fuck. It’s been almost a year since we split, or should I say since he split my head open and I had the common sense to leave him.”

Tears started to form, but you blinked them away.

“Whatever monster you are here to kill. I hope it is him.” You smiled at your joke, hoping to break the tension, but Geralt didn’t find any humor in your statement.

Now the air grew thick between the two of you, all the good will and fun turned to awkwardness.

“What are you here to kill by the way?” The subject needed to be changed. “A banshee? A ghoul? A Bailisk?”

“Your father taught you well about the supernatural.” Geralt swirled his drink. “He must have been well researched.”

“Right after he died, I wanted him back. I was broken. He was all I ever knew.” This time you let a tear fall. “I even tried to find a Witcher or a Mage or anything. But his books, the legends he told me, they all said the same thing. The dead, even if they do come back, they can’t understand the living anyway.”

“Very well researched.” Geralt grunted.

The door opened and relief flooded your body as the opening bartender walked in.

“Well, my shift is over. Kolly is here. I am sure she can keep your attention.” You stood up and wiped your tear. “Unless you have changed your mind and want a room?”

Your coworker’s eyes went wide as she looked at the only patron. You were sure she was as shocked as you were not to walk in on your ex sitting there.

“Where do you sleep?” Geralt rose from his stool.

Kolly stopped walking and glared at you. As immoral of a question it was your body heat flared and you clenched your thighs at the thought. The last you wanted was rumors flying around the town.

“I sleep alone.” You gave Kolly a side glance and she nodded in approval before walking into the kitchen. “But thank you for the company, though my boss will be disappointed.”

“Why is that?” Geralt narrowed his eyes.

“Well, you were my assignment.” It didn’t feel right to lie. “Find out why you are here, but after our night I believe I am more likely to fall in love with you than deceive you.”

The same smile you caught earlier washed over his face. This was the first time since Robert you’d felt any connection with another person.

“Tell your boss, I am passing through, there is wraith in Sehalsberg, but given the warm reception I received I will return for the hospitality.” Geralt’s eyes focused on you again.

The way he looked at you fluttered your stomach, how you wished Kolly was not here to judge.

“Goodnight then. I hope you return soon.” You tried to hide the smile as you turned and walked to the stairs, feeling his eyes on your back as you headed to your small room.

“That’s it?” Your boss scoffed. “Passing through? And how much free mead did you give the man?”

”I...I was trying to get information.” You should have known better than to think your boss was going to pay you a dime.

“Well, that will be coming out of your wages.” He shook his head. “Plus I heard Mister and the boys did not arrive in the morning, you know how much coin they drop here! Sometimes I swear it's the only reason I keep you on.”

All the frustration you were feeling you bit down. You needed this job. So you nodded.

“Kick you out on the street.” He threw his hands in the air. “A Witcher, passing through.”

The bar emptied out at the normal time. You kept the fires going, trying to read your book and hoping Geralt would stop in again, memories of your night before making you smile non stop.

But as the hours went on your heart broke more and more. You told yourself it was unreasonable to think he would be back the next night. Then when the door opened and your ex stepped inside with his group of coworkers your heart shattered.

His eyes locked with yours and there was a fury as he strolled up to you.

“What did you say to him?”

You moved back against the bar, but he reached out and grabbed the hair above your ear yanking you forward.

“You know I love you? Why would you betray me?”

As you tried to twist away he slammed your head down against the bar. Monster. You should have made that clearer to Geralt. Then maybe he would have saved you.

There was no warning from your boss, no rumors. But you had not forgotten of Geralt. Months had past, but when the doors opened at two in the morning one night and he walked in your heart went a flutter.

“Passing through?” This time the shake was worse. You had played this conversation out over and over in your head. “There cannot be a second monster in a nearby town.”

“I never caught the first.” Geralt sat down, making no attempts for his sword. “I thought you might have forgotten me.”

“A girl never forgets her first Witcher.” You poured him a jug of mead. “Now please, tell me where you have been. What you have seen.”

“I would rather hear about you.” He took a drink without looking. “Tell me, has your monster returned?”

Your chest struggled to breath. Now was your chance to ask what you had been hoping for.

“Every day since the last you were here.” This was not how you practiced. “He was violent once, nobody cared.”

Geralt stood and you ran around the bar to him, this stranger from one night. You broke down against his chest, sobbing. His arms came around you, his body stiff.

“There’s no comfort in you.” You pushed off of him, glaring up.

“What?” He looked surprised.

“I can feel it.” You put your arms to his chest, palms against his leather top. “You don’t care either. I am trapped here.”

“Untrue.” Geralt pulled you back, cradled you. Then you felt it, his stiffness relax, his hands pulling you tighter, rubbing your back. “I care more than you know.”

“I think about you.” Shame and embarrassment over your confession vanished. “Just one night talking and I think about you non-stop. I wonder where you are, how you are feeling, what mundane tasks you must be doing. Curious why you have cast such a spell on me.”

Geralt’s hands found your shoulders and pushed you back. He gazed at you with the studying look that should have made you melt, but his eyes would not stay still.

You tried to focus on what he was looking at when he pulled you closer, upwards and his lips crashed into yours. Heat seeped into your veins. A burning as your mouth opened and his tongue drove inside.

You drank him down. Shuddering against his chest as you attempted to keep up. The warmth turning to a burn as you kissed him back, your brain going dizzy as all the liquid in your body gathered between your legs.

Just as you started to give in, the feeling vanished. Your eyes blinked several times, seeing the warm hues from the room and the greys from him turn into one. His purple eyes were aflame. His chest moving faster than your own as he struggled for breath.

“What’s wrong?” Every problem in your orbit had vanished with that kiss.

Anger returned your gaze as Geralt let go of you and vanished out of the bar. You wanted to follow but were too stunned.

You hunched over and your struggle for air turned into tears. What were you thinking? A Witcher would never be your savior. You were doomed.

It was hard to tell the passage of time. Your savings depleted with every broken glass. You were beginning to think your boss and your ex were in on this together, keeping you trapped here.

Memories of your one night with Geralt kept you going. But then you remembered the second night, the kiss and look of disgust on his face. Witchers could not fall in love. And who fell in love with anyone after one night? Oh, that’s right. You did.

“Best to keep an eye out tonight.” Your boss leaned against the doorway to the kitchen.

“Why’s that?” You remembered the last time you heard this.

“Word is, a Witcher is on the road. Stopping here.” He flung the rag over his shoulder.

“He won’t stop here.” You knew the hospitality ran out.

“Find out why he is here.” Your boss flung a bag of coin at you. “More when you get the reason?”

It couldn’t have been that long ago that Geralt was here. You looked up at him with confusion.

“Witchers are bad for business.” He kicked off the wall and walked away.

Much like the last time you had this conversation, the bar began to empty. A weird echo ran down your spine, but you brought your fingers to your lips and felt the tingle. This time a pit formed in your stomach as you never expected to see Geralt again.

The last patron left and you started to wipe down the counters, thinking of reasons to lock the door. Sure your boss would find out and then slash your earnings, but that happened anyway. You had confessed your feelings to a Witcher on the second time you saw him. Why would he come back anyway? To torture you?

You sighed and went to close up early, not caring if you got fired. But before you rounded the bar the door opened.

Pale hair. Pale skin. A different face looked up at you. Not Geralt.

The man drew his sword in one hand and a dagger in the other.

“There is no need for those weapons.” You went back to the bar. “Can I offer you something to drink? I promise you have nothing to fear here. We welcome Witchers.”

“You…..what?” The man looked at you and then stalked into the kitchen.

“That’s not a public area…” You followed behind him, but he spun and moved into a defensive stance. “I am sorry. Please, do what needs to be done.”

You thought about Geralt’s first night, how he kept going for his sword. Cautious, hesitant. This must have been normal. Inspecting for enemies.

Without thinking you poured him and yourself a drink. Visions of your kiss with the previous Witcher tried to dash in front of your eyes, but you pushed them away. Should you bring up his name? Ask where he was? Where he had been? What he was thinking about? Had he mentioned you? Is that why the new one was here?

But before your nervousness made you blab he came out of the kitchen. His eyes and stance toward you as he circled the bar.

“I poured you a drink. Please, sit and relax.” You took your own and slammed it back.

“How odd.” He looked at your face with the same scrutiny as Geralt, studying and curious, but there was no spark. It was more like he glared as if you were a dead animal he was attempting to dissect. “Where is your crypt?”

“Crypt?” You gave a nervous laugh. “We are a bar with a few spare rooms upstairs. No crypt.”

“Take me to your room.” The man pointed the dagger at you.

You stared at him with your mouth open, unsure what the threat was or his intentions.

“Do you know Geralt? He is a Witcher who has passed through here. Are you looking for him? He has not been here in ages, but he mentioned a monster a few towns over.” You started to back up against the mugs, but the Witcher spun behind the bar, turning you with his sword and dagger out until you were in the open area. “This must be a misunderstanding.”

“These are pure silver.” His eyes flashed with anger. “Do not think of trying anything smart. Now take me to your resting place.”

“They look lovely, I can tell the fine craftsmanship.” You tried to hide your nerves, and remembered what a gentleman Geralt was. “A lady’s bedroom is no place for an uninvited man.”

“NOW!” His voice roared as he lunged forward.

“ALRIGHT!” You jumped back. “Please don’t hurt me and put those things away.”

All the fear you had been bottling since the man walked in came rushing forward. Your instincts took over and you ran to the front door. He dropped his sword and reached out, grabbing your shoulder, and spinning you to face him.

“I can touch you.” His face was featureless as he recoiled his hand with a look of horror.

“Not tonight.” You slapped him across the face as hard as possible before turning to run again.

You didn’t make it three steps before he shoved you forward, your knees hit the hardwood with a clunk as your body bounced.

“STOP!” You kicked at him as he dropped down on top of you, the weight of him heavy as he flipped you over.

You struggled while he straddled you pinning you down. You continued to claw, bite, kick, whatever you could. The dagger was still in his hand when a slice sounded through the air.

An inhuman scream left your lips as your arm flooded with white hot pain. You vision began to blacken as your chest heaved. It felt as if your arm was starting to rot off from the inside. You cried and winced, unable to gasp for air.

The Witcher let go of your hands and you cradled your arm. Confused as to how this could hurt that badly.

“I am sending you back to where you belong.” He lifted the dagger high in the air.

Your head rolled as if an infection was spreading, your brain and muscles oozing with hurt. You shut your eyes and opened them again. The warm orange against the brown wood was gone. You saw grey and decay. Spiderwebs and a rundown bar.

“What?” You pinched your eyes shut, thinking it was a fever dream. “Have you poisoned me? What treachery is this?”

The bar you spent each night cleaning was covered in dust and mildew. There was a broken beam in the ceiling and a hole in the roof. Your head lulled back at the piano.

“Someone was playing that all night.” You didn’t undrestand, the beautiful polished keys were missing, chipped. Strings were hanging out the top. “What is happening?”

“You will haunt this place no more you evil beast.” The Witcher puffed his chest and raised the dagger even higher.

“NO!” You braced yourself, shielding your body with your arms.

“SHES’S NOT EVIL!” Geralt’s voice filled the room.

“Geralt….?” You tried to twist and look at him, but your eyes couldn’t focus. “What is happening to me?”

“Have you forgotten your creed?” The weight on your hips lifted as you rolled on the floor. “She must be destroyed.”

“Have you forgotten yours?” The sound of a sword being drawn echoed and you looked up at the moonlight, seeing the rotted bannister to the upstairs. “We don’t kill innocents.”

“Innocent?” The other Witcher scoffed. “She killed Robert Blanton. The son of the man who hired us!”

“She is stuck in a time loop. She does not know what she is.” Geralt’s voice began to fade. “How is that her fault?”

“So you want to what? Save her?” The stranger laughed. “You are insane.”

“I won’t let you kill her.” Geralt grunted as he stepped over you.

“She is already dead.” The man let out a roar and you heard the clashes of blades.

“Dead?” It came out as a whimper and you rolled on to your side.

The sounds of the men fighting faded away as you lifted your hand. The flesh looked real, the color the same it had always been, but then you caught sight of the wound. The scratch from the dagger was spreading decay. You could see your bone as the skin pulled away, as if you were struck with fire that would not burn out.

“MmMmmpph!” You looked up and spotted a man on his side, bound and gagged.

There were tears running down his cheeks, he was older, you would guess at least sixties, he was bald with a white beard, nothing but fear in his eyes. Those eyes.

“That’s the monster you are after.” Geralt’s voice came back. “He did this to her. He is responsible for Robert Blanton’s death.”

“Stander?” It was him, your ex who taunted you every morning, who hurt you physically and mentally, but he was so much older even though you just saw him that day.

“He is a human being.” The other Witcher laughed. “We do not kill humans.”

“You are correct.” The banging of the sword continued until you heard a grunt and a slice followed by a gasp. “We kill monsters.”

There was a groan and a thud against the floor. Everything hurt.

“Are you alright?” Geralt came to your side and pulled you close. “It’s over. I’m going to take you from here.”

With a swirl, everything clicked. Time loop, two Witchers, Robert being dead. The way your boss was so mechanical, the way every day felt the same.

“I was your assignment.” You reached up and cupped his face. “But you fell in love.”

Geralt’s eyes flashed in the moonlight. He opened his mouth to speak, but then shut his lips. You pinched your eyes shut as your chest started to shake.

“No...no...I won’t let you die.” He set your head on the ground.

“Fix her.” Geralt stomped over to Stander and kicked him in the gut. “Fix her and I will spare your life.”

The objection hung on your lips. You were ready to cross over, but before you could get the word out consciousness left. If you had to leave, at least it was being loved.

The bustling of the dinner crowd woke you up. You had more of a headache tonight than you’d had in months. Nothing you could do about it now. You took a drink of water from your bed stand and then readied for work.

When you walked out of your room you ignored the crowd and smiled, a vision of Geralt in your head. Of course it turned into a frown, remembering the kiss. You were destined to be alone.

“Good evening.” The voice echoed across the crowd as you made your way downstairs.

Your heart wanted to leap out of its chest at the familiar voice. You locked eyes with the Witcher and the headache intensified.

The colors and sounds of the bar started to blur. You shut your lids to take the flashes out and sat on the stairs. The noises flared and your headache intensified.

“Hey.” A warm hand touched your knee. “It will be alright.”

The background noises left and you looked up with a shake to see your Witcher standing in front of you.

“What?” The bar was dilapidated, dust and holes and rotted wood.

Memories came crashing back. The second Witcher, Stander.

“What am I?” It felt like all the air was sucked out of your lungs as you looked to your arm. There was no scar, but the searing hot pain echoed in your bones. “Am I dead?”

“In a sense.” Geralt’s finger came under your chin. “Twenty five years ago, you were murdered here. Your killer could not let you go. With the help of a Mage he trapped your spirit in this, a fake recreation of your body.

“He sets you with a time loop, you can break through and when that happens he murders you again and resets. It makes you see things that aren’t there. But some memories don’t get erased.”

“Like you?” You looked around in the moonlight. “My boss?”

“After your murder, he let the business go into shambles. Everyone in the village knew who the killer was, but nobody would speak up. It was the perfect spot to reset you. Some of the things he said, knowing they would be erased did not. That’s how the image of your boss knew I was coming.” Geralt hid nothing. “Stander was the only one who set foot in here over the years until…”

“Until Robert.” You gasped.

Memories that had been lost came forward. The way he walked in, shocked to see you. The way he kept coming back, how you looked forward to it. Then the one kiss and he was gone.

“I killed him?” You thought of the heat from your kiss with Geralt. “I drain the life force with my touch.”

“Not your touch.” Geralt ran his fingers over your lips, it sounded like an echo of sorrow spread across the bar. “The murderer showed me the spell, I brought you back one final time. Silver will destroy you. Once it spreads to your heart you will be free.”

Geralt set a dagger on the step next to you. You looked at the metal, the thought of crossing over.

“So am I gollum?” You didn’t look away. “An unnatural recreation, do I even have a soul?”

“You are a soul.” Geralt gave a squeeze to your knee. “But you can cross over now. Be with your father.”

“And what if I am not ready?” You looked at him. “Am I trapped here? Tethered? It feels like months, but its been years?”

“Tethered to this realm yes, but not this place.” Geralt bit his lip. “You are free to leave, just did not know you had the option.”

“The fake time loop.” You glanced at the door, never thinking of walking through it because every night had felt like an average night at work. All the years you had wasted. When you could have walked away.

A creak in the floor made both of your heads snap. There was Stander, tied to a chair.

“I promised I would spare his life in exchange for the spell.” Geralt stood. “I am a man of my word. I thought you might want the final one with him.”

The final word. Dragging your killer, your tormenter to the bowels of hell. It was tempting.

“I need more than a word.” You stood up from the stairs and took a brief pace. “I think my former lover needs a kiss goodnight.”

You ripped off the cloth bound over his mouth and he let out a scream as you pushed your lips to his. It was slow, not the burning passion you felt with Geralt. But the heat intensified as your lips pressed to his. You gripped his cheeks, holding his head in place while you felt his life source draining into you.

The heat turned into a scorch, but unlike your arm the night before it was pleasant. You wanted that burn. He tried to scream, but it was muffled by your lips as his body began to jerk. You sucked in air and pulled away, taking him with you, your body glowing with warmth as his corpse twisted into the chair.

“I promised nothing.” You wiped your lips as pure energy ran through your veins and you turned to Geralt. “Tell me, am I a monster now?”

“No.” Geralt walked forward.

“And was I a monster for killing Robert?” You pushed your shoulders back.

“No.” Geralt took another step.

“And if I kill again, will that make me a monster?” You swallowed.

“Not if they deserve it.” Geralt came closer.

“And if they do not?” You reached out and grabbed his hand. “Will you end me?”

He hesitated, his lips trying to think of the words.

“I do not believe that day will come.” His hand moved to your waist and he brought you closer. “I saw you, that first night. You will never be a monster.”

“But if it does, do I have your word that you will kill me?” You tilted your chin and looked him in the eye, watching his iris swirl.

“No.” His lips dropped to your neck as you let out a moan and clawed at his back.

He sucked and nipped as he guided you until your back hit the bar. You dropped your head and kissed his cheek as your fingers found the hem of his shirt. You untucked the garment from his pants and tugged it upward. He pulled away and stripped the top off before crashing back against you, guiding your legs to spread.

Strong hands gripped your bottom and guided you on to the bar. You gathered your skirts and spread your legs, baring yourself to him.

Both of your fingers went to his trousers and undid the lacing. His cock sprung free and your chest heaved with excitement. How long had it been? Who was your last? Was there ever a first? Not with this body.

Geralt ran the tip of his cock up your slit, you were soaked and ready for him. He lined up and you gripped his shoulder.

“Ah!” Your head fell back as he pushed inside of you. The pain made your thighs shake as your head fell against his shoulder. “It hurts. Too much.”

He stilled and with gasped breaths looked at you, steadying himself. You could feel him pulsing inside of you.

“This body, whatever it is, it’s new.” You brought your hand to the back of his neck. “I want to kiss you.”

His fingers traced down your cheek and he bit his lips as he shook his head. With shut eyes you leaned against him and nodded. Then brought your lips to his collarbone and began to make your mark.

Geralt followed your lead, pulling out a bit before diving back in, bracing himself against the bar with one hand, the other digging into your hip.

Each stroke replaced the pain with pleasure. Your winces turned into coos that turned into moans.

A rhythm formed as you lifted your hips, welcoming him inside of your. The movements hit your core and you felt yourself tense.

“Too much?” He kissed your head as his hand ran up the back of you neck.

“Not enough.” You started rocking faster. “Please, go, go.”

Your fingers wound in his hair as he honored your request. The tightness in your chest spread to the apex between your legs and you ground down harder. Geralt picked up his pace and your vision began to blur.

You fisted his hair and yanked as your release came over you, pleasure filling your body, no your soul as the cry left your mouth.

He followed you into the oblivion. Filling you with his seed in the process. Both of you started to kiss each other’s necks, moving up the cheeks until you were almost at the lips.

Foreheads dipped and you pressed them together. A few times you saw him go to pucker, but pull away. There would never be a real kiss between you.

You stayed like that for a moment. Both of you gathering your bearings. When he slipped from you, you almost collapsed, but his hand stayed on your hip.

“We need to leave.” Geralt tucked himself away and picked up his shirt. “There is a dead Witcher and a dead villager.”

“To hunt monsters?” You stood up from the bar, your legs shaking. “That is my life now?”

You looked at the door, ready to venture into the world.

“Not your life.” Geralt smiled. “Never forget, you’re already dead.”

You stared at him before a big grin crossed your face.

“And you love me all the same.”

A/N: Thank you for reading!! I so appreciate every comment and like!

#the witcher #the witcher x reader #geralt x reader #fanfic #fanfiction #the witcher fanfic #the witcher fanfiction #witcher fanfiction

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yeochikin · 4 years ago

Text

halloween grump. | p. seonghwa

a/n: thank you anon for requesting this fic! hope you enjoyed this. also, i suck at jealous scenes so uh,,, j just pretend you didn’t see that sdhfjsj

word count: 2.5k+

main focus: seonghwa x fem. reader

warning(s): there might be some inaccuracies in this as i have NEVER celebrated halloween before, so i do apologise for that. also, maybe a really short scene of hwa being protective.

seonghwa never really understood this particular… celebration, you had brought up.

sure, he knows that people of all ages would love to dress up during halloween so they would go trick or treating from door to door in the neighbourhood, along with their friends or families by their sides.

not only that, said male would even notice the variety of decorations being hung up on the walls or windows of their houses, and on their lawns. from fake spider webs hanging on the neighbourhood porches to the carved jack o’ lanterns laying idly on the front lawn he had noticed after making a quick trip from the grocery store with you earlier this week.

but honestly? that was it. the holiday never really excited him in any way possible, thinking it was the same old thing over and over again every year.

however, from the way your eyes glinted a certain excitement in them when you had brought up about the topic while the two of you were cuddling in the living room one day, both of your hands holding the matching mugs filled with hot chocolate, seonghwa knew he couldn’t object the idea of you wanting throw a little costume party during the day of the event with the boys and some of your close friends.

at first, he wasn’t really into the idea that much. imagine the time the both of you have to spend decorating the house to fit the theme, or even worse, cleaning up after the party? heavens above knew full well what could happen every time you would throw a little occasion at your shared apartment with the boys and your friends. honestly, why spend so much time when the two of you could just have a normal gathering for hallo-

“honey, can you please get those balloons up there for me? my hands are quite full.”

your voice interjected his thoughts, shaking his head mentally to regain his consciousness back to reality to see you pointing up at one of the many shelves of the halloween store the both of you had walked in earlier.

he couldn’t help but to release an amused chortle at the sight of your hands filled with the many decorations, wondering to himself just how long has he been in his mind to have failed to notice you picking up every halloween themed decor your eyes landed on. taking some of the decor from your hands to give your tired arms a little relief, your lover reached up to grab on the balloons that you had mentioned, noting how it had little bat patterns from the little picture printed right at the front of the package.

“just how many more decorations do you need to get?” he grumbled, now following you as soon as you started to move once he grabbed the said item in his hands.

“until we have enough, you grump.” you giggled just before stopping in front of the section just where the many pumpkin shaped candy buckets were displayed, eyes shooting up to meet with seonghwa’s unamused ones.

you knew that the idea of halloween would be at your boyfriend’s distaste, but you had completely understood the reason why due to the fact that he never really celebrated the occasion throughout his childhood. hence, why he had seemed to look rather reluctant to hold the party you had suggested. and with you being a huge enthusiast of the said holiday, you were determined to give him the best halloween he had ever celebrated in his life during the party tomorrow.

so, here you are, in the middle of the store shopping for halloween decorations with your grump of a boyfriend.

seonghwa merely shook his head yet you could see the faintest of smiles playing over his lips as you stuck your tongue in his direction, yet he continued to follow you around the store, eyes busying themselves by looking at the various decor the store had provided. it would be a lie to say he wasn’t impressed with the amount of choices the place had.

it took the both of you a little while more to finally walk out of the store, seonghwa offering to carry the bags in your hands. but the both of you knew deep down, your boyfriend merely wanted to hold your hand in his as the both of you made your way to the grocery store before going home.

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

“love, i'm going to check on the cookies in the oven for a bit. can i trust you to not fall off the ladder while you do this?”

seonghwa asked, his hands resting on your waist to steady yourself on the small step ladder as you busied yourself by hanging the bat patterned balloons on the wall in the living room. smiling, you leaned down to press a quick kiss against your lover’s lips, to which he returned almost out of reflex.

by now, almost the entirety of the living room somehow managed to look like a haunted house you had initially wanted to do. the window panes were decorated with fake spiderwebs, a couple of big toy spiders being stuck on said webs. the doorway had a huge sticker of some type of graveyard with a haunted manor next to it being stuck along the walls. and the night before, seonghwa and you had decorated the ceilings with the orange and black streamers.

“don’t worry about me, honey. it’s not like i could hurt myself.” you chided, seonghwa deadpanning at your words before slowly releasing his hold on your waist.

“says the one who slipped in the shower earlier.” he retorted, eyeing the little bruise on your skin, just a little above your knee.

seonghwa simply chuckled afterwards upon catching sight of your playful pout as you sulked, mumbling that it was somehow… the tiled floor’s fault for being too slippery in the morning. with a roll of his eyes, your boyfriend lightly gave your bum a light pat before making his way into the kitchen, you watching his retreating figure before moving your gaze to the wall, remembering your initial intent earlier on.

carefully leaning up on your tiptoes, you gently attempted to stick the balloons against the wall with the tip of your tongue peeking out of the corner of your lips, a habit of yours whenever you were placing your full concentration towards something. this one, being the bunch of balloons.

leaning back ever so slightly, your irises were set on the position of the balloon, making sure they were in the symmetrical position as the ones next to it. your lips pursed themselves in distaste as the position was a tad lower than you thought, leaning back in to fix the position to make them hang just a little higher from the current position.

however, you seemed to have leaned a little more than you intended to as you lost your footing on the step ladder, letting out a little shriek as your eyes shut instinctively, waiting for the impact to come. yet, it never came. instead, a pair of hands were quick to rest themselves on your waist, effectively breaking your fall.

“i really can’t leave you alone now, can i?” a deep voice reached within your ears, an eye peeking open to look at your savior.

you merely smiled sheepishly up at your lover, encircling an arm around his neck before pulling yourself up to press a gentle kiss on his lips, murmuring a small apology against his lips. with a shake of his head, seonghwa gently lifted you off of the ladder, setting you down on the floor instead.

“why don’t you decorate the cookies while i finish up here, hm? i know that you’ve been wanting to do so when we started baking them earlier on.” he mused, expression softening up at the sight of your features perking up.

with a playful salute, you made your way into the kitchen, seonghwa shaking his head at your antics as a tiny chortle left his plump lips as he started to fix whatever you had left.

it was after a little over half an hour, that the living room was finally done, filled with the various halloween themed decorations being put up by the both of you while the little snack section in the room had plenty of food the invited guests later on tonight. both of your hands rested on your hips as you stood next to seonghwa to give the living room one more glance, a proud grin spreading itself over your lips at the sight.

“now that this is done, i think it’s finally time we get our costumes on!” you chimed, earning a confused look from your lover.

“but we don’t have costumes?” he asked, tone full of confusion at your sudden claim. but with the way your eyes twinkled with the familiar mischief in them, he knew that you had something hidden up your sleeve.

“i may or may not have bought a matching costume for the both of us tonight.”

“love, i-”

but i swear it’s not anything bad!” you quickly added just before your boyfriend could protest.

clasping your hands together and putting them underneath your chin, you gave your lover your best puppy-eyed look.

“please, honey? just this once. if you don’t like it, we don’t have to do it again. i promise!” you pleaded, palms now pressed against your lover’s chest as you still kept the certain gaze on his own serious ones.

seonghwa stared at you in silence for a few seconds before emitting a low sigh out of defeat, leaning down to brush his lips against your forehead with his arms encircling your waist. of course, he just couldn’t say no. especially not when you looked like a kicked puppy with your pleading.

“fine, but if i don’t like it, i won’t do it again.” he grumbled, you giggling in return.

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

“woah, seonghwa is one lucky man!” wooyoung exclaimed.

the boys had come surprisingly early to your place. you cooing and giggling at the boys’ costumes. hongjoong as a pirate, mingi, yeosang and yunho as hogwarts students, san as a doctor from his favourite drama that he kept impersonating, wooyoung as a police officer, while jongho went as a zombie.

upon seeing seonghwa all dressed up as soon as they walked in, the boys couldn’t help but to tease him, the woosan duo playfully asking if he was allergic to garlic, much to your amusement.

it didn’t take long after that for the other invited guests arriving.

you couldn’t help but to laugh sheepishly as you felt seonghwa wrapping his arm around your waist while the two of you went around giving the guests the food you had prepared earlier. the both of you were dressed in a matching vampire costume, as cliche as it looked.

yet, no matter how cliche it was, the both of you somehow managed to pull off the costume well judging by the compliments you received tonight as you interacted with the guests.

“might i say that you look good tonight, my love.” you heard him whisper into your ear as the both of you made your way back to the kitchen to refill the snacks, you lightly bumping your hip against his.

“likewise, honey.” you winked, bringing the bowl of chips back into the living room while seonghwa stayed back in the kitchen to work on another batch of punch.

arriving to the little food section you had set up, you made sure to clean up some of the spills that had somehow gotten on the cloth of the table until you heard someone clearing up their throat behind you. turning around, your gaze was met with one of your close friends’ friend, kim hyunjae. the both you weren’t entirely close but the both of you shared a few classes on campus.

“oh, hyunjae! i didn’t know you came.” you grinned after throwing away the used napkin into the little trash can next to the table.

“oh i came with donghyun.” your lips formed into a small ‘o’, realising that this was the friend one of your close friends had mentioned he was bringing on the way here.

“plus, i haven’t seen you much lately.” the male playfully pouted as he nudged your side, causing you to laugh.

“sorry, sorry. been busy with my assignments, ya know?” you retorted.

and with that, the both of you started talking and catching up with whatever had happened before this party. occasionally, the both of you would share a series of laughter at whatever joke he had said.

unbeknownst to you, a certain pair of eyes watched both of you quietly from the side as he kept a close eye on you, smiling faintly to himself at the sight of you enjoying the night. however, he couldn’t help but notice the other’s eyes glancing down at your body.

seonghwa thought that they were only a mere coincidence of some sort but with how many times he caught the other kept glancing a little too often, along with the slight uncomfortable expression on your features as the other stepped a little too close to you yet you continued to ramble whatever the topic you were talking about, seonghwa knew that he needed to step in.

while you were busily talking, seonghwa crept up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, feeling you jump ever so slightly before relaxing as you realised who it was. smiling at the feel of his pair of lips pressing against the top of your head, you tilted your head up as an attempt to meet his gaze.

instead of the usual warm pair of eyes, you were met with serious ones, yet they were focused on the young man in front of you. it was a look you knew too well.

as if feeling awkward, hyunjae excused himself saying that he wanted to find his friend, bowing his head before leaving the two of you alone.

with a roll of your eyes, you turned around in seonghwa’s arms to wrap your own around his neck, seonghwa merely sent you a gentle smile with a shrug of his shoulders, slightly swaying the both of you in place to whatever song that was playing through the speakers.

“are you enjoying the party, honey?” you murmured, a hand reaching out to give his cheek a gentle caress.

turning his head, seonghwa brushed his lips against the skin underneath your wrist. “except for whatever had happened just now, i surprisingly am enjoying the party.”

those words were enough to make you grin brightly, leaning up to quickly press a chaste kiss upon his plump lips that just can’t get enough of, emitting a low squeak from the gentle squeeze on your waist.

it might not be an overly interesting way of celebrating halloween with you, but seonghwa knew just how much halloween meant for you with how your features brightened up throughout the whole remaining hours of the party.

who knows? he might even dress up again next year with you.

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mememanufactorum · 4 years ago

Text

Halo: Reach quote starters

* FEEL FREE TO SHARE AS YOU PLEASE, NO CREDIT NEEDED. CHANGE PRONOUNS OR ANYTHING ELSE AS DESIRED.

-Noble Actual-

“You read his file?”

“Anyone claim responsibility?”

“Consider it done.”

“I’ll see you on the other side.”

“I’m not gonna lie to you. You’re stepping into some shoes the rest of the squad would rather leave unfilled.”

“I’m glad to have your skill set, but we’re a team. That lone wolf stuff stays behind.”

-Winter Contingency-

“Just get me under the hood.”

“You get a chance, maybe you can ask them.”

“I’m lonely already.”

“Shoot down attempts are likely, so keep your distance.”

“Let’s stay focused. Watch your sectors.”

“Let’s check it out.”

“I want your eyes in the sky.”

“Why are we not seeing explosives residue?”

“There’s a lot of blood on the ground.”

“Looks like there’s nothing here. Let’s move on.”

“You have permission to engage, but be selective. We don’t need to telegraph our presence.”

“Go in quiet. I’m right behind.”

“On your knees, now!”

“They’re not rebels, they’re farmers. Look at them.”

“What the hell was that?”

“Cheer up, big man. This whole valley just turned into a free fire zone.”

“No disrespect, but don’t we have better things to do than round up strays?”

“We don’t leave people behind.”

“I’ve cut about halfway through the door.”

“Where’s the rest of your unit?”

“Found something.”

“I’ll take that. Not your domain.”

“It’s all right. We’re not gonna hurt you.”

“Keep still, and I’ll release you.”

“Flush ‘em out. I’ve got you covered.”

“You’re in my light.”

“What’s your name? Do you live around here?”

“Your accent sounds familiar.”

“Big man forgets what he is sometimes.”

“Best not touch anything. You wouldn’t want to ground this place.”

“May God help us all.”

-ONI Sword Base-

“Regrettably, my efforts to obtain relevant data on enemy forces has been unsuccessful.”

“Let’s knock some heads!”

“I doubt that very much.”

“Can’t do this on my own!”

“Are you havin’ fun yet?”

“Beautiful, ain’t it. Someone should take a picture.”

“Nice work, by the way.”

“I aim to please.”

“Been all hers half my life.”

“I requested your assistance and do not need reports on events that occur on my own doorstep.”

“It’s been too long.”

“What have you done with my armor?”

“Just some… Additions I’ve made.”

“Perhaps you could shed some light on his death.”

“We had other, more urgent matters to attend to.”

“Before you ask, I was alerted the moment you tried to access its contents. As I am with any unauthorized tap.”

“I could send you to the brig for interfering with my work.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Just making a reading suggestion.”

-Nightfall-

“It’s starting to get crowded up here.”

“Direct action is always necessary.”

“Here. You may need these.”

“I’ll be in touch.”

“Looks like we’ve really pissed them off.”

“Give us a hand! Bastards just keep coming!”

“Little more action than we’re used to.”

“What are you doing here? Whole area’s supposed to be evacuated.”

“Didn’t like leaving it to someone else to protect our home, so we came back.”

“You know this stuff is stolen.”

“What? You gonna arrest me?”

“Gonna steal it back.”

“That’s no strike force, it’s an invading army.”

“If we’re gonna smother this thing, we need to go in hard and fast.”

“Sun will be up in a few hours… And it’s gonna be a very busy day.”

-Tip of the Spear-

“Might want to hold on to something!”

“We shouldn’t stay here.”

“I’ll hold these bastards off.”

“Have a nice day.”

“One way to get their attention! Hang on to your teeth!”

“No, no! Somebody tell me this ain’t happening!”

“We need to get out of here now!”

-Long Night of Solace-

“Forty-eight hours? That’s imminent?”

“Uh-oh. Who’s your money on this time?”

“You always pick her.”

“She’s always had him dialed in.”

“That thing’s crushing us and we’re waiting for backup? They’ll be backing up a graveyard.”

“You’re preaching to the converted.”

“I know that look.”

“You can say no.”

“You don’t even want to hear it?”

“...Fine. I’ll hear it.”

“And this is relevant… How?”

“Not the word I would use.”

“Don’t cut yourself.”

“This sanctioned?”

“What do you think?”

“Thank you for sharing.”

“As a soldier in the field, I couldn’t possibly have access to those kinds of resources.”

“You’re scary, you know that?”

“Good luck with that.”

“You’re the one who’s asking him.”

“Oh, there’s no way in hell he’s gonna go for this.”

“Some plans are too good to say no to.”

“Show them what you can do!”

“This breaks my heart…”

“Discourage the curious.”

“Hear that? I’ll be all by my lonesome back here. Make it quick, would ya?”

“Nothing we can do.”

“At your earliest convenience.”

“Damn it… So it’s gonna be like that.”

“Well, I’ve got good news and bad news.”

“And the good news?”

“That was the good news.”

“That’s a one way trip.”

“We all make it sooner or later.”

“Time has come to return the favor. Don’t deny me this.”

“Tell ‘em to make it count.”

-Exodus-

“You got to be kidding me.”

“Damn, how do you stop that thing?!”

“Help! Somebody help us!”

“They’re coming! They’re after us!”

“Come on! Let’s go!”

“What are those things?!”

“Somebody shut that damn thing off!”

“What the hell is taking this thing so long?”

“Glad you’re on our side.”

“City’s been under siege for the last five days.”

“Guess some of us don’t like leaving a job half-finished.”

“Son of a bitch! I can’t watch this…”

“How’s the day so far?”

“Just keeps getting worse, huh?”

“You saved a lot of lives today.”

“He didn’t make it.”

-New Alexandria-

“Sorry I came alone.”

“Make him proud.”

“I said back off, you nasty son of a bitch!”

“Damn! Look how they move!”

“Look at this place. Used to be the crown jewel… Not anymore.”

“Hey, you made it!”

“It’s a regular family reunion.”

“Keep ‘em. He gave ‘em to you.”

“I’ll honor him my own way.”

“The big man was sentimental…”

“He gave his life thinking he just saved the planet. We should all be so lucky.”

“I hear what I hear.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“You want to know if we’re losing?”

“I know we’re losing! I just want to know if we’ve lost.”

“Keep it brief.”

-The Package-

“We’re gonna have to thin ‘em out, or we’ll be way too popular.”

“We’ve got a job to do, so let’s stay focused and get it done.”

“Looks like they got themselves cornered.”

“They were committed to the position.”

“I’m going with cornered. There’s nothing here.”

“If we’re supposed to blow this place, this ain’t the spot to do it from.”

“I didn’t bring my shovel.”

“Alright, we came this far.”

“Apologies for the unusual security measures, but the stakes demand it.”

“Yes, well, as they say, news of my death has been greatly exaggerated.”

“Not sure I understand.”

“Whatever we’re doing down here, we better do it quick.”

“I don’t think you understand. We’re out of time.”

“Bury any of it, and you bury mankind’s best chance for survival!”

“Please. Buy me all the time you can.”

“What is this stuff?”

“Her measure of you carries as much weight as my own… Perhaps more.”

“Mankind is outmatched.”

“An apt question if there were somewhere else to place our hope. There is not.”

“Do you have it?”

“Say the words, please.”

“I have it.”

“I require no escort.”

“Make sure nothing falls into enemy hands.”

“I’ll do what’s necessary.”

-The Pillar of Autumn-

“You are alarming me.”

“Not sure how long she’s gonna stay together.”

“Don’t wanna hear it.”

“Go with him. It’s a ground game now.”

“It’s been an honor.”

“I’ll do what I can to draw their fire.”

“She made the right choice.”

“Stay low, let me draw the heat.”

“You think we got time to walk over there?”

“You don’t have the firepower!”

“I’ve got the mass.”

“Hit ‘em hard, boss.”

“You’re on your own.”

“They’ll be remembered.”

“Who’s next?!”

“I’m ready! How ‘bout you?!”

“We gotta get the hell out of here!”

“I have the gun.”

“Good luck to you.”

“Good guns.”

-Lone Wolf-

“Our enemy was ruthless. Efficient. But they weren’t nearly fast enough.”

“Our victory – your victory – was so close… I wish you could’ve lived to see it.”

“Your body, your armor – all burned and turned to glass. Everything, except your courage. That, you gave to us, and with it, we can rebuild.”

#Halo Reach #Halo #roleplay meme #roleplay prompt #rp meme #rp prompt

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seavoice · 4 years ago

Text

in the end, we lie awake (and we dream of making our escape)

(click on title for AO3 link, or read more to continue here)

They could go to Alaska.

Annabeth wasn’t sure when she’d woken up. She’d been asleep at some point, of that she was certain, because Tartarus’s poisonous, suffocating air had been a heavy shroud on her senses, and for a moment she had borne it with a dreamlike paralysis before gasping awake to a sky full of glittering stars. Then she had lain there in one of Camp’s rolling fields, breathing in the sweet scent of strawberries. Safe, the scent said. Familiar. Safe. Just a nightmare like any other, and she could feel Percy sleeping next to her, warm and still.

They could go to Alaska.

They could. They totally could.

Percy rolled over in his sleep, hands pillowed under his head. Annabeth traced Andromeda in the stars. Bound and gagged and sacrificed by her parents.

“Percy?” Her voice came out a whisper. “Percy, do you want to go?”

Percy didn’t stir. She knew she only had to ask and he would wake, but she didn’t want to. Sleep was so hard to come by these days for both of them, and she could not rob him of it, no matter how viciously her throat burned with tears.

What would they do in Alaska? What would they not do in Alaska? The gods’ bidding for one.

They couldn’t get there by plane. Or boat, to be honest. It was okay. They’d drive, make a road trip out of it.

“Annabeth?” Fuck. There was a shifting noise next to her. Fuck. It seemed she had woken him, despite everything. She didn’t turn to look at him. “Hey, Annabeth, you okay?”

“Go back to sleep.”

“I could say the same thing to you,” Percy said, and now he was starting to sit up, hair adorably mussed. “Wouldn’t be an easy feat for you either.” True enough. Since Tartarus, once they were awake, they were awake.

“I’m okay,” she said. Hushed, she repeated, “Percy, do you want to go?”

Andromeda had probably screamed. When her parents had told her, she’d probably screamed. Begged. Fought.

Annabeth had never been able to place how the ancient heroes might have looked. She had stared at grainy old pictures in the mythology books, heroes of old rendered in colour, but Chiron had said the pictures were an imperfect likeness, and he had said this sadly. He had said he remembered them in crystal clarity—Achilles’s swift frown, and the sharp glint in Atlanta’s eyes and the sad slope of Heracles’s shoulders and Perseus with his bright smile—but he hadn’t volunteered any more than that. He had told her that it didn’t matter, how they had once looked, because he remembered them well enough in his mind. It was enough.

But Annabeth saw the photos in Chiron’s office, taken in careful focus, marking the end of every summer, meticulous in record. She saw it in his old eyes.

Annabeth had never been able to place how the ancient heroes might have looked. No mortal rendition did them justice.

There was one exception though, an ancient face who Annabeth had been unable to distinguish in her mind from a modern replica—Andromeda. Her face cleaved in sorrow and anguish, affixed on the mast of a monster infested cruise liner. A masthead that screamed through her gag, screamed through centuries.

Princess Andromeda. Let down by the gods, and her parents.

A stifled yawn. “Go where?”

Annabeth waited only a beat. “Alaska.”

It was a long, stilling moment in which Annabeth had thought Percy had fallen asleep, after all. Then—

“You?” Percy asked, lying back down. He blinked blearily at her. “You with the Yankee’s cap? You want to leave New York?”

“I just—“ Annabeth shrugged, a move made complicated by the grass and her lying down. “They can’t find us there.”

“Hm,” Percy said. He tugged her closer to him. His eyes were closed, but he was clearly very awake. He rested his chin on the top of her head, arms around her in a loose embrace. “The gods?”

Annabeth laughed. It sounded a little helpless. “Who else?”

“Alaska’s cold. And far.”

“We’d manage.”

Percy hummed in acknowledgment.

“We’d be leaving behind the gods,” Annabeth said.

“We’d be leaving behind a lot of people.”

“We could take them with us,” Annabeth said. “We could take them all with us. We’d grab Grover, and your Mom, and Paul and your baby sister and just go. We’d leave in the dead of night, but we’d write letters to everyone else, explaining. I know what I’d say to each person already.” Thank you, she’d scribble. I love you. I’m sorry.

I hope you understand. They’d understand. They’d wish they’d got the plan before, for themselves, but they’d say, in resigned commiseration, Well, that’s Annabeth. She’s always got a plan.

“Plane?”

“No. Car. We’d hammer out those Pegasus hoof prints from the Prius and drive. Take the long way.”

“And we’d go to school there?”

“If you want,” Annabeth said. “Or we could just—we could not. We could just live there. Live out the rest of the days. Send postcards to Thalia. It would be boring. Really boring. But we could go.”

“Sounds like you’ve thought about this a lot,” Percy mumbled into her hair.

She had. She had and she hadn’t. Her brain hadn’t put two and two together until tonight, but the pieces were always there, ripe for taking. Percy had told her about New Rome when he had told her about his quest to save Thanatos, breathless and disbelieving and triumphant, a life for us! Undeniable proof of a life for people like them, a whole life and death in peace. In happiness. With cafes and libraries and a University and a house and friends and old age. But Annabeth had paid attention to the wrong parts of the story, had caught herself on Alaska and land beyond the gods and escape.

In the Cocytus, miserable, she had thought about New Rome. At the Acheron, inconsolable, she had thought of New York. But with every unbearable sip of the Phlegethon she had thought to herself: stop. Stop. Stop.

Alaska was where it would stop.

Would Andromeda have run?

“New York’s a—“ Charnel house. My safe haven. A graveyard. The only land I’ve ever loved. Home and hollow, somehow both at once. “New York’s just a place. We’d be able to be happy anywhere.”

Percy loved New York. With every fibre of his being, he loved it, she knew that. Of course she knew. She loved it just as much. But they had lost so much already, walked across minefields of loss anyway; losses far greater—the absence of innocence, the absence of family, the absence of the weight of the world on your shoulders, the phantom of a beloved knife gripped in your empty hand, the places in your heart where friends who you should have grown up with lingered, because they could no longer linger in the living world. So much they had lost already. Leaving behind a place was nothing in the face of that.

“Do you want to go?” Percy asked.

“Would you come, if I did?”

He’d followed her into hell. Alaska was nothing.

One more loss: a hand in hand, knuckles white with effort. The loss of land against foot, a weak ankle dragging you into hell. The loss of your grip on a ledge, a hand clawing at empty air.

“Yes,” Percy said simply. “I’d come.”

They didn’t need a car. She would run there, if she had to. Dead of night. Hand in hand.

“What do you think you’d be,” Annabeth asked, “if you weren’t a demigod?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” Percy said, smiling dopily. “Untraumatized.”

They laughed. It wasn’t a funny joke, but there was a bitter edge to it that dug out a laugh from her.

“What would you want to be, if you weren’t a demigod?” Percy asked.

“I don’t know. An architect itself, maybe?” She didn’t know where her interests started becoming an Athena kid’s interest. She didn’t know how much of it was just her and her life experiences, and how much of it was her mother’s influence. “Or...oh god, I don’t know. Sky diver? Who knows.”

“I can actually see that,” Percy said. “See you, I mean. Skydiving.”

“Really?”

“Sure. You’ve fallen off enough cliffs.”

Annabeth let her head thud gently against his chest, laughing. “Oh, screw you.”

Percy grinned. “Hey, it’s true.”

“And you’d follow me then? As a skydiver?”

“Oh, you betcha. Zeus wouldn’t even be trying to kill me, so there’s like, zero danger.”

“Except diving to your death.”

“Right. Except that.”

Annabeth could feel her chest loosening, Tartarus’s stench lifting. She smiled. “Do you think we’d have met each other?”

“If we weren’t demigods?”

“Mm.”

Percy frowned as he stared up at the sky; he was staring up at Andromeda too. “Well, I hope we would have.”

“Yeah, no duh.”

“I’d never have learnt about constellations otherwise,” Percy said. “Or appreciate how many times a person can get into an argument about gothic revival architecture.”

“It happened twice.”

“Well, it happened in the first place is the point. And I’m not complaining.”

“I’d never have been able to appreciate blue food,” Annabeth said. “No one to debate about orcs with.”

“Uh, no debating either way? It’s usually me just telling you facts, you arguing about them, and then me finding an orc to settle the score. So.”

“Fuck off,” Annabeth said, grinning, “you’ve been wrong about sea creatures before, too, and you’re literally related to most of them.”

“Well, you’re wrong about gothic revival architecture apparently, since you keep fighting about it with people.”

Annabeth shook her head, smiling. Percy laughed and laid his head back down, closing his eyes. They were like that for a while, content in a smiling silence.

“I don’t want to actually go to Alaska,” Annabeth said finally. “I just want to—I want to go to a land beyond the gods.”

Percy’s hand stroked her hair. It was cold, soft. “You had a bad dream.” It was not a question.

She sighed and closed her eyes, bundled against his chest. “It’s a good plan though. Alaska.” It was not an answer.

“Was it Tartarus?” This was not a question either.

She didn’t answer.

“You know,” Percy said. “I didn’t—I never wanted this. To be a demigod. I would come with you Annabeth, if you asked.”

“It was Tartarus,” Annabeth said. “It was a bad dream.”

Percy kissed her forehead. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. Annabeth could feel tears trail down her cheeks, a burn like the Phlegethon.

“I wish we could go away,” Annabeth said. “I wish—I wish we could escape the gods.” She could not escape her mind. This was the next best thing.

“Tartarus,” Annabeth said. “Tartarus was beyond the gods too. I want to believe that beyond the gods can be good, too.”

Percy was quiet next to her. “We could do it too,” Percy said. “Together.”

It was tempting. There was no guarantee it would work, and there was no guarantee it would end with both of them happy, but it was tempting.

“I’m going to buy a postcard,” Annabeth said. “Of Alaska. Just to remind me that there’s a place. Beyond them.”

“Print one off the net.”

“Hm. That’d be better. Cheaper.”

“Yeah.”

“It was a good plan, though,” Annabeth said, sighing. “Shame it’s never going to happen.”

“You’ll make a new one. A better plan.” Percy smiles at her, eyes crinkling in the corners. “Hey, you’re Annabeth Chase. You’ve always got a plan.”

It was a safety net, freely offered. So many losses, so many absences, in a short life, but Annabeth felt, at once, a thousand different presences: a life saving hold at the bottom of the Siren Sea, a hug in an empty cabin, a kiss in the swirling volcano of their youth, a squeeze of pain and prophecy, the sweet kiss of blue frosting, the pressure of a hand in hers, knuckles white with effort. A warm body tucked into her on a lazy night, the air sweet as strawberries.

“Okay, for now, Plan B,” Annabeth said. “I’ve got it. It’s temporary, but it’ll do.”

“So soon?” Percy looked curious. “What is it?”

Annabeth cupped his face and closed the distance between them. Grass tickled her cheek. “Kiss me.”

#Annabeth Chase #Percy Jackson #pjo #voop fic #me writing PERCABETH FIC?? In 2020? more likely than you thought #this is kinda fluffy. Kind of random #but kinda fluffy

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aliceslantern · 4 years ago

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Grow, a Kingdom Hearts fanfic, chapter 13--Epilogue

Suddenly human and abandoned in the Keyblade Graveyard, Demyx struggles to survive and come to terms with what his life is. Only by chance is he saved from exposure, and brought to Radiant Garden to recover. Unsure of who he is and where to even begin, Demyx finds a kindred spirit in Ienzo, and before long finds perhaps he isn't the only one lost in this new life. But how can they move forward with so much holding them back?

Roughly canonverse, Zemyx, hurt/comfort. Started for Zemyx day (9/6). Updates Wednesdays until it's done.

Chapter summary: Edym and Ienzo continue to grow.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses.

The more time passed, the more trickling memories came back. The picture Edym got was never clear , exactly. More like brief flashes of insight. Fighting Heartless with his sister. Getting his ass kicked again and again.

Learning music.

It was their mother that taught him, that suggested maybe he shouldn’t follow in Elrena’s footsteps. Edym had always heard music in things, found himself gravitating towards it. Once it was well and truly in his life, it was like a hole had been filled.

But the more insight Edym had into Elrena, the angrier and more hurt he felt about how Larxene had treated Demyx. They’d both been amnesiac, but how or why had that relationship mutated to hatred? Had something else happened? Did she just feel that betrayed by him not joining her?

Would he ever know?

For a long while his life fell into a steady--mostly pleasant--rhythm. Work, gardening, time with Ienzo. It was all so painfully ordinary. Not that Edym minded that, at all. Waking up next to him was worth all the pain he’d gone through.

The others gradually got used to his presence, their relationship. The more Edym thought about it, the less he really wanted to find the place that was once home--especially if it meant leaving Ienzo. Maybe someday they would live in their own little house, with a cat or a dog. With or near friends. But for now… what they had was fine as it is. There was no need to rush into anything serious.

Edym and Ienzo… began to grow.

It was hard to leave behind that time in the Organization, especially because so much of Edym’s sense of self came from Demyx. And Ienzo had spent the majority of his childhood as a Nobody. Figuring out who they were and what humanity all meant was dazzling and confusing. The more his flickers of memories came back, the stranger Edym felt. He’d been soft, but he’d also been so young . He knew something awful had happened to their home, and, more likely, it had all happened a lot longer ago than anyone thought. But how, or why, Xemnas had found them was anyone’s guess.

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do to help,” Even told him. “Aside from patiently waiting for those memories to come back… we can’t look into what happened to your world without knowing what it’s called.”

Edym knew this was true. It still put a sour seed in his chest. He thought of his sister, of Larxene. Harder still to grieve someone who was likely alive. But where was she? How would she feel seeing him again? Did she even care?

“I know it’s easier said than done,” Ienzo said softly, one night after they made love. “But you have to stop torturing yourself.”

“I know. I’m trying. I just…”

“Want closure.”

“Well. Yeah.” Don’t you ? He almost asked.

“I know. I wish I could… take that pain from you.”

“I just have this feeling that she’s alive, and I-- even if we just… hash things out, I don’t know.”

“I can’t say I relate totally,” Ienzo said. “But I know how it is to… lose people to the unknown.”

“Your parents?”

He nodded. “I scarcely have any memory of them anymore. My memories used to be so--achingly sharp.” He touched his brow. “Now, not so much. To take a page from Ansem’s book… if you’re meant to find each other again, you will. You have to trust in that.”

“You really believe that?”

He sighed, and smiled. “Call me crazy, but I do.” Ienzo kissed him. “Want some tea?”

---

Time passed. Edym kept waiting for the other shoe to drop--for things to get complicated and messy again. But they didn’t. Even eventually replaced the other kidney. He grew closer to the members of the restoration committee, became friends with them. When Scrooge offered him the opportunity to manage the post office instead of just work it, he took it. It felt nice to do something that had a positive impact, for once.

He was sweeping up one day after close when he heard the doorbell. They’d recently moved shop away from the strange little bazaar into their own building. “Sorry, we’re closed. Drop your mail in the box outside. I’ll handle it first thing.”

“Look at you, a cog in the machine.”

Edym froze. Very slowly, he turned.

“...Don’t look at me like that. Whose idea were the glasses? Almost makes you look not stupid.”

He made a strange noise. “How did you--when--I--”

Elrena looked tired, her skin sallow. “It’s a long and ultimately very boring story,” she said. She picked up a book of stamps, looked at it with something like distaste, and set it down. She was still wearing the black coat, he noticed. “Xigbar didn’t bite it, you know.”

He gripped at his elbow. “Yeah. I know. He almost killed me.”

“Really? I thought there was a--I don’t know. Rapport, or something, between you two. He was one of the only ones who could stand you.”

Edym blinked. Seeing her, he felt something a whole lot more complicated than he thought. Not relief. Not happiness. “So he found you and brought you here?”

“...Something like that. He said this was where you ended up.”

Edym shook his head slowly. “You wanted to see me?”

She smirked. “Call me sentimental, but yeah, I did. Was wicked weird when I found out. Lauriam just thought it was hilarious. Marluxia,” she clarified.

“So he’s around too.” Edym set the broom aside. “Well. Good for him, I guess.”

There was a pause. Elrena cleared her throat. “You’re going to snitch about Xigbar, aren’t you?”

“Probably. Yeah.”

“...Is it bad I kind of want you to?”

“More pot stirring?”

“More pot stirring.” She grinned. “It’s what I do best.”

“So what are you two doing with him, anyway?”

“Honestly? I’m not completely sure. But I’m helping Lauriam look for someone, and then after that… well. The World is our oyster.”

Without ceremony, Edym said, “Stelitzia.”

“Oh, you remembered that much?”

Woodenly, he nodded.

“Lauriam thought he remembered someone getting her killed. But considering that nobody in this fucking world seems to stay dead… well.” She shrugged.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

She dropped her eyes. “Like I said. All this talk of his sister… had me feeling sentimental. And that’s so not cool. I thought if I saw you it’d stop.”

“Did it?”

“Don’t know.”

Edym let out a slow breath. “How long are you in town?”

“Not long.” She took another few steps towards him. “If you want, you can come with us.”

He laughed. “No. No way in hell. Sorry.”

“Worth a shot.”

“Why would you want me anyway?”

“You could see her again.”

Edym put his hands in his pockets. “I don’t want to leave what I have here. I… I’m happy, you know? I feel like I’m… starting to finally do more good things than bad. My life is here. Whatever we had before, as kids. I don’t think it was a life.”

Her eyes darkened. “No,” she said in a low voice. “It wasn’t.”

“You could have a life here too,” he said. “Or… not here, anywhere you want. You don’t have to go along with Lauriam and Xigbar. You could choose.” He offered his hand, and for a breath thought she might take it.

Elrena smirked. Shook her head. “Nah,” she said. “I’ve got things to do. People to see.”

“And undermine?”

“With any luck.”

Edym nodded. His heart settled in his chest. “Just don’t get yourself killed again,” he said. “And slug Xigbar good for me, okay?”

“Maybe. He does always seem to be asking for it.”

There was a pause, longer than the last. “You’ll be okay?” she asked.

“Yeah. I really will.”

“Well, okay. Then I’ll stop worrying.”

“You were worrying ?”

“Come on, Edym. We all know you’re not great at planning for the long term.”

“Maybe I’ve changed.”

She waved a hand dismissively. “I should go. My ride’s waiting.” She headed towards the door.

“Wait--Elrena--”

She turned, her lips pursed.

“Why did our Nobodies hate each other so much? Cause I don’t think I hate you now.”

She thought about it for a moment, her teal eyes flashing. “The last time we saw each other, we fought,” she said. “Can’t tell you for my life about what.”

“About the cult,” he said, with clarity.

“The Dandelions,” she corrected.

“I didn’t want you to leave me.”

“And I didn’t want to have to baby my brother.” She shook her head. “Well. Turns out that never happened. You were stuck with me. Maybe I resented that.”

Edym nodded.

“And being a Nobody makes you angry for no reason anyway ,” she said, more lightly. “Does that answer your question?”

“I think so.”

“Then I should go.” For a second, it seemed like she might touch him.

“You have a phone?” he asked.

“What, one of those dumb things? What kinda budget do you think we’re working with?” A grin.

“...Right. Well.” He took a deep breath. “I guess… if I see you, I see you. And if I don’t…”

“Yep.” She put her hand on her hip. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“You, either.”

“And hey. If I really need something, I’ll just write.” She winked. “Bye, Edym.”

“Bye, Elrena.”

When she left, she didn’t look back.

---

Edym sat heavily on the blanket. His joints hurt from a long day of work. It was his turn to bring the picnic, but instead of cooking, he’d been too tired, so he’d just gotten takeout from Ienzo’s favorite place. He hoped that would suffice.

“I know I’m late,” Ienzo called. “Even was being very--” He cut himself off, his eyes wide. He looked around the courtyard slowly. “When did you have the time--”

“I’ve been here almost all day.” His face flushed.

Ienzo walked around slowly, touching the new plants in their pots. The orchids. The lanterns Edym had hung around the peripherals of the property. He’d tried to repair some of the stonework in the floor, too, but accepted that he was a terrible mason. Ienzo turned to look at him. “Why did you--”

“We’ve been spending a lot of time here. I wanted to… make it nice.” He stood, wincing at the ache in his hips. “Aeleus helped me with this.” He reached over behind the old fountain to turn on the pump.

“This must’ve taken hours--days,” he said. He shook his head. “Edym, I--” He touched one of the orchids. “You even remembered these.”

“I wanted to do something nice for you. It is your birthday,” he pointed out.

Ienzo jerked.

“Did you forget?”

“I did entirely,” he admitted. “Time doesn’t pass in that cursed lab.” He wrinkled his nose. “Thank you.” He leaned in to kiss him. “Really. Thank you.”

He shrugged, the blush in his face getting hotter. “I… liked doing it. Let’s eat, okay?”

They did.

“...You know, you don’t have to work in that lab,” Edym said.

“It has been wearing on me lately,” Ienzo admitted. “But I have to be able to… do good work. Good things. It’s the only way I can sleep at night.”

Edym squeezed his hand. “No need for you to suffer doing something you hate.”

Ienzo shook his head. “I don’t hate it,” he said. “Knowing that I’m doing something worthwhile does feel good.”

“But it’s the coworkers that suck?”

Ienzo grimaced. “Quite. At least Even is at least partially distracted by the research work you’ve given him. He’s been criticizing my coding like his doesn’t look two or three languages behind.”

Edym chuckled.

Ienzo set down his bowl. “You know…” he began. “This life is no longer feeling quite so strange.”

“Isn’t that good?”

“I think so.” He put a hand to his chest. “I was worried that humanity would never feel quite right. Everything still overwhelms me. But… at least that sensation isn’t always negative anymore.”

Edym kissed him. They rested there together for a while longer.

“I mean, this whole mess only began because of my poor self-control,” Ienzo continued.

“ Hey. I don’t think we’re messy .”

“We’re a little messy,” Ienzo said.

“Well. I’m glad that it all happened. I feel like you’ve… helped me.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he said. He sighed. “Hopefully our next mistakes are equally fruitful.”

“Har har.”

Ienzo leaned back against him. For a while, neither of them said anything; they didn’t have to. “Shall we head back?” Ienzo asked. “I could use some--ah--stress relief.”

Edym smirked. “You got it.” He kissed him, longer this time. “Let’s go home.”

#grow #demyx #ienzo #zemyx

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sherrybaby14 · 5 years ago

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Winds Of Winter (1/2)

This is my entry for @youngmoneymilla 15k challenge (Congrats lady)

Prompt: The Winds of Winter – Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones)

Summary: A stranger from a rival kingdom comes to your throne for a favor. (Fantasy AU)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: None in this chapter. Part two is gonna have some war/death and smut.

A/N: You don’t need to have seen Game of Thrones to follow this. It’s not GOT fanfic, just fantasy, but heavily inspired by the mythology.

Words: 3k

The stranger’s footsteps echoed across the throne room and you held your chin high as he approached. Stranger wasn’t the right term, though you’d never set eyes on the man you knew who he was the second his presence was announced.

When he arrived in front of you, his blue eyes scanned your face before he dropped to a knee, the coat and wardrobe he wore not nearly enough to survive the raging winter outside your castle’s door.

“Your majesty,” Steve Rogers began speaking but you felt your jaw tighten at the formal title.

“What do you want?” It wasn’t very regal of you to interrupt but being treated this way by someone whose people referred to you as Queen-of-nothing was almost disrespectful.

“My name is Steven Rogers.” He stood.

“I know who you are.” You gave up trying to hold your tongue. “I didn’t ask your name. I asked what you wanted.”

“You know who I am?” He looked shocked.

“I am well within my rights to have you beheaded for showing your face here. Neither you, nor your people are allowed beyond my gates.” You rolled your shoulders back. “After all, it was your ancestors who banished mine here.”

Steve bit his lip. He was choosing his words wisely.

“The banishment of your family, your people.” He shook his head. “I took no part. I wasn’t born, even a thought yet.”

“Neither were any of the people who reside here.” You rose from your throne. “Yet, we honor the treaty. We do not cross into your lands and you keep out of ours.”

It was a prison of ice. The sentence passed on for your grandfather’s rebellion against the crown. Everyone knew the story. Everyone expected your family to wither and die in the harsh north, but instead you’d survived. Your people tougher, stronger because of it.

“I will ask you one more time before I summon an executioner.” You took a step toward him. “Why are you here?”

“I need your help.” The look of defeat on his face made it clear you were his last choice. “The kingdom is at war, its chaos. My home is occupied by an enemy.”

“Yes, a lesser house than your own. Correct? House Rumlow. I heard they murdered your family in a revolt.” You walked to the window. “And that the crown supports them. Who sits on the throne in the South now? House Romanov? House Stark? House Quill? Or is it House Parker now? I can hardly keep up the way you fight each other.”

“I don’t care about the throne.” Steve’s desperation started to show. “I don’t care about any of that. I care about my people, my lands, the ones I am warden too. Rumlow will see them tortured, murdered with glee. He is dangerous.”

“You say you care nothing about the throne, but who is your allegiance to?” You spun to face him, your sky blue cloak sliding against the stone floor. “Because it certainly is not to me.”

“I understand ancient grudges. But you seem well versed in the present times, more so than expected. My home, the estate of Brooklyn, is the farthest North of the great houses. You think he won’t want to expand his lands? Come for you? Maybe not be as lenient about your spies passing through our towns?” Steve’s voice echoed across the walls.

“You expect this Rumlow to expand into my, what do you Southerners call it, wasteland?” You folded your arms. “What I think, is I should sit it out. Watch all of you destroy each other. Do my part to contribute by ending your life right here.”

“You won’t.” Steve pushed out his chest.

“What has you so sure of that?” You did not like him questioning your authority.

“Because there are rumors of you. The Queen beyond the kingdoms. Who has aided her people, grown them in numbers, united other banished here. Stories of kindness, and love for her people. A stunning beauty who would…”

“STOP!” You held your hand up, not wanting to hear any more flatteries or acknowledge the rush of adrenaline. “I do love my people. I love them so much I will not consider sending them to their deaths for a fight that is not theirs.”

There was only five thousand living under your command, though all were trained fighters and stronger than ten southern. Even the youngest.

“I am not asking for your people’s assistance.” Steve gulped and rang his hands in front of him.

“Oh?” You smirked. “Well I suppose you never answered my original inquiry. What do you want?”

“There’s other rumors.” He glanced around the hall, your guards still at the door. “I saw the red comet in the sky, I remember it vividly. Four years ago.”

“Celestial matters bare no influence on my decisions.” You walked back to your throne.

“I know what that means. Your bloodline, your family. Stories, pictures of what once was. They’ve returned. To you.” Steve kept his eyes on you.

A laugh left your mouth as you sat in the chair and shook your head.

“Whatever you’re implying, you are mistaken.” You leaned back.

“I believe. I believe enough I came here alone, unarmed, knowing fully well you could chop my head off.” Steve took a step forward and your guards reacted.

You held a palm up and shook your head. This man was no threat.

“Because I have faith. I have faith that you are as kind and noble as the rumors say. That something unbelieve, magical is happening in your land, and that you are good and just and will not let any more innocent lives be lost.” Steve dropped down to his knees. “Please. Help me. I have an army of two thousand, going to take on an army double that size. I need you. I will welcome you and your people into my kingdom in return.”

“As a guest?” You rolled your eyes.

“No.” Steve brought his hands in front of him. “As a Queen. I have dropped to my knee twice before you. Once you help us win back Brooklyn, I will do so again. In front of all my people, and recognize you as the one true leader. Then I will help you get what you really want.”

“And what is that?” The promise made your blood pressure rise.

“The throne.” He stood up again. “You are correct in the waring houses. The Kingdom needs unity. The North will support your claim.”

“The North?” You snapped as you stood up from the chair. “You think you’re the North? You know nothing about the dangers my people endure. The harsh conditions. Winter, snow, ice.”

“Then accept my offer.” Steve watched as you walked back toward the window. “Take them to your ancestral home. Away from here.”

“I intend to.” You spun on your heels. “Without your assistance. My original plan still stands. I’m going to let you kill each other. Once you’re all a sea of graveyards we will return home, without shedding a drop of blood.”

“Tomorrow.” Steve’s eyes danced on your face, taking you in, making your skin crawl. “The battle is set for dawn.”

“Tomorrow?” You smiled. “What makes you think for a moment I could assist you in that amount of time. Assembling my troops, readying the horses, making the travel.”

“I’m not asking for your troops.” His eyes flashed. “I believe you will help me. Because you know it is right, and my offer is fair.”

“Trusting your people’s offers is what landed my people here.” Steve started to back away. “I will not make the same mistakes as my ancestors.”

“That is what I am counting on.” He bowed. “Dawn.”

“You will be severely disappointed.” Part of you wanted to chase after the Southerner, enjoying your argument more than you had realized.

“I have faith.” He stood again. “In you.”

The words made you unsettled. So much so that you did not get another word out before he left the throne room. Your guards escorting him out. Maybe you should have decapitated him, it would have aided with the pain in the back of your neck he had caused.

Steve left the stone building and looked behind him. That was their castle, it was barely a quarter the size of his own. The rest of the buildings in the tiny town were made from wood. They looked more like huts than houses.

His eyes scanned the people. They wore rich, heavy furs. Of course, they were for protection from the elements, not fashion statement.

Every one of them stopped what they were doing to gawk at him. His way of dress made him stand out, but that wasn’t it. Steve had always prided himself on being tough, strong like his father. But these people, even the youngest were much stronger, faster, harder.

He saw a little girl no more than ten stare at him, a look on her face angry enough he thought she might try to slit his throat.

None of these people had done anything wrong, none rebelled, none fought wars, but they lived here in the frozen lands because of choices their earlier generations had made. The banishment was meant as an extinction, but somehow by some chance they’d survived.

“Pity I was really hoping the Queen was going to chop your head off.” One of the guards shoved his shoulder as they neared his boat.

“Aye.” The other shoved his back. “This one has some meat on him, would’ve made for a fine stew.”

“Stew?” Steve looked over his shoulder.

Both men started laughing, their shoulders bouncing up and down with each chuckle.

“That’s right pretty boy.” The just got a foot in the boat when hard hands hit his back, his shin caught, and he fell forward into the wood. “We eat each up out here. Raw and bloodied.”

The man flashed his teeth at Steve and made a crunching noise.

“Tell your friends.” The other brought his boot up on the boat and kicked him off into the water. “You pretty Kingdom folk our are favorite dinner guests.”

Both men chuckled as they licked their lips. Steve knew they were joking, or at least hoped as much. He picked up his oar and began to row across the sea.

Soon the village vanished from view. Steve tried not to think about the icy waters below him, the danger in the small boat breaking, drowning into the cold abyss. He knew coming out here was a risk, but he had no other option.

That was his first time seeing the ice-queen. He’d heard her described as exotic, plain, short, tall, feminine, manish, dark, light and every other possible descriptor. Nobody south of here had ever really laid eyes on her. The warring descriptions were an enigma. She was an enigma.

He saw the red comet, he knew what it had meant. Nobody believed him and insisted it was folk lore. But Steve was always a believer.

She may have rolled her eyes, chuckled a little, but she wasn’t on the floor in hysterics at his suggestion. That comet meant something that night.

By the time he reached the other side of the water, the rise in temperature was noticeable. His horse remained untouched. Steve didn’t bother dragging the boat, the weight would slow them down too much and it was still a several hour ride to his encampment.

“I have faith.” He rubbed his horse’s neck as he untied her from the tree. “She will help us.”

“The pansy boy is gone.” Bucky, your guard and second in command came back into the room.

“You’re not really considering giving him aid?” Sam, your guard and third was close behind him. “The nerve of him, walking in here like the two of you are equals.”

“I’m no better than anyone else.” You crossed your arms. “His proposal was interesting.”

“You look beautiful by the way.” Sam looked you up and down. “Like a true queen.”

“It was my mother’s.” You smoothed down the thick light blue gown, the matching cloak over your shoulders. “I should change.”

Your scouts spotted the visitor long before his arrival. You wanted to look the regal part but were much more used to dressing in the same manner as everyone else.

“You should have killed him.” Bucky was never one for pleasantries. “I would’ve done it. Taken his head back to his men myself.”

“We’re not barbarians.” You smiled at your men. “Besides, he let some rumors slip. If we are going to take back the kingdom we may need ally’s.”

“That’s not the plan.” Bucky made a fist. “We let them battle each other. Swoop in and take out the tired victor. It’s days away. All the troops are ready.”

“Did that man strike you as an oppressor?” You walked toward the door. “One who wishes to keep us locked up here?”

“He struck me as desperate.” Sam added. ��“And a bit delusional.”

When the winter winds hit you, you tightened the cloak. Bucky and Sam walked behind as your greeted a few of your people on your walk.

“You look stunning!” A little girl yelled. “A true queen!”

“Delusional?” You waved and shook some hands. “What makes you say that?”

You arrived at the ice cliff that protected your village from further elements, walking around the edge to the opening in the mountain side.

“The promises he made. Does he really think his people will bend the knee to you? Recognize you as their leader? It would never be that simple.” Sam and Bucky followed you into the darkness of the cave.

“Thor? Loki? Hela?” You walked further. “It’s alright. You can come out now.”

You stopped walking, deep enough it was pitch black.

“No. It wouldn’t.” You sighed. “But he confirmed they know we’re plotting our return.”

The dark began to fade as red filled the area, the crawling almost shaking the mountain.

“I am so sorry you had to hide.” You went toward the giant head, putting your hand on Thor’s nose when he came into view. “It seems more people are aware of your existence than I imagined. But that’s alright. I think it’s time we introduced you three to the world.”

There was a low screech from Hela as a shot of fire came out of her mouth. You saw Bucky and Sam in the glow, getting better at hiding their terror, but not so much you couldn’t see it on their faces.

“Just think.” You walked around to Thor’s back, climbing on board as he dipped his wing. “You two look that scared and they’re on our side. Just imagine what the enemy will face.”

“Scared?” Sam sounded shocked.

“Me? Scared?” Bucky scoffed. “Never.”

“Right.” You leaned down to Thor as he began to crawl forward.

You were certain Steve Rogers was out of view. Thor raced through the cave until the daylight came and then moved to flight. You held on as he took you up, up, up. Loki and Hela right behind you.

Your people were used to seeing the dragons and paid no attention to your little flight.

You’d always planned on taking your them south, but forever envisioned it as a hostile trip. Never once anticipating an invitation, let alone the opportunity to be seen as a savior.

Thor dipped down into an ice cavern, flying along the frozen rivers. Loki and Hela screeched at each other behind you.

The dragons, your people, you, none knew what it felt like to feel warmth surround them. Always living in the snow and ice. You wanted more for them. Maybe Steve Roger’s welcoming was the start.

Thor shot up in the air and you held on tighter, bracing yourself to his back as he flew up the side of a glacier.

Then again, maybe Bucky was right. You were heading down either way. Who was Steve Rogers to deserve your trust?

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #marvel au #avengers au #dragons #fantasy #steve rogers au

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