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sissylittlefeather · 2 months ago

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If I Can Dream: Chapter 1

A/N: Man, I've been so back and forth on whether to publish this one or just keep it to myself forever. This series is very near and dear to my heart, so I'd love to hear your thoughts if you enjoy it.

An extra special thank you to my besties @ccab and @atleastpleasetelephone for all their encouragement. Thanks for putting up with me! I love you both! 🩷🩷🩷

Summary: It's 1975 and Jo Bellamy has been in love with Elvis for 20 years. She doesn't even care that they haven't met yet. All she needs is a chance and she's determined to get one.

But Elvis doesn't feel much like Elvis anymore. What happened to the man he used to be? He's pretty sure he's long gone.

Can a chance encounter with Jo change the ill-fated trajectory of his life?

Warnings: this will eventually have smut, but is pretty fluffy/angsty for now. Elvis is sad and dealing with self esteem issues. There's also a small mention of drug use. Jo smokes cigarettes.

Word count: ~2.4k

Elvis looks at himself in the mirror again and tries not to cringe. At least he was able to zip the jumpsuit and get the belt on. The silver phoenix spreads across his torso, distracting from the rest of him. But he's not used to seeing this old man looking back at him. He touches his face gently, his rings glittering in the light, and sighs deeply. It wasn't so long ago that he was a sleek, handsome sex machine and now he's this. Old and tired and fat. Washed up. That's what the magazines say: washed up.

“EP, it's time!” Jerry hollers from the hallway. Elvis takes another deep breath and groans when the belt cuts into his stomach.

It's December of 1975 and Elvis is back in Vegas to finish the engagement he started in August that landed him in the hospital yet again for exhaustion. He's not sure he'll make it through this one either, but he's determined to try. If he doesn't have anything left to offer on stage, what the hell is the point?

He closes his eyes and turns from the mirror, walking to the door. Before he opens it, he rearranges his face into a smile. Nobody needs to know how he feels.

******

Jo looks in the mirror and moves a few pieces of her hair around on her forehead. When she came home with her pixie cut a few weeks ago, her best friend almost lost it. Evelyn couldn't believe Jo'd cut off all of her beautiful hair right before she was supposed to be in her wedding. But Jo was tired of messing with it. This was much easier and she liked the way it made her look young and fun. At 36, she was eager for anything that made her look younger.

She touches her cheek and looks at her eye makeup in the mirror. She has on the kind of thick black liner and mascara that makes her eyes look wide and doll-like and was popular when she was younger. Makeup is a little less dramatic now, but she likes this look better than the current style.

Her lavender shirt is almost see-through and her navy pants hug her ass just right. She's got a nice body, for her age, having been blessed with a fast metabolism and well-proportioned curves.

“Jo Bellamy, you're a catch.” She says it out loud to the mirror and nods affirmatively. Evelyn laughs from the bathroom and hollers amidst her giggles.

“Yeah, too bad you're too busy runnin’ to let a man catch you!” Jo looks at her friend and crinkles her nose.

“I'd stop for the right man.” Evelyn snorts.

“He'd have to be a hell of a man to stop you.”

“Yes, he would. I won't settle for anything less than the deepest love.” Jo smiles dreamily as her friend walks back into their hotel room. They've come to Vegas to celebrate Evelyn's last weekend as a single woman.

“Is that why you insisted on seeing Elvis? You think he's the right man?” Evelyn pokes Jo in the side and they both giggle.

“Ah yes, Elvis Presley. The man that no one else can live up to. He's the reason I've been single all these years, you know.”

“Oh, I'm aware. And it's ridiculous. We've seen him how many times, now?”

“Six. But I've never been on the front row. This is a big deal.” Evelyn looks at Jo nervously.

“You're gonna do something crazy, aren't you?” Jo pretends to be offended.

“Moi?! Noooooo, never.” But her reassurance is not received. Evelyn has known Jo since second grade. The only thing you could count on with her was that she'd do something crazy.

“Just don't get us kicked out again.” Jo laughs, thinking of how she'd been carried out of a venue in ‘72 for trying to get to his car after a concert.

“Hey, the show was over!” Evelyn rolls her eyes. She's been there for Jo's whole Elvis-obsessed life, from seeing him in 1955 on the back of a truck in a parking lot in Memphis, to being at the train station when he left for the army, to seeing every single movie, to flying to Vegas when he opened there in 1969. She used to be just as big of a fan, but that faded when she met Phil five years ago. Now, she just thinks it's time for Jo to grow up and move on like she did. Jo winks. “But I make no promises. I'm getting desperate.”

She has no intention of moving on. Elvis is the only man who has ever been consistent in her life, even if he doesn't know who she is. And now he's not married anymore, so she feels better about trying to catch him. Tonight might be her only chance to be this close to him. She's not going to waste it.

******

Elvis moves around the stage, doing his normal show routine. He's absolutely exhausted and the crowd's energy feels off. Honestly, he's not far from just walking off and calling it a night. He doesn't even kiss anyone during Love Me Tender, just tosses a couple of scarves into the audience.

“Something's wrong.” Jo mutters to Evelyn.

“What do you mean?”

“With him. Something's wrong.” Evelyn studies her friend. Jo is watching him like a hawk, her eyebrows pulled together.

“You know, I read a thing about him being on drugs-” Jo whips her head around.

“No. This is different. He's sad. He's not high.” Evelyn wonders how she can tell the difference, but doesn't push her on it.

By the end of the show, though, Jo is trying desperately not to cry. Her heart is broken for him and she can't even really say why. When he starts the last song, she stands up.

“Jo! Josephine! Sit down!” Evelyn pulls on her hand. Her heart is in her throat, but she can't let him leave the stage like this.

Elvis notices a girl in the front row standing as he starts his last song. He can't believe he made it to the end of the show and he's ready to leave this stage and never come back. But he can't take his eyes off the girl that's standing. He thinks about going to the edge of the stage to give her a scarf and a kiss, but before he can do that, she acts.

Jo pushes her chair to the edge of the stage, stands on it, and drags herself up onto the platform. Evelyn is yelling at her, but she blocks her out. Her heart is pounding and she knows she has about three seconds before Charlie grabs her, so she goes straight to Elvis.

Elvis is in shock as the girl runs to him and launches herself into his arms, wrapping herself around his neck. It's certainly not the first time a fan has come up on stage, but it's been a little while. He relaxes a bit when she kisses his cheek and whispers.

“It's okay. Whatever it is, it's okay. We still love you. I still love you.” He smiles a bit and whispers back.

“Thank you, dear.”

And then Charlie is there with his arms around her waist and she lets go of Elvis and allows herself to be carried away. He almost grabs her hand, but he stops himself. She's got to be crazy, coming up on the stage like that. But she didn't feel crazy; she felt desperate, and he understands that feeling. Even beyond that, her words were kinder than anything he's experienced in a while. There's a kind of ache to hear more of what she has to say.

The show ends and he calls Joe over to him.

“Find her.”

“Which one?”

“The one who came up on the stage, dumbass.” Elvis knows they're wasting precious time and she might be leaving.

“Oh. I'm sorry boss-”

“What did you do?”

“It wasn't me! They escorted her out of the venue.” Elvis feels rage bubble up inside him.

“THEY KICKED HER OUT?!” He bellows and kicks over a chair backstage.

“Security did! They figured you would want her gone!” Joe is obviously starting to panic. Elvis rounds on him and his eyes burn with anger.

“You find her. Go now. Find her.”

“But boss you could have-”

“I WANT HER.” Joe knows when it's time to stop arguing and get to work, so he nods quickly and takes off. “I want her…”

He whispers it quietly to himself, a little surprised that he said it. There hasn't been anyone he's wanted in a while. But something about her was different. He tells himself he's just curious to figure it out. That has to be it.

******

Jo grunts in frustration again and lights her cigarette while they wait for a cab to take them back to their hotel.

“Well, what did you think was gonna happen?!” Evelyn is less than amused by Jo's decision to run up on the stage and get them both kicked out.

“I dunno. This, I guess. But I still wanted to see the end of the show. Also it felt like he wanted to talk to me more.” Evelyn rolls her eyes so hard Jo is afraid it might be painful.

“You just want that to be true.”

“No! You weren't up there with him.”

“Jo, this is ridiculous. He's a celebrity. You don't know him.”

“I don't have to know someone to know when they're in need.” She stamps on her cigarette as a cab pulls over to them and they climb inside. Evelyn tells the cabbie where to take them and they ride in silence the rest of the way.

Joe gets to the sidewalk just as their cab pulls away. He doesn't know it was her in the car, though, so he runs around frantically looking. After almost an hour, he goes back to Elvis, ready to have his tail kicked for failing.

“You didn't find her?” Joe shakes his head sullenly and looks at the floor. Elvis has his jumpsuit off and his pajamas and robe on. He'd lost hope after about twenty minutes of Joe being gone. “Oh well.”

Joe leaves and Elvis turns all the lights off and closes the curtains, leaving the room almost pitch black until he turns the televisions on. He swallows a handful of pills and settles on the couch.

They'll head back to Memphis in a few days and he'll have some peace. Still, some part of him wishes she wasn't out of his life forever. Just another woman to add to his list of regrets. Too bad he doesn't even know this one’s name.

******

Evelyn and Jo leave Vegas the next day and go back home to their normal lives. Evelyn is preparing for the wedding and Jo is watching the papers for news that Elvis is back in Memphis. Despite all the urging from Evelyn to give up, she's not quite ready to quit. Not when it seems like he might need her. Evelyn just rolls her eyes and tells her she better not miss the wedding because she's chasing an impossible dream.

When she sees that Elvis gets home a few days later, Jo leaves work in the middle of the day to go to the Graceland gates. He's already inside when she gets there and joins the throng of women outside waiting for him. She's instantly annoyed by their presence and knows he must be too, so she turns and walks back to her car.

Elvis is in his bedroom with the lights off. He peeks out the window briefly and sees the crowd at the gates. It should encourage him, but it doesn't. He's convinced they're all just dreaming of a man that doesn't exist anymore. He closes the heavy drapes and crawls into bed, even though it's the middle of the day. Even reading sounds too daunting right now, so he just closes his eyes. He knows he won't sleep, but he can at least pretend to try. Maybe it'll help this feeling go away.

Jo comes back to Graceland at about 1:30 in the morning and is excited to see that all the other fans have gone home. She stands at the gates for a bit, but it's so cold that she starts to lose feeling in her fingers and toes. The house is mostly dark, but she knows he's in there and he's probably awake. With his performance schedule in Vegas, there's no way he's not a night owl. She walks back to her car to warm up and look around for some way she can try to get his attention. Then she sees it in her backseat: a ream of copy paper. There's a black marker in her purse that she keeps there just in case, so she digs it out. She writes on the paper in big letters:

I’M THE GIRL THAT HUGGED YOU ON STAGE ON SATURDAY.

She'll have to assume she's the only one that did that. She writes it on a few more papers and then scribbles her name and phone number on all of them.

“This is crazy.” Jo mutters to herself as she stands at the gates, bouncing from one foot to the other with an armload of paper airplanes. It takes her a few tries and she has to walk to a place where the wall is a little lower, but eventually she's able to sail all of them over to his side. She imagines that the guards are probably getting a good kick out of what she's doing, but she doesn't care. This is too important. But she's done all she can do tonight. The ball is now literally in his court. Hopefully, he'll see the notes and call her. Or he won't and she can finally put to rest this idea that she has stuck in her brain and go on that date with Alan from work. He's been after her for months now and she's running out of excuses to say no. Jo gets back in her car, rubbing her hands together for warmth, and says a silent prayer that Elvis will call.

******

Until Chapter 2!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@ccab @atleastpleasetelephone @aliypop @18lkpeters @dkayfixates @tacozebra051 @your-nanas-house @joshuntildawn13 @lookingforrainbows @60svintage @littlehoneyposts @epthedream69 @louisejoy86 @rjmartin11 @from-memphis-with-love @deltafalax @cinnamoroll-things @burnthheparaphilia @jhoneybees @cattcb @everythingelvispresley @returntopresley @searchingforgravity @msamarican @angschrof @lustnhim @polksaladava @librababe99 @hooked-on-elvis @theelvisprincess @makethemorning @peaceloveelvis @mrspresley69

Let me know if you'd like to be added/removed!

#elvis presley #elvis #elvis presley fanfiction #elvis fanfic #elvis presley fic #elvis fanfiction #elvis fic #elvis x oc #Elvis x Jo #elvis presley fanfic #elvis presley x oc #Elvis Presley x Jo Bellamy #1975 #big daddy elvis

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mehiwilldoitlater · 26 days ago

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Can I request a yandere Wukong scene? Possibly with his love attempting to 'politely' leave.

-Phoenix 💗💗💗

His fiery eyes met yours. his own eyes, the one that could shake every demon or deity from their own feet, those ones that could make the strongest warriors run away, were clouded by anxiety and startledness. Those eyes never stopped to reflect in your own; those pairs of gems that he wished to treasure, to keep forever near him, that he loved and adored, were stone cold, full of a kind of determination that he could even love if it weren't for those words that he never imagined to hear from you.

"...You want to...do what?" He had heard very well; he just couldn't believe that you could—

"I'm leaving, Wukong. I'm leaving this place and you."

He knew that something was off with you since he had come back to you and to the others. Since he had brought those peaches and that wine, while everyone feasted in happiness for the return of their king, your eyes looked with horror at everyone.

You knew those things; you knew for what purpose those were made, and you knew how much damage it was done. Not like that was the first time; oh no, no, you had always seen how many times the Great Sage had angered the heavens, how many times he had created so many damages that would have brought only pain to everyone. Or was it when he confided only to you that he had stolen those immortal pills?

He never wanted anything that he couldn't obtain, and of course he didn't want that.

"Leave?" He stood up, throwing away like nothing the small cup. "You can't leave! To go where?!"

"Back to the Celestial Palace. I don't want to be involved in this any longer, especially with you."

He could take everyone, every blow, every fight, but those words, that calm and cold voice. No, your voice was gentle, full of warmth and love! He jumped down from his throne, getting closer to you, hoping that maybe this was just a big sad joke.

"You can't go back! We promised to stay together forever, remember! You and me!"

"I do remember," you spoke, never diverting your eyes from him, "as I remember that I told you not once, but several times, that the more you defy the Celestial Court, the more damage you'll bring. That's the main reason."

It was the first time that you ever saw his face contorted in such a shocked expression. You could have said you were almost satisfied, but you wanted to cut every tie with him, even that.

"Especially now. I'm sure that they'll come here to punish you... and I know you far too well to know that you won't accept that without a fight. That's why I'll go back and plead for forgiveness—for you and for me. Accept this as a parting gift."

He couldn't believe those words; you wanted to go back?! To the ones that always had looked down on you?! How could you believe that asking for forgiveness could be a good idea? Of course they'll never give it to you! You rushed, trying to reach for your shoulders, but you made a big step behind, avoiding him.

"YOU CAN'T! They'll kill you on sight or torture you! I can handle everything! I'll make sure that we'll get the respect we deserve, but you need to stay!"

"We'll never be respected! Can't you get it?!" You finally raised your voice, "I'll be forever a mere servant, and you a stable boy! Nothing will change!"

How could you say that?! Of course it could be changed! He wanted to make you more of an empress of the heavens, and he wanted to be your emperor! What else were you two supposed to be, especially since he knew that both of the leaders of the Celestial Court were inferior?!

You turned around, walking away from him and his so-called love, away from his delusion of greatness for you and himself.

"As I say, I'll plead for you. I hope you can find some peace..."

You started walking away; his world was walking away from him... He didn't want that; he wanted everything. He had everything...and you were more than his everything.

Suddenly, two strong arms embraced you from behind; the weight of his body made you bend on yourself. Such a kind gesture, so full of love and tenderness... you started to struggle, to move, to get away from him. You didn't want that love; you didn't want him!

"Wukong! Let me—

"I can't; I'm sorry, I can't. I love you so much, and... and forgive me..."

His grip started to get stronger, tightening. You felt his arms starting to painfully squeeze your belly, your organs and muscles contorting. You started to punch him, trying to make him move, while the air in your lungs started to get out little by little. Instead, his grip got stronger and tighter, forcing your body to take everything.

"Forgive me; I'm doing this for us."

CRACK

///

Cheers and laughter came from the royal banquet. All the generals were reunited before the great battle against the heavens, ready to obtain their rightful place in the royal court with their new emperor on his throne.

Wukong cheered again with his sworn brother, Liu, drinking wine and eating the fruit, careless about what was going to happen in the morning.

"Say, brother," the marshal asked, "where is your beloved wife? Haven't seen her in this time. I wished I could talk to her..."

"Ah," Wukong said with calm and nonchalance, "she's been sick in recent days. I don't have the heart to force her out..."

"Oh, my apologies... It is possible to pay a visit to her then?"

"As much as I would like to, she asked me to keep everyone away; she's afraid of making others sick."

"Always so thoughtful, you—"

A loud scream and a crash. Suddenly, the table fell silent, all eyes falling to the door where the sound seemed to come. It seemed like the voice of-

The sound of Wukong's cup on the table got back everyone's attention. He smiled, like nothing happened, sighing and starting to walk towards the door.

"It seems like my beloved wife needs me now. Please continue; I'll be back in no time!"

He seemed so calm, but Marshall Liu felt something in that tone. He was... angered?

Wukong walked towards the source of the voice, knowing exactly what was happening and how bothersome it was.

A door, at the end of a staircase, closed under a spell that only Wukong could break and remake when he needed, and inside, on the ground, your broken body.

Your hair was unmade, your eyes sunken and red from the cries, and your hateful expression when he met you. You must have fallen from your bed, and, not so far from you, a shattered vase full of medicine. He sighed, walking towards you, and, despite your protest, he put you back on the bed.

"I told you to stop moving too much."

"Don't you dare touch me again!"

"You need to calm down; you broke the medicine for the pain. You're going to miss another night of sleep."

"I wonder WHO did this to me!"

He stopped, holding his rage against your remark. He did enough already.

"When I win this battle, BECAUSE I WILL, I'll make you a queen...an empress! You just need to hang in there a little longer; I'll make everything perfect."

"And who's going to even consider an empress someone that can't even feel her legs?!"

He grasped your face, holding it straight to his face, forcing you to look at him.

"Everyone, or I'll kill them myself. You got it?!"

You did, and so you spit in his face. He didn't react; instead, he just decided to leave you to calm down. He knew that you would understand everything in the end.

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writer-freak · 2 years ago

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Valorant men reacting to you kissing them on the cheek

Request from @oyasumimosura: Can I request how valorant men would react to the reader kissing their cheeks when they successfully did their mission? Theyre not together but the Valo men got a crush on (y/n)

Characters: All the current agents besides Breach because I just really couldn't write him sorry

Warnings: gn reader, no pronouns mentioned, headcanons, maybe bit ooc, english isn't my first language sorry A/n: I'm so sorry for taking so long with this request I was grieving a lot and fell into depression, but now I'm feeling a bit better, so I immediately started with finishing up this request. Hope you can forgive the long wait and I hope you enjoy my writing<3

I will also finish the other requests soon most of them I already started before everything happened, but I still need to finish them

I had fun with this request, but I'm not so confident with writing Brimstone, KAY/O and Harbor, so I put them at the very end

Comments, likes and reblogs are appreciated like always🖤

Chamber

He is also pretty full of himself and would regularly flirt with you Nobody thinks too much of it because this just seems to be his character but with you, he was actually trying to win you over He cheekily asked you if you would give him a kiss if the next mission was a success You kind of waved him off not really answering Believing it to be one of his antics again and nothing would follow When he came back from the mission successful he went over to you Before he could open his mouth to say anything you leaned in and kissed him on the cheek You cheekily pulled away and then just went to the others talking about what exactly happened on the mission Chamber was slightly flustered but would cover it up, and follow you trying to talk to you Maybe you were more interested in him than he thought Sova

He is such a sweetheart

You were worried about the next mission believing it to be very risky

Sova comforted you telling you that everything would be fine

You calmed down for now but of course, felt nervous again while the mission was going

Finally, the team came back and you went straight to Sova wrapping your arms around his neck and giving him a quick peck on the cheek

He was surprised when you suddenly just ran into his arms but he enjoyed the affection

He was surprised by the kiss but he probably won't have that big of a reaction in front of everyone

Maybe a light flush on his cheeks and a smile on his lips but inside he is feeling way too much at once

He really likes you and hopes that soon he can ask you out

Gekko

I think Gekko is normally affectionate with you and would come to you after your missions to hug you and stuff

So you bought about also doing that for him so this time you waited for him to come back and just jumped into his arms when you saw him

You would welcome him back and give him a kiss on the cheek while he continues to hold you

He feels so giddy from your affection and gives some back to you

I could imagine him being a bit more shy when he has a crush on you because he doesn't want you to find out his feeling

In total though he thinks that you two should really start doing that for each other after every mission, even if you went to the mission together

Phoenix

I don't know why you would give this man a kiss after a successful mission because he is gonna brag about it forever

With his outgoingness, he is gonna tell everyone about how you decided to give him a kiss

Even if someone tells him that a kiss in the wheel isn't special he will not listen to them

He just loves any kind of attention from you that he can get

If you are fine with it he will also give you a kiss on the cheek

He also wants to show you his appreciation and these interactions could spark a flame between you two

This kiss could maybe be the starting sign for you two

Yoru

You talked to Jett and she dared you to kiss Yoru when he comes back from his mission

Jett knows about Yoru's little crush on you and just wanted to see his reaction

You easily agreed and then together you waited for the team to return

When you heard them arriving you got up and quickly spotted him

Jett didn't specify where you should kiss him so you pressed your lips to his cheek quickly

He is just so smug about this kiss and will start teasing you

Just talking about how you really missed him so much and couldn't wait for him to be back

I think under his exterior he is quite flustered but he wouldn't want anyone to know about that so he covered it up with teasing

Maybe this is even the perfect opportunity to ask you out on a date

Cypher

This mission a hyphen just saved everyone and you really wanted to thank him for that

You went up to him and kissed his masked cheek telling him that he was amazing

It would take him a second to register what you did but the lingering warmth on his cheek showed him that this really just happened

That was unexpected and he would chuckle, thanking you for appreciating his work

He is happy that the mask doesn't let you see how much this little gesture actually affected him

But you can hear how happy he is just from his voice

Omen

It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, you just leaned in and gave his cheek a kiss

Omen as we all know isn't really one to show his emotions outwardly

It seems like he doesn't really care but he does thank you and the is just some sort of tenderness in his voice

He could become embarrassed if you kiss him and then also give him a lot of praise for doing so well

If you know him well enough though you would be able to hear the embarrassment in his voice though

Brimstone

We all know Brimstone is the more professional type and I don't know how well he would take to public affection

You two are probably already very close because otherwise, I don't think he wouldn't have the most positive reaction

But if you two are close then maybe putting aside that you kissed him on the cheek in front of everyone

He would use the kiss to motivate himself and just know that there is always someone proud of him and his work

Also, I can imagine some agents cooing when you kiss him just to embarrass you two even more

KAY/O

You just were happy to have KAY/O back so when he came up to you to talk you gave him a quick kiss on his cheek

So KAY/O is sentient and everything but I don't really know if he can feel you giving him the kiss

Even if for him personally the kiss emotionally maybe doesn't mean much he knows what it means to humans

He would thank you and verbally try to express how he recognizes the meaning of these physical gestures

Maybe he would just show a heart on his monitor and I think that says enough for you

Harbor

Harbor has such a positive energy who wouldn't want to give this man some affection

He would have such a radiant smile on his face when your lips come in contact with his cheek

The affection and praise would fill him with joy and he is someone who will give you affection back

Man this guy will give you the affection back tenfold

He really values you and wishes nothing more than to have a closer relationship with you

Thanks for reading and I appreciate all the support💙

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ngage2003 · 12 days ago

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Alright. So, here is a fun question.

What the fuck is up with Brian's/"Hoody's" continuous use of religious-coded phrasing?

⟦Note: I am Jewish and not that familiar with a ton of Catholicism, and am mostly just going crazy here. Don't take my theory too seriously unless you agree with me in which case do.⟧

⟦Also, content warning: graphic verbiage towards the end, also heavy religious discussion, duh. (Also maybe sacrilege?)⟧

What I mean specifically is his use of the term "Deluge" in one of his videos, the association between himself and the word "Advocate," and most importantly, him calling the face connected to the Operator "The Ark."

Footnote: Face as in the center of the Ark is the "mouth" of the Operator, (in other words, how it eats) and the Ark as a whole is the closest thing we see to a representation of what it is, an unfathomable monster, like a face can be seen as a representation of a person/personhood.

These names are on first read are just seemingly randomly chosen, but I think there is some small sense here, if a bit abstractly. Based on comic 3.5 of Marble Hornets, ToTheArk, we know Brian is stuck talking in codes, so lets try to unravel this one.

Lets start with the simplest.

】 Advocate

Brian calls himself "Advocate" in relation to an old video of himself where he is talking to Alex, but due to the glitchiness on the video I believe you could kind of take this as a general statement about himself. Regardless, what the hell does that mean?

When we use the term "advocate" in plain speech, it means a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy, but there are specific ties with it under Catholicism. There is variation depending on what translation you use of course, but one example of religious use is in one title of Christ as "our Advocate with the Father" (I John 2:1). Another is how the word advocate is used in relation to the Holy Spirit, (John 14:16,) as another advocate to more or less "help [humanity] and be with [them] forever".

"Ok, cool I guess," you say, "but uh what does that have to do with Marble Hornets?"

Well! While Jesus is off having a Phoenix Wright case with God/being god's messenger pigeon for humanity, Brian is helping someone himself! Specifically, he is helping Jay, the person all the ToTheArk videos are for, for the most part. He is quite literally guiding him around, what for we could debate, but he clearly has his own abstract chess game going on and leading Jay by a metaphorical carrot on a stick is part of it.

I believe this is why Brian calls himself the Advocate. He is with not only Jay but also Jessica, while also being on the former's side, (he doesn't want him dead like the Operator does at least,) and also helping and/or guiding him. I mean, he gets him out of his house before Alex burns it down, as example, and he gives Jay the name of the Operator, along with hints that Alex is dangerous/doesn't exactly have his best intentions. Hell! In Entry 78, if you're comfortable jumping that far ahead, he even gives Jay a knife to free himself with, and his camera back. This of course accidentally leads to Jay's death, but I don't think Brian wanted that to be honest, not with how he hates Alex and the Operator. Brian is just unfortunately human rather than actual divinity, and probably couldn't plan for that.

Let's move on.

2.】 The Deluge

This one is in my opinion the least clear, which is why I stuck it in the middle, but I am still going to give it a shot.

The "Deluge" video is a ToTheArk video where we see a flashing light, weird audio, and then the words, "watching you," along with the description being "///". Purportedly, if you speed up and reverse the audio, it is saying "Alex" over and over again. Combining it with the ending words, we get "Alex [is] Watching You."

What is the Deluge in Catholicism though? Well, simply put its the Great Flood, specifically that really swag one (/sarcastic tone) that God summons for 40 days and nights to drown everyone for being too sinful or whatever, except for his favorite boy, Noah, and his family, who are inside a big boat. Awesome. Cool. Makes sense.

We could get up in the semantics about the "ark" of Noah and "ToTheArk" but A) I have a whole chapter on ToTheArk and The Ark, and B) I personally believe the Ark is named for the Ark of the Covenant so lets just scrap that idea.

Instead, I believe that in this part, Brian is making a comparison between Alex and the Deluge. After all, Alex did kill the cast of Marble Hornets in kind of rapid fire succession like a quickly rising Deluge would, all except for Jay who he had emotional ties to. (And Tim but Tim's survival is complicated and isn't purposeful.)

"Wait!" You cry, "how do you know that Alex killed everyone in rapid fire succession??"

Well, technically I don't, but I do know he tried to kill like 3 of his friends in literally the same 24 hours, which would make sense as if the extremely close cast of Marble Hornets noticed other people were missing and they were last seen with Alex, that would get suspicious, but I digress. All of these killings take place in the hospital in my opinion, where the Operator seemingly has some power, or at least is able to appear more regularly like other places in Rosswood and Alex's house.

First of these was the least successful, Tim, who Alex led to the hospital in Entry 56 and then beat into unconsciousness with a stick that is canonically a pipe based on cast commentary. We see him (or in my opinion, Masky,) scrambling around at night then, using the camera to find his way in the dark, before hiding against a wall. It is very likely to me that he stayed here over night. There are some strange parts of the tape though, like Alex being randomly in the hospital at night, as if he was looking for Tim for some reason.

Regardless, there is then Brian in Entry 51, who is led to the hospital before the Operator snatches Alex away for a moment. (In my opinion probably to Operatorture him a bit because he was hesitant to kill Brian because he actually knows him as a friend (Entry 84) but whatever, coughs.) Brian then wanders around the hospital with Alex's camera before finding Tim huddled up against a wall, much to his confusion, before the Operator shows up and some weirdness happens and Brian dies while Tim/Masky disappears.

Now, we have seen Masky go to the Hospital after Operator encounters seemingly to cope, so maybe this was coincidence, but there is some dialogue in Entry 51 that makes me believe this isn't, especially based on Entry 22, where we see Alex seemingly leading Seth either to his death by the Operator in a strange dilapidated building at night. (Hey, that sounds a bit familiar?) That dialogue is :

Brian: Where’s Seth at? Alex: Uh, we came out here yesterday and he wasn’t feeling too good so he just stayed home today.

Hey that is convenient. You brought him here yesterday and now he just magically isn't feeling good.

In my opinion it is kind of obvious here that Alex probably killed Seth and Brian along with trying to kill Tim after merely finding a convenient place to do so. This was all in the span of 24 hours or less, kind of much like a certain flood might.

This moment is definitely a subversion though, (as use of christian imagery often is in Marble Hornets) as rather than the Flood being a tool of God to destroy the wickedness of men or whatever, Alex is becoming a tool of the Operator to feed it.

And finally, 3.】 The Ark

Wooo Boy. The Ark. Ok. okOkOKOK.

Now, we all know what Brian named the face/mouth of the Operator "The Ark," but what IS the Ark in Catholicism? Maybe you're raising your hand right now and saying "ah that thing Noah went on" and you are technically correct but also wrong. There is a far more important Ark in Catholicism than that one.

Lets talk about the Ark of the Covenant real quick, specifically what it represents rather than solely that fun little golden box, as much as I would love to talk about it and the arks of synagogues.

Ok so I am probably going to mangle some theology but stick with me. There are two Arks of the Covenant in Catholicism, the one of the Old Testament, (the first book of Christian canon which more or less covers backstory,) and the New Testament, which is more or less Jesus's teachings.

Sidenote: The Old Testament is NOT the same as the Tanakh/Hebrew Bible. The former is one scripture while the latter is technically three, and even if it shares some similarities with the Torah, (the first part of the Tanakh,) the two are pretty different and both have their own wildly differently translations and cultures around them.

The Old Testament's covenant is of similar design to that of Judaism's, being a symbol of the covenant between God and his followers, built by the holiest of man's hands but carrying divinity in the form of the commandments within it.

The Ark of the Covenant of the New Testament though is a bit different, as it is Mary.

She literally carries the covenant between God and man, the connection between him and his followers. She builds it inside her, acting as both carrier and partial creator to this firm bridge.

I believe, Brian gave the Ark its name, because in a sense, it is its own sort of womb.

The Ark is a close off yet impossibly living environment, one that bridges between our reality and the true center of whatever it and the Operator are. It feeds by leeching off of the world outside it, reaching through Rosswood and growing and gorging. Much like the natural parasitic nature of an embryo or fetus to its mother, it is tied to our world, dependent on it, dependent on us even as it warps and robs people of themselves.

Whatever is beyond the Ark, it is something as unfathomably monstrous as divinity, a holy tapeworm that siphons off nutrients from our world, warps it to fit its needs, literally shifting around the land to get closer to satiating its hunger, apathetic to the rules and limits of our world.

Even as we get to this answer though, we still technically haven't answered our original question.

Why is Brian of all people using this continuous religious-coded phrasing?

Well, this I believe in part has to do with how the Ark feeds. It is as much stomach as it is womb, digesting you slowly, acidity peeling back your layers until it eventually gets to your core, your most fundamental beliefs and self.

Alex's core was Jay in a sense, which is why he refused to kill him, at least until the Ark and Operator fully broke him down at the end of season 2, at which point he fell apart completely as a person in season 3. (I.E. he stopped shaving, he didn't get new glasses when Brian knocked off and presumably broke his in Entry 67, he started constantly corrupting film.)

Brian's core is still in tact though, even with how ruined he is by the Ark and Operator, left only able to speak in codes.

I think Brian was raised with a strong sense of wrong and right. It is also why he becomes so obsessed with Alex dying, with Jay surviving, with taking on this great burden of playing this complicated chess game against this paranatural entity and stopping all this. Right and wrong were simply taught to him at a very young age, ingrained into him, and his compassion and empathy, (the things that led to him goading Tim into helping because Alex needed actors and inviting Alex to dinner because he was lonely,) were torn away by the Ark.

I think his moral compass could in part be so strong be due to, or at least in conjunction with, the fact he was raised religiously. I think he probably strayed a bit from his religion in College as most people do, but it is still something integral to him, something at his core that he knows even when nothing else is making sense.

This is not to say I think Brian is still religious now, (I doubt you could look into the center of the Ark and still be religious honestly,) but it is why he clings to religious metaphor in the middle of all his strange codes.

That is my headcanon.

Thank you for reading.

#Brian Thomas #Marble Hornets #The Operator #ng.txt #ng.mh #ng.operatorture #ng.analysis

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roosterforme · 2 years ago

Text

Batting Practice Part 2 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Despite his best efforts, Bradley hadn't stopped thinking about you since Monday. When Bob decided they needed a Team Mom, he sees an opportunity he can't pass up.

Warnings: Fluff, angst and swearing

Length: 3700 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female single!mom Reader

Check my masterlist for more Top Gun fun! Batting Practice masterlist.

When Bradley arrived on base Tuesday morning, he saw Bob right away.

"I can't thank you enough, Rooster. Piper had so much fun yesterday, and I really think this is going to be good for her. The other kids seemed excited too."

Bradley zipped up his flight suit and grabbed his helmet. "The kids were easier to instruct than I expected. They made it fun." His mind automatically pictured Everett. And Everett's mom.

"So you'll be back for practice on Thursday?" Bob asked, reaching for his own helmet.

Bradley scoffed. "You think I'm going to bail on the Tiny Eagles? No way. We have a championship to win, and I plan on being named coach of the year."

Bob laughed. "That's the spirit."

Nat strolled over, sipping coffee inside the hangar even though you weren't supposed to. "How was pee wee football?" she asked with a smirk.

"We've been over this before, Phoenix," Bob said with a sigh. "It's tee ball."

"She's just fucking with you," Bradley said, looking from side to side before he stole Nat's coffee and took a big sip.

She groaned in response. "Just finish it," she told him. "So, tee ball? How was that?"

"Fun!" Bob exclaimed. "Piper loved it. All the kids were great. And all the moms came up at the end of practice to introduce themselves and tell us we did a great job."

Nat burst out laughing as Bradley finished her coffee. "Yeah... I'll bet they did! They would probably love to show you two even more gratitude."

Bob looked confused, but Bradley just smiled against the coffee cup. "Moms are not my type. I told you that already, Nat." But he felt like such a liar. He could picture you so clearly in his mind, and he could remember how your voice sounded. Really, he was more excited about practice on Thursday than he should be, simply because you and Everett were going to be there.

Maybe he would wear a Phillies hat to match with Everett.

"Rooster... every woman is your type," Nat said, patting him on the shoulder as she grabbed her helmet and headed for her Super Hornet.

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

Work was insanely busy, and Thursday arrived before you knew it. You were still answering client emails when Frank knocked on your door at lunchtime.

"Come in!" you called, and thankfully he brought you a sandwich. You jumped up at the prospect of actually having something to eat, but Frank wrapped you in his arms before you could take a bite.

"I've missed you all week. You work too hard," he whispered, placing a soft kiss next to your ear. "Wanna come over this weekend?"

You should say yes, especially since Everett was going to have a sleepover at your sister's house. Plus, this would be your last free Saturday for a while, since tee ball games would be starting up.

"I'll have to let you know," you told him as his lips connected with yours.

But you were thinking about how it might feel to kiss Coach Bradley with his mustache.

Where had that thought come from? You let out a startled gasp, and Frank slipped his tongue between your lips.

Bradley would definitely be a better kisser than this.

"Frank," you managed to say. "I'm starving, and I have so much work to do."

He sighed and squeezed your waist through your suit. "Try to come over this weekend, okay baby?"

You just nodded and unwrapped the sandwich as he left. Only four more hours until tee ball practice. You couldn't believe you were as ridiculous as the other moms, but here you were, thinking about your kid's coach while you ate lunch.

But it didn't stop there. After you picked Everett up at school, he rambled on about tee ball and his coaches for the entire drive to the ballfield. And you started thinking about Bradley again.

"Can we go see the Phillies play again this year?" Everett asked as you pulled into the parking lot.

"You know, Ev, it was supposed to be a surprise. They play the Padres on a Sunday afternoon, and I've been planning on getting us tickets."

After hesitating for a beat, you parked next to the Bronco again, which you were smart enough to know was a really dumb thing to do.

"Yes! Can we take Coach Bradley with us too?"

You pressed your lips together and shook your head. "Sweetie, he's your coach during tee ball hours. I don't think he's going to have time to go to a baseball game with us."

Everett jumped out of the car and looked up at you as you took his hand. "But he likes the Phillies. I think he might want to go."

Once again you changed into your sneakers while you walked across the grass. You didn't want to get your son's hopes up, and you couldn't help but think that he wouldn't be so starved for attention if Danny came around more often. Your ex was legitimately the worst.

"We can talk about it later, okay?"

You almost tripped over your own feet when you looked up and saw Bradley. He was talking to one of the overzealous moms, and he had his arms crossed over his chest, nodding along with whatever was being said. His biceps looked good, but you also immediately noticed the Phillies hat on his head.

Bradley's eyes shifted to the side as you approached the bleachers, and he kind of smirked at you. He didn't even seem to notice when the other mom placed her hand on his forearm. But you did. You wished it was you touching him instead.

"Mommy, I need my bag," Everett said, and you shifted your attention to your son. You helped him get his cleats on, and then you waited for the coaches to blow the whistle to start practice.

"Can I have everyone's attention for a minute?"

You looked up to see Bob heading toward the bleachers where all of the parents were sitting. So you took the spot next to Everett on the bottom row, and Bradley shifted to stand closer to your end.

"I just wanted to reiterate how excited we are to coach your kids this season," Bob said. "Coach Bradley and I have worked out most of the scheduling and whatnot, but we do need to have a Team Mom or Team Dad to help us with some tasks. Things like bringing extra snacks and drinks, and being in charge of sending out texts if the weather is bad. Also they would need to be available to help us with anything else that might come up."

You let your gaze shift from Bob to Bradley, and he was already looking at you. He nodded once as his lips quirked up into a smile.

"Does anyone want to volunteer?" Bob asked. Almost every mom around you raised her hand without hesitation.

Bradley didn't look away from you, and it was making you feel flushed. He slowly, purposefully put his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow as if to say c'mon, raise your hand.

You didn't have time to be the Team Mom. You didn't even really want to be the damn Team Mom. It was something extra that you really didn't need to do.

But... you felt your hand slip up into the air as if gravity no longer had any hold over it. Bradley's smile grew as you sat in front of him like a little girl hoping he would call on you.

Just as Bob was about to choose a different parent, Bradley nudged him with his elbow to stop him.

"Right here," Bradley announced, nodding and gesturing to you. "She's our Team Mom." You slowly lowered your hand, and you felt a little giddy at being selected.

Bob looked a little confused with the abrupt decision, but he just smiled at you and said, "Sounds good. Thanks for volunteering. Now let's get started with our practice."

He blew his whistle, and Everett launched off the bench. You could hear him tell Bradley, "You wore a Phillies hat! Just like me!"

Bradley laughed and said, "Sure did, kiddo. Thought we could match." He glanced at you one more time before he led the kids out onto the field.

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

Bradley shouldn't feel so proud of himself right now. But he did anyway. He didn't even know what he was playing at with you. But as soon as Bob told him they needed a team parent, he wanted it to be you.

"Jesus," he muttered under his breath as he set the ball on the tee for Henry to try to hit. You were probably married. Bradley probably just made himself look like an ass. But you raised your hand anyway when he tried to silently encourage you to.

"Nice hit, Henry!" Bob said, and Bradley clapped as the kid ran for first base.

Bradley set the ball up again, this time for Everett.

"You ready?" Bradley asked, earning him a big smile. "Just keep your swing nice and steady."

He watched Everett absolutely nail the ball and hit it right past Bob. He looked up at Bradley in surprise.

"Run, Ev! Run to first base!"

Bradley watched him take off like a shot and run past Bob, only stopping once he had stomped on the base.

When Bradley glanced over to where you were sitting, the smile on your face had him fumbling to get the ball back on the tee. You waved your fingers toward where Everett was jumping up and down, and then you looked at Bradley and bit your lip. Then you waved your fingers at him too before ducking your head.

He forced his focus back to the next batter who also hit it hard enough to take a base.

"These kids are actually good," Bradley told Bob as he helped guide Amber to first base while Bob pointed Everett to second. "But we need to practice running bases next week."

"Can't wait to play the Tiny Hawks next weekend," Bob said. "The Eagles are looking good."

Bradley and Bob high fived as the kids all gathered around them in the infield at the end of practice. "Great practice, Tiny Eagles," Bradley told them. "Now get some good rest this weekend, and we will see you on Monday for our next practice!"

The kids all started to run toward the bleachers, and the coaches followed them at a more leisurely pace. "Damn," Bradley muttered when he looked toward the parking lot.

When Bob gave him a concerned look, Bradley shook his head and said, "Everett's hot mom parked by me again. I've actually been thinking about her since Monday."

Bob's mouth dropped open. "You mean the Team Mom?"

"Yeah," Bradley whispered, nearing the bleachers and watching you switch Everett's cleats for sneakers.

"You have a crush on our Team Mom?" Bob asked a little too loudly for Bradley's liking. "That's why you picked her? Is that a good idea?"

Bradley just shrugged and took a deep breath. "Too late now, yeah?"

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

You felt a tingle wash down your spine and goosebumps break out on your skin. You glanced to your left, and sure enough, the coaches were standing right there. Bob was looking at you, and Bradley was running one hand over his face and readjusting his Phillies cap.

Maybe you had imagined it. But you could still remember how he was looking at you, goading you, urging you wordlessly to raise your hand earlier.

Because he had a crush on the Team Mom? On you? There was no way.

But as you stood, Bradley headed in your direction. He smelled good again, and he was so handsome. And his voice was so deep. You really wished your other two senses had experience with him as well.

"Team Mom," he said with a smile. "Can Bob and I get your phone number for future correspondence and incidentals?"

"Mmhmm," you hummed, and when he handed you his phone, you added your name and number for him.

"Thanks again for volunteering," he said with a smirk.

You didn't know what to say, and you could feel your face growing warm as your nose scrunched up in embarrassment. "No problem," you managed, but instead of leaving, he inched closer, and his smile grew.

"I hope you don't feel like I pressured you."

You just shook your head, mesmerized by the low register of his voice. "No. I'm happy to do it."

Everett suddenly popped up next to you, standing on the bleachers. "Mommy, check to see if Coach Bradley wants to come with us to see the Phillies this year. Please?"

You turned back toward Bradley, about to tell him that Everett was just being overzealous, but Bradley was grinning at Everett and adjusting the bill of his cap.

"I don't know if your dad would like that, kiddo," Bradley said, examining your face carefully.

But then Everett's face really lit up. "He wouldn't care! He doesn't even live with us anymore."

You scrunched your nose again in embarrassment. Nothing like having your kid basically announce to a hot guy that your ex husband ditched you.

But Bradley's lips curved into a smirk. "How about your mom and I talk about it, kiddo?" he asked, and Everett gave him a high five. "Now that I have your number?"

You just nodded as you started to shove everything you brought into the gear bag.

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

You had scrunched your nose up again, just like a kitten, and Bradley felt the urge to reach out and touch you. He'd love to take you and Ev to a baseball game. He thought he might even like to hang out with you one on one, now that he knew Everett's dad didn't live with you any longer. But now he was wondering if you were single or seeing someone else.

Bradley watched you hurriedly packing up Everett's gear while he ran off to say bye to Bob. But Bradley didn't walk away, instead he texted you so you would have his contact information as well.

When you checked your phone, you looked up at him again and laughed. "Your name is Bradley Bradshaw? Brad Brad?"

He groaned and pretended to be annoyed, but he really wasn't. "My parents probably thought they were hilarious."

Your laughter had him grinning again. "It's not a bad name! I'm sorry I laughed." But you were still laughing.

"You're not sorry," he said with a playful glare.

When you scrunched your nose again and ducked away from him, you said, "No, I'm not."

Then Everett streaked back over and asked Bradley to walk to the parking lot with the two of you, and Bradley was helpless to say no.

"You have fun again today?" Bradley asked him as he bounced around, full of energy.

"Yes! I even hit the ball!"

"Yeah, you hit it hard. You'll be a power hitter when you make it to the major league. We just need to work on your fielding."

You were smiling but looking straight ahead at your car.

"What position do you like to play?" Everett asked, eyes wide as he looked up at Bradley.

"Usually shortstop. Sometimes second base."

"Did you used to play for the Padres or something?" Everett asked, completely in awe.

Bradley just laughed. "No, kiddo. I played in college. Then I joined the Navy, because I definitely was not good enough to play for the Padres."

"You're in the Navy?" you asked him as Bradley opened Everett's door and took the gear bag from your shoulder. Even touching your body through your suit coat was enough to require Bradley to take an extra breath before answering you.

"Yeah. So is Bob. We're both aviators."

"Wow," you whispered. "Impressive."

"Mommy! I'm hungry!" Everett called from the backseat as Bradley placed the bag on the floor.

"Me too, Ev. I'll get dinner ready as soon as we get home," you promised him, and Bradley could tell you were a good mom. You kind of reminded him of Carole Bradshaw, if he was being honest.

"Be good, and listen to your mom," Bradley told Everett as he closed the back door and then opened yours. "See you on Monday."

"See you then," you replied softly, slipping into your seat before Bradley gently closed your door.

He waved at Everett who was reaching his arm out the window as you pulled away, and then he climbed into the Bronco and headed to the Hard Deck.

Bob was already there when Bradley arrived, and Nat was on them right away. "You two look adorable in your matching Tiny Eagles jerseys."

"Thanks, Nat. I feel adorable. Do you feel adorable, Bob?"

Bob just blushed and walked away with his cup of peanuts.

"So how are the moms treating you?" Nat asked as they both waited for drinks at the bar.

Bradley rolled his eyes. "Just fine."

"Are you hooking up with one of them yet?" she asked casually.

"What the fuck, Nat? No! I'm there to coach the kids!"

"Chill, Rooster! It's so easy to get you riled up when you're trying to hide something! Bob said you have a crush on one of the moms."

He just shook his head and thanked Jimmy for his beer. "I don't. She's just cute is all. Not my type. Never gonna be my type," he promised, heading toward the pool table. And as if he was trying to make his point to Nat, he chatted up the first woman who approached him and left with her number. He wasn't going to call her, but Nat didn't need to know that.

He didn't even save the number in his phone, because yours was already in there.

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

In an effort to get that mustache and those biceps out of your mind, you called Frank on Saturday afternoon and agreed to head over to his place.

He never cooks in his condo kitchen, and he hates when anything is messy, so you're not sure if you want to stay over or not. But you pack a bag just in case.

When you get there, he has Thai takeout waiting along with a bottle of prosecco. "I'm glad you decided to come over," Frank whispered, running his hand up along your leggings while you tried to eat.

"Yeah," you agreed halfheartedly. "Me too."

How had your life been reduced to this? Sleeping with a man you didn't have feelings for after ending a marriage to a man who never loved you? You wouldn't allow yourself to dwell on it for too long.

"Let's head to the bedroom," he told you, snatching you out of your seat as soon as you finished your last bite of food.

As Frank ran his hands along your body and undressed you, it was easy enough to close your eyes and let your mind drift a little bit. Then his hands felt good, running up your sides and removing your shirt. It felt nice when he removed your bra and squeezed your breasts. It was even lovely when he pushed you down onto his bed and pressed you into the mattress with his weight. But when he started fucking you, it was just so mediocre. He somehow lasted too long, and you knew that you'd never be able to get off with him tonight.

"You're so sexy, baby. Am I making you feel good?" Frank asked you softly.

You let your disappointment wash over you, but Frank didn't seem to notice the sad little gasps you made as he came before withdrawing himself and removing the condom.

You checked your phone as you got dressed, and you nearly dropped it on the floor. You had a text from Bradley. A screenshot of ticket options for the Phillies vs Padres game the following month.

Bradley Bradshaw: Do you think Ev would prefer to sit behind home plate or in the outfield?

Now your heart was beating faster. Now you felt a little silly inside. Now you could imagine getting yourself worked up for a healthy orgasm.

"Everything okay? You keep looking at your phone," Frank said as he pulled his underwear back on.

"Actually...." you started, and the lie was out of your mouth before you could stop it. "It's my sister. I need to go pick up Everett. But thanks for dinner."

Frank kissed you softly, holding your body against his before you broke away with a quick goodnight. You practically ran across the parking lot and jumped into your car with a smile on your face. Then you responded to the text.

Everett is going to think any seat is the best seat.

Bradley responded almost immediately, which shocked you since it was eight o'clock on Saturday night.

Bradley Bradshaw: Well then why don't you tell me where you'd like to sit.

You pictured yourself sitting in his lap, and you felt very warm. When you started your car, you turned on the air conditioner as you drove away.

His lap.

You could picture yourself there so easily, like you'd already spent time snuggled up with him.

What was wrong with you?! You barely knew this man!

It only took you five minutes to get to your house, and as soon as you walked in, your hand was sliding down inside the front of your leggings and into your underwear. You eased yourself down onto your couch as you touched yourself exactly how Frank never seemed to be able to.

You stroked your clit just right with your middle finger, and then you came so quickly, it surprised you.

When you caught your breath, you located your phone and responded.

Your call, Coach. What view do you like the best?

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

Bradley was sitting at his kitchen island, considering all the filthy things he wanted to send back to you.

You were definitely flirting with him now, right? You had to be single, right?

He quickly typed out his response and hit send before he could change his mind.

Any seat where I can see you.

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

I am thrilled by how much love you all had for the first part of this story! I hope you keep on loving Coach Bradley! Thanks to @beyondthesefourwalls and @mak-32!

PART 3

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definitelyunhingedagentphoenix · 5 months ago

Text

*trigger warning, description of blood and violence*

Agent Phoenix: *on a mission, minding their own business*

Reginald: *telling a story about a duck he saw on the way to work* yes and then you wouldn't believe it! It bit me!

Agent Phoenix: that sucks. Sorry that happened.

Reginald: you know, you may find this funny but it reminded me of when I was 15 and I was walking through the same park on my way home from my first part time job when I was assaulted by a group of ruffians who thought they were going to be the next big crime lords of the city. They beat me within an inch of my life and one of them nearly bit my finger off when I tried to fight back! It was only hanging on by a flap of skin! I crawled my way to a phone booth; leaving quite the trail of blood and called my mother to take me to the hospital! I couldn't afford an ambulance! They told me I should be dead with how much blood I lost! But they put me back together and months later I was back on my feet. You know what I did?

Agent Phoenix: *horrified* ... What did you do, Handler?

Reginald: remember when I told you about the old, gun through the mail slot trick? You're talking to the man who invented that one. Shattered each and every one of their kneecaps and let 'em die where they lay. Next thing you know, I'm getting offered a job here at the EOD! I was told "anyone who can live through that and still have an itchy trigger finger even with those stitches would be a valuable asset here" and they were right! I basically run this show you know.

Agent Phoenix: ...

Reginald: Anyway agent, I will still feed the duck again tomorrow and hopefully we can become friends! Imagine me running around with a little pet duck waddling around behind me!

Agent Phoenix: ... Just one quick question.

Reginald: yes?

Agent Phoenix: WHAT THE FUCK?!

Reginald: well-

Agent Phoenix: follow up question, WHY WOULD YOU THINK I WOULD FIND THAT FUNNY?!

#i expect you to die #ieytd #agent phoenix #ieytd2 #ieytd 3 #reginald crane

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appalachianapologies · 27 days ago

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@impossiblepluto I couldn't stop myself. Behold, a short Leverage/MacGyver crossover snip

Mac knows that he’s nosey. He’s been told so his entire life, and at this point, he just counts it toward some of his charm. It is, however, something that he can’t exactly turn off. Which is why the second that he opens his mouth and questions the ex-soldier in front of him, he already knows it’s a mistake. “Who was that?”

The flip phone snaps shut with a force that echoes around their small motel room. “Nobody.”

The single word is as gruff as everything else. With a huff, Mac looks away. “Okay, fine. I don’t care who’s on the other side. But if it can be tracked-”

“It won’t be tracked. I know a guy.”

Mac knows a guy, too. Or rather, a woman. Guilt prickles under his skin when he thinks of Riley and the rest of the team. Selfishly, he wonders if they’ve even noticed that he’s gone yet. Check-ins have become more and more sporadic as the weeks have passed.

“I’ll take first watch.”

“I’m good.”

Eliot glares back, arms crossed. “You’re asleep on your feet.”

“So are you.”

“I can stay awake longer than you could even fathom.”

Mac can’t stop his eyes from rolling. It’s barely been a week since he agreed to work with him, but everyday Eliot finds a way to remind him that he’s braver, stronger, better than Mac in every way. “Fine. Suit yourself.” Mac flops over to his side, turning away from Eliot. The twin sized frame makes an uncomfortable groan underneath him, and the mattress sways.

Without saying a word, Eliot dropped his duffle on the bed closer to the door the second they walked in, not bothering to even pretend to entertain anything different. It’s been like that since day one.

Or, seeing as how they had been going nonstop for the first forty hours, day two.

“Why do you want to find him so damn badly?” It’s practically the first time Eliot has started a conversation that could almost be mistaken for casual.

Despite himself, Mac turns back, not quite fully facing him, but instead at the ceiling. It’s not possible to explain to someone what Jack means to him, especially not a near stranger, so Mac settles for, “It’s what he would do for me.”

“You sure about that?”

These days? Maybe. “Yes.”

“’Cause if it were true, why would he leave without telling you in the first place?”

“He told me,” Mac bites back. “And he… had to. It was important for him to find Kovacs.”

There are a few moments of silence before Eliot asks, “He tell you who Kovacs was?”

“He told me enough.” And Mac filled in the rest with Riley’s help and the information available in the Phoenix’s records.

Eliot gives another one of his huffs, clearly not believing Mac.

Fine. Whatever. As long as he watches Mac’s back in the field, he doesn’t need to listen to him outside of it. Trust only matters if they’re in danger. Not in some dingy room, waiting the night out.

Against his better judgement, Mac asks, “Why did you agree to help me?”

There’s a fraction of hesitation too long to be normal before Eliot replies, “I owe him.”

“From when?”

“From before you were born.”

This time, an eye roll doesn’t suffice, and a humorless snort escapes Mac. “Sure.” He’s heard that one before. “Jack was seventeen when I was born, so unless you rescued him from a stray cow on the ranch, I seriously doubt that.”

“It was before you’d have been old enough to care,” Eliot corrects himself, sounding about as happy as anyone ever is when Mac gets snappy.

“Were you a Delta?” The look that Eliot sends him is a threat, but Mac’s always prided himself on ignoring the warning signs. “Ex special ops?”

“It doesn’t matter who I was.”

“Clearly it does, otherwise we wouldn’t be here, would we?”

“If Dalton never told you, I sure as hell ain’t gonna be the one to do it.”

The southern drawl, whenever it comes out thick from Eliot, makes Mac want to flinch. It’s so similar. It’s too similar.

“You oughta get some sleep,” Eliot says, finally moving to sit at the edge of his own mattress. “Couple of long days ahead of us.”

“You should too.”

“I told you-”

“First watch, yeah, I heard it. But you’re not going to be any good to either of us if you’re tired.”

“I’m fine, kid.”

“I’m not a kid.”

“You just worry ’bout yourself. And maybe try doin’ that once or twice out there, yeah? I’m not saving your ass twice in one week.”

Much like his accent, the words hit far too close to be comfortable.

Clenching his teeth, Mac turns back toward the wall. He’ll never be able to fall asleep with his back to the door, but it’s about the principle of the action. If Eliot wants to act like an asshole, that’s fine by Mac. Just as long as he expects the same treatment that he’s dishing out.

#eliot is like ''i should NOT be going on a rescue mission with some socal kid''#meanwhile mac is all ''i should NOT be trusting some guy who has ties to some of the most dangerous men on the planet who also hates me''#(he doesn't hate mac. eliot just doesn't want another kid on his conscience)#in which vi actually writes #macgyver #macgyver 2016 #leverage

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illubean · 1 year ago

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I saw ur celebrity Iso x bakery girl post and im in LOVE

May I req an art student!Iso x reader where Iso is roommates with another guy (either Phoenix, Gekko, or Yoru) and that dude has friends over with reader being one of them and tries to go find the bathroom but instead stumbles upon Iso's art room where he's painting away and doesnt notice reader? :3

And maybe reader leaves their number without him noticing until the guests all leave🤭💜

If You Need a Muse

Characters: Li Zhao "Iso" Yu Type: Fluff, Oneshot, Gn!reader

this request has sparked something within me... how do we feel about CeramicArtist!Iso smirk emoji also I changed the req just a tad bit >.<

Warnings: none

It wasn't often that your dear friend Jamie invited you over to his home. Your little group often spent time at Sunwoo's (who prefers to be called Jett) house or showed up at Ryo's uninvited. He was always too lazy to host or feared disturbing his roommate, but today he wanted for you all to play a console game he just bought.

You sat on the floor in front of Jett, who was on the couch battling against Ryo. You watched the game on the screen as you awaited your turn, as Jamie came from the kitchen with more snacks. Jett was currently losing, yelling and leaning into Ryo in hopes of throwing his game. You laughed before looking at your brown haired friend who sat on the floor next to you.

"We're not bothering your roommate are we?"

"Nah, I don't think he's home right now."

After about another hour of playing the game and eating junk food, you needed to use the bathroom. Setting your controller down you looked over to Jamie, asking for directions to the bathroom.

"It's down the hall, first door to the right."

You nodded, getting up and going on your way to find the toilet. You stopped in front of a closed door, pushing it open to reveal NOT a bathroom. You look around, taking in the room. It was well lit, the walls decorated with paintings in various sizes. In the center of the room was an easel, and a man standing in front of it who's gaze seemed to have shifted from the piece in front of him to you. He was wearing comfortable clothes protected by an apron, a paintbrush in one hand and palette in the other.

"Oh uh- Sorry. You must be Jamie's roommate, I was just looking for the bathroom."

He offers you a small smile before returning to his work.

"No worries, it's one door over."

From where you stood you couldn't really tell what he had been painting, but what you could tell was that the man himself was a piece of art. He had beautiful purple eyes and sharp features that you could almost believe he were a marble statue come to life. After taking him and the room in for a little longer you spoke up once again.

"Your art is very beautiful."

He looks up and smiles at you again before responding.

"Thanks. I'm working on pieces for my portfolio, though I don't think anything I paint could compare to your beauty."

You were left speechless as you felt the tip of your ears burn.

"O-oh. Thank you. I'll be- uh- going now..." You stuttered out, before turning and going back to your original task.

Find and use the bathroom.

After doing your business, you returned back downstairs to find that your friends switched to watching a movie.

"Geez, you took forever in there!" Jett complains.

"Did you take a shit or something?" Ryo asks, scrunching his face up at you.

The other two laugh at his statement before you give a response.

"I don't see how any of that is your business," you huffed. Instead of rejoining your companions in the living room, you make your way into the kitchen. There was a magnetic basket stuck to the side of the fridge with pens, some memo pads and sticky notes in them. You grabbed one of the sticky notes and a pen and begin to write your note. You look around for a place to set it as your eyes land on a coffee machine.

Bingo

The machine must belong to your friend's mysterious and attractive roommate, as you knew your friend didn't really enjoy coffee all that much.

You stuck the note on the bottom of a mug sitting underneath the machine before setting it back in place and finally returning to the living room.

{timeskip}

The next morning, Li made his way towards the kitchen for his daily cup of coffee. He would be headed off to class soon and needed a bit of caffeine to start the day. Jamie had already been up, also about to leave for class. After brewing his coffee and picking up his mug, ne noticed a yellow corner of a sticky note peeking out from the bottom.

Peeling the note off, confused, he brought it up to eye level to read.

"If you ever need a muse (or wanna go out :D) call me~ XXX-XXX-XXXX (Jamie's Bathroom Friend)"

A light blush dusted his face at the note. This had to have been left by his roommates attractive friend yesterday. He was so distracted buy the number written in front of him that he didn't notice Jamie peeking over his shoulder.

"That's why they took so long in the bathroom! Hah, looks like one of my best mates likes you."

The man gave his flat mate a firm pat on the back before going about his day. The light blush on Li's face darkened in embarassment at the realization Jamie had seen what was written. Drinking his coffee, he sat down and put the note in his pocket.

He would have to put the number in his phone later.

#iso x you #valorant iso #iso valorant #iso x reader #valorant #valorant x you #valorant x reader #valorant hcs #valorant headcanons #valorant oneshot #valorant fanfiction #valorant fanfic

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potential-fool · 16 days ago

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I am a simp for Phoenix how about the reader just cuddling him while he was like mid conversation and they fall asleep on him

Warm Voice | Phoenix x Reader

Tags: fluff, established relationship, cuddles, calling Phoenix by his name

WE ARE BACK IN BUISNESS MY FRIENDS - thought I'd start with something fluffy as a treat for y'all <3

holy boy where do I start (the fic is below if you dgaf about my life update lol) Pretty much I completely and I mean completely forgot about tumblr,, life happened and 2025 has already been uh... something! But i'm back now and I hope you all enjoy!! (PS,, I take Arcane requests too ~xoxo Micha)

You had always been a touchy person, in the sense that, well, your love language has always been physical touch. Maybe that's why you and Phoenix had always got along so well, it was always something, if you weren't within arms reach of each other it was only a matter of time until you two were practically trying to mold into each others bodies. It was really quite something, whenever you two sat down it's like your bodies were made for each other, fitting together like puzzle pieces.

It was a lazy Saturday morning at HQ and you and Phoenix had found each others embrace. Phoenix of course was spread across the length of the couch and well he was practically begging for some company. "Sit with me babyyyy" He'd said, it had sounded almost like a whine, it made you giggle and how could you say no?

So here you are now, your head lying on his chest, the gentle rhythms of his heart rate being oh so calming. You had never known such peace before, all your troubles melted by Jamie and his unwavering and unconditional love for you.

"...--That mission was bonkers remember?! It's always soooo cold in the Icebox, I couldn't believe it when--...." You caught bits and pieces of the conversation but really you didn't know what Jamie could be talking about. Something about an Icebox mission the two of you had ran together with Yoru. It was a fond memory, even if it ended with a run in with your counterparts. This however, was the furthest thing from your mind.

Jamie was absolutely engrossed in his own story telling, petting your hair and keeping a warm hand on your waist to hold you close. He just barley noticed when you stopped responding with small reactions like "mhhm" or "that's nice" He smiles fondly down at your sleeping figure, bringing you closer to him as he continued to quietly play with your hair.

Words would never be enough for Jamie, they would always fail him when it comes to you, your laughter, the sound of your voice, that mischievous glint in your eyes whenever you came up with a silly prank. Jamie loved every bit of you, and seeing you here, trusting that he would hold you close. Well, there's not a fire in the world that could melt his heart the way you do.

#valorant x reader #valorant fic #pheonix x reader #pheonix x you #valorant fluff #valorant

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midnightsun-if · 7 months ago

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Are the angst romance asks you reblogged something you actually take for RO scenarios? Because if yes, I would love "I'm not giving up on you, ever"! Mainly asking for Sloane, but if you feel like it, you can also do it for everyone!

You're not sure how the argument started; nor are you aware how it had escalated to such a degree -- how such a sweet night could have shifted so drastically into one where you're standing across the room from the one person you always wished to be closest to.

Everything, up until this point, had been a blur, wherein you couldn't distinguish one thing from another, and, even if you aren't aware of what had truly caused this, you are firmly knowledgeable of that fact that nothing could ever make you abandon what you had just found.

Nothing.

"I'm not giving up on you!" The words explode from your lips, exasperated rage etched across your face, as you try to contain the extent of the emotions warring within your chest; a unique feeling of desperation coming to the forefront as you stare into the conflicted gaze before you. "Ever!"

Koda: All the fight seems to leave him in that moment, the unusually stiff lines across his face smoothing over into a gentle smile. His eyes shimmering with an almost golden hue as they take you in, even as guilt swims within them. "I think things took a bit of a turn for the worse, huh?" Koda shakes his head, looking down at the abandoned food that had no-doubt gone cold due to the length of the argument. "I'm not sure if this'll make it better, but I'll make you some dinner from my nana's recipe book." He looks thoughtful for a moment, a large hand rubbing the back of his neck. "And, just so you know, I won't ever give up on you either." His expression softens even further. "You have been by my side, dealing with my own brand of thoughts, without complaint, without making me feel like I'm just an obligation to you. You mean more to me than I ever thought could be possible, and I know I'm not the best at coming up with things to say, or the proper ways to showcase them, but you make me happy, you make me feel cared for. I don't think I could ever want to be anywhere else but by your side."

Scarlett: Viridescent eyes, if possible, narrow even further, agitation creasing an elegant brow, drawing a sharp distinction from the softness that typically settled upon her face when seeing you. "I don't believe that you would, but that's not the main issue we're having." Auburn locks shift across delicate shoulders, lithe muscles tense as Scarlett begins to pace back-and-forth like a caged panther; the current expression across her face not far off from how you'd imagine a big cat would look. "Our problem is that we're both not even sure what the other wants. We can make vows and promises until our final days, but they mean absolutely nothing if we don't have a common goal in mind. You may not wish to give up on me, as I wish to do for you as well, but that's a sentiment that can also be shared with family or close friends." She turns to finally look at you, an almost tortured expression taking over the earlier agitation. "What do you want? Do you want to be with me? Do you want to spend the rest of your life with me? Because, if you do, if you wish to share everything I wish to with you, then I’ll make this vow to you now: I will cherish and love you like no one has, or ever will, and I will ensure you never doubt the truth of what's inside my heart. For you found the pieces of myself I believed to be dead long ago and, because of you, because of what you've given me by simply being yourself, I found a love I no longer believed could ever be real." Scarlett tilts her head. "So, I ask you once more, what is it that you want?"

Cyrus/Cyra: "Phoenixes represent various things through mythos and legends; from rebirth to hope to courage to a number of other things. I've never truly taken stock in any of them. Not because I don't care about what has been said, or what has given people a glimmer of something light when they're surrounded by the dark, but I've always had a hard time in attaching myself to what a phoenix could potentially mean to others and what I am every day. I've never felt like I live up to any of the legends that surround what so many have created." Golden eyes glint like twin suns, warmth exuding from them that reminds you of standing underneath the gentle rays of a summer sky. "I've always tried to figure out what it all meant. Why I could potentially feel so disconnected, why I couldn't uncover what seemed to separate me from my kin, and I didn't uncover the truth until I met a vampire that seemed to turn everything on its head." A soft chuckle escapes them, as if they still couldn't believe the impact you had inflicted upon their life. "For, you see, a phoenix isn't a phoenix without the thing that makes rising from the ashes possible, that makes shining a light into the never-ending darkness to offer a hope an actuality, that seems to burn within every courageous heart with unparalleled zeal. A phoenix isn't a phoenix without fire, without the flame that burns within their heart and soul to ignite their being." The royal heir steps closer to you, softness etched across their serene features. "I never realized that I was so cold, that I was lost within my own self-inflicted darkness, until you lit my way, offering me a warmth I had long accepted would never come. You are my flame, my eternal light, and I will never leave you, never give up on you, because, to do so, would mean casting myself back into isolation, back into the abyss, which is all I would deserve if I did such a thing to you."

Quinn: "I knew from the instant my wolf felt a connection with you that I wouldn't be able to leave your side. That I would do anything to ensure that you were safe and taken care of." Sapphire eyes glint with their typical intelligence, a tinge of calmness added a softening edge, and the typical smile they always seemed to direct towards you. "I don't think I've ever met a single person that has perplexed me in the way that you have managed. I don't think I've ever met someone that intrigues my wolf in the manner that you've been able to do so. Giving up on you has never, and will never, cross my mind. To do so would be giving up a part of myself I never knew I needed. It would be something I'd never be able to rationalize, and something I'd always live to regret, and I don't like having regrets in my life. I've already had my fair share of regrets, my own heart breaks, and set backs, but I know with absolute clarity--" Quinn steps closer to you, their gaze imploring to you listen, and truly hear, what they're about to say next. "--that I never wish for you to be either of the first two because I know that you'd never be the last one. There's not many people in my life that I can say I was supposed to meet, that I was supposed to find them, either to make me better in some intrinsic way, or because they needed to set me on the path I was meant to be on." They shake their head, a rueful smile appearing. "It's kind of silly but, since I met you, I've started to believe that their entire purpose had been to lead me to you."

Caden: Silver eyes shimmer with the promise of tears, casting a shimmering hue over pale argent that brings out the depth of their adoration for you. "I never wish to give up on you either," they affirm, clearly wanting you to understand that the thought to do so had never crossed their mind. "You are the first person, in quite a long time, that I feel like I can be my actual self with. That makes it easier for me to look back at my life, at the memories I try to bury, and see the beauty within each one. A fog has always held itself over my mind, obscuring things from view and making it hard to know one thing from another." A bashful smile curls their lips, head ducking down, causing raven curls to fall across their forehead haphazardly. Slender fingers tugging at the delicate fabric of their onyx button-down as they clearly tried to figure out the words to what they wished to say. "But, even on my worse days, even when I can't see anything through the grey-hued air around me, I could never, and would never, misplace you from my memories, from my thoughts, and from my heart. I would never give up on you, I would never forsake you, because your face is the clearest I have ever recalled, and I know that it'd haunt me forever if I were to hurt you. I could never give up on you because, to do so, would partially be allowing me to give up on myself and the happier future I can see myself having with you by my side."

Sloane: "I've heard that load of bullshit before," they hiss, anger etched across their face, shoulders hunched as they seemed to sink into themself in protective stance. "You won't ever give up on me, really? You won't suddenly find out that the grass is just a bit greener on the other side? That you've been wasting your time trying to fix something that wants to stay broken? Spare me that line and the empty promises that come with it. My own family couldn't even hold up their end of it. Why the hell should I believe that you'll be any different? Because you say so?" Hazel eyes seem almost luminescent due to the fire burning within their depths, lips pulled back into a snarl as Sloane obviously tried to rein themself back in. "I've gone down that road one too many times and I'm a bit tired of realizing it's been a one-way street the entire time. I think it's about time I say no, right? That enough is enough. To show that I'm tired of sticking my neck out and getting burned. Every. Single. Time." They finally turn away from you, the air lightening away from their almost accusatory glare, and the tension, as well as the fight, seems to leech from their body in one fell swoop. "I'm tired of believing that I finally deserve to be loved, to have someone stay, only to discover that I had just fooled myself into seeing what I wanted to. If I couldn't make my own family stay, the people I thought were my home, how the hell am I supposed to make you? How am I supposed to trust that you won't leave me either? How am I supposed to believe that I'm worthy if you do?" Sloane meets your gaze, sadness etched within every part of them. "And, how the hell am I supposed to deal with the fact that I'd rather let that all happen, give you a free shot to completely shatter me, then to see you go?"

Blake: Guilt flashes across their face at the fervor behind your words, the clear certainty within your tone, and they seem to shrink underneath the intensity of your gaze; as if they were trying to hide behind the last little piece of themself, of the persona that they carry, before everything comes tumbling down around them like a house of cards. "I have never doubted that, as I hope you have never questioned my own commitment to you, but that's not the crux of our issue, is it? We've been toying a line that neither of us has either been willing to, or strong enough, to cross, and now we're at an impasse and this little crossing is about to be flooded, and one of us is about to go down." A hint of their typical smirk plays at the corner of their lips, violet eyes flashing briefly. "Which isn't something I'd typically mind when it comes to you, angel… but--" Blake's brow furrows, an uncharacteristic level of seriousness transforming their typically jovial disposition into one you could barely recognize; not even giving you a chance to fully react to the innuendo they had managed to slip into the conversation. "We both know this particular storm has been brewing for some time. Have heard it rumbling its warning well before things started to get muddled. And, because of that, I don't think it's going to be one we can simply bunker down and wait until it passes. It's something we're going to have to face, and I'm worried about what that landscape is going to be once everything is over and done with." They shake their head, expression twisting into something you don't even have a name for. "Or, even worse, I'm worried that one of us is going to get caught in the current of the flood we created and be lost to the other forever. It's not about whether we'll stand by the other, angel, it's about whether we'll have the choice to even do so."

Reginald/Regina: "Do you really mean that?" A gentle effect takes hold within their eyes in that moment, turning the turbulent storm of blue green into a soothing expanse reminding you of a cloudless summer sky. "I-I'm aware that I can be difficult at times. That's not something I've ever truly minded. I know that I talk too much, that I can become fixated on the smallest things, and that I have an almost unhealthy obsession with science fiction and space, but I've never wanted to let any of that go, because that's what makes me… Well, me." They meet your gaze, a gentle smile playing at the corner of their lips. "For the first time, when it doesn't come to my family, I finally feel like I'm not just being dealt with. That I'm not simply being handled until I'm able to pass on to the next available person. When I talk, even if it's about the most random things, I actually feel like you're listening to me, even if you don't understand, and that means more to me than you could ever know. I hope you know that I, or at least try to, do the same thing for you. I know what it's like to feel like you're being ignored, or when you're having a conversation with someone it feels like talking to a brick wall, and I never want you to feel like that with me." They take a hesitant step closer, ensuring that you understood their wish to be closer to you, but allowing you the chance to take the reins. "I will listen no matter what. Even if it's midnight and you simply want an ear to listen to something you just thought of. I won't ever give up on you either, I promise."

#midnight sun #asks #can choose for yourself how you think the fight started with your chosen ros #ro: blake herrera #ro: quinn grant #ro: sloane addams #ro: c aurelia #ro: r presley #ro: koda kingston #ro: caden randall #ro: scarlett voltaire #midsun: snippets #konoi and noir #hope this is what you meant when you said you wouldn't mind seeing all of them

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skeletinmoss · 1 month ago

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The curse of the dark Phoenix

Chapter 20: Spilling tea

First chapter | Previous | Next

"Um. Mister Janus?" Patton asked.

"Yes, little one?" Janus hummed, curling his arms a bit tighter around Logan's waist, practically resting his head on top of his travel companion’s. Roman couldn't help a bemused smile as he saw how hard Logan was trying to focus on the road rather than his own gay panic. Let’s see how well he fared with a handsome mage paying him special attention.

"Remus told us how he got his title. What got you the nickname Silver Tongue?"

Janus chuckled. "That is a very good question. It refers to... well, I was often trusted with assisting the king with, negotiations, of all sorts. Wearing different faces when needed. Only those who'd known me as a child knew my true face and only Remus and Virgil ever figured out how to spot me when I was wearing a new one," Janus explained as his face shifted through several other appearances before settling back to his own. Well, the one that resembled a mature version of the face Roman had seen in Virgil's childhood memory. Roman wondered if he was naturally tall or if he chose to be.

"Taking on a new face became as easy as putting on different clothes. They say that my voice itself became magical. The talent to persuade like no other alone could have gotten me the title, of course. But it actually came about after a nasty rumor took hold that I incited a coup using my skills, circumventing a sacred oath of loyalty by twisting words and identity," Janus said a bit too dramatic to sound sincere in his distress at the accusation.

"Thing with swearing an oath to the bloodline, it doesn't count when the king is not really part of that bloodline," Virgil joked fondly.

"And it wasn't my fault that some innocent jokes got twisted into a rallying cry," Janus added innocently.

"He was an entitled jerk anyway," Virgil recalled. Roman got the idea that Virgil might have helped with this coup.

"Another reason not to get involved in politics," Remus stated.

Patton was quiet for a moment.

"... Is night flame about something special, too, then? Because I figured it just referred to him being a dark phoenix..." Patton asked.

Virgil tensed, his dread and embarrassment, almost knocking Roman of balance.

"Oh, we all have a few, we just pick the one we feel fits us most as our official title. Virgil had a lot of titles over the years, though," Janus explained.

"That's what happens when you rub elbows with the right people all the time," Remus cackled.

"Night Flame is a bit of a reference to his guide yes, which is why he chose it. It’s one of the first titles they gave him and he is a stubborn fool who refuses to acknowledge that he’s a living legend no matter how hard he hides behind a name everyone’s forgotten the story behind,” Janus explained, sending Virgil a fondly teasing look before addressing Patton once more.

“Things got a bit unruly during our first few years as high mages. And Virgil, both out of concern for his family and general inability to stay out of a crisis, offered help to the people who might be part of the crossfire while the rest of us were busy with glorious battle or something like it. He was called night flame because in a dark time for them, he was hope,” he explained.

“Like Jani said, he had a lot. Like, he had a habit to pick out kiddies with ‘potential’ and ended up being in the middle of big events because of it. People actually started to believe that the gods gave him visions of the future so he could ‘guide those blessed by them on their path’,” Remus quoted haughtily. “For that, they called him Fate Walker," he revealed. Virgil groaned into Roman's shoulder. "Now they aren't going to shut up about it for hours," he muttered.

"Virgil, it is only fair for them to know what kind of person they travel with," Janus said teasingly.

"Yeah, they are allowed to know that you were the fabled Lunar Consort," Remus teased.

Roman blushed, wondering what that could mean. "No, I did not seduce a god," Virgil sighed.

"I made a tea that helped people deal with nightmares. A guaranteed good night's sleep. I called it: Moon's love, and rumors happened," he surmised.

“Oh of course. How silly of us. It is not as if you eased the suffering of a lot of soldiers and civilians alike. Not to mention the fact that it doesn’t work as a sedative. It only facilitates sleep in those who are already seeking rest. It is impossible to misuse. It’s not like that is a rarity or anything,” Janus scoffed.

“It’s not a big deal!” Virgil insisted.

"Whatever you say, Arachnid Armored," Remus shrugged.

"That one wasn't even wide spread... are you still upset that I wouldn't make you anything from my very limited batch of spider silk?" Virgil asked.

"It looks so sick dude! Why noooot!?" Remus whined.

"Because I am not wasting the most valuable type of fabric on a loincloth," Virgil huffed before explaining to the group.

"I made my sister's wedding dress with spidersilk. It was supple, soft and very sturdy. I made myself a shirt with what was left. I wore it for the wedding and for a party a few years later. Someone got rowdy, and I ended up with a knife in my stomach. Except I didn't get stabbed. Turns out, spidersilk fabric, woven, dyed and sown together by a high mage is indestructible. My sister’s dress is still in the family as an heirloom. It’s survived anything you could possibly throw at it. And if it gets a bit too out of style I come by to make a few alterations to better suit the bride… I probably missed a few weddings…” a deep sadness rolled of Virgil in a few heavy waves before he pulled himself together. “Once I realized how durable it was, I made an undershirt for Arthur to wear whenever he felt unsafe. That should still be around as well,” he finished.

“He basically made fashionable, indestructible armor by forming a special trust with spiders. He won’t tell anyone how he did it. Those critters are skittish as hell. No one’s been able to do it since,” Remus offered.

“I did tell people. You just have to ask nicely,” Virgil insisted.

“Perhaps it’s easier for you because you spin and weave yourself?” Roman offered. “You understand and respect the craft better than most mages, so none of them will be able to convey a sincere adoration for their work the way you do?”

It was quiet for a little while. “That makes a lot of sense actually,” Virgil allowed.

“I suppose it does Virgil Master Brewer,” Janus agreed.

“For the love off… I can make a decent tea, how is that a thing that got me a title?” Virgil asked exasperatedly.

“It is true that I very much look forward to having tea at your home again. But that is not the only reason you were called that. It is more a footnote to that aspect of your legacy. There isn’t a potion in existence that hasn’t been improved upon by you in some way,” Janus argued.

“Patton’s was perfect just the way it was,” Virgil insisted.

“Aw, thanks Virgil,” Patton said cheerily.

Janus didn’t look impressed. “Usually I am all for some well-placed flattery, but not when it is so you can avoid praise of your own. That was a first trial and it wasn’t even for the potion’s intended purpose. I’m sure that if our scholar here were to drink it and get stabbed, he’d have a few notes,” he mused.

“I would rather not be the Guinea pig for this experiment. Besides I fully intend on ascending once we have explained ourselves to the king. So I won’t be a viable candidate for much longer,” Logan insisted.

“Do you now?” Janus purred, intrigued, but not quite surprised.

“It is most efficient,” Logan nodded.

“And you are jelly that your buddy did it first,” Remus teased.

Roman looked at Logan surprised… Logan, jealous? Of him?

“Ridiculous,” Logan huffed. “Roman’s improvement under Virgil’s guidance is remarkable. I don’t begrudge him the progress he made,” he insisted.

“Uhuh. So it doesn’t bother you that Pattycake also became a great wizard mage?” Remus taunted.

Logan flushed. “I am not that vain!” he protested.

“Hmmm, nothing vain about a little ambition,” Janus mused, resting his chin on Logan’s shoulder and talking into his ear. “On the contrary. I think it is rather attractive in a man,” he told him.

Logan flushed bright red. “Virgil, do all your friends tend to flirt with people they met five minutes ago?” Logan demanded.

“Well, it’s been a bit longer than that darling,” Janus pointed out.

“That was not the first ‘pass’ you made at me,” Logan pointed out. Janus smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

Virgil chuckled. “Well…” he said.

“Yes,” Remus cut in. Roman caught a brief flash of disappointment in Patton’s eyes. Remus clearly had no place making jabs at Virgil’s supposed lack of ‘game’.

“Only when they look appetizing,” Janus assured Logan. “Though I will attempt to reign myself in if it bothers you,” he promised lowly.

“Is that voice part of your namesake? There is something about it that doesn’t sound… I’ve heard you talk in Virgil’s memory, it didn’t sound like that,” Roman asked, struggling a bit with putting it all into words.

Janus chuckled. “Are you saying I am enchanting, father of the sun warrior?” he teased.

Roman didn’t answer that, guessing that Janus could probably dance around the question for hours if needed. From what he understood of him he was a politician after all.

Janus smirked at him. “It is indeed part of my magic. It is more obvious than Virgil’s mastery over his senses, but more subtle than Remus’ beastly mastery of Faunix’s realm.

But it’s come in handy,” he allowed.

“Mastery of Faunix’s realm?” Patton repeated confused.

“Animal. I got so good at transforming in all sorts of critters I don’t need any part of them to transform. I could become a unicorn right now if I felt like it. My fav is still my guide though,” Remus elaborated.

“Speaking of talents, I believe we were trying to get our Mystic of the Mist to admit to his extraordinary resume,” Janus grinned, making Virgil groan in frustration.

“I hoped the subject was dropped,” he grumbled.

“Not a chance,” Remus cackled.

Janus elaborated for them. “Have any of you ever been taught about the… What did people end up calling it… The age of winter?” he asked.

Roman thought back.

“There are some old legends and nursery rhymes that refer to it,” Logan informed his passenger.

Right, now Roman remembered something…

“Silver sky, cloudy land, passerby with light in hand. Stay the path, find the way. Spring might come some other day,” he sang softly.

“Why are they always so creepy?” Virgil mused.

He was ignored though.

“A long time ago, before the first king was crowned. The weather shifted,” Janus recalled.

“It was the last of fall, so we didn’t realize it right away,” Virgil recalled. “But when my windows couldn’t find a single bit of sunny sky in the whole territory that was under our protection for days, we knew something was wrong,” he said.

“But by then, finding the source and reversing it was no longer an easy task. The spell had taken a life of its own and even if the caster had changed their mind, they wouldn’t be able to control it anymore. Changing the weather should only be done very locally. This was a shift over the entire country,” Janus continued.

“We don’t know if it was an idiot who messed up an experiment, or if it was an idiot who tried to protect us in a way but got in way over their head, or someone from outside the territory who was trying to mess with us. No one ever claimed responsibility,” Remus informed them.

“And it would be fifty years before one of us stumbled upon the eye of the spell and called all of us to him to undo its hold on the local climate. Most people alive at that time had never seen the sun a day in their lives. Society had changed its rhythm and habits, life expectancy had shortened. We had to gently return them to the ways before the age of winter,” Virgil recalled.

“And Virgie spent most of those fifty years popping up wherever people were lost with Star to get them where they were going all safe and sound,” Remus cackled.

“He wore a hood an didn’t speak hoping people wouldn’t put together that it was him and not a weather god taking pity on them. Sometimes it was, they were really in a tizzy that this man made storm wouldn’t listen to them. But when your companion is a cosmic wolf, people are going to figure you out V,” he told his friend.

Virgil sighed. “Well, Stardust made it easier to travel from one side of the territory to the other,” he argued.

“I was a bit surprised to hear about how there were animal guides in the mountains helping travelers not fall off a cliff,” he added meaningfully.

Remus didn’t respond to that.

“Come to think of it, wasn’t it that spring that Arthur was born?” Janus mused.

“That very day actually. The stars that night…” Virgil smiled, nostalgic. “I can’t begin to describe how beautiful they looked after fifty years of not seeing them,” he mused. “You missed them too didn’t you Star?” Virgil wondered. Star let out a happy bark making the group chuckle.

“Those were all mushy domestic ones though. I like the spicy ones best,” Remus argued.

Roman felt Virgil tense.

“Remus, I think Virgil’s had enough for today,” Janus suggested casually, but Roman was looking at him and caught him glancing at Virgil worriedly.

“Oh come on! Ocean’s blade of fire is such a sexy one,” Remus insisted. Roman felt the dread, recognized it from when Virgil picked up his daggers. It was that but ten times worse.

He tried to let him feel that this didn’t change the way he felt.

“I never understood the whispered death though. I saw you on that battle, it was not quiet,” Remus giggled.

“Remus enough!” Janus exclaimed.

“The survivors called me that. Because I would ask them not to die for this. But I asked softly, a whisper," Virgil said. Voice hollow and sad.

“Shit, sorry V, I forgot,” Remus offered.

“How can you possibly forget such a thing?” Janus bit.

“Hey, you were there for the jerk kings and I am mad at myself for not punching their lights out for you guys. But I didn’t see that bit of it. Just occasionally the carnage when I happened to be close to the battleground, ah…” Remus seemed to catch himself, remembering there was an audience. “He only really fought foot soldiers when he really, really had to,” he told them. “If he could he only defeated a very cocky leader and that was usually enough to have the rest of the army run off grateful to be given the chance to live once they realized that the stories were true,” he assured them, hoping to fix the mess he made. Roman laid a reassuring hand on Virgil’s trembling fists that pressed into his stomach. Virgil relaxed.

“Say, Remus, what kind of animals do you like turning into?” Patton asked, distracting Remus so he wouldn’t mess things up more by trying to help and giving Virgil some space to feel his feelings.

“Janus, I would actually like to pick your brain on some things that historians seem to be in disagreement over,” Logan offered, picking up on the tactic.

Roman rode on, giving Virgil some time to be convinced that he hadn’t been scared off.

“What was that about your senses?” Roman wondered softly.

Virgil chuckled. He leaned back a little and pressed his fingers against Roman’s temples. Suddenly the world opened up to him in a new way. A little like when he ascended.

“I’m pretty sure I saw a few new colors,” Roman breathed in awe when it was over.

Virgil put his arms back around his waist, feeling a bit better. But not back to a good mood. There were many things on his mind probably.

Roman bit his lip. Most of all, he wanted not to be overheard right now, but to ‘talk’ with Virgil, it was much easier when they could see each other to add more context to their feelings.

He looked up and saw a bird pass over. Virgil looked up as well and a warm longing filled him.

Roman got an idea.

Virgil was hesitant, but clearly wanted to.

Roman reassured him. There was no rush if he felt like now wasn’t the time. It’d get their mind off of things, but it was true that this wasn’t something he wanted tainted by a bad mood.

Virgil pulled himself closer to his back. Soft excitement for the future starting to overtake the pain of the past.

Roman felt in his satchel and found the tea he’d packed. Logan was a bit of a tea snob.

The moment he brought it to the surface Virgil apparently could smell what he had in his hand because he definitely picked up on what he was thinking off.

The mix of excitement and nerves convinced Roman that this was supposed to be their first date.

There was a hint of uncertainty. He was asking Roman if he was really alright with it. With them going on a date now, in the middle of everything. If he wanted to die on their first date. Maybe a few other things. But Roman knew that the answer was yes. He let him feel how excited he was.

Relief washed over Virgil and then a hint of annoyance. Roman could guess what was bothering him. He took one of his hands and put it on his temple, the road ahead was straight so he could take a moment to show him right? He took a deep breath, felt Virgil breathe with him like when they shared dreams, and thought back to the moment he’d been so distracted by the relief of seeing Virgil, of feeling him again, that he didn’t even properly register that Remus’ blade had cut diagonally from his shoulder to his sternum. Looking at Virgil, despite his horrified expression, the adrenaline made it impossible for him to even think of death. The pain washed away and he felt warm and comfortable like in the temple when he’d ascended. And then he was back where he was before with some mild soreness and no clue what had happened.

Virgil felt a bit comforted. Roman imagined he hadn’t had that many opportunities to share a fellow phoenix’s first death with them. Let alone one he was courting.

“Almost forgot. J! Lucas had some tea for you!” Virgil announced after a few moments of gathering his emotions.

“The little Bosh boy?” Janus asked surprised, pulled from his conversation with Logan.

"Exactly that one. He's got a granddaughter now. Preserved them just like his mother taught him," Virgil explained.

Roman assumed that this method kept herbs from losing their flavor after 50 years.

"Oh. Anything for me?" Remus wondered.

"Downside of not being around people enough to make connections Remus. No presents when you get back from an involuntary 50 year sabbatical," Virgil shrugged.

Remus pouted.

"Remus, my tea is the result of a generational bond and many minds tweaking it exactly to my taste. Prefaced with a lifelong close friendship with one of their ancestors that made me a part of the family's history. I was not quite as beloved as Virgil. But still, very much welcomed," Janus relayed smugly.

"You have a personalized blend, too?" Logan asked out loud.

"Oh, I should have guessed you are a man of refined taste. You clearly knew how to appreciate the wine properly," Janus coed. "Perhaps we could share our blends sometime? You can tell a lot about a man by how he likes his tea," he muttered lowly.

"Well, I've got Logan's with me. It hasn't aged for 50 years, but it is to his taste," Roman pointed out.

"I should have guessed you brought it with you," Logan chuckled. "Roman has not had generations to refine the blend, and I have not had centuries to refine my palette, but this is as close as we could possibly get to perfection in this lifetime. Roman relished in the challenge to make me a special blend for my eighteenth birthday, and he tries something new every once in a while," Logan explained. Virgil leaned into Roman to whisper in his ear, listing the ingredients he'd managed to pick out from briefly smelling them earlier.

Roman chuckled as he got almost all of them right.

He sent him some fond teasing. Virgil felt a little sheepish at being called out for bragging again. Roman couldn't help laughing at that.

"Adorable," Janus teased.

"Aw cupcake, will you go on a tea date with me too? I don't wanna be left out," Remus pouted.

"Oh, um... well... ah..." Patton stammered.

"It is not a date," Logan argued.

"It could be, it isn't as intimate as dying together, but I assure you, I could make up for that," Janus mused. Roman was starting to see what Virgil meant when he said he was, in fact, taking things slow with him. His friends clearly wasted no time once they saw something they liked.

"Maybe we should tone down the flirting until we have spoken with the king," Virgil suggested, taking pity on the two great wizard mages.

"Hmmm. Not sure. I'd like to devour mine sometime this week actually," Janus mused.

"Devour?" Logan asked perplexed.

"Yeah, V. We both haven't has any fun contact with anyone in 50 years. You took a nap. Love ya man. But we are kinda starving for some tlc. Bonus points if it's with someone dtf," Remus pointed out. Roman supposed he had a point. He got a bit fidgety if he went a few days without a hug or something of the like, a rarity considering he was friends with Patton. He couldn’t imagine having to be isolated for 50 years.

"Besides just cuz your eye fucking and flirting is silent doesn't mean we don't get to play," Remus added for good measure. Roman really didn't need to think about That right now.

There was a hint of amusement in Virgil. "I suppose if they don't complain... but they have to be able to compose themselves by the time we speak to the king," he insisted.

"Oh! That reminds me of another one of your titles!" Remus gasped.

"Your majesty," he continued before anyone could stop him. Shocked silence followed.

"Only for like... a decade!" Virgil recalled.

"Thirteen years actually, if I recall correctly. With an average reign of 20, that could be considered a complete reign," Janus argued. "And you were one of my favorites," he added. Virgil blushed.

“You just had to remember that part didn’t you,” he huffed.

"There was an issue with succession. Everyone voted and only V didn't vote for himself as regent king," Remus grinned.

"It was very official. He swore in his council and everything. And of course helped raise the future Queen," Janus explained.

"I'd love to hear more about what that was like someday," Roman offered, hoping that would ease Virgil's embarrassment.

"What that's like is that he went from a respected mentor and friend to the royal family to an honorary member," Janus explained smugly.

"Yeah! You were basically the queen's father figure. She named her son after you didn't she?" Remus recalled.

"King Edward Virgil Pendragon," Virgil nodded a fondness in him that he managed to keep from his voice.

King Edward... "King Thomas' great -great grandfather?" Roman asked perplexd.

"Yeah," Virgil confirmed. "Queen Nathalie made some good strides towards better relationships with others. With a high mage in charge, the neighbors didn’t dare to risk provoking us. Tensions were still high when she took the throne though. But slowly she and every monarch since have been disarming the hostilities. A peace that was thankfully maintained the last few decades," Virgil explained, a pit forming in his stomach.

Roman squeezed his hand in reasurance. "A town is coming up ahead," he announced, getting everyone’s attention.

“The inn should be…” Virgil whispered.

“Halt! Who goes there!?” a knight declared. Crap.

“Good evening. I am Great mage Roman, phoenix of light,” Roman announced, a bit miffed he couldn’t use his cool new high mage title. But it wouldn’t mean anything to the knights.

“We were informed that you would be traveling with a phoenix…” the knight said skeptically.

“If you look for a phoenix, then look at the sky,” Janus suggested, his voice honey sweet and bemused. Like an adult to a child. Virgil was amused, and a bit nostalgic. Roman guessed they were about to see the silver tongue in action.

“Ah, well, the report…” the soldier stammered, immediately unsure of himself.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Janus offered. “We won’t tell the king that you didn’t see the phoenix if you won’t,” he promised. “Easy mistake. We are all only human after all,” he pointed out.

“Yeah… Yes… Well, be sure to ah… Next town you should have the phoenix with you, the king wishes to be kept informed,” the knight insisted.

“Of course, we will keep that in mind,” Janus promised.

And with that, they were let through.

It was silent for a little while.

“Couldn’t help yourself could you?” Virgil grinned.

“It saved us a lot of time. I want to settle down with some tea and get properly caught up on everything I have missed,” Janus insisted. “I’m sure you won’t mind educating me?” he asked Logan, who blushed. “Yes, I ahm… I will inform you of the events that happened as best as I can manage,” he promised.

Janus chuckled.

“And I can tell you about the beasties on my mountain,” Remus promised Patton who seemed excited by the prospect.

“Let’s get to the inn without detours this time,” Logan suggested, a little nervous now that the king was clearly keeping an eye on them.

Virgil nodded. “This way,” he said, indicating the path. Roman guided his horse through the sleeping town. Occasionally someone would walk past them, but they never paid him enough mind to notice anything odd. Such as Remus still not wearing a shirt. Or Janus being dressed far too fancy for travel.

Roman felt a lot of tension fall away when they left the town.

“Honestly, I am surprised that the guards are only now paying any attention to travelers. We could have started some big problems if we’d wanted,” Virgil mused.

“I was wondering the same. Thomas was a trusting boy, but I would imagine even he would have caution over strangers wandering through the land,” Janus mused.

“Before the plague we used a lot of magic to protect the villages and find people with ill intent to make the job easier for the guards. If those wards haven’t been maintained since Gustav disappeared 30 years ago those probably haven’t been much help for a long time. But it seems there is a fairly good communication network considering they did spot our suspicious activity within a few days,” Virgil mused.

“Hm… I should probably check on my mountain after Tommy says we can go. Who knows how many unfortunate souls stumbled into my home,” Remus giggled.

“Well, we’re here. Let’s gather our bearings and then head to the castle,” Virgil suggested.

Indeed another deceptively small building was visible just a little way of the path. One could be forgiven for assuming it was someone’s home.

But Roman and his friends knew better by now.

They dismounted the horses and with a spell from Remus they took off, heading home on their own. “They won’t run into any nasties,” Remus assured Patton, ruffling his hair playfully.

Patton giggled and ducked away from the gesture, blushing just a bit… Roman wouldn’t have guessed that someone as… Brutish, as Remus would catch Patton’s attention like that, but it seemed that despite the wild mage’s missteps Patton was growing attached. He better not hurt him. Roman was a high mage too and he would gladly die a few dozen times if it taught the brute not to mess with his friend’s heart.

“Back again?” the inn keeper noted kindly as he opened the door.

“We just want to rest our legs and go to Mystica if that is alright,” Virgil offered, paying the man.

“We would like a kettle of hot water though,” Virgil added.

The man nodded and headed to the kitchen as the group settled.

“Me and Roman are going to need a bit of time alone. I don’t want to freak out the lady of the house by having two dying arch mages in her dining hall,” Virgil explained.

"Naturally," Janus said teasingly.

Virgil ignored him.

Remus clapped Roman on the back. "Go get some ass nephew," he cackled. Roman just rolled his eyes.

"Here you go," the innkeeper announced, bringing over a big kettle, steaming hot

"Excellent," Virgil smiled. He retrieved a smaller kettle from his satchel and filled it with water. "We will need a little time to meditate," he told their host, gesturing between Roman and himself.

"Of course," he nodded and led them to a room.

"You won't be needing anything else?" He asked.

"No, that will be all," Virgil assured him as he put the kettle down and set out two cups, and put a little bag with herbs in the kettle.

They were left alone, Virgil gestured for Roman to sit down with him. Which was a relief considering his legs felt like they were turning into jelly.

"How is it that you are more scared now than when you were nearly cleaved in two?" he asked bemused.

Roman blushed. "I didn't know what was happening at the time," he reminded him. "I was mainly relieved you were okay. Which is a bit stupid, but it was a scary sight," he explained. Virgil looked at him fondly. “This is different. I know what’s going to happen, kind off. I’ve never died on purpose before,” he added, eyeing the kettle where the means of his demise were difusing into the water.

"I developed this poison myself. To ease the passing of those who cannot or do not want to, be saved by healing. It won't hurt," Virgil promised.

And he was so certain that Roman found himself relaxing. Still nervous, but he assumed first dates usually had that effect on people.

Virgil smirked and poured out a cup for each. "It will take a bit of time to work. But it will be gradual and peaceful. Trust me, as poisons go, this is rather pleasant," he assured him.

"Speaking from experience?" Roman joked. To his shock, Virgil nodded. "I wrote a book on the effects different poisons had on the body. Some are very unpleasant," Virgil said with a grimace. Roman could feel his own stomach clench.

"You know this is going to be about more than just ensuring you know what to do next time you die," Virgil stated softly as he picked up his cup.

"Yeah," Roman said, picking up his own. Nervous for two reasons now.

"Listen, I know how you feel, and you know how I feel. We have gotten to know one another on a very intimate level very quickly due to our bond. I got to know you through how you felt watching your friends struggle and triumph. How you felt about your own accomplishments and in battle. And something similar goes for you. What I am trying to say is, I don't doubt that you understand who I am, even if you don't know all I’ve done, good or bad," Virgil explained carefully. Observing the surface of his cup.

"And you know who I am," Roman agreed. Virgil nodded.

"So... do you wish to see where those feelings take us?" Virgil asked. Roman nodded, letting his heart talk for him. Virgil smirked, though there was a soft giddy undertone to it. "To our collective health," he suggested before drinking his tea. Roman followed suit. He was pleasantly surprised. Nothing about this gave him the idea that he was drinking poison.

It was really good, actually.

"You are good at this master brewery thing," he complemented.

Virgil chuckled. "I wouldn't recommend it as an addition to your morning ritual," he teased as he got up. "Let's lay down. It'll start to drain us of our strength soon enough," he said, offering a hand which Roman took.

They laid down in the bed, facing each other, and Virgil cast a spell.

"Fireproofing?" Roman guessed.

"I'm pretty sure Arson is still considered poor manners," Virgil chuckled, taking Roman's hand and squeezing it. He was nervous.

"You'd think that at a certain point this would get easier. But it still feels just as queezy as the first time," Virgil mused displeased. Roman would've thought Virgil meant dying, were it not for how his eyes drifted to his lips as he spoke.

Oh.... oh wow... ok. Yeah... yeah he definitely would like that...

He frowned. Something felt off. That cold sensation was back. Like something had settled in his stomach and was draining the warmth from his body. Last time it had been in his shoulder, but it was the same feeling. Then he realized that was exactly it. He could feel the poison trying to kill him.

"Let it happen. You'll be ok," Virgil promised as he laid a hand on his waist and pulled them closer together, noses almost touching.

Roman tried to relax but flinched as the cold reached his heart.

"Shhhh," Virgil soothed, growing paler with the second.

He laid a hand to Roman's face and stroked his cheek with his thumb. Instantly, Roman felt better.

"May I?" Virgil asked, a slight tremble in his voice. From nerves or because the poison was getting to him Roman wasn’t entirely sure. Roman could feel the cold in his throat and a start of something warm in his chest. He didn't waste time on words, and laid his free hand on Virgil's face, and together, they bridged the gap.

The warmth started to burn, his heart was pounding. He didn't mind, though. He was kissing Virgil, and he was okay with the flames of his magic consuming them like this. He barely noticed Virgil's own flames joining in. He was kissing Virgil, and he didn't know where one ended and the other began.

And then the darkness came.

#sanders sides #virgil sanders #ts virgil #roman sanders #ts roman #prinxiety #the dark phoenix au

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