#Quill Dribble Update

[quill-dribble]

Reed & Lock, Part 2 by Porco de Palma

It’s quite late at the moment, and I’m amazed I’m awake enough to have written this (let alone post it). I’m sure it’ll require editing, though I’ll leave that for the future of tomorrow when I’m a tad more alert... Anyway, I hope you all enjoy! - Porco

     He climbed up the stairs, rolling his hands along the wooden banister as he passed by several old photographs. In several pictures, he was joined by the same two men, but they were old and dusted now, just like the rest of his office.

     “You can come out now, they’re gone,” he cried as he opened a small freezer, taking out a small bag of ice.

     He placed the ice pack on his desk, as he moved a newspaper out of the way, it’s bold headlines staring at him in the face.

     Explosion at the State Library! Suspects Still at Large!

     “Lovely,” he muttered as the young woman emerged from the stairs behind his desk, taking her seat back.

     Emerson motioned to the ice pack as he sipped his water. As she sat down, she grabbed the ice pack burying her face into it as she sighed.

     “Who are you?” he asked. “And what’s going on?”

     The young woman frowned as she lifted her head from her tear-stained hands. Emerson pulled a kerchief from his breast pocket, and tossed it lightly onto his desk, eyeing the bronze pin on the woman’s coat.

     She smiled gently, and picked up the kerchief and promptly blew her nose.

     “Ah, thank you very much Mr. Reed,” she whispered as she wiped her nose.

     “Emerson is fine,” he replied as Lock massaged his shoulders.

     The young woman smiled awkwardly and nodded.

     “I am…er…” she began before stopping herself, pointing at what she thought was a floating glass. “What was that?”

     Lock’s hand disappeared from Emerson’s empty cup as Emerson caught it in an instant, hiding the illusory floating the young woman thought she had witnessed.

     “Hm?” he asked, as he turned to the water jug again.

     “Right...” the young woman muttered, staring at the cup. “My name is Allison Brown. I’m a librarian.”

     Emerson filled his cup as she explained.

     “Pleasure, I’m sure.”

     Allison sighed.

     “No, not quite. You see, I am in a bit of trouble presently. I’m sure you saw those policemen downstairs. I don’t know how you got rid of them though….”

     Emerson sipped again and glanced at Lock, who remained motionless at the door.

     “All authorities require some sort of persuasion that everything’s under control. When they have that, they’ll usually not bother you. Though these days it would seem that some officers prefer a more…literal control,” he muttered with contempt as he gripped his cup harder than he intended, making Lock’s hand appear within his own, destroying the cup with its strength.

     “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your story,” Emerson exclaimed apologetically, “just sort of got caught up in the moment is all.”

     Allison waved her hand.

     “Not at all, it’s quite alright.”

     She frowned as Emerson grabbed another cup.

     “It’s sort of a messy tale.”

     Emerson shrugged.

     “Messy tales are usually the most interesting.”

     Allison smiled weakly.

     “Yes, that’s true I guess,” she replied, straightening her posture in the chair.

     “Are you familiar with rare books?” Allison asked.

     Emerson shrugged.

     “Not exactly something I often come across in my line of work, but on occasion I guess a client or two has had me guard one or something like that.”

     Allison’s gentle face hardened into a severe expression.

     “This is not a job for a guard. I need someone to help me protect a book,” she explained gravely. “A book that has the capacity to cause much bloodshed.”

     Emerson raised an eyebrow.

     “Bloodshed…? Who are you, really?”

     Allison’s face paled.

     “What…do you mean?” she asked.

     Emerson’s eyes narrowed.

     “You come here seeking my help involving some rare book, as the police are chasing you. In addition to relying on me to help run them off, you want me to hold something that is clearly evidence of theft due to the recent events at the State Library!” he barked as he shoved the newspaper in front of her.

     Tears began to form in Allison’s eyes.

     “I…it’s not like that. I didn’t…”

     Emerson sighed.

     “Tell me the truth,” he growled.

     Allison shrugged.

     “This is the book, Mr. Reed,” she sighed as she pulled the book from her coat pocket.

     It was a very thick book. With metallic ink of silver and gold twisting around each other against a cool emerald leather.

     “What kind of book is this? I can’t read the title,” Emerson observed.

     Allison frowned.

     “I can’t read it either. It was given to me by the librarian to hold just a week before that article printed.”

     Emerson glanced at the date.

     “A week…I see,” he whispered as he glanced at the dusty calendar on the wall. “The event itself occurred around November 23rd, the article appearing about a day later, as well as on various news channels. Sort of surprised to hear someone wait this long to mention it to me about it considering the police are handling it. You acquired this text, according to your story, a week before so that would place it at around the 16th, correct?”

     Allison nodded.

     “So…according to your story,” Emerson began as he stood up, picking up the text. “You work in a library, where you no doubt see all kinds of books, texts, etc; including rare pieces like this one,” he muttered, gesturing to the book in his hands.

     “Mhm,” Allison replied, agreeing.

     “A week ago, you came into possession of this book. How? And what did you do with it?” Emerson asked as he stared at the newspaper article’s photograph of the charred and smoking library.

     Allison cleared her throat.

     “The director approached me with a dusty box, inside which was the book,” she explained. “He told me that I was to keep after this book for a while as he was going to be on vacation to see some family of his or something,” she replied.

     Emerson took a swallow of water as he glanced at the clock on his wall.

     “12:30…has that much time really passed?” he muttered.

[jemmasimmons]

Summary: Take one-sided Geraskier in canon and make it two-sided in fanon. Friends to Lovers + Unrequited Love Becoming Requited + Angst with a Happy Ending, just like god intended.

New Chapter: Jaskier is tortured for information about Geralt. He doesn't give any up. He also dies (or so he thinks). Find out what actually happens in newest update to “Am I not too broken to love?”

——

His despair and anger flares so powerfully it drowns out the pain for one blissful moment. He is not going to take this. Jaskier gurgles loudly for Szymon's attention as the third tooth clatters on the stone floor, as if he wants to say something. Szymon pauses, then nods to Jakub who pulls out the instrument holding his mouth open.

Jaskier’s pants come out in ragged croaks. “I’ll tell you. But you’ll- you’ll need to write this down.”

Szymon lets out a relieved sigh and Jakub instantly fetches him a small notebook and quill.

Blood dribbles onto Jaskier’s bare chest, streaking long red lines down his front.

“Listen carefully as I spell. E. M. E. T. I. B.”

Szymon’s brow furrows in confusion as he scribbles down Jaskier’s “confession.”

“Now reverse it.”

Satisfaction flashes briefly through his pain-addled mind as Jaskier watches Szymon’s gaze go from confusion, to realization, to anger when he sees “BITE ME” in his notebook. 

Afterwards, Jaskier repeatedly loses his place as he attempts to count the gaps in his mouth with his tongue, before passing out once more.

——

Read on AO3.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

👑🏰⚔️🐲DMODT 83 update

Nuzzling into their blankets, Eren looked adorable. His hair a tangled mess that could wait for later, as he sought the warmth of the spot Levi had vacated. Leaning down, he kissed his mate on the forehead, not wanting to disturb his lover now that he was resting properly. Morning sickness had hit, kicking in hard as winter rolled round. Between fits of coughing and long hours next to the toilet, the omega had been wiped out. Viren's third tooth coming through, and an influx of storm damage related reports from Marley didn't help the situation, so Levi had taken to waking earlier than his husband in order to help out with his paperwork. One more damn month and they'd be free. One more month and they'd be moving out to the country, with Armin's blessing and help. Extra building materials for the orphanage had been ordered, then delivered at the site that would be their home once they left. Double checking Eren's shoulders were covered, Levi patted the bed to let Luca know it was safe to climb up, their dragon loved the small swell of Eren's stomach, but not so much the morning sickness that came with it. Each time Eren was ill, Luca would seek him out, taking his hand in his mouth to guide him to the omega. Luca would have gone through all of this the first time around with Viren, where Levi had missed it all and wasn't about to make the same mistake. Nor was he going to allow himself to forget anything. He'd known for months there were problems with his memory. He'd thought them small and isolated incidents, that he'd never forget something as important as Eren telling him he was pregnant again. His omega had been hurt deeply over his forgetting, even if he'd put on a brave face to deal with the rest of the party, then Luca's hyperactivity due to the amount of sugar he'd eaten. After the ball had come letter after letter addressed to Prince Armin, the beta exceptionally popular with all those he'd met at the ball, yet had no idea how to turn them all down. It seemed as if everyone wanted a piece of the "mysterious" young prince, despite the fact they were going to be severely disappointed when they realised that Armin's first true love would always be the books of the castle's library and display rooms. Only someone as obsessed with the written word would manage to worm their way into Armin's heart. Though he was the perfect target for a love induced kidnapping, his head so far off in the clouds Levi was surprised he didn't literally float. The again, he also did love a good rumour too. Armin wanted all the details of the wedding, then of Eren's pregnancy, whisper interrogating him at all the wrong times. More often than not, Mikasa would be right there, how she didn't know yet, he had no idea but each time it happened Levi wanted to leave the beta to struggle through everything on his own. All his thoughts had already been consumed by Eren and his boys, not that they weren't already, it was still such a shock that Eren was pregnant again, his mind was unable to move pass such huge news. He was excited for their coming family member and terrified for Eren when his melancholy was still such an issue for him. The few following nights after the ball had seen Eren tossing and turning with nightmares, visions of Levi dying in his arms instead of Zeke, or visions of being held captive again while pregnant, forced to give birth all alone. He wasn't going to go through this alone, Levi had started a journal to make sure he knew what was going on at all times. Every important thing that happened was written down, as well as the date and time if he remembered, if not it was just "morning" or "evening". He wasn't going to burden Eren any more than he had to. The brunette was carrying far too much on his shoulders as was. Organising Eren's papers on the dining table, Levi cracked his knuckles before picking up his quill. The mail from Europe always and first. Eren might say otherwise, yet he knew for a fact the omega migrated back to whatever they sent when sorting his morning mail. Plus, it made a nice change from damage reports. Unsealing the first letter, he skimmed it to find absolutely nothing important. The second was slightly more interesting, Eren could marry any time after January the 1st, well whoops. Too late for that one. They were wank-jobs for sending marriage approval after Eren's tenure as prince passed. Levi didn't want the damn throne, he was beyond done with it all. He wanted to hold Eren's hand and proudly introduced him as his husband. His legally wedded Brat. Placing that one aside for Eren, he went about opening the third which wasn't important either. He didn't know why they bothered sending things like this in seperate letters. "Thank you for confirming repairs are required. Relevant contractors will contacted". Really? They wrote individual letters for this shit? What a waste. And relevant to what? The bakery people who's store had burnt down or the dude who wasn't happy that his new door was white instead of red. He should be happy he had a door at all. Picking up the next letter, he was distracted by a soft whine for their bed. Placing it back down, he moved back to Eren's side. Luca having already moved down the bed to give him space "Sweet Boy?" "Alpha..." "What's wrong?" "Want to shower..." "Sweet Omega, you've only just fallen asleep" "Sticky" Eren had been slicking like crazy. Not that Levi minded, but he could understand why Eren was less than keen on it "Let me clean you up while you rest?" "Horny too" Snorting through his nose, Levi shook his head "Ok. You rest and I'll clean you up" "Shower?" "No, you need to rest" "Mmm... don't want to get out of bed" Filling a bowl with warm water, Levi grabbed two towel before returning to his omega. Luca had jumped off the bed in the few moments he was gone, darting past him into the bathroom with a clearly accusing look on his face. It was hardly his fault that he couldn't keep his hands off Eren. It wasn't even sexual half the time, he simply enjoyed holding his omega close. Carefully placing the bowl down on the bedside table, he felt bad about what came next, Eren giving a loud unappreciative whine at having his bare arse exposed to the cold morning air. His husband's slick had formed a wet spot under him, then started soaking into his nightshirt. There wasn't much Levi could over the nightshirt. Grabbing the first towel, he folded it in half before lifting Eren's hips, his mate moaning as he tried to roll forward, presenting his glorious arse as he ground down against the bed in search of friction against his weeping erection. If he wanted to be cleaned up, he was going the wrong way about it "Eren..." "Alpha... horny... need you to fuck me" Laughing softly, Levi's hand went to Eren's hip "Let me clean you up first" "Want it now" "Be a good boy for your master, omega" Grabbing the second towel he dipped it into the warm water, Eren turning into a squirming mess as Levi wiped at his slick, more dribbling out with each careful movement of the towel, his legs climbing up the bed as he tried to climb onto his hands and knees while Levi held him in place "Levi... Levi... please just put it in already" "Soon, Sweet Boy" "Want it nooooow" God that was precious. All Eren needed was the stamping of his foot and he'd pull of a whining child perfectly. Sliding his own hand down, Eren jerked himself as Levi cleaned him, it was tempting to punish him for his bad behaviour, but Levi didn't want to push the boundaries with spanking his mate while he was still more asleep than awake. They'd tried it again, Eren able to vocalise when it began too much without breaking down, yet it was something they still needed to work on and sending him spiralling this early in the morning would only lead to nightmares "Levi...?" Releasing he'd paused to admire Eren's twitching and sopping opening, Levi blew softly across the ring of muscle, Eren letting out a small sob "I need it" "Ok, baby. Shhh, your alpha's here" Careful, but not as careful, Levi wiped Eren's inner thighs clean, fighting a loosing battle as more slick ran down in long ribbons. Yeah. No. He needed inside his omega right now. His own tenting erection throbbing with need. Throwing the towel off the bed, Levi lined himself up. Taking Eren's roughly by the hips he pushed into his omega without warning, Eren screaming his name as he buried himself balls deep with the hard thrust. Fuck. Every single time felt like Eren was made just for him as he clenched and rippled deliciously around him. Pulling back he slammed in just as hard, setting himself a brutal pace as Eren clumsily tried to meet his thrusts, Eren's head hung as he panted "Fuck... fuck... harder... need it... ah... ah... don't-stop-don't-stop-don't-stop..." His enthusiastic husband wasn't making things easy, Eren might want it harder but he wasn't giving him enough space to drill him into the mattress like the omega wanted "Eren slow down" "Need it... mmm... need it..." Knowing he was going to leave bruises, Levi's grip tightened on Eren's hips forcing him to hold still as he rode him hard like he wanted "I'm gonna come... going to... god... Levi... ah..." "Come for me Brat!" "Levi! Ah!" Clenching around him, Eren went boneless. Levi barely able to pull back as he thrust in half a dozen more times before coming just as hard. Immediately loosening his grip, he slid his hands up around Eren's stomach to pull him onto his side, spooning around him as one hand began to rub at Eren's cum splattered swell. Kissing and nipping his omega's shoulder, Eren purred himself to sleep in his arms, his hips still wiggling against Levi despite being completely out of it. Well, there went doing the paperwork. Managing a few hours sleep, they were woken by Viren reminding them both that his morning feed was late and that he wasn't impressed over it. Sliding free from Eren was delayed by his knot, the alpha not surprised to find they'd gone at while they'd slept. Eren's pheromones were out of control around him, Levi's responding just as honestly, leaving them both love drunk on each other. Once free, he helped Eren sit up. His mate yawning widely as Levi went about cleaning himself up and fetching their fussy boy. Viren loved his morning cuddles, his arms reaching for Levi as Levi picked him up out of his cot, his cries still as intense, but kisses on his chubby cheeks earned him a cut of cry that turned into a squeal. As Eren settled down to feed, Levi retrieved the bowl and dropped towel, returning them to bathroom to find Luca sitting in the bathtub, fighting with the taps. His teeth bared like they were the enemy for simply being Luca proof. Relaxed from the high on his on, Levi placed the bowl and towel down in order to turn the taps on for his son. Luca chirping gratefully as Levi place the plug in and patted his boy on the head. He already had the two most perfect sons "Your mother's awake. Viren wanted his morning feed. What do you say we go play outside this afternoon? We can take your ball down?" Luca nodded at him, then promptly looked at the bath water, eyeing the lack of bubbles with annoyance. Pouring out a generous amount of bubble bath, Luca was in heave as the water began to bubble "Call me when the taps need to go off. Half full remember. We don't need to flood the bathroom again" Luca didn't reply "Luca. Do you understand me?" Huffing, his son was obviously rolling his eyes at him the best he could. The little dragon had inherited every ounce of Eren's sass "Good boy" Breakfast was delivered almost the moment Levi stepped out the bathroom, Levi forgetting his own nightgown was covered with dry slick as he answered the door. Not that he cared. He was proud of his little family and happily ready to fight anyone who threatened that peace. Including an awkward maid who couldn't look him in the face... Even Mikasa who was still on the outside loop of Eren's pregnancy. Eren was somewhat scared of telling his adopted sister that he was pregnant again, for the third time in his nearly 22 years of life. "Levi, can you come take him?" * "Levi, can you come take him?" Smiling down at his baby boy, Eren loved his morning feeds with Viren, the only problem was the morning sickness. He'd take all the cuddles he could get, yet the didn't stop the welling nausea. Placing the breakfast tray down, Levi was by his side in the next instant, lifting Viren from his nipple. Eren didn't even need to tell his husband what was happening, his mate the absolute perfect alpha as they navigated a newly turned seven month old who's curiosity couldn't be sated and morning sickness. He really couldn't ask for better alpha. Levi knew he was scared to tell Mikasa, he also knew how to keep Armin quiet which had lasted for a record breaking two weeks. If Eren could have his way he'd wait until he was further along, incase something went horribly wrong like he expected it to. The worse that happened so far was a nightmare where he'd come out of it swinging. Levi instantly knowing the blows weren't for him, yet it still scared the shit out of him. He could really do some damage if he let his magic or strength slip, and now that he was finally really starting to accept Levi wasn't going to leave him, he didn't want to fuck things up. Thankfully it only took throwing up for the better part of an hour for his stomach to settle, nothing at all like the long hours of the previous night. Luca soon abandoning his bath to curl into his side in silent support, like he used to in Marley. Gathering his son up, long limbs were everywhere as Eren carried Luca out to the bedroom, his son's tail going a million miles an hour as he chirped away having a whole conversation with himself that Eren couldn't understand "I thought I left him in the bath" "He loves his mother. He came to keep me company while I reacquainted myself with the toilet" Dumping his son down on the bed, Luca sprung up to shake himself off before running and jumping off the end, making a beeline back to the bathroom and his precious bubbles "And he loves his baths. Viren's been changed" Handing their pup over, Eren kissed his forehead "Thank you. Mummy is so sorry baby. Let's get you properly fed. Your sibling seems to think it's fun making me throw up" "Is it as bad as it was with him?" "What? The morning sickness or the pregnancy in general?" "Both?" Grabbing Levi's hand, Eren pulled him down to sit on their bed "The morning sickness wasn't great. I had Mikasa and Armin with me, but some days Mikasa's scent was too much. Luca was a great help. But when I was pregnant with Viren, I... I wanted him. I truly did, yet I feared he was Zeke's. I spent so long confused, fearing you'd never forgive me for carrying the child of another alpha. Fearing I'd never see you again. Hating you for leaving me. Hating you because I loved you still so much. Scared because I was pregnant for so long. Scared that something was terribly wrong. It was hard. It was so fucking hard. Dina tried to kill our child. Zeke found a conscious and tried to be better alpha for our child. I was so miserable, but I fell in love with him. His first kicks. Knowing he was alive and mine. I'd prepared myself to be locked away in Marley. To never see Eldia again. It was hard. I felt like my world had already crumbled into a million pieces. So, I'll take the morning sickness. I'll take feeling crappy. Because I want this pup, and you're here with me. You've been the best alpha I could ask for. You've been putting up with all my selfish whims and moods. But here... I have everyone. I don't have people trying to kill me. I'm not trying to navigate a relationship with an alpha I don't know. I have you. You're all I've ever wanted, Levi. Now we have these two amazing boys, and we'll be leaving after your birthday to make our new life together. So this pregnancy isn't bad. I'm scared something will go wrong, but if it does, I have you. I have Luca and Viren. I don't care if it's not always perfect. I know we both have things to work through. I know we both have nightmares and fears that need to heal. I know all this, yet, you make me so happy" Nuzzling his shoulder, Levi let out a soft sob. Moving his arm to wrap it around his husband, his hold on Levi's hand only broke for a moment. Levi held so much guilt and grief over leaving him. The words weren't meant to hurt his alpha, only to inform him that he truly felt things were better now "I love you, Levi" "Goddamn shitty brat, making me cry like this" "You're a big old softy" "Am not" "You haven't cut anyone down with your trademark glare in quite some time. There's even a rumour that you've been seen laughing and smiling" "Lies and slander. I'm an alpha" "Yes. A big scary alpha who's going to have to tell his sister in law that he's knocked up her brother again" "You want to tell her?" "I think maybe it's time. Tunics can only hide this stomach for so long" "Why don't you tell her while I look after the boys" Laughing lightly, Eren nuzzled into Levi's hair. It was just like nuzzling into Viren, their pup even naturally smelt like his father "I thought you were big and brave" "Your sister's scary" "She'll only be worse the longer we wait" "This is true. We'll go find her after breakfast" "If it goes badly, maybe you'll forget and get the chance to try again" Levi jabbed him in the ribs, Eren jumping at the unplanned attack and causing Viren to start crying. All he needed was Luca crying and he'd have the trifecta. Finding Mikasa wasn't hard, all they had to do was follow the yelling through the halls and up to Armin's quarters. Normally Armin would be in the sunroom by now, the beta seemingly suffering from the same desire as Eren, to stay in bed all day and hope the world didn't explode around them. Forcing a smile for the guards in front of Armin's room, he sympathised with them for having to suffering Mikasa's yelling so early in the morning, even Luca seemed put out by all the noise as Eren let them into the room. Scrambling off his bed, Armin launched himself at them "Eren! Save me!" "Eren, step away from the idiot" "I'm not an idiot! I forgot she was coming!" "We haven't even prepared quarters for her!" Chasing after Armin, Levi stepped between the angered alpha and the beta, preventing Mikasa from getting too close to him "What's happened? And does it really warrant chasing Armin around after yelling at him?" "This idiot forgot to notify us that Freya was flying down to check in with all of us, and to see how Eren was doing with Marley because Historia isn't available!" "It's not my fault I forgot!" Pinching the bridge of his nose, Levi sighed "Alright. It's not a big deal. Why don't you both sit down and calm down? Eren and I have something I wish to tell you both" Letting out an excited squeal, Armin practically skipped out from behind Eren, then was tackled to the bed by Mikasa where she started smacking him with a pillow. There was far too much energy for this early in the morning "Get off of me! I'm the prince!" "You're the Prince of Irresponsibility!" Wrestling for the pillow and failing, Armin yelled from his pinned position "Eren's pregnant!" Mikasa stopped dead, Armin taking the pillow and smacking her before straightening himself up "What?!" Levi sounded pissed, his voice like a whip "Armin!" "I'm sorry, she was bashing me and I panicked!" Climbing off the bed, Mikasa moved to stop a few steps in front of him, Eren finding Viren's hair extremely interesting as his sister stared a hole right through him "You're pregnant?" "It wasn't planned..." Feeling his anxieties rising, Levi reached out to pull him up against him "I... you... what?! How? And so soon after Viren? What happened to waiting? Is it safe? Are you alright? Are you sure? Does Europe know? Have they said anything? And how did Armin known before I did?" Growling a warning, Levi stopped the barrage of questions "He's fine. He's been getting plenty of rest, and we've been working things out together. No, it wasn't planned or expected. Yes things will be hard once the next pup comes, but he's healed from giving birth to Viren, and he has his alpha for support. Armin found out the night of the ball when Eren had a small moment in the bathroom and needed his best friend. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't told you about this, or that we wed in secret over a month ago" "You wed Armin?" Mikasa's shock had gotten the best of her "No, Mikasa. Levi and I wed. Europe wouldn't give me permission and I wanted to spend our honeymoon together during my heat. Only, my heat never came and well... you're going to be an Aunty again. I think it might be a clutch, or a really large pup..." Nervously trying to laugh it failed. Mikasa looked ready to kill him "We didn't plan it, but I'm ok. Levi's been really good..." What else was he supposed to say? "You got married without us?" "Uh..." "You're always going off and leaving us behind... how could you... not invite us? Do we not mean that much to you?" That hurt. Mikasa should know better than to say such things. She knew how much he wished to marry Levi. She knew how much Levi meant to him, and how done he was with Europe "It wasn't like that... you were training..." "You could have waited!" "I wanted to marry Levi before my heat came! I didn't ask for my heat not to come! I didn't realise it was even late to begin with because Viren is teething! You and Armin are my family, but so is Levi! He's my alpha! He's the father of my children and after Europe, I wanted... I wanted this so badly. I'm sorry you're disappointed, and we did plan to have a second wedding, but now I guess that means nothing to you" Sniping back at his sister did nothing to make him feel better "Eren... I'm just... I didn't mean it like that. Of course you deserve to be happy, it's just... why didn't you tell me sooner?" "I would have waited to tell Armin too if he hadn't caught me in the bathroom" "Enough negativity you two. We've had enough of that to last a lifetime. We can finally celebrate!" Mikasa wasn't quite done "Are you sure about this?" "I am. I'm in a better place than I was in Marley, and Levi's been amazing. Luca's been amazing too. Viren's just starting to crawl, he's babbling and happy other than the fact he's teething. This baby wasn't planned, but most of my life hasn't been. I'd really like it if you could be happy for us" "I am... I just want the best for you" "Levi's what's best for me. And now that we've let you know, we'll let you get back to yelling at Armin for forgetting Freya is coming to visit" Historia hadn't told him anything about a visit in her last letter... and that wasn't all that long ago. He was going to have to write her back before Freya arrived to tell her his news himself "Did you have to remind her! I was good! I didn't tell for two weeks!" Levi let out a sigh "Mikasa, stop yelling at him and get the maids to make up a room for her and assumedly Steege. If she's here to review the paperwork for Marley, we should probably have something prepared" "Or we could go back to bed?" Smacking his arse lightly, Levi then groped at the spot "That's enough you two! Not in front of my nephew's" Poking his tongue out at Armin, Eren still couldn't quite meet Mikasa's eyes. He could smell her pain in the air, leaving his guts churning with guilt.

[naopao]

Too Curious By Far

Pairing: Genji/Zenyatta (eventual), background pairings Chapter: 1/? Summary: Zenyatta, prince of the forest, finds a dragon in need of aid. Warnings: none, light blood/wound mention

A faunyatta AU inspired by the best @russet-red! (I don’t know what I’m doing, but expect updates on a fairly consistent basis.)

An abundance of discord could kill, but an abundance of harmony could blind. It was one of Mondatta’s favorite recitations when Zenyatta, well-meaning but too curious by far, caused trouble. He heard it after he had climbed the tallest, most ancient tree in the forest to see if he could spot the forest’s edge, and again when he breathed magic into the spring buds too soon, causing a flood of pollen that threatened the timelines that Mondatta and their brethren followed so meticulously.  

Now, fully grown and a master in his own right, Zenyatta tempers his brash capriciousness and desire for knowledge with a veil of maturity. It is why he ignores his brother’s constant lectures and explores the borders of their lands, explaining to Mondatta the importance of knowing one’s boundaries, that not possessing an intimate knowledge of one’s home could be disastrous.

Zenyatta’s mapped nearly all of it, and the forest is a vast, living thing, one that he has studied and learned like the marks upon his brother’s face and the lines of his favorite runes, scrawled centuries ago by another, antlered master. However, unlike markings or writings, the forest is not unchanging. It grows, ebbing and flowing with the cycles of the sky and the life force of the beings that inhabited it. There is always something new to see, a sprout, a species or color. He catalogs them all, first with his eyes and then within the pages of stitched parchment, penned by hand when he has the time, but often he magics the words onto the pages with his whispers, quicker than a reed quill.

His explorations have led him to many curious places. The lair of the spider queen is one such area, only seen at a distance, the aura powerful and overwhelming. The forest is heavier there, not discordant, but a warning lies in its sensation, and Zenyatta grants it berth. Another is much less ominous, a small cottage at the edge of the northern wood, a tiny dwelling of stone and red tile. The windows are small with lacquered wood borders, and the curtains within are always drawn.

However, Zenyatta had caught a glimpse of shifting gold during his last visit, a warm, strangely familiar color, as if he had seen it somewhere long ago.

Zenyatta’s journey leads him there in the wayward fashion he goes anywhere, taken by the small details, letting the scents and sights of the forest swell around him with the same comfort that a parent’s fur lends a fawn.

He spots the telltale smoke stacks through the gaps in the leaves. The gold he saw through the window belonged to someone with long, flaxen hair, and their aura, while difficult to place, is kind, and he intends to introduce himself.

So distracted by the mysterious inhabitant, he doesn’t notice the figure doubled over until he’s nearly upon him.

Green is the first thing that strikes catches his eye. Blazing viridian scales erupt along the creature’s skin, bristling like fur. Bandages swath most of the figure, barely held in place by healing runes, some stained red, painting the dirt and grass beneath him. All but his eyes are hidden, and they burn with the same intensity as his skin, horns sprouting from his crown, furred tail whipping behind him, so much like—

Oh.

“A dragon.” Zenyatta whispers, and all at once the figure stills, the intensity of the dragon’s glare puffing Zenyatta’s fur.

Blood trails from behind the creature Zenyatta never thought he would meet; he had been dragging himself across the forest floor.

Zenyatta breathes out in a slow, even exhale, lowering his satchel to the ground. He keeps his hands raised, mind struggling to remember the words he had studied with such ferocity.

[...I am...Zenyatta.] He tries, forcing the air from his chest in a low, rumbling timbre. [I am peaceful.]

The dragon stares, unmoving, clutching the wound at his waist, blood dribbling between his fingers.

[Dangerous.] Zenyatta says as he takes a step closer, gesturing to the forest. [Creatures will smell the blood.]

Seconds pass in terse silence, the only sounds are the dragon’s labored breathing and the chirps of far off birds.

Then the dragon snorts with a derisive huff, shaking his head, though the motion makes him wince.

[Your accent is terrible.]

Zenyatta blinks. Then his smile lights up his face, all straight white teeth. He draws nearer, and the dragon bristles further, as if to intimidate him. His nostrils flare, pupils thinning to vertical slits.

[You smell like prey.] A labored breath. [What do you want?]

[To help.]

[And how do you propose to do that?]

Zenyatta kneels just out of arm’s reach; he doesn’t want to startle him when he touches one of the orbs circling his throat. It chimes and begins to glow, painting the deer’s hand in warm heat, hovering just above his palm.

[With magic.] Zenyatta smiles at the dragon’s widening eyes. [Are you afraid?]

[Hardly.] The dragon straightens, struggling to pull himself upright.

[Try not to move. You are bleeding quite heavily.]

Zenyatta shifts his hand forward, and the orb follows the motion, a slow, dream-like toss that breaches the space between them. The orb’s warmth extends, a ghostly hand that meets the dragon’s skin with a burst of memory: Genji in his youth, playing in the koi pond, the fish nibbling at his fingertips. He blinks, memory fading while peacefulness lingers, warm like slipping beneath the covers for another hour’s sleep. Each breath is easier, less painful, and though the deeper hurts don’t disappear, they soften.

When he finally looks up, the strange creature, hooved and tawny-skinned, is staring at him with russet eyes, a wan smile tugging his lips.

[It is an interesting feeling, is it not?] Zenyatta says.

The dragon frowns, but his anger subsides like his pain, slow but sure.

[I have not felt magic like this before.]

Zenyatta smiles wider, eyes thinning in his mirth.

[So you have experienced other magic. Wonderful!] Zenyatta shifts forward. [What should I call you?]

The dragon stammers, mouth shifting beneath the bandages.

[Genji.] He says with a single dip of his head.

Zenyatta leans close, and suddenly Genji’s vision fills with a bright smile. He didn’t notice his spattering of freckles and faded scars until now.

[Well met, Genji. Let me show you how my people greet each other.] He hesitates, pursing his lip in thought. [Your antlers...may I?]

Genji swallows, hoping the bandages cover the myriad of emotions that flash across his face. He nods, staring up at Zenyatta expectantly.

[Get on with it.]

The last of his words die as Zenyatta cups Genji’s face, his palms surprisingly rough, the pads of his fingers littered with callouses. He stiffens; Zenyatta is close enough that the warmth of his breath ghosts over his lips. Then their antlers connect, soft and firm.

Suddenly, the contact is gone, and Zenyatta is already gently maneuvering Genji’s arm over his shoulder.

[The texture of your antlers is quite different! It is nice.] Zenyatta says brightly. [I know it is soon, but we must try to move. My home is far from here.]

Zenyatta counts down aloud, but stands before he reaches the final number. Genji is jostled from his reverie with newfound aches, but the orb keeps his mind cushioned and dull.

His antlers had been velvet soft, almost ticklish in their smoothness.

[What if I do not wish to go with you?] He mumbles.

[Have you somewhere better to be?]

Genji stares back the way he had come. It would be dark in a few hours. The forest is strange, claustrophobic compared to the empty expanse of sky. He did not know what monsters lurked. Perhaps it did not matter, but still the ember in his chest burns.

He cannot leave the earthly realm so soon.

Genji tries to walk on his own at first, but Zenyatta was right: their trip is a long one, slow and painful with the state of his body. The fading light makes each step more treacherous. Not once does Zenyatta complain; he only points out the trees, asks Genji if he’s ever tasted buckwheat honey or seen sakura in bloom, each word in stilted, pleasant dragon’s tongue.

He wants to ask Zenyatta how he even knows the language, why he isn’t terrified. Dragons were ancient enemies of the valley, even though the war between sky and land is long past. Even the woman who pulled him from the bramble had only a moment of fear before dragging him, slowly but surely, to her cottage, bandaged him while speaking softly in common.

Genji couldn’t understand her, didn’t want to understand her.

He ran.

His strange companion seems oblivious to it all, slowly quieting as they lose light. Colors begin to blur, each step dull and dream-like. He would be on the ground without Zenyatta’s shoulders, a constant, reassuring weight, even as he begins to tremble.

[Genji. Gen—

Greens and browns smear across his vision, a wave of vertigo twisting his feet. Darkness.

Mondatta is never surprised to find Zenyatta has gotten into trouble. He wanders too far, is too curious, though he dutifully performs his kata and meditation with a precision Mondatta wishes he could critique. That he can do so much and still find time to stir discord in such a peaceful place never fails to give him headaches.

So when the northernmost scouts bolt into the forest proper and alert Mondatta that the prince is not only worse for wear but carrying an outsider, he whispers a terse prayer and steps into the twilight dusk of the clearing.

He meets Zenyatta near the border of their village. A scout hovers  at his side, but Zenyatta will not take her aid, and his brother’s stubbornness summons an irritation that only his own sibling can rile.

“Zenyatta—”

“Brother, prepare a bed. He is bleeding out.”

Mondatta bites his tongue when he sees the fear in the prince’s eyes. Within seconds he is in front of him, taking some of the weight of the heavily bandaged stranger, shorter than them both but heavy like a corpse.

He will lecture Zenyatta later. Now, he will help.

[quill-dribble]

Reed & Lock Part 3 by Porco de Palma

Been a little while since the last post, but not too long I imagine. This is the third part of my latest story, and I hope you all enjoy! (The previous two parts will be linked below)

Happy reading! - Porco de Palma

Part 1 Part 2

     Allison sighed as Emerson scratched his chin. 

     “I took the book with me and placed it into our underground vault soon afterwards, and it was quiet until the 23rd…” 

     Allison took a deep breath as Emerson summoned Lock. 

     He stared at it and it stared back. 

     Emerson raised an eyebrow and pointed at Allison with his eyes while continuing his stare. Lock stared back and simply shrugged, showing about as much personality as it was created with.

     Several minutes of silence passed as Allison 

     “I need to make a phone call,” he finally muttered as he grabbed the old rotary phone on his desk. 

     It was a shining, polished black, with slight speckles of dust over its dials. Mostly kept there for show, it only served one purpose, something that Emerson hadn’t had to do in nearly ten years. 

     He picked up the phone and gripped his fists tightly. Small beads of sweat dripped down his brow as his fingers shakily pulled on the dials for the numbers on the telephone. Allison stared at him blankly as he gulped as the phone began to ring. 

     The office was quiet save for Allison tapping her finger on her cheek, and nearly everything that Emerson was doing. His nervous ticks blending with the faint ringing from the telephone to create an orchestra of anxiety that filled the room like a poisonous gas. 

     Allison sighed and lowered her head into her hands, twisting her short brown hair in her hands as Emerson finally broke their silence. 

     “Ah…hello? Is this Alexis? Mhm, it’s been a long time. I’m sorry? Yes. Yes. I just need you to watch the office for a little bit. Yeah, a young lady. Ms. Allison. Nah didn’t catch it. Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

     Hanging up the phone, he stretched his back. 

     “An old friend of mine will be over soon to watch you while I go to the scene of the library. Just to investigate any clues or what have you. I hope that this arrangement is acceptable?” he explained as he stretched his arms. 

     Allison nodded.

     “I don’t mind,” she replied.

     Emerson smiled weakly. 

     “Ah, very good then. Please make yourself comfortable, no need to be formal. And while I’m gone, this place is as good as yours. Oh and…try to keep Alexis from going into my bedroom if you don’t mind. We….er…had an odd relationship a few years back, and I suspect she’s still mad at me…” 

     Allison smirked. 

     “What did you do to her?” 

     Emerson squinted back as he drew a deep sigh.

     “It’s…a long story.” 

     Allison grinned. 

     Despite the situation she was in, she seemed to be very lighthearted, Emerson thought to himself as he watched her. Something about that seems off to him. 

     “We’ve got time, you said it might be a while right?” 

     Emerson, expecting that line of logic from her, waved his hand dismissively. 

     “I said she’d be here ‘soon’ not ‘in a while’. Two –very– different concepts. At any rate, my past isn’t particularly any business of yours, I am not here to exchange niceties,” he explained as he stood up. “I’m here to protect you and your book until our contract is complete.” 

     Allison stared at him as he glanced out the window, unsure of what grabbed his attention now, and though she didn’t particularly appreciate his answer to her question, she slumped her shoulders relenting on her curiosity for now. 

     “Now…what has your…boss told you about this book?” he asked as he eyed it again. 

     Allison straightened herself in her chair and shrugged.

     “I’ve told you everything that’s happened. I can’t really think of any other details except that this is a very important book. I wasn’t really given any other information about it….” 

     Emerson shrugged.

     “Alright, if that’s the best you can give me, I’ll see what I can do.” 

     Emerson stood up and picked up the book as his doorbell rang.

     “Ah, that must be her. I’ll return in a moment.”

     Emerson left her in his office as he walked through a hallway to his door. 

     Before he opened it, he glanced outside through his peep hole to see a young woman in a smart dress that matched the sky. She stared back at him and frowned.

     “You know I can see you right?” she asked.

     Emerson frowned as he opened the door.

     “Just...checking the door…”

     She laughed as she opened the door. As she walked through she glanced around at the office, grinning at the multitudes of books. Smiling as she stood inside, she snapped her fingers, closing the door instantly.

     “Oh Emmy, you worry so much. I hope this is important, I had to cancel meeting my best friend’s girlfriend. You remember Anja?” She asked, “Her girlfriend is such a delight! She’s…”   

     Emerson glared at her, stopping her short.

     “Fine, fine. Business before pleasure. Lock, a pleasure to see you again,” she replied curtsying before the figure behind Emerson. 

     Lock bowed slightly. 

     “Enough! Let me introduce you to my client…” 

     Alexis smiled and turned to Allison.

     “Yes, let’s.”

[quill-dribble]

Reed & Lock Part 1

I think it’s time I wrote something again on here, don’t you think? 

This is the first part of another work to be serialized on here. I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank you again for your support! - Porco de Palma Please like and/or reblog if you like what you read here and would like to see more!

     The air of winter blew against Emerson’s ragged face, joined by persistent rain that burst from the iron gray skies. Fall had died, breathing it’s last just a few days before, following the path that Summer had laid for it months before. Blinking his baggy eyes, he sighed, and glanced at his cellphone.

     A short reminder in white text against the black screen stared at him: Three missed calls.

     “All from Alex. I can call him back later I’m sure,” he muttered as he began to gather his thoughts.

     Earlier that morning, he had walked into his office, as per usual, and sat down in his comfortable wheeled chair. His water jug bubbled silently, the bookshelves were dusty, and his small refrigerator leaked: everything seemed to be in its place.

     Leaning back, he felt the musty smell of books and slight water damage fill his lungs, and leaned back in his chair for a slight nap. As he began to get comfortable, his office phone rang jostling him from his slumber.

     “Goddamnit,” he whispered as he grabbed the phone.

     “Reed Solutions,” he mechanically replied. “Uh huh…yeah. I’ll be in my office.”

     He concentrated and felt a hand grasp his shoulder. Glancing up, he saw it, his partner.

     “Thanks Lock,” he muttered.

     It was silent as it stared at him, and he stared back.

     Its features were almost machine-like. Being hollow and yet possessing a hardness of iron, it’s body looked like it built of crisscrossing wire. Its thin frame was a humanoid shape, down even to its hands and feet. Gray and white accents around its joints complimented its mechanical appearance.

     Emerson stood up and grabbed a small pistol from his desk, felt the grip in his hands. It was cold, like Lock’s touch earlier. The weight fell heavy on his hands as he picked it up, and subsequently twirled around his finger. His thumb pulled the hammer back and he aimed at the door, squeezing the trigger slowly.

     The weapon clicked in response, being free of any ammunition.

     “Can’t say I even remember the last time I needed this,” he muttered as he slipped it into his pocket.

     The water jug bubbled as he stretched his arm to grab a cup. The water slowly filled amidst the disquieting silence. Placing his drink on his desk, the door burst open.

     Lock appeared behind him, instinctively ready to strike, as a young woman entered his office.

     She had a black eye, and was bleeding profusely from her lip. Her coat had a smattering of wet blood gracing the collar.

     “Please, I need help!”

     Emerson grabbed her and pulled her inside as he shut the door as fast as he could.

     “Lock!”

     Lock appeared behind him, and at its master’s bidding, turned one of its fingers into a key, and locked the office.

     “I have bandages in the drawer on my desk. Do you need to go to a hospital?” he asked as he stared outside.

     “I…I don’t think…” she muttered as Reed turned to her.

     Before he could say anything, he heard a vicious pounding on the door.

     “Open the door, it’s the police!” a voice screamed.

     Emerson pointed upstairs.

     “Closet. Now. There’s a false back, pull the light cord three times as hard as you can. Shut the door behind you and keep quiet.”

     The woman nodded and rushed upstairs as Emerson lazily walked to the door.

     Right as he began to unlock it, an officer finished picking the lock and rushed inside, shoving him to the floor.

     “Where is she!” the policeman growled, as another stepped in.

     Emerson wiped his mouth with a kerchief from his pocket.

     “First question I have to ask, is who are you talking about?” he asked back.

     The pair of policeman walked forward. The angrier of the two was tall and strongly built. Clean-shaven and firm, the man’s chiseled features stood out like a furious statue. The other was slightly shorter, with a doughier build, but also appearing to be much calmer.

     “The girl,” the first growled back, clenching his bloodied fists.

     Emerson smiled.

     “There is no one here but me. Are you sure you’re alright?” he replied, pointing to his fists.

     The second policeman stepped forward.

      “Look, Mr. Reed, we don’t want any trouble. We’re just chasing as suspect.”

     Emerson shrugged.

     “As fascinating as that is, I can’t say I’ve seen anyone here. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

     “We saw her run in here, I don’t have time for this!” the taller police officer growled, shoving Emerson out of the way.

     As he marched up the stairs, Emerson turned to the portly officer who picked his nose as he leaned on the wall.

     “I take it you have a warrant?” he asked the officer.

     The officer shrugged.

     “We have probable cause, if we can’t find anything, you’ll get your warrant.”

     Emerson smiled as the taller man returned from his search.

     “Where did you hide her!”

     Emerson sighed as Lock appeared behind him.

     “I realize that you two must lead very…stressful jobs, and I’m very appreciative of the civil duties that you assist the public with,” he replied as Lock handed him a bottle from the bookshelf behind his desk.

     He opened it and poured a clear liquid into a small glass.

     “But I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” he finished as he downed the drink in a single gulp.

     The larger man grabbed Emerson by the collar.

     “Like hell!”

     Lock appeared behind Emerson.

     “I see,” Emerson replied as Lock grabbed the officer’s arms.

     The officer suddenly let go of Emerson, as his arms stood outstretched before him, like a zombie.

     “What…what’s going on? What did you do!” he growled as his partner approached.

     Emerson stared at the officers and sighed.

     “Since you refuse to leave and you lack a warrant…I suppose I will have to…” he replied, pausing as he approached them, summoning Lock once more.

     “Convince you.”

     Lock pulled back its arms, and straightened its hands as Emerson stared at the dumbfounded officers. A straight motion from Lock’s arms fired, striking both officers at their knee caps, as quick as a bullet.

     Their legs straightened, upright like a lance, and they both fell flat to the ground as they struggled with their arms to pick themselves up.

     “Get out.”

     The men pulled their arms as best as they could towards the door as Lock and Emerson stared back.

     “Hell of a morning,” he grumbled as Lock pulled the door shut and pulled the blinds down.

[quill-dribble]

Night Terrors Part 4

Nothing much to introduce here, though obviously this is the 4th part of Night Terrors. The previous parts are here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (It is also recommended you read stories about Anja and Jack in addition to the Nyx stories before reading these. They can all be found in the recommended reading order here!)   Please share and like if you enjoy what you read here! Thank you very much! - Porco de Palma

    “Seems our man has been sighted,” Abram announced as he hung up his cellphone.

     Anja shifted in her chair.

     “You don’t seem particularly thrilled about it. Is Jack alright?”

     Abram shrugged as he turned to wash his hands, stained with black and crimson. The water purged the stains, forcing them down his hands and down the drain, leaving only his scarred pale skin in place.

     “I hope so. The kind of magic that whoever did this to Olivia is not someone to trifle with. Jack is sort of young for someone like us, and I’m worried about him,” he explained.

     Anja nodded.

     “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

     Jack squatted against a damp wall, ignoring the rain beating against him.

     The alleyway he sat against was covered with garbage and soaked from the storm. Rain pelted against him incessantly, slightly less painful than a hailstorm.

     Standing up, he futilely tried to light a cigarette, but the flame would not come. He discarded his empty lighter into a garbage bin, and put his pack away into his pocket before it became soaked and useless.

     Turning his eyes to the skies, the storm showed no signs of stopping, preferring instead to continue surging the winds with the ornate percussion of thunder.

     “This is bad…” he whispered, pulling his cloak tight.

     Nearly a block away, he heard a scream, and frowned as he jumped onto the wall of the apartment building near his alley. Rapidly ascended the stairs, he ripped against the metal railing with an inhuman ferocity. Jack flung his body to the roof in a second, and stared out against the allies, ignoring the rain beating against his brow.

     “There.”

     He stared at a young couple being approached by a hulking figure in the darkness. A behemoth of a man grabbed the young man as his boyfriend backed away.

     “I’m too old for this,” Jack grumbled as he descended from the railing tackling the man to the ground.

     “Run! Get out of here!” Jack cried at the couple as they dumbfoundedly scrambled from the alley.

     The man threw Jack from him, landing against the apartment stairwell, wrecking it into a twisted knot of metal.

     “Did that woman send you?” he growled as he cracked his knuckles.

     Jack grunted in pain, ignoring his blurred vision as he began to concentrate.

     “Who are you?” Jack asked as he jumped up the surviving apartment stairs.

     The man’s sunglasses reflected the moon overhead, a harvest moon that glowed yellow against the moving clouds.

     “I am Niente of the Three Saints’ Church. You and your companions have been marked for execution.”

     Niente whispered an obscure phrase as brambles of red light coiled around his hands like snakes.

    Jack bit his lip and prepared for the worst.

     With a growl, Niente threw his hand forward as the brambles threw themselves at Jack, ripping his coat as he dodged forward.

     “Shit…” he cursed as a vine sliced his flesh.

     He grasped his shoulder as Niente laughed.

     “I’m impressed...not many people living can dodge that…but you’re not living are you?”

     Jack’s coat was cut in several places, leaving gaping holes in the fabric. He tore it off of him, clutching it in his fists.

     “Shut up,” he growled as he approached Niente.

     Niente laughed, letting the brambles coil up his arms once again.

     “Persistent little undead aren’t you?” he asked as his arm threw the brambles towards him again.

     Jack cursed again and threw himself towards him this time. As he did, Jack’s eyes began to tear up. Sweat dropped off his brow as he saw them.

     MacKenzie stared back at him, a pale ghost in the wind. Ross stared back as well, his corpse torn from the wreckage of his plane.

     “Jack…” they whispered in unison.

     Jack close his eyes as he continued to rush where he assumed Niente once was.

     Ripping through the air, he tackled something and began to tear it to shreds, letting his nature begin to take over.

     “Jack…why are you hurting me?” MacKenzie asked as Jack suddenly leapt up from him.

     Below him, MacKenzie’s corpse lie there, bleeding profusely.

     “Stop…stop it!” Jack cried as he clutched his head.

     Niente laughed, forcing Jack to look around for the source of his laughter.

     “Your sins weigh heavy against your heart. Not even I can absolve you,” he announced as he walked away, laughing as Jack fell to his knees.

     MacKenzie and Ross stared back at Jack as he watched their blood slip through his fingers.

     Anja appeared on a broom overhead, and rushed towards Jack as he pressed his hands to his ears, ripping them in places.

     “Damn it…” she whispered as she spread her arms out.

[quill-dribble]

The Phone Call by Porco de Palma

     Frederick smiled at the mirror, gazing into his fake reflection. His smile didn’t fool him, though nothing really did these days. Sighing, he took out a razor, and stared at his pale wrist. 

     It was as white as marble, with blue veins webbing down his arms as they traveled to his slowly beating heart. His chest rose and fell as he took several deep breaths.

     “Is today going to be the day?” he asked himself as he pushed the blade of the razor deep into the skin on his wrist.

     As he began to pull against the skin, his phone rang, making him throw the razor into the sink as it nicked his thumb.

     “Goddamnit!” he muttered as he stared at the blood trickling down from his thumb into the sink.

     The crimson liquid swirled in the drain, making a swirled peppermint pattern as it mixed with the remnants of previously running water.

     His phone rang incessantly, as he clenched his fist, ignoring his bleeding thumb. The screen shined with his background: a solitary hill with a dandelion blowing in the breeze as the wind carried its seeds away.

     “Alicia…” he grumbled as he answered his phone.

     “Yes?” he asked.

     “Frederick! What is wrong with you? I’ve been trying to contact you all morning! Please tell me you’re okay!” she cried as Frederick wrapped his thumb.

     Frederick sighed.

     “I’m fine. You have a hell of a sense of timing,” he replied.

     Alicia’s voice cracked over the phone. 

     “Come on, you promised you wouldn’t do anything stupid…” she said, with a cracking voice. 

     Frederick smiled. It was a genuine one, something he hadn’t done in a very long time.

     “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied as he left the bathroom, gripping the knife in his hand. 

     Alicia scoffed.

      “That’s bullshit Fred, you know that, and I know that. You promised me!” she cried.

     Frederick sighed.

     “I know what I said. I’m just…I’m tired okay? I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to live, because I feel like no matter how hard I try, I’m always going to get thrown under the bus. What’s the point of trying?” he argued.

      Alicia cried over the phone.

      “Alicia…it’s okay…” he replied as she suddenly went silent. “Alicia…?”

     “You don’t get to decide your own self-worth!” she shouted.

      Frederick gripped his phone.

      “Excuse me?” he asked bitterly.

      “You just don’t Fred! You don’t! I care about you okay! Others do too! I know how you feel. I know it. I’m not stupid, you can’t fool me with your bullshit of ‘I’m okay’!” she shouted.

      Frederick’s eyes filled with tears, but he fought them back as best as he could, biting the edge of his lower lip to control his emotions.

      “Why won’t you let me die?” he asked.

      Alicia sighed.

      “Because I care about you! If you died do you have any idea how I’d feel? I can’t read your stories if you’re dead! I can’t talk to you when you’re dead. There are so many things that only you are capable of doing! You’re a writer, you care about people! There are so few of those people in the world these days. And I…I don’t…”

      She paused.

      The pair collectively sighed, their silent breathing filling their phones for several minutes as each waited for the other to say something.

      “Alicia…I’m sorry.” Frederick said with bitter finality as he hung up the phone.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

👑🏰⚔️🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🗡 DMODT 83 update

Nuzzling into their blankets, Eren looked adorable. His hair a tangled mess that could wait for later, as he sought the warmth of the spot Levi had vacated. Leaning down, he kissed his mate on the forehead, not wanting to disturb his lover now that he was resting properly. Morning sickness had hit, kicking in hard as winter rolled round. Between fits of coughing and long hours next to the toilet, the omega had been wiped out. Viren's third tooth coming through, and an influx of storm damage related reports from Marley didn't help the situation, so Levi had taken to waking earlier than his husband in order to help out with his paperwork. One more damn month and they'd be free. One more month and they'd be moving out to the country, with Armin's blessing and help. Extra building materials for the orphanage had been ordered, then delivered at the site that would be their home once they left. Double checking Eren's shoulders were covered, Levi patted the bed to let Luca know it was safe to climb up, their dragon loved the small swell of Eren's stomach, but not so much the morning sickness that came with it. Each time Eren was ill, Luca would seek him out, taking his hand in his mouth to guide him to the omega. Luca would have gone through all of this the first time around with Viren, where Levi had missed it all and wasn't about to make the same mistake. Nor was he going to allow himself to forget anything. He'd known for months there were problems with his memory. He'd thought them small and isolated incidents, that he'd never forget something as important as Eren telling him he was pregnant again. His omega had been hurt deeply over his forgetting, even if he'd put on a brave face to deal with the rest of the party, then Luca's hyperactivity due to the amount of sugar he'd eaten. After the ball had come letter after letter addressed to Prince Armin, the beta exceptionally popular with all those he'd met at the ball, yet had no idea how to turn them all down. It seemed as if everyone wanted a piece of the "mysterious" young prince, despite the fact they were going to be severely disappointed when they realised that Armin's first true love would always be the books of the castle's library and display rooms. Only someone as obsessed with the written word would manage to worm their way into Armin's heart. Though he was the perfect target for a love induced kidnapping, his head so far off in the clouds Levi was surprised he didn't literally float. The again, he also did love a good rumour too. Armin wanted all the details of the wedding, then of Eren's pregnancy, whisper interrogating him at all the wrong times. More often than not, Mikasa would be right there, how she didn't know yet, he had no idea but each time it happened Levi wanted to leave the beta to struggle through everything on his own. All his thoughts had already been consumed by Eren and his boys, not that they weren't already, it was still such a shock that Eren was pregnant again, his mind was unable to move pass such huge news. He was excited for their coming family member and terrified for Eren when his melancholy was still such an issue for him. The few following nights after the ball had seen Eren tossing and turning with nightmares, visions of Levi dying in his arms instead of Zeke, or visions of being held captive again while pregnant, forced to give birth all alone. He wasn't going to go through this alone, Levi had started a journal to make sure he knew what was going on at all times. Every important thing that happened was written down, as well as the date and time if he remembered, if not it was just "morning" or "evening". He wasn't going to burden Eren any more than he had to. The brunette was carrying far too much on his shoulders as was. Organising Eren's papers on the dining table, Levi cracked his knuckles before picking up his quill. The mail from Europe always and first. Eren might say otherwise, yet he knew for a fact the omega migrated back to whatever they sent when sorting his morning mail. Plus, it made a nice change from damage reports. Unsealing the first letter, he skimmed it to find absolutely nothing important. The second was slightly more interesting, Eren could marry any time after January the 1st, well whoops. Too late for that one. They were wank-jobs for sending marriage approval after Eren's tenure as prince passed. Levi didn't want the damn throne, he was beyond done with it all. He wanted to hold Eren's hand and proudly introduced him as his husband. His legally wedded Brat. Placing that one aside for Eren, he went about opening the third which wasn't important either. He didn't know why they bothered sending things like this in seperate letters. "Thank you for confirming repairs are required. Relevant contractors will contacted". Really? They wrote individual letters for this shit? What a waste. And relevant to what? The bakery people who's store had burnt down or the dude who wasn't happy that his new door was white instead of red. He should be happy he had a door at all. Picking up the next letter, he was distracted by a soft whine for their bed. Placing it back down, he moved back to Eren's side. Luca having already moved down the bed to give him space "Sweet Boy?" "Alpha..." "What's wrong?" "Want to shower..." "Sweet Omega, you've only just fallen asleep" "Sticky" Eren had been slicking like crazy. Not that Levi minded, but he could understand why Eren was less than keen on it "Let me clean you up while you rest?" "Horny too" Snorting through his nose, Levi shook his head "Ok. You rest and I'll clean you up" "Shower?" "No, you need to rest" "Mmm... don't want to get out of bed" Filling a bowl with warm water, Levi grabbed two towel before returning to his omega. Luca had jumped off the bed in the few moments he was gone, darting past him into the bathroom with a clearly accusing look on his face. It was hardly his fault that he couldn't keep his hands off Eren. It wasn't even sexual half the time, he simply enjoyed holding his omega close. Carefully placing the bowl down on the bedside table, he felt bad about what came next, Eren giving a loud unappreciative whine at having his bare arse exposed to the cold morning air. His husband's slick had formed a wet spot under him, then started soaking into his nightshirt. There wasn't much Levi could over the nightshirt. Grabbing the first towel, he folded it in half before lifting Eren's hips, his mate moaning as he tried to roll forward, presenting his glorious arse as he ground down against the bed in search of friction against his weeping erection. If he wanted to be cleaned up, he was going the wrong way about it "Eren..." "Alpha... horny... need you to fuck me" Laughing softly, Levi's hand went to Eren's hip "Let me clean you up first" "Want it now" "Be a good boy for your master, omega" Grabbing the second towel he dipped it into the warm water, Eren turning into a squirming mess as Levi wiped at his slick, more dribbling out with each careful movement of the towel, his legs climbing up the bed as he tried to climb onto his hands and knees while Levi held him in place "Levi... Levi... please just put it in already" "Soon, Sweet Boy" "Want it nooooow" God, that was precious. All Eren needed was the stamping of his foot and he'd pull of a whining child perfectly. Sliding his own hand down, Eren jerked himself as Levi cleaned him, it was tempting to punish him for his bad behaviour, but Levi didn't want to push the boundaries with spanking his mate while he was still more asleep than awake. They'd tried it again, Eren able to vocalise when it began too much without breaking down, yet it was something they still needed to work on and sending him spiralling this early in the morning would only lead to nightmares "Levi...?" Releasing he'd paused to admire Eren's twitching and sopping opening, Levi blew softly across the ring of muscle, Eren letting out a small sob "I need it" "Ok, baby. Shhh, your alpha's here" Careful, but not as careful, Levi wiped Eren's inner thighs clean, fighting a loosing battle as more slick ran down in long ribbons. Yeah. No. He needed inside his omega right now. His own tenting erection throbbing with need. Throwing the towel off the bed, Levi lined himself up. Taking Eren's roughly by the hips he pushed into his omega without warning, Eren screaming his name as he buried himself balls deep with the hard thrust. Fuck. Every single time felt like Eren was made just for him as he clenched and rippled deliciously around him. Pulling back he slammed in just as hard, setting himself a brutal pace as Eren clumsily tried to meet his thrusts, Eren's head hung as he panted "Fuck... fuck... harder... need it... ah... ah... don't-stop-don't-stop-don't-stop..." His enthusiastic husband wasn't making things easy, Eren might want it harder but he wasn't giving him enough space to drill him into the mattress like the omega wanted "Eren slow down" "Need it... mmm... need it..." Knowing he was going to leave bruises, Levi's grip tightened on Eren's hips forcing him to hold still as he rode him hard like he wanted "I'm gonna come... going to... god... Levi... ah..." "Come for me Brat!" "Levi! Ah!" Clenching around him, Eren went boneless. Levi barely able to pull back as he thrust in half a dozen more times before coming just as hard. Immediately loosening his grip, he slid his hands up around Eren's stomach to pull him onto his side, spooning around him as one hand began to rub at Eren's cum splattered swell. Kissing and nipping his omega's shoulder, Eren purred himself to sleep in his arms, his hips still wiggling against Levi despite being completely out of it. Well, there went doing the paperwork. Managing a few hours sleep, they were woken by Viren reminding them both that his morning feed was late and that he wasn't impressed over it. Sliding free from Eren was delayed by his knot, the alpha not surprised to find they'd gone at while they'd slept. Eren's pheromones were out of control around him, Levi's responding just as honestly, leaving them both love drunk on each other. Once free, he helped Eren sit up. His mate yawning widely as Levi went about cleaning himself up and fetching their fussy boy. Viren loved his morning cuddles, his arms reaching for Levi as Levi picked him up out of his cot, his cries still as intense, but kisses on his chubby cheeks earned him a cut of cry that turned into a squeal. As Eren settled down to feed, Levi retrieved the bowl and dropped towel, returning them to bathroom to find Luca sitting in the bathtub, fighting with the taps. His teeth bared like they were the enemy for simply being Luca proof. Relaxed from the high on his on, Levi placed the bowl and towel down in order to turn the taps on for his son. Luca chirping gratefully as Levi place the plug in and patted his boy on the head. He already had the two most perfect sons "Your mother's awake. Viren wanted his morning feed. What do you say we go play outside this afternoon? We can take your ball down?" Luca nodded at him, then promptly looked at the bath water, eyeing the lack of bubbles with annoyance. Pouring out a generous amount of bubble bath, Luca was in heave as the water began to bubble "Call me when the taps need to go off. Half full remember. We don't need to flood the bathroom again" Luca didn't reply "Luca. Do you understand me?" Huffing, his son was obviously rolling his eyes at him the best he could. The little dragon had inherited every ounce of Eren's sass "Good boy" Breakfast was delivered almost the moment Levi stepped out the bathroom, Levi forgetting his own nightgown was covered with dry slick as he answered the door. Not that he cared. He was proud of his little family and happily ready to fight anyone who threatened that peace. Including an awkward maid who couldn't look him in the face... Even Mikasa who was still on the outside loop of Eren's pregnancy. Eren was somewhat scared of telling his adopted sister that he was pregnant again, for the third time in his nearly 22 years of life. "Levi, can you come take him?" * "Levi, can you come take him?" Smiling down at his baby boy, Eren loved his morning feeds with Viren, the only problem was the morning sickness. He'd take all the cuddles he could get, yet the didn't stop the welling nausea. Placing the breakfast tray down, Levi was by his side in the next instant, lifting Viren from his nipple. Eren didn't even need to tell his husband what was happening, his mate the absolute perfect alpha as they navigated a newly turned seven month old who's curiosity couldn't be sated and morning sickness. He really couldn't ask for better alpha. Levi knew he was scared to tell Mikasa, he also knew how to keep Armin quiet which had lasted for a record breaking two weeks. If Eren could have his way he'd wait until he was further along, incase something went horribly wrong like he expected it to. The worse that happened so far was a nightmare where he'd come out of it swinging. Levi instantly knowing the blows weren't for him, yet it still scared the shit out of him. He could really do some damage if he let his magic or strength slip, and now that he was finally really starting to accept Levi wasn't going to leave him, he didn't want to fuck things up. Thankfully it only took throwing up for the better part of an hour for his stomach to settle, nothing at all like the long hours of the previous night. Luca soon abandoning his bath to curl into his side in silent support, like he used to in Marley. Gathering his son up, long limbs were everywhere as Eren carried Luca out to the bedroom, his son's tail going a million miles an hour as he chirped away having a whole conversation with himself that Eren couldn't understand "I thought I left him in the bath" "He loves his mother. He came to keep me company while I reacquainted myself with the toilet" Dumping his son down on the bed, Luca sprung up to shake himself off before running and jumping off the end, making a beeline back to the bathroom and his precious bubbles "And he loves his baths. Viren's been changed" Handing their pup over, Eren kissed his forehead "Thank you. Mummy is so sorry baby. Let's get you properly fed. Your sibling seems to think it's fun making me throw up" "Is it as bad as it was with him?" "What? The morning sickness or the pregnancy in general?" "Both?" Grabbing Levi's hand, Eren pulled him down to sit on their bed "The morning sickness wasn't great. I had Mikasa and Armin with me, but some days Mikasa's scent was too much. Luca was a great help. But when I was pregnant with Viren, I... I wanted him. I truly did, yet I feared he was Zeke's. I spent so long confused, fearing you'd never forgive me for carrying the child of another alpha. Fearing I'd never see you again. Hating you for leaving me. Hating you because I loved you still so much. Scared because I was pregnant for so long. Scared that something was terribly wrong. It was hard. It was so fucking hard. Dina tried to kill our child. Zeke found a conscious and tried to be better alpha for our child. I was so miserable, but I fell in love with him. His first kicks. Knowing he was alive and mine. I'd prepared myself to be locked away in Marley. To never see Eldia again. It was hard. I felt like my world had already crumbled into a million pieces. So, I'll take the morning sickness. I'll take feeling crappy. Because I want this pup, and you're here with me. You've been the best alpha I could ask for. You've been putting up with all my selfish whims and moods. But here... I have everyone. I don't have people trying to kill me. I'm not trying to navigate a relationship with an alpha I don't know. I have you. You're all I've ever wanted, Levi. Now we have these two amazing boys, and we'll be leaving after your birthday to make our new life together. So this pregnancy isn't bad. I'm scared something will go wrong, but if it does, I have you. I have Luca and Viren. I don't care if it's not always perfect. I know we both have things to work through. I know we both have nightmares and fears that need to heal. I know all this, yet, you make me so happy" Nuzzling his shoulder, Levi let out a soft sob. Moving his arm to wrap it around his husband, his hold on Levi's hand only broke for a moment. Levi held so much guilt and grief over leaving him. The words weren't meant to hurt his alpha, only to inform him that he truly felt things were better now "I love you, Levi" "Goddamn shitty brat, making me cry like this" "You're a big old softy" "Am not" "You haven't cut anyone down with your trademark glare in quite some time. There's even a rumour that you've been seen laughing and smiling" "Lies and slander. I'm an alpha" "Yes. A big scary alpha who's going to have to tell his sister in law that he's knocked up her brother again" "You want to tell her?" "I think maybe it's time. Tunics can only hide this stomach for so long" "Why don't you tell her while I look after the boys" Laughing lightly, Eren nuzzled into Levi's hair. It was just like nuzzling into Viren, their pup even naturally smelt like his father "I thought you were big and brave" "Your sister's scary" "She'll only be worse the longer we wait" "This is true. We'll go find her after breakfast" "If it goes badly, maybe you'll forget and get the chance to try again" Levi jabbed him in the ribs, Eren jumping at the unplanned attack and causing Viren to start crying. All he needed was Luca crying and he'd have the trifecta. Finding Mikasa wasn't hard, all they had to do was follow the yelling through the halls and up to Armin's quarters. Normally Armin would be in the sunroom by now, the beta seemingly suffering from the same desire as Eren, to stay in bed all day and hope the world didn't explode around them. Forcing a smile for the guards in front of Armin's room, he sympathised with them for having to suffering Mikasa's yelling so early in the morning, even Luca seemed put out by all the noise as Eren let them into the room. Scrambling off his bed, Armin launched himself at them "Eren! Save me!" "Eren, step away from the idiot" "I'm not an idiot! I forgot she was coming!" "We haven't even prepared quarters for her!" Chasing after Armin, Levi stepped between the angered alpha and the beta, preventing Mikasa from getting too close to him "What's happened? And does it really warrant chasing Armin around after yelling at him?" "This idiot forgot to notify us that Freya was flying down to check in with all of us, and to see how Eren was doing with Marley because Historia isn't available!" "It's not my fault I forgot!" Pinching the bridge of his nose, Levi sighed "Alright. It's not a big deal. Why don't you both sit down and calm down? Eren and I have something I wish to tell you both" Letting out an excited squeal, Armin practically skipped out from behind Eren, then was tackled to the bed by Mikasa where she started smacking him with a pillow. There was far too much energy for this early in the morning "Get off of me! I'm the prince!" "You're the Prince of Irresponsibility!" Wrestling for the pillow and failing, Armin yelled from his pinned position "Eren's pregnant!" Mikasa stopped dead, Armin taking the pillow and smacking her before straightening himself up "What?!" Levi sounded pissed, his voice like a whip "Armin!" "I'm sorry, she was bashing me and I panicked!" Climbing off the bed, Mikasa moved to stop a few steps in front of him, Eren finding Viren's hair extremely interesting as his sister stared a hole right through him "You're pregnant?" "It wasn't planned..." Feeling his anxieties rising, Levi reached out to pull him up against him "I... you... what?! How? And so soon after Viren? What happened to waiting? Is it safe? Are you alright? Are you sure? Does Europe know? Have they said anything? And how did Armin known before I did?" Growling a warning, Levi stopped the barrage of questions "He's fine. He's been getting plenty of rest, and we've been working things out together. No, it wasn't planned or expected. Yes things will be hard once the next pup comes, but he's healed from giving birth to Viren, and he has his alpha for support. Armin found out the night of the ball when Eren had a small moment in the bathroom and needed his best friend. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't told you about this, or that we wed in secret over a month ago" "You wed Armin?" Mikasa's shock had gotten the best of her "No, Mikasa. Levi and I wed. Europe wouldn't give me permission and I wanted to spend our honeymoon together during my heat. Only, my heat never came and well... you're going to be an Aunty again. I think it might be a clutch, or a really large pup..." Nervously trying to laugh it failed. Mikasa looked ready to kill him "We didn't plan it, but I'm ok. Levi's been really good..." What else was he supposed to say? "You got married without us?" "Uh..." "You're always going off and leaving us behind... how could you... not invite us? Do we not mean that much to you?" That hurt. Mikasa should know better than to say such things. She knew how much he wished to marry Levi. She knew how much Levi meant to him, and how done he was with Europe "It wasn't like that... you were training..." "You could have waited!" "I wanted to marry Levi before my heat came! I didn't ask for my heat not to come! I didn't realise it was even late to begin with because Viren is teething! You and Armin are my family, but so is Levi! He's my alpha! He's the father of my children and after Europe, I wanted... I wanted this so badly. I'm sorry you're disappointed, and we did plan to have a second wedding, but now I guess that means nothing to you" Sniping back at his sister did nothing to make him feel better "Eren... I'm just... I didn't mean it like that. Of course you deserve to be happy, it's just... why didn't you tell me sooner?" "I would have waited to tell Armin too if he hadn't caught me in the bathroom" "Enough negativity you two. We've had enough of that to last a lifetime. We can finally celebrate!" Mikasa wasn't quite done "Are you sure about this?" "I am. I'm in a better place than I was in Marley, and Levi's been amazing. Luca's been amazing too. Viren's just starting to crawl, he's babbling and happy other than the fact he's teething. This baby wasn't planned, but most of my life hasn't been. I'd really like it if you could be happy for us" "I am... I just want the best for you" "Levi's what's best for me. And now that we've let you know, we'll let you get back to yelling at Armin for forgetting Freya is coming to visit" Historia hadn't told him anything about a visit in her last letter... and that wasn't all that long ago. He was going to have to write her back before Freya arrived to tell her his news himself "Did you have to remind her! I was good! I didn't tell for two weeks!" Levi let out a sigh "Mikasa, stop yelling at him and get the maids to make up a room for her and assumedly Steege. If she's here to review the paperwork for Marley, we should probably have something prepared" "Or we could go back to bed?" Smacking his arse lightly, Levi then groped at the spot "That's enough you two! Not in front of my nephew's" Poking his tongue out at Armin, Eren still couldn't quite meet Mikasa's eyes. He could smell her pain in the air, leaving his guts churning with guilt. Eren didn't quite get around to penning his letter to Historia. Sorting the mail Levi had started, he lost it laughing when he saw he had the marriage approval. So much for that. They really should have known better, they should have known him better than that. Setting it aside, the rest of the mail proved to be as boring as Levi assured him it was. His mate proving enough of a distraction that he forgot Freya was coming as they headed down to the training oval to spend a few hours with Luca. Eren opting to sit on the sidelines with Viren, rather than risking upsetting his tender stomach. Besides, it was nice to watch Levi running around like an idiot with Luca, Luca having a mind of his own when it came to his ball. With a little bit of magic and a whole lot of praying, by some miracle they were still using the same first ball. The carousel they bought at the same time was now well out the reach of Luca and his curious claws which had taken out two horses, before Eren was alert by his son's mournful cries. Sitting Viren up between his legs, his boy was straight up, trying to crawl on the grass only to be stopped by Eren's legs being in the way. Scooping up his pup, he held him under the arms as Viren squealed, his legs moving like he was trying to walk but he was a way off it yet "Come here, baby boy. Luca and daddy are playing so we have to cheer Luca on. Your daddy is the only one who stands a chance of getting that ball back" Bending his knees, Viren dropped his weight into Eren's hand, Eren sitting him down in front of him tipping him back before he could make another attempt at an escape, stuffing his hand in his mouth, Viren really wasn't sure about everything, only making his son that much more adorable. Being a mum was by far the most satisfying role he'd ever played in his life, though being Levi's omega was pretty damn close. He might be the one living his life, yet both roles were so dear to him that maybe they even tied... no, not quite. He adored both roles and couldn't decide between them as they both meant different things to him. Playing with Viren's hair, he was more than content to sit and watch the world go by. Levi was still chasing after Luca when Freya and Steege. Luca once again enamoured by Steege as the elder dragon landed close to where Eren was seated with Viren. His son bursting into tears as they were hit with a gust of wind from Steege's strong wings, Eren moving him up to his shoulder to hush him, oblivious to the fact Steege and Freya weren't alone "Look what the dragon dragged in! Knocked up again there, Eren?!" Snapping his head up, Ymir grinned broadly at him, Historia standing next to her with two tiny dragons fighting for attention in her hold "Historia!" Armin hadn't told him Historia was coming, and Eren couldn't get to his feet soon enough as she jogged over to him. The princess practically glowing as they both met a few steps from where they started "Oh my gosh! Is that my little Viren?" "Historia! You didn't tell me your clutch had hatched!" Their words overlapped, Historia giggling as she nodded "Yes! Freya mentioned she was coming to see you, so I simply had to come" Like their parents, the two tiny dragons had a mix of pinks and whites through their scales. Eren tearing up as four black eyes blinked at him, her two were already bigger than Luca than when he'd hatched "Historia, they're beautiful" "Of course they're beautiful. My rider makes beautiful babies" Historia giggled, Ymir wrapping her arm around Historia's waist protectively "Ignore Ymir, she's so beyond proud" "I would be too. Gods. It's so good to see you. What are their names?" "Krista and Mira if they're girls. We haven't picked names for them being boys" "They're good names" "Enough of this, you're making me sick. Who knocked you up again?" "Levi, who else?" Ymir scrunched her nose up, Historia stomping on her foot "You never told me!" "I've only just told Mikasa. That was scary enough, though I think she took the fact I married Levi in secret even worse. Luca's excited as far as I can tell. Viren doesn't know any better. It wasn't planned at all, but we're happy. Tell me more about your girls..." "You got married! Eren, you are in so much trouble! You, me, now. I need to know everything" "Historia, give him a chance to breathe before you go stealing him away" Carrying Luca's ball over, Levi smiled at the situation. Having not put her two dragons down, Historia was trying to hold him by the arm at the same time. Her girls had caught sight of Luca, and both were trying to escape to get to him. Ymir had covered her face with her hand, with her thumb and pointer at the corners of her eyes. Shaking her head, she dropped her hand with a sigh "Right. Krista and Mira, that is Eren's son Luca. You'll meet him properly soon. Historia, you can't hold the girls and hold onto Eren's arm. Eren, this is all your fault for getting her excited. You know exactly how she gets" "He didn't tell me you two wed!" Laughing at Historia, Ymir glared at Levi "Sorry. Europe didn't give us a firm answer, so Eren went ahead and planned it all. We received news today that we may wed after the first of January" "Yes, well, Europe doesn't exactly like. They told me I'll be holding this post for 6 months, and that it'll need to spend a month training my replacement, yet, that hasn't happened yet" Looking towards Levi, Ymir sighed again "They're as bad as each other. I thought you would have trained your by now" "Trained mine? Mine's married with two children and another on the way. He's been behaving himself until yours arrived" "I don't think Eren knows how to behave. You've already knocked him up again" "Like you haven't tried the same with Historia" "Alright. Alright. That's enough you four. Eren, it's wonderful to see you again. Congratulations on your wedding and your coming clutch. Levi, please don't put ideas into Ymir's mind. Krista and Mira are a handful and a half as it is" Placing her hands on her younger sister's shoulders, Freya gave him a nod. Eren's eyes wide as he looked to his stomach "What do you mean a clutch? I'm having a pup. A pup. Then going back on birth control" Levi looked just as alarmed. They'd talked it being a clutch, but talking and knowing for sure was different "I'll bet gold you're having a clutch" "I think that's enough for now. Shall we head up to the castle? Armin's probably still being yelled at by Mikasa. He forgot to notify her you were coming so Mikasa yelled at him while smacking him with a pillow" Giggling, Historia let Ymir take one of their daughters into her arms "Krista loves Ymir. Mira was named after her mother, yet she prefers to stay by my side. I've tried sitting them on my shoulder's like how Luca used to sit upon yours, but the girls aren't keen" "They'll grow into it. Luca, will you show everyone to the castle for me? I need to talk to daddy for a moment" Historia knew about Levi's memory issues, Eren wanting to make sure Levi remembered everything since their 6 visitors from Draecia had arrived. Taking the silent hint, Historia was happy to follow Luca. Soldiers had already begun moving from the direction of the castle, and Eren only wanted a moment with Levi. Waiting until the group moved away, Eren passed Viren to his father, Levi biting the inside of his cheek as he took him "Levi. Do you... remember?" Placing his free hand on Eren's stomach, the omega took that was a "no" "I haven't forgotten anything. That I can think of at any rate. Do you really believe it's a clutch?" "I don't know... I don't know how far along I am. But... if it's a clutch..." Tapering his sentence off, his husband shook his head. Proving once again to be a mind reader "If it is, we'll get through it" "A clutch. I... Levi, that could mean multiples. That... I had 16 eggs. 16. What if... what if I go that many again? What if..." "You're spiralling, Sweet boy" "I don't know how to... Levi, how can I do that to you? How do I make sure Viren and Luca don't feel left out? What if..." "No. Eren..." "I'm freaking out!" Freaking out was putting it mildly as his heart raced. 16 was tooooo many kids. He couldn't... oh god... what if this clutch was even bigger? How big was he going to get? Would Levi still love him when he looked fit to burst? "I can tell. But you know we'll get through this" He'd barely gotten through things the first time around, and now Freya was happily announcing he was having a clutch. There was suspecting and knowing... and now there was panicking "I..." "You're going to come through this. We're going to come through this. Together, ok?" Groaning in a twisted panic, Eren's omega couldn't be happier over it all. Being filled with a clutch was the ultimate goal when breeding, so his secondary dynamic was over the moon at the idea of giving Levi enough children to start their own personal regiment. His arse on the other hand, had firmly clenched and it was big fat no at the idea of pushing eggs out of there again... Besides, if he was in labour for three days like he'd been delivering his first clutch, what would Luca and Viren do? Who would look after them? He didn't want to go that long without being with his babies. He didn't want to scare them with labour. He didn't want to put Luca through another dose of magical mayhem that labour brought with it. If they left the castle, who would help them? What if something went wrong? What if he died? What if Levi... what if he died? What if Levi wandered off and forgot they'd moved? What if his alpha forget he was in labour and he had to deliver alone, with both boys crying? Weak at the knees, Eren gripped his chest as he stumbled before fainting with a solid thud.

[quill-dribble]

This is good, isn’t it? (Part 2) by Porco de Palma

     Happy New Year to all of our followers! It is an honor to be able to share this day with you all with new writing and new stories to come. Below is the second half of “This is good, isn’t it?”. Originally conceived with a different ending in mind, this version’s ending was suggested (and written) by my partner, Ms. Neighbors. I hope you all enjoy this story as we all begin our new journeys into the new year! - Porco de Palma

     The white void filled everything around him as Jack felt eternity weigh down on his shoulders. His eyes flew open, taking in the visions of piercing white wherever he turned his head.

     Are you alright?

     Jack turned his head.

     “I can’t understand you! What’s going on, where am I?” he shouted.

     You seem under a great deal of pressure. 

     “Are you God? Is this hell?” he cried as his knees buckled underneath him as he curled into a fetal position.

     To answer your questions, I am not…God…nor is this the afterlife. This best answer as to WHERE you are is irrelevant. You haven’t left the cliff.

     Jack’s tears began to subside.

     And you aren’t dead either.

     “Then what’s going on?” he asked 

     The voice laughed as the white void dimmed to a faint darkness that seemed to swallow Jack whole. Scrambling and kicking in the darkness, Jack felt weightless as he fell through the void until he finally reached solid footing.

     “That…didn’t feel…comfortable,” he muttered, as he felt his muscles ache and his bones crack with age and stress.

     You know….you are a difficult man to deal with.

     Jack turned around.

     I’m right here. 

     Jack spun around again, clenching his fists in anger.

     “Enough of your games! Who are you?”

     I am everything. I am nothing. I am the inevitable. I am winter. I am spring. I am the dark heart of the ocean and the light soul of the prairie.

     “Why are you speaking in riddles?” he cried, as he turned to the echoing laughter that filled the room.

     How about we have some light, yes?

     With a snap in the air, the void melted away, revealing an enormous library, filled with dusty books as far as the eye could see. The stacks upon stacks of literature lifted beyond the skies, and the bookshelves ran on into the horizon.

     “Jesus Christ…” Jack whispered.

     I’m sure you’re enjoying this, bookworm.

     “What’s that supposed to mean?” he grumbled as he heard the wind coalesce behind him.

     Turning around, he saw a pilgrim shadow staring back at him with a thin pipe in its hands. 

     It means that you like books. 

     Jack shrugged.

     “Yeah I suppose I do…” he muttered as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

     Mhm indeed. Now, as I’m sure you’re aware, you wouldn’t exactly show up here unless there was a reason for it. Why might that be?

     “I dunno…” he muttered.

     Jack, you’re a horrible liar.

     “I know…”

     Do you really want to die? It would be very easy to arrange…

     “I don’t know what I want.”

     You’re tired. You’re pissed off at the unfairness of life. You’ve watched your friends die, you’re lonely. You feel like the whole world is against you and you feel like no matter how hard you try, nothing is ever going to work for you and nothing is ever going to be happy for you again. So instead of taking a chance of life, and hope for a better future, you wish instead for the eternity of death.

     Jack was silent, and stared at the shadow before him. He hadn’t noticed it before, but it seemed feminine. Her hood was covered in shadows but her voice was sweet and sincere.

     The shadow laughed and pulled out a lump of golden light, shaped like a heart. 

     Your soul is much like your father’s. Golden in most places, though it would seem that life has gotten you smudged here and there. That’s just how life is.

     Jack grumbled as the shadow extended her arm. 

     Here, take this back. Your time is not now, but I will be there when it is. Your life has only just begun.

     Jack took the piece of gold from the shadow as it rippled up his arm and coursed through his body, finally residing in his chest. His heart beat with somewhat more strength than before, filling his body with golden light that bonded itself to his shadow.

     He woke up, and noticed three things: firstly, he felt a trifle draftier around his face than before. The second was that, he had somehow fell to his back. The last thing he noticed was the once darkened skies had taken on a strange scarlet hue.  

[quill-dribble]

Night Terrors (Part 1) by Porco de Palma

     Hello everyone! Due to some inspiration from my bestie, I’ve gotten the motivation to write another story with one of my favorite characters, Nyx.      I hope you all enjoy this little snippet of a story, there will be more to come with this though, I promise!  - Porco

     “This is Nyx. Respond please.” Nyx whispered as she stared out on the city’s horizon from the edge of a skyscraper.      “Glad to know you’re back out on patrol. What happened with your last case?” Kenneth asked.

     Nyx cracked her neck as she stared at the sky.

     “Eh, bunch of kids got weird powers. Standard crap around here I guess.”

     The north wind seemed to pull on the city as several people below clutched their coats around them, desperate for warmth.

     Kenneth laughed.

     “That’s nice and vague.” He muttered.

     Nyx shrugged as she stood up and stretched her legs.

     “It’s not really that big of a deal. And regardless of how it got handled, it’s handled now. Anja took a few of them under her wing and teaching them how to control their powers.” She explained.

     Nyx stood up and took several steps back before running across the thin cement rooftops. After several leaps, she stopped against a small section of a taller skyscraper and stared at the night sky.

     The yellowed lights of slight pollution from dozens of cars and bright streetlamps lit up the night, illuminating the city like a lantern in the dark.

     “I see.” Kenneth replied, as he grabbed a mug on his desk. He sipped some coffee as Nyx jumped across to another rooftop.

     She glanced downward as she continued her patrol, when she saw a figure being backed into a corner by another, larger assailant.

     Jumping down, Nyx quietly landed on a fire escape to get a better view of the situation.

     “Charlotte, status?” she asked, tapping a button on her helmet.

     “Both subjects appear to have an elevated heart rate, likely from the stress of the situation. However, one of them has an irregular heartbeat, something is off…” her AI assistant explained.

     “I see…what do you think? Pacemaker?” Nyx replied.      Charlotte’s avatar shrugged.

     “I’m not sure. I’d have to actually analyze the subject in person.”

     Nyx nodded.

     “Understood. I guess electronic disruption is out then…” she muttered.

     Charlotte sighed.

     “Indeed. You’re not a murderer.”

     Nyx shrugged.

     “Nah, not my style. I have a better plan.” She muttered as she stepped onto the railing.

     “And what may I ask is that?” Charlotte asked.

     Nyx kicked off the railing and bent her foot downward onto the attacker.

     They looked up as the heel of her armored boot struck it in the face, recoiling away from the victim.

     She stared at the attacker as Charlotte quickly analyzed him.

     “What’ve we got?” Nyx asked quickly as the figure rose from her earlier blow.

     “Well, he’s about 6’ 10”, probably upwards of 300 lbs…”

     Nyx gulped as the figure turned around and stared at her.

     It was a man, or appeared to be, with a hulking frame that stood, towering over her.

     “You must be the mysterious Nyx…” he growled.

     Nyx raised her hands and bent her knees slightly, slowly grasping her hands at air.      “I don’t particularly care who you are. You’re making a big mistake.” She calmly explained as she stood between him and the woman on the ground behind her.      The man cracked his massive knuckles and raised his arms, as if he were conducting a great orchestra.

     “Mistakes, little lady, are not something I usually make. You, on the other hand, are not as lucky.”

     He calmly walked over to her and pulled out a pair of gloves that he slipped on. Blackened material covered in dozens metallic plates adorned his hands as he simply waited. His chest rose and fell in a mechanical rhythm as he approached Nyx.

     With a growl he threw a haymaker towards her, but only destroyed a few bricks over his previous victim, who shivered under the veil of dust that covered her face.      Charlotte appeared on screen as Nyx jumped onto the wall.

     “This man is in peak physical condition, I’m not even certain that’s possible!”

     Nyx rolled her eyes.

     “Let me handle this will ya? I’m a little busy trying to not get my bones broken!”

     Charlotte sighed as she began to make a call.

     “Charlotte what the hell are you doing!” she yelled.

     The man grabbed Nyx’s arm.

     “Charlotte ain’t here missy. Just you…”

     He bent her arm back.

     “And me!”

     He rammed his elbow down towards Nyx’s elbow as she scrunched her face and pressed a button on her wrist with her free hand.

     The artificial muscle mass in her suit expanded exponentially, making the man’s blow bounce on her ineffectively.

     Nyx roared as she broke free of his grasp and stared at her venomously.

     The blue HUD of her suit shifted to red as the man laughed.

     Charlotte screamed in agony as she disappeared from sight.

     “Seems like your little suit’s got a problem missy.”

     Nyx growled and lunged forward as her the artificial muscle rippled in her trunk and legs, until she was a large and roaring beast, higher than the man’s titanic figure.      She roared as a flash of light blinded her and a soft voice entered her ears.

     “Placo te nocte vindicem. Placo.”

     As the voice echoed around Nyx, everything faded to a soft white.

[quill-dribble]

Been a long time since I’ve posted on here, or at least it feels like it. I don’t have any stories this week, however I do have some poetry. It’s mostly sappy stuff as poetry is wont to be, but so it goes. - Porco de Palma The Winter The north comes quickly Spreading its soft, wet wings wide Chilling the tilled soil

Death For someone as young as I, Death and I have met often. She’s shown up in the sky, Where souls have left their coffin.I don’t particularly dislike her, But I sort of wish she’d stop. After seeing a lot of slaughter, And many bodies drop. We first met years ago, About twenty-four to be precise. And when I first saw her eyes of snow I knew I was her first exercise.We fought for several precious hours, But it would seem this was a test. Despite her overwhelming powers, This was all done in jest.  I didn’t see her with my own eyes again, Not until several years later. I saw her at his bed, and my eyes began to strain. My grandfather died before me, and I began to hate her. Years passed by like sand through a sieve. I saw her claim the lives of many that I knew. She helped several friends, with their lives to give. And she smiled after each person she slew. Eventually I began to grow bitter, But she was not yet done. There one was one more life to throw down the shitter. My father was the latest one.My brother was in Texas, far away from her muted voice. I sat with my mother and waited, and waited. The Doctor came in, and I had to make a choice. It would seem his life’s end was fated. I saw her sit at the edge of his bed, Ignoring his gasping for breath. When he shut his eyes, I knew he was dead, I looked at her and said “Hello, Death.” She stared at me, and I stared back. Her pale face grinning at mine. With her robe dressed in the darkest black, “Hello child,” she said, “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.” Old Times I walked through the park, my arms crossed against the freezing air. Children played, swinging as their parents pushed against their swings. My face embraced the chilled greeting of north wind that brushed my hair. The children’s laughter filled my ears, as I stared and thought of olden things. He’s there. I can see him, clear as day. In his brown corduroy coat, and green cap. Standing with tar covered pants as he stares back, grinning through gray whiskers. He waves, I wave back, as he sits on the wooden bench and takes a nap. His hands are withered and wrinkled; his fingers are covered in bleeding blisters.I blink and he’s gone, and the north wind returns, My eyes strain, and blink in the frozen wind, stinging in the cold The north wind sits down next to me, and chills me with freezing burns. He whispers in my ear: “Move on child, these memories are old.”