#That would be horrifying and extremely embarrassing… so this is proof that this is all a joke and I would never do that

[theres-whump-in-that-nebula]

I found my relatives who are estranged because they left the cult (among other, much more complicated things)… and through their friends list I found my creepy uncle who I saw exactly once in person, walking through a foyer at a funeral.

Now, I bear a striking resemblance to my late grandmother so I could theoretically scare the living bejeezus out of him… 👀 but I’m not going to do that or talk to any of them right now in any way; because I don’t want to open that can of wormssssssss

[fandom-imagination-ss]

Authors Note: Hey! So this is a request. And it’s a Smut So perpare yourself. Sorry it took so long, between trying too write it. And Drama with life. I got too be a proud owner of a Shinny new Sickness! Lol 😂 I was in and out for a week. NOT COVID! My skull is swelling up, Long story short. The Doctor I delt with refused too take my Swollen Skull and my memory lost (which I was having ) as serious. He diagnosed it with I had a Bad reaction too a bug bite… been dealing with this issues since Feb before the bugs were out. He refused too do tests on me until there is Snow on the ground.. (I’m Dead serious! I have too wait until November/ December too have this be a taken seriously)It’s been a hassle. The stories alone about the Memory loss should be a different post cause in the. Short week I was having memory issues I got into weird situations. My head however now is better! Still slightly swollen and I’m on day 13 of headaches. Now that my personal excuse for why this is so late is explained I would like too also apologize if it’s Not what you wanted lol 😂 Smut isn’t something I’m use too writing and I struggled. So Hopefully it’s Good! And as requested It’s LONG on word it’s 12 pages long lol so Enjoy the length!

Did I Proof read?: Define proofread lol

Rating: Rating is Smut! So 18 +

Warnings?: unprotected sex, sub / Dom like behaviour (loosely) public sexual acts, adult Toys

Paring: Klaus and Y/N

Appearances by: Klaus mikelson, Kol and Elijah Mikelson

Length of imagine: 12 pages

Requested imagine:

You have had three encounter with Klaus Mikaelson, All awkward, strange and each time endings with you Begging and Hoping too Die from your embarrassment. Each time unsuccessful dying from it. But it gave your classmate Kol (who happens too be Klaus’s Brother) ammo too torment you. Kol being a classmate / friend / tormented. He was a friendenemy. You sort of got along, but he loved, LOVED teasing you! Especially after you met his other brothers.

The first encounter you had with Kol’s brother Klaus. was at a bar with Kol, a few of your friends from class. All of you were learning too be Lawyers. Studying for the Bar, extremely exhausted from your long week. You were dragged too the bar. Where you Drank. (If remembering correctly It was Kol who was shoving the shots too everyone) that’s when the Greek god creature came into the Bar an attractive man. Avenge height, possessing curled dirty-blond hair and dark blue eyes that contrasts with his pearl-white skin. he is well-built. With a delicate and yet masculine face, he dressed casually for the for bar. Wearing jeans, a shirt, and a jacket. He was at t he bar ordering a drink as you shamefully commented, “Now that is a bum I would like too Bite.”

Your friends roared with laughter noticing who you meant as Kol spoke loudly, ‘that my dear Girl Is my brother. Klaus! Come over here.”

Klaus walked over as he spoke, “Hello- what are you all. Up too?”

“being horrified.” Kol spilled your comment too he’s brother who just laughed as you gasped as Klaus Simply said thanks and walked off. You hit Kol hard on the arm for that.

After that Klaus was seen more often you didn’t interact with him much, you were polite but kept your distant cause the comments you made about his bum was still on full display in your mind.l too humiliated. It wasn’t until you were forced into a group session with Kol did you see him face too face again. This Time you stumbled right over your own foot. And he caught you quickly but he’s hand sliced all your buttons open on your blouse reveling your bright Pink bra that was a push up. You gasped quickly covering yourself as he’s other brother Elijah came in. And saw the scene. As he spoke, “I think Kol is in his room..”

“thanks-��� you hurried off trying too fix your shirt as you got upstairs. The next encounter you were sitting with Sasha a friend from school and talking about the famous Charming, extremely Hot brothers. The Mikaelson’s.

“Kol is a heartthrob.”

Sasha curled her hair tonight a rare occasion since she hated putting heat too it. But after hearing that the Mikaelsons could be at this Party tonight she spent hours perfection her looks. You spend the normal amount of time. Kol drove you crazy with comments and being a general Ass, Elijah was Far too Perfect. With the Jaw that could Cut thru metal! And with two embarrassing encounters with Klaus you had NO intention too get chummy with that family!

“Kol is just a player- probably catch something form him.” Sasha laughed as she spoke, “Klaus is hot- and Elijah you can’t say they aren’t!”

Noddig your head, the room was buzzing as you crossed your arms leaning forward on the table looking a t your friend / roommate.

“they are very attractive- But you got too admit Kol is a player.” ‘what is Elijah?”

“The marrying type.” She laughed as she poke “What about Klaus?” You rolled your shoulders again.

“Klaus is the sort of guy who is other going too break your heart unimaginably with the amount of Passsion and Zest too Life he has.. Or he is the Bad boy searching for his good girl too change his life- Or just a more Cunning player Like Kol.”

You both laughed until you heard a deep voice behind you.

“is that really what you think of me Luv?”

You didn’t need too turn- you knew your luck wasn’t great! Every time you mention Klaus out loud he was near. This just proved it! Turning too confirm you your nightmare. He was sitting alone having a Drink.he was smug about hearing your conversation So Smug that you just got up and left.

Hours later you were stumbling around their compound.the Party was loud, your friends were all over the place, everyone including yourself was very tipsy. Or on the verge of not remembering the events of the night. You were searching for a bathroom when you came across Klaus he was standing tall as he had a burnet hair women kneeling in front of him, her hair was being held up and twisted and held tightly by Klaus. He’s head was leaned backward in pure pleasure. You caught the sight better realizing he was being giving head. You heard the loud “Gulps” and moans from the girl pleasuring him. You gasped softly stepping over grabbing the door and slowly closing the door, klaus noticed you as he grinned weakly as you quickly closed the door.

The fourth time.. was the most awkward one of All. You recently graduated when Kol offered you a Job. It was odd too have a recent graduate offering jobs but he’s family owned the most respected law firm in New Orleans. And you weren’t giving many oppunities due too Kol being a Dick. He told every law firm in the city about your passions. You are a Cryptozoology, A fourth generation Cryptozoology! Your family has been in search of Bigfoot for generations basically since your ancestors stepped foot on American soil they were searching for the big Hairy creature that is Bigfoot. You studied the mystical creature for years until you turned too being a lawyer cause you were tired of living in a trailer and having barely any food. It was really a hobby. Vs a real job. Somehow Kol discovered your secret and he blacked balled you from every respectful law firm in the city. Making the offer too work with him and his’ brothers annoying. But bills. Won over self respect!

Klaus discovered you sitting at a desk one morning, you worked there for a week before he noticed you as he spoek, ‘what you doing here?”

“I was hired- by Kol and Elijah?”

He sighed heavily storming off into his office as Kol reached over pinching your arm. You yelped owe as he spoke, “how was that meeting?”

You shoved him off your desk as you fixed your paper he sat on. “He’s annoyed you didn’t tell him?’

“I tohught he would be amused about it- I mean you do make a complete ass of yourself in front of him. Must really like him.” You chuckled softly shoving Kol away as you went back too work. Getting up an hour later too hand some paper work too Klaus, you went too his Desk dropping off the papers when you felt your Phone slip out of your pocket, it hit the corner of your foot and slide on the carpet and slide right under Klaus’s desk. Great! You muttered too yourself going on your hands and knees too find your phone. You found it but couldn’t reach it so you crawled around too the Desk pushing the chair aside as you climbed under the Wooden Desk. When you heared Klaus’s booming voice. Telling he’s Assistant too not too be disturbed for an hour. You went too move but your skirt got caught on a nail under the desk and you couldn’t move. Klaus walked over too his Desk unaware of you as he instantly pulled out his cock from his trousers.

You were stunned seeing his manhood. You joked before about biting his bum but Never did you imagine too be in a postion like this. It was itches from your face. As he opened a drawer he was silent as he reached down giving himself a squeeze slowly awaking his half stiffen Cock. You realized NOW you couldn’t just announce yourself! It would be too awkward! So you watched. Hearing A faint sound of a video playing he had lotion on his hand as he was stroking his impressive cock. Completely unaware of you. Watching him treating himself. You couldn’t help but feel the tingle between your legs watching and hearing his faint soft moans. Hearing the door open eh shifted moving closer too his Desk cursing.

“I ASKED TOO BE ALONE!”

His hand didn’t leave his cock and now it was itches from your face you had too lean your head backwards to make sure too not touch his cock with your mouth he tuck himself tightly into the desk. Trying too conceal himself.

“Sorry but I was searching for Y,N?”

You watched as Klaus squeezed his cock tighter hearing your name he groaned other in frustration or pleasure as he snapped, “SHE’S NOT HERE GO!” You couldn’t just sneak out after this. Not from the office door now! You knew Klaus had a patio, and attached too it was a fire escape you plotted your escape as he kept his assault on his cock. He’s moans got slightly louder. You fought too join in or too touch yourself. It happened suddenly he cummed but he didn’t have a tissue and it went all over your face. And into your gaping mouth that was hanging watching the heated view of his cock. He cursed softly as he shuffled up, fixing himself and going out of the room propbaby too find tissues. You took that as your chance. You ripped your skirt too escape as you climbed out fast and thru his patio.whipping your face you stood ther stunned. Standing there covered in your boss’s cum. What surprised you was how instantly you swallowed his seed. He’s delicious seed. You didn’t marvel in his taste for long before you ran down the fire escape sneaking back into the building and using a bathroom too clean up.

Something about watching a Hot guy, who happen too be your boss rub one out inches from your face and explode all over your face that made you incredibly horny. You debuted on quickly teasing yourself off in a stall but you were already been missing from your desk. And didn’t think that was wise.

Using your brain over your body which wanted too have a quick orgasms just made your heat fester all day. Kol insisted too join in at the bar after work too get drinks. You almost refused until he asked what happened too your skirt. And you realized how torn it was. And that made you say Yes too just stop him from asking questions.

The Bar was typical, Kol got distracted by a pretty girl,and everyone invited from the office was other dancing awfully or at the bar ordering more drinks you were sitting in the back at the booth. You werent’ really in the mood too be socail you wanted too get close too Steven.. your vibrating dildo that was screaming for you. From your throbbing pussy beggging for a fuck. The thought crossed your mind too have a one night stand but too many of the people in here were from work and you didn’t want them too think you were THAT Sort. So you sat unsatisfied in the corner. You were surprised seeing Klaus slip in beside you as he spoke, “well looks who’s here.”

Glancing up into his beauitful blue eyes you spoke, “hey Klaus.” “You been a very naughty girl today Y/N.” he’s voice was low as he shifted slightly looking fulling at you.

“what you mean?”

He reached up putting a fabric on the desk. Seeing it was the chunk of your skirt that was missing he spoke, “did you enjoy the show?’

“I-I Don’t know what you mean?” Grabbing your torn fabric he reached over grabbing your hand as he spoke, “I saw you, mouth open, wide expression the hunger. I saw you take most of my load in your mouth.”

Gasping you turned too him, “why didn’t you stop?”

‘why ddin’t you announce yourself too get out of that situation? I was humiliated.”

Rolling your eyes as he grinned weakly, “Only fair tit for tat..”

Looking at him surprised as he spoke, “touch yourself..”

“well aren’t you a romantic.” He grinned weakly as he leaned closer, “I want you Y/N. in every sense, I want too cum in your mouth again, your pussy, your ass , all over your chest. And all over your body. I want too fuck you until you beg too stop.”

“well aren’t you not scared of Human Resources..” he grinned weakly at that. “Tell me No and I’ll never bring this up again.”

You bite your bottom lip nodding your head, “okay. Your place?”

He grinned weakly as he shook his head, “Not yet- soon.”

That surprised I shifted looking at him “what why?”

Klaus grinned shifted reaching over cupping your face making you look deep into his blue eyes. “I want too make sure your sure about this- but for now. I deserve too watch you don’t you think?”

Looking around you were pretty isolated over here, everyone was shifting towards the front looking at the TV Screen a game was on. Other football. Or a hockey game. You weren’t sure. Even isolated it was still Public, and it wasn’t something you ever done. Hell you never thought about Doing anything in public because it’s- well the public people are around. But having Klaus caress your cheek softly making your body. Bubbly. He made you debate about it. “We.. were in public Klaus. We could get in trouble. A lot of trouble.”

“we are lawyers we know how to get out of it. I wont be fucking you today but I will make you orgasm every day. Until I do.”

Biting your tongue hard, your brain forced you too work earlier the rest of your body decided right now. Not too listen too all the red flags as too why you shouldn’t do this. Ad found yourself slip your hand down to your lap pulling your skirt up, tugging your panties too the side you looked around making sure no one was watching before you slipped your finger inside teasing you clit. Klaus watched amused. Looking into his eyes as you slide your fingers deeper inside you. Your fingers were soaked. You pushed hard sliding your fingers deep inside as you you moan weakly as Klaus’s eyes got a sparkle of amusement. You leaned against the chair as you positioned yourself too take your fingers better as you slowly teased yourself. Reaching your orgasm. Minutes later it didn’t take long too reach it, your pussy has been begging for hours for this. Pulling your hand away from yourself Klaus reached over grabbing your dripping fingers and licked them. Tasting your sweetness.

“until tomorrow Y/N.”

With that he got up and left. You sat there stunned, Did he Really just convinced you too tease yourself in Public and NOT take you to his place? Or tried too take you into the back hallway too the bathroom or in the ally? What the Hell! The high from the orgasm dissapeared as you packed up and went home. The High was GONE! And now you were annoyed he didn’t take you home. What a Tease!

The next morning you got too the office, you were still stunned at yourself for 1) catching Klaus rubbing one out in his office, while you painfully and stupidly stayed hidden under his desk 2) agreed too eventually sleep with your New boss. / your somewhat friend’s brother. 3) fingered yourself in a public bar while Klaus watched and admired you. Getting too our desk you opened your drawer too get a pen when you noticed a small red box with a red lace ribbon around it. With a small white note on the box. You grabbed It and opened the note seeing it was handwritten and from Klaus.

“put these on, and give me yours.”

What the hell? You questioned until you opened the box seeing they were Red underwear. You slide the box into your purse as you quickly went too the bathroom too do what Klaus wished. Normally you weren’t the sort of girl who followed or listened too commands like this. But Klaus made you that sort of girl-other it was his Charm, He’s intensity, he’s hot throbbing looks, but something was making you listen too him and do things that you would NEVER Do. . And after yesterday and how honrier you got after your public displays last night. You were willing.

Sneaking off too the bathroom, you pulled the red panties out you realized they were heavier then you expected. After closer expection you realized why. Vibrating panties. You chuckled softly. Surly. He wouldn’t!

You put them on. Calling his bluff No way would Klaus use this in the office. He wasn’t that stupid! Not only could you get in trouble but he would too! And Elijah would Kill him. This was just a Test. Getting out of the bathroom you went too his office seeing the big grin on his face as you tossed him the red box. He grabbed it. Opening it seeing your pink not so fancy underwear. He grinned wider seeing them as you walked out.

An hour in and Nothing. It made you smile- you called his bluff and he did Nothing! Finally you had a small upper hand on this- Odd thing going on with you and Klaus. Elijah called a staff meeting in the confence meeting. You stood up and grabbed your notebook too write notes, when you felt it. A faint tingle down below. It made you jump high. You weren’t expecting it. A few people jumped seeing your reaction as a older lady asked if you were alright. You nodded your head fast. Trying too composure yourself as you force da smile, ‘Yea- sorry spider scared me.” Walking too the conference room you felt the faint vibration every step! Sitting down you caught Klaus wicked grin seeing you enter and sit down. Klaus started the Vibration too be slightly higher. It made you jump again as you quickly covered yourself saying it was another Bug.

Thru out the meeting he kept changing the intensity from low too high. Looking right at him as someone was taking he was enjoying it as you were fighting off a orgasm. Seeing him bite his lip sent you over the edge. As you felt the pressure going faster, you bite your tounge hard and gripped the side of your leg tightly trying not too make a Peep.

The orgasm was intense. It washed over you, feeling the vibrations still going, you realized one orgasm wasn’t going too be enough for Klaus. After the meeting you were called into Klaus’ office as everyone went off for lunch as he closed the door as he grinned.

“enjoying yourself.”

You breathed deeply hitting his arm, “Klaus ican’t believe you did that!” He chucked as he walked over too his desk as he leaned against it he crossed his arms as he spoke, ‘you put them on- you had too know I was going too play with it.”

Nodding your head you stepped over as you spoke, “I thought you were bluffing!” He grinned weakly as you spoke, “give me back my underwear.” He chuckled as he spoke, “Nope” you rolled your eyes looking behind you seeing the office was empty. You reached down grabbing the panties pulling them off. You let them fall too the floor as you stepped out of them .looking at Klaus. As you bent down grabbing them tossing it too him.

“what if someone caught me!”

“lucky them- luckily they were too busy too look at you.” Rolling your eyes again for that comment he stepped over grabbing them from you as he grinned. “Is your grievances because I used the app in public or because were at work? You had too of know these weren’t normal panties”

Crossing your arms tightly looking at Klaus you reached over grabbing his arm as you spoke, “At Work! At least if its publci it’s with strangers so if I’m caught I’ll die from embarrassment but I wont have too worry about the entire office knowing!” He nodded his head as he reached up gripping your sides, “then Let’s meet up tonight after work”

You smiled weakly nodding your head weakly. “Okay.” He chuckled saying okay. As you left his office.

The end of the day appeared like it always does. You walked over too the elevator seeing Klaus in beside you. He smiled weakly as he went too fix his shoe as the Elevator was empty closing as he traced his hand on your calf. He slowly stood up tracing his hand up your leg before reaching your butt and giving it a hard squeeze. You smiled weakly as he spoke, ‘let’s get dinner.”

Disappointed that he wanted too go too a restaurant vs his place or yours. But you smiled weakly nodding your head. “Okay sure, that sounds like fun.” He grinned as he held your ass the entire ride down. He told you where too meet him as he said he would meet you there. You agreed .as you realized after he wanted your oo take your car. You probably weren’t going too his place after dinner either. But you agreed pushing that thought too the back of your mind as you separated too get too your own cars and drive too this restaurant.

You arrived there before, Klaus so you went inside too get a table. You were lead too the back of the tiny restaurant you never even heard of. It was a hardly lite Restaurant, with candles mainly being the source of light, and Jazz playing in the background. Even those it was 7 pm it was Empty. So when you got too your table you went too text Klaus until you felt a hand on your leg. It made you shriek and jump till you looked down, moving the table cloth seeing Klaus grinning like a fool.

“Fuck Klaus you scared me!”

“Sorry,”

“what you doing down there/“ he grinned as he caressed your bare legs as he spoke, “I’m having my dinner..” you laughed softly hearing that response as he grinned reaching down kissing your knee softly.

“Y/N?”

Lifting your head up seeing Elijah you gasped, “Oh Elijah hey.” You started hitting Klaus in the head trying too Single him too get out from under the table. But he grabbed your hand instead and started kissing your inner thigh. You soon realized he wasn’t going too stop. Your only hope was too scare Elijah off before he realized he’s little brother was under the table about too have his “dinner” as he called it.

Elijah was wearing his suit, it fit perfectly on his muscular body as he spoke,” what you doing here alone?”

“oh you know, I was starving and I figured I would try this restaurant out. What brings you here?”

“Same- mind if I join you.”

Elijah has always been kind too you, he was the perfect one out of the three brothers. Before you could come up with a excuse he sat down as he spoke, “how is work? Klaus isn’t giving you a hard time is he?” Feeling klaus softly nibble on your inner thigh not even teasing your pussy he was taking his time. Teasing you. As you spoke, “he’s a ass sometimes but he’s okay.” Saying that made klaus bite harder on your inner thigh as you jumped slightly shocked as Elijah asked if you were alright.

“yea sorry. Cramp. How are you? How’s working with your brothers?’

The conversation was civilized and polite nothing too deep until the waitress came and took your orders as Klaus decided that was enough teasing as he lifted your skirt up. And reach over too your bare pussy. With all the teasing before barely touching you and maybe it was the aftermath of all the times you orgasmed earlier but you were still wet. He spread your legs as he reached down softly kissing your mould before sliding his tongue around your clit. You reached down grabbing his head. As he circled his tongue around your clit.

For the last half hour of talking and waiting for your food, Elijah realized you were nervous, then he’s hearing caught the sound of slurping and hitting something wet. The sound coming from under the table. When the noise started you bitting your cheek hard trying not too make a sound. As you forced yourself too talk about anything. Elijah glanced down at the table seeing the cloth hit the floor, when the meals arrived Elijah lifted the cloth up with his foot too see what he expected he’s brother Klaus under the table. He moved his foot. Elijah was furious that 1) Klaus would be so reckless and do this in public 2) make Y/N sit here and act like nothing was happening she was probably modified 3) knowing Klaus he didn’t think of sexual assault charges that could come up. What a idiot!

Elijah went too put a stop too it until he noticed your lip quivering. Seeing you in bliss and trying too stay quite. He thought back on this afternoon when you were in the meeting acting all jumpy. Elijah heard a vibrating sound but assumed it was a phone or something in someone’s pocket. He didn’t question it because he didn’t expect anything else. But realizing you and Klaus were having a sexual escapades in the office. He was surprised he didn’t see you doing that. And seeing you now trying too eat as the sounds of her wetness got louder. Made him. Horny. Elijah leaned back in the chair enjoying the show.

Klaus had two fingers pushing inside you as he kept his tounge on your teasing you and driving you crazy. Elijah was relax and calm as he talked about Spain. You trying too pay attention but the attack of klaus firm fingers and talent tounge took all your attention. When you felt a orgasm appearing. You tried too keep your mind clear trying too ignore it. It was working until Klaus curled his fingers slightly inside you hitting your G-Spot and it hit you. It was like being slapped in the face you moaned out, feeling your body hitting that sweet heaven your legs cramped around Klaus as you forgot too muffle your moans as you gripped onto his head tightly as your head leaned backward. Elijahs cock started stiffing watching your play time. When he heard the sweet sounds of your moans he grinned weakly. Looking around Not one of the staff members reacted. Clearly Klaus was smart enough too glamor them too not notice. Giving you some privacy minus himself of course.

The gentleman Righteous part of Elijah anted too leave too give you privacy, but seeing you quivering and moaning as you realized Klaus didn’t light up once hitting your orgasm. Elijah was jealous of his brother. The more he sat watching you. The more he wanted too be Klaus between your legs. Giving you that pleasure. He wanted you wrapped around him as he slide his cock into you burying it inside you.

There was no point pretending anymore. That you weren’t being serviced. You tried too come up with something but you saw Elijah relaxing more in the chair and you could notice his hard cock.it was making a very visible appearance against his trouser. You was pulled closer too Klaus as he spread your legs apart further as he started pushing his tongue deep inside you. Making his tongue skinny as he pushed in and making his tongue as fat as it could go as he slide his tongue out. You closed your eyes enjoying every movement as you heard shifting you opened your eyes realizing Elijah was trying too get comfy with. His stiff cock causing him discomfort in his trouser. You looked right at it realizing that was the problem, biting your lip you looked up at him nodding your head. Giving him permission he started too unzip his pants as he pulled his cock out with ease. Not caring about the staff. As he started stroking. You moaned softly trying too muffle his zipper as Klaus kept teasing. Feeling his thumb teasing your clit you were completely in heaven.

Elijah was stroking his cock as he watched you go completely clam , no longer scared someone would see her. The closed sign was out, the door locked, and the staff was in the back. The room was yours. The more Elijah saw you squirming and moaning softly the more he anted too take you right on this table. It surprised him when Klaus pulled out from under the table after Y/N second orgasm as he grinned seeing his older brother.

“see something you like brother?”

Elijah quickly put himself away as he spoke, “that was reckless Klaus.”

“that Is what I wanted.”

Elijah rolled his eyes as he spoke, ‘what if someone saw?”

“lucky them- Y/N see you tomorrow.”

“What?!” You gasped out as you spoke, “you aren’t going too take me home?”

Klaus grinned weakly as he stepped over kissing her head, “No.. but if your still in need of service perhaps my brother could attend too your needs. He was after all. Pawning himself.”

Staring at Klaus you walked over grabbing your purse, “your such a ass! Goodnight.”

“Night.”

Walking off you headed out of the restaurant and home.

The next day you decided too completely forget about Klaus. If he was just going too be a massive tease. 2 can play that game. You wore a tighter skirt and a white blouse you looked presentable for work. But just the bit more appealing. Nothing overly you weren’t going too dress like a hooker at work just too get back at Klaus. He would like that far too much! Getting too the office you went straight too work as you noticed both Mikelsons brothers (minus Kol who once again wasn’t in yet) were stealing glances at you. Normally you go towards Klaus if you needed help. And you walked up with your paper going towards his office. Too only stop at the water fountain too get a cup of water. Before walking off too Elijah’s office.

“hey Elijah you got a second?”

“of course- I wanted too- can you close the door.” You nodded your head stepping forward as you closed the door behind you as you walked over too his desk sitting down as he spoke, “I want too apologize for my actions last night. It- wasn’t proper..”

Shaking your head you looked at him, “No- but it was still.. stupidly hot.- Elijah if I wanted you too stop.. I would of told you too. And. You would of respected it.”

“Still- I’m you boss I shouldn’t want too-“ he stopped himself from finish that sentence as you rolled your shoulders. “Consider I had too force myself out that door before I did something Oh so stupid.. I get it.”

He grinned weakly as he spoke, “I dind’t know you and klaus.”

“we aren’t- he’s just a tease.. he gets me all hot and heavy and just bails… he’s the biggest tease in the world.”

“that is probably the first time I’ve ever heard someone call him that..” laughing at that you reached over grabbing his hand that was on the desk. “Forget about last night- I’m sorry I-“

“you did nothing wrong.”

Shaking your head weakly you slowly stood. Up as you stepped over too stand beside him as you sat on his desk. “No but I wanted too.’

That surprised Elijah as you spoke, “I wanted you both..”

Elijah was stunned as you reached over squeezing his shoulder. “But hey- lets just forget about it.”

He was stunned as you walked out. Walking out you went straight oo your desk as you focused on your work. Biting the tip of your pen you were focused when Klaus called you into his office just before lunch you walked over too his office as he told you too close the door. You did as he sat at his desk. “How are you?”

“Fine,” “you didn’t respond too my text.”

Rolling your shoulders, “Been busy”

“you been talking too Elijah.”

Seeing him jealous you titled your head seeing his all cramp up and annoyed. “You offered him to me yesterday. Didn’t think you would care I went too him.” Walking away he got up as he walked over too the windows closing his blinds as he walked over too you pinning you against the door you were surprised at the sudden reaction. But Klaus locked the door as he spoke, “I want you.”

Looking at him you rested your head on the door as you spoke, “do you? Because you only tease me.”

He stared at you stunned at your boldness as he reached up cupping your head. Hearing chairs shuffling outside everyone was going for lunch. He reached over kissing you deeply which brought your mind back too him as he pressed himself against you.

Feeling his hands on your chest as he ripped your blouse apart. The buttons fell onto the ground but you didn’t care you kept your lips onto him as you felt your body warming up as he kissed down your neck tracing down too your chest as he cupped your breast with one hand as he went too rip your bra off. And with how strong he was. You were convinced he could do it with one hand you spoke, “wait- this was experience” he grinned as you unhooked the bra from the back. He yanked it off as he pressed his lips too your breast kissing down too your nipples before wrapping his tounge around it and taking it fulling into his mouth. You closed your eyes enjoying the sensation. You weren’t the normal girl who had overly sensitive nipples. You read about girls who could have orgasms with just by playing with their nipples. You weren’t that sort of girl. But Kalus was Very gifted with his tounge. And you could now see how it was possible.

He moved from one too another making sure the other didn’t get too lonely.when he shifted up kissing your lips again you pulled his shirt making a few buttons fall off. As he helped you. You tugged at his pants as he obliged letting you undress him fully as he helped you out of your remaining articles of clothing. Standing naked he grinned reaching over kissing you deeply as you felt him hard. He’s cock was pressing against your thigh as he slowly positioned himself too enter you. Rationally you should of worried about protection but after 4 days of just being teased.your rational state of mind was gone. Klaus reached down teasing your clit as he slide his fingers down too slide them inside you. Feeling how wet you already were he grinned biting your neck softly. You moaned softly as he pumped his fingers inside you a few times before replacing his fingers with his waiting cock. Gasping feeling his length slide inside you. It was bigger then you expected as he gripped your neck softly making you look at him as he watched your reaction too taking his cock. He pushed. A few times slowly too. Let you get use too it as you eased he slowly started thrusting fast you looked at him as he reached back kissing you.

Being pinned against the door being fucked. You couldn’t believe this was acturally happening and as if he could read your mind he kissed you deeper. Softly whispering into your ear as he groaned softly, “I can’t believe we are doing this” As he reached down twisting your nipple as he picked you up. You instantly wrapped your legs around him as he carried you too his couch as he sat down as you gripped his shoulders as you started thrusting onto his cock. Riding it. As he kept his lips on you. Your neck, your shoulder, down too your chest.

Klaus hands cupped your breast as he soon shifted you too lay down on the couch as he towered over you as he kissed you deeply before thrusting faster. You moaned softly as he loved hearing you moan. It made him push deeper inside you as you leaned your head backwards. ‘Fuck.” You uttered as he reached down kissing you again.

“language miss y/l/n “

Rolling your eyes hearing his smart remark he chuckled he’s voice was so Soft and musical that you smiled weakly even those. It was slightly annoying. Feeling his hands gripping your neck softly as he pulled you into a kiss again, he’s hand lasted a second on your neck before he traced his hand down your body. Reaching too your pussy As he started playing with your clit with his thumb as he plunges deeper inside you. Feeling the new element. Your body started tensing up as he reached down kissing your neck as he moaned softly. “Cum for me baby.”

Hearing his voice was deepin your body agreed too his request as you turned your head reaching your arm up biting into your arm so you didn’t moan out. Klaus grinned weakly watching your back was arched, your breath was heavy as your legs, pussy and body clinched onto him as he hit his limit seeing you in pure bless as he hit his climax. Burring his face into your chest trying too muffle his own moans as you both.

A few minutes passed without either of you moving or even talking. Klaus stood up as he spoke, “that was incredible. Shall we do it again after work?”

You nodded your head weakly smiling getting up as you notice your shirt. “Shit! Klaus my shirt! You completely destroyed It!”

“I have a spare shirt you can borrow.”

Well at lest it’s better then going partly nude in the office.

[janekfan]

hi mom. sorry i havent talked with you much recently but ive definitely been following ur stuff (which youve probably noticed). ive been extremely busy with much longer work hours, sometimes needing to find a place to hide so i can plop down and pass out for a few minutes. if you wanna write something regarding that, however you want to, it would bring me a lot of comfort ♡

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26659246

For @flame-cat my child! I’m so very proud of you! I hope this fits :) I can always try again <3 <3 <3

Jon lifted his head, groggy and sore, from the surface of his messy desk, a spare post it stuck to his cheek. He blinked hard, rubbing the sleep from his stinging, burning eyes and peeled away the paper to slip it back into the folder. Ever since his promotion he’d been burning the candle at both ends in an attempt to balance all of the new responsibilities despite not having any of the relevant experience. Sasha would have been a much better choice and for the life of him, Jon couldn’t figure out Elias’ game. How did having a bumbling, idiot Archivist benefit him in any way?

He rubbed his temples, cursing the persistent ache. Barely getting through a statement a week already felt like running a marathon every time, leaving him exhausted and irritable and the worst part about it all was not being able to ask for help. He’d thought. Well. He’d though having Tim and Sasha accompany him would make the whole thing a little more bearable. They were friends. Friends took care of each other and they understood it wasn’t his decision, right? That he’d tried to argue his way out of it, tried to explain that he wasn’t the person for this job.

He was probably being sensitive. They had responsibilities. They were busy.

It’s not all about you, Jon.

But he was so lonely.

Tired.

And it only became worse as the weeks went on though he didn’t know how bad it had gotten until one of the library staff poked him awake at the end of one of the “K” shelves. He’d only sat down for a moment on the bottom rung of a rolling ladder.

“Mr. Sims?”

“Wah--?” So eloquent when the library assistant shook him by the shoulder out of concern.

“Can I help you find something?” They smiled. “Like the door? So that you might go home and get some rest?”

“No, no, I’m alright.” He plucked a book at random. “I was just looking for this.” They didn’t seem convinced and smiled indulgently.

“A book on kinephantoms?” And Jon drew himself up to his full, diminutive height.

“Wha--yes. Yes, or course.” Clearing his throat he turned on his heel and stalked back into the archives.

“Hello? Tim? Um.”

“What can I do you for, boss?” Jon was exceptionally nervous and he didn’t know why but as Tim whirled around in his chair, pen flipping over his fingers, it spiked in his gut, made him sick.

“Ah yes, the, the research I asked for, l’last week.” Deep breath, be the boss, delegate and follow up. “How is it coming along?”

“Oh, yeah! The research. It’s ‘coming along.’ Should have it ready in a few days. How’s after the weekend sound?” Horrible.

If he was being honest.

“Yes, of course.” But he wasn’t. “That would be just fine, thank you, Tim.” He tucked the folder he had brought for him behind his back and left the way he came.

“Jon?”

“Sasha?” He looked up from his reading to find her in his doorway and a cup of cold tea on the corner of his desk. When had that--? “How can I help you?”

“I just had some questions regarding what you needed for that last statement.” Disappointment flooded his tongue with salt. His instructions must have been lacking. He’d have to try better this second time.

It took the rest of the afternoon and Jon, having already worked through lunch, was feeling light headed from lack of sleep and food by the time Sasha was ready to start her research. She. She couldn’t, wouldn’t? Pretend? Not to know would she? All her questions, she was more suited to this job than he was.

No. He was being paranoid. He was just tired.

Disorienting pain lanced through his chin, echoing through his jaw and into his skull and he groaned. He’d fallen asleep propped up on his arm and paid the price for it with a bruised and throbbing face.

“Jon?”

Go’way.

“Jon?”

Lemme sleep.

“Jon?”

“Mmartin?” With difficulty, he was able to pry his eyes open, blinking away the cobwebs, the dust clinging to his lashes.

“What are you doing down here?” Martin was pulling him to his feet and Jon wanted nothing more than to curl back up and drift away.

“Was looking for--oh?” It was in his hand and he lifted it as evidence. “This?”

“You look exhausted.” Automatically Jon was denying it despite knowing the shadows beneath his eyes were like bruises, shaking his head and backing away without even enough stale air in his body to say the right words until he left Martin behind.

It was just a stupid, silly mistake. Nothing tragic or irreversible or cataclysmic, he just dropped a box of organized and neatly filed statements. Just dropped a box representing hours and hours of time and research and missed meals and lost sleep and proof of his incompetence and before he knew it he was on his knees amidst the papers and ink and photos and notes and it was all. Too. Much.

He didn’t even notice the tears at first, not until they hit his hands and he cried more of them in his frustration, wiping them angrily away and only ending up with his face buried in his folded knees because he was just. So. Tired. Jon didn’t know how long he sat there in the hallway, arms tucked around himself and holding all his pieces together, but it was long enough that someone came upon him and he hurried about tidying the pages and stuffing them back into envelopes.

“Boss?” Jon scrubbed his face, turning around with his most dictatorial expression. It wouldn’t do for him to see out how terrible he was at this. How awful.

“Ah, just dropped some files. I’ve got it.”

“Have you been--?”

“No! No.” He began to gather the mess faster, jamming statements into folders, into files, all out of order because if he stayed here any longer under his scrutiny he would end up sobbing.

“Do you need some help?”

“No.” Biting and cold. Drive him away.

“Jon.”

“No, I. I just can’t, I’ll get the hang of it. I just need to work harder.”

“Hey.”

“I’m just. I’m. I’m tired...that’s all.” It didn’t sound convincing to him, let alone to his subordinate. Not to Tim who’d known him before this whole fiasco. He stood, box in hand and staggered into the wall when the hallway tilted sideways, caught by Tim before he could go down again. Defeated, he let him take the statements. Let him leave it on the floor and lead him away.

“Oi, boss. When’s the last time you ate anything?” His hands were trembling in Tim’s and when he went to pull them away, the man held fast, drew him into an awkward hug.

“Oh...uh. I, I can’t, I suppose I can’t remember.” Caught, exposed, Jon let his face fall into Tim’s chest.

“Okay, okay, let’s get you taken care of.”

Suffering Martin’s fussing and fretting, while he didn’t understand it, wasn’t as intolerable as usual. He’d taken one look at Jon and wrapped him up in his well-worn cardigan and sat him at the rickety table with a cup of tea and orders to drink it. With his second mug he handed Jon a packet of biscuits and, not able to escape while sandwiched annoyingly (comfortingly) between Tim and Sasha, he had no choice but to nibble on them. After his third, Sasha tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

“I want to apologize, Jon. I wasn’t doing anything to make this any easier on you.”

“No, you’ve. You’ve been helpful and--” He was horrified that she would think his own shortcomings were any fault of her own.

“Not as helpful as we could have been, boss.” Jon looked between them so quickly it set his head to spinning. “We’re much better at research than we’ve led you to believe.”

“It was frustrating.”

“I’m s’sorry.”

“Not because of you.” He allowed Sasha to tug his head down to her shoulder. “We should have noticed you were running yourself ragged cleaning up after us.” Delightfully cozy and warm, Jon was dozing off and she chuckled. “Okay, okay, let’s get you tucked in. We can make it up to you after your nap.” Jon tried to resist, tried to rattle off all the work he still had left to do but all that came out of his fickle mouth were mumbling, sleepy, embarrassing noises. They set him up on the ratty break room couch and it was the most comfortable he’d been in ages. If he could just manage a coherent sentence…but the pillow was so soft beneath his aching head, the blanket Martin was settling over his shoulders just heavy enough and he tried one more time to say anything at all when Martin lifted the glasses off his face and folded them aside.

“Mhm, of course, yes, boss, whatever you say boss.” Sasha’s fingers running through his hair were his final undoing and between one gentle touch and the next, he let himself go.

[mnthpprt]

Chapter 34: Heads Will Roll

I wake up sitting on a chair with my hands tied behind me. My head is pounding, and my throat and lungs burn with every breath I struggle to take through the rough fabric tightly knotted around my face, wet with spit. Dizzy, I look around what looks like an empty theatre, and come to realize I have been placed on the first row. Not only am I gagged and have my hands bound, I am also tied to the chair.

There are two pianos on the stage, facing each other. Between them stands a man. Antonio. I squeal for help through the gag in my mouth, and he comes closer. Though he stops at a distance short enough to reach me, he makes no attempt to free me. He must be the one that brought me here.

“I am terribly sorry, Anaïs,” he tells me, his voice filled with shame. I simply glare at him. No amount of regret will make me forgive him for this. “I am only doing this because I have to. Do you think Wolfgang will have noticed you’re missing by now?”

He knows Mozart’s real name. Who the fuck is this man, really? I shrug, unable to curse him out, and he turns away, heading back to the stage. As he sits by one of the pianos and begins to play, I remember something. I wiggle and twist, uncomfortably contorting my arms around the back of my waist to reach the glass I hid in my dress. It takes me a while to grasp it, but I manage to pull it out and hide it behind my back without Antonio noticing. I carefully use it to cut the ropes around my wrists. My pace grows more frantic as I start feeling nauseous, making my hand slip and slice into my arm, but I don’t care. The chloroform’s side effects are quickly becoming too much to handle.

I finally cut all the ropes binding me to my seat and rip the fabric off my mouth just in time to bend over and vomit all over the floor. The ironically jaunty melody stops, getting replaced by Antonio’s footsteps.

“What do you want from me?” I manage to ask, wiping my mouth. It is then that I notice my mask is missing. I can’t see it anywhere near me, so he must have left it behind in the ballroom when he kidnapped me. “Am I just bait?” I understand. “What do you want with Mozart? Why-” I am suddenly interrupted by a coughing fit. This is definitely my least favorite chemical. “Why are you doing this?”

He takes a step closer, and I scramble away, pointing the sharp glass at him. If he dares to touch me, I can and will stab him. I still don’t know whether he is a vampire or not, but they don’t exactly enjoy getting stabbed either.

“I had to, Anaïs,” he says, putting his hands up. “I need to see him, to talk to him. After the night we met, I realized you were my best chance of luring him out.”

Of course. I suddenly understand how everything I said that night could be misunderstood. My reddened cheeks from the alcohol, my giggle, Bernadette’s comment. He thinks Mozart and I are lovers. I let out a bitter laugh.

“Well, I hate to disappoint you, but even I don’t know if he will come,” I tell him. “You got everything wrong. He’s not in love with me, you know?,” I chuckle. “And I have no feelings for him either. We’re nothing more than friends, and barely even that.” 

I untie the lavender ribbon around my neck, baring the bite marks and scar from the night Jean fed from me. I already have difficulty breathing as it is, and though the choker is not tight, I feel oppressed by it.

“You’re lying,” he shakes his head in disbelief. “You have to be. You’re lying to protect him.”

“If it’s this you’re talking about, he didn’t do it,” I roll my eyes, pointing at my neck. “The only reason he’s being so nice to me is because I helped someone he actually cares about. Oh, don’t get any ideas,” I chuckle at Antonio’s thoughtful expression, my arm still firmly pointing the glass at him. “You wouldn’t wanna kidnap this one, he’d tear you apart before you even know it,” I say, referring to the seasoned warrior that Jean is.

“But the other night...” Antonio stammers. “You were blushing and giggling like a schoolgirl when talking about him.”

“Correction: I was drunk and he just happened to be the topic of conversation.”

“And you said you lived together-”

“Convenience,” I simply shrug. “I am a guest in his house. I never said I was his guest.” I see the doubt in his eyes. His plan is crumbling apart with every word that comes out of my mouth. “Are you going to tell me who you are now? What do you want with Mozart?”

Antonio takes a deep breath, but before he can answer my question, Mozart barges in through the back door.

“Salieri,” he pants. Huh, so that’s who he is. I remember the complicated history between those two: they were thought to be enemies, but some historians believed they were actually close friends. And well, Antonio might have played a part in Mozart’s death, but that is just a conspiracy theory. “Leave her alone, she has nothing to do with me.”

He’s not wrong, but I can’t help but smile at the fact that he came regardless. He does care.

“Wolfgang, old friend,” Salieri smiles. It is not a friendly smile like his words would suggest. There is something menacing, even unhinged about it. Nothing new here, I mean, he went to the extreme of kidnapping me just to get to Mozart. “Please, join me on the stage. I want us to play together one more time.”

“What happened to you, Antonio?” Mozart whispers, shaking his head. He seems surprised by his old rival’s new demeanor. I guess they really were friends, back in the day. Still, he obliges, taking a seat at one of the piano benches. Salieri does the same.

“I would like to challenge you to a duel, my dear friend,” he begins from his side of the stage. “The best pianist gets to kill the loser.” He laughs playfully when he says that, to Mozart’s horror, as if it was a completely normal thing to suggest.

“Why are you doing this?” The white haired composer is completely horrified, but he looks relieved that I have been left alone. I have now put my makeshift weapon down and observe from the edge of the stage.

“You’re not going to agree to this, are you?” I ask him, worried.

“I have to. I...” Shit, so he’s actually doing it, playing along to this psychopath’s delusions. “I heard the rumours. Did you really poison me, Antonio?”

“No!” the other is quick to yell. “Of course not! I could never betray you like that, Wolfgang. I respected you too much. I still do.”

“Then why are you doing this?” Mozart repeats.

“I have to, he’s making me-”

His sentence is interrupted by another of my coughing fits. Both musicians watch me from above until I recover. Alright, here’s what I know: Salieri knew Mozart was still alive, just as himself. Neither of them should be, they died a century ago. He did not seem surprised by the marks on my neck, either. He’s a vampire. The fact that no one in the mansion knew about him tells me that le Comte wasn’t the one who turned him. I know there are more purebloods out there, Leonardo himself is proof of that. But who turned him? And why? Is his sire, whoever that is, making him kill Mozart? Is he being controlled in some way?

“No one is killing anybody.” My voice echoes through the empty theatre as I climb onto the stage. “Wolf, he said he didn’t poison you. Do you believe him?” Mozart nods quietly. “Great, so do I. I think he’s being controlled by someone. Maybe he’s some sort of aberrant, I don’t know. Either way, quit your bullshit. I’m not letting you die over this. Understood?” My tone leaves no space for arguments. He nods again, and I turn to Salieri, satisfied. “And you-” I start coughing again, then point the shard of glass at him. “You have some things to explain. We’re two against one, you’re the hostage now, so you better start talking. Capisci?”

Salieri looks down at his hands, hovering over the piano keys, and takes a deep breath.

“Alright. But not here. He’s watching,” he whispers. I desperately want to know who he is, but it looks like I’ll have to wait. If there is another pureblood wreaking havoc around here, I need to tell le Comte. 

Antonio guides us into the wings and down some stairs. Under the stage, there is a door, and he opens it. It leads to a tunnel. Mozart and I exchange a meaningful look and hesitantly follow the new vampire into the dark. We walk in silence for what feels like fifteen minutes, and eventually the tunnel grows wider. The little wind passing trough it carries a disgusting smell with it. The sewers. I pause and lean against the wall to retch again, still not recovered from the nausea caused by my exposure to chloroform. Antonio stops walking and looks back at me, a worried expression on his face.

“Oh, fuck off,” I complain, wiping my mouth with a glove before discarding it on the floor. “You did this to me.” His gaze falls to the floor, embarrassed. I take of the other glove, the one that remains clean, and hold it over my face to mask the odour from the sewers. I can feel Antonio’s eyes on me, seeing my tattoos for the first time, but he does not comment on them.

“We’re here,” he announces. I look at Mozart once again and let him be the one to ask questions.

“Why did you become a vampire? How?” His voice comes out soft, worried, even. I can tell they were close at some point. Salieri clears his throat before answering.

“I blamed myself for your death, you know? I thought... I thought I didn’t push you hard enough to get better,” he chokes on his words, his voice breaking a little. “Do you remember the last thing I ever said to you, Wolfgang? About your Requiem?”

“You said it wasn’t good yet,” Mozart nods, understanding. “You weren’t taunting me, were you?” Salieri shakes his head, a sad smile on his lips.

“I thought if I convinced you to improve it, you would push through your illness to finish it,” he mutters. “I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

“I already did, long ago. But who is making you do this now?” Mozart asks. “Is it the vampire who turned you?” Salieri nods, silently. “Who turned you, Antonio?”

“I can’t... I can’t say!” Salieri cries out, violently shaking his head. Whoever is doing this to him is clearly affecting his mental state. “He’ll kill me, I-”

“If you tell me, I can help you,” Mozart cuts him off gently. “Please, old friend. Let me help you...”

I tune out their back and forth pleading, convinced that I saw something further down the tunnel. I narrow my eyes and walk around the two composers, trying to get a better look, but the silver glimmer I saw has disappeared. I return to my spot beside Salieri just in time to hear him sigh deeply, finally giving in, although  my eyes remain fixed in the darkness of the sewers.

“H-his name...” he starts, hesitantly. “His name is-”

“Watch out!”

In the span of half a second, stretched out into what feels like an eternity, I see the strange glimmer again. A long, metallic tube, too far for me to tell what it is in the darkness, but the noise is what gives it away. Two loud clicks echo through the tunnel as instinct takes over my body, remembering the sound from some movie I watched long ago. A gun. I jump in front of Salieri as a loud bang rips through the air. Before my feet touch the ground again, I feel a sharp pain pierce through my back and come out right above the neckline of my dress, at the very top of my left breast. My arm cracks as I fall onto it, bending it uncomfortably between my body and the floor, but I don’t feel any pain. I just feel burning. In my lungs, my heart, my head, everything is burning. I cough and the coppery taste of blood fills my mouth before spilling over the edge of my lip, soiling my pure ivory dress.

“Anaïs!” Mozart rushes to help me, but there is nothing he can do besides getting blood all over his pristine lavender suit.

“H-he’s getting... away...” I struggle to say. I am not sure if the footsteps I heard were real or a pain induced hallucination.”

“I know, but I can’t leave you. God damn it, I don’t know what to do. What do I do?” he panics.

“Go,” a familiar husky voice orders from out of my increasingly narrow field of vision. “Le Comte and I will take care of her.”

“...Leonardo... How...?” I manage to breath out between coughs. My voice is muddled by the sputtering blood that tries to come out of my mouth with every word. He kneels beside me and holds my hand tight. I draw a weak smile. I missed his touch.

“Shh, cara mia, don’t speak,” he shushes me, stroking my head with his free hand. “Mozart called us when he saw you were missing. We need to take you back to the mansion, get you patched up.”

“N-no,” I cough. I won’t make it. I’m pretty sure the bullet hit my lung. Even Arthur couldn’t fix that, not with the medicine of this time. “I’m... dying...” I mumble. I am losing consciousness again, I notice. My eyelids feel awfully heavy, and I can’t keep them open any more.

“I- I can’t. I’m sorry. I can’t, cara mia.” Leonardo’s distressed voice reaches me distorted, as if he was speaking from another room. Is this a nightmare? He lets go of my hand, leaving it cold and sweaty, but someone else takes his place.

“Listen, ma chérie.” Le Comte. I struggle to open my eyes so I can look at him, but they quickly roll back into my head. I’m not gonna make it. “I am going to turn you. Do you consent to that?” His voice is clear, but I can hear the slight panic in it. He needs to hurry before it’s too late. I use all the strength I have left to nod once. He does not wait to lounge forward and sink his fangs into my neck. Unlike last time with Jean, I am unconscious before the wave of pleasure hits me. I am dying. No, I am already dead.

[thenightling]

Opinion on the rioters who dressed as The Punisher

Opinion on the Rioters dressed as The Punisher:

I recently found out some of the Capitol rioters were dressed as The Punisher from Marvel comics.  Do I blame the character?  No.   However, i have become very cautious in regard to hardcore fans of the character and not merely over this.

First, I admit, I never really liked The Punisher as a character.   I thought of him as an edgy byproduct of comics gradually shifting to being darker and grittier.  He was one of the first heroes to not preach about justice and redemption but instead wanted to kill.  He was not a protagonist.  He started as a villain in the Amazing Spider-Man comics.  Stan Lee had not liked the character. (This is a fact that is easily checked and Googled).

In the late 80s and early 90s he became very popular as comics became darker and so he was given his own comic and appeared more often and often as a protagonist anti-hero.

I never liked the concept of him.  Sure, he had a sympathetic backstory but the “Killing is the only answer” never sat right for me.  The lack of mercy he showed even to the repentant, it always bothered me.  I got that he was supposed to be mentally-ill but in his own comics his behavior was, far too often, justified.

Other media tried to mimic the character.  The Ben Affleck Daredevil behaved more like The Punisher than Daredevil.  Instead of a defense attorney he was now a prosecutor.  And if he lost a case he would hunt down the criminal and kill him, brutally.   There’s one scene where he severs a man’s spine and then gloats as a train comes to hit him, as he lays paralyzed on the track. That’s not Matt.

Ben Affleck again played totally-not-Punisher in his portrayal of Batman.  A gun-using batman that was loosely inspired by Frank Miller.  And all the Zack Snyder Fanboys came crawling out of the woodwork, insisting that this was “realistic” and “more accurate to the comics” and “but look, he killed in these old comics!”   They either were lying by omission or didn’t know about Crisis on Infinite Earths and how main continuity Batman had been anti-gun and anti-killing since at least 1985.  The entire plot of Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke was based on this established lore. 

There’s no doubt Punisher has had a serious influence on popculture and something I called Darkity, dark, dark writing or as others have named it: “Edgelord.” 

It’s a sort of “dark and gritty” “realism” popular among boys between the ages of eleven and fifteen who genuinely think crime would end if we shot every criminal and don’t realize that most real world police officers have never drawn their gun, despite what you might see in the news.  If murder truly was the norm, people wouldn’t still be horrified by it.

Now on to the fans.   There are far too many Punisher fans who think he was and is in the right.  They think he is an aspirational figure to admire and look up to.  A “realistic” hero by Zack Snyder standards, because hope and mercy are what is apparently unrealistic in a world consisting of aliens, Greek Gods, witchcraft, and even the folkloric Sandman (That’s in DC, not Marvel though Nightmare is arguably the Marvel equivalent).

I used to be Facebook friends with a Punisher fan.   He was equally obsessed with The Joker.  At first i just let it be.  You’re allowed to like edgy or dark characters.  There’s no harm in that.  But... he got creepy.   He would quote the Joker in conversation about “SJWs” and “progressives.”   He would say things like “My eyes were opened as yours soon will be.”   

He was convinced liberals tried to ruin The Joker movie and posted pictures of the Joker dancing down the stairs with “HAHAHAHAHA!  Suck my dick, Progressives!” in at least two of the facebook groups I run.  It got embarrassing that when people would search for my Horror Comics group, the sample post Facebook gave was that one.  

He kept talking about how both The Punisher and The Joker are right.  His facebook picture would alternate between the two characters depending on his mood.  He would post memes “explaining” why The Punisher is right.

He would post articles about this or that criminal being arrested and refer to them as “it” and “thing” and how “it should be tortured four hours before someone kills it.”   things like that, about various people who did things that were (admittedly) horrific and reprehensible but he would go into graphic detail about what he wanted to do with them   Very sadistic, Saw-like tortures before “Mercifully” killing them.  

He once casually told me how he wanted to kill all progressives.  I gently reminded him that I have liberal leanings and I got a “You’re different” sort of response.  

As his behavior got more fanatical and disturbing, the more uncomfortable I became.   After the progressives threat I made the mistake of telling someone who was mutually friends with us both that I felt threatened.  Needless to say the one I have just described to you called me a liar, insisted he never said anything threatening.  And accused me of being “one of them.”

I told him he had been acting increasingly strangely and needed to stop posting the pro-Joker stuff.  And it wasn’t just the film The Joker.  It was the version from Gotham (TV series) he tried to emulate and praised.  A woman celebrity he didn’t like was soon being called “It.”  Then some feminist (I didn’t agree with this person) was saying how The Mandalorian didn’t have enough female characters or diversity and should be canceled.  It was some stupid opinion piece published by a site like Buzzfeed or Io9 during the first season of Mandalorian. 

This guy was very conservative but had a bad habit of seeking out fanatical articles like this to make himself angry.  The only time I ever agreed with him on the matter was when he came to my defense for not liking the 2016 Ghostbusters.  Someone in my own Gothic Horror Facebook group had decided to call me a self-loathing misogynist and insisted the only reason I didn’t like it is because the characters were women.   No, I don’t like slapstick comedy.  I didn’t like that they didn’t bother to use real parapsychology or theoretical physics (as the original had done).  I didn’t like that the “genius” of the group licked her proton blaster and that was the common promo image for the film. I didn’t like that people who praised the film entirely forgot that there was a diverse team lead by a woman in the 90s. (Extreme Ghostbusters).   I didn’t like that they destroyed ghosts instead of trapped them.   That violates the law of conservation and most spiritual beliefs as even being possible. It was just a bad movie.

I agreed with him on that one but when this anti-Mandalorian article came out he went too far.  He insisted the woman who wrote it should be dragged out into the street and shot.  He called her “it” and “thing” and said she didn’t deserve to live . I told him he was going too far, and she couldn’t take the show away, that he was over reacting. 

He then blocked me.   I thought it was done and over with, then the Pandemic hit.

When the Pandemic happened he unblocked me and in a revisionist history of events insisted he had blocked me because I had “lied” and said he threatened me.   No, he had told me he wanted to kill all progressives, knowing that I am one.   And that was not why he blocked me.  It was because I disagreed about his death threats about the writer of a Mandalorian article.  He wanted to fight.  He alternated between insulting me and trying to show how good he was to come to me during a world crisis, like he was doing me a favor.  I blocked him this time.

That night my Facebook account was disabled.  Someone had reported my account as not being a real person, and Facebook wanted photographic proof that I’m real.   It was re-enabled as soon as I sent in a photo but as I don’t have a smartphone (I live in a deadzone) and I’m visually impaired it was a little bit of a pain.  This was not something that had ever happened to me before.  And I had witnessed this Punisher fan report accounts of those he wanted to “punish” before.

And now I find out some of these rioters were wearing Punisher shirts.   So yes, I keep my guard up around Punisher fans.

Do I blame the character?  No.  Not really.   If not him they would have found someone else to try to emulate and idolize.  Getting rid of the character won’t get rid of this mentality.   I never liked the character but I don’t want him banned.  I would be happy if less people were obsessed with him.  I would be happy if those obsessed with the character didn’t all remind me of the man I described here.  I would be happy if fans of the character were more likely to say that they don’t agree with the character’s actions, they just like his story.

There’s nothing wrong in liking a character with problematic behavior.  But if you can’t acknowledge that it’s wrong and instead glorify and romanticize the actions of the character, that’s the problem.   I love lots of characters who do bad things.  I love Count Dracula.  I don’t intend to drink blood and sic wolves on people.   And I have absolutely no interest in impalement.   

I think far too many Punisher fans don’t realize he’s in the wrong, instead want to be like him, and have trouble separating fiction from reality.  I do not blame the character.  They would have found someone else if not him.  But unfortunately, I AM starting to view hardcore / obsessively being a fan of The Punisher as a bit of a red flag considering how many of them behave this way...

[funkymbtifiction]

hi! i was thinking about an incident that happened to me a few years back and trying to figure out what enneagram-related motivations it revealed.

basically, i submitted a piece of work for a school project - and received a pretty terrible grade for the first draft. before i’d submitted it, i had genuinely thought that it was good, of high quality, and was sure to do well. upon realizing that it had not, i was, frankly, devastated and humiliated. writing was always something i thought i had been good at, and to find out that this was not in fact true was extremely embarrassing to me, especially thinking about all those times i had proudly shown off what i had written…

I wish I had some terrific insight for you, but this honestly could be most of the Enneagram types that are not blocked by too much self confidence. This is the experience of most writers – thinking they are better than they are, submitting it somewhere, and either getting criticism from a teacher or an editor pointing out all its mistakes. The humble person feels hurt, then rereads the suggestions, decides to implement them, and becomes a better writer over time because they are willing to listen to others and learn the basics of writing. The arrogant person assumes the other person doesn’t know what they are talking about and ignores the advice, thus stagnating in their writing and/or repeating their mistakes.

Since you mentioned 4 and 3 fixed in particular – the 4 would nurse their feelings of being misunderstood (they just don’t understand what a good writer I am) as proof of the world rejecting them for being different. 4s tend to over-focus at times on insults and retrospectively look for them, so criticism would make them curl inward while wanting to resist any attempt by the outside editorial world to ‘change them’ – often, their pride can get in the way of adaptation. It has to be me!! if it isn’t me, then it isn’t worth doing!! The 3 could react the way you described – shocked and horrified that they aren’t “the best,” then willing to consider the criticism and rewrite the material in order to improve, because self-improvement is very much a 3 trait. However… an unhealthy 3 (not humble) might simply assume the idiot doesn’t see their genius.

For what it’s worth, as a 692 I would listen to the criticism and do the same thing you did – feel a bit hurt and then cast those feelings aside and improve the material if I felt the advice was solid. I once rewrote entire sections of a book because a beta reader told me I had a ton of bad participial phrases. It suddenly felt as if I had exposed my backside to this person – that they were a beta (test) reader did not matter. I did not want them to see my work in any form other than my optimal best. I have my pride (lots of it) but I also have my humility (too much?) and… I went through and painstakingly took out every participial phrase in that entire book (of which there were many; I got into a nasty habit). And my writing improved because of it.

So while this hasn’t told you your Enneagram… always consider whether editorial advice (from teachers, professionals, etc.) has merit and the power of making you a better writer or is just a matter of opinion.

[anangelicday-mrwolf]

Wolfsbane : Noblesse Fanfic (post-ending)

(previous chapter)

Chapter 30 – Wrong Start

“I give you 10 seconds for you to confess, whoever it is.”

Muzaka’s statement resonated in the air, left unanswered by his closest and most trusted warriors.

None of the four warriors could fancy what was in their lord’s head, and they were busy exchanging looks among themselves, until Garda, as the most experienced of all warriors, decided to be the vanguard.

“Pardon me, my lord, but... I am afraid we have no idea what you want to discuss with us.”

“Isn’t it obvious? I mean, can I make it any more obvious?”

Muzaka sighed from the bottom of his guts, as if he just encountered the gravest tragedy he has ever witnessed.

“Don’t you hear that? Our little girl throwing a raging, hissy fit as we speak.”

Oh.

No mouth in the area ever moved, but an identical sound rang in their heads in synchronization.

In fact, questions had been ringing in their heads even before Muzaka summoned them.

‘What on earth had happened to Lunark?’

‘Why is she so mad?’

‘Shouldn’t we stop her? At this rate, she’ll blow up at least 10% of our land.’

By the time damages caused by Union’s biological weapons were almost as good as gone, out of the blue thundered new cacophony undeniably from a work of destruction.

It turned out Lunark was to blame, slashing and trashing like a bull that has spotted a red flag, as reported by two rookie warriors that were dispatched to find out the cause of it.

And she was doing one hell of a job, so vicious that they could not even get close, let alone ask her what was wrong.

“But it seems her reasons are still functioning. She’s wreaking havoc at that infamous forest. But really, does anybody have any idea what’s gotten into the girl? Whether it is condolence or understanding or reprimand that she needs, I’ll be able to choose one only when I find out why she’s doing... All that. Anybody? Please?”

Nobody moved a muscle to Muzaka’s inquiry-slash-request, for they were just as clueless as he was.

That is, all except one.

Garda learned about Lunark’s rampage from new warriors, who were already throwing a talk party of their own regarding the grey-haired warrior’s behavior, and she ran to the spot right away to check what was going on.

And she could pick up Lunark’s voice even before reaching the forest, from which the former usually stays away.

“Aaaaaaaaaagh!!”

She managed to catch a glimpse of the younger warrior from afar, who was screeching an array of unrecognizable vowels and syllables, with her hands shifted into battle stance as she was hurling towards whatever she could reach, air, trees, or leaves afloat.

Garda had no choice but to retreat, partially because she got scared for her own life, and partially because she was beyond puzzled, never having seen Lunark so unbridled.

Luckily, she could spot Lunark’s face right before she turned away, which left a concerning impression in her head.

‘It looks to me she isn’t mad. She’s whipping up embarrassment from the depth of her soul. Just what could mortify and set her off like that?’

*****

Few days later, Frankenstein’s island

‘Just what did he do?’

The white-haired man had been asking himself ever since the lord of the island returned at last.

He did remember that Frankenstein said he would be visiting wolfkind; however, he was wondering whether he ate the Dark Spear on his way.

Because the atmosphere from the blonde human was so dark, so violent.

That was when 3rd Elder’s experience with mind games from Union kicked in, and he attempted to analyze Frankenstein’s mental state based on what he could make out of his islemate’s facial expressions.

As a result, he could identify a number of emotions: extreme irritation, fury just as extreme, remorse greater than either of the two, and, most importantly, self-hate.

Because of which, 3rd got highly conscious of his every breath and step, despite the fact that he was lodging on this island upon Frankenstein’s permission and consent.

On the other hand, unbeknownst to the scientist, he terrified that the former could have noticed his alliance with Helga.

So he ended up asking Frankenstein if there was something troubling him, ready for a lethal slap in the face.

It’s nothing.

Came a reply with a face that THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING, before the speaker fled the scene.

That did not do any good to relieve 3rd Elder of his fear, but at least he was convinced that the reason behind Frankenstein’s foul mood lay not with him.

When he walked away, Frankenstein’s steps were immediate, rushed as if he never wanted to talk about it ever again.

‘That just made it more curious for me, but I guess it’s none of my business, whatever it is. What matters is that Frankenstein knows nothing about my deal. Speaking of which, looks like the recorder and tracker in me really didn’t work.’

He already knew the answer; had they worked properly, upon his return Frankenstein would have cornered him almost as if he were going for a round of a full torture.

So all in all, regardless of what had taken place with the wielder of Dark Spear, 3rd Elder could not deny that it was all good for him.

It was so good to know Helga’s promise came with a reason.

It was very good to find out her accomplice was truly talented.

‘And I’d say she’s also talented, having discovered and won over such competence, especially considering the original alliance of the said competence.’

Though Helga did relay to him the course through which her accomplice had agreed to act as an accomplice, 3rd Elder was still mystified.

‘Anyways, I’d say nobody knows about my ‘betrayal.’ Which means I should focus on my job and do it right, on the day she mentioned.’

*****

Time never stopped its magic, and at last came the day marked on everyone’s calendar.

<I was wondering whether we could make it...>

<But here we are.>

“Haha, amen to both of you.”

Tao, who had found himself in front of computers for once, laughed at the screens hosting virtual conversation with four recipients at once.

Nonetheless, the man’s face held a hint of anxiety, and Adne somehow detected it like an X-ray.

<Mr. Tao, was it...? There’s no need to be so anxious.>

“Haha, was it that obvious? How embarrassing. And I have been calling myself an expert, with tons and variety of experience when it comes to computers.”

Tao laughed, scratching a side of his head, when Adne offered a word of comfort.

<Experiences does not really grow on par with poise. Besides, anxiety is not so bad, although this is from someone who just told you not to be so anxious. It’s a proof that you are responsible and conscious of the weight of your task.>

“My, I’m starting to feel small in your presence. We should be calling you the real expert.”

<An expert? Me? That’s preposterous. I am no expert.>

But I wanted to be one.

Tao blinked, wondering if he had just heard the werewolf doctor whispering.

Before he could ask if he had said something, however, Adne beamed in satisfaction.

<Most importantly, Mr. Frankenstein recommended you. And that’s more than enough reason for me to trust you.>

“Aww, come on, boss! You should really stop being a proud daddy.”

<I dare you to shout that in my face one more time.>

Tao felt his body turning rigid as a biting voice speared his eardrums.

So did Takio and M-21, watching the scene right next to his chair.

Frankenstein’s face, lighting up an entire monitor that was assigned to him, was brimming with annoyance.

<Thanks a lot, Tao. I’m already starting to think that I really shouldn’t have volunteered as an audience.>

“Aww, don’t be so mean, boss. There’s no way we’re leaving you out for the grand premiere of the event.”

<I would like to second that.>

Said Lascrea, who had been listening like a rock until then.

Because she was standing next to Yuhyung, who decided to be the operator for Lukedonia, only part of her face was visible.

The only one who has not spoken was the doctor from KSA.

Or rather, he decided not to speak, overwhelmed by the presence of werewolves, nobles, Frankenstein, and a group of people who had shared with him blood and sweat in battles.

But of course, that did not mean KSA would be left unspoken for the duration of the event, though it was because Tao directed a word to everyone at the scene.

“So, are we all ready? Status report, please.”

<Yep! All set!>

<Uh, same here...>

<...I believe we are ready as well.>

Adne was the last to send an okay, after a bit of delay, to which Tao responded with a nod completely void of a smile.

“So, shall we begin?”

Right on cue, Yuhyung took the invisible mike from Tao.

<Now, please follow the instructions I had left for you. First, run the program I installed for you.>

Tao’s fingers danced across the keyboard, for he had fully memorized Yuhyung’s instruction manual; and Adne and KSA’s doctor followed suit.

The two humans provided feedback whenever things were lost or stuck in the middle, and they reached step by step closer to the initiation of the QuadraNet.

By then M-21, Takio, and even Lascrea were having a hard time hiding their excitement.

“Okay, we’re almost there! Just a little bit more!”

Tao’s encouragement fueled everybody to the last stage.

<Now, once this file is activated, all four servers will be linked. And like I told you a number of times, we must activate the file at the exact same moment.>

“On a count of three. One... Two...”

Three.

Four fingers stabbed the enter key in unison, and not long after they held their breath in waiting, pleasing hum of machines and blue light began their duet.

<...Well? It looks like things went okay here.>

Asked a voice from monitor connected to the KSA’s headquarter, somewhere between anticipation and concern.

<W-w-we’re okay!>

<Uh, same here...>

Came voices wild with wonder, and Tao was about to laugh in reply, when an eerie whirring noise, pitched so high and so ominous, began to bore through everyone’s ears.

The fact that it took place just when they were literally less than an inch away from completion was horrifying enough, but they had yet to realize the real horror was yet to reveal itself.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Beep-beep-beep-beep.

BEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!

Monitors linking Lukedonia, KSA, and wolfkind also emitted similar noises, and soon Tao found his screens being painted with tiny numbers and alphabets one by one.

“Tao? What is it?”

“What’s going on?”

Barked Takio and M-21 in alarm; they did not define themselves as computer-friendly type, but they had enough knowledge to tell that such phenomenon takes place usually when there is a technical issue or its sort.

Not to mention Tao’s face was all they needed to see that something has gone terribly wrong.

“No, no, no...! Our server...!”

Tao yelled as he was slamming the keyboard with his entire fingers.

And right then Murphy’s Law decided to spit in their faces.

Pzzt...!

Everyone’s face blinked off as if promised, and instead the monitors were refilled with noises that made the RK’s eyes bleed just by staring.

“What the heck is going on...?!”

*****

“Tao? Mr. Jang? Doctor? Dr. Adne?”

Frankenstein was almost wailing for everyone’s name as well.

To no avail, of course.

“What is it? Just tell me what the hell it is!”

Frankenstein’s cry scattered into an echo unreciprocated, as he was clutching onto his monitor.

So he had no idea there was a pair of blue eyes watching him from his back.

‘Stage 1 is complete.’

Cause disturbance with everyone’s server the moment QuadraNet comes alive.

Therefore, make sure no one can pay attention to anything other than the sudden technical chaos, including what he and Helga will stir up in the future.

It was not an easy task, but they made it.

The 3rd Elder silently removed himself from the back of the stage, his mind winding back to the face of their accomplice, who happened to be featuring on one of Frankenstein’s monitors just a while ago.

(next chapter)

Perhaps it would feel a little rushed to bring about trouble so soon, when the previous chapter featured Frankenstein and Lunark’s first kiss, but now things will start taking the wrong turns. I mean, it’s no fun if there are no troubles or challenges in a fic lol. By the way, I started adding links on each chapter that can take you to previous/next chapter (you can find the link to previous chapter at the top, and the link to the next chapter at the bottom). I’ll add the links to all previous chapters very soon!

[gingerwritess]

hEY can u do a drunk reader thingie + loki where he takes her home after worrying and reader accidentally confesses?? morning aftermath as well sorry if this is too close to the drunk!loki one and if its too unoriginal kjaksjskjs

Summary: you have a little too much to drink and set your sights on a certain god, and loads of chaos and perfectly awkward situations ensue.

Warnings: tooth rotting fluff? bad words?

A/N: this is my first time besides Heat Wave writing for not-yet-dating Loki x reader, and i loved it sm, and got a little carried away. so enjoy this one shot!

also i didn’t proof-read or edit so i apologise in advance have a nice cute gif of loki’s murder strut instead

You and alcohol don’t exactly make the greatest pair.

You and alcohol and an extremely attractive god don’t exactly make the greatest trio, either.

But here you are, strutting over to Loki like you own the place; you’re only a couple drinks in and already have made up your mind that this one, this crazily beautiful god isn’t going to slip out of your grasp. You’ve been chasing after him for too long, and it’s too obvious how he’s chasing you too, right? Right?

Your ankles have decided otherwise.

The moment you shout his name and he glances over at you, you’re flat on your ass and there’s a watermelon margarita dripping down your front—and the Asgardian is laughing.

He laughs but walks over to help you up, extending a hand you too eagerly take. Oh…his hands are something out of a dream. It’s just a simple hand to help you up, but his long fingers curl around your wrist and they’re cold, wonderfully cold against your heated skin.

Good god, if you don’t want to hold that hand for the rest of eternity…

“I…I think I just fell for you,” you giggle breathlessly when he pulls you to your feet. “Get it? Cause I fell? I fell for y—”

“Yes, yes, I get it,” he laughs, steering you back to the bar and helping you into a seat. You immediately reach for a menu to order another drink, but Loki places a gentle hand on yours to stop you; your heart nearly stops. “Might you consider something non-alcoholic? Some water, perhaps?”

“No thank you, sir.” You shake your head and cross one leg over the other, trying your best to look put together. “I feel great. Another marrrr-grita please!”

“Absolutely not. We’ll have water, thank you,” he tells the bartender, catching you with a hand on your waist when you nearly fall out of your chair from whirling around to glare at the god for ordering for you. “This is for your own good, trust me.”

“M’not drunk! I only had…had…” you try to count on your fingers, furrowing your brow when you can’t seem to remember what comes after three.

“I believe the number you’re looking for is four,” Loki chuckles and hands you a glass of water, making sure your grip on it is tight before he lets go. “Drink up—no, don’t you dare dump it out—you’ll feel better after this.”

“But I feel great,” you slur and take a messy gulp of water, trying to talk with your mouth full and only dribbling water all down your chin. “I feel like I could take on the world, and—and—ooo Loki, you’re wearing a white shirt!!”

The god raises a confused eyebrow at you and nods, glancing down at the white button up he had chosen to wear to this little gathering, something different from the dark and most likely leather he generally finds himself wearing. He hadn’t thought much of the choice, but the fact that you noticed him doing something differently sends a funny feeling to the pit of his stomach—maybe he should change things up more often.

“Yes, I am, wonderful observation. Here.” He hands you a napkin to dry off your face, an amused smile tugging at his lips. “You should be getting home, don’t you th—what in sweet Valhalla are you doing?!”

You’ve just reached over to his seat and dumped your entire cup of water onto his chest. “Makin’ you sexy, that’s what,” you declare, rubbing the water around his shirt to make sure it covers every inch of his torso. “See? Now it’s see-through.”

Loki’s heart is beating a little too fast for his liking at the feeling of your curious hands all over his chest. It was completely out of the blue, what you’ve just done, and extremely inappropriate…right?

But now you’re staring, because his shirt is see-through, and things are looking incredible.

“I didn’t know you have abs, Loki!”

Yes, you’re staring shamelessly and he wants to shrink under the wonder filling your gaze as you take in his much too exposed stomach, raking your eyes from his perfect collarbone down to the little dips on his hips forming a beautiful ‘v’ and he can tell your gaze is only getting lower—

“You should take me home, big boy.”

He almost spits out his water at your blatant request, already feeling much too open to your, ah…interest than he’s used to. To take you home, in this state? Even though you had literally just asked him, and even with how…tempting you look in this elegantly disheveled state, he pushes the very thought out of his mind and shakes his head.

“No, no, that’s not a good idea,” he laughs nervously, quickly turning away from you so you can’t stare at his chest any longer. “You’re not yourself, and I couldn’t possibly take advantage of you like this.”

“But I asked!”

“Yes, but—no. You’ll only regret it, trust me.” He looks around for whoever is responsible for you, whoever let you reach this state of drunkenness and left you alone like an idiot, but he can’t find anyone.

“I just wanna go home,” you whine softly, dropping your head onto the bar top. “If you won’t take me home, can you call me an Uber?”

Loki freezes, heat rushing to his face as he realises he might have misunderstood your previous question. “Wait…you want me to take you home?”

“Yes please. I’m startin’ to get dizzy.”

“Just…just to see you home safely?”

You give him a puzzled look and hop off your barstool, wobbling slightly and grabbing his arm to steady yourself. “Yeah…? What else would you do?”

Then you see his blushing face staring at you and your drunken mind fills in the gaps.

“OH! Ew, Loki, no, I don’t want you to ‘take me home’ and like, sleep with me or somethin’.” You shake your head and burst into a fit of giggles just at the thought—nervous, drunk giggles.

Nervous? Terrified, really, because the thought of him ‘taking you home’ is definitely appealing—and you can’t imagine what you would do if he ever discovered that.

Relief floods Loki’s mind, but there’s also a hint of embarrassment and—oh god—that’s not…disappointment, is it?

If he hadn’t just signed himself up to take care of you, he‘d get himself a drink too; gods know he needs it if these are the thoughts that a drunk mortal can put in his head.

“Let’s get you home, then,” he chuckles nervously and puts a tentative hand on the small of your back to lead you to the door—you immediately tense up when his hand touches you and he feels it.

He yanks his hand away and it drops to his side, and he can’t bring himself to look you in the eye. “Let’s just get outside,” he mutters, cursing himself for even thinking to touch you. “Then I can get you to your place in seconds.”

“No! Nooo, Loki, no magic portal thingys.” You shake your head and twirl your fingers around your ears, making the god give you a strange look. “Makes me feel a little loco. I might puke if we travel through space.”

He wants to disagree and insist on using the “magic portal thingys” to get you home and away from him as fast as possible. He needs you out of his hands now, because for some horrifying reason, the way you spun your fingers around your head and stuck your tongue out to mime “crazy”…was strangely adorable.

His heart, the cursed thing, needs to stop this right now.

“That way. Quickly, now, let’s go.” He points to the door and starts to walk away from you, trusting you to follow on your own. But the first step has your head spinning and you shout his name and grab his arm, looking around wildly until the seven Lokis you were seeing become one again.

He’s reaching for you right away, giving you his arm and steadying you with his other hand on you waist. “Easy, darling, walk slowly,” he says, worried eyes meeting yours. “You may be in a worse condition than I thought.”

“Darling?” You giggle, squeezing his bicep lightly—oooh, nice—and slipping into a revoltingly awful, exaggerated royal accent. “Ah, my prince, please do escort me to thy carriage! I, your darling, have consumed too much alcohol—” you’re overcome by a fit of hysterical, breathless giggles as you hang on to Loki’s arm, hiccuping and following him out the door. “—way too much booze and…and…wow, Loki! Stand right there!”

He looks like something straight out of a dream.

Minus the confused look on his face, of course. You tug his arm to get him to stop walking, then step away from him to take in the view. Your jaw is practically on the ground, but you really don’t care; the way the moon is hitting his jawline is the most beautiful masterpiece you’ve ever seen, and his shirt is still wet and thankfully see-through.

That was a good decision, tequila brain.

“You’re so…so pretty,” you sigh dreamily, holding up your hands to frame his shocked and confused and beautiful face. “I kinda really wanna kiss you.”

Whoops.

Maybe tequila brain needs to put a lid on it.

Loki just smiles at you, almost sadly, and points to the waiting car. “No, you don’t. Now get in the car, I won’t make you go through any ‘magic portal thingys’ tonight.”

“And you’re such a gentleman, too,” you giggle and run back to him, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the car. “The whooooole package.”

This is getting ridiculous—and extremely painful for the god being pulled in the backseat of a little silver car by your much too bold and delightfully warm hands. His heart hasn’t stopped pounding since you had grabbed hold of his arm, holding onto him for dear life, as if he can protect you, as if you trust him.

Just the thought of that is terrifying.

But you sidle up next to him in the backseat as the car starts moving, because it just feels like the right thing to do, and his damp shirt and cool skin is so perfectly refreshing…you lay your head on his shoulder and scoot closer, your knees knocking together.

You’re not talking, surprisingly, and Loki can’t breathe. Your head is laying so gently against his shoulder, so close he can feel you moving with every breath, every blink. He can’t move a muscle; he needs you to stay there as long as possible. You’ve chosen him, regardless of your state of being, and he’s terrified that the slightest movement might make you lift your head and sit up.

When you reach for his hand, he almost screams. You don’t hold it, necessarily, rather you just take his hand in yours and start studying it, running a finger over the lines in his palm.

“Why’re you shaking?”

“Nervous habit,” he answers curtly. Pulling his hand away might be the best idea, because you’ve begun to place your hand against his to compare sizes and your hand is just so warm, too warm.

“Well, y’got nice hands, Loki,” you mumble, and suddenly the car is much too comfortable. Eyelids drifting shut in a matter of seconds, you barely realise that you’ve slipped your fingers between his and tightly closed them around his hand.

You seem to be quite comfortable, but for Loki, the rest of the car ride is pure agony. His hand is still wide open, palm to the ceiling and refusing to curl his fingers back around your fist—but he’s itching to. He wants to hold your hand, desperately, to run his thumb across your knuckles as you drift into a content, alcohol-induced sleep on his shoulder, but he keeps his hand flat and just lets you hold his hand.

You’re drunk, he reminds himself over and over again, you’re drunk and not thinking in any way intelligently. You won’t remember this, and you probably don’t even realise what you’re saying or doing or for that matter, who’s hand you are clinging to for dear life.

Loki breathes a chuckle, a quiet, disbelieving laugh at his own stupidity. Really? A mortal? And an inebriated one, at that?

His chest lifts with the chuckle and rouses you from your sleep, your mind just as foggy as before. You sit up and blink to clear your eyes, and Loki’s heart falls—Norns, this is getting out of control.

“Wait a minute…” you gasp and stare at your still connected hands, the many drinks from earlier making your mind fill with dreams of holding his hand and what that could possibly mean, the thought getting you waaay too excited. “Are we a thing now?! Oh my god, Loki…what are we?! Are you my boyfriend now?”

“I consider us acquaintances,” he blurts out too quickly, trying to change the subject. “Some would go far enough to say even friends.”

“What’s wrong with friends? I like being friends! Let’s be friends, Loki!” You’re beaming at him, the prospect of actually being with him obviously exciting you, and he pries his hand from your grip.

Trying to ignore the hurt confusion on your face and how you reach for his hand again, he moves away from you to lean against the car door. “I’m not particularly fond of the term.”

“Why? You don’t have friends?” You scoot closer to him and try to grab his hand, but he crosses his arms and glances out the window.

“‘Friendship’ is only something for me to lose.”

“So dramatic,” you giggle and wrap your arms around his neck, practically laying on him. “Chin up, buttercup, you look like you need a hug.”

The nonsense spilling from your mouth has another amused smile tugging painfully at his lips, one he fights along with the desire to wrap his arms around you and just hold you close. You’re already too close, with your arms around his neck and leaning against his chest, and you’re right—he would love nothing more than to hug you back.

Thankfully the Uber pulls into your driveway and Loki can finally be rid of you to clear his head of these insane…feelings. But you jump out of the car and grab his hand, pulling him out after you and begging him to come inside, and he finds it impossible to refuse.

“Just for a minute,” you promise, fumbling with your keys. “You don’t have to stay long—oh, but I’ve got ice cream! Have you tried ice cream? Let’s have ice cream—”

“Give me those.” He laughs and takes the keys from your distracted hand, putting a hand on the doorknob and it promptly clicks open. This is for the better, for your safety, he tells himself as he follows your happy skipping into your apartment.

“Chocolate or vanilla?” You yell and immediately rush to the freezer, bringing out two cartons of ice cream and grabbing a spoon. “Never mind. Both.”

Loki’s standing uncomfortably by the front door, looking around at your little home and picking at his hands. He looks a little nervous—nothing ice cream can’t fix.

“Over here,” you call and wave him over, flopping down criss-cross on the couch and digging in to the first carton of ice cream. “Hurry up,” you slur around a mouthful, “m’gonna eat it all before you get any.”

“Are you sure that is the best idea…?” He reluctantly sits down next to you, concern in his eyes as he watches you shovel down spoonful after spoonful. “You’re going to make yourself sick.”

“But it’s so good,” you practically moan, and the god’s cheeks turn bright red; the last thing he needs right now is a sound like that coming from your beautiful mouth and ingraining itself in his imagination.

“Try it.” Now you’re shoving the spoon up against his tightly pressed together lips, smearing the cold ice cream across his face. “Try it, just tryyy it, Loki. Open your mouth.”

He just stares at you, not moving, keeping his mouth firmly shut. That is your spoon, it was just in your mouth, and now you want to feed him with the same utensil? You just keep grinning and trying to slip the spoon between his lips, completely oblivious to the suggested intimacy of your actions.

It’s clear you have no intention of stopping until he eats the ice cream, so Loki takes the spoon from you with a sigh and quickly eats the ice cream off of it, trying his hardest not to think about the fact that he just shared a spoon with a mortal—and didn’t really mind.

“Yay!” You squeal and grab the spoon back out of his hands to get yourself another heaping bite. “It’s good, right?”

“Exquisite,” Loki halfheartedly agrees, his stomach churning at the sickly sweet and cold taste lingering in his mouth. His eyes are trained on your face, specifically your lips; despite all his attempts to distract himself, the only coherent thought running through his mind is how divine you must taste, with the ice cream still fresh on your lips and your tongue—

“Stop that,” he growls, ripping his gaze from your mouth.

But you don’t even hear him talking to himself, because your drunken mind is too busy with the exact same train of thought. The spoon falls limply out of your hand as you slip into a trance watching his tongue dart out over his lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing when he swallows, the way his jaw tightens for a moment when he notices you staring.

Were you supposed to not kiss him? To not fling the carton of ice cream to the floor and pounce on him, knocking him onto his back and crashing your lips into his? I mean…you had to. And yes, he does taste incredible.

The only problem is that he’s not kissing you back. Even though it’s taking every ounce of self control for him to not pull you into his lap and lose himself completely in your drunken lips, and you do taste divine, so sweet, so warm…

“Stop, please stop,” he murmurs and gently pushes you away from him, resisting the urge to lick his lips just to taste you again. You pull away with a quiet gasp, your eyes still closed and lips pursed, slowly growing into the happiest smile he’s ever seen on your face. “Darling, you just kissed me.”

“Hell yeah.”

Loki laughs at that, tipping your chin up to look at him as you open your bright eyes. “No, you just kissed me. Loki.”

“Perrrrrfect,” you slur, leaning towards him again and closing your eyes. A cold finger on your lips shakes you from the trance of that first half-kiss and you open your eyes with a quiet noise of protest.

“I wouldn’t do that,” he tells you gently, a sad smile on his perfect lips. “You don’t want this. You’re drunk, you’re not thinking correctly.”

“Nuh uh. I want you,” you whisper, fumbling around in his lap for his hand. He can’t bring himself to pull his hand away when you lift it up and press your palm flat against his, placing each of your fingers to his. “I wanna kiss you forever, and hold your hand all the time, and hug you whenever I want, and—”

“That’s enough.” He puts his hands on your shoulders and shushes you, wishing you would stop talking. These ideas are just too painful to hear. “It’s me. You’re talking to me, I’m Loki. I don’t think you realise what you are saying.”

“I know that, genius,” you giggle, reaching for him. “You’re Loki and I’m me, and together we’re perrrfect.”

“No, we’re not. You don’t want any part of me, trust me.” The god can’t bear to look at you anymore, because your eyes are too enchanting and your smile is too addicting, even with these alcohol-induced lies spilling from your mouth. He gives you a reassuring smile and stands up, picking up the ice cream carton and spoon you had thrown to the side before kissing him. “I should leave soon, can you get yourself cleaned up?”

“Good idea, I wanna put my comfy sweats on! Just need to take this off…” you reach behind you to unzip your dress, your face scrunched up in concentration as you rearrange your arms to try and reach it. “I can’t—reach—Lokiiiii, help me.”

You throw your hands in the air with a groan and turn around, presenting Loki with your back, and he swallows hard at the sight. The zipper reaches from your shoulder bones all the way down to just above your ass, stopping in the curve of your spine. He can’t do this, hell no, his heart is pounding just looking at the task you asked him to do.

“Your hands are shakin’ again.”

Loki curses and the zipper slips out of his hands, which are most definitely shaking, because he’s trying so hard to get this over with but the zipper just caught on something underneath your dress.

Something black and lacy.

“Oh for the love of…” he promptly rips the zipper the rest of the way down, cursing under his breath and immediately shooting his gaze to the ceiling. This is getting out of hand, and he needs to leave you now, for your own good more than anything.

Luckily you thank him and bounce off to your room, the unzipped dress flapping open as you run. Loki runs a hand over his face with a groan, glad the worst of it is over—then you start lifting the dress over your head with the door wide open.

He flings a hand towards your door and it slams shut, only to be followed by your amazed “wow! More magic thingys!” and he drops onto the couch, head in his hands. This whole night has taken a turn for the worse, and despite his best efforts otherwise, he finds himself undeniably attracted to this weak, stupid, drunk mortal.

For the first time in his life there’s something disgustingly warm spreading through his chest as his mind wanders back to how you had kissed him, even under a layer of alcohol, how you had said so honestly that you wanted to hold his hand?

He’s overstayed his welcome. Standing near the door, he can hear you humming quietly to yourself as you shuffle around the room, reassuring him that you’re okay. He sets the dirty spoon in the sink and puts the ice cream back in your freezer, straightening the grocery list stuck to the metal door. There’s blank sheets behind the list and a pen connected to it, and Loki takes them down and writes you a quick note.

By the time he’s finished, there’s only silence coming from your room and he carefully opens the door to peek inside; you’re fast asleep, thankfully wearing pants—the hem of your t shirt has ridden up and Loki quickly tugs it down to cover your skin. You don’t exactly look comfortable, one leg bent and hanging off the side of your bed, with an arm crossed over your face as you snore.

How in all the nine realms do you still look so ethereal?

Loki can’t help but smile at you. You are, for lack of a better word, adorable, and he subconsciously brings his finger up to brush over his lip—you had felt so right against his lips and he almost wants to…no. No, no, no.

He lifts your leg onto the bed and pulls the covers over you, hanging up your discarded dress and setting his little note under the glass of water on you bedstand, refilling the cup with a wave of his hand.

“Goodnight, little mortal,” he whispers, hesitantly hovering a hand over yours. “I hope you don’t remember any of this.”

Then he gives your hand a light squeeze and is gone, leaving only a faint green glow settling around your room.

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

Okay…at least you wake up in bed alone, thank all that is holy.

Alone save for a million regrets and a pounding headache. Somehow you had gotten home safely last night, Tony must have called you a cab or something. Sitting up with a groan, you stretch and—wait a minute.

Loki. 

Oh my god. Flashes of last night flood your mind and there are a million scenarios that you aren’t sure really happened or were just dreamed up by your drunk mind…you’re never drinking tequila again.

Your dress is hanging neatly on the back of your closet door, and you definitely were not the one to have done that. You’re wearing your sweats and an old t shirt…oh hell no. Did Loki change you??

That was not the way you would have ever wanted him to see you half-naked for the first time. Not drunk and messy and doing god knows what, saying who knows what, but there’s no going back now…

At least he’s not laying naked in your bed.

Actually…maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing. Wait, no, no thinking things like that!

You fall back onto the pillows, rubbing your throbbing temples and trying desperately to remember what happened. Besides the headache, you don’t feel too terrible; a little parched, maybe, and your lips feel kinda funny.

Reaching for the cup of water you keep by your bedside, you notice a piece of paper tucked underneath—the cup has been refilled as well, the water still cold. The writing on the note is frankly beautiful; small, tight loops in the lettering give it that perfect touch of messiness for added character. You check the bottom of the slip and—oh god—it’s from Loki.

“Good morning, mortal,” it reads, “don’t worry. You dressed yourself behind a closed door and I sat in a different room.”

Oh thank goodness.

You requested that I see you home safely, and we took a car (we had a third driver, neither of us were—are—fit to drive) to your home. You begged me to stay and try what you call “ice cream,” which we then sat on the couch and ate to our heart’s content.

Fantastic. You had a drunk date with a god and ate ice cream.

You thankfully fell asleep on your bed, so I left you there, made sure your doors were locked, put the ice cream away, and left. Thank you for the ice cream; that is an incredible midgardian creation and I hope someday you will show me where I can find some of my own.

I left you breakfast on the table. Take the day, rest, and I’ll be back to check on you soon. Thank you for the…entertaining night, and call for me if you need anything at all.

If there is anything you remember from last night that you wish for me to forget, say the word and I will have no memory of it.

-Loki

Anything you want him to forget?

It all comes back to you at once. The water, that disgustingly attractive white shirt, the car ride—the car ride?! For some reason, you remember just being close to him, and you rack your brain to try and remember what happened.

You held his hand. Oh no, no no no. He’s not supposed to know any of that, anything about how you might feel for him. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Loki’s note clutched tight in your hand, you drag yourself out of bed and into the kitchen. Sure enough, there’s a plate of some kind of sliced bread sitting on your counter. It smells delicious, crumbly and sweet and unlike anything you’ve ever eaten before—it must be Asgardian. You scarf all of it down without hesitation, and immediately your throbbing headache subsides, your head clears, and memories start to trickle back into your mind.

You glance around the kitchen and see a dirty spoon in the sink, and suddenly there’s the weirdest tingling sensation in your lips as your head starts spinning. Bringing a hand up to gingerly feel your lips, your heart starts pounding and it all clicks: you kissed him.

No idea what the deal is with that spoon, but oh my god, you definitely kissed Loki last night.

“If there is anything you remember from last night that you wish for me to forget…”

The thought has barely processed through your panicked mind when you hear a gentle knock on the door, rattling you from your thoughts. You rush to the door and crack it open to see the last person in the world you want to see right now standing on your porch: the god you kissed and ate ice cream with while you were drunk off your ass.

“Good morning,” he says, a little too cheerfully. And oh my god, he’s wearing another white shirt, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. “May I come in?”

“Um…no.” You push the door almost completely closed, just barely peeking out at him from behind the door. Like hell he can come in, looking like that?! “Sorry, I’m like, really sick.”

Loki raises an eyebrow and puts a hand on the door. “I’m nearly certain that’s impossible. Did you eat what I left you?”

“…maybe.”

“Then it is impossible for you to be sick.” He smiles at you and your hand slips off the doorknob. “That particular grain can cure the simplest of ailments, the most common of which would be those caused by…a certain level of drunkenness.”

“Loki, I’m so sorry,” you start rambling, opening the door and stepping back to let him in. “Thank you for taking care of me, um, I’m really, really so sorry you had to deal with my drunk ass—”

“Oh, hush. I’ve dealt with worse.” He steps inside and closes the door behind him, turning around only to find you right in front of his chest, much too close. “I—sorry.”

You both immediately back away from each other, casting your gazes anywhere but at one another, and you notice Loki has a plastic bag one hand partially hidden behind his back. “Um…whatcha got there?”

Loki blinks and glances at the bag, then gives you a sheepish grin. “It’s, uh, ice cream. You seemed to enjoy it last night, and I thought it might make you feel better?”

Crap, there goes your heart again.

“Wow. Thank you, Loki, that’s-that’s super sweet.” Words don’t seem to be working very well for you right now, so you just wrap your arms around yourself and wave him inside to the kitchen, unable to bring yourself to look at him.

You kissed this guy.

He follows you as you pad into the kitchen, bare feet shuffling across the floor to drop you into a chair at the little table in the corner, and you carefully start sipping your water to try to get some moisture back in your dry throat.

Loki stands uncomfortably in the middle of the kitchen for a moment, holding the bag of ice cream and looking around in confusion. “Where would you like me to put this?”

“Break that baby out, I’m hungry,” you mumble over the rim of your cup, eyes squeezed shut in exhausted pain and you wave a hand at a top shelf in one of the cabinets. “Bowls’re up there.”

He doesn’t move and just stares at you for a bit, opening and closing his mouth as if he’s about to say something. You can only imagine what he has to say to you after last night, and you’d rather just get it out of the way. “Come on, get it out. I can handle it,” you sigh.

He’s so cute when he plays oblivious. “What?”

“We kissed, didn’t we?” You set down your cup with a bang and risk a glance at his face, only to find his face a little more flushed than usual. “Well, I kissed you, right?”

“…you did.”

“Oh my god, Loki, I’m so sorry.” You drop your face into your hands with a groan. “That’s so terrible of me to put you in a position like that, and-and you were so nice to me and took such good care of me and—why are you smiling?”

He’s just standing there, smiling softly at you, in that damned white shirt, and you swear you couldn’t possibly fall any further in love with this guy, this god.

“Maybe,” he begins thoughtfully, putting the ice cream on the counter and rifling through a drawer for two spoons. “Maybe it wasn’t all that terrible.”

He flashes your stunned face a sideways grin, waiting to see your reaction and falling silent. You’ve completely lost the ability to speak in complete sentences after that and fall silent as well, and the two of you just sit there in each other’s heavy silence, waiting to see who will cave first.

Oh, fuck it. This one isn’t getting away.

“Hey, Loki?”

The god pauses and glances down at you, an arm frozen in midair reaching for the bowls on the top shelf. “Hm?”

“…nice shirt.”

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

hope you enjoyed, feel free to send me ideas!

loki tags: @bluediamond007 @himitoshi @drakesfiance @destiel1597@dangertoozmanykids101 @archy3001 @jcalpha1 @yzssie @skullvieplu@forthesnakeofdragons @skulliebythesea @wegingerangelica@storiesfrommirkwood @agarwaeneth @adaliamalfoy @laurfangirl424@paradisaicsam @fitzsimmons-is-forever @ladylokimischief @katelinwrites@tarynkauai @polaristrange @loavesofmeat @canadian-ravenpuff-multishipper @lou-makes-me-strong @holyn0vak @chocolatealmondmillk @swtnrholland@kenzieam @jessiejunebug @catticas @the-republic-and-face-of-texas@doralupin01 @whitewitchdown @atomiccharmer @falconfeather23435  @babygirlicecream @avengrcs @vethrvolnir2 @bookgirlunicorn @wabisabigrl @myhealingstar @khaleesi-marvel @ei77777 @spacecrumbs

[poppibranchlover]

Nine Lives, One Fight - Part 29

The story: Deep in the forest of Troll Town, there lies a mysterious tiny purple mushroom that has a secret magical ability. King Peppy calls this mushroom forbidden for all Trolls to go near it. One day, while Branch is out in the woods doing his survival research studying, he encounters it and, not knowing it is a regular mushroom, decides to harvest it and bring it home. But in the next morning, its magic effects transform him into a small blue cat! After being sent to the animal pound, his girlfriend, Poppy, finds him and decides to adopt him, although not recognizing it is Branch. Desperate to finish his research project due for a special event invented by Poppy, Branch is forced to learn how to behave like a pet cat and must figure out what caused him to become one.

You already seen what had happened in Part 28. Now get ready for Part 29!:

In the village square, Poppy’s friends gathered around her, who was holding Branch’s note. She explained the truth about his fate and showed the letter to them, causing great shock in their faces. They all started shouting at once.

“Branch became a cat after disappearing with the mushroom?!” Biggie screamed in horror, staring at the piece of paper.

“And you didn’t even tell us what happened to him?!” Guy added.

“UGH!!! No wonder that cat is so filthy!” Chenille cried out in disgust.

“It’s because he smells like a bunker Troll!” Satin protested to her sister.

Cooper put his hands to his head and shuddered. “Guys, my brain is about to explode! What is this information?” he yelled in disbelief.

Poppy calmed her friends down and tried to explain. “Guys, I know this sounds crazy, but Branch didn’t just vanish. It has been implied he transformed into a cat that I brought home from the animal shelter!”

Guy stepped forward. “Why would you do this, Poppy?” he asked. “I can’t believe you are hiding this secret from all of us, to our village, the whole time!”

Poppy’s cheeks colored. She felt ashamed for keeping her secret. If it wasn’t for finding Branch at the animal shelter, she would’ve hide more of it further. “I didn’t want to worry you guys,” she said.

At a loss of words, the Trolls could only stare at her as King Peppy slowly approached.

“Poppy, explain this to me.” He snatched the note from his daughter’s hands and read it, becoming horrified at the last second. Poppy stared at her knees, trying to calm down. She had to defend Branch at all costs, and she had to show them the truth.

When Peppy looked at the felt cutout of Branch transforming into a cat, he looked at Poppy. “Oh no. Why did Branch transform after releasing the mushroom?” he asked, his voice filled with horror. “This is not possible! It must be why we all need to stay away from that artifact because of its side-effects!”

“I know that, Dad,” said Poppy. “But he seems so curious that he never listened to us.” She didn’t know what to say, so she just managed to finish her sentence. “I can’t believe he never said anything to me after we last saw each other in the woods,” she stated.

King Peppy glanced sharply at his daughter, who knew she had assembled all the pieces of the puzzle together. “You’re right, Poppy,” he said, putting his arm to her shoulder. “Now we know what really happened with the Archaeo morphisis.” He quickly changed direction and exited the village square, walking with the help of his cane. “We must inform the TDI right away.”

He urged Poppy to follow him. She took one last glance at her worried friends and ran after her father.

They went off at the edge of the darkened village to meet up with Nigel. King Peppy handed the note to his lieutenant, and he began to read and examine the contents.

Nigel turned to Poppy, who was kicking a pebble with her foot with embarrassment. “I am totally surprised by your answer, Queen Poppy,” he told her. “The Archaeo morphisis’ powers must have caused a magical side-effect on Branch!” Then he gestured to the crayon handwriting from the paper. “But why is the note written with untidy handwriting?”

“Huh? It’s Mr. Tickle…I mean, Branch, who wrote it to me,” Poppy blurted out nervously. “It was written as a cry for help.”

At these words, King Peppy had opened his eyes wide. “Mr. Tickle?” he repeated.

For a moment, he had seemed to calm down. Poppy saw the fear in his eyes and covered her mouth, immediately regretting her words; her father’s gaze changed, as if it was animated by a flame of frightening shock. The pink Troll began to tremble, understanding what was going on in the mind of the old king and his lieutenant.

Nigel came close to the king. “It seems that your daughter kept Branch as a pet and never told us it was him,” he whispered sternly.

Poppy was speechless. She confronted the two Trolls and protested “That’s not what I mean! I don’t even know the cat is Branch when I first saw him in the pound. He looks adorable, but now I wanted him back in open arms!”

She looked at her father’s eyes with tears in her eyes. “Please, Dad,” she cried. “Believe me. This is the most serious situation I’ve got into. I should have never keep anymore secrets from the village ever again.”

King Peppy looked at her with weary eyes. “It’s okay, Poppy,” he said, hugging her. “I know how curious you have been, but I’m glad you found any proof.”

Nigel spoke up. “So if Branch was now a small animal, is there another side-effect of the Archaeo morphisis’ magical powers?” He scratched his head to find an answer.

This made Poppy lit up with realization. Very quickly, she pulled out her nature journal from her hair and flipped to the page regarding the disadvantages of staying under the mushroom’s spell. She showed the page to King Peppy and Nigel. “Wait, I found an answer! I remember this ONE page from my nature journal, regarding more information about the Archaeo morphisis’ effects!” she explained as she began to read from the page. “According to this, its spell will become permanent after six days, which means Branch will remain as a cat forever!”

King Peppy and Nigel gasped. They both looked at the page of Poppy’s journal. Below the text was a Troll transforming into a cat, just like the felt illustration from Branch’s note.

“Oh no!” Nigel cried. “Peppy, is there a way we can undo the spell of the mushroom?” He looked at the old king to find a solution.

King Peppy began to think for a moment, pacing around as he tried to look for an answer to his lieutenant’s question.

Soon, he focused on Poppy, concern in his eyes. “It is once told there was a cure for the mushroom’s side-effects. A wise old Troll used to say this to me when I was Poppy’s age…”

He spoke in a very serious and deadly voice:

“Fate be changed, look inside, mend the bond torn by pride.“

Poppy looked confused at those words. “‘Fate be changed?’ ‘Mend the bond?’ What does that mean?” she asked, frantically flipping the pages of her nature journal to search for a page regarding a cure.

“It is a meaning of passionate love,” King Peppy explained. “If one can remove the curse based on these words, the affected Troll will be back to normal.”

Poppy stepped forward and raised her arms up. “Dad, how will love save Branch from the Archaeo morphisis curse?” she asked him. “I never heard of that effect before! I need an answer for this meaning!”

King Peppy motioned for his daughter to move close to him. “Listen very carefully, Poppy,” he told her. “You need to find Branch, and once he’s with you, learn from the wise Troll’s words.”

Poppy was starting to get worried. “How can I change him back by mending the bond with him? That’s usually how I bond with pets.” She hung her head and sighed, fearing this demonstration would never work.

“You have to try, Poppy,” Peppy reassured her gently. “As Queen, you are destined to make the right choice.”

Poppy thought for a moment, letting this sink in. Then she nodded, unable to conceal the worry on her own face. “I think you’re right. Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t let anything happen to Branch.”

“That’s my girl,” King Peppy said, patting her shoulder. “Go find him. There’s not much time until sunrise now!”

With extreme determination, Poppy ran off into the woods to look for Branch.

In Troll Village’s animal shelter, Branch was locked in another pound enclosure. He was scared and desperate to get out of here. He grabbed the metal bars of his cage with his teeth. He pulled with as much strength as possible, but the bars were too strong and firmly locked.

Branch even tried banging his head against it, but he fell back and tumbled to the ground, groaning in pain.

It was totally hopeless. He scratched at the bars with his claws and tried screaming for help to no avail.

“No, no! Don’t do this to me, please!” Branch begged. He scratched at his cage door harder and harder, but it wouldn’t break. “There’s been a terrible mistake! I don’t belong here! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

He kept scratching and scraping, panic coursing in his mind. “HELP!!! Let me out! I can’t let down Poppy!” he yelled. Defeated, he stopped scratching the cage door and dropped his head in complete despair.

Branch sighed. Then suddenly, from out of the darkness, a voice spoke. “Hey. You finished biting and scratching there?”

Branch spun around but didn’t see anyone in his cage with him. “Huh? Who said that?” he called out a little nervously.

Looking around, he saw the same cat he had encountered before in a cage just five meters away from him. It looked very angry and disappointed.

“You can’t escape,” the cat with black-and-white fur told him. “I’m trying to tell you that Trolls can’t be trusted. It’s a story as old as time. When things go bad, the first thing Trolls ever done is get rid of the cats.”

Branch stared at the skinny cat in disbelief. “Poppy didn’t even get angry at me. She’s quite nice,” he insisted, slowly approaching the metal door so he can speak clearly to the trapped animal. “What are you doing in here anyway? Did the Animal Control got you too?”

“HEOWRRR!!!” the cat hissed harshly, making Branch recoil in fear with his fur nearly arching from his back. “It’s a long story, but I don’t wanna talk about how I got here!”

Branch knew he had to get out of the pound somehow. He looked up at a window in a ceiling and turned to the cat. “Look, I need to get out of here before the last sunrise! Can you help me?” he asked, looking around at the metal bars in front of him.

“It’s no use, kid,” the cat said glumly. “I told you that Trolls can’t be trusted!” It glared at Branch with its green flaring eyes.

“But the only Troll I can trust is Poppy!” Branch protested as a wash of grief flooded over his face. “When she found me here, I was so happy to be safe and warm with her, and I felt like I’m gonna miss my chance to be with her.”

He hung his head and thought about what he had just said. “Now that I’m back here, I won’t be able to spend more time with her again,” he murmured sadly.

The black-and-white cat prowled forward as it got close to the cage door in its own cage. “Face it. It’s worth a living,” it snarled. “All pets gather here to wallow in our self-pity.”

Flustered at this unbelievable sentence, Branch sputtered “What? No! We can’t stay here forever! We’re totally miserable here!” He put his paw up to the bars of his cage to reach out for the cat, who shrank away. “There are some nice Trolls who care a lot about animals, and you think we’re monsters?” He couldn’t believe what this cat wanted to tell him.

The cat yawned and stretched before turning away from him. “Well, get used to it. We did,” it stated firmly as it settled for a relaxing nap. “As for all of us, we are really monsters that roam in the woods and catch mice and birds every day.”

Branch suddenly felt hurt at these words. In his head, he remembered that one day the mouse called him a monster after he accidentally chased him around the forest, as well as the moment he also chased Wiggles. As he sat down, thinking about how he turned feral and acted very strange in front of his friends, that is when he realized that it was the curse of the Archaeo morphisis mushroom that is stopping him from doing anything. He knew it all this time…that he was a monster himself, and he had almost hurt the most important people he had loved with his own claws.

He peered through the bars of his cage, hoping to find a way out. But instead, he thought about venturing in the dump earlier and getting himself into trouble again. His ears and whiskers droop and his tail folded around his legs as he kept thinking about ignoring Wiggles’ advice, how stubborn he felt and how he got himself distracted in his surroundings.

“But…I don’t want to stay here,” Branch said, trying not to cry but couldn’t hold back his tears. He had now realized the actual truth from his own eyes. “Poppy needs me. Everyone needed a village grump like me. Wiggles is right. I should’ve listened to him and go home.”

As he glanced down at his two front paws, Branch knew that all of this was true. He regretted entering the village dump in the first place, and all he wanted to do was to be safe and sound inside Poppy’s pod. At that point, he knew he had gone too far, just like Wiggles had warned, and there was nothing he could do about it now. He slumped down on the floor of his cage and burst into tears, completely devastated at his own mistake. He wanted to change it more than anything, but he couldn’t.

Tears flooded in his eyes, and the lump in his throat made him suffer even more. “He was right about me,” he sobbed as his tears ran down his face. “This is all my fault! I’m crazy for what I’ve just done! Now I failed Poppy, Wiggles and my friends and family! They’re never gonna see me again! I just want to go home.”

The tears didn’t stop flowing, and Branch just kept crying and lamenting about his failure. “I want to go home…” he whispered sadly as he rested his head down to his front paws. “Maybe I will do nothing and stay here forever. Maybe I’ll just lay down here, and rot like the rest of you.”

He closed his eyes and cried even more, feeling very hopeless and continuing to blame himself for everything that had gone wrong. He whimpered gently for a second, and then he let out a sad, depressed meow. “Meeeeeeeeeeooooooowwww!!!”

From its cage, the black-and-white cat stared at Branch, who was still crying in his cage. Deep down, it wanted to comfort him, but it just shrugged and turned away from him, curling itself back to sleep. “Let him cry,” the cat told the other captured animals from their own cages, who all stare at him for a moment before turning away as well.

Branch clenched his teeth as he continued crying, letting his tears fall from his face to the cage floor. He was broken. Really heartbroken. He didn’t know what to do except failing to listen to others, including King Peppy and Poppy, who had been warning him not to touch the Archaeo morphisis mushroom that day.

He looked up at the window in the ceiling of the room, revealing the night sky. The moon will be descending down very soon, and now that he is still trapped in here, there is no way to get out and transform back. He slowly looked away, resting his chin between his front paws.

“I failed you, Poppy…” Branch muttered under his breath. He broke down, sobbing for the rest of the night.

                                            To Be Continued…

                                         Stay tuned for Part 30!

[bloominglifedyinglife]

Humans are Weird: Lying

So I’ve seen a lot of Humans are Space orcs and Humans are Weird posts, but I haven’t really seen any about aliens reactions to humans lying.

Like, what if the idea of lying is different for other alien species? For one race, they don’t lie at all because they’re either so trustworthy, or they think everyone else is the same. Another race only lies to people they hate. Some races have restrictions on who is ALLOWED to lie. Other races, you have to report to an upper superior like a teacher, parent, or superior officer when you lie. Some races only lie when the situation calls for it.

But after meeting humans, they realize that we just... lie.

ALL.

THE.

TIME.

Sometimes for no reason, others for the smallest of things. Sometimes on accident. We also tell them to ANYBODY. Including teachers, parents, and anything that has ears.

xXx

Ickshlicstar is waddling down the hallway and comes across the humans who call themselves Emily and Kale. They were nice humans. The female Emily was described as ‘blunt’, and ‘reserved’, she is however a very dedicated worker. The male Kale is described, by most of the female humans on the ship as ‘arrogant’, a ‘prick’, or ‘annoying’, but still a hard worker all the same.

“Yeah, so I really can’t go with you down to Imblimbar.” Human Emily communicates with Human Kale. “I went earlier this week in order to get back to my work. I still have to re-calibrate the gears in the engine, as well as re-sand, re-oil, and re-shine the Kabiljigilhsas.” she then proceeds to rub the back of her head and neck in a gesture that I recognize as meaning embarrassment.

Wait?

Ickshlicstar goes back over what Human Emily just explained. The turquoise Figlar knew for a fact that the female human had not been down to the planet yet. He was in charge of the sign in/sign out chart, and her name was not on the list of having gone off and returned. He also knew that she was very much done with all of her work. She was always the first done, and even after she double and triple checked her work.

The Human Kale lets out a sigh, a gesture which Ickshlicstar thinks is really unnecessary.

“Seriously? You’re always so busy. You hardly ever have any free time. And whenever you DO have some, I’m always swamped with work.”

Human Emily gives a shrug of her shoulders and gives a smile to Human Kale. The one that Human Veronica describes as ‘fake as hell’ and Human Linzy said means ‘please go away’. I don’t know what they mean. Her smile is what humans refer to as ‘pretty’.

“Yeah, it really is a shame. Maybe on the next planet. Keep up the good work, Kale.” she gives a little wave as she turns to walk in my direction.

Said male just gives a smile that humans call a ‘smirk’. “Sure, will do. Just let me know if you ever need some company.” Human Kale then waves Human Emily as he continues on down the hallway.

“That is not the truth.” I state once Human Kale is out of sight.

Said human turns towards me. Her eyes seem to go from fierce to soft. I think I used that expression right.

“Did he do something social wrong? Are you about to declare war upon Human Kale?”

“Well, I guess you could call it a ‘social wrong’, but no. I’m not declaring war on Kale. Why would I?” she asks me.

“Because you told him an untruth. You only use those in extreme situations.”

“Oh, you mean lying.” her eyes widen in understanding. “Nah, I lie to Kale all the time.”

“What?” I ask, horrified.

“Yeah, I never do planet visiting because I can usually do my shopping from the ship. All the girls do. We tried refusing Kale in the beginning, but he’s just too damn persistent to take ‘no, I don’t want to’ for an answer.”

“What?” Did she just say that the other female human members also partake in this ‘lying’?

“At least he respects the workspace enough to leave us alone if he thinks we’re busy, so we always keep something on us to say is our current work project in order to keep him away.”

“What has Human Kale done to warrant such horrid treatment?” I ask, afraid to know the answer.

“It’s not like we’re giving him the cold shoulder. Since telling the truth never worked, we just lie and say we’re busy to keep him off our backs. We even have an silent agreement to collaborate on each other’s stories if anyone tries asking us for proof. Anything is better then spending time with the blowhard, arrogant, sod of a man, Kale.”

“If what you told him is not the truth, then what are you really doing?”

She gives me a grin and whips out a book.

“Just some quiet time in the female barracks with a good book. ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ is a childhood favorite of mine. My mom sent it over through Portal Mail. She really does know me too well.”

With that, Human Emily skipped off, book in hand.

Ickshlicstar wondered how far over the line one must tread in order to be lied to by a human. He would prefer to keep his twelve extremities attached to himself, thank you very much!

[c-atm]

jambud week: Alone/together prompt

Alone/ Together 

  "And that's how I got the red and black."

"Oh my god!"

It was a beautiful setting; Sunset in a field of sunflowers under a large tree casting shade over the two dream jam buds. Connie was sitting up, back to the tree with Steven laying his head  across her lap, telling her about his travels. Particularly, how he got his new red and black star shirt; it involves a goat, a flame, and a game of extreme hopscotch with an old man. The story had Connie in hysterics, doubling over in laughter. Just low enough for Steven to.. 

" Chu!"

"Ey, Bisky!"

Steal Connie lips for a second, making her blush before, pushing her hair behind her ear and giving him a bit longer one that his thieving move. When they broke apart  Connie rested her head upon his.

"Is it foolish to still not believe this is real? To be with you here, like this."

"After 10 months. Maybe...Heh, but take into account everything that happened before...Can't  really blame you, Dream Berry."

Connie couldn't stop the giggle that erupted from her from the new name. ten months,they have been meeting and seeing each other like this for ten months..and it's been wondrous. Meeting in their own personal dream once or twice a month. Trading stories with each other.

Connie told stories of her college studies in STEM and archeological studies, as well as her internship at a technological lab in Empire, and her part in creating a R&D in Little Homeworld. In her own words; She was doing her part to connect human and gemkind.

Steven told stories of his travels. The misadventures he had. The people he met, the people he helped, the people who helped him and the lessons he learned. The most important one was  accepting and embracing all of himself; the good, the bad, the surface, and the hidden.

Steven found her stories to be amazing. The things she were learning were completely over his head, but still it made her eyes glow with such vigor when she spoke about the robotics exhibition she went to, and her intro to physics class. He mentally decided to study it up himself, just a bit. If she really was gonna use technology to bring Humans and Gems closer, the least he could do was understand a bit of it. 

Actually tonight He also found himself surprised though when she spoke of her archeological studies. Her professor seemed to be someone who was big the mysteries of the world. Myths, legends...Conspiracies. In one particular  tale her professor brought some items from their personal collections. They happened to be discarded gem weapons, and one inactive but intact gem artifact, that he was going to officially reveal at a museum event.

Connie held her head in embarrassment, as Steven laughed as she told the story of getting the gems to run a heists to steal her teachers prize possession and switch it with a fake. It  seemed like it was a disastrous..but hilarious night.

"I missed a caper! A heist..You guys, even went undercover as staff"

"We almost got arrested."

"But you got away with it! Dream Berry! You lead a gem mission, cleared your objective and no one got hurt."

"Physically...the museum director's reputation took a hit...Still thank god, for that rat like gem mutant..Gave us a perfect chance to make the switch through all the commotion."

As for Connie, she was enthralled with Steven's tales of his world wide search for humanity, as he called it. So much more exciting and wondrous than her day to day. He's been to all types of locales; the Amazon, Stonehenge, the Great wall, Victoria fall, The castle of nobunaga. He went to Sri lanka, Maharagama to be exact and stayed with one of her Uṟaviṉar (cousins) for a few days.

 That particular story had her flushed and embarrassed, since it was one of her cousins who treated her like a niece; turns out Connie's one of the babies of the family.

Still his most telling stories were his visits to his mother's palanquin; he had visited a few times actually… The first time he went was out of blind rage..He left as soon as he came..The second time was just out of drunken coincidence. He told her about how he lashed out over her memory. Screaming how he hated everything she did and how cruel and untrusting and selfish she was, to not take any responsibility and to leave it all to him. He doesn't remember when he left but the next time he visited, there was a two feet crater nearby..

That time...He was tired and feeling a bit sick after getting out of a fight with a gem mutant. He didn't have the energy to do anything but step in the device and sleep. He did it for five days. 

During that time he got to experience it...His mother life as Rose quartz….All her choices, all the guilt, all the hollow victories..All the self- detrimentally and hate. For all the gems that were corrupted, for all the humans who got caught in crossfire, for her actions and inactions towards Bismuth and Spinel. 

He experienced her failures. Failure in trying to cure corruption. Failure In trying to understand and imitate human nature.  Failure in trying to release and apologize to Bismuth. Failure in trying to reactivate the galaxy warp to get Spinel. Failure to heal the earth. Multiple failures on all ends. Enough to make Rose self-dissipate and him to wake up.

From that point on, he would always sleep in it when he was in Korea. Every time he got new information. He discovered that she actually spent a good decade playing as a human named 'Diamond' after her self poofing. Blending in with them and going on her own journey of self-discovery. Falling in love with the earth and its inhabitants more, keeping them safe from the shadows from her own (while purposely allowing herself to be cracked), while invading her Crystal Gems. 

He also experienced two very important meetings in Rose's life. Her first meeting with Lion....She was there for his birth. A few years later she would meet, heal, and forge a strong friendship with an orphaned teenage girl.

 For two years they would be inseparable, almost family and learned from each. Rose would teach her how to fight, how to care and outsmart people, and to take care of herself.

The young girl; Sheva, would teach Rose how to face her failures, to deal with the results of an irreversible situation, and how to live for those who can't. Two years in Sheva found love from a man, that Rose approved of...As for Rose, she would be missing her own family; their separation was tearfully, but happy..

This would not be the last time they would meet, though. His mother would find that Sheva had lived a fulfilling life, gave birth to three kids and still loving her husband from the Maheswaran family, He unfortunately got to see Sheva pass as well and his mother second self-dissipation, the only way she could keep herself  to resurrect her friend.

From there the visions became pretty standard to what heard from the gems and dad. Her victories, gentle and flighty behavior, her overflowing love for all, completely  earnest and true...except for herself. She still hated herself. He saw what she didn't show. The times in her room. where she shattered her image over and over and over, using the full, horrifying destructive power she held inside. 

For the corrupted. For the war. For the earth. For humanity. For The Crystal Gems. For Homeworld. For the Diamonds. For Bismuth. For Spinel. For Sheva. For both Pearls. For Garnet. For Amethyst. For Greg.

For being unable to save them. To heal them. To be like them. To convince them. To apologize to and live up to her expectations. To get her from the garden and be the friend she deserved. To forgive herself for not bringing her back. For hurting one and silencing the other. For lying to them. For being unworthy of him. She did it because she loved them,  all of them.

Never did she strike for herself though. No for her, destruction was her penance to them all. Which is why she smiled when she dissipated for the third time.

"I was in Korea two weeks ago...I don't think I'd be going back to mom's palanquin anymore "

Connie looked surprised at the sad yet serene tone of his voice. She nodded, as she began to stroke his scalp, running her fingers through his locks. "You wanna tell it, Dreamscuit?"

"It's..Heavy."

"Everyone of these stories has been heavy..I can take it...Though I don't want to force you to.."

He kissed her to stop that thought. "I'll tell, but can we get into the right position first?"

Connie  gave him a smil before letting him sit up and allowing her to stand up, wiping the hem of her night gown as she did. He moves to the tree and sits straight up crossed legged arms open. Connie  gently sits in between his thighs as he envelopes her in his loving, Steven-y hold. 

" Ok So…"

 The last vision he got..Was short but probably the most important..His birth. He was told that he was born in a hardlight Rose that bloomed and broke away leaving him with her gem and that took about five minutes total. The Vision was everything that happened within that rose.

His mother was tired, teary, but for the first time was generally happy as she spoke. 

" My boy..My son, my extraordinary Steven. You're so human...You're so much more than I ever was. I love you..I adore you so much..Not even a minute year old and you did the impossible.."

She shifted from Rose to Diamond before continuing with a tender weak kiss to his crown

" Your mother is a horrible failure...I hurt a lot of people Steven, whether it was indirectly or directly, For a good cause or my own greed, It happened and I never was able to correct my wrongdoings..I tried so hard but failed in the end.. I failed at being a diamond, a leader, a rebel, family, a friend, a mentor, a lover, a human, a gem, and in the end, I hated myself. Thought myself, a worthless shard.."

She let a strained laugh out as she shifted from Diamond to Pink.

"Until now. This moment. Until you. You're  proof that gems are capable of change. Of being more than what they were programmed. You...You are the proof of that, someone so beautiful and brilliant being born from a janked clod like me, that's proof enough.  "

She shifted again back to Rose. She broke down again as she heard for the first and only time her sons laugh.

"I love you so much, you're gonna be amazing and I'm so sorry that I won't ever get to be here for it...But it's alright..I actually don't deserve such a gift.. Seeing..you..Your curly hair, bright brown eyes, button nose, happy bubbly laughter. It makes everything worth it, even if it's at the end of my life. 

You've changed my life and the only thing I can leave for you is a magic pink diamond  untarnished by me..and my defects, yours and yours alone. I'm sorry your mother can't give you anything better."

  She shifted again to Diamond. 

"I'm selfish still, shapeshifting just to spend more time with you. I'm sure a good mother would've already given their form and lives up. Of course, I have to want to have you and live.. See you grow and blow the universe away..Find a good partner to spend your life with..preferably someone like your father or Sheva. A nice, smart, strong Maheswaran  person would be perfect for you…"

She painfully shifted to Pink

Still whomever you bring into your life...Whether it's as a friend, a lover..as family. Make sure they are worthy of you..and if they prove that they are...Take care of them. Those people who care for you, cry for you, keep you from going too far and make sure you know just how special you are because you're you...The people who treasure you..Take care of them no matter what.

She shifted slowly back to Rose Quartz for the final time. Trembling, tearfully giving her son one last kiss on his cheek on his cheek. She was surprised when he grabbed her finger and squeezed. 

"One more thing...Take care of yourself Steven. Always take time for yourself. If you ever need to leave and be by yourself you do that. It'll help more than you think.. and Never hold back..Be angry, be happy, be loving, be spiteful, be however, whoever you want and need  to be. Whatever you do don't hide yourself from those who love you...Don't be afraid to show them your hurt and pain. Don't become self-destructive as I was...Most of all..live happily..Live truthfully….Live your life Steven, with your gem and your family. You're human, You're extraordinary..You're, you ...and that more than enough."

Rose smiled though deep sobs as she fell from her form glitching as was the dome.

"This is it.. I hope that you never hear my name, Steven. I don't deserve such a gift..but If you do..if you find out about wrongs and decide to discard me, I will still love you..My wonderful son..My truest love of all. Thank you for being you. For allowing me just for a millisecond to feel worthy of something, and I'm sorry you were born of a mother like me, at least you'll have  those who are truly worthy of you around."

As she was about to kiss his cheek one last time, she and the dome vanished in a brilliant light. Leaving A newborn Steven crying and reaching towards, where his mother once stood. 

He woke up from his dream reaching out, and for the first time since childhood, begging for his mother.

By the time he was done telling his story, Steven was already in a hold by tearing Connie. His tears soaking her nightie, while her ls rained on his head as she kissed his head and caressed his trembling back. Hearing him call for his mother, to apologize for his bereavement towards her with a sorrowful love was both heartbreaking and hope bringing, but it was welcomed. It was a sign that he no longer felt lost, confused, or alone. It was proof that he was like her in some ways..but it was not her worse ones and he could move on from her knowing that. 

They didn't move for a while as Connie hummed sweet tunes in his ear. Easing him to relax breathing. He reluctantly moved from her hold and sat  up looking at his Dreamberry, whose eyes were just as teary as his. He cupped cheeks and tenderly kissed her beckoning a melty moan from her. He broke away before resting his forehead to hers

"Thanks Connie. For being here."

Seeing that glow in his eyes made her heart skip a beat. " Of course. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with you. Even if it's just a dreamscape for now."

He smiled as she kissed his neck before resting against his chest. Looking down at his Dreamberry he brushed her head as she fell into a small slumber..She'll wake up before she wakes up here….

"For now but not much longer."

[hazelandglasz]

"I meet and fall in love with you in every lifetime at the same age but your age is always different so it never works out and for the first time I’m meeting you when we’re the same age and I’m horrified that I might fuck this up." Sterek with Derek as the one who's always the same age *w*

On AO3

Derek is 20 when he meets Stiles for the first time.

Derek is always 20 whenever he meets Stiles after that moment, until now.

But let’s catch them at the start, shall we?

Earth 745, Year 1650

Derek rides into the forest, his battle wolf happily howling at being allowed to run so freely.

“Steady, steady.”

The forest is always Derek’s favorite place to run and hunt. The spirits welcome him as one of their own and light up his way, but other creatures are not as welcoming.

If Derek came today, it’s because his Queen heard about a rumor.

A worrying one.

That Sparks have settled on the edge of their forest, using the spirits and the kingdom’s resources.

Triskel comes to an halt, muzzle raised in the air to sniff it.

“Aroo?”

Derek pats her neck to calm her, closing his eyes to visualize what she sensed.

Sparks are definitely moving around this area.

No aggression in their feelings.

Just … settlement.

There is a particularly strong Spark that seems to lead them.

There!

Derek opens his eyes, glowing just as red as Triskel’s, and they both turn them toward the entrance of the meadow.

Where a Spark stands, arms crossed over his chest.

In Wolf years, he looks to be just a bit younger than Derek, but Derek has been raised, taught, better than that.

Sparks may be a unique brand of Spirits, but they still belong in their family of beings.

A Wolf lifetime barely counts as a Revolution for a Spark. 

This one may look young, but his age must already be in the three numbers range.

The power exuding from his fingertips is proof enough.

“You’re on private property,” Derek calls, keeping his hands on Triskel’s neck.

The Spark sends a half-crooked smile his way. “This land was Spark land long before you lot bonded with the first pup.”

Triskel hums under Derek’s touch, leaning her massive head toward the spark.

“But I’m not here to escalate an argument with you, your highness,” the Spark says more gently and more seriously. 

“Why are you here, then?”

“To offer an alliance between our packs.”

Derek blinks at the offer. Legends about Sparks do not depict them as a fraternizing lot, even less helpful than Foxes and Hunters. “An alliance?”

“Quid pro Quo, my prince,” the Spark says, stepping closer. The grass curbs in front of his naked feet, and though there is no wind, his brown hair moves gently in an invisible breeze. “You let us stay where we settled, we protect the Eastern border of the Kingdom, everybody wins.”

“How do we know you won’t betray us at the first chance?”

“Please,” the Spark says, blowing air at Derek. “We may be powerful, but you Wolves have the strength to disseminate us. I quite like living, thank you very much, especially with all my limbs still attached to my body.”

Derek unconsciously drags his eyes down the Spark’s slender frame and can’t help but nod.

It would be a shame to hurt this particular body.

“I’m but the prince,” he finally answers, refusing to acknowledge either the heat he can feel on his cheeks or the smirk on the Spark’s face. “I cannot sign a treaty of this magnitude.”

“And I am not my pack’s leader,” the Spark replies. “Let’s consider each other as intermediaries for our people.”

“I will still need some proof of your trustworthiness.”

“How about a blood pact?”

“That would work.”

“Here,” the Spark says, bringing his wrist to his lips and biting, tearing the glowing skin and letting a droplet of bluish blood run down his forearm. Derek dismounts from Triskel, mirroring the Spark’s gesture, before bringing his wrist to the Spark’s.

Their bloods mix, and for a second, their attached wrists glow golden.

Triskel whines, breaking the enchantment that took over Derek for a moment.

“Bonded,” the Spark says with a beaming smile. “I can’t hurt you and you can’t hurt me.”

“I suppose I could give you my name now.”

“That’s called manners, your highness.”

“Call me Derek.”

“Call me--” the Spark starts, but the sound that follows does not belong in a Wolf’s throat.

Derek’s confusion must be obvious, as the Spark lets out a burst of laughter.

“Call me Stiles, then.”

“What’s a Stiles?”

“A me,” Stiles replies, licking his wrist clean. “Only one of me.”

Somehow, Derek does not doubt him for a second.

--

When Death comes for Derek, once his hair and beard have turned white, once his face is covered in more lines than a tree, when his eyes close on a smile, Stiles is still by his side, leaning forward to whisper in his ear.

“See you in the next life, big guy.”

xxxxxx

Earth 504, Year 52

Somehow, when Derek turns three, he knows.

He knows that he was a prince, he knows that he’s on a new cycle, and he knows …

He knows that he has to find Stiles for this life to be worth living.

That is a pretty hard concept to formally have in a three-year-old mind, but the idea is there to stay.

Though what Stiles will look like and how they will meet is a mystery.

When Derek turns twenty, he meets Stiles.

More precisely, he meets flight instructor Stilinski.

Though Stiles is a dragon rider in this life, wrinkles around his eyes and mouth signaling his propensity to smile and laugh, Derek has no doubt that this Stiles is his Stiles.

“The young Alpha worships you, Stiles,” he overhears a conversation between Stiles and Master Martin.

Stiles laughs. “He’s a good kid. Will be one hell of a rider some day.”

“I think he has a crush on you.”

“Can you blame him?” Stiles gestures at himself and through his embarrassment, Derek feels a surge of fondness for Stiles, from their past camaraderie.

“I’m serious, Stiles.” Master Martin swats at Stiles’ shoulder. “You need to be careful with him. Don’t go and break his heart.”

Stiles opens his mouth, eyes glaring in offense before he lets it all out in a sigh. “All I want is for Derek to be happy.”

“I know that. Be his tutor, be his friend.”

“I will.”

--

When Spark falls under a vicious attack, his rider as good as dead on his back, Derek can only let Triskel follow them into the Darkness.

“See you in the next life, Stiles.”

xxxxxx

Life after life after life, Derek gets reunited with Stiles.

Whenever they meet, their bond is reignited and they remain by each other’s side until one of them moves onto the next life.

Life after life, Derek remembers all of their common pasts, too.

And as much as Stiles can be annoying, frustrating, too bright for his own good, Derek finds himself drawn to him, life after life after life.

In this life, though, Derek has almost met Stiles when he was just a bit younger.

In this life, he’s fifteen when he feels Stiles in his proximity, but at the time, his family just got decimated and he can’t find it in his heart to make the move toward that connection.

But the presence he feels is young, just a bit younger than him but not by a wide margin.

For the first time ever, it’s even a relatively small gap that separates them, age-wise.

Not that he dwells on it at the time, consumed by grief, rage and shame as he is.

But they do meet when Derek is twenty.

“You’re on private property.”

He may be scowling, but in his mind, Derek allows himself to be sentimental.

Maybe it is Fate that brought us together, making him repeat his words from their first encounter on the life where they have a real chance of bringing this relationship to another level.

A thought which is immediately followed by, “I’m going to fuck this up”.

---

The pull toward Stiles is just as irresistible as it always is, but Derek resists.

He knows he will, can, fuck this up, damage Stiles and perhaps break the bonds that has lasted through centuries.

With the many life of retrospects he has on their lives together, Derek is convinced that the first Stiles, the Spark, the magical being, created that bond to make sure they would meet again.

To get a chance to be together, as lovers.

But if there is one thing this life has taught Derek, it’s his propensity to fuck things up beyond repair.

Especially relationships.

Especially the people he loves.

The last thing he wants is to hurt Stiles.

The next to last thing he wants is to lose Stiles.

His life is a fucking conundrum and he hates it.

---

And then, Stiles saves his life.

Derek has to admit, he didn’t see it coming.

As they manage to stay afloat in the pool while the kanima prowls its edges, Derek allows himself a moment to consider that really, this is a repetition of their first shared lifetime.

After all, despite his frail appearance, Stiles the Spark did save Derek the Wolf prince many, many times.

This time around, Stiles’ fragility is a calculated ploy to deceit people into underestimating him.

Derek admires this wit more than he would like to admit.

Falling in love with Stiles is just as easy as breathing, but Derek remains terrified.

Not of hurting Stiles, because fight after fight, Stiles proves how strong and resilient he really is, but of, again, fucking everything up.

---

Until the Berserkers.

Until his full shift.

Because managing to push his shift to this extreme, reconnecting with his mom, with his powers, with himself, brings Derek to one conclusion.

He may have found his balance, but in order to be complete, he needs Stiles by his side.

In a more permanent way than simply being “here”.

Once the decision has settled in his mind, there is no more room in Derek for fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Only focus on making it become a reality.

Because now, Derek knows how to avoid a fuck-up.

AKA, How to Woo a Stiles 101.

Going all out and romantic would just freak him out, that much Derek is sure of, no matter how much Stiles may be, is, attracted to him.

But by going in small, subtle touches--getting the pizza he likes, wear comfortable and unthreatening (yet flattering) cloth, creating a safe environment--Derek slowly manages to get closer to Stiles.

Even that would be enough, if he’s honest to himself: having Stiles close, close enough to touch, to smell, to protect.

That’s where he is in his thoughts one evening, when Stiles is the only one left in the Pack’s loft, the pizza has been reduced to its crust and neither one of them knows what is playing on the TV anymore.

Stiles laughs at something silly Derek just said, and with a contented sigh, drops his head to Derek’s shoulder.

And Derek freezes.

And Stiles looks up, long eyelashes slowly revealing his beautiful brown eyes..

Derek stays still.

And Stiles considers him, a wall wrinkle apparating between his eyebrows before it clears out.

Derek stays still, still.

Stiles slowly leans upward, his breath tickling Derek’s neck until his lips meet Derek’s cheek.

It all happens in slow motion, and Derek stays still.

Stiles straightens up, still focused on Derek, before cupping Derek’s face in his hands.

A golden light appears in his eyes, taking over the ring surrounding his pupils. 

Derek gasps, just as Stiles leans forward.

Their lips could be touching, barely kept apart, as Stiles smiles.

“Hello again, big guy.”

Before pulling Derek in for a long, long-awaited kiss.

------

Same Earth, same year, some months later

“You knew?”

“I don’t know. Not knew, knew.”

“Nyunyu?”

Stiles rubs his nose against Derek’s stomach before blowing a raspberry there. “All those lives, I never knew for sure. I had a, a …”

“A feeling?”

“An instinct, yeah.”

Derek sighs, his fingers tangled in Stiles’ hair. “I’m glad we found each other in this life.”

“I hope we’ll find each other in the next.”

“Me too.”

“Though the later the better.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

[angelfire115]

Part 26

The hotel was silent once more, it pretty much was mainly that throughout the day. Tia did occasionly come out and chat with everyone. She was so kind, she wasn't even scared of Alastor, didn't mind Angels sexual jokes or Husks bad drinking or even Niftys' insane energy. All around, she was the most humane person there. It kind of put everyone off but not in a bad way. Their proof for kind demons was also Charlie, even with the swearing and that brawl, Charlie was also nice so everyone rolled with it.

As night approached, everyone disappeared to their rooms. Well, except for Al, he didn't live at the hotel but had his own home to go to. Before he left though, Charlie stopped him. Charlie: "Hey Al, um, I just wanted to say, I'm not mad about the fight earlier, it was kind of my fault anyway". Now why would she say that? It was Vaggie who started and Alastor who made it worse. Alastor: "How is your fault my dear? You didn't do anything wrong". Charlie looked away, a bit nervous but then looked at him again. Charlie: "*sigh* maybe, anyway is your shoulder ok? Sorry I didn't ask earlier but it looked really bad".

Alastor then remembered that painful sensation in his shoulder, he'd forgot about it, he was so concentrated on Charlie's happy and bright aura it left his mind. Remembering seemed to make it worse but he didn't show it, he just smiled to his love and fluttered his red eyes. Alastor: "Thank you for your concern dear but it is no problem, I barely feel it". Charlie wasn't so sure, the wound had to be deep but then again, he looked pretty ok, he is a strong demon after all. Charlie decided to trust him, if anything, he could handle it, right?

She watched as Alastor left the building her smile didn't leave her face till he left. She was so concerned but she didn't want to bother him too much. She's already done enough of that today. With a short sigh, she made her way to her room. While walking the halls she noticed a red stain that wasn't usually there. It was blood, the blood made it look like a bloody hand print. She inspected the blood, who could have done this?

Angel dust came walking by as well and noticed the princess staring at the wall. Angel dust: "Yo Charlie, whatcha starin at the wall for?" He looked where she was looking and saw the stain. His eyes widen a little but he thought for a second. Angel dust: "Huh, blood, wonder who did that.. Wait, didn't smiles have that injury, maybe it's his?". This made the princess heart drop, it made sense, this was Als' blood and by the look of it, he wasn't taking it well.

She rushed past Angel, down the stairs and out the door. Angel ran after her, confused as hell on what she was doing. When she was out the door, she ran full speed. Angel dust: "HEY WAIT, WHERE ARE YOU GOING??!" He called out to her but she didn't answer. Angels never seen her or anyone this concerned, this could though, conclude his suspicion. This princess was head over heels in love with the radio demon.

Meanwhile Charlie ran so fast, she was at his house within seconds. Even though when she walked there last time, it took a few minutes. His house wasn't far from the hotel which made it convenient for him. But that's not something she could concern herself with. She was even more panicked as she noticed bloody hand prints and blood droplets all along the path. Even the door knob was covered in blood.

She banged on the door as hard as she could, not caring if it disturbed any of the neighbours. Charlie: "AL? AL ITS ME CHARLIE, OPEN THE DOOR!". There was no answer, she became more worried. She had no choice, she held both hands on the door knob and slammed her body on it as hard as she could over and over again. Within 3 hits, the door swung open and she fell right in. She noticed on the floor she fell on, there was more blood. She got up quickly and searched the house, following the blood trail that lead to an open and lit up door.

Charlie: "Al? Are you there?". She slowly walked towards the light, as she peaked around the corner she noticed it was a bathroom with Alastor, sitting at the bathtub. His shirt was off and his back was exposed. On his left shoulder was the wound, it looked horrible and extremely deep. Blood was everywhere in the bathroom as well. Alastor turned seeing her horrified look, he was surprised she was there.

Alastor: "Charlie, what are you doing here?". A small radio played beside him as well, on top of the sink. Probably why he didn't hear her. Charlie was still too shocked to answer at first but she swallowed her vomit that almost came out. Charlie: "I-I was worried, y-you, I saw, the blood stains and I-". She couldn't speak all that well, she wasn't really used to seeing blood and gore. Especially this close and this real. Alastor turned to her fully, his smile was still on his face but he didn't look all that well.

Alastor: "Charlie my dear, you worry too much, I'm fine, it isn't the first time really". Because his shirt was off, Charlie was able to see his skin and even, his past wounds. Some looked newer then others. There was so many of them, guess his past was pretty hectic. Some look like cuts and stabs, some looked like gun wounds and more. She slowly walked towards him, so captivated on those old wounds like they were hypnotising her. She reached and touched one of them, the largest one on his body that went from his shoulder to half way down his chest.

Her expression was now sad, he had so many, how could he still be alive from it all. Alastor flinched a little from her touch but settled. Watching her hand stroke that wound made the memories flow of that time. He gently grabbed her hand, holding it in his. Her hands were soft and warm while his were cold and sharp. Alastor: "Heh, don't worry dear, many battles create many wounds, my life wasn't the easiest".

Charlie stood there not moving, she was still sad but still warmed by his gentle touch. He pressed his lips on her hand, giving it a gentle kiss. Charlie clenched her chest, her heart racing a million miles a second but she didn't move or make a sound. Alastor: "But for you my dear, I hoped you'd never see them". He raised his head to look into her eyes, they looked so gentle and beautiful like shining pearls. The air quickly turned sour when Alastor winced in pain. They'd almost completely forgot about his bleeding wound.

Charlie panicked, she's never done anything like this before. Alastor reached for a bottle of alcohol. He placed it over his shoulder, about to pour it on the wound to disinfect it but the second it hit he quickly pulled it away as the pain was too much to bare. Charlie watched with a fearful expression. She was hesitant but wanted to help. Alastor turned back to Charlie but reached the bottle towards her. Alastor: "I'm sorry to ask you this Charlie but would be a dear and pour this on my wound for me?". His face was riddled with regret but if the wound was to be left exposed for too long, it would get worse.

Charlie reached for the bottle, every action she took was hesitant for her fear trickled in her stomach. But she came here to help in any way possible. She stepped closer to Al and slowly poured the liquid on his exposed wound. Alastor winced in pain, trying his best to keep his voice in and his body still. Charlie: *It must hurt like hell*. She wasn't wrong, the alcohol helped but it was incredibly painful. A few minutes had past, his wound was finally wrapped up in bandages and the blood was all cleaned and gone.

She was a bit proud of herself for being brave but felt bad for the pain. Charlie: "Will you be alright now?". Charlie leaned over towards Alastor, they both had moved themselves to the lounge room. Alastor sat in silence for a few minutes while putting on a shirt, he was in the presence of a princess. Alastor: "I will be dear, thank you for your help". Once he was finished placing on a shirt and buttoning it up. He turned his attention to his unexpected companion.

Alastor: "You are full of surprises sweetheart, not only did you run all the way here during the night but even crashed through my door?". They both turned their attention to the slightly banged up door. Alastor chuckled at this thought, she was incredibly amusing. Charlie expression turned a bit embarrassed, she felt bad that she almost broke his door. She was in so much of a panic she wasn't really thinking straight. Charlie: "Sorry for that, I wasn't thinking straight". Alastor waved his hand, dismissing her apology. Alastor: "Do not worry my dear, you've made my night quite entertaining".

They sat in silence, they've been in this position before but from different circumstances. It didn't however make the mood anymore lighter. Although Charlie was quite exhausted, running here, banging that door open, then helping Al with his exposed stab wound drained her completely. She needed to get back although it seems even more exhausting to think about.

Alastor noticed her tired expression and took a deep breath. He placed his elbow on his leg and leaned into his palm, looking at her. Alastor: "You look tired dear, if you want, you can stay here for the night". Charlie looked up at him in surprise but looked away as her face slightly blushed. Charlie: "I-I don't know Al, I've already troubled you enough". Alastor closed his eyes but stayed in the same position. Alastor: "Do not worry, you can take my bed, I'll sleep out here". Charlie backed up a bit, sleeping, in his bed, in his house. WHAT??!

Charlie: "No no no no, it's fine, you shouldn't do that, anyway you need to rest better then I do, you're still hurt, I couldn't let you do that". Alastor grin became wide, showing more teeth then he has all day. He leaned in closer to the princess right to her ear. Charlie tried to back away but the couches edge stopped her. Alastor: "How about we sleep together then?" Charlie's face burst into red colour while steam came from her face. Alastor always teased her but this was too far. Him whispering such a sultry thing in her ear and being so close was heart wrenching at best.

Charlie: "I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I....". She couldn't speak any kind of words or any other language for that matter. Her face burned so much it could catch on fire. Alastor chuckled at the amusing princess, her embarrassed and flustered expression never failed to be entertaining. Alastor: "I'm joking my dear, you should know that, but it might be true my wounds need time to heal, they aren't as important as your beauty sleep, the couch maybe comfortable for sitting but not for sleeping". That's wasn't really true though, Charlie had a pretty good sleep on this couch last time she was here.

Charlie was still though, not very good on the idea of sleeping on his bed. But he wouldn't give up on his gentleman ways. She could walk back to the hotel but he would definitely offer to go with her. She could call Vaggie or someone to pick her up but it was so late she didn't want to bother anyone. She had no idea what to do. But the idea perked into her mind, it was embarrassing and she knew he was joking but it would be the only way to satisfy both parties on how this will go.

Charlie hesitated to say anything but worked up her courage. Charlie: "I-I guess, if it's the only way then, I wouldn't, I wouldn't mind... s-sleeping with you". She was so embarrassed, she didn't even look at him. Alastor perked up so quickly it hurt his back in which he winced in pain. Charlie saw this and rushed to help but the second they looked at each other, her face went red again. Charlie backed away in panic, her face becoming hot. Charlie: "I-I'M SORRY, that was stupid to say I know, I just thought that because you, um".

Silence filled the room once more, Charlie sat twiddling her fingers while Al sat a fair distance from her holding his shoulder. The pain slowly went away but that wasn't what was on his mind. Her words were a shock, such a bold move from the princess. Alastor smile grew big again. He chuckled, then laughed a hole heartly one. The night became better and better, the princess becoming more and more irresistible within each moment.

Charlie stared at him, very confused. It didn't take long for her to realise what it was about. How dumb she felt, saying something like that, of course he found it funny. Alastor noticed her angry look and looked away himself. He didn't mean to give her that message. Alastor: "I'm sorry my dear but I couldn't help it, you're incredibly bold for saying such things". Charlie quickly snapped her head to him which surprised him a little. Charlie: "I just was concerned is all, you need your rest because of your wound but you won't let me leave on my own or sleep on the couch because you're being a gentleman". She crossed her arms in an angry humph.

Alastor absorbed this information, it was true though, he wouldn't let her leave on her own or let her sleep on the couch. Guess she felt like it would be the only option. But I guess seeing how this would go would be funny too. Alastor: "Well if it's the only way we'd come to compromise then Ill take you on that". Alastor stood up, walked toward her till he was in front of her. He reached his hand to her chin then lifted to gaze in her eyes. Alastor: "Are you ready?". His deep, sultry voice was back and it sent shivers down her spine. She would never be ready for this but had no choice. How annoyingly heart wrenching this all was?

[magicallygrimmwiccan]

The Opposite of Love (Indifference) Chapter II: It’s Better To Feel Pain (Than Nothing At All)

“If this is to be my wardrobe for the near future,” Logan growled, “then I demand all photographic evidence be burned upon completion of this period.”

“You’re so dramatic,” Virgil drawled, rolling his eyes. “Besides, Dee thought you’d need a break. And what better way to make you take a break-”

“Than to make sure there were no traces of my royal wardrobe, yes I know,” Logan sighed, holding up a pink turtleneck sweater. “I still do not appreciate this.”

“Aw, I think you’ll look downright adorable,” Virgil teased. “Besides, it’s more comfortable than your regular clothing, you have to admit.” Logan grumbled in complaint but ultimately agreed. The sweaters all looked much softer and more pleasing than his usual silken attire, and the purple cargo shorts looked to be much less restrictive than his typical trousers. He had always had a weakness for knee-high socks, and Converse made him extremely happy as well.

(He sincerely hoped that Virgil would not remember that this was the outfit they had first met in. Logan would possibly die of embarrassment if Virgil recalled that little detail. Dee had surely given him this wardrobe on accident, and Logan was determined to never let Virgil know the true implications of what this outfit symbolized.)

“Well… I suppose it could be worse,” Logan sighed. “And seeing as my current outfit is ruined-” He was fairly certain Virgil had done that out of spite. “- I must change. Please exit the room.”

“Sure thing. When you’re done, I managed to find some books you might like.” With that, Virgil left, leaving Logan alone in a strange room in a weird house in the middle of nowhere. He let out a shaky sigh and began to undress, choosing to leave his binder on. Yes, it had been on for four days, but he wasn’t feeling any pain or difficulty breathing. He would be fine.

Logan exited his room after a minute or two, only to be faced by a glaring Virgil again. “Yeah, go take off that binder, mister.”

“What? It-”

“It has been on for four days, Logan, so go take it off right this second.”

“How-”

“Dee told me. Take it off and leave it off for a week or I make you.” Logan was going to give Dee a stern talking-to about privacy once he got back to the palace, but for now, he was unwilling to see what Virgil meant by “making him”. With a sigh, he walked back into his room, wriggled out of his binder, and took a moment to breathe before heading back out to Virgil. Virgil nodded in approval before carefully taking his elbow and leading him to the living room, supporting his still-shaky legs.

Logan gasped as he saw the pile of books awaiting him on the coffee table. “Are those all for me?”

“Yeah, I’ve been collecting old books for a few decades now. Figured I should try and preserve as much of the past as I could, ya know?”

“Virgil, this… this is lovely, thank you,” Logan said, turning to face the vampire with a small smile on his face. “This was quite kind of you.”

Virgil shrugged. “Not really, but okay.”

Logan let out a sigh but ultimately put the issue to rest, moving forward to inspect the books further. Dante’s Inferno, Frankenstein, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, all literary classics, all ridiculously hard to find now in their original book forms. How Virgil had managed to find these was a mystery Logan didn’t care to solve, as he was far too happy just getting lost in the books in front of him.

“Oh I guess I’ll just… leave you,” Virgil mumbled, stepping back and vanishing into the kitchen, pulling out the ingredients to make a kickass lasagna while Logan buried himself in books behind him.

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

Virgil woke up only a day after the Book Incident (that plan had worked too well) to the smell of smoke wafting through the house. He bolted upright and dashed out into the living room, clad only in the tank top and skinny jeans he’d fallen asleep in.

“Logan?!” he yelped, nose burning from the scent of smoke. Coughing answered him and Logan emerged from the kitchen, fanning his face and looking at Virgil with red-rimmed pink eyes.

“My apologies, I accidentally set fire to the ravioli I was attempting to boil,” Logan coughed, smiling shakily at Virgil. “Um… I turned off the stove before anything too bad happened?”

Virgil groaned and pushed past Logan into the kitchen. “Stay out, sugar, you’re liable to melt. I’ll handle it.” His eyes widened as he took in the disaster before him. How had Logan managed to also burn the water?! The sauce he could understand, as making brown butter took skill and sage burned quickly if the heat was too high, and the ravioli he could also kind of comprehend, but the water? How was this man such a disaster?

“Logan… I think you’re officially banned from the kitchen,” Virgil announced.

“That is quite fair,” Logan called back. “Would you like help cleaning up?”

Virgil was about to answer when the sauce finally exploded, covering him from head to toe in sage butter. He stood, frozen, for a solid minute, before he forced himself to reply.

“No. No I would not.”

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

Virgil would like to go back and ask his past self exactly how oblivious he had been for thinking that Logan would actually sleep once removed from the situation with the Ice Queen. Because Logan, Virgil was slowly realizing, was not only stubborn and stupid and lacked an understanding of the definition of self-care, but he was oblivious to his own body’s needs.

It had been a week since Virgil and Logan had moved into this little tree house in the middle of nowhere, and Logan had only slept twice in that entire time there. Once when Virgil had dragged him in, and once the afternoon of the Cooking Incident. It was frankly getting ridiculous, and Virgil was about two seconds away from tearing his hair out in frustration over the stupid prince he was currently babysitting. Logan needed to go to sleep right this goddamn second or Virgil knew he was going to fucking scream.

“Are you quite alright, Virgil? You look tense,” Logan observed, looking up from the copy of The Great Gatsby Virgil had managed to find for him. Virgil grit his teeth together before leveling Logan with a harsh glare, allowing all the anger and frustration and possible-worry over the prince’s health bubble up and heat his gaze.

“No I am not alright,” Virgil hissed. “You are being an idiot who isn’t sleeping and it is getting on my last. Nerve.”

Logan blinked, thoroughly confused. “Oh… well, that is, quite frankly, none of your business, Virgil.”

Virgil gay-up hissed like an irate cat and shot to his feet, marching over to tower over Logan. “Go the fuck to sleep, bitch.”

“No.” Logan met his glare with a steady gaze, not even flinching. Virgil let out a sound that totally wasn’t a scream as he began to pace around the living room, muttering to himself. What would make Logan go to sleep? What was a fool-proof plan for success? Virgil needed one now, and short of continuously knocking Logan out, something both Patton and Roman would take issue with, Virgil had no answers.

“Well, have fun with… whatever it is you are doing. I will be making more coffee in the meantime,” Logan called, beginning to stand. Virgil froze, an evil smirk crossing his face. Oh. This was perfect. The perfect solution to his dilemma. How had he not thought of this before?

“You’re not getting more coffee,” Virgil laughed, strolling into the kitchen and ignoring Logan’s indignant noises. “You’re not getting more coffee until you sleep.”

“That- you can’t just do that!” Logan squeaked. “You are not in control of my actions!”

“Ah, but I can hide the coffee machine.” Logan’s face paled and he stared at Virgil with wide, pleading eyes. Virgil ignored him, however, and simply unplugged the machine from its spot, picked it up, and carried it into his room, ignoring the pleas to stop.

He kicked his door shut, shoving his bass in front of the door to keep Logan out, and floated upwards to hide the machine in the top of his closet where Logan would never find it. There. Boom. Problem solved. He was a genius.

Virgil left his room, only to run straight into a frantic Logan, who grabbed his hoodie and pulled him down to stare directly into his eyes, all the hatred of a thousand suns burning into Virgil’s soul from those eyes.

“Give me back. My coffee machine,” Logan absolutely growled, jaw clenched so tightly Virgil was surprised his teeth weren’t cracking under the strain.

“Nope,” Virgil replied, popping his p and watching with great pleasure as the fight drained from Logan’s form. “Not until you go to sleep, hulwaty.”

Logan sighed, biting his bottom lip. “... are you sure I cannot convince you?”

“Yeah. Now, to bed. Chop chop.” Logan sighed and trudged to his room, practically slamming the door behind him. Virgil smiled sadly at the door before going back out to the kitchen, making sure to close his own door behind him. It was for Logan’s own health, he told himself, regardless of how those sad eyes on that sad face had stabbed into his soul. He was going soft. The thought, he realized, did not horrify him as it once might have. Virgil promptly decided to not analyze this thought further and began to prepare another vegetable stock for another soup. He might as well take advantage of this free time while Logan slept, right?

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

Yeah, Virgil really was going soft. Too soft, in fact, as he was more concerned about Logan sleeping than he was about his own health. It was a problem. Virgil had always either not given a single fuck about someone or cared far too much to be healthy, and it looked like he had switched modes for Logan in less than a week. Damn it.

He hadn’t slept in three days and he swore he could feel it in his toe bones (metatarsals and phalanges, Logan had told him at one point). Virgil was stumbling around the house, utterly exhausted yet also refusing to sleep. Logan still hadn’t gotten his coffee maker back, as he only slept after Virgil reminded him he held the precious machine hostage and Virgil was terrified to think about the lack of sleep Logan would get if he gave it back now.

Of course, this left Virgil monitoring Logan so much that his own sleep was left behind, a fact that he was realizing made him a flaming hypocrite. This, however, did not escape Logan’s notice; he was just far too nice to comment on it, Virgil realized.

“Hey, darling,” Logan murmured after 3 sleepless nights for Virgil, carefully draping a soft fleece blanket over his shoulders. “You’ve done enough. Time for you to rest.”

“No,” Virgil slurred, weakly shaking his head despite his body insisting on listening to Logan. “No, you… you won’t sleep if I do. Gotta take care of you.”

“Oh, love,” Logan murmured, gently pulling Virgil to his feet. “If that is what concerns you… I can sleep with you, just to make sure we both get some rest. Is that alright?”

“I… I guess. Promise you’ll actually sleep?” Had Virgil been more aware, he would have flinched at how vulnerable he sounded, but as it stood, he didn’t have the brain capacity to care.

“Of course,” Logan soothed, guiding Virgil to his room. “Now, let’s have a nap, shall we? We’ll both feel better after, I imagine.”

Virgil didn’t even complain, simply stripping down to a T-shirt and boxers before collapsing onto his bed, pulling a Logan who was clad in a too-large sweater and tall socks to his chest. He drifted off in the space between one blink and the next, the last thing he remembered being the sweet scent of Logan drifting into his nose as pink hairs tickled it.

Afterwards, both of them agreed to get sleep each night, and the coffee maker was restored to its usual spot on the kitchen counter.

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

Logan sneezed for what had to be the fifth time in the space of twenty minutes, groaning as his stuffed-up nose decided to torture his brain again. He had only gotten sick once before in his life, and he never wanted to ever again as long as he lived. This was torture.

“Logan, I made you chicken noodle soup, and I expect you to eat it all,” Virgil called, strolling into the living room. He held a tray in his hands, laden with a large steaming bowl and a small glass of apple juice, a severe look painted on his face. Logan groaned but forced himself to sit upright to receive Virgil’s lovely efforts.

“My thanks, Virgil,” Logan groaned, wincing at his stuffy-sounding voice. “I still apologize for falling ill.”

“Hey, none of that. You haven’t spent extended time out of the palace for ages. It makes sense.”

“Still, you should not have to deal with me.”

“My bedside manner is shit, but I’ll still take care of you. Now eat your damn soup,” Virgil huffed, sitting down on the couch at Logan’s feet and giving a look that could almost be construed as tender. Logan took the tray and began to slowly sip at the soup, glancing up at Virgil every so often. The vampire king simply watched him with a steady expression. Not a cold form of steady by any means, Logan realized. No, this was a steady that spoke of care, of tenderness, of passion and love and promises of safety. Logan had never felt safer in his entire life than he did there, on that couch, Virgil watching him as he drank his chicken noodle soup.

(Something stirred in Logan’s stomach, at that thought, and he brutally shoved it down. Now was not the time for feelings.)

“Good. Now drink your juice, and I put some pills to help on the tray as well.” Logan found them quickly and downed them with the apple juice in two gulps. Virgil smiled at him and leaned over, gently ruffling his hair. “Now go to sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

Logan settled back down and Virgil grabbed the tray, retreating to the kitchen. The candy prince yawned, fighting to stay awake until Virgil returned, but he quickly lost the battle at the soft sound of Virgil’s soothing humming as he fell into a deep, dark, comforting realm of dreams.

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

When Virgil inevitably fell ill merely two days later, Logan tried to reciprocate the care. He burned the soup and spilled the juice twice, causing Virgil to laugh and Logan to blush furiously. They eventually get things to work, and Virgil began to feel better in no time, and the two of them agreed to never bring up The Great Chicken Soup Catastrophe ever again.

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

“So, I just… do this?” Logan asked for the tenth time, gently poking the pasta dough in front of him. Virgil nodded, too focused on his own pasta dough to correct the fact that Logan shouldn’t be poking it but should, in fact, be shaping it.

“I mean, you should be shaping it, not poking it, but yeah.” Virgil finished shaping all of his dough and turned to help Logan, snorting at the comical sight of Prince Gumball, covered in flour, staring in horror at the dough in front of him as if it were about to attack him.

“What do you mean shaping it? Shaping it into what? How do I do that when it sticks to me whenever I touch it?” Logan looked utterly lost and baffled. It was adorable. Virgil couldn’t help the small snort he let out before he shuffled over, gently picking up Logan’s dough before beginning to shape it for him.

“I think that might just be the fact that you’re made of gum, nizarat,” Virgil answered, hands expertly pinching and tucking and folding and rolling until all of Logan’s dough was in the perfect shape to make their dish. “Either way, there you go.”

“Thank you, Virgil,” Logan sighed, looking quite relieved to have this over with. “Now, what is the next step?”

“Now, we get to drop these into the boiling water,” Virgil replied, pausing when he saw Logan pale and step back a bit. “What is it?”

“Uh… is it liable to splash?” Logan inquired, staring at the pot in fear. Virgil mentally slapped himself for not considering that someone made out of sugar would not handle being hit with water well and sighed.

“It… it might. I can do all of this if you want?”

“That would be wonderful, Virgil, my thanks,” Logan replied, retreating to deal with finding the perfect dishes to plate their pasta on. Virgil sighed and went back to making sure the pasta didn’t overcook, listening to Logan’s quiet curses as he tried to find matching dishware in the cupboards.

“It doesn’t have to match, Logan,” Virgil called, voice tinged in amusement.

“Yes it does,” Logan insisted, and Virgil could just picture his puffed-out cheeks and slight glare. “If they do not match, then the presentation is wrong. And if the presentation is wrong, the meal is ruined.”

“You have to lighten up some times,” Virgil laughed, dumping the pasta into the sauce to finish cooking it. “You can’t always make everything perfect. Sometimes, you work with what you have.”

“That seems like a very… strange way to live,” Logan mumbled back. “Should you not strive for perfection in all that you do?”

“Sometimes, your best is good enough.” Virgil shrugged, bringing the pasta over to the table, before dishing it out into the bowls Logan had found with a carving fork. “And honestly, I’d be exhausted trying to be perfect every hour of the day. I’d much rather be the mess that I really am.”

Logan hummed, looking thoughtful, but didn’t say anything, simply nomming on his pasta with wide eyes. “This is delicious, Virgil. Thank you.”

“You helped make it, dude.”

“Thank you anyway.” For teaching me, for the advice, for accepting me for who I am even though you have every reason not to… Logan didn’t need to say all of that. Virgil knew.

“Of course, Logan.”

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

Logan secretly liked Saturdays in the house with Virgil, although he would never admit it on pain of death. Virgil would do some baking early in the morning and leave the basket of treats on the table throughout the day for the two of them to snack on. Logan would spend the morning sewing, knitting, and doing puzzles while Virgil cleaned (the vampire was, surprisingly, a neat freak, something Logan had only just now remembered). They would then have a light lunch of sandwiches before retreating back to their own quiet activities, Logan typically reading in the afternoon while Virgil sketched. The soft quiet soothed them both, and it became something they both looked forward to at the end of the loud week.

On one such afternoon, Logan finally decided to move closer to Virgil during their afternoon time. They’d been in the same house for a little over a month now, and Logan hoped that this meant he was allowed to sit on the same couch as Virgil without it seeming weird.

“Logan? What the fuck are you doing?” Virgil asked, looking up as Logan sat on the other couch cushion. Logan froze, turning to look at Virgil. Should he just go back to the loveseat?

“Um… I figured I could… sit here today?”

Virgil let out a soft sigh and stood, Logan’s heart climbing into his throat. Oh, he had messed this up, hadn’t he?

However, instead of leaving, Virgil simply turned around and lounged against Logan, his feet propped up on the other armrest. “Well, then, I guess we’re doing this today.” Logan let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned back to his book, allowing Virgil to continue his drawing in their usual silence.

Eventually, however, Virgil’s weight began to press more and more into Logan’s shoulder, and he glanced over to see what was going on. He had to stifle a giggle, however, as he saw the vampire’s closed eyes and slack face, his theory confirmed as he heard a light snore as well.

“Well, this simply can’t be comfortable,” Logan murmured, carefully shifting Virgil off of his shoulder and into his lap. “That should be better.” By some miracle, the sleeping vampire did not wake, simply shifting position once in Logan’s lap. Satisfied with his work, Logan turned back to his book, not intent on moving until Virgil woke up. He clearly needed this nap, and it would take a crueler man than Logan to take said nap away from him.

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

When Virgil woke up four hours later to find Logan passed out, he simply chuckled, placed a blanket around Logan’s shoulders, and went back to sleep.

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

“Logan! Come on!” Virgil called, already halfway down the ladder to the ground. Logan carefully followed, bundled up in a thick turtleneck sweater, a scarf, and a woolen peacoat. Virgil was only in his usual hoodie and flannel, apparently unbothered by the crisp chill in the air.

“Not all of us wish to risk our necks climbing down recklessly,” Logan shot back, clinging tightly to the rickety ladder as he descended. “Plus, I do not see the appeal in jumping in piles of dead foliage.”

“It’s a fun thing to do,” Virgil answered, “and you need to stop being so overcautious. Let loose every once in a while!”

“I do ‘let loose’, just not when I could be harmed doing so.” Logan finally reached the ground and carefully stepped down, the leaves crunching around him.

“You’re boring,” Virgil declared, already kicking leaves into a pile. “Come on, I wanna get this pile to be a decent size.”

Logan reluctantly began to help Virgil curate the pile of dried leaves, wincing as he accidentally touched a few wet ones. He quickly dried his hands before it could affect his skin too much, ignoring Virgil’s snickering.

Soon enough, they had amassed a pile of red, brown, orange, and yellow, about three quarters of Virgil’s height and with a radius of similar size. Virgil was grinning wickedly, causing Logan’s stomach to clench in anxiety. That facial expression spelled trouble, and Logan did not need more trouble in his life today.

“So, you want to go first or should I?” Virgil asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Logan shook his head quickly and stepped back, hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Oh, no, no, I do not think it wise to-”

“You then!” With that, Virgil picked Logan up, ignoring the screeches from the candy prince, and chucked him onto the pile. Logan screamed and curled into a ball just before colliding with the leaves, eyes flying open in surprise as he did not feel cold, hard ground colliding with his side.

“Yeah, the leaves cushion your fall if you get them high enough,” Virgil answered his unasked question. “You didn’t think I’d let ya get hurt, did you?”

“I… I am not sure what to believe at this moment,” Logan muttered. Virgil sighed and helped him out of the pile, brushing leaves off of him.

“Yeah, well… can you at least believe that I won’t let you get hurt? I might not be a good person, but I’m not a dick.”

“Of- of course, I never meant to make you think-”

“No, Logan, relax!” Virgil exclaimed. “I didn’t- oh gosh, people just tend to think I’m evil, but even I have standards!”

“Of course you do! How can people think you’re evil? Yes, you can be overbearing and infuriating and far too unprofessional, but you are kind, and sweet, and you try your best to help people, and that is not something to be demonized or forgotten simply because of your vampiric nature!” Logan’s cheeks were puffed out in fury by the end of his rant, fists clenched at his sides. “And I will personally fight anyone who says otherwise!”

“Whoa, slow down, shorty,” Virgil chuckled, ruffling Logan’s hair. “No need for fighting. I can defend myself, thank you very much.”

“Then why don’t you?”

“I don’t find it worth my time,” Virgil answered, shrugging. “Not everything in life needs to be met with energy.” Logan’s muscles relaxed and he stared at Virgil, eyes wide.

“Anyway, help me get these back in a pile? I still wanna jump in them.” Logan nodded, and the two remade the pile in record time, this time with Logan standing back and watching Virgil bellyflop into the pile with a large grin on his face. Something warm stirred in Logan’s stomach at the sight and he let out a small giggle, just happy to see Virgil happy. Oh, he would regret this later, if the numb sensation in his fingers and nose and toes was any indication, but for now, Virgil was happy, and that was all that mattered to Logan.

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

A couple days after the leaf pile, Virgil was wandering around at 2, unable to sleep, on his way to get cocoa, when he was stopped by the heavy sound of whimpering coming from Logan’s room. His eyes narrowed, he stalked forward, gently pushing the door open to peek inside and make sure that everything was alright. His eyes shot wide, however, when he saw Logan’s state.

The candy prince was tangled up in his blankets, clawed fingers grasping at the air as if reaching for someone or something. Sweat beaded on his face and tears stained his cheeks, breaking Virgil’s already broken heart even further. His whimpers stabbed Virgil even further, locking his muscles in place as he bore witness to this horrifying, heartbreaking sight. The strong, untouchable, perfect prince, falling to pieces in his dreams in the middle of the night away from all his loved ones.

“No, Virgil… no, please, no, I’ll be good, please stop,” Logan begged, curling in on himself.

Virgil’s muscles finally unlocked and he lunged forward, falling to his knees beside Logan as he began to frantically try and wake him. “Logan? Logan can you hear me?” Logan’s only reply was to twist away from Virgil’s voice, curling up even tighter, possibly defying the limits of his spine. “Logan I need you to focus. You’re having a nightmare. Nothing is wrong. You’re okay. I just need you to wake. Up.”

“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’ll be good please don’t hurt them, please don’t hurt him, I’ll do whatever you want-” Logan whimpered. Virgil let out a growl and grabbed Logan’s shoulders, pinning them to the bed. Logan let out a cry and began to thrash around. Virgil let out a frustrated groan and swung himself onto the bed, sitting on Logan’s hips to keep him restrained.

“Logan! Wake up!” Virgil yelled, shaking Logan’s shoulders in punctuation. Logan whimpered and thrashed some more, leaving Virgil at a loss. He needed to wake Logan up, but the prince wasn’t listening, what should he do-

“I’m sorry don’t hurt them… Virgil-!” Virgil let out a short sob and shook Logan harder, on the verge of tears himself. He wanted to help, he needed to help, but how could he?

“Logan! Wake up!” Virgil screamed, releasing a hand and patting Logan’s cheek. Logan’s eyelids flickered at that, giving Virgil hope, and an idea. Muttering apologies, he drew back his hand, and, with only half the strength possible, he slapped Logan across the face. The candy man shot upright at that, gasping and coughing, and Virgil instantly shifted to caretaker mode, taking Logan’s face in his hands and making sure he was calming down from the panic attack.

“V-Virgil?” Logan asked after a minute. “Did you… slap me?”

“Sorry, habibi, it was the only thing I could think of,” Virgil whispered, thumbs stroking Logan’s cheekbones. “Are you okay?”

“N-not particularly,” Logan mumbled. “But I cannot remember what the nightmare was about.”

“That’s more than okay, Logan. Let’s just work on making sure you’re okay,” Virgil soothed, wiping away the tears littering Logan’s cheeks. “What do you want from me to help you feel better?”

“Hot chocolate or tea… and could you tell me a story? I know, it sounds childish, but-”

“But nothing, Logan. If that’s what you need to feel better, than I’ll go do that right now. Will you be okay if I leave you?”

“Could I come with?” Virgil had never heard Logan sound so… broken. He could confidently say that he Did Not Like It.

“Of course. Let me just get off of you and help you get untangled.”

They did not sleep for the rest of the night. Virgil made mug after mug of tea and hot cocoa, and although Logan calmed down by 3:15, he was terrified to enter the land of dreams once again, and Virgil had too much of a heart to leave him. Both of them would definitely suffer the next day, but neither of them could bring themselves to care in that moment. They told stories of far-away kingdoms, of lonely faeries, of a young boy with too many expectations on his shoulders, and came to an understanding.

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

When Logan knocked on Virgil’s door the next night, blanket clutched tightly around him, and muttered that he was scared, Virgil allowed him in to sleep with him. Logan fell asleep with no issues this time, surrounded by security, and slept with no nightmares through the night. Virgil counted this as a win and started sleeping with Logan more often, just in case. It worked.

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

“Hey, Virgil?” Virgil looked up from his sketchbook to find Logan looking at him over the top of his book, eyes shining with a curiosity not seen since they were about 20 years old.

“Yes Logan?”

“Roman says you play the bass.”

“I do indeed play the bass. Roman thinks I sound wonderful.”

“Why have I never heard you?” Virgil paused, frowning, turning the question over and over in his mind. Had he really not played for Logan before? With a start, he realized that yeah, he hadn’t. Oh, sure, the reason was that they’d hated each other for so long, it would have been weird to play for him. But they’d been here for about 5 weeks now, and he still hadn’t played for Logan. That was a crime and must be rectified.

“Guess I’ve just never played while you were around. Lemme fix that. Hold on.” Virgil set aside his sketchbook and floated out of his seat and down the hall to grab his bass. He floated back, taking in Logan’s softly curled position in the soft lighting of the candles, and began to set up, taking a moment to tune each string before strumming a perfectly tuned A chord.

“So. Any requests, pretty boy?” Virgil asked, smirking. Logan simply rolled his eyes at the flirting (was that a slight blush? Virgil dismissed the thought as a trick of the light) and thought.

“Play me whatever you would like to play,” Logan decided, setting his book down and folding his hands on his lap. “I assure you, I would love to hear it.” Virgil nibbled on his bottom lip for a second, thinking, before an idea came to mind.

“Okay, this is… this is from a band that a lot of people don’t realize that I like because it’s not emo, but… I think you’ll like it.”

He began to strum, humming along with the opening, hoping that he wasn’t about to make a mistake, and began to sing.

“She'll lie and steal and cheat And beg you from her knees Make you thinks she means it this time He'll tear a hole in you, the one you can't repair But I still love him, I don't really care”

Logan simply stared, eyes wide and sparkling with wonder. Virgil smiled shakily back at him and continued on, a little embarrassed since no one usually was around to hear him sing. Well, except for Roman.

“When we were young Oh oh, we did enough When it got cold Ooh ooh, we bundled up I can't be told Ah ah it can't be done”

Logan’s soft smile had vanished, but Virgil was just getting into the swing of things and couldn’t find it in himself to stop.

“It's better to feel pain, than nothing at all The opposite of love's indifference So pay attention now I'm standing on your porch screaming out And I won't leave until you come downstairs”

A single tear slipped down Logan’s cheek while Virgil furiously blinked back his own. He was not crying today, no sir.

“So keep your head up, keep your love Keep your head up, my love Keep your head up, my love Keep your head up, keep your love”

Logan sniffed, and Virgil raised his head to look right into the other’s eyes, his own eyes dry only through self-restraint. His voice turned soft, tender, full of nothing but understanding. He didn’t want Logan to misinterpret the next lines.

“And I don't blame ya dear For running like you did, all these years I would do the same, you best believe And the highway signs say we're close But I don't read those things anymore I never trusted my own eyes”

Logan was freely crying now, and Virgil wasn’t faring much better, his voice finally getting a little choked up as he started the chorus.

“When we were young Oh oh, we did enough When it got cold, Ooh ooh we bundled up I can't be told, Ah ah, can't be done”

Logan sniffed again, wiping at his cheeks, and Virgil broke eye contact to stare down at his bass as he finished the song.

“Keep your head up, keep your love Keep your head up, my love Keep your head up, my love Keep your head up, keep your love”

He quickly finished out the song, softly strumming the final chord and waiting for the sound to clear from the air, before he raised his head to meet Logan’s eyes.

“Virgil… that was gorgeous,” Logan whispered. “Whoever that was for… they’re very lucky to have you love them.”

Virgil let out a little laugh. “Yeah. Yeah they’re great.” He wasn’t going to deny it anymore. That song was for Logan, and only Logan. “But, let’s go with something a bit more upbeat.”

“Of course,” Logan answered, grinning back through the drying tears. “Whatever you’d like.”

Virgil strummed at his instrument, a smile lighting his face as his fingers slipped into a familiar pattern without thinking. “How about…”

“We've waited so damn long, we're sick and tired I won't leave any doubt or stone unturned…”

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

“Why are we out here, Virgil?” Logan asked softly, shivering in the light night wind cutting through his sweater. “It is freezing.”

“We’re stargazing,” Virgil answered. “I figured, might be nice. It’s a clear night and you like stargazing.”

“That is true,” Logan acknowledged. “But we could also stargaze indoors.”

“But outdoor is better,” Virgil insisted, turning to look at Logan with an intensity he’d never seen before. “Just… trust me?”

“There is something special tonight, isn’t there?”

“... yeah.”

“Then we’ll watch.” Logan settled down on the blanket Virgil had laid out, watching the sky for something special. Virgil sat next to him, placing his hand atop Logan’s. Logan did not move his hand away, simply turning to smile at Virgil briefly before turning his eyes back towards the sky.

The two did not have to wait for long, as a shooting star streaked across the sky mere minutes after they had arrived.

“Quick, Logan, make a wish.”

“Okay.”

“What did you wish for?”

“I can’t tell you, or it’ll never come true,” Logan murmured, staring at the grass. Virgil chuckled and stood, stretching out his arms.

“I guess. Hey. I have an idea.”

“Oh?” Logan’s eyebrow raised slightly. Virgil’s ideas so far had ranged from spectacular to disastrous, and Logan did not wish to partake in another disastrous one.

“Dance with me?” Logan’s brain sputtered to a stop.

“Virgil… Virgil, I do not dance.”

“I’ll teach ya! Come on.” The vampire held out a hand, grin somehow both soft and confident. “Do you trust me?”

“I suppose,” Logan answered, taking the proffered hand and standing. “Although, I must warn you that I am certain your poor feet are about to be trampled.”

“I can live with that,” Virgil laughed, placing his right hand on Logan’s waist and taking Logan’s right hand in his left. “Now… just follow my lead.”

And there they danced, under the bright silver moonlight, for hours. Not a soul dared disturb them up on that hilltop, the stars the only witnesses to this baring out emotion. Toes were stepped on, frustrated tears were shed, and laughter was sounded, but above all, two became one that night. Wrongs were forgiven. Slights, given apology. These two disparate souls, whom no one thought could ever be anything resembling friends, proved everyone wrong. They were not just getting along. They were not just friends. Here, in this moment, they knew: they were in love.

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

Virgil was just finishing up watering the little tree he’d dragged inside a couple weeks ago when a knock sounded at the door. He paused, a small frown crossing his face. The alarms hadn’t gone off, so it wasn’t the Ice Queen. It was too loud to be Dee. Therefore, it had to be Roman or Patton, which meant… the Ice Queen had been dealt with! Virgil jumped up and practically sprinted over to the door, throwing it open with a large smile on his face.

“Patton! Roman!” he cried before his brain could register who exactly was at the door. He was rewarded for his slow brain with a harsh blow to the head, one that would have killed him had he not been practically immortal. As it was, Virgil crumpled to the ground, instantly unconscious from the blunt force trauma delivered to his skull. Logan jumped, staring in horror at the limp body of the vampire king, not thinking to run away. Slowly, the intruder stepped inside, Logan’s breath catching in his throat as he saw who exactly it was.

“You really should put more work into your alarm system, Logie,” the Ice Queen giggled, fangs bared in a wide, manic grin. “Is that any way to greet your ruler?”

“You are not my ruler,” Logan managed to stammer out, slowly setting his book aside. He stood from the couch, forcing himself to meet the Ice Queen’s eyes despite his discomfort doing so. It would not do for him to show weakness now.

“Oh, really? Last I checked, you are a Prince, and I am a Queen.”

“I am my own monarch, thank you very much,” Logan shot back, starting to slowly inch backward. The Ice Queen noticed and chuckled, her laugh inexplicably sending a sharp paralyzing chill down Logan’s spine.

“You’re cute.” Her smirk turned into a leer and she stalked closer while Logan remained rooted in place. “It’s almost like you think you have any power here.”

“I… well, last I checked, I do.”

“Cute.” With that, she held up a spray bottle and released a stream of blue-white gas into Logan’s face. Logan coughed and stumbled back, his legs finally working, but it was too late for him. His head began to swim as his vision filled with blue-white mist. His ears rang with a high-pitched drone and his legs buckled, sending him sprawling on the floor.

“What did you do?” he tried to mumble, but his tongue would not cooperate. The Ice Queen seemed to understand him anyway and she laughed, stepping closer before squatting down.

“Oh, Logie,” she crooned, running a cold bony hand through his hair. “Does it matter?” He tried to form an answer but found he couldn’t, thoughts swimming away as his mental fingers brushed them. “Because when we get home, you’re not going to be leaving my castle for as long as you live, which is a very long time indeed.” With that, she slung him over her shoulder and walked out the front door, Logan not able to put up any semblance of a struggle. His thoughts felt like wading through taffy and his limbs felt like they were composed of cotton candy. He doesn’t quite remember anything, not registering anything but the jostling of his body as the Ice Queen walked a bit before teleporting to her castle, the portal’s lights officially ripping Logan’s consciousness from him as he ceased to process anything.

[slashersrus]

Jerome Valeska x Reader - Split Part 3

Reader grew up in the circus with Jerome. She has a split personality and Jerome helps her with it.

PART 1 PART 2 PART 4

"Right this way." A police office spoke, guiding Y/N and Jerome through the precinct until they came to an interrogation room. Pushing them in, they walked though the door, instantly spotting Jim, Lee and Mr Cicero.

"Hi Jerome, Y/N. Please take a seat. You know Mr Cicero from the show." Jim spoke once he saw them causing Mr Cicero to freeze. Y/N and Jerome sitting next to him, Jerome in the middle.

"Yes, sir." "Hello Mr Cicero." Jerome and Y/N spoke at the same time.

"Good evening Jerome, Y/N." The blind man spoke, turning and glancing in their direction.

"Do you know why your here?" Gordon spoke, looking between the three people sat opposite him.

"Did you find out who killed our parents?" Jerome leaned forward when he asked, acting clueless.

"You both killed your parents." Jerome and Y/N recoiled in shock at his words.

"Us?" Y/N's lip quivered as she spoke.

"You killed them in your trailer. Mr Cicero told you to scratch the Satanist stuff on the knife and throw it off the bridge." The bluntness in his tone shocked everyone in the room. Y/N no longer felt the same amount of sadness at killing her parents, Jerome had convinced her that she shouldn't be sad, they beat her. She still felt guilty at killing someone though. She let tears well in her eyes, trying to hide the fact she was guilty.

"Sir, that's absurd and-and offensive." Jerome stuttered, trying not to get caught.

"But it's the truth. What I don't know is why this man risked so much to help you. I think he's your father." Gordon smiled, the smile clearly fake. Y/N gasped at the statement as Jerome tried to deny it.

Jerome scoffed, shaking his head, "You don't know what you're talking about. My father was a sea captain." Y/N nodded along to Jerome's words, confirming them.

"Am I wrong Mr Cicero?" Gordon sighed.

"Yes." The short answer from Mr Cicero made Y/N doubtful, she stayed silent and let Jerome handle it.

"He was a sea captain. His name was Sven Karlsen. He died at sea." Y/N grew nervous seeing Jerome starting to get agitated, hoping he didn't break his act.

"What was the name of his ship?" Jim looked down, he actually looked regretful at having to revealing to Jerome who his true father was.

"He worked on a lot of different ships." Jerome shook his head, his tears close to falling down his cheeks.

"The one he went down in?" Jim asked, Y/N heart broke for Jerome as she realised he was speaking the truth.

"She never said." Jerome spoke sadly, shaking his head causing Y/N to grab his hand to comfort him, him squeezing her hand to show his appreciation of the gesture.

"We could do a blood test to prove I'm right. Takes only half an hour to get a fool proof result. Isn't that right Dr Thompkins?" He turned around, glancing at Lee who looked extremely uncomfortable at the situation

"Yes." She nodded, looking down sadly.

"Save yourself a needle."

"I do hate needles. I'm sorry Jerome." Mr Cicero spoke disheartened, Jerome tensed and slowly turned to face him as Y/N watched the interaction with wide eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Jerome questioned, his voice breaking, indicating to Y/N he was losing his act.

"He's right. I am you father."

"No, you're not. Why would you say that?!" Jerome shook his head, tears starting to fall down his face.

"You must have suspected the truth."

"You're not my father. My mother would never-" Jerome began only for Mr Cicero to cut him off mid sentence.

"Your mother was a cruel woman. She was often unkind to me, but she did once love me in her own way. And she loved you very much. That's why she gave you a better father." Mr Cicero spoke, reaching for Jerome's hands only for him to pull them away.

Dipping his head down, Jerome started to sob as Y/N sighed knowing he was going to reveal his true self. Insane laughter replacing his tears, Jerome looked up seeing the shocked faces of Jim and Lee before turning to Mr Cicero.

"My mother was a cold hearted whore who never loved anyone. And she'd never touch a pathetic old creep like you." He hissed, his voice returning to his usual cold, dark tone as Mr Cicero flinched at his words.

"All these years do you think I was kind to you because I'm such a good man? If I wasn't your father, would I have helped you as I have after what you did?" His words cause Jerome to look at Gordon, then Y/N, then back to Mr Cicero.

"My father. Hm. I'll be damned." He laughed, staring at Jim and Lee's horrified faces as Y/N fought to keep her other side from showing up, knowing it would make everything worse.

"Oh it's very funny," Jerome broke off laughing darkly before making drum movements with his hands, "BA-DUM-SHH. Looks like the bitch got me with a zinger in the end."

"Why did you kill your mother Jerome?" Gordon asked, a serious look on his face, forgetting about Y/N for the meanwhile.

Making dismissive hand gestures, Jerome spoke "Oh you know how mothers are. She just kept pushing. And I'm like, 'fine mom, be a whore. Be a drunken whore even. But don't be a nagging drunken whore.' You know? Don't come yell at me to do the dishes if you've BEEN BANGING A CLOWN IN THE NEXT ROOM! You know?" Jerome snapped, slamming his fist into the table before bursting into insane laughter.

"What about you?" Gordon finally asked Y/N, after Jerome's sinister laughter had ended, a tense atmosphere coating the room.

"She's innocent. It was me not her." Jerome hissed leaning forwards, wanting to prevent her from being locked up with him.

"Why did you kill your parents Y/N?"

Lifting her head to stare at him, she tilted her head slightly, "Oh, I didn't kill them. Well, not exactly."

"Y/N. Don't." Jerome warned, knowing she was close to breaking. He knew that if Gordon found out about her split personality then she would go straight to Arkham.

"If it wasn't you, then who did?" Gordon asked, ignoring Jerome's comment, focused entirely on the pale girl.

"She really wants to meet you. Won't stop nagging. I've been trying to hold her off since we entered the room. She's really angry." Y/N spoke the last part to Jerome, turning and facing him as he shook his head at her.

"Who is she?" Lee asked stepping forward.

Seeing her eyes flicker, Jerome grabbed her hand, trying desperately to protect her, "Don't."

"Mommy called me a bitch. Then my dear old dad hurled a bottle at my head. Poor little Y/N wouldn't do anything about it, so I did. It was fun." She smirked, keeping eye contact with Jerome the entire time.

"What?" Lee whispered confused and terrified.

"Y/N has a...how to put it? Split personality." Jerome turned to look at Gordon, explaining as Y/N kept her gaze on him.

"Can we go now? We were in the middle of something when you rang. Tut tut. You have no manners Jimmy boy." Y/N spoke, finally turning to look at a wide eyed Jim, Jerome grinning at her words.

"You're both insane. GUARDS!" He shouted just as Y/N pulled Jerome into a steamy kiss, making Lee turn away embarrassed.

"Take them to Arkham Asylum." He spoke, four guards pulling them apart and placing them in hand cuffs. Hurrying them away to be transported to Arkham Asylum, Jerome's eyes widened as he realised they would be in separate cells and when Y/N goes back to normal, she will wake up by herself not knowing what happened.

"Y/N!" He tried to grab her but the guards simply shoved him into the transport van, Y/N being shoved in after wards.

"Ah Arkham. I wonder what fun we'll have there?" She smirked at him, a smirk forming on his face as he leaned towards her.

"You're gonna need to try and not switch back. The other Y/N won't survive in there, you will. Don't worry dollface. I'll get us out." He winked and blew a kiss.

"Oh I don't plan on switching back for awhile, ginger." She grinned, blowing a kiss and leaning her head back against the side of the van.

They both sat, staring at each other as they thought about what the asylum would be like. One thing they knew however, was that nobody would split them up.

Nobody would ever split them up.

[thisisusfan388]

Painful Goodbyes

Hey guys- I'm back with a brand new chapter for my This Is Us series, set one month after Jack's death.

You can check out the previous chapters here:

https://thisisusfan388.tumblr.com/post/173624345857/its-all-coming-back-to-me-now-hey-guys-this-is

https://thisisusfan388.tumblr.com/post/174405404197/my-number-one

Thank you so much the lovely @omeliashipper for helping me to proofread this chapter!

Kate's POV

I open my eyes to the sound of pitiful whimpering. As I look around, the room is still pitch dark. As my eyes become accustomed to the dark, I spot the source of the noise. My dog Louis is sitting up in his basket in the corner of the room. We lock eyes and he lets out another sad whimper. 

I look at the alarm clock beside my bed and sigh. 4 am in the morning. What does he probably want?

" What do you want, Louis?" I ask him softly. " Are you hungry? Do you need to go to pee?"

He perks up in his basket, pleased at having gotten my attention, and wags his tail.

I reluctantly get out of bed and trudge to the kitchen of the rented house, with him following me close behind. I open the back door for him to go out to do his business. He dashes out almost immediately, and I pour some dog treats into his bowl. He bounds back into the kitchen after a moment and gobbles down the treats eagerly. Sometimes, I wish I were a dog. Dogs are always happy all the time, no matter the circumstances.

I stroke his back gently as I watch him devour his meal. A heavy feeling enters my heart. He is an innocent dog and doesn't deserve this. No. It's not his fault- I tell myself.

I just can't bear to look at Louis anymore. Every time I look at him, I have a flashback reminding me of how my beloved Dad lost his life trying to save him. Before that tragic night, Louis was the center of my life. All my love and attention was focused on Louis. Now, seeing Louis is just a painful reminder of the fact that I've lost my dad. 

I can still remember very vividly my screams of terror as I heard Louis barking for help from inside the burning house, and as I watched Dad rush back into the burning flames of the house. I was so shaken up, so upset that Louis was trapped in the house and would be burnt alive. Dad surprised me by running back into the house, despite Mom's protests. In retrospect, I have no idea why he had to go back into the house. Mom, Randall and I were all safe. Yes, he managed to save Louis and the important family documents, but at what cost? It cost him his life! I can't help but wonder daily each time I look at Louis- would Dad still have been alive had he not gone back in? I love them both, but if I had to choose between them, I would choose Dad for sure. Mom had mentioned that Dad died of smoke inhalation. Had he not gone back into the house, he would have inhaled the same amount of smoke as me, Randall and Mom. We survived and he should have as well.

I know that Dad saved Louis for my sake because he loved me and didn't want to see me heartbroken. But what he didn't realize back then was that I would be even more devastated to lose him.

The familiar feelings of anger and guilt overtake me the longer I look at Louis. Because of him, I have lost my beloved Dad - who was my best friend, confidante, most loyal supporter. I have lost my livelihood. 

Life is not worth living anymore when you have lost the only person who tells you that you're perfect just the way you are. Everyone else, my friends and even my mom tell me that I need to lose more weight.

I remember the day before his death- I was recording a video for my application into university. Dad was secretly using his video camera to record me singing. When I turned around and realized that he was recording me, I was extremely pissed off. Why would he do such a thing- recording me singing without my consent? He was embarrassing me!

Looking back now, I'm so glad that he did it. The video is an evidence of his time here on earth, a proof that I have been loved by the best Dad ever. I have been replaying the video's tape recording so many times for the past month. Seeing the proud look on his face in the video as he recorded me is what has gotten me through this past month. Somehow seeing Dad in person, even if just on video, helps fill the void in my heart. It is cathartic indeed to be able to see Dad smiling proudly at me while holding his camera. In a strange way, replaying that video recording again and again makes me feel like he is always here with me, looking out for me.

Watching this video also made me realize how genuinely proud he was of me. When my friends in school laughed at me and called me fat, I returned home upset. Dad, always the one to sense my downcast mood, would ask me what's wrong, and I would open up to him. With Dad, there was nothing to hide. He would then comfort me by saying that it doesn't matter what they say- for him I'm beautiful, and that was all that mattered. Once, in third grade, when I came back crying after a few girls in the class wouldn't play with me as they thought I was fat and ugly- Dad actually took the matter into his hands and approached the girls, nicely telling them that what they were doing wasn't right. They never did bully me after that.

He would also always diffuse the tension between me and mom. Mom and I have a rocky relationship. I always feel like she expects me to be as perfect and beautiful as her. I am not and never will be. I always feel like she thinks I am not a good enough singer and can't sing as well as her. I've to admit, deep down inside I'm always jealous of the fact that she is so gorgeous. Even when I tried to starve myself to the point of eating only salad daily, I could never be as slender as her.

My relationship with Dad though is different. With Dad, I felt like I am free to be my true, authentic self. With him, I did not need to pretend to be anyone I was not. There were many instances where I would get into an argument with Mom, over a dress which I couldn't fit in or an off-handed remark she would make about my appearance which would trigger my fury. Dad would always manage to diffuse the situation by calming both me and Mom down individually. Now, there is no one to mediate my arguments with Mom.

Now with Dad gone, I'll also miss the impromptu ice cream sessions I had with him. When I was younger, whenever I got upset when Mom mentioned that I needed to watch my weight, Dad would cheer me up by bringing me to our favorite ice cream parlor in town, called Frenchies. It offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors, and I loved sampling a different combination of flavors each time. Dad, on the other hand, loved the banana pudding flavor. Over ice cream, Dad would then tell some jokes which would send me cracking up in fits of laughter and forget about the reason I was upset earlier on.

Also, I can never forget the time I was waiting for the bus to a private signing session with Alanis Morrissette. I love her songs and really wanted to meet her in person. When I found out that she was coming to town, I knew that I had to go meet her and get her autograph or a picture with her. When I saw Dad pulling up, my heart sank as I knew that I would be busted for skipping school. It turned out that he was the most sporting Dad ever, giving me a ride right to the studio where Alanis was meeting her fans. It was a secret between us which Mom never found out about.

I am always Dad's little girl, no matter how old I am. I was, am and always will be his little ‘Katie girl.' He made me believe in myself and never gave up on me.

Louis has finished gobbling up his treat and is now looking up at me with pleading eyes, as if begging for more. I just cannot bear to look at those eyes anymore. 

I fill up his bowl with another round of treats. I am going to spoil him now, because this will be his last day with me. I've made up my mind, I can't keep him any longer.

"I'm sorry, Louis," I whisper as I gently stroke his back as he continues devouring his food. "I'm so sorry."

He pauses for a moment to look up from his food and wag his tail at me, before returning his attention back to the food.

This gesture of his makes me feel even more guilty about the decision I've made.

I return back to my room with Louis trailing right behind me. As Louis settles into his basket again, I sit up on my bed, knowing that I wouldn't be able to sleep anymore. I haven't been sleeping much for the past month, because every time I fall asleep, images of that fateful night- the fire, my horrified screams, the smell of smoke, and my terror of seeing Dad running back into the burning house would come back to haunt me.

_______________________________________________________________

Later in the morning

I am chewing absent-mindedly on my piece of toast, thinking about how to say goodbye to Louis. It is going to be heartbreaking for me to separate from this loyal dog who gave me licks and tail wags when I'm feeling down. However, I know that it has to be done. If I'm ever going to keep my sanity intact, I have to let go of this dog.

It is a weekend, so I plan to walk him straight to the pet adoption center about 15 minutes away from home right after breakfast. 

" Hey." Mom greets me as she enters the kitchen and proceeds to pour two cups of coffee, one of each of us. She then takes a seat beside me.

" Hey." I greet her back, still munching on my toast and not looking at her. I just can't bear to look at the sadness in her eyes and the grief on her face.

" Do you have anything planned for today?" she asks. " Like going out with friends or something? Kevin was staying the night at Sophie's, and Randall is going to Alison's later."

What?! Mom do you expect me to just go on with life like normal after all that has happened?! Life isn't the same anymore, and I can't possibly pretend that it is! 

" Nothing much. I'm just taking the dog out for a walk." I answer casually.

" Well, that's good. You need to get some fresh air. It's good for you." Mom approves.

" What do you mean by that?!" I shoot back suddenly.

Mom lifts her hands up in a defensive gesture.

" I'm just saying that you need to get some fresh air," she repeats in a cautious tone.

" Stop telling me what I need to do! You've been telling me what to do my whole life, and I'm sick and tired of it. Ok? Stop telling me what I can or cannot become, Mom. Just back off and leave me alone." I retort.

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry." Mom apologizes. I think I can hear a quiver in her voice, but I can't bear to bring myself to look at her. Looking at her would only make me feel worse.

" It's ok, Mom. I'm going to bring the dog out for a walk now." I mutter.

Just then, Randall enters the kitchen.

" Morning Mom, Kate.' he greets us.

" You want me to come with you?" he offers as he sees me placing the leash on Louis.

" It's ok, you stay with Mom," I answer before walking out of the door, leaving Mom in the kitchen with her favorite son.

_____________________________________________________________

Fifteen minutes later, I am at the animal shelter.

" Hey" a pleasant looking middle-aged lady greets me. " How may I help you?" she asks.

" Hey- this is my dog, Louis," I say- gesturing at him, as she bends down to give him a pat on the head.

" Hey Louis." she greets him cheerfully as he wags his tail at her.

" He's such a friendly dog." she points out as I nod in agreement.

" Yes, he is," I say. " It's a good thing that he is friendly because I can't keep him any longer."

" Oh, why not?" she asks, a sympathetic tone in her voice.

For a moment, I am tempted to tell her the truth, that I just can't continue to be reminded of Dad each time I look at the dog, but I know that I'll break down in front of her, a complete stranger, if I mention Dad.

" I just can't afford to take care of him anymore." I lie. " I'm sure there are many people who are better equipped to care for him."

" Ok. Well, are you sure about this, young lady? Because once we take him in, you can't take him back anymore. So you need to be completely sure that you want to surrender him to us." she confirms with me.

Louis looks at me as our eyes meet. He has a pitiful look in his eyes, as if he senses that I am giving him away and he's silently begging for me to keep him. To add to my guilt, he cocks his head to one side, a gesture which I have always found adorable.

For a split second, I consider retracting my statement and telling her that I don't want to give Louis away after all. 

I look away from both Louis and the shelter keeper, trying to blink back the tears that are starting to fill my eyes. 

" Yes," I answer firmly, trying to hide the quiver in my voice.

Louis lets out a woeful whimper.

" Ok, we'll take him in. I'm sure we can find him a suitable owner, he'll be in good hands." the lady smiles at me as she takes the leash from my hands.

Louis whimpers again as he looks at me. 

Fighting back tears, I bend down to pat him on the head one last time.

"It's ok Louis, you will find another home, a better home. You'll find someone who will love you and take good care of you. You'll be ok. You'll be ok." I whisper gently to him as I stroke his back and pat his head.

He licks me on the face. I think he can sense that this is goodbye.

I need to leave this place as soon as possible before I change my mind.

" Bye Louis," I say as I stand up, give him a final pat and turn around to walk away.

" Say bye." I hear the lady telling him.

As I walk towards the door, I can hear Louis barking, begging for me to turn back to get him.

With tears now freely rolling down my cheeks, I walk out of the door.

_______________________________________________________________

An hour later, I'm at Frenchies, where Dad and I loved to hang out.

" Hey, Kate- haven't seen you for quite some time. What flavor would you like today?" the guy at the counter, Nick, asks.

" Chocolate and vanilla flavor, please," I answer politely, and he proceeds to make my ice cream.

" Here you go," he says as he returns with my order a few moments later. " Where is your Dad? You usually come with him."

" He's gone," I say with a flat tone of voice.

Nick gasps as he covers his mouth and a sorrowful look overtakes him.

" I'm so sorry, Kate. I didn't know. My deepest condolences to you and your family," he says, a sympathetic tone in his voice. " How are you coping? Are you ok?"

" I'm fine," I lie, as I pay for the ice cream and take it from him. 

" Ok," he says, catching my signal not to probe any further.

I proceed to the usual table where Dad and I used to sit. Somehow, even though the place was always full, the table seemed to always be available for the both of us. It was as if the table was specially reserved for us.

I settle down in my usual seat and take a tiny scoop of the ice cream. It somehow doesn't taste as good as when Dad is sitting opposite of me, savoring his banana pudding ice cream.

I glance longingly at the empty seat opposite of mine, the seat which Dad used to occupy. The empty chair symbolizes the current empty feeling in my heart. 

Even eating ice cream at my favorite hang out spot isn't the same anymore without Dad.

I remember how Dad and I used to sit here and talk for hours here whenever I had an argument with Mom. Now, there is no one for me to eat ice cream with, no one to cheer me up when I'm feeling angry or upset, no one to make me laugh.

" Kate!" 

A familiar voice pulls me back to the present.

I see Randall and Alison approaching my table.

"Hey," I greet shyly as I shake Alison's hand. She is a nice girl, but not someone I would typically hang out with.

" Are you ok?" Randall asks me as he places a hand on my shoulder. 

It is taking me a lot of strength to stop tears from rolling down my cheeks again. 

Damn you, Randall. Why do you have to do this? You know very well that this is mine and Dad's favorite hangout place. Why do you have to make this caring gesture which can cause me to break down in public at any minute?

" Yeah, I'm fine," I reply meekly.

Randall, having known me for our entire lives, sees right through my lie. 

" No, you're not," he states matter-of-factly.

He turns to Alison. 

"Ali- I'm bringing Kate home now. You can come along with us." he offers.

" It's ok- I'll call Nicole to pick me up from here," she says as she smiles sympathetically at me.

" Ok- I love you. I'll see you tomorrow." Randall says as he gives her a quick and affectionate peck on the cheek.

" Come, let's go home," he says as he places an arm around my shoulder as we walk out of the place.

____________________________________________________________

 Half an hour later, both Randall and I are settled on the couch in the living room of our rented house.

A tense silence passes between us as we stare at the blank TV screen.

" You gave the dog away," he says disbelievingly.

" Yes," I answer nonchalantly.

" Why, Kate?" he asks. " Why did you do that? The dog is innocent."

" I know he is! I just can't keep him any longer, because every time I see him, I am reminded of how Dad gave his life by going into the burning house to save him!" I snap.

" I'm sorry," I mutter, realizing that I am answering too harshly. " I did what I had to."

" It's ok," Randall says calmly. " I know you're angry and upset about Dad. I am too."

" Why did he have to go?" I ask as I look at him sorrowfully.

“ I don’t know. What I do know is that he is in a better place now, and it’s not Louis’s fault. Dad ran back into the house because he knew you loved Louis and he loved you,” he says. 

I remain silent, as I purse my lips together, trying to stop myself from crying.

“ I miss Dad so much," I admit, my voice shaking. “He used to sit opposite me in the ice cream place. It just isn’t the same anymore without him. I miss Louis too.” I add ruefully.

“I know, I miss Dad too,” Randall says as he places a comforting arm around my shoulder, and I lean on his shoulder for support. “I sort of miss Louis too. He always greeted me cheerfully at the door whenever I return home.”

We sit in that position for a long moment, the sweet memories of Dad playing in our minds.

“ Hey- do you want to watch a rerun of Sex In The City?” Randall suggests.

“Ok.” I nod, smiling at him. I feel much better already, just having him by my side.

We sit side by side on the couch, indulging ourselves in our guilty pleasure, relying on each other for support and company in this tough time. Although I have lost my beloved Dad, I am grateful that I still have my brothers and my mom to depend on.

 Alright- that’s it for this chapter. Comments, reviews, reblogs and messages are very much