#Winter writing

[ray935sworld]

Christmas time and children's laughter

Rosquez dealing with the de-aged academy kids during the winter

24.12 winter writing - Merry christmas everyone

based on this AU

"PAAAAPAAAA!!!!"

Vale couldn't help but laugh when Pecco ran to him, his little face covered in snow. The neck of his jacket and the scarf around his neck was covered in white as well.

"Andrea threw the ball in my face!" he complained, his lip slightly shivering. The other boy audible cracking up in the background.

"Awe, poor bambino" he said, kneeling down and lifting him up. He hold him close and kissed his cheek. The skin was soft and cold on his lips.

When his face was next to Pecco's ear he whispered. "Okay, don't tell your dad but you need to stay low. Don't immediately jump back in the fight. Make a snow ball in secret. Then you call out for him and when he turns around you're going to throw it right in his face, understood?"

And with that the kids face lit up. He looked at Vale with a cheeky grin and nodded.

"But don't tell your dad!" he quickly added as he set him back down to which the small curly headed child just yelled "YEEEAAAAH!" as he ran off again.

"Good. Or else in spending christmas on the couch" he added silently to himself as he watched his kids play.

Migno, Franky and Pecco were busy doing a snowball fight. So far Pecco was definitely losing. Poor kid, getting tag teamed by the two. His face got completely washed.

After a few more minutes, Vale decided that if he didnt intervene Marc would give him the 'no fucking for a month' treatment. And he didn't want to risk that.

So he kneeled down, hearing his knees crack for a moment but uncaringly starting to scrape up a few snow balls.

As soon as he was ready, he throw the first one at his oldest sons back and giggled when he saw his confused expression as he turned around. Next was Migno.

"Come on!" he yelled with a smile "Or are you too afraid?" He throw one of the balls he had formed up, caught it and threw it up again. He grinned daringly.

It was when his 3 boys looked at each other with the same expression, a stern look they shared, before giving a small smile and a nod, that he knew he fucked up.

"GET HIM!" Migno screamed before they were running towards him, each a small bundle of snow in hand.

"Shi-" Was all he managed to say before the kids decided to shower him completely in snow. It was surprising how much impact the little bit of snow had that they managed to fit in their palm when they seemed to have a natural rotation system.

While the two 5 years old threw their snow rather uncoordinated, 7 year old Franky got some pretty good hits, right in the face. They also managed to silently work out a system in which one is always distracting Vale with new hits while the others starts scrambling snow together and then swap.

After a few minutes of that, while the adult barely manages to land a few good hits, he decided that this was not worth it.

"OKAY!" he screamed, lifting his hands up. "Okay! Okay! I surrender! Mercy! Mercy!" He was hit with another snowball right in the face.

Surprised he spit the snow out his mouth, looking at them with a faked angry expression when Franky screamed "Now we accept your surrender!" and his two brother started giggling.

He was glad to see them happy. It was a relief that they didn't understand the chaos that was the world around them. It was like the ranch was an invisible island for them to flee to, where none of them had to face any worries or consequences.

He remembered taking the boys on a little walk. Luca had been sitting on his shoulder, Cele on his hip and Pecco on his hand.

They were looking at the Christmas lights. It had been late evening. Marc and the rest of their little chaos gang were a little bit left behind since Bez and Franky had started a sword fight in the forest with sticks and refused to stop before one had won.

Andrea was cheering for them. Marc had stayed behind to make sure they didn't accidentally stabbed their own eyes out.

Luca was currently pointing at a particular house that was lighting up with lights in every color when they were approached by Isabella, an elderly woman.

"OH look at you, Vale!" she had laughed. "Being the caretaker of a few kids. Well, hello. Who are you, my little darling?" In that moment the older rider had felt a cold sweat run over his whole body.

If anyone else found out - He refused to think about it.

"Family" he had answered quickly. "They are part of mine and Marc's family-" which technically wasn't a lie but somehow they had managed to keep the fact that the whole academy had been de-aged a secret and he wouldn't break that now.

"OH how lovely..." she smiled but then tilted her haid. Her eyes were locked on Luca who - with the curiosity of a 4 year old - returned her gaze. "Yes, now that you mention it... He does look excatly like your brother when he was young. He looks like Luca, down to every detail. And he used to sit on your shoulders during your walks too"

"Must be a family trait" he said. "But I am-" The little one started so Vale quickly made a move to indicate that he had to head home. "And you know - eh - genetics. Sometimes kids look very much alike. I see you around. I don't want the little ones in the cold for that long"

Before she - or worst one of the kids - could make another comment, he quickly continued.

"Papa, why didn't you tell her that Luca is Luca?" Cele asked, leaning his small head against his chest. He was tired from their long walk and blinked with heavy eyelids. He looked like he was about to fall asleep.

"Or introduced us?" Pecco supplied.

"Yeah. Are we secret?" Luca asked and suddenly Vale felt very cornered. He wanted to say no but the answer was yes. He wanted to deny it and embrace them, prove them that he would never deny that they are his kids - even if there wasn't a biological connection.

"Of course not" he replied with a fake smile and guided them back home.

Home.

The ranch.

The place where it felt safe for them to just ran around and have fun like children were supposed to.

Franky was already riding. He had a small mini dirt bike. The first time he had seen it, he had screamed and jumped around like they had never seen before. He had jumped on Marc and Vale, hugged them, thanking them.

Watching his ride - even if it was barely more than 15km/h - nearly gave Vale a heart attack. He just wanted to run after him, holding him tight and safe to make sure he didn't fall and got hurt.

Marc looked more secure, but still had an anxious hint in his eyes. He had grabbed Vale's hand. "Don't worry" he whispered, kissing his cheeks. "He'll be safe"

He had squeezed his hand. Maybe as a reassurance. Maybe as a way to make sure that Vale wouldn't end up running after him.

After all Franky had already proven he had the talent to become a world champion and even a runner up for the motogp title.

Luca and Pecco were still on the mini bikes. It was slightly better to watch them drive their circles but still -

But now, they were just running around, in the snow, laughing and being happy. There was no danger around. They were safe. Safe and happy.

"Come on!" Vale decided and reached for his boys. "How about we go inside and check if we'll get you kids a hot chocolate. Does that sound good?" "YES!" they all screamed.

The older Italian couldn't help but smile as he watched them run over the large garden back towards the door. "I'll be first!" Migno screamed as they ran, but got quickly over taken by Franck who had the advantage of longer legs.

"WINNER!" he yelled with a triumphant smile. He wasn't far behind them so he quickly yelled "But im the only one with keys!"

He then unlocked the back down and watched as they put their shoes off - some more careful then others - and then moved on to the jackets.

Whiel Pecco and Franky hand them up, Andrea let his fall to the floor. He was already about to turn around when Vale gave him a scolding look.

"Andrea" he said. "What did you forgot?" "Eh..." helplessly he looked at Franco. Because - of course Franky would be able to help. And really, he leaned over and whispered "Hang our coats" "Hang ourself!" the other repeated louder and with a few more mistakes.

Vale stared at him for a split second. He didn't know if he should laugh out loud or not. He decided to smile and slowly point at his coat that had fallen of. "Hang our coats. If you're already repeating Franco, please do it correctly"

"Sorry" he muttered with a little eye roll. "Did you just roll your eyes at me?" Vale asked. "NO!" Migno screamed and started running, Pecco immediately close behind him. "Papa! We're baaaack!" he yelled. "Ey! Wait for me, I've got little legs"

Shaking his head, while Franco ran behind them and Vale followed his 3 boys in the direction of the kitchen.

He heard their mixed voiced before he even arrived and smiled.

He entered and a joyix feeling overcome him.

He saw Marc, standing with the back to him, working on something. Franky and Migno were standing next to him, touching his arm to show them how cold their hands had gotten.

Pecco had shuffled to the oven were a bunch of Christmas cookies were baking. He was holding his hands out, warming them, while Cele sat next to him. There was a little bit of flour left on the top of his nose and on his shirt.

Marco was sitting opposite of Marc. He wore a Christmas head. He looked like he was in deep concentration. His forehead was laying in deep folds and his tongue was sticking out at one side.

Luca was sitting next to him, almost as focused. His head was tilted to the side and his nose was scrunched up. He wore the antlers of a reindeer. Something told Vale that it had been Cele and Marco who forced Luca to wear them.

"Papa!" Bez exclaimed when he looked up. He had a big grin on his face. It looked excatly like the one big Bez always had. "LOOK!" he said and showed him a cookie he had been decorating.

It was Christmas tree colored in yellow with edible pearls all over it. "That's your tree! Cause it's yellow" "Wow, thank you, Marco" he replied with a smile. "It's very nice"

With a satisfied smile he continued his work. There was a whole bunch of colored cookies already he noticed as he approached them.

It felt familiar. Domestic. It felt like the most perfect moment of home.

And to completely the moment he sneaked up behind Marc, pulling him close. He pressed himself against him, putting his head on his shoulder. He hugged him, refusing to let him go.

"I love you" he whispered and felt Marc's hand coming up to feel over his cold cheek. "Love you too" he replied.

He turned around on his arms to face him. Vale still hold him close but now he was able to look him in tbe eyes. For a moment they just looked at each other. Both clearly happy and in awe about their new life and situation with the kids.

Even if the little ones sometimes almost bought them to insanity and they had crashed on the couch in exhaustion, more than once, they were happy. They wouldn't trade it for anything.

And they were in love. So Marc leaned in to kiss his lover. He felt his lips on his and just as he was about to deepen the kiss he heard in unisono a 6 voice strong "IIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHH!" that somehow made the moment perfect.

[pockyyasii]

➸ ❝ oh no, i think i'm in love ! ❞ - realise the two of you are falling for eachother

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request: hi!! have you done prompts about people who are together but are trying to avoid saying they love each other? situationship or couple taking it slow kinda thing

a/n: hi! i honestly think after you realise you're in love, there's this awkward stage of second guessing or desire for the special someone, and i hope to capture this in the prompts!!

🪐 prompts by @pockyyasii.

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he offers to drive you: the first half of the car ride is just silence, but then one of you turns on the radio, but the other dislikes the station (proceeds to fight over what's playing, then one grabs the other's hand that is changing the station and holds onto it for the rest of the car ride).

^^ bonus points if the { "are you meeting with anyone?" "no, i'm just studying" } conversation happens

^^ once you reach the destination, but of you are reluctant to leave bc you just want to stay with eachother

making eye-contact in a crowded room

^^ one of you tries to mouth a word, but the other doesn't get your complicated sentence

^^ you end up mouthing "i love you" (bc you think they other can't lip-read), and the other acts like he doesn't know what you just said (but inside has a thousand butterflies)

your checking your phone every second to see if they replied to your msg

^^ if they didn't reply in 0.02 seconds you begin worrying that they're mad at you

^^ in instant blue ticks. or the "(x) is in the chat" - it shows that you're their no. 1 texting priority

^^ texting under the bed covers, at like 1:00am, and none of you are willing to go to sleep bc you don't want to stop talking

their bsf always smirks at you then nudges your crush and they're trying their hardest not to be seen

working up the courage to buy them lunch but then backing out

"so..." "so"

has a polaroid of you in his wallet

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notes: pronouns are interchangeable!! change them to your liking ♡

i'd love read your writing so like like send me and ask of your fic and i'll read it!! no credit needed <33

taglist: @yasicookies ( open )

[snoopledrooplecheesedoodle]

Day 4: Christmas Shopping: Sampo Koski

My first Honkai fic for Christmas was going to be Dan Heng but Sampo managed to bargain his way to the top. Also What happened to characters that weren't in Penacony guys? Sunday and Adventurine aren't the only people you know (they are hot tho). Koski's English VA muah chef's kiss.

TW: Trickery (it's Sampo what do you expect), unfair bargains, reader not having any of the slimy man's antics, mentions of unethical business practices, kidnapping, a fucked-up Christmas in general

(*)= Whispering

Christmas in Belobog was interesting to say the least. Snow and ice were typical to see even with Bronya being the new Supreme Guardian. Freed from its icy curse the planet was still frozen over as if it didn't get the memo. Speaking of getting the memo...

You wanted a nice and easy shopping experience so you can get all your Christmas gifts for friends and family and leave. No drama, no fuss, no frills. All of these traits describe the cheerful "merchant" you had bumped into.

Sampo Koski... the Bane of Belobog, the slimiest of salesman, the one who got away (from the Silvermane Guards). The man of the hour was hustling...stocking stuffers? "That's right valued customers Sampo Koski guarantees these trinkets will put a smile on any adult or child." The blue haired charlatan spoke animatedly green eyes sparkling with joy and Christmas cheer (more like Christmas greed).

Any normal sane person would scoff at Koski and go to a legitimate business, which is exactly what you were doing before you got accosted. "What about you, statuesque stranger? You look like you could use some Christmas cheer." You ignore the man believing he personalizes with any sucker he can to get a sale.

However, no one says no to Sampo Koski. You learned this firsthand as the mythical man himself turns you around with a gloved hand. Cheerful smile never leaving his face as he holds your skeptical form in place.

"Hey there friend what's the rush? You won't find steals like my prices anywhere else in the entirety of Administrative Square, I wager my prices are best for an Overworld resident such as yourself." That obnoxious grin deserved to be slapped right off his frustratingly handsome face. "Buzz off Koski I know your reputation, leave law abiding citizens like me alone." You attempt to free yourself from his grip, but his gloved hands dig harder into your skin causing you to wince under the pressure.

"I can't believe someone as cute and intelligent looking as yourself would believe idle rumors so quickly. There's a lot of people hating on young entrepreneurs these days. Besides I only wish to bring joy around Christmas with my merchandise." Sampo gestures to the brightly colored bags of Christmas goodies spread on his makeshift table (the floor).

You will admit they do look very appealing; you could see your little siblings raving about the vibrant candy and toys if you bought a couple. You sigh knowing you're about to be ripped off big time.

"Alright Koski let's see what you got?" Koski stops his fake crying and shakes your shoulders with glee before manhandling you over to his "stand". "Excellent friend and please just Sampo is preferred as this exchange makes us friends now." You glare at him shaking your head making Sampo laugh a bit. "Well, the customer is always right."

You spot an adorable trotter plushie and a toy Silvermane guard perfect for your brother and sister. You smile imaging them grinning with some baby teeth missing. "I would like these please." You gesture to the two items you spotted Sampo's smile widens. "Excellent choice dear friend, both cost ten shield each...but for you dear friend I'm will to half that price." Sampo's generous offer make you wonder if the rumors that people have told you are true.

"Thank you Sampo, my little siblings will love these." Before you can hand him the ten shield total Sampo sticks his hand out. "While I love the enthusiasm dear friend, I'm afraid I'm not quite finished." You sour at the conman's words, of course he would do this. A mischievous twinkle enters the man's green eyes as he continues. "Halfing the price of two very rare dolls is simply bad business, I believe that something of equal value must be exchanged." Bitter bile rises up your throat as anger clouds your expression.

"Rare dolls my ass, if they're so rare why not sell them for one hundred shield, huh?!" Sampo holds his hands up in defense as his face becomes uneasy. "Speak gentler handsome friend, the *Silvermane Guards* will hear your impassioned speech." You are so angry at the blue haired man that you grab his collar without asking him to speak up at his whispered words. "Either sell me the dolls for ten shield or don't. I'm not wasting my time playing your games." Sampo cautiously looks around which makes you shake his collar in anger. The bastard won't even look you in the eyes.

"What are you-" "HALT, Sampo Koski you are under arrest for smuggling, selling illicit substances, fraud, and unlicensed sales of commercial goods." Five Silvermane guards surround the two of you with the commander speaking in a booming voice. "And here they are what wonderful timing on their part." Sampo mumbles at a decibel only the two of you can hear. You put Sampo down and raise your hands up backing away slowly. Technically you didn't buy said goods so you should be able to walk away and-

"HALT citizen, you are under arrest for attempting to buy fraudulent goods and aiding a criminal fugitive." Aiding a criminal fugitive?! Your eyes pop out of there skull as the Silvermane Guards close in on your shaking form and Sampo's unbothered one. This was it you were going to jail, you won't be able to buy present, you won't be able to celebrate with loved ones.

You won't be able to return home to your siblings.

You lower your head in defeat as there is no good in struggling as it might make you look more guilty. Sampo walked behind you a charismatic smile on his face. "Gentleman I'm sure we can handle this in a nonviolent manner. Perhaps put this whole incident behind us, it is the Christmas season after all." What is Sampo doing? You glare at the idiot behind you before he looks at you with an unreadable expression before turning back to the guards closing you in with their spears. Before you can move a hissing noise fills the air as a bomb lands in front of your feet.

Boom! A thick smoke fills the air causing you and the Silvermane Guards to cough harshly. The world around began to blur as you see an outline of a man lean down to pick you up. "Good thing I've always got a plan B huh? You can thank me when you wake up (Y/N)."

You groan as you feel great fatigue just from opening your eyes, it feels like you were hit by a blizzard. Straining to look around your surroundings you see you're in a hotel bed which was decent quality with the room around you being rather plain. Stretching your arms you attempt to sit up before feeling something holding you back. Your arms with tied to the bed as well as your legs. What the fuck was going on?

You were about to shout for help when the door opens revealing a very pleased Sampo Koski. It all clicked together his smug grin, the restraints, the soreness in your chest, the darkness outside the window. The slimeball kidnapped you.

"Koski what is the meaning of this?!" You shout causing Sampo to wince. "I think we need to work on your voice modulation skills but don't worry I love you all the same." WHAT?

"Before you ask dumb questions I'll answer them for you. You think it's a coincidence we met? No no Sampo Koski doesn't leave anything up to fate. As for where you are, we need to lay low in the Underground for a while. At least until WildFire catches word and Seele comes to catch us for her girlfriend."

The amount of information you just received was mind numbing. Also wasn't this the first time you met or had Sampo been stalking you? Probably the latter. Sampo's emerald eyes look down at you with a look you thought he only had reserved for money.

"Aw look at you (Y/N) all tied up like a Christmas present just for Sampo Koski!" His comment causes you to thrash wildly spitting curses. A harsh prick makes you come back to your senses. Sampo stands over you with an empty needle.

"You should take a nap; I almost thought you hated me for a second there. Oh, I knew "borrowing" some tranquilizers from Natasha would be a good investment." You try to fight but you're too tired and overwhelmed to make sense of anything. You glare at Sampo who looks down at you greedily

"Sleep tight darling, we've got a whole galaxy to see~"

You never did get your siblings those presents

I think I did a damn good job representing Sampo for being too mysterious and avoiding revealing his true intentions. I plan on doing one for Robin as well. This one isn't very romantic so it could be construed as platonic yandere as well.

[nunyverse-scribe]

Magic-Based Winter Writing Prompts

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Characters trapped in a snow globe and they need to find a way out.

A sweet witch/fairy/etc. that makes healing potions as the winter days approach and more people start catching illness.

A weather manipulator that lives in a tropical/subtropical environment and grants one day of snow each year of the season for the children to play.

Tree nymphs hibernating in their trees for the winter months.

Based off the last one, someone coming and checking in on all the trees that the nymphs belong to, even decorating some and leaving presents at the roots (towards the end of the season) so that when the nymphs wake up, they have a pleasant surprise awaiting them.

Sirens singing Christmas carols.

A fire dragon providing fire to the nearby village that its cave is nearby so that they have enough fire for the cold season.

Adding onto that, a fire dragon lighting up a big menorah in the center of the town with its fire magic during Hanukkah.

Magic potion hot chocolate. Idk what it’d do but magic potion hot chocolate.

A light manipulator lighting up the ENTIRE town right when the clock strikes midnight on December 1st

A character that’s a manipulator of temperature regulating the body temperatures of their loved ones or anyone they see that might need it.

A character with a disability that doesn’t react well to changing of the seasons’ drastic temperature changes getting a little charm that regulates their body temperature so that they’re ok.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

[cloveroctobers]

DANTE TORRES | FOLDER TWO: SLIPPIN’

A/N: Not me keeping a story going! Is this going to give, *Sidney’s voice*, “Don’t f-ck with the original!” Or what? I haven’t done chapters or books since my wattpad era 🤭 Guess you have Dante to thank for that! If you’re just tuning in, hope you’re somewhere comfy and you can start here.

S/N: premiere night gave what it needed to give! I’m enjoying learning more about Kiana, she’s cool in my book! I’m most interested in seeing the one Chicago crossover episode—which may or may not inspire some more content…who knows as of right now? I also originally had no plans of writing something new until February but consider this a new year’s gift? 🩵

WARNINGS: Doing what I do best! delivering angst, lots of dialogue in this one, kinda lengthy, most likely language, talks of health risk, revisiting the past, and some reconciliation?

<- need a refresher? Read the previous piece here.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

Seraphina stands in front of the window, fingertips kept warm with a cup of tea as she zoned out on the view of Kansas City. A town that just felt temporary, a place where she would solely be a visitor passing through without leaving any marks behind. It’s been six months since she decided to take a leap and move to Jersey City to begin again. Unbeknownst to her she wouldn’t realize that her time elsewhere would possibly be short lived, receiving a disturbing call that brought her back to the Midwest.

She feels her phone buzz in her back pocket, breaking her out of her gaze from the pelts of rain that flicked against the glass. Blinking Seraphina pulls her phone to see a text from Manny, checking where she’s at and if she’s okay, which lets her know that she’s been on her walk for a while now. The woman lets out a soft exhale, quickly typing out a reply that she’s on her way back now. Yet she stands at the window for a minute longer, dreading the fact that she’s even here and that this will be another mountain to climb.

Sipping at the herbal tea, which warms her, she takes that as a step of courage before she turns, somewhat prepared to continue to get through this and of course be supportive to the man who always had a interesting way to teach her about love.

If one could call it that.

There’s a heat that appears in her throat at the thought that isn’t granted from the tea but she fights against it. Seraphina is aware that now isn’t the time to be selfish about the past, since she’s come a long way in this relationship. Once her eyes lift and connect with familar spring green’s, her breathing gets caught in her throat at the sight of the man.

She speaks first, “Dante?”

They’re both frozen in place in the eerie hallway, his hands are in his pockets and he almost appears like a deer in headlights, removing one hand from his pocket to rub at the back of his neck but manages to breathe out, “Hey, Nina.”

It’s that normal quiet tone of his voice that almost feels like a whisper, which somehow makes her feel like all will be fine against the sudden chill that whips from the back of Seraphina’s frame. Dante can see her shudder, whether it’s from his presence or the mere fact that she’s here in a hospital, he’s not quite sure.

He’s the first to move and Seraphina allows him to come to her. He still gives her some space but he’s close enough to see that her hair is different, much different, shorter and a light brown—almost caramel—compared to her usual dark hair, that she stopped letting grow too long awhile ago, becoming tired of having to tend to so much hair especially working as a chemist. Dante can also see beneath her beauty that there’s worry right in between her brows, she’s always had the best poker face but he can only imagine what she’s holding onto when no one’s watching.

“You changed your hair,” Dante points out, a small smile playing on his lips as he attempts to keep things light.

Seraphina begins to breathe normally, “I did. You like it?”

She’s not sure why she’s asking, she’s never been one to dwell on anyone’s opinions on what she did—except for her father and her old best friend.

The ones that seemed to matter the most.

Dante’s nodding, his eyes moved from her new hair to her face, “It suits you well.”

“Thank you,” she dips her head playing with the lid of the cup, making Dante quickly run his eyes over her fingers, purposely ignoring her nails on a particular hand, yet still wondered what else might have changed in these agonizing months before she tosses in, “…Got any new tattoos I need to know about?”

He laughs a little as he teases, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

The brings a smile to her face as she shrugs her shoulders but says nothing more. They would meet each other’s eyes again before one chose to break it and stare over the other’s shoulder instead. It was tense being face to face after all this time but the two have been through enough storms together to weather it.

“So what brings you to Kansas City?” Seraphina questions, assuming that it must be a case.

Dante moves his hands back into his pockets, “I um…your mom called my ma and told her what’s happening. My ma said a prayer for her—not just her but your family. Then she told me.”

Her throat feels thick at the new information. She hasn’t spoken to Dante at all since she got everything set up in Jersey City before taking her official leave. He was in denial that she actually wanted to leave until he started noticing moving trucks and boxes some time later. After Seraphina found out about the passing of Gloria, she decided that letting go of their friendship might be their best option to move forward in life, they went almost two weeks without speaking after their debate in her bedroom but Dante cracked first.

He apologized and begged her to stay, to not leave him but once Seraphina’s mind was made up, it was almost impossible to change it. Dante had to accept it and it added another mountain of grief he had to deal with on his own. He would call and text just not to receive any response, only to learn that Seraphina was still talking to his mother every so often, which definitely made him want to crash out multiple times.

That was a difficult time and he learned what space really means and from the one person that he never wanted out of his life, was a tough one to swallow. And now he was here.

“You drove all this way for—

“You.” Dante’s response is instant and it makes Seraphina let out a deep breath, “I’m sorry if I’m doing too much but I figured through all of this…you would want someone else here in your corner.”

Dante and Seraphina’s father never had the best relationship. Sure the pair became friends at a young age which was once full of playfulness, bright futures, and adventure before it all quickly changed for the worst. Mr. Coty was big on image and believes that who you surround yourself with said a lot about you and once he realized what Dante’s stepfather was like, he only assumed the worst for Dante. Instead of providing guidance, he brought on preconceived notions of what Dante could be.

He started acting different towards the young boy and once Dante started getting involved with that gang, Seraphina brought home those pills, and Dante beat his step-father so bad that his injuries were unspeakable, Mr. Coty began to despise a young Dante Torres. Years later Dante was here while the older man was at a high risk of declining but Dante could honestly say he wasn’t really here for him—but he would keep that to himself.

“…just tell me what you need from me?” He says after his old friend most likely has so much on her mind that she may not know what to say.

Seraphina’s eyes shine with a number of emotions, for one Dante was here after she went completely cold turkey on him. She set a boundary yet at the same time she still had a piece of him because she didn’t feel right completely cutting momma Catalina off as well. After all Dante had the woman’s first name, “Laura,” tatted on his forearm as a means of always having her near. He wanted to be angry and maybe he was that his mother still had Seraphina around and he was out of luck. Momma Catalina would push just a little until Seraphina had to be firm with her decision to her second mother figure. If you asked Seraphina six months ago what she needed from Dante, her answer would be much different.

Her dark eyes meet his and she finds that he still cares. It was heart warming to witness, honorable even and she wouldn’t forget it. He showed up for her when he didn’t have to and that meant something.

The doors behind Dante flap open, revealing a bearded Manny who looks up from his phone, doing a double take himself. Seraphina catches his questionable eyes first, making Dante the last to peer over his shoulder. Manny gives a single wave but it’s not a beaming smile attached to the usual expression where his eyes crinkle at the corners.

Dante honestly didn’t think the guy would still be in the picture. He did his best to keep his attention on his cases but he couldn’t help but to crack every now and then to get any bit of information he could on Seraphina’s new life now. He already knew that Seán, the still going strong engaged lawyer and good friend of Seraphina’s was now collecting the rent on her property for her so she wouldn’t have to constantly make trips back to Chicago. Dante only wondered if they were on better terms, if he would have been the one tasked with this instead.

There were a bunch of what if’s circulating and it only amplified now, seeing Manny Castillo being here for his Nina instead. Seraphina watched Dante’s jaw tighten at the sight of Manny before he turned back to face her. His eyes quickly shifted back to over her shoulder, rubbing at his jaw in irritation.

A pang of jealousy swirls within his frame because it felt like he was replaced.

“Hey,” Seraphina gently says making his heated stare meet her’s but it softens some, “Thanks for coming when you didn’t have to. It means more than you know, Tay.”

Dante gives a sharp nod.

The short haired woman takes another breath. Something she’s been doing a lot more since she’s been back in the Midwest. Seraphina closes the space between the two, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and wrapping one arm over his shoulder, waiting for him to hug her back. The tension seems to erase with Seraphina pressed against him, his hands go right to the small of her back, squeezing her as if she’ll slip right through his fingers again.

It’s Manny’s turn to bring his gaze elsewhere. He pinched at his nose but gives the two their moment after seeing Seraphina close her eyes in Dante’s embrace. The hug is over much quicker than Dante would have liked but she touches his face tenderly, offering him an appreciative smile before she walks away from him once more.

Dante is determined to make sure that it’s not out of his life. Six months was more than enough and the time prior, he knew that this isn’t going to work for him. They made promises to each other and sure they were much younger then but devotion wasn’t like dust in the wind.

This relationship couldn’t be swept away.

And Dante was going to show her exactly that.

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Dante had no intent of staying in Kansas City for a lengthy time, it was a spur of the moment action in all honesty. One that Voight could tell it was something Dante needed to take care of so he let it slide for now. Would a weekend be enough to get back on track if the childhood friends could? Part of him knows the focus should be on Seraphina’s father, which he didn’t get the chance to talk to her about before Manny came and whisked her away. He wouldn’t push it but it was most definitely on his mind as he sat alone in the hotel room.

He’s already spoken to his ma, who wanted all of the details but there truthfully wasn’t much to say, which meant he did more listening to the woman than what he revealed. Dante didn’t want to apply too much pressure given the unknown circumstance with Mr. Coty’s health but he would be damned if he left here without trying.

Dante’s stared at her contact name for some time until it appears across his screen on its own, spinning along the top of his phone. He takes time answering it, not wanting to appear too eager that the woman took him off block but hearing her voice may just ease his anxieties. She apologizes about it being so late calling him, informing him that she’s staying the night with her father but asked if Dante would be interested in meeting up in the morning at union station to mainly clear the air, which Dante agreed to.

He just didn’t expect union station to be as huge as it was, something he should have researched before he finally fell into slumber, instead of one hour before the meet up time. (the pictures did it no justice) However with his skills Dante was positive it wouldn’t take him long to find her in the detailed building. The high ceilings made Dante feel almost like a child and the intricate chandeliers were pleasant enough to lead the way as he found his way through to the mentioned coffee shop.

Seraphina had just beat him, taking a seat at the circular table, setting her iced coffee and flaky pastry of choice on the table before checking her phone and using both of her hands to massage at her neck. Soon Dante is making his way over to her, heart thudding in his chest. He tells her not to get up, kissing her cheek in greeting before she tells him he should order something inside before the rush starts.

“Iced mocha?” Dante quizzes as he pushes himself closer to the table.

Seraphina nods before lifting her chin at his hot beverage, “Boring cappuccino?”

He scoffs as he takes a sip at his creamy espresso, “Don’t be a hater so early in the morning, Nina. It’s not a good look.”

She playfully glares at him before she sits back against the chair, eyes deciding to people watch.

“Manny didn’t want to attend this meet up?” He slides that in, voice gentle but there was a hint of bite in it that she would obviously pick up on as he peered over at the woman underneath his eyelashes.

There’s a spec of amusement in Seraphina’s eyes, “No. if you must know, he brought my mom back up to the hospital to stay with my dad and he’s working from my parents’ house.”

“Good for him,” Dante mumbles sarcastically.

She shakes her head at him, “This isn’t necessary you know? He’s a good guy.”

“He better be.” Dante informs while Seraphina tilts her head at him in warning, “Just because I’m not around like I would like to be, doesn’t mean I’ll let anyone get away with treating you less than you deserve.”

She stares at him then, finding his words to be genuine. They’ve been around each other enough to know when their protectiveness was warranted. It was nice to see that this was still true.

“Well…you don’t have to worry about Manny in that department.” Seraphina defends.

“Good.”

“Do you want this entire conversation to be about him…because I can tell you more about him if you like?”

Dante’s quick with it, “I’d rather sit on the train tracks while waiting for a train to come by.”

“…That’s dark.”

A crooked smile plays on his lips, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be, not if you mean it.” Seraphina answers, “…Is it bothering you that much?”

“That you’ve moved on without me?” Dante asks, pushing his lips out in thought, “I just…don’t want you to forget me. These six months have been less than great without you, Nina. It’s not something I really got used to. I even thought about driving to the east coast.”

She presses her elbows onto the table, resting her cheek against her clasped hands, “I think you’d like Jersey city. At least the blending in part.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s not Vancouver but I feel optimistic there…at least for now.” Seraphina admits, reaching for her drink.

‘You should visit someday,’ part of her thinks this but she keeps it only as a thought.

Dante watches her for a moment, taking in her words and how she still thought of him. Perhaps it wasn’t all the time like he often did with her but it brought him comfort to know that she hadn’t forgotten him despite her cutting him off. There were plenty of talks between the once young teens when they snuck into each other’s rooms to lay side by side, staring up at one another’s ceilings as they talked about the future, talked about seeing the world together or even a piece of it that didn’t cut like chicago did.

Back then that was just talks but now Seraphina was taking that step…except Dante was behind her instead of beside her in their adulthood.

“Are you in a house?” Dante keeps the conversation casual, having a feeling that it wouldn’t remain this way.

Seraphina tells, “Back to condo living for me. It just doesn’t make sense for me to get back into buying something when I’m not sure JC is going to be my forever home.”

Dante perks up at this.

“I mean I’ve seen Indiana, KC, Rhode Island, Philly, JC, and of course Chicago—which absolutely is the best city in the world,” she teased with a roll of her eyes which makes Dante grin, “I just don’t want to be stuck anymore, ya know?”

Dante can understand that. He’s spent years growing up beside Seraphina but he’s suddenly starting to realize, being left behind by the person he loved dearly, hurt more than he thought it would.

“Was I…part of what made you feel that way?”

Seraphina swallows, “I can’t say that’s fully on you. I made the choice to keep fighting for more from you when you’ve told me countless of times you couldn’t give me that. You didn’t want that. So part of that is my fault so I won’t solely put the blame on you…I can see that now. It took me leaving to process that, Tay.”

Dante blinks in that way which lets the woman know that he has a lot on his mind too. Something she said in this revelation has him slightly spinning, “It’s not that I didn’t want you. It’s just that I knew I had the potential to hurt you more and I know you didn’t deserve that but I ended up doing it anyway.”

Seraphina deeply inhaled and exhaled, “But don’t you think I should be the one that gets to have a say too? I was willing, I’ve seen you at your worst and your best. Shit, your demons are basically buddies with mine and I still chose to love you. Any chance I took it there, you slipped away, it was only on your terms and it just wasn’t fair.”

“Fair?” Dante pressed his elbows into the table, “What isn’t fair is everything that we’ve been through? Getting shot at, me constantly coming to you to clean me up, the drugs, the accident…me going to juvi? The cards told us all that we needed to know. We wouldn’t make it, Nina. Somewhere if we tried…who knows where our futures would be? It wouldn’t be normal. It would always be something else that ruins us.”

Seraphina chews on her bottom lip, looking away from Dante as he spoke his truth. It really stung to know that he thought so little of the two, of what could be. This was part of his demons, of letting circumstances get in his head. Any time the word future was mentioned, Seraphina automatically thought of her ill father. She went to war with that man over Dante, he would tear him down right in front of her whether Dante was in their home or not. Nonetheless Dante never wanted to be seen as the victim, although he’s never had it easy, he still chose to fight and prove himself.

Why couldn’t he keep that same energy with Seraphina?

When it came to love past the platonic, it only felt like defeat. He was anchored in the past and it was no secret to her, never has been.

“So…now that this friendship is on pause…do you still feel that way? Ruined?” Her words stun Dante as she spun it back on him.

Dante didn’t think it was a vindictive move since there were many factors as to why Seraphina made her big move. She was always the type of person to dance to her own drum, much like Dante who had his impulsive moments but he wasn’t sure how to take this.

“Was that part of the plan?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why say that to me?”

“I’m trying to prove a point,” Seraphina sighs, “You didn’t want to try romance because of fear but we tried friendship, your way and I’m the one who put distance between us. You said it hasn’t been easy and newsflash, it hasn’t for me either but I’ve coped. Learned how to exist without you.”

Dante feels his brows furrow. The woman before him was not entirely the same, she was stronger and harder to reach.

“And I’m sure Manny helped with that.” He finds himself snapping unintentionally.

Seraphina laughs in disbelief, hands going up in the air, “Oh this again! That demon is coming out to play huh? You don’t get to do that. Every small chance that I’ve tried to move on, you’ve had a problem with, when it always could have been you, should have been, you could have solved that but you let your insecurities get in the way.”

Dante lifts his shoulders not denying it, “I can’t help it. I’ve always wanted you to be happy but you and I both know they’re not worth your time.”

“…and why’s that?”

Dante blows out a breath, letting his back hit the chair, “Because we belong together…probably in every lifetime but I failed this one by giving my love to someone else.”

Seraphina felt like her heartbeat was in her stomach at Dante’s vulnerability. She didn’t think this conversation would be a walk in the park by any means but she also didn’t expect Dante to say this.

“Now you say that?” Seraphina managed to get out around shaky breath, “And I’m just supposed to accept this after all this time?”

Dante shakes his head, “I’m not asking you to be okay with this. You’re my person too, always will be. I’ve been to hell and back with you…I just can’t let you go anymore. It wouldn’t be right.”

“For who? You?” She fired off.

Dante argued, “Mi ma told me at the beginning, every other week that you called her, you cried over me.”

“It wasn’t just you.” Seraphina hissed, “Sure you were a big part of it but starting over by myself is terrifying but I did it. Just like I kept picking myself up every time you rejected me.”

“I didn’t—

“You did.” Seraphina asserts, “You wanted me as your safe space and needed me as your shadow.”

He winced at how blunt she sounded and how she truly believed that’s what he needed her for.

His elbows rest on the table as he leans a little to peer into her eyes, “You’ve never been a shadow, you’ve always been my right hand, my best friend, my soulmate, half of me.”

Seraphina tossed her head back, feeling her eyes burn. “…Dante…you know what they say about having someone be your everything…you won’t know what to do once you lose ‘em.”

“Is that what you want to hear? That I’m lost without you?”

Robin thicke is gagged!

“I don’t want to hear what you think I want to hear.”

“Good because i haven’t done that, not once since I’ve been sitting here. I love you and that’s not ever gonna change. You wanted time, I gave it to you but it’s my turn to fight for us and I’m tapped in.”

“What exactly are you fighting for? A friendship that no longer serves its purpose?”

“No.” Dante feels as if his heart is breaking again, “T-That’s not true and I know you don’t believe that either. You love me too.”

“Course I do! I wouldn’t have thought about raising a child with you after finding out I was—

Her eyes go wide at her rambling and Dante almost forgets how to breathe. He dips his head, trying to catch her eyes but suddenly she finds her iced mocha more interesting.

“You were what?” Dante pried bringing his up knuckles by his mouth, “Don’t try and slide by that, Nina. Tell me.”

Seraphina takes her time meeting Dante’s eyes, “I was pregnant and I miscarried.”

Dante drops his head against his fist. All the background noise was drowned out by the ringing in his ears and his legs began to shake—it was a good thing he was seated. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, how long has she been keeping this a secret from him?

“When?” Dante croaked out before clearing his throat and trying again, “When was this?”

“Some years ago…back when you were in the academy and I was working at the aquarium until I got hired at the lab.” Seraphina explains, playing with the sleeve of her shirt, but the weight didn’t feel completely lifted, it just felt like she shifted it off to the one person who was the last to know.

Should have known.

Dante pressed his fist to his mouth, just gazing at a sadden Seraphina. She thought about that part of their future, creating a family together, and seeing as much of the world as they could. It was right at her fingertips but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you felt like you could never talk to me about our…baby.” There’s tears in his throat and he has to close his eyes since they stung.

He feels her touch against his wrist, patiently waiting for him to meet her eyes.

“…And I’m sorry that I’m adding more to your grief.”

This she means, as she offers him a small smile.

He takes it, freeing one hand to grasp her’s.

They squeeze each other’s hands so tightly, almost as if they were attempting to take away each other’s pain. He wasn’t completely okay with this, he was mixed with so much right now he didn’t know the proper response or if he had a proper one in this moment. Yes this felt like betrayal because she didn’t trust him enough to let him know, that they had the potential to create life together but at the same time she must have felt so alone going through it all.

His voice comes out strained, “You could have told me, you know? You know I would have been there for you but…you left me in the dark for years, Seraphina.”

Seraphina nods, “I…didn’t know how. I thought I was protecting you—us. You already constantly blamed yourself for the accident when we were kids and I just…didn’t want you to beat yourself up anymore over the loss.”

He laughs almost bitterly although his chest aches while he pulls his hand from her’s, “Protecting me is not lying to me. This all makes sense now, you know? Why you’ve held on all this time when you could have shared that with me? I would have been there and I hope you know that now. I thought we were better than that.”

“Well maybe we’re not,” Seraphina scoffs, “This back and forth is always constant. I finally got tired. I’ve always been sure, always wanted more. A baby wouldn’t have fixed your uncertainties even if a part of me hoped it would then.”

Dante sharply turns his head to her, “Who says I’m not sure? If I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t still be here but it was no problem for you to not only walk away but shut me out on that part of your life.”

Seraphina’s shoulder slump at this. She had to take accountability for this and ultimately she regretted holding onto this for so long. She had fear inside of her as well, it was her way of trying to protect Dante like he’s been doing all this time—in his mind. Perhaps it was all a huge chunk of miscommunications and striving to shield each other from more hurt.

Her voice is hushed that even with Dante sitting across from her, he could have missed this, “I’m sorry for that…I think I didn’t want to be more of a burden to you.”

Dante feels his head jerk back at this, “You never were. I just didn’t know how to make you understand that loving you past our friendship could make things worse. I didn’t want that for us. And now learning this…”

He stops, the blended emotions hitting him again as he struggled to clear his throat.

“I wanted to tell you but if I did…I was scared you’d leave me for good.” Seraphina feels her eyes water but she doesn’t dare let them fall.

He’s reaching for her hand again, her other going to wipe at her damp nose, quickly looking away from her old friend, “I would have never left you if you told me that. Yeah, I’ll always feel like it’s my fault that…you’ll never be able to carry but I wouldn’t have left you alone when you needed me the most.”

There’s a deep throbbing sadness in the air but it softens some with a sort of understanding sprouting amongst them. Their friendship was not only full of love but also great fear.

A sob threatens to escape her lips, “I—I started to feel alone in this for some time. Which is why I thought letting go was the best choice. I made it this time.”

Dante hates to hear Seraphina say this to him. However maybe he’s felt the same, in a different way. He knows he loves Seraphina but wouldn’t allow himself to be in love by shutting himself off to that idea. They were supposed to be so much more but years of hurt clouded their judgment in many ways.

“You were never alone,” Dante’s gaze is raw, open, and just as afraid as she is, “I’ve always been right here. I let hurt lead the way and since you’ve been gone…I don’t think we’re the same people we used to be.”

For the first time in years…it feels like Dante isn’t hiding from her. He’s no longer slipping and although there’s evident distance, he’s no longer shielding himself from what this is.

A smile sits on the corner of her full lips.

This finally feels like they’re getting somewhere and maybe this is what it takes.

“We were never going to be perfect,” Seraphina starts, “That wouldn’t be the Nina and Tay way.”

“Why does your name get to go first when I’m older?” Dante rests his hands on his chest in feign offense, a frown appearing on his face.

Seraphina rolls her eyes, her tone light and playful, “By six months boo-fucking hoo.”

Dante snorts with a crossing of his arms, “I think I’m starting to hate that number now.”

Seraphina can’t help but feel a bubble of laughter rise in her chest, a small, soft laugh that feels almost out of place after everything they’ve said. However something is there, a tiny relief, that reminds them of the easiness of their dynamic that once made their friendship so effortless. It’s like a wave of cool presses down the tension in her neck, freezing it away, making her feel as if they might be okay despite the heaviness at the start of their day.

“It’s just a number, Tay. Not a lifetime.” She tries to persuade, laughter lingering in her tone as she picked at the now cold pastry.

Dante looks at her with a growing softness, his grin reaching his eyes and that faint dimple that isn’t seen so much with others, appears at the apple of his cheek, “Maybe that’s what I need right now. A little more Nina and Tay and a lot less... all of this."

Seraphina nods along as the buzzed hair man who sported a growing 5 o’clock shadow motions to what they’ve been battling.

“That’s your gift you know,” Dante continues, “You’ve always had a way of making me strive for better…like I can do anything. Be anything, be lighter underneath it all.”

The light haired woman can feel herself dissociating as Dante’s words fill up the air. The dark of her mind threatens to bring up the uninvited voice of Gloria Perez, who she had the pleasure of meeting briefly weeks before her final departure from this earth.

“I can see why you have such a hold on Dante.” The brunette approached Seraphina outside of the lab one night as she stands at the doors, tossing her work keys into her tote bag in exchange for her car keys, her head snaps over to the voice that greets her, “He may not have talked about you much, but I’ve always known there was someone much more important. Someone much more real for him, the good against the bad. He should loosen his grip.”

Gloria’s words are like an itch Seraphina can’t get to, taunting her and ready to pull her back to stay in that moment where she met the woman that didn’t deserve Dante. She never wanted to be compared to anyone else but sometimes that’s just not the way the world works. She briefly glanced at Dante who’s still staring at her, a tenderness in his now moss colored eyes across from her. Seraphina can still hear Gloria and it was starting to piss her off—healing takes time okay! She wants to be present with Dante, this was their moment and not anyone else’s.

Seraphina steadies herself, closing her eyes and shaking Gloria’s voice away so it slips somewhere to the back of her mind because those doubts don’t define her anymore as she decides to reply, “…I think we both need to remember the Nina and Tay way a little more."

The hint of wonder mixed with just living in the moment the best way they knew how was reminiscent.

Don’t think Dante didn’t notice the shift in her expression but he doesn’t push it like he knows she would have done him. This was all a lot especially since Seraphina’s plan was to slip in for Mr. Coty and out (things took a turn) yet still found time to make this work.

“…how is he?”

This is the first time Dante’s asking, although it’s been on his mind long before he entered the hospital yesterday evening.

Seraphina tries to put on a smile but it’s weak and doesn’t reach her eyes. “Chemo doesn’t work for this kind of cancer so it’s a 30% chance of survival but they’re starting him on meds soon.”

“Oh, Nina…” Dante breathes while she sniffs and takes a sip from her straw, “What can I do?”

She lightly shakes her head but there’s appreciation on her pretty face and he wants to reach to caress her cheek in hopes that she’ll lean into him. However times are different and they’re rebuilding.

“Just sitting here with me is nice,” She lifts her shoulders, folded by a forced smile and watery eyes, “You did mean it when you said you’d be in my corner right?”

“Always.” Dante nods, “I—

He wants to say it, that he loves her, always would love her but it sits on his tongue.

She knows.

“I needed that.” Seraphina whispers, “You know more than anybody the nature of our father and daughter relationship. When he and mom came to KC, I felt like I got a piece of me back. And now to hear that his life is at risk in his sixties…that’s another thing I didn’t want to dive into but I know at some point I’ll have to.”

Dante can sense that she’s struggling with this. It’s been better, honestly as a friend looking in that her parents decided to move away to Missouri because it allowed Seraphina to just be herself and not her mistakes.

“I don’t know how to be there for him, Dante.” There’s a slight glare on her face as she peers off to the right yet it’s not directed at anyone, “There were plenty of times I needed him growing up and he did nothing but shame me for every little thing. I was such a nervous wreck around him back then. The distance between us three: mom, me, and dad worked. Now that he’s sick I’m just supposed to let everything go? Doing that feels wrong to my inner child ya know?”

His heart aches for her, but his presence remains calm as he knows how much she’s carried when it comes to Mr. Coty and even Mrs. Coty. He’s also been on the receiving end of her father’s hurtful words and anger.

Dante’s voice is careful and gentle, a nature that she can rely on, “You don’t have to have the answers Ms. Know it all,” he winks at the common nickname which makes her smile with a shake of her head, “it’s okay to just be in the now. You have every right to be angry at what he did. I was there for half of it, what he did to you—us.”

From the vile and abusive language when Seraphina wouldn’t obey him, to the sneers at just the sight of her, the neglect, the over strictness where she simply couldn’t be a kid, defying her dreams, the attempted drowning—she couldn’t remember the last time her father even held her hand or told her he loved her.

Her chest works with the storm of the past. It wasn’t only the fact of how he treated his own daughter but it was also the way he treated her friend. Mr. Coty was even harsh towards Dante and belittled him, doing things he didn’t deserve either.

Then there’s this other side of him now, fragile and wanting to make things right if God intended to take him out. Seraphina feels like maybe she should feel guilty for having a bit of bitterness in her as stood in front of his bed, watching him sleep. He was supposed to be the first man that taught her how to be loved.

“I should be there now because you never know with time right,” Seraphina laughs a little, “I could walk away for good but the little girl in me still wants to be there for him and let him know that I do love him and not just because I’m supposed to. But I can’t forget everything. The things he said. The way he treated you.”

Dante nods, knowing this has always bothered Seraphina and seen how Mr. Coty’s ways shaped her, how it’s influenced everything from their relationship to how she views the world. But he’s also seen the strength in her. He knows her better than anyone. And he knows this is part of her growth, part of the painful process of letting go and figuring out what she needs, not just from her father but from the people who care about her most.

Dante’s voice is low but echoes the weight of the history, “Seraphina, I can’t tell you what to do. But I can tell you this—what he did to us, what he did to you, doesn’t have to define your choices now. Be there for you, you have the power.” There’s an intensity in his eyes that feels like reassurance, “You don’t have to fix his sins or anyone else’s. You’ve got this.”

She realizes that’s she’s been holding onto what her father has done for years. How it’s been avoidant since they both moved, buried like most things tended to be in Chicago. It’s a move on and you’ll live moment and frankly, Seraphina Coty’s had enough.

Then there’s a sadness that sits still in her chest at the thought that she could really lose her father. There’s also another presence that’s been on her mind, her patient but blossomed relationship with her new boyfriend of two months, Manny. He on the other hand, learned the dynamic of her relationship with her parents, tried to encourage her to keep an open mind and that closed mouths don’t get fed. Manny was used to constant conversations and was in the works of putting together a sit down and then…this happened.

It was the first time they butted heads.

His intentions were good but he wasn’t there to witness it all. He probably would never truly get it since he had a fantastic relationship with his parents, almost squeaky clean, something completely different than what Seraphina was used to.

She feels the push and pull between what’s expected of her and what she needs. She can’t stop herself from thinking about the differences between him and Dante. Which is ironic since she never wanted Dante comparing her to Gloria.

Seraphina’s voice is firm, pulling herself back from the brink of uncertainty, “I hear you I do but it’s never that simple. I’ve got someone else in the picture now and Manny feels like I’ll regret it if I don’t help out. He’s trying to be there for me too through all of this.”

Dante slightly scrunches up his lips while studying his old friend. So her and Manny were serious now? Only makes sense since he’s here with her but it doesn’t stop the sting of hearing it so plainly. “Screw what Manny thinks. He can be here but he has no idea, he wasn’t there so he shouldn’t be pushing you to do something you’re not sure of yourself, Nina. I would know, I was there first and I’m not going anywhere this time. Even if you push me away.”

It’s petty sure but Dante feels the way that he feels and he can’t change it. He wasn’t here to cause problems between Nina and Manny but he was going to say what he felt. Dante could respect that Manny was here during Seraphina’s time of need but he couldn’t get with the overstepping.

He’ll learn his place soon enough.

Dante says this with quiet conviction, as though he’s making a promise to himself, to her, that this—what they are—isn’t something he’s willing to give up again, not without a fight. He let her go twice before but this time taught Dante everything he needed to know.

He can fight harder for her and that he will.

Clearing his throat after finding Seraphina observing him with her eyes, in a way that he was almost like an experiment made him a little uneasy. Sometimes she didn’t realize she was even doing it, her eyes low but focused with curiosity.

Dante continues, “I’m not here to compete. But I’m here for you. I always have been. And if you need me, you don’t have to hide from that. Especially when it comes to him.”

His statement is bold and lets Seraphina know, this whole ordeal has unleashed something in him that she’s seen in Dante before.

She exhaled with her eyes closed and says, “I don’t know what I need right now. But I do know that I’m not ready to shut you out again.”

And those words alone works just fine for Dante.

After all maybe he was beginning to see the art of letting go in order to rebuild. But some parts of him still wondered what that rebuild would look like, after they departed and went on about their days with a new found acceptance of each other.

What would they look like now?

The future, it seemed, wasn’t clear but they were still a puzzle that they intended to piece together and not let slip through their hands, this time.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

-> Part two

[ladyofthenile]

Phantom December

I see the dead,

Dancing in the in-between,

mists of blue shadows, moving

“Gracefully across my memory”.

Do you seem them too?

Prancing in the silver storm,

“Far away” and “long ago”

Gliding in the winter snow?

Indeed, I see the dead

Swaying in the in-between,

molten form, glowing like

“embers” as they gaze back at me.

Phantom December by Nisa

[fanfictionlibrary01]

FFL Four Seasons Challenge: Winter

Winter is almost upon us, and with the new season comes a new genre with new prompts! The dark cold days are perfect for someone getting sick or taking a hard fall on some slippery ice, the celebrations perfect for some drama... but it's also the season where you hole up inside with a warm blanket and a hot tea. So for this season, the fanfic genre is:

Hurt/Comfort

The prompts are:

Betrayal

Flaws/Insecurities/self-esteem

"It's okay to cry"

Character deprived of and craving [sign of affection]

Asking for forgiveness

Check out our original Post here to learn more about this challenge and how to participate.

All Challenge works written by server members on Ao3 for our challenges are gathered in our Ao3 Collections. You can check out works from our earlier challenges there too ^^

Come join our Discord Server if you want a place to chat about your ideas and your progress with other writers and to be added to the collection for this Challenge!

Happy writing!

[dbaydenny]

Elements of Winter Poetry

Plain white winter words

ashes among the snowflakes

devoid of spirit

unexpected graveyard ghosts

a few remnants of summer.

.

D W Eldred

[kentnaturaltribrid]

Page on snowflakes ❄️. Not much there, but figured what is there should make sense eventually.

[ufohio]

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDER EARTH Wake up to a glittering, snowy wonderland. Welcome to wintertime in Ohio: bright, clear, and hella cold. Your character can partake in all sorts of wintry activities this season—and then some!

Enjoy Snow Days

Ah, snow days. Don’t they just make you want to start a snowball fight? Or build a snow man? Sled? Or dive headfirst into a snow drift? There’s just something magical about snow that brings out the child in all of us—let your character get in touch with that inner child this winter.

Become Snow Birds

Magic, schmagic. Just because your characters live in the bright and shiny future doesn’t mean snow shoveling is out of the picture—nor are ice dams, slippery patches of black ice, or other winterborn hazards. Sure, Ohio Earthlings have some neat gizmos to combat all these woes, but some folk might still choose to escape rather than fight the awful things wintry conditions can do to a hovercar’s undercarriage.

Maybe your character allegedly heads south to “Florida” every winter—or very, very north to burning-hot Mercury. If these sunny options are out of the question, there’s always Luna Park, which is regularly warmed by ambient rocket fire.

Visit Snowy Peaks

For the very adventuresome, there are always the frosty methane peaks of remote Plutonian ski resorts to turn to. While it’s true that you can actually visit these slopes any time of year, there’s something about the winter season that makes Earthlings want to jump up and experience something new and exciting—but also familiar. Since Plutonian mountains sort of resemble Earth's own snow-capped peaks, these rustic ski joints are the perfect answer.

Get Snowed In

No matter how bent you are on getting out and about this winter, Jack Frost may still have something different planned for you. Especially in Andromeda Heights, where the older houses and buildings lack newfangled heating and snow-b-gone technologies, residents are likely to get snowed in at least once or twice. For those that lose power in blizzards, remember the buddy system, and stay warm with your neighbors. Don’t worry—the community is used to this.

[ray935sworld]

Comfort and answers

Marcmarc, Lucalex Soulmate AU

15.12 winter writing

Whole AU here

The pure shock freezing his body was the only thing keeping Marc from having a hugh panic attack.

He felt the pressure in his chest. It was almost destroying him. It was almost crushing him.

His hands were shaking. His mind was running.

The words kept replaying in his head. The whole situation was on loop in his mind. Everything he had felt and seen those last months.

He had felt broken every since he had to ignore those beautiful brown eyes the first time. He had looked so kind and soft. And he had shattered it all with one sentence.

He had felt so guilty and everytime he had done the same again, he hated himself a little bit more. He told himself he had to, but really he was just to weak to fight.

Finally he had gathered all his strength. Finally he had reached his breaking point. He just couldn't ignore it anymore. He loved Bez too much to act like he hated him.

He couldn't continue ignoring him when all he wanted to do was run to him and burry his head in his neck. He wanted him to run to him and hug him. He wanted to get kisses and hugs. He wanted to kiss him until his lips were dry and he couldn't keep his eyes off him anymore and he was drunk on him.

And now after seeing him on the top step of the podium, there was no hesitation. Marco had looked like an angel. Like a wild beast and he had ridden that way.

Even if he wasn't his soulmate, he had to be it. Even if it was just for a night or a month. He had to be the only man for Marco, even if it was only for a minute or a second. He'd take it.

He couldn't stand seeing him with a man that wasn't he. Didn't matter if it had been his mechanic, Luca or any one else. All he felt was jealousy and hate.

He hated everyone that spent time with Marco, because he couldn't. He cursed everyone that put his hands on him because he wasn't allowed to.

And now he had finally starved himself so long from him that he had turned greedy. He was so greedy for his touch that waiting just a second longer would kill him. He was willing to take whatever he could get.

And the only hope was to get in the lonely alleys where they used to meet. He didn't really had any hope. There was no reason for the Italian to take this way.

And then Marco had stood infront of him.

But Bez wanted to leave him again. No. No. No. No. Ever fiber in his body screamed to say something. He had to keep him there. But he was pushing. There bodies touched and Marc knew it was his last change.

He reached for him. He smelled like the alcohol he had been drained in and drank. He felt his stubbles on his cheeks. He touched his hair and neck and pulled him close.

He kissed him and he was sure he had died and somehow made it to heaven. It was the best feeling he had ever felt. It was soft and felt kind. He felt him deepening the kiss. The sensation was addictive.

And then it was gone.

He felt Marco push him back and he almost stumbled towards him again. He wanted to cross the distance between them again. Not just to kiss him but to feel his skin on his.

"Is that some kind of joke?! Am I a fucking joke to you?" he flinched. He hated yelling. "Martin put you up to this, didn't he?"

He blinked in confusion.

"What? I-" "OH don't you fucking lie to me now. You don't give a fuck about me. You've proven it over the whole fucking season! You never did, so don't you dare come now just to make a foul out if me. You manipulative asshole!"

"I- I-" And then he was gone with a scoff.

And Marc stood there on the verge of a panic attack. All this bravery and at the end he had been left. Again.

Before he could spiral down and end in a crying fit somewhere between motorhome, he forced himself to breath. He took a deep breath and started running.

He had no idea how he got there but at the end he was at Alex hotel door. If they were able to stay in their motorhomes, It would have been so much easy.

He saw light and a knocked quickly. He knocked and knocked and knocked again. Every sound fueled his panic and fear, but he could t stop. Silence would just cause him insanity right now.

It took a few seconds until Alex opened the door. It took him one look to decided that he saw enough. "Marc - shit, come inside" he said pulling his brothers inside already.

Marc felt his arm on his and he felt tears stream down in release. Physical contact. No yelling. They were good. But then he felt another wave of panic hit him. Alex seeing him like this was one thing. That was okay. They were used to it but his boyfriend?

"Is - Is Luca here?" he asked, fear clear in his voice. He was prepared to turn around and run or put up a show of being okay.

"Doesn't matter. You look terrible. Come here." he decided and went to hug Marc who immediately started to clinge to him. In the hold of his brother, he started to cry. He felt Alex move but he didn't care, he just started to sob uncontrollably.

"Fuck. What happened?" he heard another voice and he immediately wanted to cry harder. Luca. Great impression. "I don't know." "Okay. I'll… I'll leave you two alone so you can-"

Wait… Luca. Luca, Bez friend. His teammate. His academy buddy.

"Can you tell Bez I'm sorry?" he asked, through his tears. It was his only chance. Marco had to hear it. "Wait - Bez? Marco Bez?" Luca asked and Marc nodded.

"Yeah, I… I kissed him cause I love him and he hates me. He haaaaates me soooo much-" Alex hold him tighter as he sobbed. "-and I - I don't know what to do! I'm sorry and he will never talk to me again. Just tell him I'm sorry and that I have no idea what Martin has to do with any of it but-"

Lucas eyes went wide. Now that had hit a switch in him.

"MARTIN?!" Luca almost yelled. Confused, Marc looked at the younger Italian who was immediately fuming as he gave a confirming nod. "Martin talked to Bez? What did he say? What did that asshole do now?"

He balled his hands into fists, seemingly ready to make room for his anger. "Oh, of course he has some thing to do with all this"

"Luca, calm down. What are you even talking about?" Alex asked, who was now sitting on the bed, still hugging Marc.

His boyfriend had a look in his eyes he hadn't seen before. It was pure rage. "Martin is messing with us - the academy - to get to Pecco. He knows that Pecco is sensitive when it come to us" he explained now more calmly.

"He caused a fight between Franky and Migno. He upset Cele already by making him believe he'll never be in MotoGP. He manipulates us and now… Fuck. Listen, whatever Martin said to Bez must have been bad but not your fault, okay? I'm going to go find Bez, alright? See you later?"

Luca left the brothers. Marc was still upset but now he was confused on top of all that. The two spaniard decided to empty the mini fridge and all eat the ice cream stored inside.

It took a lot of crying and exaggerated guesters for Marc to stop but eventually he fell asleep. Alex still hold him close and comforted him. He still felt down when he woke up but he forced himself to go on about his day.

In the back of his mind he planed to somehow get Marco to talk to him so he can properly apologize for kissing him out of now where. And suddenly ignoring him.

He really needed to apologize for that. He had to come clean. About everything. This wasn't some fun anymore. He couldn't just brush it off like nothing happened. He had to explain everything from start to end.

But the race weeks were brutal, especially over sea. Luca couldn't find out what happend between Bez and Martin and Marco avoided Marc like the plague. There was no opportunity and he didn't react to his message. He had been blocked.

But that changed in Australia. It was after the race, flights going mostly tomorrow when Luca suddenly knocked on Marcs door.

"Luca" he said confused. He and his future brother in law got along well but they weren't close that Luca would randomly appear at his hotel room. "Sorry, Alex isn't here"

"I know. I need to talk to you" He nodded. They sat down and Luca took a deep breath. "Last week… Bez finally told me what happend. He was… Very upset. I didn't tell you earlier because of the race but Ehm…"

"Luca, just spit it out" he said, twitching nervously. He really needed to get answers and he hoped to get them quickly.

"Bez assumed or thought for some reason that you are his soulmate. Since he was pretty young actually. The skull mark was apparently fake."

What? Marc froze for a moment. He had never expected that he had figured it out as well. And the skull was fake? But why did Luca use the past tense? Why had Bez assumed he was his soulmate, did he no longer consider him as a possible partner? Had he fucked up that badly that his soulmate rejected him willingly, knowing they were linked in heart and soul?

"And apparently Martin knew about this and…. Marco said you used to be… Nice to him and then ignored him?" "It… Yes. I wanted to get over him. You told me his soulmark and we aren't a match. As you know."

"Yeah… And Martin used that and told him… That… Ehm…" There was a wave of horror cealrly washing over the Italian. He but his lips. He didn't want to repeat whatever had been said.

Fuck. It was worst than he expected.

"That - what? What did he say Luca? Just say it!" he asked nervously.

"He'd kill himself if he were Marcos soulmate so it's no wonder you're avoiding him…"

3 things happened after that conversation.

Marc decided that he would talk to Marco, if he wanted or not, after Valencia. It was his best shot to make amends and get them back on track.

Marc had a word with Martin about appropriate conversation topics he were allows to hold with his soulmate.

Martin got admitted to hospital due to a broken nose.

[emily-write-and-roam]

"night comes early"

night comes early, and

the trembling stars stretch and yawn

i sink into bed

[nossumusstellae]

Sunday Thoughts #4

There is something about snow swirling past my windows that makes me want to write.

Sitting by a fireplace in a favourite chair, listening to the wind whisper secrets through the gaps in the windows.

The cozy feeling of being warm inside while outside is absolutely freezing.

Winter is a season of contradictions. Solitude and family Christmases. Silence of the first snow and the laughter of children building snowmen. The lack of embarrassment as we all belt out carols like no one is listening when in fact a great many people can actually hear us.

As images flood my mind, my pen dances across paper.

Solidifying imagination into words on a page.

[nunyverse-scribe]

Winter Writing Prompts Part 2!

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Your fav ship kissing under the blankets during a cold wintery night.

Telekinetic character versus snow manipulator character in a snowball fight!

Animal whisperer character helping ALL the mammals in their area prepare for hibernation.

Piggy backing off of that, animal whisperer character helping ALL the birds in the area to prepare for migration for the wintery season.

Writing challenge: For your fantasy culture, instead of a December winter holiday, make a winter holiday set in your world’s January or February!

A character with super speed ice skating, see how well that goes

An artist sculpting out of ice

Ship date idea where they go to see the northern lights together (ppl who live north enough to see that are lucky lucky bastards sobs in lives closer to the equator)

A child befriending a Yeti that lives in the nearby mountains that everyone else is afraid of!

Character A checking out alternative forms of travel for their winter vacation because Character B is terrified of heights and so A doesn’t want to choose travel by plane (Bonus Points: B keeps on insisting it’s fine but A will still stubbornly accommodate to B’s fear unless/until they get to a point of getting over their fear where they are less likely to get a panic attack flying plane)

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

[bebx]

[ladyofthenile]