#Wish I’d said that – May 29

[skyward-floored]

Whumptober Day 23 - Forced choice, secrets revealed, (public display) - Warriors & Legend

Slipping some hdw au into this one heh heh heh

If you’re unfamiliar with it, all you really need to know is that hw Link is part dragon. Since this is lu, that’d be Warriors. Also unrelated to hdw, Legend’s mermaid tail works like it does in my other mermaid Legend fics. Hee.

Warnings: brief blood & injury, whipping (offscreen), brief/implied animal abuse.

Ao3 link

NEXT (day 29)

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“All right boys, I have a deal for you.”

Warriors glared at the woman who’d spoken, her smile much too bright for the situation. Her boot pressed down harder on Legend’s chest, and the veteran wheezed, gills flaring as he tried to get in water that wasn’t there.

“The only deal I’m making is one that involves you letting him go,” Warriors snapped, and the woman let out a tsk, sending dark hair over her shoulder as she shook her head.

“That’s not an option. He’s just what my troupe needs, a new attraction, some extra spice. ‘The boy who can breathe both water and air! Watch as his legs twist into one, how he defies nature itself!’” she said excitedly. “Business will boom!”

The group of performers around her cheered, shaking their weapons in the air. Legend wheezed again, and Warriors looked down at him in a panic, his tail flapping weakly in the shallow water it rested in. It was just enough water to trigger Legend’s mermaid tail, but not nearly enough for him to breathe.

The whole situation was ridiculous honestly, the two of them swarmed by the group after Legend had tripped on a loose cobblestone and accidentally triggered his scales by falling into the gutter. It would be laughable if Legend wasn’t trapped and essentially drowning, and Warriors didn’t have a good dozen weapons pointed at his neck.

Legend’s face was starting to turn red from lack of air, and he was giving Warriors a look that begged him not to do anything stupid.

Unfortunately, Warriors already had a stupid plan forming.

“I’d hate to ruin such a pretty face, so here’s the deal,” the woman with her boot on Legend’s chest said. “You let us leave with your friend, no fighting, no following, and in return, we won’t kill you.”

“Pass,” Warriors said with a glare, sword clenched tightly in his palm. The woman made a pouting face.

“Aw, can’t we settle this like civilized people? We’ll be gentle, so long as you cooperate,” she smiled, and dug her heel into Legend’s ribs.

Legend grunted in pain, and Warriors swallowed, his thoughts whirling. His idea really was stupid, and the thought of using it made him cringe, but he was outnumbered and rapidly running out of time. Legend’s wheezes kept growing more frantic, and Warriors didn’t want to bet his safety on whether he could take on the entire crowd.

At least he wasn’t in his own Hyrule. Revealing the secret here would be awful, and he knew these people would exploit the knowledge, but at least it wouldn’t come with the political firestorm it would at home.

And if it got Legend free, it was worth it.

Warriors sighed.

“What if I have a better deal for you?” he asked, and the woman raised an eyebrow.

“What kind of a deal? If it involves you, I already have a fella,” she said mildly, and Warriors swallowed.

“Nothing like that. A trade. Me for my friend.”

Laughter went through the group, and the woman snorted. “You may have a pretty face, but you’re nothing compared to a merman, honey. Sorry.”

“Would it change things if I told you I’m half dragon?” he said quietly.

The woman’s ears flicked, her eyes widening. “Oh?”

“Yes. Much more exotic then a kid with a curse,” Warriors said, keeping his eyes off of Legend. He wished he could’ve told him about this on his own terms. Who knew what he was thinking at the moment. “If you let him go, I’ll come quietly.”

“And do everything I say?” the woman said with a raised eyebrow, and Warriors swallowed back the bile that rose in his throat. He would escape. It wouldn’t be for long.

“Yes.”

She hummed consideringly, eyes trailing over Warriors. Legend wheezed again, and she glanced down at him, then back up again, crossing her arms.

“Well, I can’t really pass that up, can I?” she said, and snapped her fingers. Two burly men came up and grabbed Warriors’ arms, one twisting his sword out of his grip.

Warriors didn’t resist like he said he would, and happened to catch Legend’s eye, the other hero giving him an unreadable look. He was pretty sure he saw exasperation in his gaze though.

I don’t have a tail whenever I get wet, Legend, I’ll be able to escape better than you.

Warriors’ arms were tied behind his back, and he breathed out as the woman finally stepped off of Legend’s chest. A different bunch of people came forward as she snapped her fingers again, hauling Legend up out of the water, and they held him still while his tail split back into legs.

Legend began to struggle the moment he had his legs back, but the people held him tight, suddenly pulling ropes over his wrists and ankles. Warriors watched in shock as Legend was thrown back to the ground, a cloth tied over his mouth, and he snapped his gaze over to the woman.

“You said you’d let him go!” Warriors shouted, struggling wildly against the men’s hold. He shot an elbow out, trying to hit one in the face, but they only twisted his hands tighter behind his back, at an angle that felt like they were close to breaking.

The woman who was obviously in charge came over to him while he struggled, still smiling happily.

“We had a deal!” Warriors spat.

“We didn’t shake on it hon,” she said with a shrug, tapping his nose. “And there’s no way I’d pass up on a real mer. I happen to have a use for dragon blood at the moment, but even if you were lying about that, having another pretty face around is always good for business. I’m sure I’ll find a use for you somewhere.”

Warriors tried to lunge for her, but the men held him back, kicking his legs out from under him. Warriors dropped to his knees as she walked away with a laugh, and locked eyes with Legend, the veteran’s expression frantic as he was dragged away as well.

Oh Legend I’m sorry.

Then something hit him in the head, and with a burst of pain, Warriors knew no more.

(...)

A tapping noise woke him back up.

Warriors groaned, eyes flickering as he tried to figure out where the tapping was coming from. His head was throbbing, but it wasn’t too bad, and he pried his eyes open, a mostly dark room meeting him. The pounding kept up, more quickly now, and Warriors raised his head and looked to the side.

Two glowing eyes stared at him, and Warriors yelped, sitting up rather abruptly.

His head hit wood, and he made a pained noise, rubbing his forehead. He looked back over at the eyes, and Legend gave him a grim smile, the motion making the scales on his cheeks shine.

Oh. Right.

Warriors groaned, more in annoyance this time than anything, and glanced around, wrinkling his nose at the small cage he’d been dumped in. It was wood on the floor and ceiling, but metal bars blocked off everything else, the door firmly locked.

“Well. This is just lovely,” he sighed, and Legend let out a snort that shot out bubbles.

“Yeah, quite a nice predicament we’ve landed ourselves in. You okay, pretty boy?” Legend asked, his voice warbling a little strangely. Warriors was surprised he could hear him through the thick glass. “Or should I say dragon boy? Nice plan by the way.”

“Sorry, it was all I could think of,” Warriors apologized, leaning against the bars with a wince. The cage was so small he could only just barely sit up.

“Yeah, well it was a valiant effort,” Legend hummed, rubbing a dark bruise on his arm. He was silent for a moment. “Were you uh... were you serious?”

“About being half dragon?” Warriors asked, and Legend nodded. “...Yeah. It’s true. On my father’s side.”

Legend made a noise Warriors wasn’t sure how to interpret. “Huh. Well, I’ve heard weirder.”

Legend didn’t sound accusatory or disgusted or anything, mostly curious, and Warriors’ shoulders lost some tension he didn’t even know he’d been holding. It looked like Legend wasn’t weirded out much at all. Which was understandable since he was currently covered in blue scales and barely looked Hylian at the moment, but the reassurance was nice.

“...So how’d your mom get with a lizard exactly?”

Warriors’ goodwill towards Legend immediately disappeared. “Oh don’t even start, no, he has a hylian form! Don’t be weird!” he said in disgust, and Legend laughed, the sound oddly musical.

It broke into a bit of a wheeze, and Warriors’ exasperation turned into concern as Legend coughed a couple times.

“...Are you okay vet?” he asked worriedly, and Legend waved him off with a webbed hand.

“Yeah... yeah, ‘m good. Having a heel ground into my chest didn’t do me any favors,” he said with one last cough. “And all this going back and forth between lungs and gills isn’t much fun. But I’m alright.”

Warriors took a moment to study Legend, bruises painted across his skin, fins drooping. He didn’t look too bad, but he wasn’t in great shape.

“So how are we getting out of here?” Legend asked, breaking Warriors’ thoughts.

“We’ll think of something,” Warriors sighed, looking around his cage. “If I had something to pick the lock I could get out of this thing at least. Think you could get out on your end?”

“I already tried breaking the glass, it’s reinforced or something,” Legend grumbled. “And again with the lock, there’s bars over the top of the tank.”

“So we’re stuck for now, then.”

“Yep.”

Silence fell over them as they digested their situation, and Warriors sighed, looking around their prison. He was pretty sure there were in the back of a large wagon of some sort, based on the size and shape of the area. A few small beams of sunlight snuck through some cracks, lighting up more cages and equipment Warriors really hoped wasn’t for them.

He wondered what that woman was going to do with him. Legend was very obviously exotic—all she would really have to do was put him in a tank and the money would pour in—but Warriors looked rather normal. She said she had a use for him, for someone with dragon blood specifically, but what exactly was she thinking?

And how was he going to get him and Legend out of this mess?

A quiet chirping cry broke the silence, and Legend and Warriors both froze, pricking their ears.

“What on earth was that?” Legend asked in confusion, and Warriors shushed him, eyes narrowing. His night vision was a bit better than most Hylians, but he still couldn’t see very well in the shadowy room. And something about that sound...

He could just barely make out another cage, a spot of sunlight shining beside it, and another crying chirp came from its direction. Something about the sound struck Warriors right in the chest, and he kicked at the bars, peering through them and trying to see better.

“Whoa, what’s gotten into you? Any clue what that is?” Legend asked, and Warriors growled, kicking at his cage again.

“I don’t know, but it sounds hurt. I don’t think it—”

“Ma!”

Warriors went silent again, listening as the tiny voice repeated its cry. Legend looked utterly confused as Warriors kicked at the bars again, another tiny cry ringing through the room, and he growled in frustration.

“Cap, seriously, why are you so wound up? It’s probably just an animal or something,” Legend said confusedly, and Warriors stared at him. “I don’t like that it’s trapped either, but we can’t get it out right now.”

“An animal? Can’t you hear it talking?” Warriors said in disbelief, and Legend slowly shook his head.

“All I hear is growling and chirping. ...How hard did they hit your head?”

Warriors opened his mouth to argue, but a door was suddenly opened, and the room flooded with light. Warriors and Legend both squinted against it, and the chirping cries faltered into a whimper.

Footsteps clicked against the wooden floor, and the woman who’d gotten them both in here stood above the two of them, flanked by two larger assistants.

“Oh great, you,” Legend grumbled.

“Me. You might want to fix that attitude there merman, or today isn’t going to be much fun for you,” she said with a tsk. “Time to learn some tricks.”

“I already know plenty of tricks, I don’t need more,” Legend shot back, his arms crossed.

“It’s always good to expand your repertoire. But first,” she said with a clap, turning back to Warriors. “Let’s see that supposed dragon blood put to some good use. Hope you weren’t lying, honey.”

One of the burly people she’d brought with her stepped away, and went over to where the frantic chirping had been coming from. He came back with a cage in hand that was only about as big across as a shield, then put on a hefty pair of gloves.

The cage was set down, and then opened, the man quickly grabbing something from inside. A terrified chirp came from the cage, and Warriors and Legend both watched in shock as a tiny pale green dragon was yanked out, its eyes wide with fear.

Outrage burned in Warriors’ chest, and he watched in distaste as the poor creature was manhandled, the man avoiding its attempts to bite and claw him. Warriors stiffened as the man approached his cage, but didn’t have time to attempt an escape as he unlocked the door and quickly tossed the dragon in.

It hit the ground with a small thump, then wailed, scrambling to its feet and immediately running for a corner. It cowered against the bars, spikes on its back raised threateningly, and bared its teeth as a squeaky growl came from its throat.

Then it froze, nostrils twitching.

It raised its nose in the air, and suddenly looked straight at Warriors, eyes wide.

Then it made a beeline for him, chirping in distress as it clawed its way up his leg. Warriors jumped and nearly kicked it away, but something stopped him, something that told him the tiny dragon wasn’t a threat. Sure enough it didn’t try to bite him, and quickly latched itself onto his shirt, body trembling. Warriors carefully touched its head, and it butted cautiously against him.

“Well then, looks like you might have been telling the truth after all,” the woman hummed in interest, tapping her chin as the dragon clung to Warriors’ shirt. “I need someone who it’ll listen to, I haven’t made any progress getting the thing to behave. But if you’re dragon like it is, then you should have no problem.”

“He,” Warriors said quietly, running a careful hand over the tiny scales. The dragon nuzzled into his hand. “It’s a he.”

“Good to know. Start training it,” she said, and put a hand on the whip at her belt. “Or else this will be unpleasant for all of us.”

“Are you kidding? Look how small he is, he’s only a hatchling. You can’t train a baby,” Legend snapped from his tank, and the woman gave him a look.

“I’ll do whatever the public wants to see. Now come along honey, you have tricks to learn.”

The burly people she’d brought with her unlocked the top of Legend’s cage, then dragged him out despite his best efforts, tossing him onto the floor. Legend grimaced as his tail turned to legs yet again, and before he could recover he’d been grabbed and was quickly dragged away.

“Hey!” Warriors shouted when one of them kicked Legend, and the veteran struggled viciously. “Get your hands off—!”

The door was slammed, cutting off the sound of Legend’s struggling. Warriors was plunged into darkness once again.

He let out a tense breath, and looked down, the dragon still shaking against his chest. He was trying to work his way under Warriors’ scarf at the moment, and Warriors lifted a fold out of the way so he could slide in.

The shaking eased a little finally, and Warriors studied the tiny dragon in quiet curiosity. It was less like dragons he’d seen in his world and more like Wild’s, a long body, small legs, no visible wings. Two tiny horns poked from his head, and his eyes were bright with a pure green that reminded Warriors of Faron woods.

He’d never seen a dragon that wasn’t full-grown before, and Warriors looked at every detail in quiet fascination. He grew more worried the longer he studied the creature though, noting how thin he was, his scales lacking some sparkle.

Warriors may never have seen a baby dragon before, but he knew what a healthy dragon should look like.

And this wasn’t it.

“Ma,” the dragon chirped again, breaking him from his thoughts. He whimpered as he hid in Warriors scarf, claws scratching him a little. “Ma.”

A little wail came from the dragon, and Warriors felt that sharp feeling in his chest again, a frantic urge to fix the problem, get rid of the threat, stop the crying.

“Hey, hey it’s okay,” he tried, wishing he could purr on command as the hatchling cried. Unfortunately that particular quirk only seemed to happen without his permission. “We’ll find your mom and get you out of here. Calm down.”

He scratched a careful hand over the dragon’s head, and his wails quieted a bit. He looked at Warriors with his bright eyes, and tilted his head.

“Ma?” he asked, and Warriors nodded.

“Exactly, we’ll get you back to your mom,” he assured, all while he was wondering how exactly he was going to do that.

The dragon made a small chirp, and nestled himself up next to Warriors’ neck, still shaking just a little. Warriors kept scratching near the base of his horns, and the dragon gradually relaxed, tiny claws flexing.

Warriors glanced at the empty tank beside them, worry clenching at his chest. He didn’t know what Legend was dealing with, but he hoped it wouldn’t be too bad.

Right. Like our luck is ever that good.

The dragon let out a sound Warriors thought was a sniffle, and he petted him again, letting him nuzzle deeper into his scarf. At least the little guy wasn’t attacking him. Can he tell I’m half dragon? Is that enough to label me not a threat?

...Or is it just a Hero thing?

Warriors sighed, and attempted to get in a more comfortable position as the dragon chirped again. It didn’t really matter much.

What really mattered was figuring out how they were going to get out of this.

(...)

Hours passed, Warriors attempting to talk to the dragon, and not getting very far. He gave up eventually, and tried to think of some semblance of a plan while he waited for Legend to come back.

But Legend was gone for a long time. Long enough that both Warriors and the dragon were asleep when the door finally reopened.

They both startled, and the dragon chirped in alarm as moonlight spilled into the room, tiny scales sticking up as he scurried under Warriors’ scarf. Warriors quickly sat up as the same two burly men came in, and sucked in a breath as Legend was dragged in behind them.

He wasn’t moving.

Legend was lifted up and tossed back in the tank without a word, and Warriors clenched the bars as he saw him jerk, blood floating through the water. A brief cry came from him as his legs merged back into a tail, and he went limp as it finished, breathing heavily.

“Legend?” Warriors asked frantically as the men left, leaving them in darkness again, “hey, Legend, talk to me. What did they do?”

Legend didn’t reply for a few long moments, floating silently except for his pained breathing. More blood wafted through the water, and Warriors caught a glimpse of red lines cut into his back.

“Oh Legend, did they whip you?” He whispered, and Legend finally opened his eyes, blinking slowly.

“Mm... yeah,” he mumbled, letting himself drift down to the bottom of the tank. He breathed out tiredly. “Kept talking back, refused to do what they wanted. Lady didn’t like it. Actually got loose once, gave her a black eye. Really didn’t like that.”

He chuckled, then grimaced, wrapping his arms around himself.

“Legend, why didn’t you just play along?” Warriors asked in dismay, and Legend huffed.

“Tried to at first. Didn’t work,” Legend grumbled, then hissed as he shifted around a little.

Warriors watched in alarm as a little more blood wafted into the water, and Legend grimaced as he tried to get himself into a comfortable position.

“‘M alright Wars,” Legend sighed when he fell still, his eyes closing again. “It’s not that bad. Won’t let ‘em win.”

“I know,” Warriors said quietly.

The dragon still in Warriors’ scarf finally poked his head out, and crept along Warriors’ arm, nose twitching as he stared at Legend. Legend opened his eyes again, and the two of them watched each other in silence.

“Made a friend?” Legend rasped, and Warriors hummed, reaching a few fingers through the bars to just barely brush Legend’s tank.

“Yeah. He mostly initiated it though. Poor little thing is terrified,” he replied, watching the dragon settle down on his arm. “And before you ask, I can understand him a little, but not everything.” Warriors had gotten as far as getting him to say something vaguely like his name, but that was really it.

“Any idea how he got here?” Legend asked, and Warriors shrugged, the dragon still watching Legend with his bright green eyes.

“He can’t talk that much. Probably the same way we did, more or less. But... I’m thinking he might actually help get us out of here, if I can figure out everything he can do,” Warriors said with a small smile. Legend hummed, and shakily moved forward a bit, resting his head against the side of the tank around where Warriors’ fingers brushed.

“I’ll let... you plan, then,” Legend murmured, and closed his eyes again.

“And you rest. Sounds good,” Warriors replied softly.

Legend didn’t say anything else, and Warriors kept his fingers on the glass until his breathing evened out, and he knew the younger hero was asleep. He drew back with a sigh, leaning his back against the bars again, and the little dragon moved to his lap, still watching Legend.

“You hear that little guy?” Warriors said softly, running a hand over his head. “I’m going to think of a plan to get us all out of here.”

“Ink,” the dragon chirped in agreement, nestling up to his shirt.

Warriors sighed again as the little dragon closed his eyes, and while the more scaly prisoners slept, Warriors thought and planned, all to the sound of tiny snores and raspy breathing.

[galebrainrot2024]

GalexTav Enemies to Lovers Part 30

Summary: A little bit of dialogue to get us back in the swing of things, maybe Gale's opportunity to set things right. We're back, baby. I will likely skip over big action scenes and such since many people have likely played the game. I may include some if it feels relevant to the story. TBD. My goal is to follow these two until the end.

Part 29 | Big List of Fics | A03

Gale’s mouth was drier than the Sands of Itzcala and his palms were coated in a slick sheen of sweat. They were approaching a burly looking creature as Karlach and Wyll had caught up to them, the strange noises that echoed through the tower unsettling. 

“You alright?” Karlach frowned, hitting Gale lightly on his shoulder. He nodded although it was far from the truth, offering a fake grimace of pain. She rolled her eyes. “Come off it, I barely touched you.” 

Moments earlier when they ascended to speak with Disciple Z’rell, Tav distracted her mental prodding with lustful images of Gale. She filled her mind with scenes of their bodies entangled, echoed sinful gasps for air within the corners of her imagination as she envisioned their indulgence of one another. Gale’s face was hot, and sweat pooled at the back of his neck. The bulge within his robes had not quite deflated. His ears were hot and he ignored the murmurs of Shadowheart and Astarion and their pointed looks. It felt like he was underwater. 

He wondered whether or not the images highlighted her true desires or if they were merely a strategic move to detract from their (in Gale’s opinion) obvious infiltration. She could have thought of anything, though, and her immediate reaction was to think of him. Z’rell’s distaste for Tav’s choice in sexual partners barely registered for him to be offended. 

“Gale, I didn’t know you had it in you,” Astarion cooed, nudging him in the side. “It almost makes me want to take a bite out of you myself.” He bared his fangs slightly and licked his lips and Gale rolled his eyes, stepping away. 

“You wish - I’ll have you know, my blood tastes awful.” Gale’s lips twitched in a smirk.  

The downside to the tadpoles influence included thought-sharing so both were privy to Tav’s unholy thoughts - it wasn’t often they encroached on one another’s private musings, however in the seat of the absolute with Z’rell’s modeling it was if their thoughts were one. Once dismissed, their minds grew quiet once more. Tav stalked ahead of them and Gale was too nervous to utter a sound. 

“So,” Shadowheart said cooly, inspired by Astarion’s bravery, “You and Tav must know each other more… intimately than I thought.” 

Heat flicked up his neck. “Gods, no,” Gale said, dropping his head and ignored her eyes widening. If only. 

“Oh. Her imagination could have fooled me. A shame, I was hopeful that your tongue was really that practiced..” Shadowheart tapped her fingers against his shoulder, grinning. 

Gale rose a brow skeptically and cocked his head. “Are you flirting with me?” 

Shadowheart’s cheeks flushed and she shrugged, “Merely curious about your portfolio of talents.” 

“Hm, aren’t you just,” Astarion said, running his fingers up Shaodwheart’s back. “I admit, I am too.” 

Karlach snorted and shook her head, “Easy. Let Gale dig himself out of the ditch with Tav before either of you try a thing. Don’t put my hard work to waste.”  

Gale turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “What work?” 

But before Karlach could answer, the bugbear they were approaching spoke. “Well. Flo didn’t tell a lie. She said you’d find me, and here you are. Karlach, isn’t it?” 

Karlach bristled and Tav turned to them, watching as the four approached. Her eyes darted back and forth between Gale and Karlach, each time she caught his gaze she’d look away abruptly. Gale knew that look, he had seen her throw it his way thousands of times. But, he knew better than to hope. 

“Now there’s a name I’d hoped never to hear again.” Karlach said, sighing and straightening her shoulders. “What was Flo doing here?” 

“Didn’t think to quiz her about her business.” The bugbear said, shrugging. He snorted and pulled out a handful of Soul Coins. “Told me to hold onto these in case I ran into you,” he jostled them in his hand. 

“Hm,” Karlach mused, “I should have known better. What does she want, then?” 

“Nothing, just told me if you wanted them you’d have to hear the stories of each one.” 

“Classic,” Karlach shook her head, and looked to Tav. “Well?” 

“Do we need them?” Tav asked skeptically, but the look on Karlach’s face edged her forward. “Alright, let’s have the coins.” 

Gale hissed through his teeth, “Karlach, we haven’t needed them yet -“ the icy stare she shot back at him was foreign so his lips sealed instantly. 

When the merchant was done with each sordid tale, he handed Karlach the coins and they turned away, lingering in the grand hall. 

“Who’s Flo?” Tav asked. 

“Florenta the Garrotter. A cambion I knew back in Avernus. The closest I had to a friend,” the weariness in her tone was unmistakable and Gale laid a hand on her shoulder. “That said, she would’ve choked the life out of me if I ever turned my back on her. The fact she knows where I am or might be going doesn’t delight me.” 

“Do we need to worry about her?” Tav said, folding her arms across her chest. 

“You’re safe with us,” Gale said reassuringly, ignoring Tav’s question. Though he had never gone toe to toe with a campion before, surely it couldn’t be more difficult than what they’d faced thus far. 

“I doubt she’ll come looking, her precious feet are too delicate for the material plane.” She snorted and leaned into Gale’s touch. “Thank you, though.” She put her hand over Gale’s for a moment before moving it from her shoulder. “I’m grateful to have friends, real friends now who care whether or not I burn alive.” 

Wyll came up behind them, shaking his head woefully. “In my years as the Blade, I’ve witness countless cruelties, faced unimaginable evil…. Thorm is made of pure hate - the coast will rejoice when the bastard’s fallen. I know my father is somewhere in this tower and I won’t leave him in Thorm’s hands. I’ve scouted the premises, there’s a dock at the back - my guess is that it leads to the prisons, we may find both the Tiefling hostages and my father in one fell swoop. And, whether or not you care to help her, Minthara was likely dragged there as well.”

Tav dusted off her hands and took a sip from her canteen. A drop of water lingered on the edge of her lip. Gale’s fingers twitched, as if they had a mind of their own to brush it away. He clenched a fist and she rubbed her thumb against the corner of her mouth, clearing the water. “Seems like we have our work cut out for us.” 

They stood in a tight circle, Tav’s robes brushing against Gale. He felt the electricity move between them, the buzzing of their cells eager to know one another. He shook his head. Focus. 

Gale felt the knot in his stomach tighten - if they were truly at the heart of the absolute, it was only a matter of time until he would need to use the orb. He could see no other way. Defying his already miffed Goddess did not seem like a viable choice - the notion of being trapped until the end of time in a wall of faceless, being crushed and assaulted at the forefronts of the blood war… no. Gale couldn’t bear it. 

Astarion pursed his lips. “If we’re going to talk, shouldn’t we do it less conspicuously? I love a little drama - but I would like to walk out of here alive. Talking about our plans at the heart of the source we are trying to usurp is foolish, don’t you agree?” 

Shadowheart nodded curtly, “Astarion’s right. Last Light is less than a quarter days walk - we should head there, make camp.” 

“Tease out a plan,” Wyll offered, his excitement for justice palpable. 

Gale interrupted, rubbing his chin “While we’re here, shouldn’t we at the very least inspect Balthzar’s chamber? We may find something of use.” 

“We should,” Tav said, nodding once. “Alright - Gale, you and I can explore the chamber, Karlach and Wyll can you both chat with the folks lingering around? They may know something. See if there’s anything worth battering around here. Astarion, Shadowheart - why don’t you start headed back to last light, gather whatever supplies we need? It may be the last time we set up camp there for the foreseeable future.” 

Astarion gave a mocking salute, “Yes, captain.” 

Gale’s throat constricted. His eyes flicked to Karlach who seemed to try to communicate this was his chance to set things right. He felt his heart thrumming against his chest and waited a moment before turning his gaze to hers. “Gale,” Tav looked up, her eyes locking with his. “Shall we?” 

[neteyamslovrr]

29, fluff with Tsu’tey??

GIFT OF SONG

i love my tsu'tey <33 it was nice to write smthn abt him that wasn't complete angst LOL, hope you enjoy bby

You were told that being blessed with the gift of song was a true blessing from Eywa. To sing like harmonies themselves were created within you, it was truly a gift.

Your weakness however was your inability to show it off to anyone. You were reserved, tending to opt for silent foraging rather than large hunts. Or quiet fishing with your bow rather than communal festivities.

Some looked at you poorly for this choice in your activities. But it wasn’t as if you didn’t want to be around your people, you simply enjoyed the solitude of yourself more.

Though recently, the fierce, proud, and strong warrior Tsu’tey was confused but your odd behaviours. As children he never took notice of you, and that habit expanded into his adolescence. But as he grew older he started to take note of the women in the clan. Well, the prettier women.

You were beauty itself to Tsu’tey, truly a blessing to the eyes and to his home. So he was naturally curious to see what you spent your days doing rather than spending it with the clan.

So he followed you down to the river, hoping to spark a conversation with you, get to know you more. You were sat on your knees, picking herbs off the ground into a weathered basket, that had obviously been used many times. He must make you a new one he thought.

He was caught up in his own fantasies as he stared at you, trying to think of all possible scenarios that would occur if he were to approach you. He was obsessing with the thought that you would immediately take interest in him as well. Eywa, he prayed you took interest.

It wasn’t until a divine sound resounded within his now perked up ears. Focusing he realised that the sound was coming from you. Singing as if you were the creator of the first songs. You were magical to listen to.

Tsu’tey wishes he kept his usual composure up for longer, so he could listen to your harmonious voice just a tad longer. He cursed himself for being so impulsive with his actions, it was out of character for him.

“I did not know you could sing Y/N” You let out a loud gasp. Grasping onto your chest in shock, staring wide eyed up at the man towering above you.

Was the Tsu’tey talking to you? Y’know the tall, strong, lean, handsome, fierce warrior that protects your clan day and night. And he caught you singing. You might die of embarrassment. Right here, crumble into the floor and become one with the soil.

“That was purposeful.” You spoke back to him, turning away from his merciless stare, cheeks burning up as he shuffled to get a better view of your face.

“You sing well.” He said it so nonchalantly it made your heart burst, stomach churning as you tried to calm down your nerves.

“Thankyou Tsu’tey.” You were collecting your stuff now, ready to escape this interaction with such an attractive man.

“Why have I never heard you sing before?” You halted in your spot, grip on the basket in your hand tight as you tried desperately to conjure a response that didn’t make you look incredibly odd to the curious warrior in front of you.

“I am not one for performing.” It was easier then explaining your dread of interaction just like this one.

“Hiding such a gift is cruel. You have been truly blessed by the great mother.” Tsu’tey was spilling his thought as if he was the pouring rain, flooding you with compliments. Something about you made his tough composure, you melted it away.

“Thankyou again, but I don’t believe my gift is for the public eye.”

“Can it be for the private eye?” Your eyes widened, shocked at his confidence. To ask such a question. It wasn’t taboo but it was showing a sense of attraction. Was the man you were insanely attracted to feeling the same?

“What do you mean?” An innocent question. Totally not one that lingers for an answer towards courtship, towards the acts of wanting another clan member.

“I’d love to hear your voice again. May I take you on a flight, show you the spots of the forest that have enticed me. Like your voice has. Like you have.” Tsu’tey was courageous, he was charming and his charms did not faulter. Your cheeks were a dark purple, skin hot as your stomach whirled.

“Yes you may.”

[screamingatanemptyroom]

Please Fix the Story pt 29- The Higher Realm

Next part. A little shorter, but I think part 30 or 31 may be the end of the official story, not counting any side parts. Wish me luck!

Masterpost linked here

_____________________

“Adonis is here.”

As I processed his words, I watched the glowing words: “Soul transfer 59% complete.“ fade away. Once they disappeared, I felt a surge in the strange dark power with me. I looked down at my hands, seeing a barely visible power coiling around them.

Finally, I broke past 49%! And I can sense this power better than before. It’s definitely growing, whatever it is... even if I can't use it still. Hopefully this become something useful!

“Bel? Are you okay?” Liam’s questions broke me from my thoughts, and I looked back at him, the brief flash of dark power fading back into nothingness.

“I’m okay. So Adonis is here? Already?” At the grim news, I rubbed my hands together in excitement. “FINALLY! It’s time to unleash my super secret trap!”

“Your trap?” Liam rubbed his shoulder, likely still feeling the pain from his gunshot wound from the lower realm. “Is this what you’ve been sneaking off lately to set up?”

“Yep!” I grabbed Liam’s hand and pulled him over to a carefully marked cleared area just far enough away from the cave to protect it. It may not be much, but it’s Liam’s home… my home. I’d rather Adonis stay far, far away from it.   

Liam was staring down at our clasped hands with an absentminded smile, and didn’t seem to pay attention to our direction. Looking around once we stopped, he was clearly confused. “Why are we stopping here?”

“This is where we want him to find us.” I said with a confident grin.

At my words, Liam gripped my hand tightly, as if afraid that I would be taken away. His anxiety was almost palpable.

I tried to reassure him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Nothing good can ever stay here, Bel.” His eyes were filled with a sadness close to despair. “No matter how much I’ve tried to prevent it, everything here eventually withers and dies.”

“So do you want me to go back with Fart Sniffer McGee?”

He let out an involuntary snort at the silly, insulting name. “No I didn’t say that! I just…”

“Well, perhaps you should…”

A new voice spoke out as Adonis walked out from between the trees, standing in the small clearing in front of us. Seeing me, he smiled, a cocky expression. “Hello, Bel! Looks like your tamed monster recognizes reality better than you. Isn’t it time you admit it too?”

“There’s only one monster here," I said with a polite, distant smile. " And it’s not Liam.”

Adonis frowned. “Don’t deflect, Bel. The truth remains.”

“Truth?”

“What this villain said is correct: Nothing good can survive here. You don’t… you can’t belong here… you belong in the Higher Real. Even this beast knows it. You belong with me!”

“So you knew we were talking about you?” I turned to Liam, chuckling, “Look at him, so readily accepting of the new name Fart Sniffer McGee.”

“Very self-aware.” Liam nodded solemnly.

“Personal growth.” We both applauded politely.

He didn't seem amused at our antics. “SHUT UP!”

“Ooh, I don’t think he likes it.”

Liam shrugged. “We can think of others.”

“Ooh! A new one every day!” We threw out a few, each one more childish and ridiculous than the last. Once we reached “Captain Bum Nugget” however, Adonis finally snapped.

“I SAID SHUT UP!” He took a step forward with a threatening gesture, and I let out a shout of victory.

“FINALLY, YOU HIT THE MARK!” I quickly pulled a rope on the ground, and a net holding a load of large smelly... material... fell. Adonis was quickly covered head to toe, and was knocked to the ground by the weight of the net and its contents.

“…”

“…”

There was stunned silence, but it was quickly broken by my laughter. “That’s what you get! Did you really think you could waltz right into OUR realm without consequences?! Enjoy being smelly!”

I looked over at Liam, expecting him to agree with me… but instead he was staring at the… material… coating Adonis with a horrified expression. He then sat down on a nearby stump and slowly put his head in his hands.

“Bel…” He sighed as he spoke. “Do you know what that is?”

“It’s feces!” I answered cheerfully. “I assume from some sort of large beast, although I’ve never seen anything in this realm big enough to make poop like this! It took forever to collect it and set up this trap.” I thought for a moment. “It’s strange though, this has weird flecks in it, almost like tiny jewels… such an odd thing. Do you know which animal…?” I trailed off as I saw Liam’s shoulders shaking. Is he crying?

Liam finally lifted his head, laughing uncontrollably, his face bright red. After a long moment, he finally said “Bel, it’s very creative revenge, but… next time, why don’t we work together to plan it, okay?”  His tone seemed resigned.

“…Sure.” I hadn’t expected such a big reaction from him, but quickly agreed.

Adonis finally recovered from his shock.  “Bel, it’s time to go home.” His voice was low and intense, but the intimidation factor was incredibly dialed down by his feces-covered appearance.

“I AM home, Adonis.” I grabbed Liam’s hand again. “I’m staying here with Liam. In fact… we’ve just agreed to get married!”

Adonis lunged forward, but we took a huge step back, avoiding him.

“Cut the crap, Bel!”

“Ooh… poor choice of words!” I tried to high five Liam, who hesitated for a long moment, and then finally gave me one with another sigh.

Adonis was undisturbed. “Joke all you like. You can’t change reality with quips and funny words.” His face was distorted by a snarl. “I don’t know how you’re still alive, but even if you’ve found a temporary measure, it won’t last forever. You are a heroine. THE heroine. Your very nature rejects and is rejected by this realm. The longer you stay, the weaker you become. Even if you force yourself to remain here, then the realm itself will begin to destabilize and fade.”

His words struck like a blow. “You’re lying.” I whispered, wishing I believed my own words.

Adonis chuckled grimly. “I don’t lie, Bel. You and I don’t agree at all on a lot of things, but you know me well enough to know I don’t lie.”

“That doesn’t mean you tell all of the truth.” Liam finally spoke up, glaring.

Adonis didn’t back down. “Shut up, Monster.”

“Stop calling him that!”

“Silly, innocent, Bel.” Adonis laughed at my outburst. “What do you think Liam is?”

“Shut up.” I didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“I already told you: I don’t lie. I call Liam a monster because that’s exactly what he is.” He grinned. “ A literal monster. Don’t believe me? Just ask him.”

I felt Liam shaking beside me and gripped his hand tighter. I knew Liam wasn’t human, but I don’t want to learn the truth from Adonis. Which means I have one option left:

“Yeah, I know.” I rolled my eyes, and stated nonchalantly. “Liam told me a while ago.”

Bluffing.

Adonis was taken aback by my confidence, but soon his eyes narrowed, studying me. “You don’t know. He wouldn’t tell you!”

“Think what you want.” I shrugged. “But I’ve been here a while… since you kidnapped me and dumped me here, by the way… and it would be impossible for Liam to hide his true self for this long.”

“You…”

“I know everything.” I lied, knowing almost nothing. “And I don’t care. I’m staying with him anyways.”

Adonis was silent for a long moment, looking at us both, his gaze dropped, focusing on our clasped hands.

“FINE.” He turned around, and I tried not to chuckle as he trailed poop on the ground.

But his next words stilled any desire to laugh.

“This place will either kill you or destroy itself. The end will come sooner than you expect. If you don’t care about all the countless lower realms and all their innocent inhabits out there that you are condemning to destruction by staying here, then at least care about your own well being, or your friend’s, as he needs this place to stay alive.  If it fades... well, you know. I’ll come back to collect you once you’ve come to your senses.” He shook his head, and I felt a growing sense of dread. “Give up, Bel. You must accept your fate.”

He was gone, and Liam and I were left alone.

I let go of Liam’s hand, stepping away, and he reached out as if to catch me, his hand pausing mid-motion, his face pale.

His terrified eyes met mine. “Bel… I can explain.” Liam’s voice was hoarse, his eyes red, his hand still in the air, shaking. “Please… I’ll tell you everything. Just… just don’t hate me, please…not you too.”

My heart broke at his pain. I reached out, grabbed his outstretched hand and pulled him closer, hugging him tightly. “I don’t hate you.” I could feel his entire body trembling. “Not even a little.”

He stepped backwards, a small nervous smile on his face. “You say that now but… You don’t know my secret yet.”

“No matter WHAT you are, Liam. You are you. And that’s all that matters.” I held a finger against his lips as he started to speak again. “That being said. Why don’t you tell me in the morning? You and I are both tired, and I don’t really feel like hearing your biggest secret after Adonis the Poop King threatened us. Tell me in the morning, IF you really want me to know."

Liam’s smile grew, his whole expression lighter. “The morning then, I’ll tell you for sure.”

We separated to get some sleep.

_____________________

Fragments of worlds flashed through my dreams, one after the next, so quickly I couldn’t grasp what was happening. The few scenes it lingered on made me wish it hadn’t.

…

He was on the ground, bleeding from a gunshot wound. The growls of zombies could be heard in the distance. My eyes were blurred with tears.

All I could see was blood, too much blood.

“Liam.” His name escaped my lips.

“Sorry, I have to go first.”

More blood.

“Next time, let’s get married? “

…

Before I could respond I was in a new world, facing him once more. He was larger, more muscular, but too pale. Laying on a bed. Two small puncture wounds were visible on his neck.

“Liam… wake up.”

My hand, shaking, tried to check a pulse, hoping, praying to find it.

There was only the stillness of death.

…

World after world, flipping through too fast to remember. Finally, it stilled once more.

“Why do you always die, Liam?” I was crying once more.

He laughed a sad sound, but I couldn’t see him. His voice was above me. “That’s the fate of a villain, Bel. That’s the fate of a monster. I was never meant to be happy. I was only ever meant to be sacrificed for others’ happiness.” He faded away to nothing, and I was alone in the dark.

“Liam.”

*** YOU MUST ACCEPT YOUR FATE***

The blue words hung there, threateningly, and I backed away. The words followed, leaving me unable to run away even if I wanted to.

_____________________

“LIAM!”

I woke up in a cold sweat, struggling to sense what was real and what wasn’t. Breathing deeply, I pushed myself up, getting out of the bed, moving towards the center of our cave.

I wanted to find Liam.

I searched all the rooms, however, and he wasn’t there.

Panicking a bit, I walked out of the cave.

Thud.

Something small and white fell from the sky and landed at my feet. I looked closer. It appeared to be a white dove. Its neck broken. Blood pooled underneath it, almost staining my feet.

“What…?” Where did the dove come from, how had it survived in this realm? Why did it die?

As I watched on in horror, the blood moved and formed into words:

YOU MUST ACCEPT YOUR FATE,

I ran away. I was no longer sure if I was still trapped within the dream or if reality itself had gone insane. Nothing else mattered but my goal:

I needed to see Liam.

“Liam!” I called out again, seeing some traces along the ground and following the trail. I could hear movement up ahead, and Liam’s voice, talking seemingly to himself. The voice was familiar and not at the same time, spoken with a deep harsh tone.

“Okay, I just have to be calm, Bel said she doesn’t care what I am…. NO!… this is stupid, I should run away… but I can’t run away, that would mean leaving Bel behind… Maybe, I could take her with me? … YEAH! ... But wait... that defeats the purpose of running away to keep her from finding out what I am!”

I heard a loud growl and a thud. The sounds didn’t seem human. I slowed down, getting a glimpse of an enormous dark something beyond the trees in a large clearing ahead as his voice continued.

“Okay, just tell her the truth, and explain all the benefits… free heating source... free rides flying in the sky… umm… something else…  Come on, Liam! Think, think!”  

More crashes sounded out, and I hesitated to move into the clearing. What will I find?

I thought of my dream, of Liam in many forms dying in front of me. I thought of the bloody message scrawled out in front of the cave. I can’t back away now.

“Liam!” I called out, trying to keep my voice from trembling. “I’m here! Can I come into the clearing?”

I didn’t want to force him, especially hearing his anxious rants.

Liam let out a shriek, the sound mixed with a strange inhuman growl. “BEL?! Umm… so...you want to come into the clearing… I’m a little indisposed at the moment…”

“Liam.” My voice was soft now, but in the dead silence of the forest, I knew he could hear me. “I want to see you. I won’t run away.”

“…” The silence dragged on and on. Just as I was about to give up and walk away…

“You can come.” He sounded scared, resigned, but at the same time, determined.

“Are you sure…?”

“I’m sure.”

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Immediately I looked up, tilting my head back all the way upwards just to see his face. He was large, not quite as large as the ancient beast from previous the lower realm. If then he had been the size of a mountain, now he was the size of a three story house.

He was darker than the night sky above him, with shining scales interlocking in a tight armor.

Spikes rose up in a long row, bristling, protecting his back.

Large wings, with stretched leathery skin flapped nervously behind him.

A long winding  neck, leading upward.

Teeth, enormous and deadly, protruded from an elongated scaly jaw.

And looking straight at me, unblinking, were his eyes, the vertical slit pupil set within a wonderful, familiar dark blue. The face seemed unsuited for showing emotion, yet I could see everything he felt within the depths of his eyes.

Nervousness.

Excitement.

Caring.

It WAS Liam.

Liam was a dragon.

I hesitated for a moment, and in that silence, I saw the fear bloom brightly within his eyes. His head tucked in, hiding underneath his wings.

“Liam… you’re a dragon?” I phrased it as a question, but he could be nothing else. “Wow, that’s really cool!”

"Really?" Slowly, his eyes peeked out from his wings.  “You’re not just saying that?” It felt strange to hear Liam’s voice coming from this form, but it was the familiar sound that reassured me as well.

“Nope! I think you look very strong and awesome!” I reached out a hand and moved forward, Liam stuck out his head close, allowing me to touch the side of his face. The black shiny scales seemed softer to the touch than I had expected, the surface cool against my palm.

“You really don’t care? Even though I’m a monster?”

“I’d rather be in the company of a dragon like you than the kind of monster that Adonis is.” I shrugged. “I guess that says a lot about me.”

“Thank you, Bel.” His voice was filled with relief, and I couldn’t help but smile.  

I settled in, asking, “Have you always been a dragon? Or did you start out human?”

"Always." Liam crouched down, keeping his head low towards the ground so I didn’t have to bend my neck to see him. “This is what I am. I’ve been like this since I was old enough to remember anything.”

“Were you always here, in this realm?”

Liam let out an angry growl. “No. I came from a different realm. One where dragons and humans existed together. I was young… very young, when I was taken away. Dragons tend to be solitary creatures, but typically they protect their young until they reach adulthood.” He sighed. “My parents, however, died right after my birth, killed in a large battle with humans. After that, I was being raised by my grandfather. He was amazing! He taught me what it meant to be a dragon.”

“Your grandfather raised you?” Is he…” I trailed off, unable to finish the question.

“Dead.” Liam’s voice was flat. "The System came to collect me. My grandfather tried to stop it… he was destroyed, along with my entire realm.” Two golden tears dropped from the dragon’s eyes. “I couldn’t save him, I couldn’t save anyone.”

“The System?”

“I don’t know what it is. It appeared as bright blue words written across the sky when I saw it. It’s what makes the portals… what creates the missions we see in the lower realms. It controls seemingly everything but at the same time seems to be interested in nothing. I don’t know if it’s a god or the devil or something else entirely… but I watched its power as it destroyed my realm.”

Bright blue words? Shuddering, I thought of the counter that only I could see. Is that the system too? I reached out, trying to hug the enormous dragon head. “I’m sorry Liam.”

“It told me I was born to be the ultimate villain, and that all others would derive their fate from me.” He sighed. “It said that the classic story was that of a hero, a princess, and the monster that kidnaps the princess. My fate was to separate them, and then be destroyed to allow for a happy ending.” He looked down at me. “Then I woke up here, alone except the occasional creature that tries to survive… they never do, not for long. This world slowly destroys them. Of course, most nights, portals would open up and drag me in.”

“Liam…”

“You saw my mission last time. They’re all like that. Lose everything, get severely injured… die. Every single one of them. The story of the lower realms can’t be complete unless there is a satisfyingly bad end to the villain.”

“Did you always follow the mission?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Not at first. Especially when I was still very young, I struggled against it, tried to avoid it. I would run and hide and stay away. But then the lower realm would be destroyed, I would wake up here and the next world would open up shortly. Finally, I started to complete the mission as quickly as possible, so I could just go back home, and no one else would get hurt.”

I wished I couldn’t imagine it, but I could. I had been to countless lower realms with Adonis. How many of them had Liam been there, dying, getting hurt, just so that he could stop suffering and come back here? How many times has he chosen to die painfully, rather than let a lower realm be destroyed? I remembered him drinking the poison when we first met, his nonchalant expression at his upcoming demise.

“Bel, don’t cry.”

“I’m not…” My voice paused, as I reached up and felt tears running down my face. “I…”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“It’s NOT okay!”

“It’s my fate.”

“SCREW FATE!”

*** Soul transfer 73% complete. ***

I ignored the words, feeling slightly sick sight of the glowing blue letters. If this is the system, this… thing… kidnapped Liam and forced him into this never-ending hell. I can’t trust anything it says.

Liam laughed, his eyes happy. “Yeah, screw fate.”

I touched his face again. “I will protect you. I won’t let fate, or the System, or even Adonis win. We’ll find a way for me to stay here, and then find a way to avoid our fates AND save the lower realms.”

“…”

“What you don’t believe me?”

He blinked. “You still want to stay here?”

“Yeah… aren’t we getting married? Typically married people stay in the same realm of existence.”

“YOU STILL WANT TO MARRY ME?”

“Of course! Didn't I already ask you in the last lower realm? Out of the two people I’ve met in the higher realms, you are definitely the best husband material.”

“I’m a dragon.”

“And the other choice is Adonis.”

“… Fair.” He chuckled. “I believe you, but promise me:  if we do anything to go against fate… let’s do it together.”

“Deal. Now let’s head back.”

“First, you’ll need blood.” He raised a claw, and bit it, dripping golden drops into a small bowl. He then was covered in a black smoke, and a much smaller, much more human Liam emerged and picked up the bowl, walking towards me with a smile. “Here you go.”

“….”

“Bel?”

“…”

“Umm….”

I finally forced out. “LIAM, YOU ARE NAKED!”

“Shoot!” He shoved the bowl into my hands and grabbed pants that had been neatly folded nearby, his face bright red. “Sorry, I forgot.” He paused and looked down at himself. “Everything I have should be normal for a human, right?”

“Liam… It’s fine… yes, you’re normal.” I coughed as he grinned with relief. “There’s nothing wrong, I just… was surprised.” I turned away and drank my bowl of blood, waiting until the sounds of changing had stopped to turn back towards him. He took the bowl and wiped it clean, and then held out his hand for mine.

As we held hands, he laughed again. “Sorry, I forgot you get shocked when I get naked suddenly.”

“This is the first time this has happened, though?”

He paused at my words, his eyes confused. “No… it’s happened before. You were an elf…” He shook his head, as if to clear it. “I can’t remember clearly.”

“Maybe you were flashing some other person?” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, I’m certain it was you.” Was his firm answer.

“Okay, sure… so, Liam?”

“Yes?”

“I have a very important question.”

“What’s that?”

“Was it YOUR poop that I dropped on top of Adonis?”

“…”

“…”

“Liam?”

“OH LOOK AT THE TIME! Let’s go home!” And with that, Liam dragged me out of the clearing and back to our cave, with me laughing the entire way.

_____________________

When we arrived, we came across the dead dove once more. Liam stopped in his tracks, staring down at it silently.

“Actually, this was part of why I was looking for you in the first place. It just flew down out of nowhere, and killed itself here.” I stared at the words written in coagulated blood. “Who would do this?”

“The System.” He spit the words out like a curse.

“Why doves… I thought it spoke in blue glowing letters?”

Liam was still staring down at the dove, and for a moment, I could see the dragon he was behind his human appearing eyes. “Doves have meaning.”

“Meaning?”

“Often a messenger of the divine, or for all-powerful beings… they are also seen as a symbol of peace. So to have one come from the heavens and kill itself, for the message to be written in blood….

“It’s a declaration of war.” I shuddered. “It wants to force us to accept our fate. Me to go back to the Higher Realm and play heroine with Adonis… you…”

“To suffer and die in an endless sacrifice for the happy ending.”

I squeezed his hand. “Neither is going to happen.”

He didn’t look away from the bloody message. “I hope you’re right.”

____________________

Days passed.

Adonis, unfortunately, had not lied. Over time, Liam’s blood became less and less effective. I stayed in bed for most of the day, only able to do brief outings into the forest before having to rest once more. Liam grew increasingly frantic, increasing the dose and would have tried to drain himself dry if I hadn’t stopped him.

But I wasn’t the only one affected.

The edges of the realm were starting to fade into darkness. It took a while for us to realize, but when we came up to the nothingness, the emptiness where forest had once been, I was forced to confront the truth: I was dying. The realm was dying. I couldn’t stay.

But Liam couldn’t leave, except for the lower realms.  

The portals became much less frequent, but I went with him each time. We tried to find ways to fix the worlds that completed both our missions, I tried my best to protect Liam from getting hurt.

We did not see Adonis again. He seemed to be biding his time.

Or he was so mad at Operation: Poop Trap that he is spending some time away from us. Either way, not too sad about it.

Finally, one day came. I couldn’t get out of bed at all. Liam stayed by my side, feeding me meat and mixed vegetables he had cooked. His cooking skills were fantastic now, but my failing body could barely appreciate it. I tried my best to eat, anyways, hoping not to worry him.

“Tell me what to do, Bel.” He whispered, feeding me another bite with a roughly carved spoon. “I don’t want to send you back there… but I can’t watch you die.”

“What if I would rather die than go back?” I asked. “Would you knock me out and send me anyways?”

Liam hung his head. “No. I won’t force you. I know better than most what its like to live with no choices. I can't send you into the same existence. If you choose to die...” His eyes filled with tears. “I’ll choose to go with you.”

“No…”

“That’s MY choice, Bel.”

I sighed. “Well, let’s try to avoid that ending then.” I started coughing, unable to take another bite. Liam out away the food with a solemn expression.

“Do you have a plan?”

“I’ve fixed countless broken stories. I always have a plan.” I tried to grin, but was too tired to maintain it for long. “I just need to make it to the next lower realm.”

I thought of the glowing blue counter I could see, and the dark power that even now hovered around my fingertips.

Hopefully this works. Everything depends on finding the right type of lower realm. I don’t have much time left, so I really hope the next one will have what I need. For both of our sakes.

After the discussion we fell silent, but stayed side by side, enjoying being together. A deeply uncertain future faced us, but at least one thing was true:

We were facing it together.

_____________________

That night, a new portal opened up. Liam, carrying me, stepped up to the red-rimmed glowing opening.

"Are you sure you want to come?" He asked in a worried tone.

"I'm sure. Once we're inside, I'll try to find you as soon as I can."

"Focus on being safe, first."

I smiled, resting a pale hand against his face. "I'll find a way for us to escape fate, Liam. I promise. The key to it is in this realm." It has to be.

His arms tightened around me. "As long as we're together."

"Together." I agreed.

He stepped into the portal quickly. As always, we were separated immediately after crossing the portal and fell into darkness.

I woke up, confused, looking all around me.

I was in water. Fish swam all around me, sunlight filtering through the waves and bouncing around them. Coral littered the ground, seaweed waving nearby, an intricate underwater garden. It was beautiful. A paradise.

And that’s when I realized I was breathing underwater.

Hmm… that’s not normal. I looked down at my arms. They seemed human enough, my hair coiling around my body. At least I’m not a fish or a sea monster. I thought, looking at the rest of me.

Then I saw my tail.

Ah crap.

I was a mermaid.

[emilybahu]

My Thoughts While Watching 8x01 of 9-1-1:

(Literally no one asked for this and it’s so late, but whatever… I had fun spending an hour and a half watching a 43 minute tv show episode to share my thoughts 🤷‍♀️)

1. Oh this poor man just bought his new plane then he gets caught in a beenado… what did he do to deserve that?

2. Oh crap oh crap! He about to crash!!

3. God damn Gerrard… I hate him with every fiber of my being😠

4. EDDIE I love you, I love you, I love you! But now that Gerrard said he likes the mustache it’s gotta go…

5. BUCK’S CRULS ARE FREE!!! Omg I just love him so much he’s so pretty!

6. Also, Gerrard 🙄🙄🙄

7. 3 MONTHS AGO! Not much of a time jump my ass! LIARS!

8. Who are you Gerrard? Donald Trump? Building a fence (wall)…

9. ATHENA! Hey queen! Oh wait, they making you transport the man who killed your fiancé… yikes 😬

10. He requested her!?

11. Buck… BUCK! What are you doing!? Get away from the ledge!

12. “Don’t jump!” “Why not?” 😀 Buck you know perfectly well why we don’t want you to jump, and it has nothing to do with the quote below.

13. “Gerrard would just make us clean you up off the sidewalk.” This line is hilarious and so not hilarious at the same time!

14. My poor baby boy! Buck come here let me give you a hug!

15. Chimney making fun of Eddie’s mustache 😂

16. Bobby the technical advisor 🤭

17. It’s so funny that there’s a show within the show!

18. Poor Bobby, like it is partially his fault that he’s not at the 118 right now, but you can tell he misses his team 🥺

19. Oh this kid, I love her already! And fair question Mom, what exactly does she mean by “hooking up”?

20. OH NO THE BEEEESSSS!!!

21. Yesss Buck and his fun facts! I love it!

22. Ugh 😑 Gerrard, that’s rude, our favs at the 118 are beautiful! You’re just salty because you’re old and ugly and no one likes you.

23. I’m sorry like half of this is gonna be me complaining about Gerrard… he’s so rude though! How dare he yell at Josh like that, for something he can’t control.

24. No, no, no! The bees got in!

25. No, no, nope! ABSOLUTELY NOT! The bees fucking went down the second driver’s throat!? I’d be outta there in a second!

26. Why did you smack the bee!? Aahhhhhh no!

27. Thank god the girl is okay! Oh damn, of course the mom gets stung too!

28. “Why do I taste honey?” SIR?!

29. Oh god no!

30. This poor kid, this has got to be so incredibly traumatic, she had to give her own mother an EpiPen.

31. God I’m sorry, I just love Buck so much! That little smile when the bee landed on his finger! ☺️

32. Good lord here I go again… what the hell Gerrard! Buck saved the patients and you’re reprimanding him!

33. “It’s a beenado” 🐝🌪️

34. Bobby and Athena house hunting! I love them!

35. Here goes Athena breaking my heart…💔

36. Eeeeeee! Family dinner! I love this so much!

37. Mara calls them Mom and Momma! It’s too cute! And Jee omg I can’t even with her! She’s precious!

38. Awwww Chimney bonding with Mara over Harry Potter! I love that for them!

39. Yes Denny, their boss is a jerk, you are very correct!

40. Eeeeeeee! Tommy! I didn’t think we’d see you in episode one!! Yay!!!

41. Literally I got so excited when I saw the cupcakes and the sign, I thought Chris might be coming back… oh how I was wrong.

42. Oh my boys! I love them so much! I NEED to see more of Buck, Eddie, and Tommy together!

43. I may or may not have actually screamed… Buck and Tommy flirting! They are so adorable together I can’t handle this!

44. Oh Eddie, bless his heart! So excited to talk to Chris and wish him a happy birthday. Meanwhile his son still can’t look at him, even though a computer screen. 😢

45. He made such an effort, just for the screen to freeze and for Chris to leave him hanging. You can see the man’s heart breaking behind his eyes. My heart broke too, but I understand the kid needing time.

46. But seriously seeing Eddie’s lip quiver like that when his mom mentions putting in a pool… PLEASE CHRIS COME BACK TO US! We can’t handle seeing your dad this heartbroken! 💔

47. This woman be here having a midlife crisis, making her own fragrance, only for the bees to crash her party.

48. “Tomorrow is going to be flawless” cue the giant swarm of killer bees just hanging out on top of the tent.

49. Oop her party is ruined…

50. Oh not Buck volunteering Eddie ass the bee bait! 😂

51. “But why me?” “Because you’re the fastest runner!” Stop it now I’m cackling! 🤣

52. The close up of Eddie’s face has me wheezing! 🤣🤣 Oooo he runnin’!!

53. Oh that close up bee cgi is sooo bad it’s hilarious! 🤣

54. Yeah sure, duct tape fixes everything, but why is it in the medical bag!?

55. “I’ve been shot before, I’m pretty sure I can handle this.” It’s funny because the beekeeper was talking to the bees not Eddie! 🤣 (sorry for the excessive use of the laughing emojis I can’t help it)

56. Come on man, Buck is like a little puppy, you gotta give him some praise!

57. And we have Buck with the episode title drop!

58. Noooo Athena! 😢 Come on let me give you a hug! 🫂 So much ✨Trauma✨

59. Ooo this is a fishy situation…but Athena knows what’s up.

60. NO ONE and I mean no one messes with Athena Grant! She knows her shit!

61. She straight up locked this man in a trunk of a car in the middle of the desert! My dude, what!?

62. “Get yourself back to LA in one piece.” Little did she know what was going to happen next…

63. Not the actor being star struck by Bobby, I love that!

64. “I’m gonna study you tip to tail” 🤣

65. Good god Gerrard you got everyone watching Buck like a hawk to make sure he doesn’t deck you.

66. Eddie walking behind Gerrard signing to Buck to cut it out… he tried to help

67. “Broody little pout” 🤣✨

68. Do WE need to remind YOU Gerrard who’s the TRUE captain of this firehouse… news flash it’s NOT YOU!

69. Eddie in the background, we all know he’s got Buck’s back

70. Eeww I just paused on the close up of Gerrard’s mouth… gross. Also, have I mentioned that I HATE this man.

71. Oh my good god! Buck’s eyes are fucking beautiful!

72. Woah, oh wow, that was crazy dude! I seriously can’t tell if Buck snapped and tackled him to the ground, or if he did it to save him.

73. OH CRAP! OF FUCKING COURSE ATHENA WAS ON THE PLANE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE EPISODE!

[snowdice]

Big Bang Editing Story [Day 124]

I started writing this fic while editing my Big Bang story years ago, but am going to continue doing it for other things now that Kill Dear is out. I will write and publish 100 words of the story every time I finish doing whatever task I’m doing. If you’d like to block these proceedings, please feel free to block the tag ‘proofread stories.’ I will reblog this post with the parts of the story I do today. Edited chapters are linked; everything else I’ve done so far is under the cut.

My Master Post Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48 Part 49 Part 50 Part 51 Part 52 Part 53 Part 54 Part 55

I have been sick as a dog since I last worked on this story. I'm not even doing any work today lol. I just want to get this chapter finished. Will probably do a couple rounds and then cook myself dinner, so there may be a gap at some point. Mostly I'll just be, like, reading when not posting. Wish me luck.

“Good day for a picnic,” Helen commented as she handed over the basket Thomas had requested from her a few days before. He was taking Logan, Patton, and Virgil to the cliffs today and it was perfect weather for it. Spring was truly here, which meant that those of Thomas’s duties that had laid dormant over the harsh winter were about to start up again.

The world had been on pause for a bit considering no armies or agents from any kingdom could get through the snow the last few months, but the concerns of last fall were showing their heads once again.

Thomas had just gotten word a day ago that the queen of Lamir had routed out a second assassin hiding in her ranks over the winter. The assassin had been sent shortly after it was made clear that the queen wouldn’t bow down after the assassination of her mother. Luckily, the assassin sent for Queen Cecil had not managed to complete her mission during the winter months.

While there had been no similar attempt on Prijaznia soil, Thomas couldn’t help but feel it was only a matter of time now that the snow had melted. They were already working on increasing security in the coming weeks and, though it was doubtful an assassin had managed to hide in the castle all winter without revealing themselves, they’d be closely scrutinizing all of the newer staff members.

It would be a stressful time in the coming months, which is why, despite everything Thomas needed to do, he was still going to take his son and his son’s friends on a picnic today. Logan had already started taking on royal duties as of late, but he still hadn’t taken them all on quite yet. Considering this was last summer before Logan was of age, they should at least try to take advantage of it where they could. Patton was a year younger, but the sentiment held for him as well.

Then there was Virgil. Despite their best efforts, they still didn’t know enough about Virgil, but Thomas was fairly sure he’d never had a summer to enjoy until now.

“Thanks for prepping lunch for us,” Thomas said to Helen with a smile.

“No problem,” she said waving them off. “I put in some of Virgil’s favorites.”

“Great,” Thomas said. “Do you know where the kids are?”

“Patton said they were going to go pet the cats, so I’d guess they’re in the gardens.”

Thomas thanked her again and told her to have a good day before exiting the kitchen. There was a nearby door that led straight towards the part of the gardens Patton and Logan had always favored. He figured they’d either still be around there, or they would have wandered towards the stables by now knowing that they’d be taking horses to the cliffs. So, he decided to simply walk the normal path from the door to the stable, hoping to find them.

His prediction ended up being hilariously correct. They were indeed on the path Thomas had chosen. It was clear they (or at least Logan) were attempting to make it to the stable. However, as was typical, a portion of the party had been waylaid by whimsy.

Logan was standing further down the path, arms crossed and frowning as he watched his friends. Patton and Virgil were surrounded by cats. Patton was sitting down, holding two of them in his lap and watching Virgil’s legs being swarmed by the rest of them, maybe two dozen in total.

Virgil looked confused, but not unhappy about the presence of so many cats. He was leaning down to try to pet them all.

Logan met Thomas’s eyes as he approached and waved a frustrated hand at the two of them. Logan couldn’t help but smile.

“Virgil fed one of them,” Logan complained as though he wanted Thomas to somehow go into the past and prevent this crime.

Patton and Virgil looked over at Thomas, noticing him when Logan addressed him.

“You’re going to make Princess Marisol jealous,” Thomas said. Logan frowned at Thomas as he used the ‘Princess’ label for the cat.

“Princess Marisol decided not to come,” Virgil said with a shrug. He continued to pet one of the cats.

“She’s probably sleeping on my pillow,” Logan said, sounding grumpy.

Thomas just chuckled. Princess Marisol was technically Logan’s cat, at least that’s what the kids said, and she did spend much of her time in the royal rooms. However, she was very clearly actually Virgil’s cat. Virgil just spent a lot of time in the royal wing as well.

In fact, Thomas still didn’t know where Virgil was supposed to be sleeping. He and Mr. Deknis had gone so far as to tail him a couple of times, but he always ended up sleeping in Logan’s room those nights.

Knowing Virgil, he might just sleep in the walls. Though that still did not answer the question of where his parents or guardians were. They still had not figured it out. Thomas would assume he was an orphan who’d snuck onto castle grounds for safety, but Virgil had told Mr. Deknis during their first meeting that he was supposed to be in the castle, and it had not been a lie.

Then again, it had slowly become apparent that Virgil was good at dodging the multrum’s powers. It was starting to seem more likely that he’d somehow inserted a second meaning into his answer to Mr. Deknis that night than he somehow had some ghost guardian no one was able to locate working in the castle.

“She deserves the pillow more than you,” Virgil said, bringing Thomas’s thoughts back to the situation at hand. The look of audacity on Logan’s face made Thomas chuckle.

Thomas cut in before it could become a fight. “I could get Princess Marisol a pillow, so she doesn’t sleep on yours. Or we can get you a new pillow if you’d prefer, Logan.”

“It’s not about the pillow for her,” Logan argued. “It’s about her inflated sense of superiority.”

“She deserves it,” Virgil declared. Thomas could tell he was just trying to rile Logan up, and Thomas was sure Logan knew it too, but still his son reacted exactly in the way Virgil wanted him to.

“You have enabled and encouraged this behavior from the start!” Logan seethed.

“She’s a princess.”

“She is not a princess!”

Patton shook his head while squeezing the cats in his arms, completely used to this behavior. He ran a chin idly over one of the cat’s heads while watching the argument.

“We’re never going to make it to the picnic at this rate,” Thomas said to him, “and after your mother made all of this wonderful food.”

“You’re the dad,” Patton said. “Make them stop.”

And, of course, Patton did just mean that he was Logan’s dad with that statement. However, when he glanced back up at the silly argument still going on between his son and the cat covered boy, it did almost look like a fight between siblings.

Especially with the dark hair and stubborn but mischievous look in Virgil’s eyes, Thomas could almost imagine the boy being his own child.

He shook away the thoughts and glanced at the picnic basket in his hand.

“We do have a lot of food in this basket,” Thomas said, pitching his voice up so that Logan (and more importantly) Virgil would hear them clearly.

Virgil immediately turned to look at him, abandoning all interest in antagonizing Logan to look at the basket curiously.

Thomas was never sure if he should be amused or worried about how food motivated Virgil often was.

“What’s in the basket?” Virgil asked.

“I’m not sure,” Thomas said. “Patton’s mom made it. We’ll just have to see once we get to the picnic area.”

Virgil nodded in understanding and began to gently extract himself from the droves of cats. Logan rolled his eyes, but didn’t seem inclined to continue the argument he’d been dragged into. Virgil and Patton got to their feet, and they continued on their way towards the stables.

The horses Thomas had requested be prepared for their trip were already in saddles, though the stable hand who had been handling Mr. Apples seemed a bit dirtier and more exhausted than the rest.

The stable hand seemed as happy to hand Mr. Apples over to Virgil as Virgil was to have Mr. Apples handed over to him. Thomas received Bella with a smile and Logan and Patton got their own horses as well.

The cliffs were about half an hour's ride from the main castle. There was a mostly well-maintained path to them, though it was easy to get lost if one didn’t know the way. Mr. Apples knew the way perhaps better than Thomas himself and seemed annoyed by the fact that Thomas was trying to lead the way. Virgil and Thomas ended up side-by-side whenever the path allowed it to placate him.

Thomas still marveled at how willing Mr. Apples was to let Virgil ride him, especially when he tossed his head in Thomas’s direction, a horse’s equivalent of giving Thomas a stink-eye.

“Are you excited for the picnic?” Thomas asked the boy beside him.

Virgil glanced over at him and nodded.

“I am too,” Thomas said. “It’s always beautiful this time of year. I’m glad I could find the time to take you all there this year.”

“Are you very busy?” Virgil asked curiously.

“I am king,” Thomas reminded, “and now that the world isn’t snowed in anymore things will be busy.”

“With the war?” Virgil asked.

Thomas paused for a few seconds. “Yes,” he confirmed. “With the war, but you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Virgil asked.

“You’re just a kid,” Thomas said.

“I’m 14,” Virgil said.

Thomas glanced at him. “Exactly,” he said, “a kid, and luckily, you’re in a place that can afford you the luxury of being one.”

“What do you mean?”

“The war has been mainly fought on Mocnejsi soil in recent years. Our boarders have held strong against invasions. Unless something goes horribly wrong suddenly, it would take a long time for the main conflict to get here. The only real threat in the castle would be assassins sent after me personally.”

“Right,” Virgil said. There was an awkward pause in conversation before he spoke again. “You’re winning the war then?” he asked.

“Something could always happen,” Thomas said, “but for the most part, yes, we have quite the advantage right now.”

“Oh,” Virgil said.

Thomas shook his head as they were coming up to a narrowing of the path. “Anyway, today is a day to not think about war. Today we’re going to have a lovely picnic and do some bird watching.”

“Right,” Virgil agreed from behind Thomas as Bella took the lead (to Mr. Apples discontent.)

When the path widened again, Thomas did his best to direct the topic to lighter subjects and soon they made it to the cliffs.

Chapter 57 (Virgil)

Virgil had never been to a picnic. At least, that’s what Patton had informed him when Virgil had described his past experiences of eating outdoors. Logan had agreed even though he’d admitted that the definition of “picnic” was only eating a pre-packaged meal outdoors which Virgil had done plenty of times.

From what Virgil could tell, the main difference was just how much stuff one brought to a picnic.

In addition to the basket full of food (that Virgil still hadn’t gotten to look in yet), the king had brought a large soft quilt that he had Logan and Virgil spread out on the ground for them all to sit on.

Patton and Logan had also packed some things themselves to bring along. Logan had brought along a book to read, and Patton had brought along a board game (thankfully not checkers but something Virgil did not recognize). Virgil hadn’t brought anything (except for the fire knife he was definitely not supposed to have and was definitely not letting the king see) because he hadn’t known he was supposed to bring things. He wouldn’t have known what to bring anyway.

The blanket was soft and a much better alternative to sitting on the ground, especially because, while there was grass at the top of The Cliffs, there were also a good number of rocks.

The king set the picnic basket in the middle of the blanket once it was spread out and then lowered himself down to sit on one side. Patton quickly followed him, already fiddling with some of his board game pieces, though he wasn’t setting it up yet. Virgil highly doubted that Logan was going to be allowed to read his book unless Patton eventually got bored of the game.

However, they would, hopefully, be allowed to make use of the basket the king had brought along.

Virgil followed the king and Patton’s lead and got to his knees on the blanket across the picnic basket from the king. He peered at the basket curiously.

He didn’t quite know what picnic food was, but Patton had told them they’d be getting ‘picnic food’ and he was very curious about what that meant.

King Thomas smiled at him. “Let’s see what Patton’s mom packed us, huh?” He reached for the basket and flipped it open as Logan sat next to Virgil. “There is a lot more food than usual in here,” the king said, sounding amused. “Let’s see.”

He began to pull out packaged food and glanced in each package to identify it before setting it out.

“We have a few types of mini sandwiches,” he said, putting them down, “and some pasta salad.” He set down the bowl.

“We also have… er something else.” He showed it to Logan.

“They’re hot cauliflower bites,” Logan said instantly upon seeing them. Virgil perked up in excitement. That was one of his favorite foods.

“Ah,” King Thomas said, but shrugged and set it down. “We also have two desserts apparently: cookies and mini apple pies. That last one’s a bit extra for a picnic.”

“They’re very good,” Virgil said happily.

“And we also have.” King Thomas paused, looking confused. “Chicken alfredo?”

“Yes!” Virgil said.

“Why do we have chicken alfredo for a picnic?”

“It’s a Virgil picnic,” Logan groaned. “She packed us a Virgil picnic.”

“Hey, at least momma sent us something too,” Patton said.

“I think I’ll stick to sandwiches for today,” King Thomas said. He looked at Patton and Logan. “Do either of you want…?”

“No,” Logan said. Patton shook his head.

The king nodded and offered the entire covered bowl of chicken alfredo to Virgil. “Here, this one’s yours,” he said.

“Really?” Virgil asked tentatively. It wasn’t exactly strange for people here to offer him food, and he’d expected and anticipated getting to eat on this venture, but the king of the country offering him an entire bowl of his favorite food was something else.

“It’s not really my idea of a picnic food and you seem excited for it,” King Thomas said with a warm smile, still holding it out.

Virgil took it reverently. Despite the time it had taken to get to the cliffs, the bottom of the container was still warm. Virgil assumed it was one of the heating spells the kitchen sometimes used.

“Thanks,” Virgil said, setting it in his lap.

“Of course, Virgil,” the king said.

The bowl was enough for four people to have a little bit, but for one person it was a lot. Still, Virgil was offered a little of every other food in the picnic basket (and he ate a good number of the hot cauliflower bites).

“Where do you put all of that?” the king asked when Virgil finished polishing off the chicken alfredo bowl.

Everyone else seemed to have finished eating long before Virgil, though Patton still had a small plate of grapes, and he occasionally popped one in his mouth. King Thomas was currently setting up the board game they’d brought on the blanket between all of them.

Virgil shrugged in answer to his question. “It’s good,” he said, “and I don’t want to waste any of it.”

“You know we can just take the leftovers back to the castle and eat them later,” King Thomas said. “You don’t have to eat it all now.”

Virgil just shrugged again, watching as the king set out a group of 8 figures on the board.

“Here, which character do you want to be?” the king asked Virgil, gesturing at the group of figures. Virgil had not noticed the figures were different at first glance. They were all copper colored and about the size of his thumb, but they had slightly different shapes. He squinted at them each carefully, finding they all looked like people, but with different clothing. Some worse pants and some skirts, a few had hats, and one was even carrying a book.

After a few moments, he pointed at one that looked like it had vines wrapped around its arms and was wearing a floppy hat that almost covered its eyes.

“That’s the druid,” King Thomas told him with a grin. “Good choice, and luckily not one that anyone usually fights over.” He glanced at Logan who didn’t react to his father’s gaze. He just plucked the figure clutching the book off the board for himself.

Patton and the king picked pieces for themselves. Patton picked one with an apron that kind of reminded Virgil of his mom and the king picked one that was in a suit of armor before putting the other 4 figures away.

Unlike checkers, this game wasn’t just for two people, and so no one had to sit watching people play while bored out of their mind.

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They played a practice round so Virgil could figure out how the game worked, though honestly it wasn’t that complicated, so it wasn’t really necessary.

The theme of the game was all about stealing. They were supposed to steal special tokens from other players as well as characters in the game and the first person with 20 tokens won.

The other three players argued that stealing was not the point and not the main mechanism of the game, but considering Virgil was consistently winning the entire time, he would argue they were just playing it wrong. He managed to collect 20 tokens before anyone else. In second place at this time was Logan with 9 tokens.

Logan insisted on continuing to play the game to determine 2nd and 3rd place, so Virgil ended up watching them play for a bit. Virgil didn’t mind sitting and watching other people play this game, mostly because he still had the joy of victory running in his veins.

Thomas was definitely going to lose, he noted. He kept wasting his money feeding the nonplayer characters who lived on his lands. Virgil didn’t mention this faulty strategy to him in case Virgil ever played him again.

When Logan took too long thinking about his next move, Virgil took in their surroundings.

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He’d been a bit too distracted by the prospect of food and then trying to understand (and then win) the game to truly take in The Cliffs. They were settled a good distance away from the cliffside but Virgil could still see how quickly the edge dropped off. He couldn’t see the large river he was told was at its base from where he was sitting, but he did see a few of the promised wild birds (including doves) flying around. The king had promised they’d bird watch for a bit, and Virgil figured that would happen after the game was over.

A cool spring breeze brushed across Virgil’s face, and he put his hand in his hoodie pockets to warm them. Instead, his fingers hit something icy cold.

For a moment, he didn’t remember what it was. The crescent shape of it was familiar when he put his hand over it, but he had never felt it cold before.

It was the protection charm: the first charm Virgil had ever made with Logan so many months ago. It was meant to ward off small threats as well as warn you about larger threats by changing temperature…

It had always been warm.

“What?” Patton asked, having noticed Virgil suddenly tense. Virgil, despite how he drilled into his friend’s heads to stay alert had gone soft. He’d let himself be distracted by a full belly and warm blankets and fun games.

He didn’t answer Patton. He filtered the other boy’s worried face out as well as Logan’s face as he glanced at him and the king’s still focused on the game for now. He filtered out the picnic blanket and smell of food still lingering in the air and the vine covered figure set in the middle of the board on the winner’s space. He filtered out the sound of the breeze and the breath of his companions and the distant chirping of birds.

And he heard a whoosh.

Chapter 58 (Patton)

If Patton hadn’t already been looking, he probably wouldn’t have had any idea what happened.

Everything had been fine. Virgil had been sitting cross legged, idly watching the conclusion of the game they’d been playing when his posture had suddenly changed. Patton had looked over at him only to see an expression on his face he didn’t recognize, but it didn’t seem good.

“What?” Patton had asked, but the question didn’t seem to register to Virgil.

Logan had glanced up confused and also noticed Virgil’s face. He’d just opened his mouth to also ask what was going on when chaos descended.

Virgil was suddenly moving, crashing into King Thomas who hadn’t even looked up to see something was wrong at that point. Patton realized after the fact that Virgil had swiped up the board of the game they’d been playing as he jumped over it, the pieces previously stacked on it scattering all over the blanket. There were three thumps as some things hit the thick board, imbedding themselves into the surface.

When Virgil discarded the board in favor of the picnic basket, Patton saw there were small darts in it oozing a dark black liquid. The parts of the board they touched were dissolving, the grass under the new holes beginning to wilt rapidly.

Logan seemed to notice the oozing liquid the same moment Patton did and was quicker to realize what it was. He grabbed Patton’s arm and yanked him away from the board so hard he almost dislocated Patton’s shoulder, not that Patton was too worried about that. He scrambled away from it when he realized what it must be himself.

He could hear the sound of glassware smashing above them. Logan and Patton had rolled off the blanket in their quest to get away from the smoldering, melting board and apparently Virgil had pulled the picnic blanket fully over the king at some point.

Virgil himself was now gone from where he’d been the last time Patton had looked and it took him a moment to figure out where the boy had gone. The person who had been shooting poisoned darts at them had been drawn out of the wooded area they’d been hiding in by Virgil’s attacks.

They were cloaked in dark green from head to toe, explaining why they’d been difficult to spot when they were in the woods. Whoever they were, they were significantly larger than Virgil, possibly an actual adult or almost adult assassin, but they were also clearly a long distant fighter. They had not been expecting resistance let alone resistance in the form of a so quick he was almost a blur fellow assassin.

They had a bow strapped to their back, but they hadn’t had a chance to get it. Instead, they were trying to fight Virgil off with an arrow they’d managed to draw from their quiver. Virgil, meanwhile was lunging at them with a broken piece of plate in one hand and the picnic basket in the other.

Virgil dodged out of the way of the arrow striking towards his arm, though Patton didn’t think it was because he was afraid of getting scratched by an arrow, but because it may also be poisoned tipped.

Virgil was distracted by dodging for long enough that the older assassin managed to hit him in the face with the arm not holding the arrow.

He went down, but he took the older assassin with him, sweeping their legs out from under them. Patton hadn’t noticed (his mind working too slow for how fast they were moving) but they were on a slight incline. They went rolling in a tangle of arms and legs towards the edge of the cliff and skidded to a stop only a few feet away.

Virgil ended up on top, his piece of broken plate in his hands. He moved to slash it across the other assassin’s throat and managed to draw blood, but the assassin’s fist came out to shove at Virgil’s chest at just the right moment, causing the strike to veer off course and slice across the assassin’s cheek instead.

Virgil jerked to the side to avoid a second strike to the chest and went back for another slash. The other assassin rolled to the side as he did and the plate only managed to nick their ear. The point of the motion hadn’t been to dodge, however. They were lunging for the arrow they’d dropped a few feet away while they’d rolled. They grabbed it with their right hand and in the same motion stabbed back behind them towards Virgil.

Virgil rolled to avoid the hit, already slashing up with his plate as the assassin turned back towards him.

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He didn’t hit them this time but his swipe managed to stop them from stabbing him when they tried again. They shoved themselves back to avoid Virgil’s swing, putting a bit of distance between them. Both of them managed to make it to their feet during the momentary reprieve, but both also stayed crouched, eyeing each other.

They both lunged towards each other at the same time. The assassin went for a stab to Virgil’s neck with the arrow, but Virgil was already ducking down. This time, he wasn’t going for a kill shot. He grabbed the assassin’s wrist and at the same time drove his piece of plate into the assassin’s arm, slicing down from the elbow to wrist. The assassin spoke for the first time, cursing in a language Patton didn’t recognize as they were forced to drop their arrow.

Virgil took a moment to kick the arrow away from the assassin and it ended up falling off the cliff.

However, this pause gave the assassin enough time to regroup. Despite their arm bleeding profusely, they still decided to use it to backhand Virgil across the face viciously, leaving a long line of their own blood across his face.

Virgil lunged back forward, but the assassin was able to get a leg between them, kicking Virgil squarely in the chest and sending him flying back a few feet parallel to the cliff’s edge.

The assassin went to grab their bow and another arrow from the quiver still strapped to their shoulder.

Virgil, however, apparently went for another weapon too and he was much faster with a knife than any archer. A knife appeared in his hand, having been strapped to his ankle and was embedded into the assassin’s chest before they could even full remove an arrow from their quiver.

The assassin promptly burst into flames, fire catching their clothes (and from the smell of it their skin) ablaze. Panicked and dying, they stumbled two steps to the side. They stepped directly off the cliff.

There was a second of silence. They heard the sound of the body hitting the ground far below and then the flap of wings and screeching as birds below fled from the startling sound (and possible soon to be forest fire).

…

“Uh, Virgil?” King Thomas said. He had managed to get the blanket off his head at some point. When, Patton didn’t know, but seeing any of it was probably enough.

Oopsie.

Chapter 59 (Logan)

Logan and Patton had been useless during the fight, but that may have been for the best. Considering the skill differential when it came to fighting (and that differential had never been as clear as it was in this moment), that was probably for the best. They likely would have just gotten in the way.

The moment Logan’s father spoke, however, they both jumped into action.

They both knew their jobs in a situation like this. Patton pushed himself up to his feet ungracefully and all but sprinted over towards Virgil. Logan, on the other hand stood to face his father, putting himself very purposefully between the man who had no idea what was going on yet and the boy who was two seconds away from remembering what was going on.

“I can explain,” Logan said.

His father was still sitting on the ground. “You can explain,” he said slowly, “how Virgil just threw an assassin off a cliff.”

Logan thought pointing out that Virgil hadn’t thrown anyone off a cliff and instead had set them on fire with a magical knife causing them to walk off a cliff, would not be useful in this moment. He glanced back briefly towards where Virgil and Patton were standing and then turned back to his father. “Yes.”

“And what would that explanation be?”

Before even starting to speak, Logan found himself making large dramatic ‘explaining hand gestures’ that he’d thought he’d long since trained himself out of. When he was younger and in trouble, he always used to give himself away as guilty by being overly expressive with his hands (and arms).

“So,” Logan said. He was still not able to stop the hand motions. “Virgil was an assassin. He came here to kill you last fall, but he accidently went to the wrong room in the royal wing. Patton and I were having a slumber party and caught him in the act. Then we reformed him and now he doesn’t kill people anymore.” He paused and glanced back, remembering the body that had just toppled off the cliff. “Er, uh, he doesn’t kill people who haven’t shot poisoned darts at people recently anymore?”

“What?”

“Look,” Logan said. “You’re going to have to tell him you’re not going to execute him soon. Patton can only keep him from bolting for so long.”

[newtthetranswriter]

hii, hope ur doing well !! saw that requests are open :] can u do a reader x nacht where they're having an argument and nacht snaps at reader? that's all, thank uu !! <3

Word Count: 1673

Pairng: Nacht Faust x gn!reader

Warnings: Slight spoilers about Nacht and Morgen, mentions of death, blaming people for things out of their control, self depreciation, Nacht wishing he was the one who died, I think that’s it but let me know if I missed anything

A/n: Hi, thank you so much for the request. I love Nacht and writing for him makes me happy even if this is like the second time I've done it. I will say I couldn’t think of a citation where Nacht snaps at the reader so I flipped a little bit. Anyways I hope you enjoy and as always remember to hydrate or diedrate.

    Restoration after the Eye of the Midnight Sun’s last attack took quite a while. But eventually with all of the Magic Knight Squads working together, we were able to restore most of the Clover Kingdom. Once it was decided that the Squads could return to their regular routine, Yami allowed the Black Bulls to all take a couple of days off to relax. For me the mini vacation period was greatly welcomed and allowed me to complete a tradition that I had to miss due to the previously never ending battles.

   Normally I would make this trip around the beginning of May, but taking the trip in the middle of June was better than never making the trip. I sighed as I approached the familiar graveyard. It hurt to think that at only 29 I would be visiting a friend at a graveyard. Approaching the grave I had sat in front of numerous times, I fought to repress the memories of the first time I stood in this spot. Instead I focused on the purpose of my visit.

   I knelt down whipping off the layer of dust that had built on top of the headstone, smiling gently at the name carved into the granite. “Hey Morgen, I know I’m late but you won’t believe what has happened the past year.” I said as if I was having a normal conversation. It was a personal tradition to visit Morgan's grave and update him on all the happenings in my life. I always tried to visit close to his birthday but again things had been crazy lately.

   It was probably about twenty minutes into my one sided conversation when I felt a familiar presence behind me. While most people would be alarmed to have a person suddenly appear behind them as if out of the shadows, I was used to it. Even after six years of no contact, Nacht’s mana felt exactly the same. “Welcome back to Clover, Nacht just visiting or are you here to stay?” I asked, turning to glance at the hooded figure standing only a few feet behind me.

  “What are you doing here?” His voice was monotone, not hinting at his feelings. It wasn’t a surprise really, Nacht has always been cold. But what was a surprise was the slight glare he gave as he made eye contact with me.

   Trying to ignore the glare, I turned back to Morgen’s grave. “You know just updating Morgen on the eventfulness of the last year or so. Back to my question, are you finally back from your mysterious mission or are you just stopping by before disappearing again?” I asked, trying to hide the feelings that surged forward after remembering how he left six years ago.

   “Why do you feel the need to update Morgen on anything? He’s dead.” Straight to the point just like always. Nacht has a knack for avoiding questions.

   I sighed standing up. “He may be gone, but that does not mean he isn’t looking out for us. Plus I needed someone to talk to after my boyfriend up and disappeared without explanation. So I figured I’d visit his twin and keep him updated on my life. At least I know where Morgen is at any given moment.” I explained, failing to hide the venom behind my voice. “Now care to tell me why you’re here Nacht? Cause I doubt it has anything to do with Morgen.”

   I was greeted by a moment of silence before hearing footsteps approach. “So you come speak to my dead brother because I was sent on a mission that I couldn’t tell anyone about? Why not just move on with your life?” 

   For some reason my natural response to the question was to laugh. “Why not move on with my life? Really Nacht, really. Don’t act like you know what I’ve tried to do over the last few years. Moving on is easier said than done, especially when any shadow that moves reminds me of you. And I don’t care that you couldn't tell me about the stupid mission. What I care about is the fact that you could have at least broken my heart before you left so I wouldn’t have had the hope that you would return to me someday.” The laugh had quickly ended. In its place tears began trying to escape.

  Nacht remained quiet for a moment before speaking. “Why would you have hoped for me to come back? I left no evidence that I planned to return.” He was remaining monotone, and for some reason his calm tone only left me more upset.

  “I hoped for you to return because that’s what you do when the person you love disappears. But now that I think about it, you're right, why would I have hope that you would return. It’s not like you cared for me in the first place, afterall if you had you might have actually found a way to let me know you were alive these past six years.” I’m not sure if I even believed what I was saying. I think I just wanted him to react more. The look on Nacht’s face said I struck a nerve but he was too composed to actually let out his emotions, so I figured I’d take another jab. “What no defense? I’m not surprised the last time you truly cared for something, it was too late before you realized it. Now look where we are. Standing on his grave, the grave you put him in.” As soon as the words left my mouth I regretted it. If there was one thing Nacht would never forgive himself for, it was Morgen’s death. And I knew that better than anyone, having spent many nights assuring Nacht that his brother’s death was not his fault.

   Slapping my hands over my mouth I tried to think of how to take back what I had said, but the damage was done. I watched as Nacht’s calm face morphed from surprise at my words to what could only be described as dispare. “Thank you for the reminder of my failings. Thank you for the reminder that my lust for power and praise lead to my brother’s death. And thank you for reminding me that it should be me laying six feet under.” If I didn’t know him, I would have thought that he was fine. But I had heard that tone so many times, and I hated that it was brought back because of me.

  “Nacht no, it’s not your fault. I was upset, I just wanted you to actually talk to me. Maybe finally tell me why you never tried to reach out in the six years you have been gone.” I tried to reassure him. Hoping that he would believe that I didn’t mean it. I quickly whipped the tears from my face and stepped forward. I reached out to him hoping that physical contact would help comfort him, but he just backed away. “Nacht please, I never meant to hurt you. I just got you back. I can't lose you again.” I pleaded, no longer caring about the tears that rushed down my cheeks.

  Nacht turned to face away from me. “No, it’s fine. We both know it’s true that had I not listened to my parents, Morgen would have never been killed.” I could tell he was hurting as his calm mask cracked. “And to finally answer your question, I figured if I left without warning you would forget about me and live happily with someone who didn’t kill their own family. I had hoped that at the very least you would resent me for abandoning you.” He may have been facing away from me but I could almost hear the tears he was holding back. “From the sounds of it I was right, and you do have every right to be angry with me. I’ll be going now, I was also here to visit Morgen but when I saw you I had to know what you felt.” He explained, summoning his grimoire preparing to slip into the shadows and out of my life once again.

  I surged forward in panic, summoning my own grimoire. I summoned a large flame in one hand and grabbed onto the back of Nacht’s cloak with the other. If the flame didn’t cast enough light to prevent him from slipping away then he would take me with him wherever he was trying to run off to.  Realizing I had acted to stop his escape he dropped his grimoire and glanced over his shoulder at me. “I could never hate you. And I sure as hell could never forget you Nacht. I was upset for so long and I thought I was over it but seeing you again. All that anger and sadness came back. I’m sorry for taking it out on you like that. I should have tried to have a civil conversation like adults.” I apologized hoping he would accept. “Please just don’t leave me again.” I pleaded, releasing his cloak and extinguishing my magic.

  He turned to face me again. “I’m sorry for leaving and I’m sorry for not checking in. If you would be okay with it I would very much appreciate having a civil conversation.” And Calm Nacht is back. “I would also like to make it up to you for leaving, if you’ll allow me to.” He finished while gently resting his palm against my cheek. This was the Nacht I remember, mostly calm and collected but willing to allow his emotions to show through small gestures.

  I just nuzzled into his hand for a moment enjoying the contact I missed for the last six years. “I will allow you to makeup for leaving, as long as you promise to never say it should be you who’s laying six feet under again.” I said resting my own hand on his cheek.

  He nodded before placing a kiss to the palm of my hand. “I promise.”

[saltiestgempearl]

Today is the day! At long last, I can talk about my absolute favorite headcanon about Dr. Seward with you all.

I'm writing a new post about it instead of just reblogging my post from last year because that post is not spoiler free. That is, I posted October 22 of 2022, so it does mention things from entries that have not happened yet in the 2023 Dracula Daily.

That said, most of it is still fine now that the September 3 entry has arrived, so I have put together a slightly edited version that does not touch on anything that happens after the September 3 Dracula entry:

It starts out with this passage from today's entry:

How can he'—and he pointed at me with the same look and gesture as that with which once he pointed me out to his class, on, or rather after, a particular occasion which he never fails to remind me of—'know anything of a young ladies? He has his madmen to play with, and to bring them back to happiness, and to those that love them.

The thing is, that's not exactly the wording in the original book. In the original book, it says “He has his madams to play with, and to bring them back to happiness, and to those that love them.” Many people write this off as a typo to the point of changing it to “madmans” or “madmen” in some versions.

But what if it wasn’t a typo?

The word “madam” implies an older woman, like anywhere from middle-aged to elderly. And at the time, it was not at all uncommon for women in this age group to be sent to asylums to recuperate. Sometimes it was just a way to get female relatives you didn’t like out of the way, but sometimes it wasn’t.

You see, many Victorians (men and women alike) unironically bought into the “delicate woman” narrative. People really, genuinely thought women were just psychologically more predisposed to mental instability.

Anyway, the headcanon is that Seward actually started out as a relatively low-level psychologist at an asylum, primarily working with middle-aged to elderly women. And being the inquisitive man he is, he interacted with the patients in a less-than-conventional way, letting them talk about things that would normally be considered signs of imbalance by the contemporary medical community (e.g., “sometimes I wish I’d never had my children,” “sometimes I just want as little to do with my husband as possible,” “honestly those suffragettes make some good points,” etc.). This isn’t to say he was some feminist icon mind you; he didn’t even necessarily agree or legitimize these ideas. But he didn’t shoot them down either—he just listened. And by engaging with the women in this way, he was essentially exploring some of what we now call talk therapy, which was very much not a thing at this time. He may have also tried to be supportive of their hobbies, which while not unheard of (institutions like Bedlam set a precedent for this), was not the most common thing either.

So he did this for a while, and surprise surprise, it actually helped these women quite a bit. He quickly got a reputation for being someone who was unusually gifted in turning around cases of “nervous disorders” that were so common with these delicate womenfolk.

But then some higher-ups decided “oh, well if he’s good with this, he must be good with insane people too.” So despite being a 29-year-old budding psychologist in a very young field, he suddenly found himself the head of an asylum with a very different sort of population to treat.

Given why he was put in this position, Jack naturally continues using the methods that helped his former patients recover so spectacularly. The issue is, of course, that people who are dealing with psychosis or other more serious conditions generally need a different approach than neglected women with anxiety. Basic talk therapy isn’t going to cut it with someone like Renfield.

But again, this field is very young, so Seward is actually relatively limited on how much he can research this. So he continues with his talk therapy, but then adds things like straightjackets into the mix when his patients have meltdowns because that was also a relatively accepted solution at the time (though not universally so; even in Bram Stoker’s time, there were some professionals in the field who had figured out that this type of manual restraint was not helpful and honestly not humane.)

It’s also possible that Jack might have had some criticism early on for not being firm enough with his more “difficult” patients, so he might have overcompensated for that by using the straightjacket solution more often when things got out of hand.

And finally, Jack also has his mad scientist tendencies that he openly grapples with in his diary—you know, the sort that caused him to make wildly irresponsible decisions like “let’s let Renfield escape, but supervised, and see what happens.” And since Jack was the head of the hospital, no one shot down this obviously ridiclous idea because they probably didn’t have the authority to.

TL;DR: The headcanon is “maybe Van Helsing did mean ‘madams’ because Jack started off wildly successful in treating older women with anxiety, and as a result was catapulted into a much more powerful position he was neither properly trained for nor mentally ready for.”

[the-dark-artifices-trees]

The importance of the number 7 in crescent city

Throughout the entirety of the crescent city series, the number 7 plays a huge role in both a symbolic and a literal way

⚠️ House of Flame and Shadow spoilers ⚠️

7 Asteri on Midgard

Rigelus (title- The Bright Hand)

Eosporos (title- The Morning Star)

Hesperus (title- The Evening Star)

Polaris (title- The North Star)

Octartis (title- The Southern Star)

Austrus (title- unknown)

Sirius (title- The Wolf Star)

7 Princes of Hel/ Circles of Hel

Hunt also mentions that “Type-Seven is only for the princes themselves, and given what this thing can do, I’d bet it’d be deemed a Six” in chapter 29 of HOEAB, when talking about the demons and princes of Hel

7 districts in crescent city/ city heads/ gates

7 “Made” objects *

Mask (made by Cauldron)

Crown (made by Cauldron)

Harp (made by Cauldron)

Horn (made by Cauldron)

Starsword (made by Cauldron)

Truth-Teller (made by Cauldron)

Ataraxia (made by Nesta)

*now while nesta did make another sword and dagger, we don’t know if they possess any magic and they don’t have any names either*

7 members of the Pack of Devils

Danika Fendyr (alpha)

Connor Holstrom (second)

Nathalie (third)

Bronson

Thorne

Zach

Zelda

7 courts in prythian

Night Court

Dawn Court

Day Court

Spring Court

Summer Court

Winter Court

Autumn Court

7 tog books (not including novella)

Throne of Glass

Crown of Midnight

Heir of Fire

Queen of Shadows

Empire of Storms

Tower of Dawn

Kingdom of Ash

Known starborn fae *

Fionn

Theia

Pelias

Helena

Silene

Bryce Quinlan

Ruhn Danaan

*The term Starborn describes the descendants of High King Fionn and High Queen Theia.

1. Also when bryce traded places so Danika would get into the Bone quarter, she said the vow (“I wish to trade my place.”) 7 times:

“She’d tossed a Death Mark into the Istros, payment to the Under-King—a coin of pure iron from an ancient, long-gone kingdom across the sea. Passage for a mortal on a boat.

And then she’d knelt on the crumbling stone steps, the river mere feet behind her, the arches of the bone gates above her, and waited.

The Under-King, veiled in black and silent as death, had appeared moments later.

It has been an age since a mortal dared set foot on my isle.

The voice had been old and young, male and female, kind and full of hatred. She’d never heard anything so hideous—and beckoning.

I wish to trade my place. (1)

I know why you are here, Bryce Quinlan. Whose passage you seek to barter. An amused pause. Do you not wish to one day dwell here among the honored dead? Your balance remains skewed toward acceptance—continue on your path, and you shall be welcomed when your time comes.

I wish to trade my place. For Danika Fendyr. (2)

Do this and know that no other Quiet Realms of Midgard shall be open to you. Not the Bone Quarter, not the Catacombs of the Eternal City, not the Summer Isles of the north. None, Bryce Quinlan. To barter your resting place here is to barter your place everywhere.

I wish to trade my place. (3)

You are young, and you are weighed with grief. Consider that your life may seem long, but it is a mere flutter of eternity.

I wish to trade my place. (4)

Are you so certain Danika Fendyr will be denied welcome? Have you so little faith in her actions and deeds that you must make this bargain?

I wish to trade my place. She’d sobbed the words. (5)

There is no undoing this.

I wish to trade my place. (6)

Then say it, Bryce Quinlan, and let the trade be done. Say it a seventh and final time, and let the gods and the dead and all those between hear your vow. Say it, and it shall be done.

She hadn’t hesitated, knowing this was the ancient rite. She’d looked it up in the gallery archives. Had stolen the Death Mark from there, too. It had been given to Jesiba by the Under-King himself, the sorceress had told her, when she’d sworn fealty to the House of Flame and Shadow.

I wish to trade my place. (7)

And so it had been done.”

- HOEAB, chapter 62

2. Hunt was in the Asteri dungeon’s for 7 years

“How long did they do that to you—after Mount Hermon?”

“Seven years.”

She closed her eyes as the weight of those words rippled through her.

Hunt said, “I lost track of time, too. The Asteri dungeons are so far beneath the earth, so lightless, that days are years and years are days and … When they let me out, I went right to the Archangel Ramuel. My first … handler. He continued the pattern for two years, got bored with it, and realized that I’d be more useful dispatching demons and doing his bidding than rotting away in his torture chambers.”

“Burning Solas, Hunt,” she whispered.” -HOEAB, chapter 35

“We need to get out of here,” Ruhn said, and nothing had ever sounded more stupid. Of course they needed to get out of here. For so many fucking reasons.

But Athalar cracked open an eye. Met his stare. Pain and rage and determination shone there, unbroken despite the halo and slave brand on his wrist. “Then talk to your … person.” Girlfriend, the angel didn’t say.

Ruhn ground his teeth, and his ravaged mouth gave a burst of pain. He’d rather die here than beg the Hind for help. “Another way.”

“I was in these dungeons … for seven years,” Hunt said. “No way out. Especially not with Pollux so invested in ripping us apart.” -HOFAS, Chapter 11

3. Apollion (7th prince of Hel) ate the Sirius (7th Asteri)

“No one would dare say his name, not after the Prince of the Pit became the first and only being to ever kill an Asteri. His butchering of the seventh holy star—Sirius, the Wolf Star—during the First Wars remained a favorite ballad around war-camp fires. And what he’d done to Sirius after slaying her had earned him that awful title: Star-Eater” -HOEAB, chapter 51

4. The slave tattoos has seven stars in it

“For there was also no hiding the second tattoo, stamped on their right wrists: SPQM.

It adorned every flag and letterhead of the Republic—the four letters encircled with seven stars—and adorned the wrist of every being owned by it.” -HOEAB, Chapter 6

“Ruhn spied their own solar system in the center of it all. Seven planets around a massive star. Seven Asteri—technically six now—to rule Midgard. Seven Princes of Hel to challenge them.

Seven Gates in this city through which Hel had tried to invade this spring.

Seven and seven and seven and seven—always that holy number. Always—” -HOSAB, Chapter 25

5. 7 is a holy number

“Seven—the holy number. Or unholy, depending on who was worshipping. Seven Asteri, seven hills in their Eternal City, seven neighborhoods and seven Gates in Crescent City; seven planets, and seven circles in Hel, with seven princes who ruled them, each darker than the last” - HOEAB, Chapter 19

“Micah had left the latter’s body up. Justinian would hang there for seven full days and then be pulled off the crucifix—and dumped into the Istros” -HOEAB, Chapter 69

6. Hypaxia and necromancy

“So this is it?” Ithan asked Hypaxia, gesturing with a hand to the seven candles she’d arranged on the ground. “Light the candles and wait?” -HOSAB, Chapter 61

“It took Hypaxia seven hours, seven minutes, and seven seconds to raise Sigrid.

Ithan barely moved from his stool the entire time Hypaxia stood over the corpse and chanted. Jesiba left, came back with her laptop, and worked for some of the time. She even offered Ithan some food, which he refused.

He had no appetite. If this didn’t work …” -HOFAS, Chapter 48

7. Sailings happen on the 7th day after the death

Don’t come to the Sailing tomorrow. You’re not welcome there.

She’d listened to it over and over, the first words to echo in her silent head.

Her mother hadn’t woken from the bed beside hers when Bryce had exited the hotel room on Fae-soft feet, taking the service elevator and leaving through the unwatched alley door. She hadn’t left that room for six days, just sat staring vacantly at the floral hotel wallpaper. And now, with the seventh dawning … Only for this would she leave. Would she remember how to move her body, how to speak.” -HOEAB, Chapter 7

8. Midgard geography

““Seven—the holy number. Or unholy, depending on who was worshipping. Seven Asteri, seven hills in their Eternal City, seven neighborhoods and seven Gates in Crescent City; seven planets, and seven circles in Hel, with seven princes who ruled them, each darker than the last.” -HOEAB, chapter 18

“Bryce didn’t wait for them before trailing the old male up the walkway as the seven planets aligned themselves perfectly, stars glittering in the far reaches of the room.” -HOSAB, chapter 38

“Bryce halted after a turn in the stairs and assessed the long hallway ahead. When it revealed no guards, she stepped into it.

There were no doors. Only this hall, perhaps seventy feet long and fifteen feet wide. Likely fourteen feet, to be a multiple of seven. The holy number.” -HOSAB, Chapter 71

“She’d studied Fury’s rough map of the palace layout. This area was seven levels below the throne room, where the Asteri sat on crystal thrones” -HOSAB, chapter 71

“They could fly no further. The massive black wall stretched for miles in either direction before curving northward, with wards protecting the airspace above it. Hunt knew from maps that the area the wall encircled was forty-nine miles in diameter—seven times seven, the holiest of numbers—and that at its center, somewhere in the barren, snow-blasted terrain, lay the Northern Rift, shrouded in mist. Barriers upon barriers protected Midgard from the Rift, and Hel beyond it.” -HOFAS, Chapter 70

9. Ithan & the number 7

“Sabine stared down at the seven shards the Fendyr sword had broken into, then lifted her furious gaze to Ithan.

Ithan shifted back into his humanoid body with a near-instant flash. “It’s just a piece of steel,” he said, panting, the metallic tang of the blade lingering in his mouth. “All those years you obsessed over it, resented Danika for having it … It’s just a piece of metal. - HOFAS, Chapter 74

“You have seven minutes” -HOFAS, Chapter 81 (when Ithan was talking to Connor)

[jaelvr]

Serenity ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Prompt list one !

Home | Prompt collection

I’m taking requests!

Respond to this with a member and number(s) and I’ll write an imagine for it!!

Fluff : 

1.  “Hey–what’re you hiding behind your back?” 

2.  “All I care about is you.”

3.  “Let’s just stay here–I don’t ever want to move.”  ( used here )

4.  “I had a nightmare … can I stay with you tonight?” 

5.  God, I’m so glad you’re alright.” 

6.  “Oh my god, I’m in love with an adult man-child.” 

7.  “Hold my hand.” 

8.  “I heard you say my name in your sleep.” 

9.  “Here, lay down. I’ll stay until you feel safe enough for me to go.”  ( used here )

10.  “You’re too sweet for me.”  ( used here )

11.  “Hey–it’s okay. I’m here; I’m safe. And fine–see? Everything’s alright now.”  ( used here )

12.  “Ow! What did I do this time?!” ( used here )

13.  “You may be a jerk, but you’re my jerk.” 

14.  “I love you and all, but you’re really stretching your luck right now.”  ( used here )

15. “Why do you have to look at me like that? It’s making me weak, please stop.” 

16. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” 

17. “Look at me. I love you.”  ( used here )

18. “What took you so long? I missed you…”  ( used here )

19. “I never thought I’d be so lucky, especially not in this lifetime.” 

20. “I’m asking because I’ve seen the way you look at me.”  ( used here )

21. “I think I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do.”  ( used here )

22. “I fell for you without even knowing it and, jesus, does it hurt that you can’t see it.” 

23. “You are more than you think of yourself. You’re everything to me.”  ( used here )

24. “You’re the best thing that has, and ever will, happen to me.”  

25. “I think you need to tell me the truth about how you feel towards me.”

26. “You keep saying that we’re friends but you look at me for a moment too long for that to be true.” ( used here )

27. “I would honestly die before I let anything happen to you.” 

28. “You’re the only person I’ve ever actually wanted to spent the rest of my life with.” 

29. “Please come home, this doesn’t feel right.”

30. “Are you awake? Oh my god I was so worried, holy shit I thought I was going to lose you.” 

31. “Don’t think about anything. Just tell me that you love me and hold me tighter.” 

32. “I know you think we aren’t right for each other, but we’ve run into each other too many times for you to tell me that this isn’t fate.”  ( used here )

33. “Don’t blame it on the alcohol, you tasted like you wanted me.” 

34. “You keep that photo of us in your wallet?” ( used here )

35. “If anything happens to me, remember that I’ll always love you.” ( used here )

36. “Don’t pretend that you don’t feel the same way.” 

37. “They told me that you’d break my heart but, holy shit, they never said it’d feel like this.”

38. “Don’t act innocent, you had me pinned underneath you 5 minutes ago.”  ( used here )

39. “I just want you to be happy, even if your happiness doesn’t include me, I just want you happy.” 

40. “You don’t know half of the things you do to me.”  ( used here )

41. “I love how you look in my shirt.”

42. “You’re unbelievable cute when you’re tired.” 

43. “I am so proud of you.” 

44. “Are you jealous? That’s cute."

45. “Oh, God. We’re one of those couples, aren’t we? Ugh–I hate us!”

46.  “Shut up and kiss me, you idiot.” 

47.  “Dance with me! C’mon, it’ll be fun!” 

48.  “Did you seriously just climb through my window?” 

49. “I’ll catch you–trust me! … So I dropped you one time–we don’t have the time to argue about this!” 

50.  “I love you. Never forget that, okay?” ( used here )

Angst ;

51. “Please, just stay a little longer.”  ( used here )

52. “Am I going to die?” 

53. “Why won’t you admit it!” 

54. “Please don’t cry.” ( used here )

55. “I would’ve died for you.” 

56. “You almost died! And for what?” 

57. “I’m just tired of this. I’m tired of it all.” ( used here )

58. “Don’t look at me like that, I don’t want pity.” 

59. “I wish I could fix this.” 

60. “You hurt me and I still trusted you.” 

61. “Don’t be sorry, it was no ones fault.” 

62. “I’ve spent all this time wondering and worrying about you. You didn’t think of me once?”  ( used here )

63. “You’re angry with me, I know.” 

64. “I know, but you didn’t have to use her like that!” 

65. “You know I wouldn’t call unless I was in pain.”  ( used here )

66. “We can start over. I’ll do anything, everything can be perfect. Just please don’t leave me.” 

67. “You could’ve told me, or helped me! Anything other than what you actually did!” 

68. “The only thing I can do is love you!” 

69. “There hasn’t been a day I didn’t think of you and it’s starting to hurt.”

70.  “I don’t want anyone besides you.” ( used here )

71. “I haven’t stopped crying since Thursday. It’s pathetic.” 

72. “It was a mistake and I know I can never fix this.” 

73. “I hope it hurts to think of me.” 

74. “Don’t make me fall in love again.” 

75. “I thought I didn’t miss you, but then I saw your photo.” 

76.  “I don’t know how to love someone without hurting them.”

77.  “I just wanted to see you one last time.”

78.  “Hold me. Don’t ever let go.” ( used here )

79.  “I came here to apologize.” 

80.  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

81.  “Please don’t abandon me–not like everyone else.”

82.  “Why would you do something like this?!” 

83.  “Why do you do this to yourself?” 

84.  “It’s always been you. It will always be you.” 

85.  “I’ve seen how much you really care–don’t pretend like you don’t.”  ( used here )

86.  “You could have died! I could have lost you!” 

87.  “I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to understand just how much I love you.” 

88.  “Do you ever think about me?”  ( used here )

89.  “I’m sorry. None of this should have ever happened–this is all my fault.” 

90. “It was always you. No matter how many times I disagreed, it was always you.”

91.  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” 

92.  “This is all your fault.” 

93.  “If you walk away right now, don’t ever come back. And I mean it–ever.” 

94.  “I need you more than I need air.”

95.  “Just hold on–you hear me? You’re not dying like this. Not here; not now!” ( used here )

96.  “I’m not worthy of you. I’ll never be. You’re too good for me.”

97.  “Do you think of them when you kiss me?”

98.  “Just because you’re a jackass doesn’t mean I hate you." ( used here )

99.  “I would die for you and not regret a thing."

100.  “I love you–can’t you see that?” 

Acts of love ;

101.  Always giving a bite of their food

102.  Gently resting their head on their shoulder when taking a picture / peeking at something. ( used here )

103.  Kisses on the nose / cheek / forehead

104.  Zipping / buttoning their jacket for them ( used here )

105.  sidewalk rule

106.  Waiting until they get to the door / get inside before driving off ( used here )

107.  “Did you eat today?” 

108.  Softly cleaning the others face after they've eaten

109.  “Wear a jacket, it's cold out." ( used here )

110.  Watching a movie / playing a game the others interested in

111.  Doing their makeup for them

112.  “I bought you flowers." "for what?" "there has to be a reason?” 

113.  Keeping their favourite snacks in the house for them

114.  Opening the door for them

115.  Pulling their seat out for them

116.  Lifting the shorter one up so they can be seen in photos.

117.  Playing with their hair

 118.  Fixing their clothes when something is off.

enjoy! :D

- Mars &lt;3

[foxes-that-run]

Walking in the wind

Harry Styles has a gift for answering a question and not answering it at all at once. In the Made in the A.M track by track he said WITW was inspired by Paul Simon’s song Graceland.

I love how Harry's solo work draws modern inspiration from his diverse music tastes and he encourages his fans to broaden their tastes. Hindsight being 20/20 you can see where he went with his debut in that short video and this song.

When Simon wrote Graceland he and Carrie Fisher were divorcing and his relationship with Art Garfunkel was bitter. Simon said Graceland was a metaphor for the journey to mend a broken heart. Much like 2015 Harry who had broken up with Taylor and was on tour as One Direction ended. Simon also went to Africa to make this album, much like Harry went to South America for debut.

Timeline

Made on the AM was written in Japan in February 2015. Harry talked being able to just write 'good songs' because it wouldn’t be toured which made space for a song like this. WITW was probably written between February and May 2015. Harry and Taylor had been close at the end of 2014, it was over on or by his 21st birthday 2 February 2015. His smile when he saw her at the start (0:29) of BBMAs showed no animosity, but it’s unlikely WITW was written after the BBMAs in May (Woman). He also started looking even sadder live then.

To rolling stone Julian Bunetta said:

“That title was born in Japan. Just the title of it and the idea of it. Everyone’s different experiences of what they’re going through, whether it’s this or that, I’d like to think that these songs can apply to more than just [one instance].”

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Harry] A week ago, you said to me "Do you believe I'll never be too far?" If you're lost, just look for me You'll find me in the region of the summer stars The fact that we can sit right here and say goodbye Means we've already won A necessity for apologies between you and me Baby, there is none

The relaxed and happy tone depicts their romantic friendship that continues. I think they genuinely cared for each other, are nice people who both prioritised their careers. To me, “the fact we can say goodbye means we’ve already won” shows that mutual respect for each other.

To me “Do you believe I’ll never be too far” is agreeing to be apart while they focus on being massively famous and together in the future.

In the context of their later work about being end game, the 1, sushi is about having only a piece of your persons life, in as it was and golden he sings about it being time or feel her taking over.

Harry does not have anyone that would never be too far in a literal sense, and although at that time he was always with 1D they have spoken in interviews that year of that not being good.

[Pre-Chorus: Niall] Ah-ooh, we had some good times, didn't we? Ah-ooh, we had some good tricks up our sleeve Ah-ooh, goodbyes are bittersweet But it's not the end, I'll see your face again

Taylor has a similar lyric in The 1 “But we were something, don't you think so? / Roaring 20s, / tossing pennies in the pool / And if my wishes came true / It would've been you” this is about appreciating the relationship.

[Chorus: All] And you will find me Yeah, you will find me In places that we've never been For reasons we don't understand Walking in the wind Walking in the wind

Where their earlier work on Red and other 1D albums sung about always wanting to be together and coping in their career by Made in the AM and Reputation onwards they started singing about being connected but apart, on faith they’d come back together.

[Verse 2: Louis] Yesterday, I went out To celebrate the birthday of a friend But as we raised our glasses up to make a toast I realised you were missing

This may be referring to Lily Aldridge’s birthday where they both were. Harry’s 21st birthday was 2 weeks later but Lily and Taylor were in Nashville. In Hunger he sang about making her cry on his birthday, if it was for Debut the 1 year to 2 timeframe line up for that. (Hunger also sings of “your stuff” as in music, doesn’t taste the same, as in Two Ghosts)

Later on 27 February he posted the overgrown winding wheel and she started dating CH.

[Bridge: Harry] And I know we'll be alright, child Just close your eyes and see I'll be by your side Any time you're needing me Oh, yeah

The bridge is similar to Fine Line, which also ends on “we’ll be alright” in Fine line he’s reflecting on being friends with someone he’s in love with. Here he is asking his muse to have faith that although they are not together he’s there for her. Also Sign of the Times "Just stop your crying / It'll be alright"

I just wanna love you leak

In September 2023 a leaked song, I just wanna love you referenced WITW with “A week ago you said to me: "We've started running out of time" / Crying over memories that we lost and cannot be found / Why don't we stop talking now? / (I just wanna love you)” which to me, in the sound and this lyric is the sequel to WITW, he’s saying it’s time. It also refers to Late night talking, and The 1 and Question…? Where they explore friendship with someone they love, in WITW they seem to agree to leave a live unresolved, on Harry’s House and Midnights they are contemplating that unresolved love.

[batmanego]

is the boys really that bad, I know it's essentially "a guy writes a criticism of superheroes without understanding how superheroes as a medium work" and also garth ennis super baby hates superheroes and says repeatedly that they ruined comics

the tv show is infinitely better than the comics. the comics are… not that good. there’s good ideas in there (a critique of capitalism and the mcu and the comics industry? cool!) but they’re not executed in a good, meaningful way. the comics are also just… rife with ennis’ bigotry and “edgy” jokes. ultimately i don’t know why he wrote it because he clearly has little to no respect for the medium and no desire to work in it.

the boys comic may best be summarized by this count that i kept of recurring things:

132 slurs

35 sexual violations

29 murdered women

10 bestiality/animal sex jokes/depictions

5 penis mutilations

the tv show, like i said, is infinitely better, but i’d describe it mostly as an exercise in mediocrity. a lot of what it’s trying to do and say is undercut by the fact that it’s an amazon prime original, and many of the choices it makes to make characters more “sympathetic” or “appealing” actually strip them of intrigue and agency. there are some funny scenes. if you’re looking to get into the boys, stick with the tv show.

sorry for this insanely long response to a simple question. TLDR: the comics are that bad, the tv show is disappointingly mediocre and i wish it was better.

[countrymusiclover]

28 - Where We Started

Part 29

Family is More than Blood

@icefrye19 @secretdreamlandmentality

Laying on one of the beds in the supposed Mikaelson’s mansion as it is called. Staring at the ring I held in between my thumbs and index fingers I kept trying to piece together what I had apparently lost. My phone rang and broke the silence in the room. “Hello, who is this?”

“Don’t tell me that you have forgotten me, Rae.” It took me a minute before I could recognize that it was the voice of Cami.

Sitting the ring down in my lap I slowly replied. “How could I forget you, you are my one my sired vampires after all.”

“Well that's reassuring. I wish I could have the same hope for you remembering your husband.” She said softly before I changed the call to video.

“Why does everyone seem to think he is my type? I mean yes I adore the accent but I think I’d remember the man that everyone says I’m supposed to spend all eternity with.” I shake my head in a huff.

Cami sends me a half smile. “Raelyn, I know it’s hard to believe and I admit that he doesn’t exactly have the best track record. Until it came to when he met you.”

“What did you mean until I came into his life?” I questioned her, still so confused.

The young New Orleans vampire focused on my gaze. “He was the most ruthless vampire who ever walked the earth and had no emotion. Then you met him at the Mystic Falls bar and there was a light about you that he was drawn towards.”

“So a Beauty and the Beast type fairytale.” Shrugging my shoulders I tilted my head in disbelief. “Unfortunately Cami, we don't live in our childhood. The real world doesn’t mean that all the tales we were told can actually happen here as adults.”

“You just don’t see it because you don’t remember how you truly feel about him. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you but I’m just saying that you need to give him the same chance you gave him the first time you met.” Cami waited for my response.

I could sense that someone was watching me from the doorway so I hung up the phone quickly. “I’ll try my best. Talk to you later….using Cami and her ways of Psychology to convince me to give you a chance. You couldn't manage that yourself I see.” Shifting my gaze to the doorway I saw Klaus leaning with his hands behind his back.

“I must admit our therapist friend wasn’t a part of my plan. But I do hope you consider the advice she’s given you about me.” He stepped into the bedroom keeping his distance from me after our encounter the other day.

Hugging my knees to my chest I released a breath. “I may consider it. So what exactly do you want from me today?”

“Well my previous request hasn’t changed from the other night, Ms. Lane. So I’d wish to take you on a date again.” He clicked his tongue and came to sit on the edge of the bed where our gazes actually met for the first time this morning.

Tapping my fingers on my legs I paused for a moment in thought. “Okay I did agree to go out with you and I don’t back away from a deal. Where are we going exactly?”

“I already have a spot picked out. Don’t worry I know you’ll like it. Nothing too fancy just like you like.” Klaus responds turning on his heels vamping out of the bedroom keeping his answers vague. “Be ready and downstairs at six.”

Time seemed to go fast until it was almost five o clock and I still hadn’t decided on what I was going to wear for this date. Looking through my closet I grumbled typing away on my phone until I found Rebekah’s number. Holding it up to my ear she immediately answered my call. “Hey Rae, what do you need?”

“Bex, you’re uh…brother has me going on a date. I don’t remember him but I have no clue what to wear for tonight. Please help me.” I explained flopping down on the edge of the bed.

She paused and turned on a video call so I showed her the closest of what I had. She didn’t live in this town anymore and had made a permanent home in Orleans with Marcel. She finally responded, not finding anything that she knew would be good. “Hmm go to my old room and see if there’s a dark red dress and pair it with your brown ankle boots. Leave your hair down completely too.”

“I'm not gonna take your clothes, Bex.” I told her I would feel guilty if I did so.

The original vampire sent me a smile shaking her head side to side. “Don’t feel guilty, Rae Rae. We are sisters in law even if you can't currently remember bedding my brother.”

“Rebekah!” I scolded her, feeling my face turn red at the thought.

She sends me a raised brow with the same gentle smile. “It’s just me speaking the truth, Rae. Now go put on that dress and enjoy your date.” We hung up the phone and I went into her old bedroom. Slipping the dress over my head it fell loosely down my body. It was a good fit on my hips, short sleeve and it had a v neck cut out. It also fell just to my knees and paired it with my brown ankle boots.

Moving down the hallway I vamped down the stairs looking around the room until my eyes found Klaus at the bottom of the stairs. Sliding my hand down the railing I released a breath feeling his blue eyes scanning me up and down. “You look elegant as always, Ms. Lane.” He raised a hand to me and I placed my hand in his larger one.

“You don't have to call me, Ms. Lane. I may not be wearing your ring but you can still call me just Raelyn.” I responded to him allowing my gaze to trail him up and down. He was wearing casual clothing. He had a black jacket thrown over a dark gray shirt. I could also note that he was wearing a dog tag necklace that appears to have a blue gem inside of it. Raising my freehand I held it in between my fingers. “What's this gem? It wasn't there before, was it?’

Klaus shakes his head no. “It wasn't, I promise. I decided to add it to my necklace because it matches your eyes and it's the same gemstone your brother’s old necklace was made of.”

“You choose to represent me?” I smiled, dropping my hands to my sides, feeling touched. “That's kinda cute.”

Klaus sent me a bright smile hoping that his plan would work tonight and that everything would return to normal for the two most powerful creatures on the planet. “So shall we get this evening started?” He questioned me offering his arm and I looped mine through his and he vamped me out of the mansion and we ended up outside the local Mystic Grill.

“The Grill, why here of all places. I'm not complaining, just curious.” I glanced at the hybrid removing my arm from his before we headed inside and up to the bar. Klaus sat down first eyeing the bartender nodding his direction. “Old scotch and a Apple cider beer for the lady.”

The bartender left us alone and I put my face in my hands sending him a curious look. “How could you know that? I never told anyone what I like to drink.”

“I told you that I know everything about you, did I not?” He sent me a cheeky smile, raising his glass to his lips when the bartender brought them to us. “I also knew that you wouldn't want something big and flashy. And this spot has special meaning to us.”

Taking a long sip of my drink I knitted my brows together. “Special meaning how?”

“This is the exact spot where we first met. Can I show you?” He flipped over his freehand waiting for my reply. Lowering my gaze to his hand I slipped my fingers through his before a memory flashes through my mind.

A glass gets slid my way when the front door of the bar opened and someone walked up taking a seat beside me. "Strong scotch. May I ask what is troubling a lady like yourself?" My ears picked up on a British accent causing me to whip my head throwing my hair around.

The stranger smiles in my direction picking up a drink Matt had brought him that I hadn't noticed until now. "Unfortunately I don't talk to strangers so no." I scoffed, flipping my hair towards him.

The British man chuckled, taking a long sip from his glass still eyeing me from the corner of his eyes. I can feel my heart starting to flutter at hearing his laugh. "Then let's change that. My name's Klaus. Klaus Mikaelson." He sticks his hand out towards me turning in his chair to face me.

I nearly choked on my drink having to quickly sit the glass down. Hitting my chest as I have a coughing fit in an attempt to not choke. Eyeing him with uncertainty I put my hand in his shaking it slowly biting my lip. Klaus started to pull away but I siphon his hand suddenly twisting his wrist slamming him against the wall with my other hand holding him there.

"Ergh - what are you girl!" He grunts against the wall trying to break free.

Slowly walking up to him I keep my hand raised in front of me holding him there. Eyeing him up and down Klaus has dirty blonde hair and blue eyes that are now turning gold. He clutched his hands into fists still trying to fight against my grip. But somehow I knew I could take him, maybe now that I took my brother's power it gave me a booster. "There's something about you that I don't trust, Klaus. I trusted people closest to me and they betrayed me. So I'm not falling for your charms."

Turning my hand I dropped him to the ground where he growled up at me, heading for the door glancing over my shoulder I kept a brave face to him. "As for my name it's Raelyn Lane. I'd stay away if I were you, Mr. Mikaelson."

“Woah…I suppose not everyone gets to have an easy first meeting. So what other things do you supposedly know about me hmm?” I asked him in a teasing manner, resting my chin in the palm of my freehand.

Klaus sat his drink back down on the bar table. “One of your favorite movies is….”

“The Hunger Games Series.” We responded in sync where our faces got closer to one another until I drew back blinking my eyes a few times. Leaning back on my barstool I crossed my arms over my chest. “You can’t seriously know everything.”

The smile on his face turned into a proud smirk in a split second. “I’ll take that as a challenge, Raelyn Lane.”

“We’ll see about that, Klaus.” I took a long sip of my drink, closing my eyes briefly and heard a plate get slid across to me. I gasped choking on the liquid that went down my throat seeing steak and shrimp in front of me. “Holy crap. No, this is not acceptable.”

He intertwined his hands together, shaking his head in defense at me. “It is entirely acceptable. I told you on our first date that money isn’t an issue. That you deserve to have the whole world at your fingertips.”

“I still think you’re a really good stalker because there’s no way you can know all the little things that I like.” I cut some pieces of steak and ate in silence without hearing him get down from his stool.

Klaus watched the bartender he had compelled leave the room. The hybrid went over and took a microphone from the stage pausing while he stared at the heretic in front of him. Nothing had scared him for a thousand years except his father Mikeal, but the thought of losing her was even worse. He raised the microphone to his mouth slowly singing behind her. “ 🎶

Well, look who it is

Last call, I thought I'd get

How's your mama, how you've been?

Girl, it's been too long

Saw your sister at the Circle K

Heard baby number two was on the way

Hadn't seen her since her weddin' day

With you on my arm

It's good to hear from you again

Girl what a coincidence

I was just thinkin' 'bout that weekend out on Cumberland Lake

And that one time in Baton Rouge when we made out in the rain

Where we went chasin' fallin' stars on a hill at your daddy's farm

Don't be sorry for callin' me up right out of the blue

I was just thinkin' 'bout you

I was just thinkin' 'bout you.”

“Hey, I just gotta say I heard your song the other day

And it put a smile on my face when I started reminiscing

I've been on the edge of callin' you

And I'm so glad I decided to….” I trailed off dropping the fork in my hands slowly looking over my shoulder seeing him standing behind me. My heart skipped a beat recognizing the song that he had chosen. In a creepy and romantic sort of way he was checking the boxes.

Sliding off the barstool I walked up to him until we were almost pressed up against the other. Placing my hands over his that held the microphone we finished the song with me jumping around in my own free style dance at the end singing the last few lines. “I was just thinkin' 'bout that weekend out on Cumberland Lake

And that one time in Baton Rouge when we made out in the rain

Where we went chasin' fallin' stars on a hill at your daddy's farm

Don't be sorry for callin' me up right out of the blue

I was just thinkin' 'bout you

Oh, I was just thinkin' 'bout you.

If you're ever back in town

Do what you're doin' right now

'Cause I'm probably thinkin' 'bout you

I was just thinkin' 'bout that weekend out on Cumberland Lake

And that one time in Baton Rouge when we made out in the rain

Where we went chasin' fallin' stars on a hill at your daddy's farm

Don't be sorry for callin' me up right out of the blue

I was just thinkin' 'bout you

🎶 “

I finally stopped dancing around when my hair fell completely in front of my eyes. I tried my best to get it out of the way but I only made it worse. I finally felt Klaus place his hands on my head brushing it down and away with his fingers. “Can't take you anywhere can I, Rae?”

“I guess not, Klaus….You’re not so bad of a romantic.” I grinned looking up into his blue eyes resting one of my hands on his face that he leaned into.

He leans down where I thought he was going to kiss me again yet he only let his lips hover above mine. “I'll take that as a start….goodnight Raelyn.” He whispered and I shut my eyes seeing he was gone the second I opened them. Running a hand through my hair I covered my mouth with my hands releasing a breath figuring that whatever this was it was going to be interesting for sure.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[daydreamerdrew]

Comics read this past week:

Marvel Comics:

Marvel: Heroes & Legends (1997) #1

This issue was published in September 1997. It was written by James Felder. There were 15 pages penciled by Sal Buscema and inked by Al Milgrom, 13 pages drawn by Dick Ayers, 10 pages penciled by Steve Ditko and inked by Steve Leialoha, and 11 pages penciled by Gil Kane and inked by Tom Palmer. All were colored by Chi Wang.

This issue revisits the events of The Avengers (1963) #16, which was published in March 1965. That issue was originally just credited as written by Stan Lee, but The Official Marvel Index to the Avengers (1994) #1 credited Jack Kirby as a co-plotter. The layouts were drawn by Jack Kirby, which were finished by Dick Ayers (though the Grand Comics Database says that Carl Hubbell may have made some alterations). It was 20 pages.

In that story the concept of some people leaving the Avengers was first raised when Janet said, “Why don’t all of us take a leave of absence? Everybody deserves a vacation sometime! I-I’d like to lead a normal life for a while- just like anybody else! I’m tired of all this fighting- this constant danger and turmoil!” Hank responded, “I’m a fool, honey! I never thought how tough it must be for you!” And Tony said, “For all of us, Giant-Man! Even I wish it would end some day!”

In this story, before anyone else suggests anything, Tony says to himself, “Come to think of it- the proud and noble Sub-Mariner might be a great addition to the mighty Avengers! Or, a great replacement- for the years have taken their toll on me! What’s happening to me? Why do I keep thinking of abandoning the Avengers? No! I’d never abandon them! I just need a break- a rest- time to get my life together! I’ve still got my company to run… thousands of employees depending on me! I can’t ever let them down!”

There’s also a scene in this issue where Clint, still a wanted criminal, rushes an injured Natasha to the hospital, then thinks when he hears that the Avengers may have to disband entirely because so many members are leaving, “If America’s mightiest team is having problems- Hawkeye and the Black Widow might just be the answer!” I think this is actually a great concept, a solid way to bridge the gap in the differences in their portrayals in The Avengers (1963) #16 and when we had last previously seen them, in the Iron Man story in Tales of Suspense (1959) #64.

In the Iron Man story Natasha’s parents were threatened by someone who was implied to be Nikita Khrushchev, unless she finally completed her mission to destroy Iron Man. Clint didn’t want to betray the U.S., but he loved Natasha and wanted to help her, so he accepted that destroying just Iron Man wasn’t really betraying the country. In the battle Natasha was injured, and Clint abandoned fighting Iron Man to help her, even though she argued with him, saying, “No! No! Go back.. finish him off… Go back!!” And then, “You fool! You had your chance… now it’s too late! Because of your love… I’ve failed again!!”

In The Avengers (1963) #16 Clint explains to the Avengers that Natasha was injured, but not in the fight with Iron Man, which seemingly happened a while ago, but that “just one week ago, they made her pay the price for trying to desert her red masters!” And Clint claims he didn’t go with Natasha to the hospital, “She was still alive when they took her away! I didn’t try to learn what happened after that! I- I was afraid to find out!” This is opposed to him sneaking into Natasha’s hospital room so that he can be with her even though he’s a wanted criminal, as Clint does in this issue.

And in that telling in The Avengers (1963) #16 Clint vowed to the unconscious Natasha, “I’ll make up for what we’ve done! I’ll devote my life to making amends!” But I think it makes more sense for Clint to want Natasha to be with him and to also be doing good with the Avengers. When Natasha next appeared, in The Avengers (1963) #29, she’d been brainwashed into serving the Soviet Union, with them presumably having giving up on her succeeding in her missions otherwise. Clint was still in love with her, and once she broke free from the brainwashing, he was pretty determined in trying to get the other Avengers to let her join the team.

Before they reunited in the Iron Man story in Tales of Suspense (1959) #64, Clint had assumed, of Natasha being forcibly taken back to Russia at the end of their preceding appearance in Tales of Suspense (1959) #60, that she had “deserted” him. Possibly the version of Clint in this issue will assume that she willingly left the hospital while he went to join the Avengers because she was angry with him over him failing to destroy Iron Man, and maybe she even did before she was recaptured by agents of the Soviet Union. Also, that Clint had willfully deserted Natasha in the original version of him joining the Avengers reads strangely with that he was later wistful about her before he found out she’d been brainwashed and was a villain.

Also, as Pietro and Wanda are on their way to New York, Pietro complains when he learns that they’ll have to wear their costumes and be seen by the press when they arrive, saying, “We are not circus performers!” Wanda tells him, “You protest too much, Pietro! In America, we must do as the Americans do. I shall be proud to wear my costume! Remember, my brother- no matter how crass and commercial the Americans may seem… they still offer the greatest gift of all- the gift of freedom!”

And the Teen Brigade gets upset when Rick isn’t announced as one of the new Avengers. One member says, “We ought’a picket the Avengers!” Another agrees, “Yeah, right! They’re unfair to teenagers!” This reminded me of Young Justice: Sins of Youth (2000) #1 when the team complained about media hysteria around teenage superheroes.

Timely Publications:

the Captain America stories in Captain America Comics (1941) #25

These 2 stories were published in an issue cover dated April 1943. They were 17 and 21 pages.

In the story “Captain America: The Murdering Mummy and the Laughing Sphinx” (writer unknown; penciled by Carmine Infantino; possibly inked by Vince Alascia) in Captain America Comics #25 as Bucky is leaving a library, where he was looking for information for a case, a passerby says, “Hi, Bucky! Haven’t seen you for ages!” Bucky says, “Hello, Red! Still studying archaeology?” And the red-headed young man says, “Sure- under Prof. Jameson, a famous master! He just returned from Egypt where he made an important discovery about an ancient tomb of some evil demon- Modebl.” It’s been a while since we’ve seen Bucky have friends closer to his own age outside of the military base. I wonder how he met this college student.

In the course of their investigation, Steve and Bucky find a vial with a note that reads, “If you would penetrate the veil. Think well of what you seek, and quaff deep the sacred lotion!” Bucky is worried and doesn’t want him to do it, but Steve says, “Keep your courage, kid! This may be the solution to the whole mystery! Those ancient peoples did things with mind and matter that our modern scientists could only guess at!” Steve ends up having a vision where a demon tells him, “There is but one return for you- to carry the curse of the mummy- and to spread it! That, I, Modebl, may rule!” When Steve refuses, the demon says, “Then you shall die and your soul will sign!” Steve says afterwards, “If I had swallowed that stuff from the vial, instead of sipping it, it would have [gone crazy]- that’s concentrated opium! A couple of drops of that would eat away your whole brain!”

DC Comics:

Batman: Harley Quinn (1999) #1

This issue was published in August 1999. It was written by Paul Dini, penciled by Yvel Guichet, inked by Aaron Sowd, and colored by Richard Horie and Tanya Horie. It was 48 pages.

This issue is actually Harley’s first appearance in a comic book. She first appeared in the Batman: The Animated Series episode “Joker’s Favor,” which first aired in September 1992.

the Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy story in Batman: Gotham Knights (2000) #14

This story was titled “The Bet” and was in an issue published in February 2001. It was written by Paul Dini, drawn by Ronnie Del Carmen, and colored by Zylonol. It was 8 pages.

I really did not care for how Poison Ivy in particular was characterized in this story.

the Harley Quinn story in Batman: Gotham Knights (2000) #30

This story was titled “Punchline” and was in an issue published in June 2002. It was written by Doug Alexander, drawn by Rob Haynes, and colored by David Self. It was 8 pages.

Detective Comics (1937) #831

This issue was published in April 2007. It was written by Paul Dini, penciled by Don Kramer, inked by Wayne Faucher, and colored by John Kalisz. It was 22 pages.

Detective Comics (1937) #837

This issue was published in October 2007. It was written by Paul Dini, penciled by Don Kramer, inked by Wayne Faucher, and colored by John Kalisz. It was 22 pages.

In this story Harley is working as the assistant director of the Metropolis branch of the Athenian Women’s Help Shelters, which men aren’t allowed inside of. She explains, “I thought I might put my psychiatry degree to good use. Maybe find a charity clinic someplace run by indiscriminating types who didn’t check backgrounds too closely.” The organization has a mission of “peace and tolerance.” The women all wear Ancient Greece-style clothing and are taught things like, “The Amazon way is the way of the Goddess. The Goddess is peace. The Goddess is power. Hail, wise Athena, from whom all blessings…” And “the spa’s water comes from a magic fountain on Paradise Island. It bestows healing, strength, and stamina.” At the end of the issue it’s revealed that the woman running the shelter is actually a villain, but that’s not resolved within this story.

This made me think of how Diana was depicted working as an ambassador in Greg Rucka’s Wonder Woman run, which I liked.

The plot is that Bruce Wayne hires Edward Nygma, retired from being a criminal as the Riddler and now trying to make it work as a private detective, to find a Wayne Enterprises employee who ran off with a confidential experimental serum. Edward needs Harleen’s help to do the job because the employee is hiding out at the shelter. At the end of the story Tim says to Bruce, “Admit it, you’re angry he succeeded.” Bruce responds, “I’m not angry.” And Tim says, “You’re always kind of angry. And now that the Riddler has come through, you’re downright irate.” Bruce explains that he was only trying to see if Edward would also be able to find the serum, and that from there “There was little doubt. Riddler knew the fee he’d collect from Wayne was more than he’d get trying to fence the serum,” so it’s not that he trusts Edward now, but that “the more content the rat, the less likely he’ll leave his hole.”

I like this characterization for Bruce- kind of a jerk, and not exactly jumping for joy or optimistic about one of his enemies reforming, but also at least able to have this conversation with Tim without directing his anger at Tim.

Joker’s Asylum II: Harley Quinn (2010) #1

This issue was published in June 2010. It was written by James Patrick, drawn by Joe Quinones, and colored by Alex Sinclair. It was 22 pages.

I particularly liked Harley’s voice in this story. And Joe Quinones is a well-matched artist for her.

the Harley Quinn story in Batman Black and White (2013) #1

This story was titled “Justice is Served” and was in an issue published in September 2013. It was written by Maris Wicks and drawn (and later colored) by Joe Quinones. It was 8 pages.

the Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy story in Batman Black and White (2013) #3

This story was titled “Role Models” and was in an issue published in November 2013. It was written by Paul Dini and drawn by Stéphane Roux. It was 8 pages.

the Harley Quinn story in Legends of Dark Knight 100-Page Super Spectacular (2014) #1

This story was titled “Dr. Quinzel’s Diagnosis” and was in an issue published in December 2013. It was written by Jim Zub, drawn by Neil Googe, and colored by Kathryn Layno. It was 20 pages.

Detective Comics (2011) #23.2

This issue was published in September 2013. It was written by Matt Kindt, drawn by Neil Googe, and colored by Will Quintana. It was 20 pages.

Neil Googe’s art worked a lot better for me in this story than in “Dr. Quinzel’s Diagnosis.”

the story “Head Games” in Batman Black and White (2013) #1

This story was in an issue published in September 2013. It was written by Howard Mackie and drawn by Chris Samnee. It was 8 pages.

This story was on my radar because I was really impressed with Howard Mackie’s writing in Ghost Rider/Captain America: Fear (1992) and wanted to try out some of his other work, but I’m not interested in reading Ghost Rider comics right now. I enjoyed his writing again here.

Interestingly, it’s noted that this is Chris Samnee’s first official Batman story. He’s associated with the character online because of the popular drawings he does every October for the self-imposed challenge Batober. But this story was the only time he had drawn interior pages for a published Batman comic before Batman & Robin: Year One (2024) #1 came out in October 2024.

the story “The Wilt” in Batman 80-Page Giant 2010 (2011) #1

This story was in an issue published in December 2010. It was written by Simon Spurrier, drawn by Chris Samnee, and colored by John Kalisz. It was 9 pages.

For completionism’s sake I thought I’d read Chris Samnee’s one other official Batman-related story. This is a Poison Ivy story that neither Batman or Bruce Wayne appears in.

I found the way this story was written very compelling. If there are more Poison Ivy comics like this then I would be interested in getting into the character.

Fawcett Comics:

the Captain Marvel stories in Whiz Comics (1940) #102 and Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #89 and The Marvel Family (1945) #28

These 7 stories were published in issues cover dated October 1948. They were 7 to 9 pages.

The story “The Marvel Family in Captain Marvel’s Dilemma” (written by Bill Woolfolk; drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger) in The Marvel Family #28 has Sivana be inspired by watching a play called “Road to Madness,” with him saying, “What a wonderful idea! Her husband makes her think she’s crazy, so he’ll be free to find the hidden jewels that are hidden in the house! Why can’t I use the same methods against that big red cheese- Captain Marvel? Heh-heh! I’ll do it!” This is obviously based on the story of the 1938 play “Gas Light,” which was adapted into a movie in the U.S. in 1944.

The story “Captain Marvel Faces Fear” (written by Bill Woolfolk; penciled by C.C. Beck; inked by Pete Constanza) in Captain Marvel Adventures #89 is another story about atomic energy. In it an atomic engine is ditched by a delivery boy who thought it was an atomic bomb. Though Captain Marvel tries to explain, “It’s an atomic engine that’s missing! It merely employs the principle of atomic energy without any of the harmful effects! You’re perfectly safe,” the people still panic, believing there to be a dangerous bomb somewhere in their city. The villain of the story is the personification of fear. At the end, as Captain Marvel is fighting him, Fear says, “Since the beginning of time I have existed only in the minds of people who have not known the truth! For those you know the truth… I don’t exist at all!” And he vanishes into thin air. And then Billy interviews the inventor of the atomic engine on his radio show, and the scientist says, “my invention was perfectly harmless all the time! The panic came from fear, and fear thrives on ignorance! When men learn the facts, unreasoning fear and all its terrors disappear forever.”

In the story “Captain Marvel Fights Silent Sound” (written by Otto Binder; penciled by C.C. Beck; inked by Pete Constanza) in Captain Marvel Adventures #89 after Sivana declares on the radio that he’s going to set Station Whiz on fire, does so, and then successfully escapes, the narration says, “The next day Billy spends all his spare time at the Whiz listening post.” The last time I can remember Billy spending his spare time listening to radio transmissions was back during WWII.

[of-twilight-and-moonshadow]

Always There - Marcel Barthel x Reader

Figured I’d get the Marcel one out of my way while I could. I’ve been having some German feels for a while (who can blame me though? )

I do apologize now for any INCORRECT translations. I do NOT know German well enough, I know about 5-6 words and that’s it. (Yes, No, Hello, Love, Ambulance and Hospital. The necessities) 

Y/N = Your name

If you don’t like Ember Moon, Kacy or Kayden, feel free to think up your own NXT roommate situation for a TakeOver event. That’s where I thought this would be at -shrug- 

EDITED IN: Original Tag List @starwithaheart​ @shedevill22 @amourseculier @regalbanshee​ 

Tagging those who Requested Marcel!  @barthelsimperium

(divider)

Letting out a deep breath, I glanced over at the digital clock next to the bed I was sharing with Ember. The red light read 3:29. Frowning, I looked at my other two roommates, Kacey and Kayden, who were also fast asleep much like Ember.

“So unfair…” I sighed.

This was now night three of no sleep. I knew I had to do something—if it kept going, Hunter was bound to realize, and not only that I could accidentally hurt someone in the ring. What could I do though?

Back home, I’d get up and make myself busy—but I didn’t want to wake up my friends.

Friends…

“Just find me, liebe. I don’t care what the time is!”

Marcel’s words came crashing into my fore-thought, causing me to purse my lips. I couldn’t actually just stroll to his room and wake him up at this ungodly hour… could I? Ember would never let me live it down, if she found out I went to his room this late at night. She’s the only one I have ever told my feelings towards. The only one who knew I loved Marcel, my impeccable German.

On screen, he was cold, cunning, methodical and egotistical. Behind the screen though? Marcel Barthel was the funniest, kindest and most considerate guy I had ever known. Our friendship had started out a bit oddly, as somehow his suitcase had ended up in the women’s locker room and I, of course, was the one to return it to him. He was clearly confused and embarrassed, but thankful all the same. I had cracked a joke that if he wanted to spend time with me all he had to do was ask—and upon hearing the chuckle from Fabian, I quickly excused myself in embarrassment, barely hearing Marcel speak to Fabian as I left.

“Lach nicht uber sie!”  ((ts: Don’t laugh at them))

Later that night, Marcel had found me backstage, quickly taking a seat beside me and leaning back slightly.

“You said if I wanted to spend time, all I need to do was ask,” he explained, causing me to go red from embarrassment.

“I-it was a joke… You don’t have to—”

“You may have been joking, but I’m not, Kleiner.”  ((ts: little one)) 

“I…. have no idea what that means.”

He only laughed in response, shaking his head slightly, promising me,” I’ll teach you some words.”

I smiled at the memory, before glancing a risk at the clock once more.

3:36

Fuck it, I decided. Carefully as I could, I pushed back the covers and climbed out of the warm cocoon I had made. Grabbing my wallet on the way by the tv stand, I tiptoed to the door and as quietly as I could, opened the door and snuck out, closing it with a soft click behind me. Gnawing on my bottom lip as I walked up the steps to the floor above, I thought about how close Marcel was to me—how close in my heart he always was.

Holidays, bright and early (even despite time zone differences) we’d be the first to wish one another a happy holiday; happy birthday—new years. When we’d both be at an event, we’d seek the other one out.

Marcel hadn’t taught me the translation for liebe yet, but since he was always calling me it, I had decided to ask Fabian one night, when Marcel was off getting something to drink.

“Heh, I don’t think I should be the one to tell you, Principessa.”  ((ts: Princess))

“Oh, come on—please? If you don’t I’ll just look it up online. C’mon Fabian, please?”

“Alright, alright—love,” Fabian answered, his eyes going over my shoulder for a second, before his voice lowered,” Liebe means love.”

Love.

Did it mean Marcel loved me the same way I did him? Probably not.

But it still made me feel happy, like I mattered to at least someone. Coming to a stop at room 329, I took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door.

Five seconds.

Ten seconds.

Twenty-five seconds.

Nothing.

Swallowing the lump in my throat and fighting the urge to just go back downstairs to my own room, I tentatively knocked once again, two short, soft bumps on the door.

Five seconds.

Ten—

The door opened slowly, catching me by surprise as I looked up from the floor. There before me stood a hooded-eyed, bed-headed Marcel, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. When he realized who it was, he seemed to wake up a bit.

“Liebe? Is everything In Ordnung?”    ((ts: alright))

“Uh, yeah. No. It’s fine…. Uh… I just… you said to…” Everything I said was coming out jumbled, and I could see Marcel trying to make sense of it all,” Sorry I bothered you this late—I’ll just—sorry, go back to sleep—” I turned to walk away, but stopped short when I heard his voice call my name.

“Y/N.”

“I’m sorry, please, just—go back—”

“Hör auf, dich zu entschuldigen!” I heard Marcel snap, before his voice softened,” Komm schon, come.”   ((ts: Stop apologizing / come on))

With uncertain steps, I slowly walked back over to his open door, shivers running down my spine when I felt his hand gently rest on my back, ushering me in at my own pace.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Marcel asked as he closed the door behind us.

I shook my head, unsure if he could even see it in the darkness of the room,” Sorry, I just—”

“Liebe—stop saying sorry.”

Without needing to see him, I knew there was a frown on his face.

“Sor–…..”

In the darkness, I heard him give a small sigh, before suddenly, I felt his arms wrap around me and pull me close to him,” I told you, you can come to me at times like this. There’s no need to apologize for it.”

“It’s just… it’s so late—or… early—I didn’t want to wake you up…”

“Don’t worry about that, okay? Come, make yourself comfortable.”

I felt his hand gently take my own and lead me towards the bed.

“W—what about Fabian? Will he—”

“Don’t worry about him, liebe,” Marcel gave a soft chuckle,” He’s a deep sleeper.” His hand left mine, and I could hear him get back into his bed.

Do I?

Don’t I?

“You won’t have a chance to get any sleep standing there, come on.” I heard him pat the space beside him and I was beyond grateful for the darkness in the room- otherwise he would be able to see how red my face was right now. Slowly, I peeled back the covers on the empty side and slid underneath, careful to not touch Marcel in anyway- which he must have noticed.

“I don’t bite, liebe.”

“Why do you call me that?” I blurted out before I could stop myself. I had to know—needed to know. Marcel grew quiet for a few moments and I feared he wouldn’t answer me, until I felt his hand gently creep over mine once more and slowly pull me towards him. Wordlessly, I felt him softly pull me as close to his body as possible, laying right beside him, my head on his bare chest.

“Because… Du bedeute mir die Welt…I love you…” I could hear the uncertainty and the hope in his statement, and I couldn’t help the smile the slowly grew on my face,” We’ll talk more tomorrow, liebe. For now… get some sleep.”   ((ts: You mean the world to me))

Slowly nodding my head, I let my body relax into his embrace and before I knew it my eyes got heavy—and as I drifted off to sleep, I felt him press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

No more sleepless nights, no more uncertainty.

I was loved.

[bullet-prooflove]

Donna’s Wednesday Radio Show Prompt List #6

Hey guys! As some of may know I do a weekly radioshow on Wednesdays and I thought why not put together a prompt list from some of the songs I’ve been playing. I thought it would bring some fresh prompts into our world!

Feel free to pop any of these prompts with a charcter I write for (You can find these on the pinned post on my blog) into my ASK box!

1.      won't let me see this side of you

2.      You looked at death in a tarot card and you saw what you had to do

3.      I'm drinking tonight, gonna give up the fight

4.      turning me on Like a slow fire burn

5.      I choke back tears 'til I damn near drown

6.      You're not gonna make it

7.      Loveless nights, they seem so long I know that I'll hold you someday.

8.      We still talk like everyday But we don't talk in the same way that we used to

9.      This is the last time you say After the last line you break

10.   He pulled you closer, said he'll never let go

11.   And if only I could find the words Or muster up the nerve to tell her

12.   Can't keep my hands to myself

13.    the ghost of my sin

14.   But till you come back where you belong It's just another lonely Sunday.

15.   I fell for a boy who could never ever let me walk home that way 'Cause you gotta be safe

16.   You say that you love me, You won't remember in the morning

17.   I wish I'd known that it would be this hard to be alone. Please, come home!

18.   You're speaking like you really love him

19.   Maybe we'll see that we were wrong If ever we look back one day

20.   I thought that I was the exception I could rewrite your addiction

21.   The only thing stronger than you is whiskey

22.   Please, come back, don't you leave me

23.   When you're dying in LA

24.   Now all I can do is lay in my room Fall asleep, dream of you

25.   Tonight with me Won't you cut it up and dance all over me

26.   I'll never forget her and she'll always have a part of me

27.   He can be the one you run to, the one that saves ya

28.   the taste of goodbye on your lips when you kiss me

29.   You couldn't trust him but you never said no

30.   You trace my lines Stirring my soul

31.   And now you're dancing like you need him

32.   Don't let me go down this road again, We both know where this ends

33.   Put it in your pocket don't tell anyone I gave ya

34.   But for an angel, she's a hot, hot mess

35.   We both know love is not that easy

36.   He kissed you on the lips and opened your eyes

37.   Goodbye to my hopes and dreams

38.   I'm not gonna stay and watch you circle the drain

39.   Trust me, you'll make it through

40.   I know that I'm running out of time

41.   You had to catch your breath, got such a surprise

42.   Might be over now, but I feel it still

43.   Every now and then she makes you just a little bit crazy

44.   And you always forgot how it feels to live in his lies

45.   I wanna watch you undress

46.   It was your first cigarette

47.   But friends keep telling you what he did last night

48.   give-me-some-more girl

49.   In that moment he made you forgot how it feels when he's gone

50.   I know that it's wrong Still I run right into you

51.   I would rather we just go our different ways

52.   And now you're feeling like you miss him

53.   And you try to remember that there's no way you could ever be friends

54.   You better get your shit together

55.   He's out your system yeah it took you a while

56.   I know, 'cause I've been there too

57.   You and me together, forever

58.   I'ma disappear when they come for me

59.   You surround me, pull me, drown me then swallow me whole

60.   I shake and I shiver just to feel you breathe

61.   And all you want is just to hold her

62.   I forget who you used to be

63.   She's like a one-way ticket cause you can't come back

64.   You're way too young to be broken

65.   You pull me in close And buckle my knees

66.   I know it must seem frightening To have the world fall apart right under your shoes

67.   And I bit my lip the second you sipped The poison that was mixed for me

68.   You're way too young to play these games

69.   'Cause there are deeper and darker things than you

70.   From the beating of your heart

71.   Everything's turning dark to you

72.   I'm not the one Who wants to hurt you