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grailfinders · 4 years ago

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Fate and Phantasms #62: Tamamo-no-Mae

Today on Fate and Phantasms, we’re making the Fox Priestess of Peerless Beauty, Tamamo-no-Mae! Tamamo’s a Theurgist (cleric-wizard) with a knack for being able to do a bit of everything. Fireballs, curses, magic support, splitting into multiple copies of herself.... she’s got a lot of abilities, is what I’m trying to say.

Check out the detailed breakdown below the cut, or the build summary over here!

Race and Background

We just made Tamamo Cat and we know her race, so it isn’t too surprising that you’re also a Tabaxi, giving you +2 Dexterity and +1 Charisma. You also get a bit of Darkvision. Fox’s Agility lets you double your movement speed for a turn, and recharges after spending a turn not moving. Fox’s Claws gives you a modest melee attack that you can use without weapons, and Fox’s Talent gives you bonus proficiencies in Perception and Stealth.

“Evil spirit that possesses kings” isn’t a background, but your side gig is. The Courtier background gives you Insight and Persuasion proficiencies, and helps you find your way around courtly politics.

Stats

Your highest stat is your Intelligence. That’s your casting ability, and hey look at that, you’re pretty good with magic. Second is your Charisma- that “Peerless Beauty” in your title isn’t just for show, and it will help you deal with people while saving your spells for bigger issues. Third is your Wisdom- you’re still a priestess, and most clerics are pretty wise. Your Dexterity isn’t bad, you definitely prefer getting out of the way of attacks. Your Constitution’s pretty low, but we’re not going to dump that if we can help it. What we are dumping is Strength. Let Cat handle the punching, you’ll take care of the rest.

Class Levels

1. Like I said in the opening, you’re going to be a Wizard. A lot of casters could qualify here, especially since your magic is more innate than learned, but wizards get the most variety, and we’ll need all of it. First level wizards have proficiency in Intelligence and Wisdom saving throws, as well as two wizard skills. Arcana will make you more magical than the average fox, and Religion will help with the “being a priestess” thing.

Wizards also start out with two features. You can prepare and cast Spells in your spellbook using Intelligence as your casting ability. You also have an Arcane Recovery, letting you regain a number of spell slots with a total level of half your level (rounded up) on a short rest

Wizards get a lot of spells, and you’re a caster, so you have some freedom when it comes to spells you should know. To save everyone some time, I’m just going to list off the spells I picked at each level, and note the ones that are needed for the build, either mechanically or to be in character. At this level, you get Fire Bolt, Gust, Prestidigitation, Burning Hands, Disguise Self(needed for a reason we’ll get to next level), Mage Armor, Protection from Good and Evil, Jump, and Magic Missile.

2. Second level wizards get to pick their school of magic, and the school of Theurgy from an unearthed arcana lets you blend your magical skills with the fact that you’re somewhat a minor god. When you pick this school, you also pick a Divine Inspiration, a cleric domain that will affect the rest of the build. You’re a Kitsune, so you fit nicely into the Trickery Domain. You also become an Arcane Initiate, letting you learn spells from the trickery domain spell list, and after that is exhausted, other cleric spells as well.

Similar to the cleric, you learn how to Channel Arcana. Once per short rest, you can choose one of two options to channel your magical energy. Divine Arcana uses your bonus action to add 2 to your next spell’s attack roll or save DC, especially useful for spells that require a save every turn. You also learn the trickery domain’s Invoke Duplicity, letting you create an illusion of yourself for up to a minute with your concentration. You can use your bonus action to move the illusion around, and can cast spells from the illusion’s perspective, as long as the real you can still see the target. You can get advantage on attacks if you and your copy are within 5′ of the same creature, but that won’t come up too much. Technically these are exact copies, but if you want to make the other Tamamos I won’t tell anyone.

For spells, grab Charm Person to fill up that domain spell list, and Feather Fall.

3. Third level wizards get second level spells. Mirror Image lets you make even more copies of yourself without using concentration, and Pass without Trace is another gift you can give to members of your party. Both are also needed to fill up your domain spell list.

4. Use your first ASI to round up your Intelligence for stronger and more spells, and your Charisma for better social skills without using magic. Grab Shape Water for special water features, Magic Weapon for another neat wedding gift (we’re getting there), and Suggestion.

5. Fifth level wizards get third level spells. Yours are Blink and Dispel Magic to tick another two marks off your domain spell list. Also, nobody’s allowed to have fancier enchantments than you, or so help you Tamamo you will destroy them.

6. At sixth level, you become an Arcane Acolyte, giving you the first level benefits of being a trickster cleric (bar armor or weapon proficiencies). You can now bestow the Blessing of the Trickster as an action, giving one creature advantage of stealth checks for up to an hour. For spells, Fireball gives you some extra (literal) fire power, and Remove Curse lets you slap a talisman on a party member and stop their bad voodoo.

You can also Channel Arcana twice per short rest now.

7. Seventh level wizards get fourth level spells, and you get two more domain spells: Dimension Door and Polymorph. You’re not that into shapeshifting any more, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

8. Use this ASI to bump up your Intelligence for more prepared spells with stronger DCs.

9. Ninth level wizards get fifth level spells. Dominate Person and Modify Memory are the last domain spells you need to grab; you’re now free to pick any spells you want from both cleric and wizard spell lists.

10. Tenth level theurgists become Arcane Priests, giving them the sixth level features of being a cleric of their domain. You learn a new Channel Arcana feature, the Cloak of Shadows. You can use your action to become Invisible until the end of your next turn, or until you cast a spell or attack.

For your new cantrip, grab Poison Spray because I learned Tamamo spent the last couple years of her life as a poisonous rock and I wanted an excuse to share that with you. You also get two new spells. Raise Dead and Ceremony, so you can marry people. Yes, I chose this subclass so I could get this without wasting a feat on it. No, I’m not sorry.

11. Eleventh level wizards get sixth level spells. True Seeing will keep you from being fooled by others the way you’re fooling them, and Heroes’ Feast will help you set a proper banquet for your wedding night.

12. Bump up your Constitution with this ASI for better concentration and more health. For spells, grab Mislead for another way to copy yourself and Mass Cure Wounds.

13. Thirteenth level wizards get seventh level spells, and I’ve got to say, there’s not really much here that screams Tamamo to me. Grab Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion for some privacy and then go back to get Immolation.

14. You become an Arcane High Priestess, giving yourself the seventeenth level feature of your cleric domain. Improved Duplicity improves your Invoke Duplicity, letting you make up to four copies instead of one. You can control all four with a single bonus action, but their base speed and range are unchanged.

For spells, we’re going way back to grab Enhance Ability for people we like and Bestow Curse for people we don’t.

15. When you get eighth level spells, Clone is a given- how else is Tamamo Cat going to happen? Also grab Incendiary Cloud for your biggest fireball yet.

16. Max out your Intelligence for super strong spells. Grab Aura of Purity and Heal to protect the party from status effects.

17. Seventeenth level wizards learn ninth level spells. Shapechange makes your polymorph game even stronger, and Astral Projection is also a spell.

18. At this level you have Spell Mastery over a first and second level spell, letting you cast them without using spell slots. Pick Disguise Self for some free shape changing and Mirror Image for free copies of yourself. You can also channel your arcana three times per short rest now. For your spells, True Resurrection and Mass Heal should keep your party on their feet.

19. Use you last ASI to bump up your Dexterity for a better AC and sneakiness. For some extra party favors, grab Purify Food and Drink and Create Food and Water.

20. With your final level, you get two Signature Spells, third level magic that you can cast once per day without using a spell slot. A free Bestow Curse and Fireball should make you one scary fox.

For your final spells, grab Control Winds and Control Weather to set the perfect wedding day.

Pros

With a maxed out casting modifier, two spell lists to choose from, and the ability to pump up a spell when you need it, your magical abilities are massive.

You can create four copies of yourself with Invoke Duplicity, and have an extra three with Mirror Image. (This probably defeats the purpose of ID, but whatever.) This means the odds of you getting hit by an attack aimed at you is about 1 in 8. You’re hard to hit, is the point I’m making. This also means if you have TamaCat on the same team, you can have the entire Tamamo Nine running around at once.

You have plenty of illusions and charms to take control of any social situation, and your charisma isn’t half bad either, so you might not even need them.

Cons

You don’t have much HP, barely scratching past the 100 mark at level 20. Power Word Kill is going to be your worst enemy-if they can hit you.

A lot of your spells and Duplicity require your concentration, and you’re not good at that. You’re probably not going to get hit, but if it happens, it’s going to keep happening.

Despite having so many spells, you don’t have that many attacks, and even fewer damage types. Thankfully Magic Missile is a pretty good standard to fall back on if you’re forced to deal with fire elementals.

Just don’t get hit and you’ll be fine.

Next up: What’s a sling to a god?

#Fate Grand Order #fgo #Tamamo-no-mae #D&D 5e #Fate and Phantasms

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vegetacide · 4 years ago

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TaG: Bloodlines (Part 6)

Veg • notables: Little something for Fluffember .. works for several prompts... Brothers, warmth and together...

Any errors in this are strictly my own

Ty to @gumnut-logic and @scribbles97 for the brainstorming help and the encouragement.

Previous: Part 1 | Part 2 Bit 1 & Bit 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Rating and General warning: Mature content head. If you are not a fan of medical issues of a female nature in relation to pregnancy please proceed with caution.

Characters: Virgil, Kayo, (V/K) Scott, Alan, John, Gordon and Grandma.

Location: TaG-verse AU | Tracy Island

E N J O Y

8-8-8

Part 6 - Keluarga

The flight home was thankfully an uneventful affair.

Kayo had fallen asleep almost as soon as the jet’s door had been closed and Virgil had been by her side holding her hand the whole way back to their island.

When the island finally came into sight there was a collective sigh of relief. The stress of everything having sucked the energy right out of all of them and home meant safety, comfort and more importantly; sleep.

Tucking Kayo safely back into their marital bed saw Virgil relaxing for the first time since… well since he’d woken up that morning..God, had it only been twelve hours ago? It felt like a lifetime and the exhaustion weighed on him furiously.

Not that he would be able to get much sleep tonight.

Leaning over his sleeping wife, he adjusted the sheets and brushed her forehead with a kiss. She stirred slightly and turned into him, always one to seek his heat even on a tropical island and her eyes blinked open myopically.

“Shhh, it’s okay. We’re home. Go back to sleep.”

Kayo snuggled further under the covers and quiet ‘Love you’ drifted his way as he emptied his pockets of his ID, wallet and personal communication.

A light knock on their door, had him turning and he toed off his boots to muffle his movements before he traversed the short distance. Opening it he was only mildly surprised to find his brothers on the other side.. All of them.

Holding up a finger he glanced back into the room to make sure everything was in order and that Kayo would have everything she needed. Not that it looked like she would be rising anytime soon. The whole affair of the day had done her in.

Truthfully, he was happy she was finally getting some rest even if it was ordered and dismantling Shadow had been in his back pocket as a way to convenience her.

Surprisingly though after going through all the details with his family when they were discharged, Kayo looked like she wasn’t in the mood for any more lecturing so the Shadow card hadn’t needed to be played.

She’d barely moved since they’d left the hospital except when he’d move her. He’d woken her up long enough to pour a drink of electrolytes down her throat and a protein bar into her belly and she’d been out again barely after swallowing the lot.

An uncomfortable trip to the bathroom later which his Grandmother had seen to though he had been hovering just outside the door in case he was needed. A change of clothes and into bed she went. Out like a light again before her head even hit the pillow.

He was done in himself but his brain was running in circles which didn’t look like it would be giving up anything time soon. So the company just outside the door was a welcome distraction.

Satisfied that his wife would be alright. He set his comms to alert him if she woke up and carefully crept out the door.

“Hey Virg,” Alan whispered, stepping up to his brother and giving him a hug. “How’s Kay? She gonna be alright?”

Virgil hugged his brother back, taking the opportunity to ruffle his hair while he was at it.

Alan grumbled at the action and wiggled away. Smoothing his hair back into place as soon as he was free and Virgil couldn’t help the smile that upturned his lips at the disgruntled look his littlest brother shot him.

“Hey Space Case. She’s sleeping but Doc said she’ll be alright. She just needs to get some rest.”

“Looks like you could use some yourself.” Gordon observed and moved in for a hug as well.

“Thanks, Squid. Glad you noticed.”

“Well someone has to keep you honest and Kayo..” His eyes did a sweep of him from head to toe. “Well, she’s blinded by all that muscle."

The swat Virgil sent the aquanau's way as easily dodged as he danced out of reach.

Laughing as he used Alan as a human shield who protested loudly at being manhandled, he tossed out “All that bulk is slowing you down, you should lay off the protein shakes.”

Virgil just rolled his eyes. Trust Gordon to do whatever he could to lighten the mood with whatever tomfoolery he had at his disposal.

It was at that point that he noticed John standing in the back of the crowd of brotherly forms. “John, when did you get here?’

John just shrugged, “Not long ago. I came as soon as I could but that storm system off the coast made taking the elevator down impossible.

“It’s good to see ya in the flesh.” Virgil smiled, stepping forward enveloping the communications expert in a hug. John’s hugs were rare but the returned squeeze was given freely, a testament to the support system his brothers were offering.

“You too, brother mine.”

Scott stepped up next, though he’d been at the hospital with the couple. “Anything you need, let us know.” He offered and the round of hugging continued.

“I know and I appreciate it.”

He could always count on his family when the chips were down, there was no doubt about that.

Scott released him, one hand giving his shoulder a squeeze and tipped his head towards the door at Virgil’s back. “Doc’s made arrangements to come out in a couple weeks' time. Just had the call come through with the details. Shouldn’t be a problem getting him out here for it. Between us and Aunt Val we have plenty of pilots who can give him a lift.”

“Great, I’m sure Kay will be thrilled.” The hand on his shoulder squeezed again and Scott gave him a knowing look.

“She’s a fighter. Hates being benched just as badly if not more so than we do.”

“That’s what I’m worried about..”

“Meh don’t worry about it. With the Great Doctor Sally Tracy with her sights set on her, Kayo doesn’t stand a chance.” Gordon piped up. “Trust me on that one. She’ll be lucky if she can manage to wiggle a toe without Grandma noticing.”

“Well she had to be super vigilant with you, Gordo. We still have no clue how you managed to change the electronic audio to Spanish from the couch.”

Gordon stood up taller, primped in all his mastery of everything prankster. “Trade secret. If I tell you, I would have to kill you.”

This time there was no dodging the swats directed at his head from three older siblings though Alan yet again shrieked in protest as he was tossed about like a sac of meat.

Sally was a practical woman with simple tastes and simple pleasures. A night of bridge with the girls at the local social club, bocce ball every other Tuesday with fellow medical alumni and curling once a month with her bereavement group who had become like an extended family to her after her husband had passed.

Simple things, never extravagant.

She grew up with the mentality that to get what you wanted took hard work and determination. Blood, sweat and tears was her motto through her years of medical training and her intern placement in one of the busiest hospitals in the U.S.

She’d worked hard to get where she was today despite the trials and tribulations of being widowed, dealing with her own grief and that of her son’s and taking charge of his young brood while he wallowed in his pain.

She didn’t fault Jeff for his actions, she understood them intimately. She’d lost herself in taking care of the boys to help keep the pain at bay. Oftentimes pushing them just as hard as she did herself. In the end though despite the odds, she thought everything had turned out all right.

Was the road easy? No. Far from it. Was there things she wished she had handled differently? Of course. Her son disappearing into a bottle of despair being one of them. But the boys had been raised well by their dear mother even if only for a short time.

The eldest who remembered her memory took that care, love and devotion their mother had been known for and poured it into the younger two. Doing everything within the power of their shattered world to keep the family in one cohesive piece even when their father was absent both mentally and physically.

They’d survived and come out the other end stronger than anything she could have imagined and she wasn’t afraid to admit it and how proud she was of every single one of them.

And true form when one of the brothers stumbled the other four were right there to steady him and get him back on his feet. Providing whatever support that was needed in their own individual ways.

When others would bolt, her boys rallied. Diving in head first to shore up whoever was in need. It’s what made them great at what they did. That core strength of love and support radiated out of everything they touched and because of that they’d helped more than she could count.

Here she was, coming to check on her adoptive granddaughter and her loving boys where right were she expecting them to be. Standing as a unit outside Virgil’s door. Surrounding him and holding him up with hugs, pats on the back and caring words.

She stopped and kept back a few paces, letting them have their moment and watching all the love. They deserved this moment cause they were few and so far in between.

Rescuing the world didn’t leave much time for brotherly interaction and these precious moments needed to be cherished.

Leaning against the wall, she allowed a soft smile to grace her lips. Something in her movement must have alerted her boys though because no sooner had she settled than one by one they turned her way. Not surprised in the least to find her there.

She looked at them, taking in the details of the men they had grown into and she locked the details away for safekeeping.

Scott with the little licks of grey at his temple a sign of the stress the last years had put on them all but his eyes sporting the beginnings of laugh lines.

Virgil, his quiet nature and artist spirit. Steadfast even with his wife just feet away resting with their babe growing in her belly. As worried as he was for he felt things more deeply than all of them he put on a brave face. Not wanting youngest brothers to see him waver even though she knew he was.

His eyes spoke volumes. She could see the exhaustion and fear in them but even so he graced her with a small smile in return.;

John, her star baby. When had he come down? Shocked, she frowned slightly as she took in his uniform. He’d need to wear that for a while until he acclimated to Earth’s gravity again.. A downside to living in the stars so far away. How he managed the isolations, she had no idea. He’d grown up in a house so full of life until there hadn’t been but he’d silently held on. Striving to be the best at what he did.

Next was the vivacious Gordon. Beams of sunshine in his hair and mischief in his eyes. He’s seen and done a lot in his short life. Days so dark with despair as his broken body healed. She’s spent many an hour sitting with him in the VA hospital watching and keeping him company as his body painfully knit itself back together again after every surgery but for all of it. He never complained with the exception of food. Just grinned and bared it though she could see the cracks. He'd come through it all, scarred and sporting a motley collection of surgical steel plates and bolts and kept on smiling.

And lastly her baby boy, Alan. Her rocket man. He’d missed so much in life. A normal childhood, school, friends and typical boyhood misadventures. First date, prom, graduation but he’d still done the family proud and held his head up high. He flew the stars and was living a dream most kids his age could only dream about. A tender age but the top of his field and he got to fly a rocket ship. What kid wouldn’t love that?

Her boys. No, her men. Through diversity and trauma they all stood tall and together.

Pushing away from the wall she went to them and was lost in a sea of hugs.

8-8-8

TBC

#thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds fanfict #fanfiction #fanfic #TaG Bloodlines #vegetacide #flufflember #Virgil Tracy #kayo kyrano #virgil/kayo #Virgil X Kayo #Scott Tracy #Alan Tracy #Gordon Tracy #John Tracy #Grandma Tracy

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wordsfromthesol · 5 years ago

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You’re a what… (1/4)

Author: @wordsfromthesol Taglist: @ghost-brocolli Pairing: Dick Grayson x Reader Summary: Your life is turned upside down when you suddenly land in Gotham. Thankfully Dick is nearby and knows way more than he lets on. Warnings: Language, violence, uhm…rambling? Word Count: 1.7k A/N: I hate that Hades is ALWAYS the bad guy, because he’s not. Hypnos is the god of sleep and dreams.

Part Two Part Three Part Four

It was just another routine day for you. Your dad was berating you about marrying one of the lovely gods he had picked out for you. Going on and on about how you needed to assume your rightful place among the gods. All the responsibilities you were neglecting and the people you were letting down. You had heard it a million times and he never changed your mind. In fact, you were growing quite tired of this age-old argument.

*Speaking Ancient Greek*

“You know what Dad? I’m out.” You threw your hands in the air. “I’m done with you. I’m done with Olympus. I’m just done.”

“You can’t run away from this Y/N. This is your destiny. Your birthright.”

“I’ve heard it all before and guess what. I. Don’t. Fucking. Care. I’m out.”

“Out? You can’t leave Olympus.”

“Wanna bet?” And with that you were gone and now stood on a random pier somewhere on earth. You looked up at the sky to see the evidence of your father’s anger. Bright white lights flickered through the clouds, when suddenly one of them barreled straight for you. You felt the bolt run through your entire body.

“REAL MATURE DAD!” You screamed up at the sky as you watched another bolt come for you. You started to walk along the pier, absorbing several more lightning bolts that were thrown in your path. “GIVE UP ALREADY, I’M NOT CHANGING MY DAMN MIND!” You stopped when you saw a figure in front of you, stopped dead in their tracks. “Family drama.” You explained as you walked by him. To your surprise, he followed.

“Uhm, are you sure you’re okay?”

English, okay. I can do that. “Oh yeah, someone just can’t get it through their thick skull that I’M NOT MARRYING ONE OF THOSE IDIOTS.”

“Right…so, you some kind of lightning meta?”

“Something like that.” Just as you spoke a massive wave came from no where and crashed onto the pier behind you. “OH, SHUT UP UNCLE!” You snapped your head towards the ocean.

After several minutes had passed, Dick began to realize that you had no idea where you were going. At least, he hoped, because you were headed directly towards the narrows.

“So, got someplace in particular you are headed?”

You honestly hadn’t gotten that far, you just wanted out of Olympus. You weren’t even entirely sure how you came to be…where ever you were. Someone must have helped you, Hermes or Persephone maybe? Whatever the case was, you were just glad to be rid of your father’s constant beratement.

“You know, actually, I’m not even entirely sure where I am…or how I got here?” Though you mumbled the last part, realizing that scaring off the person helping you was probably not the best bet.

Dick let out a sigh of relief, “Good, because you are headed directly towards the worst part of town.” He came to a stop, and you followed his lead. “If we head back, towards where I met you, my squad car is nearby. I can take you to a hotel or…”

��Lead the way…” You paused upon realization that you hadn’t asked his name.

“Dick Grayson.” He extended a hand, you shook it before turning to head back the way you came. Dick turned and caught up to you, “And yours would be…?”

Oh right, what did these people call your father again? Zeus. Right. Τέφρα, that would roughly translate to… “Y/N. My name is Y/N.” You didn’t bother trying to come up with a last name.

“So what brings you to Gotham?”

“Gotham…Gotham! Right, that’s the city…that I am currently in. I knew that.”

Dick narrowed his eyes with concern, “You got hit pretty hard back there. Are you sure nothing was scrambled?” He gestured to your head.

“No, I’m just...I don’t have a particular reason for being here. Just trying to get away.”

“From the family drama?”

Did he understand Ancient Greek, or was that just a coincidental statement? “Yeah,” you laughed off the coincidence, “can’t pick your family I guess.”

He shrugged, not wanting to reveal his own family struggles. “I’m just up here.” He pointed to an empty warehouse building near the pier that you had landed on. “You know, I’d been staking out the place for a few hours before I noticed you. You just kind of appeared out of nowhere…much like that lightning storm.” He arched his eyebrow up, hoping his inquiry would yield some information. And truthfully, you might have been inclined to give it to him, if you yourself knew how you got here. Instead you raised your hands and gave him a confused half-smile. “Right, so where am I taking you, Y/N?” His tone became much less understanding as he opened the passenger door.

You smiled to thank him but weren’t exactly sure what to tell him, so you crawled into the car without saying anything at all.

“I’m not taking you back to your family, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He shut the door and climbed in the driver’s seat before continuing. “You aren’t a minor. So I –” His words were cut off by your stifled laughter. A minor. Oh lord, he has no idea. “Something I said?”

“Oh, uhm. Just…I’m not a minor…by a long shot.” The thought again made you chuckle to yourself.

Dick furrowed his brow in confusion, “Right, as I said…so where to? Just need a hotel or something?”

Realization struck. I have absolutely no money, no form of ID, no other clothes. Looking down you realized your garb. Why on earth was Dick helping you? You were dressed like you should be at a toga party, not on a pier. Dick must have realized the sudden worried expression across your face, “My apartment is about twenty minutes from here. If you ah…need a place to figure things out.” You looked at him with relief in your eyes as you nodded. You didn’t speak the rest of the way, you were too busy in your own head.

I know I’m away from all that, but what am I supposed to do? How am I going to eat? What does this body even need to eat? Where am I going to sleep? Do I still have my powers? I didn’t even check that. How did I not check that? Will I be able to survive at all if I don’t have my powers? Humans are so weak. I don’t understand how they do it in the first place, there is so much bad in the world that they have to overcome. How do they do it without powers? Who put me here?

You looked up to realize Dick was getting out of the car.

Had it already been twenty minutes? What are all these feelings? Why can’t I breathe? I can’t breathe. Oh my Zeus. I can’t speak. Why can’t I speak?

You remember feeling someone’s arms around you. You remember hearing noise, someone speaking, maybe? Who knows what the words were, even if you did comprehend them, your mind was unable to formulate any kind of response.

Dick was confused by your sudden change in demeanor. He watched the confidence drain out of you when he asked where to take you. He thought it was a simple enough question, but he soon realized that he had only reached the beginning of this mysterious girl’s story. He tried to talk to you in the car, but it seemed as if your eyes had glazed over. Eventually, he gave up and left you to work things out in your own head. When he finally reached his apartment, he noticed your breaths becoming more and more shallow and rapid.

“Y/N?”

Still nothing.

“Fuck.” Dick scrambled to get out of the car and pulled you out from the passenger seat. When he felt your knees trembling and your entire body beginning to shake, he scooped you up and carried you to his bedroom. He laid you down and kneeled beside the bed.

“Y/N, you need to calm down. Breathe. I need you to breathe with me okay. We are going to count. Now breathe in for seven…one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Now hold for four…one, two, three, four. Now breathe out for eight…one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.” Dick repeated the mantra and watched your chest rise and fall to the count. Once your breathing became regular again, he spoke, “Y/N, you’re okay. You’re safe now. You can stay here tonight. I’ll be on the couch.” He turned to walk away, but felt your hand loosely grab his wrist. You had no idea what this human body had in store for you next, but you knew that you didn’t want to deal with it alone. Dick looked into your eyes and saw them filled with fear. He nodded and crawled next to you. Content with his presence, you closed your eyes and tried to welcome Hypnos. Zeus had different plans.

The world was covered in a blanket of death. The sky above was raging, as was the sea and the earth below your feet. You heard a voice bellow down from the heavens.

“This is what your future holds if you do not assume your responsibilities, young goddess.”

“Alright!” You screamed back. “The jig is up dad! I know this is you! Though how you got Hypnos to agree to your invasion is beyond me. I do not think that the world will fall into chaos if I don’t marry one of my idiotic cousins.”

“The world will be thrust out of balance!”

“Not because I don’t marry it won’t! This is ridiculous, you can’t expect me to believe this!”

“You must believe it! The world must remain balanced.”

“I can balance it from here! It’s not like I’m one of the big twelve! I’ve always been an outcast and everything I did up there, I can do down here.”

“HOW WOULD YOU?”

“Because I didn’t do anything up there. Anything except be miserable! For a thousand years, I was miserable!”

“Fine, if you will not heed my words…”

You began to feel the world around you heating up, unbearably hot. You screamed out in pain, as you watched the flesh begin to melt from your body, until everything went black.

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shewhoridesonrainbows · 5 years ago

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Words Upon Your Skin - Ch. 3

AO3

Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4

20 Minutes Earlier - Gotham

Damian wasn’t technically disobeying his father. Batman had told Robin that they couldn’t follow the suspects during the day because their suits were too noticeable in the daylight, nobody said anything about Damian. So, dressed in the most generic get-lost-in-a-crowd he owned, Damian tailed the two men.

The GCPD had asked for Batman's help to bust up a human trafficking ring that had brought in hundreds of down-on-their-luck girls from other countries. According to the files Gordon gave the team, the men ten paces ahead of Damian were part of the group behind everything. All Damian had to do was follow them long enough to find out any useful information but so far the only thing these two had done was eat at a shitty diner then walk four blocks down the street.

Looks like this is going to talk a while. The thought had barely crossed his mind when Damian saw the men duck into an alley. Shit. He picked up his pace, he couldn’t lose them now. He slowed just as he reached the corner and stopped to carefully peek around, As soon as he spotted the suspects standing halfway down the alley, having a conversation with a new person, he knew he’d most likely hit the info jackpot. A quick glance around and Damian found the perfect hiding spot. Crouched as low as he could get, Damian dashed to the side of an overflowing dumpster, One of the men turned just as Damian was out of sight. If he was a spiritual person he would’ve thanked whatever God of Luck that was smiling down on him in that moment. He breathed silently and waited for the conversation to continue.

“So, like I was saying,” one of the men Damian was originally tailing spoke, “the boss wants everyone there by 11 tonight.”

“Damn, I really hate the docks,” another commented, “the salt in the air makes everything feel sticky.”

Damian heard a smack echo against the brick walls.

“Suck it up and stop being a lil’ bitch,” and there was the third. “We’re gonna make bank off of this shipment, I heard there’s a couple French ones this time around.” the first let out a low whistle.

“Where’s the cargo being unloaded this time?” the second asked.

“Jeff lined some pockets to keep the dogs from sniffing around Pier 5.”

“Good going Jeff!”

Yeah, good going Jeff, Damian thought. Too bad I just have to bring Titus. It was time to get out of there, Damian had all the information they needed for a Batfam raid. He had just started backing up when a fourth voice sounded from behind.

“Looky here boys!” A large hand lifted Damian off the ground by his hood. With lightning fast calculations, Damian determined it safer to act as non threatening as possible. “Y’all had yourselves an eavesdropper!”

Time to lay on the act.

“L-look I barely heard anything,” he stuttered. “I was just passing through and didn’t want you guys to see me.”

One of the original two stepped forwards, “C’mon, man,” the one that doesn’t like ocean air, Damian’s mind supplied, softer than the others, “let the kid go. Some Gotham street kid ain’t gonna hurt us none.” The behemoth holding him grunted and started to lower Damian to the ground but as soon as his shoes touched down the voice behind him sounded again.

“Don’t ya think he looks kinda familiar?” All four men examined Damian’s face a little closer. One of them took out a phone, typed something quickly, then turned it around for everyone to see. And sure enough, there was Damian’s own face staring back at him from the screen. Shit. I’m never going to hear the end of this from those idiots at home.

The one with the phone chuckled, “We just bagged ourselves a Wayne!”

Damian had to think of a plan to get away without letting these criminals know that he was any kind of actual threat, so kicking their asses and running wouldn’t work, especially since they knew who he was. His brain was going rapid fire through possibilities as the men around him discussed what they wanted to do, getting increasingly agitated.

“All I’m saying is that Brucie will pay a pretty penny to get one of his brats back.”

“And I’m telling you that we don’t want to get that kind of attention.”

“We can’t just let him go though, who knows what he heard!”

“Guys, guys,” the one still holding Damian spoke in a smooth, calm voice, “it’s simple.” Damian felt the man shift a little. He’d barely gotten a look at the syringe in the man’s hand before there was a sharp pinch in his neck. It felt like ice was coursing its way through his veins. The shock of it kicked his instincts into high gear and Damian twisted out of the grip on his hoodie. Whatever was in the syringe was fast acting though because his knees had collapsed beneath him as soon as his weight wasn’t supported by the man.

Damian finally got a good look at the guy that was holding him when the man knelt down and grinned into the teen’s face and started in on the stereotypical villain monologue.

“See, Lil’ Wayne,” he held up the now empty tube in his hand, “this stuff here is what we use on the girls to knock ‘em out. Super quick and causes memory loss.”

Damian could already feel himself losing consciousness. Fuck. He had to force focus back on the new bane of his existence.

“Side effects include headaches and heat flashes. And you won’t remember the last 30 minutes.” He stood and took a step backwards. “Nice meeting you. Wish we could’ve chatted longer.”

The men laughed and started walking away, Damian glaring at their backs until his vision started to darken.

“Fuck,” he muttered as he lost the ability to stay sitting up. This was going to be for nothing. I have to find a way to remember. Then an idea struck. He used the last of his strength to get the pen out of his hoodie’s pocket and shove a sleeve away from his wrist, exposing just enough skin for a short message. He was only able to jot down the basics; When, where, and that they needed a canine sense of smell.

With the last ‘S’ written Damian succumbed to the drug.

***

It was the ringing from his phone that finally brought Damian back into the waking world. He groaned at sat up, rubbing his aching temples. What the hell happened?

The phone in his pocket went off again, the sound making his headache even worse. He answered without even looking at the caller ID.

“Yes?”

“Where the hell are you and why haven’t you answered us before now?” his father’s voice came from the speaker. He examined his surroundings. Dirty dumpster in the middle of some alley.

“I’m not completely sure,” he admitted, “it appears I was drugged.”

“You were-” his father started. Damian could tell his father was trying to calm himself down so he waited patiently. “Just turn on your locator and one of your brothers will pick you up.”

“I hope it’s Grayson,” Damian said as he pushed the special button on his phone “I don’t want to hear Todd’s comments until this migraine is gone.” He stood and started walking towards the street.

“Did you at least find anything useful?” his father sighed. With the phone still pressed against his ear Damian checked himself over for any kind of notepad or scrap of paper. He was about to tell Bruce that it had been for nothing when he noticed the edge of ink on his wrist. He held the phone between his ear and shoulder then tugged his jacket sleeve to expose the sloppily written message.

“Yes, father,” Damian said with a smirk. “We’ll be needed at Pier 5, 11 o’clock tonight. We should bring Titus to help find the girls.”

“I’m not happy with you,” Bruce started, “but this might have saved them. I’ll see you back at the cave.” The call ended with a click.

Damian pocketed his phone and waited.

He glanced back down at his wrist and caught a glimpse of another message further down his arm. A quick tug revealed more writing but this was different. Instead of the ink on the surface of his skin, this seemed to be coming from within...and in French.

“ ‘I’m happy to finally talk to you’,” he translated out loud, “ “I hope we can talk more after this. I’m not going to ask why you had not written before now but just know that I’ll be here for you if you ever need someone to talk to.’ “

Holy shit, I have a soulmate.

To say Damian was stunned would’ve been an understatement. He silently cursed his habit of wearing long sleeves. He could have known about his soulmate’s existence ages ago but anything they might have wrote him before went ignored because of the stupid barrier of fabric.

Wait, why am I upset? I never needed someone.

The roar of a motorcycle approaching snapped Damian out of his downward spiral. And just his luck, Jason Todd was the driver. He yanked his sleeve all the way down and stepped out to meet his most annoying brother.

Todd pulled to a stop right in front of Damian and tossed him a helmet. “Heard you got into some trouble, Demon Spawn,” he laughed as Damian caught the sleek protective gear. “C’mon, B is waiting.”

Damian grumbled as he slid the helmet over his head, there was too much to do tonight for him to think about his surprise soulmate. Of course the afternoon that he was drugged then discovered that he had a soulmate was the afternoon that Todd got to him first. Although, Todd was the only one of them without a soulmate, so maybe Damian could ask him what he would do if he suddenly found out he had one.

As he climbed on the back of the bike, Damian formulated a plan. Todd revved the engine then abruptly took off towards home.

Damian would never admit to having to “work up the courage” in any way, he just mentally prepared himself to ask Todd this question: “What would you do if you suddenly found out you had a soulmate?” The comms in the helmets made his voice crystal clear so there was no way of taking it back and accusing Todd of mishearing him. This was it.

Years of experience on the backs of bikes kept Todd from swerving in surprise, but the wheel did stutter for a second.

“Are you asking for curiosity’s sake or is there a reason behind this?”

“You are not to tell the others,” Damian hissed. “Not until I finish planning what to do.” Todd nodded his agreement to Damian’s terms.

“At some point before I fell unconscious, I was able to get some useful information on the human trafficking operation. The suspects must have told me that the drug they’d given me causes memory loss because I wrote the info on my wrist.” Damian paused as they turned a corner. “When I woke up I had more writing on my arm. Not in my handwriting and nothing like I would ever write myself.”

“How’ve you gone this long without knowing you had a soulmate?” Damian sneered at the question.

“You were with the League,” Todd’s shoulders tensed, “you know as well as I do how they view soulmates.”

“Yeah,” Todd grunted, “useless except as pawns to use against them.” Damian nodded.

“By the time most people get to the League, they’ve already proven not to have a soulmate. I’m the only person to have been born into the League that didn’t reach the part of my training where I would’ve hunted down my soulmate.”

They were both silent for a second, then Todd asked, “What would you have done when you found them?”

Damian was silent a moment longer.

“I would’ve killed them.”

#maribat #daminette #soulmate au #words upon your skin #aaaand introduuucing DAMIAN

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omniswords · 4 years ago

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How to Open a Padlock, Part 4 [Nino Lahiffe/Camila Siddiq (OC)]

Four times Camila Siddiq ran into Carapace, and one time she found Nino.

This is one of my favorite parts UGH THESE TWO THEY’RE SO GOOD PLEASE LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS I LOVE THEM 🥺💚

iii.

“Hey, stranger,” says the upside-down figure. “Going my way?”

It almost startles her, almost, but Camila’s gotten a little too used to being on her guard at night. House keys between the fingers, hair tied in a bun for no one to pull, no headphones so no one can sneak up on her. So on instinct—and she hates that it’s instinct—she clenches her fist a little tighter, muscles going tense. It’s the one good thing her father taught her. How to be ready to punch. How to keep her thumb on the outside.

But she doesn’t need to keep her thumb on the outside when Carapace makes himself known in the glow of the streetlight, righting himself and sitting at the edge of a fire escape. He doesn’t have that trying-to-be-cool air about him the way Chat Noir does—even if it’s sort of dwindled over the years. And he doesn’t have that actually cool air about him the way Viperion does—though, to be fair, she can see why Marinette melts over him as much as she does. It’s… genuine. Everything about Carapace has seemed genuine, in a mellow sort of way. Which is why it confuses her so much, how she’s so drawn to him.

Or maybe that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.

Camila relaxes, little by little, and takes a step back with a skeptical brow raise. “If I didn’t know any better,” she says, just a bit playfully, “I’d think you were following me.”

Carapace smiles, and inclines his head—more catlike than anyone’s probably used to seeing in him. Maybe Chat Noir’s been rubbing off on him more than anyone might expect. Strangely, it relaxes her even more. “If I didn’t know any better,” he says, “I’d think you were just looking for me.”

He has a point—she’s been glancing out the windows and catching him more times than she can count in the past weeks, but it’s only because she’s been looking at all, isn’t it? She just doesn’t need to tell him so. “So,” she says to change the subject, “what are you going my way for?”

“The usual. The d—uh, I mean, Ladybug’s got me patrolling this area. Nothin’ to see around these parts, though. Well.” He shrugs again, still well-meaning. “Nothing except you. You’re a real sight for sore eyes, you know that? ”

Camila rolls her eyes with a smile of her own. “Flatterer.”

“Hey, it’s up to you if you want to believe me or not.” Carapace looks her up and down, studying her more than actually checking her out. (Even if there is a small part of her that wouldn’t exactly mind if he were checking her out.) “Since when is this your way?”

As a joke, she checks her watch. “Oh, only since my shift ended and my body decided it needed a bubble bath and a drink.”

She might be hallucinating it—or even just thinking wishfully—but she swears Carapace fumbles as he gets to his feet. “Mind if I escort you, then? It’s all quiet on the western front, you know.”

“Why’s that?” She cocks her head. “Because you’re not gonna let one more person get hurt if you can help it?”

For a moment, he pauses, and his eyes go wide. “You remembered that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” It’s not like you said it when you saved my entire life or anything.

In pieces, Carapace lifts himself to the next level of the fire escape. Just to put some respectful distance between them. Nearby, but not hovering. Far enough, but not stalking. And he tells her to lead the way.

Who said she couldn’t have a guardian? If Marinette has Chat Noir practically at her beck and call—and even Viperion, sometimes—then why can’t she have this?

“So,” he says to try and make conversation, pulling her out of her thoughts as he leaps from building to building, ladder to ladder. He’s right. It’s surprisingly quiet for a night in Paris. “Pretty late shift, huh? Do you mind if I ask what kind of job you have?”

Camila narrows her eyes, and gestures toward her scrubs and the ID hanging from her hip. “Think it’s a little obvious, don’t you?”

“Oh.” Carapace snorts. “Duh.”

“Actually,” she says, “I finished up my training program a few weeks ago. I guess you could say I’m one of those, what do you call it—Real Adults now.”

“Hey, that’s more than I can say.”

“You literally save lives.”

“So do you,” Carapace says. “Don’t you?”

For a split second, Camila’s keys loosen in her grip.

Most of the rest of the walk is quiet, her shoes thudding against the ground with every step, a contrast to how light Carapace is on his feet above her. Is stealth part and parcel when it comes to these superhero things? Come to think of it, she didn’t even hear him approach when he saved her the first time. Or the second time, even if she would have remembered it. And he’s only ever been a flitting figure in the distance in the times that he doesn’t stop and speak to her. Even now, he’s far enough away that she couldn’t reach out and touch him even if she tried. Even if she wanted to.

Maybe she does want to.

“Carapace?” she calls, soft enough that she wouldn’t give away his position just in case, and she feels him halt just above her before moving along. “Don’t you always get tired of saving me? Or looking after me?” She manages a weak laugh, unsure if he can hear it. “I’m getting pretty tired of needing to be saved. It’s not exactly how my mama raised me.”

“Good,” he says, and at least she can hear his. She doesn’t know how he can keep jumping so easily. It has to be the suit, because if that were her up there, her legs would have gotten tired several buildings ago. Hell, her legs are tired now, and that was just from standing and walking around during a ten-hour work shift. “It sounds like she raised you well.”

“I sure hope so.”

“You really love her, don’t you?” He sounds so soft up there.

Her heart melts, and she reaches up to fiddle with her necklace. “With everything.”

She can’t see him, doesn’t want to look up to, but she can practically feel him beaming from down here. “As long as there’s someone out there to be saved,” he says, “then I’ll be sticking around. I owe it.”

“I still owe you.”

“No,” he says. “No, you don’t, Camila.”

It’s the first time he’s ever said her name.

It’s the first time anyone’s said it correctly in a while. The way it’s supposed to be said.

It’s beautiful.

“Even if that someone is me?” she says, coming to a stop in front of her apartment building. Another four floors, and then she’s home. She really, really hopes the elevator’s working tonight. It’s been… questionable at best, since the day they moved in. “Even if it’s me who always needs to be saved?”

He doesn’t answer at first, and for a flicker of a moment she’s half-afraid that he’s gone altogether, the way heroes do after they’ve said something so lawfully good. But he’s still there when she looks up—he’s leaning over the railing of the fire escape just above her head. And his eyes are practically sparkling under that hood of his, and he says, “Yeah. Especially if that someone is you.”

Camila doesn’t know what to say to that. It’s not often that that happens. But she’ll be thinking about it, she knows, long after she crawls into bed, and long after she wakes up the next morning.

Carapace lowers himself to the sidewalk, slow and precise. It’s funny, how she tends to forget how much taller he is. He’s got to be something like 180 centimeters, at least. He lays a hand on her shoulder, and gives it a caring squeeze, and it takes everything in her not to reach up and touch his hand, too. "Hey," he says, and no one is calling up or down. "You've done enough trying to save lives today. Go work on taking care of your own."

She laughs a little, about to tell him that she's pretty sure she could say the same for him, and probably should. But before she can, his hand slips down her arm, just a little more tender than she's expecting, and he bends to lift her knuckles to his lips.

Her heart jolts in her chest, and thank God she's too frozen to jerk her hand away. And as soon as Carapace tips his head to look up at her, she realizes that she wouldn't have wanted to anyway. And that she doesn't want him to let go.

“Good night, Camila,” he says—that’s her name, for the second time—and he does.

The words are out of her mouth before she can tame them. “My birthday's tomorrow.”

His eyes spark under the streetlight. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.” She’s dead on her feet, but somehow manages to twirl a lock of hair around her fingers anyway. “You should come by. If you’re, you know. In the neighborhood.”

Well, it’s not the worst she’s ever flirted, especially for someone still in hospital garb. (She’s done worse, she knows. She doesn’t want to think about the worse.) It’s just not the best. She’d need a stick of chewing gum and better mascara for that.

Carapace regards her for long enough that she starts to think she made a mistake, or broke some unspoken code. But he breaks into a smile, and says he’ll try to pull some strings with the bug in charge, and she hopes the eyes she can feel on her as she lets herself in are still his.

She bounds up the stairs to her apartment, knows she’ll be alone because Marinette said something about going on an evening run. She drops her bag unceremoniously at the door, doesn’t even bother to turn on the lights as she stumbles toward her room. Throws the window open, kneels among the cushions and the blankets and the books, and pokes her head out into the night, wondering if—no, hoping that—he’s still waiting to see her one last time.

Her heart flutters.

He is.

She bites her lip, stifling a wide smile, and she dares to blow him a good night kiss. He looks surprised by it, but not disgusted—which is a plus—and before he leaps off into the night again, he presses his palm to his heart. Like he’s caught it and stored it there.

It’s not a promise. It’s a consideration. And she’ll take that.

(Nino doesn’t pick up when she calls as she’s getting ready for bed. That does surprise her, because he’s usually ready to talk within three or four rings. But then, she’s not usually the first to call at night. She undresses quietly and braids her hair in the sticky early August heat, and gathers up a book to read and some tea to drink. And she lets herself sink into the dark and give him the benefit of the doubt, even after Marinette comes home.

At one in the morning, her phone buzzes. She has to grope for it, half-asleep under the sheets, and doesn’t bother cursing or asking who in their right mind would call in the middle of the night. Because anyone could call. Anyone could need someone. She rolls over in bed, her arm draped over her eyes, and hums to let the other person know she’s there and listening.

“Hillou,” Nino’s voice bleeds through the phone. Sweet. Soft and a welcoming kind of warm that beats all these degrees and makes her heart swell. And so, so exhausted that it almost breaks her. “Happy birthday.”)

#miraculous ladybug #camino #Nino lahiffe #oc: camila siddiq #nino/oc #i know i said last update had my favorite scene but like #this is definitely one of my favorite sections #if you say you don't like caramila congrats you are LYIN

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what-the--curtains · 5 years ago

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Braving the elements

(Bucky x OC and/or Bucky x reader)

Summary:

A mutant with elemental control flees her life of crime after an altercation with her boss. In hopes of bringing him down she seeks out her old friend Wanda and offers to help the Avengers. Whilst there a certain avengers catches her eye and she catches his. As a more sinister plot begins to reveal itself, you realize that your former employer is the least of your worries and that something wicked was being planned for you since the day you were born.

Warnings; Violence, Swearing, Theft

Author's note: First piece of non-academic writing I’ve done in a while so feedback is always appreciated, but be kind! I may change this to be a reader insert, but I just don’t like how (Y/n) looks in the writing. If y’all want it changed though let me know! Bucky makes his appearance in Chapter 4 so it’s a slow burn romance, but there’s gonna be fluff, angst and smut involved! Steve/Nat and Wanda/Vision are in it later as well, but I wanted to establish the main character a bit first as she’s the only one who's made up

Word Count: 2.0K

Act 1: Chapter 1: The Robbery

Songs inspiring this chapter

Ain’t no rest for the wicked – Cage the Elephant (Bank robbery)

Boss Bitch - Doja Cat (Fight with the avengers)

Monday 10 AM, N.Y.C

“This is it?” you ask, pulling your sunglasses down slightly in order to get a better view of the building standing before you.

“That’s the one.” Your getaway driver Calvin says into your ear piece, he’s a block away in the back of a white van waiting for the go ahead from the boss.

You squint as the sun hits your eyes, letting out a low whistle “Pretty fancy for a bank, you gonna tell me what I’m getting out of here?” you muse.

“That’s on a need to know basis sweetheart.” He responds flatly.

“Well sweetheart, hate to break it to ya, but I need to know!” you pause for a moment to see if you’ve managed to make him laugh “Seriously Calvin this is some of my best stuff!”

“God do you ever shut up, cameras and emergency buttons are down, you just have the guards to worry about now so get on with the job. Once you’re out make sure your face is covered. Do you have your mask with you? ”

“”You know as the person doing most of the brute work I think I deserve a little respect” you retort “Do I have my mask? Do you have your mask Calvin? God your infuriating!” you mutter, pulling out your “mandatory” earpiece and throwing it into a nearby gutter, before taking a quick glance in your purse just in case you had forgot.

Seeing the mask in its place, you pull your leather jacket over a white t-shirt and tighten your belt ensuring your shorts stay in place. Alright let’s do this you think with confidence before immediately tripping over your shoe laces and falling to the ground.

“God how embarrassing” you say slightly louder than you meant too. Pushing yourself onto one knee you tie your laces up and hop back on your feet “Alright let’s try this again.”

You walk through the sliding doors into the marbled interior of the bank, smiling as you pass by two security guards. One with a long mustache and another with a poorly done tattoo of a tiger on his bicep. You make note of the other two guards who were currently leaning up against the roman-esque columns lining the perimeter of the building. One was wearing sunglasses and the other was casually twirling a baton around.

“Hey, only four of you guys defending this whole building?” You inquire

“Ya sweetheart just the four of us, but don’t you worry we’ll keep ya safe” Tattoo replied with a smile and a slightly unnerving arm touch.

“Well thank goodness for that and god bless America!” you say sweetly grinning from ear to ear. Turning on your heel you head towards the counter ringing the bell twice before a woman in her mid-twenties appears from the back room and walks over to the counter. She’s wearing a name tag that reads Sandy.

“Hi there Sandy, how are you today?”

“I'm doing just fine thanks for asking and what can I do for you today?” She replied with a smile.

“I’m here to retrieve my belongings. Vault 176 here’s the key.” you say sliding it under the protective glass. Sandy smiles politely and walks into the backroom for a few minutes before emerging with a small box.

“Alright, I’m just going to need see some ID then your good to go ma’am”

“Well you see Sandy, I left it at home and my husband’s gonna kill me if I don’t get this back to him tonight could you do a gal a favour and just look the other way?” you plead

“I’m really sorry ma’am, but I just can’t do that.” Sandy replies sympathetically.

“Well I understand,” you say “Oh and Sandy, I’m sorry about this really I am”

“Sorry for what exactly ma’am?” she asks with a worried tone

“For this' ' you jump onto the counter and pull out a gun “Hi, yea, hello, people of the bank can I have your attention please? I just wanted to inform you all that I’m gonna be robbing this branch, but this does not mean it has to be a traumatic or unpleasant experience. I just need that box there and I don’t want anyone to get hurt, really I don’t. So if you could pretty please hand it over to me and any spare cash you have lying around this joint.”

Unfortunately, Tattoo, Mustache, Sunglasses, and Twirly were now approaching you with guns raised.

“Ma’am drop your weapon and put your hands where I can see them” demands Mustache

“C’mon sweetheart we both know you don’t know how to handle that thing.” Sunglasses says patronizingly

“Fine you got me glasses.” you pout “My little lady brain doesn’t know how to use a gun!” you exclaim before quickly throwing the gun at him, hitting him right in the head and knocking him out “ You’re supposed to throw the gun right?”

Mustache rushes towards you at full speed. Before he can reach you, you jump off the counter connecting the soles of your feet to his face knocking him down onto the floor unconscious. You land painfully on your hip feeling a bruise forming almost instantly.

The last two guards begin their approach. From the ground you kick Twirlys feet out from under him and jump to fight the baton out of his hand. Punching him in the throat you stand up and turn to knock tattoo, your least favorite of the four, right in the stomach with the baton. He doubles over in pain. Twirly tries to stand up, but you bring the top of your foot down on his neck causing him to drop, this time staying down. Bringing the same leg forward you knee tattoo in the nuts and feign a pained look as he topples over. Bending over you pick up the three guns now lying on the floor

“You know, you should really learn how to use these properly. Wouldn’t want you hurting anyone, especially yourselves.” You scold. The few people in the bank remained still and decided it was probably best to comply with you. You turn back to the counter now sweating, and Sandy hands you the box from the vault and a bag full of cash which she had filled during the beatdown.

“Thanks Sandy you’re a peach!”

Sandy looks at you pleadingly “Oh come on, we both know you ain’t gonna get fired because some lady came in and threatened you. If anything you should sue them, unsafe workplace and all” you offer sincerely with a shrug of your shoulders.

You gingerly step over the four guards lying on the floor and slip on your mask before exiting the bank.

Monday 10:25 AM Avengers Tower

A field agent runs into Tony’s office where he and Steve were working “Sir one of the downtown branches has been broken into!” he wheezes.

“And?” says Tony

“And you’re going to want to see this” He pulls up a video taken by one of the bystanders in the bank. The video depicts the scene of you beating up the four guards.

“You know who that is?” Steve asks Tony

“Never seen her before in my life, which is surprising considering how well she fights. Let’s get in for questioning. I'm a bit busy here so Steve if you wouldn’t mind.” He says turning back to his work.

“Peter, Wanda suit up, we’ve got a robbery to stop” Steve orders.

10:35 AM Downtown N.Y.C

God this mask is hot you think struggling to get the eyes hole in place as you approach the white van concealing Calvin’s whereabouts. Knocking three times he open the door and you

throw the small box from the vault up to him.

‘’What have I told you about taking out your ear piece?” he fumed “And what the hell is in that bag?” he shouts pointing to the large bag of cash you had grabbed.

“Money.” you say with a shrug of your shoulders.

“Last time I checked boss said no extra risks, he ain’t gonna be happy about this.”

“Well last time I checked he likes money” you respond causing Calvin to become even more agitated. As you turn to grab the money you see a ball of red light come hurling at you. You duck just in time.

“Shit, how the hell did the goddamn Avengers get here so fast?” Calvin shouts, you grab the money and throw it into the back of the van he extends his hand and you’re about to grab it when BAM something hits you in the back knocking you forward.

“Alright who the fuck threw a whole ass shield at me!” You yell more irritated that angry

“We gotta go c’mon Eve” Calvin pleads “Boss really ain’t gonna like this!”

“Screw that, this just got personal! Go, i’ll catch up” you promise turning and running towards the shield throwing culprit a.k.a Captain American. You kick him right in the gut having caught him slightly off-guard he doubles over. You remove your belt and wrap it around his neck pulling as hard as you can.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a superhero or something?“ you begin to ask, but before you can fish the sentence something slaps you in the back of the head pulling off your mask. You're thrown off the captains back.

“Shit!” you mumble before turning to see one of spidey kids webs still holding your mask.

You hear her before you see her “Chris?” you turn to see someone you hadn’t seen in years

“Wanda?” you blink a few times no it can’t be. Just then a truck skids up behind you and firm hands hoists you up

“We gotta go now!” Calvin says angrily, shooting suppressing fire out towards the three avengers.

“Chris!” Wanda yells again before throwing energy towards the truck. You pull the air around it and throw the energy back her way.

With Spiderkid and the captain still on your tail you decide to pull out a few of your old tricks. You pull the branch from a tree up and wrap it around the kids arm trapping him in the tree

“Um Mr. Rogers I’m down and out” he sighs.

“Two down one to go.” you focus on the captain who's now running through the street after you at superhuman speed. Lucky for you it had rained the day before on the street was full of puddles. Crouching down you turn the puddles to ice causing the captain to wipe out. Hard. Closing the doors of the van as It turns the corner you make your way back to your headquarters.

“They made me. Spider kid took my mask.” you whisper hoping Calvin doesn’t hear you

“He ain’t gonna be happy” he chastised.

“God you don’t think I already know that! At least we got the goods. He’s gonna be real happy about that!”

#bucky x oc #bucky x you #bucky x reader #buck barnes #avengers fanfiction #x men fanfiction #origin story #I SWEAR ITS A BUCKY FIC I JUST GOTTA SET UP MY CHARACTER

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thatmultifandomhoe · 6 years ago

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Strawberry Cream and BBQ - 17

Pairing: Hybrid Hoseok and Human Reader

Overview: Your best friend knows she can count on you for anything, so when she asks you to watch her hybrid while she’s gone for a study abroad trip for four months, you can’t say no. But when these four months are over, things have changed in a way no one expected.

Word Count: 1,921

Genre: Hybrid AU, Fluff, Future smut, Angst, Best friends to Lovers

Warning: None

Master List

Sneak Peak - 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 (Final) - Move in Day: A SC&BBQ Drabble

©thatmultifandomhoe Do not repost, translate, or use my stories without permission.

Sitting in your American Literature class, you smiled as the professor bounced around. Not literally of course, figuratively. It was refreshing to see someone that was so passionate about the subject they taught, which in turned helped him to engage his class with the day’s lesson and his students actually learned from him.

It was a win-win situation.

But your mind was far from the Literature class that you loved. Not only was it early – eleven in the morning – but your thoughts were centered around two things. Obtaining another cup of coffee, and Hoseok. More specifically, the way that he used his hands and mouth on you last night.

Hoseok had been more affectionate these last few days, even more so than usual. At first, you thought it was because he felt bad about the decision to keep your relationship a secret from Sue. You figured that this was his way of trying to make it up to you somehow, even though you were the one to suggest it.

He was already a cuddly person, but he acted as if each touch and kiss was the last. It started from the minute he woke up and lasted until you fell asleep. On a normal day, you typically didn’t see him in the morning because he went into work earlier than you unless it was day off. But lately, you’ve been waking up to him nuzzling and kissing your neck and shoulders, and most importantly, your neck. He always apologized, but the second he kissed your lips, it was like a surge of electricity traveled between the two of you. Hands would roam, the bedroom would suddenly get hotter, and it was all too easy to forgive him and get lost in each other before the day began.

Then it wasn’t just happening in the morning.

Even when you were trying to work on homework or was attempting to relax on the couch, curled up into his side. He was like a starved man at times. A starved horny man in fact. Trying to sleep at night seemed to be the worst though.

The two of you slept together in your bedroom now. After that first morning, you told Hoseok that if he wanted to move his things into your room that he was more than welcome to do so. So that night, when you were getting ready for bed that night and he followed you to your bedroom, butterflies had been flying in your stomach.

But now, he could barely keep his hands to himself. Although you made it clear that you couldn’t have sex every night, he was having a hard time controlling himself despite respecting your wishes. A simple goodnight kiss was turning into a twenty minute make out session that left your skin littered with hickey, various articles of clothing thrown on the floor. Somehow, he kept to his promise there was no sex, but now both of you were left sexually frustrated.

“Class ended you know.”

Jumping in your seat, you looked to the seat to the left of you to see Johnny, thus breaking your train of thoughts. He raised an eyebrow and pointed at the clock. “Come on, what’s gotten…” his words faded out as he looked back at you, his nostrils flaring as he swallowed. “Oh God. Tell me you’re not thinking about what I think you’re thinking about.”

You tilted your head, confused as you started to pack up. “W-what are you talking about?” Slinging your bag on your shoulder, you reached up to casually scratch the underside of your jaw, trying to avoid his gaze. Considering that your thoughts weren’t exactly rated pg-13, you weren’t too keen on admitting them.

Johnny took another deep breath, his eyes darkening. “I can’t believe you.” He didn’t say another word as he hurried with his own bag and grabbed you by the wrist, leading you out of the class with an iron grip. He didn’t stop there. No, he led you out of the building and headed straight to the parking lot for students. You couldn’t even put on your hat because he was moving so fast. With his free hand, he pulled out his keys and hit a button, making the lights of a small grey car light up. He wasn’t wasting any time.

“Johnny, what the hell has gotten into you?”

“I’ll explain in the car.”

His blunt answer surprised you. While he was always straight to the point, this time it felt like he was disciplining a child. Keeping his word, he turned his gaze on you once the two of you were safe in his car and the doors were locked. “You do realize that as a hybrid, with our enhanced sense of smell, we can smell when a person is aroused.”

Your eyes widened in shock, shaking your head. “I’m…I’m not aroused.”

“Really now?” Johnny crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against his seat, his nose scrunching up every now and then. His eyes were still darker than you were used to seeing on him, the pheromones you were unknowingly giving off affecting him. “Okay, tell me what you were thinking about then.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Johnny, no.”

“Are you forgetting that you helped me through my heat? Honey, I know what you smell like when you’re horny. And so won’t every other hybrid on this campus if you head back out there right now.”

Feeling like your back was against a wall, you sighed. You weren’t even sure why you were getting so defensive. Johnny was a great friend and you trusted him. He helped you with Hoseok once before, maybe he might have an idea as to what was going on this time. “I was thinking about Hoseok,” you finally murmured, knowing he heard you perfectly. “He’s been…acting strange.”

Johnny frowned, but waved his hand. “Okay. Weird how?”

You squirmed in your seat, slipping the gloves off your hands. “He’s been so touchy lately. It’s like every time we kiss, he can’t control himself and it leads to more.” Sighing, you tugged at the scarf that you had left wrapped around your neck, taking it off so Johnny could see the hickeys that Hoseok had left the night before. “He’s not forcing me into anything, but he’s horny every day and night lately.”

It felt like you making this out to be all Hoseok’s fault, but it wasn’t. If you didn’t have anything to do, didn’t have work or school to worry about, you’d gladly crawl into his arms and let him have his way with you. But you had your responsibilities and he had his. When Johnny didn’t say anything, you glanced up at him.

He was biting back a smile, but when he saw the confused look on your face, he forced himself to not laugh like he wanted. “Honey,” he gently said. “Do you know when Hoseok’s last heat was?”

“I don’t know, why does that…oh.”

Oh.

Every hybrid went through a heat each month. Instead of there being a designated mating season, there was a period of time during each month where the hybrid experienced a need to mate and have offspring. It was different for every hybrid though. The duration, the intensity, it all depended on the individual. No two hybrids had the same heat and this was a result of their animal DNA being combined with their human DNA.

In a way, it was the hybrid equivalent of a woman’s period.

With modern medicine of course, scientists were able to create a pill that would suppress they hybrid’s need to mate. At first, everyone thought it was a great idea and gave it to their hybrids without a second thought. But as years went by, the side effects started to become noticeable. While it stopped their heats, the medication also messed with them internally, sometimes making the hybrid infertile or, they would still be fertile but instead of having a heat, they would be severely sick for that time period.

You had never asked Sue before, but since Hoseok came to stay with you, you never once saw him take any medication. Even if he did, it was always Advil and that was because he was sore from dance.

“God,” you breathed out. “I’m a fucking idiot.”

“Let me guess, you have heat ridden horny Hoseok at home?”

Narrowing your eyes at Johnny, the corner of your mouth twitched. It was a little funny if you thought about it. When it happened with Johnny, you knew exactly what was happening and he had just been freaking out. Hoseok on the other hand, he knew what was happening and was trying to take care of it himself, and you were blind as a bat to it.

“Thank you, Johnny,” you answered instead, sliding your gloves and scarf back on, this time taking the chance to add your hat on too.

His laughter filled the car as you got out, effectively ending when you shut the door. Your own car wasn’t too far away, and once you were inside, you sent Hoseok a text while waiting for the heat to warm up.

On my way home.

A minute later, it vibrated in your hand.

About that, I called out sick this morning. I’m not sure you’re gonna want to be around me.

You rolled your eyes, grinning as your thumbs ran over the keyboard.

I know. Your heat started, didn’t it?

How did you know?

Giggling, you shook your head.

You were pretty obvious. I’m coming home, all I can think about is you. I’ll be there soon.

Your phone didn’t beep with another text. Instead, it rang as Hoseok’s caller ID appeared. With a smile, you held it up to your ear and answered the call. “I’m in my car now. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Strawberry,” Hoseok said, his voice strained and catching your attention. It sounded like he was in pain. He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, attempting to gather his thoughts. “Baby, I won’t be able to control myself. It’ll be different from the other times. And I’ll…I’ll want to mark you. And if I do that, that means our scents will be intertwined and you won’t be romantically attracted to other people…”

“And it means I’ve accepted you as my mate,” you gently interrupted. Inside your chest, your heart was racing. Even now when he was obviously having a hard time controlling his hybrid side, he was still thinking about you. He was still giving you the option to leave if you wanted. To stop this before it got too serious. “Hoseok, I’ve accepted you since the night we kissed. But honestly, I’ve been wanting to be with you for a long time. It just took you moving in with me to realize that.”

His line was silent except for his shaky breathing. You wondered what he was thinking, wanting to know what he thought about what you just said.

“My heat takes three days,” he warned. “And baby, I’m a dog hybrid. It’s gonna be rougher.”

“I know.”

“It’ll be nothing like what that ferret did.”

You chuckled, glancing out the window to see other cars leaving the parking lot as well. “Good. Because you’re gonna mark me.”

Hoseok released a low growl and you closed your eyes, heart thumping in your chest. It was just a phone call but your body was already reacting to his voice.

“Hurry home baby. Please.”

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emotionally-imbruised · 6 years ago

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To Fall In Love Again: Chapter Three

Chapter song: Bobcaygeon by The Tragically Hip

Word Count: 8.3k

“Love, just hear me out,” Harry pleads as he follows after her and feels as though his heart has plummeted to the pit of his stomach.

Zoe doesn’t really know what to do in this situation. She feels as though life is really just out to get her at this point with all the curveballs she’s been thrown as of late and now to top it all off; she finds out that her dad died... and of course she can’t remember anything about it. The traumatic experience of losing a loved one is everlasting, but since she forgets this happening entirely — she’s completely overcome by the shock of what she’d just heard Harry talking to the two people in the kitchen about and now feels as though she’s suffocating.

There is no effort from her this time when it comes to wiping away the tears that just don’t seem to stop flowing from her eyes as she heads down the hallway towards the front door; desperately craving some fresh air with how it feels as though she’s on the verge of a complete breakdown. She’s fully aware of Harry being only a few steps behind her but doesn’t pay him any attention when she comes to a quick stop so she can put on a pair of white Converse from the shoe rack that she can only assume are hers, before whipping open the door and getting ready to step outside; only to have her actions halted when a hand grabs onto arm, preventing her from going any further.

“Zoe, please.”

She doesn’t need to turn around to know it’s Harry who has stopped her and although the desperation in his voice strikes something within her, it’s not enough for her to forget about everything else that has just happened. With a deep breath, she turns around to face him and it’s then she sees the tears that have welled in his eyes as well. His green orbs captivate her a little more in this moment but she’s quick in shaking her head and pulling her arm away from his grasp. “I can’t, not yet.”

“Love, I-.”

“You lied to me Harry!” He’s taken aback by her sudden outburst, but he also knows he can’t say much because that is exactly what he did. “From the moment we talked in your room at the hospital there was just something about you that made me think I could trust you. Something that made me think every word that left your mouth was genuine and real… but then you go and lie to my face about my dad? What in the hell gave you the right to not tell me that my dad is dead, hmm? You had no means to keep something like that from me, especially if you knew how important he was to me.”

“Zoe, that’s not the case at all. I-I didn’t know how to tell you. We’ve been through so much lately, I couldn’t bring myself to bombard you with this too. I didn’t want to see you go through this pain again.”

She considers what he says, and for a brief moment Harry believes he may have gotten through to her— but that proves to be wrong when a slight scoff leaves her mouth and she adverts her eyes from his own. “I’m not this fragile piece of glass that has a ‘handle with care’ label stuck to her forehead, Harry. I’m still trying to figure everything out after this accident, yes, but fuck I’m trying and man does it suck seeing someone I thought legitimately knew me, knew me almost as well as I know myself even in these circumstances, think that. Because you couldn’t be more wrong… and clearly I was mistaken to assume such a thing when it came to you knowing me at all.”

Without another word, Zoe grabs a jean jacket that hangs on a nearby hook before stepping out the door and shutting it right behind her; leaving Harry to stand frozen in her wake, staring blankly at the spot she had just occupied and not being able to comprehend what the hell just happened. It takes him a few seconds but once he finally processes everything, he’s wasting no time in turning around to go upstairs to put on a hoodie so he can go after her.

“Harry you need to stay here,” a voice states from behind him once he reaches the midpoint of the staircase.

“Alexa, I can’t just stay here. She doesn’t even know where she’s going, how do I know she’ll make it back ok? What if-.” He starts rambling as he turns around to face his friend who is now standing at the front door zipping up her knee-high boots with her jacket in hand.

“Did you not listen to a single thing she just said, H? She feels betrayed and is clearly upset over the news of her dad. I hate to break it to you, but you’re probably the last person she wants to talk to right now, mate.” Alexa tells him firmly as she reaches for the door handle before turning to look at Grimmy, who is now standing at the bottom of the staircase looking back and forth between her and Harry. “Make sure he doesn’t leave.”

“Yes ma’am,” the radio talk show host responds before Alexa disappears out the door to search for their friend; leaving to two men alone and Nick sure isn’t able to ignore the sigh of defeat Harry lets out as he slumps down on the steps, leaning his head against his unslung hand in a feeling of absolute failure.

Zoe really hasn’t made it that far and is now standing in one spot finding herself more and more frustrated with each passing minute. Of all the things she could’ve worn, it just had to be the yellow flowered sundress that caught her eye as soon as she stepped foot into Harry’s closet, and she just hadto storm out of the house on an oddly windy day that made even the idea of wearing such a thing seem to be a nuisance. She uses her left hand to grip onto the bottom of the dress, so it doesn’t fly around and show off everything she’s got, while her right hand desperately tries to type in a 4-digit passcode on the cell phone she’s holding.

There’s no doubt in her mind that this is her phone by the picture of her and Harry that is set as the lock screen, but since she first found it amongst her possessions when she woke up in the hospital room, she’s been unable to get into it. The device has seemingly been trying to scan her thumbprint but keeps stating a passcode needs to be used to unlock in order for a so-called Touch ID to work, which just isn’t happening.

After a few more failed attempts at punching in a series of 4-digit codes she thinks it could possibly be, a message pops up saying the phone has been disabled for one minute due to all of her failed tries at unlocking it. An aggravated groan leaves her mouth as she stares at the screen before letting her hand fall to her side and instinctively pulling her bottom lip in between her teeth as she thinks of what to do next. However, before she can even conjure up an idea of where to go from there, a female voice speaks up from behind her. “Did you try 0201?”

Zoe immediately turns around to look at the person and finds herself face to face with the woman that was sat in Harry’s kitchen just minutes ago. She glances down at the phone that’s still gripped tightly in her hand as the message disappears and she’s able to try a passcode again. She types in the four numbers the woman suggested and sure enough, the phone unlocks with a satisfying click. The shock Zoe’s feeling is evident on her face as she takes a second to swipe through the phone a little bit, but quickly snaps out of it so she can look at the woman again. “How did you-?”

“Know the passcode?” She asks with a chuckle, and sends Zoe a friendly smile. “February 1st, 0201, it’s Harry’s birthday. You’ve had that set as your passcode since about a month after the two of you started dating because you thought your own birthday was, and I quote, ‘too predictable.’ Can’t say I’m surprised it hasn’t changed since then, same old Zoe.”

“You’re-,” Zoe starts as she stares at the woman and cocks her head to the side a little bit, studying her. “You’re Alexa Chung… we’ve met before.”

“That we have,” Alexa responds and lets her smile widen. “Back in the day at a shoot for-.”

“For Longchamp, I remember.” Zoe can’t help the slight sob that leaves her mouth as she says this because this is the first thing, she’s been able to recall from her memory of the last six years since the accident. It’s not much, but the more she thinks about it — the more she can remember regarding those first couple of months that has been nothing but a blur to her for the past two days. “That was one of the last photoshoots I ever did as a model, it wasn’t long after then I finally landed an internship with a photographer. I was in what, my second year of college? It was in 2013, right?”

Alexa can’t help the excitement that sparks within her at the thought of Zoe starting to remember even the slightest bit of her past. “Yes, it was. We became pretty fast friends because we hit it off so well, god, we were inseparable for so long after that… C’mon babe, think a little harder. Is there anything else that’s significant you can think of that happened around that time?”

Zoe looks at her curiously for a moment before thinking deeper about what she’s just remembered, and slowly little pieces of memories fall into place in the puzzle that her memory has seemingly become. “We went everywhere together. Shoots, dinners, parties… you brought me to so many events and introduced me to so many people. It-.”

She comes to an abrupt stop as a distinctive memory of her being dressed fairly casually at a party at a god knows where drinking and smoking more than a few different things, fills her mind. There were a few people she knew at this party such as Alexa and the other man who was in the kitchen back at Harry’s, someone she remembers being called Nick — but there was also a couple of other people, celebrities, that she mingled with and had to try rather hard to keep her cool around such as the likes of Florence Welch and Kelly Osbourne. The entire night replays in Zoe’s brain a bit fuzzily due to how messed up she must’ve been as she thinks of who else was there, but then she remembers crossing paths with a certain curly haired celebrity dressed in orange and white striped shirt that covered the white t-shirt he wore beneath it. A curly haired celeb that was part of a rather popular boy band she’d seen on the television and heard on the radio many times before.

Alexa observes her friend and can basically see the gears turning in Zoe’s mind as she thinks back to this specific memory. She continues watching her for a moment before Zoe’s eyes suddenly widen and she looks to Alexa with complete and utter disbelief. “Zoe?”

“It was you,” she responds and shakes her head slightly, amazed that she was able to put this piece of her memory puzzle together. “It was through you at your birthday party that year, that I met Harry.”

A strong wave of relief washes over Alexa as she is unable to stop looking at Zoe with a stupidly wide smile, and isn’t able to do much else but nod in agreement before finally forming a sentence. “It is. Is there anything else you can remember after that?”

“No, not really.” Zoe tells her with a shrug. “I-I’m just more surprised I was even able to remember that... I’m sure Harry told you about what happened and all.”

“The accident? Yeah, he did. I didn’t want to believe it Zoe, but man is it hard seeing you not remember what has happened these last few years hun. They were so significant and special and-.”

“Consisted of my dad dying somewhere in between,” she cuts her off and a deafening silence forms between them. Zoe looks to the ground as she awkwardly shifts from one foot to the other, before taking a breath and moving her gaze back up to meet that of the brunette who stands in front of her. “Alexa, can you tell me anything about what happened with dad? Why Harry thought he needed to keep it from me?”

With a soft sigh and a quick glance away from her friend, Alexa takes a second before nodding and looking back to Zoe again. “Yes, but not here. Let’s go get a coffee, ok?”

The two women make their way down the street to a nearby cafe so they can actually discuss these things, and Alexa makes sure to quickly send a text to Harry to let him know Zoe is alright; knowing full well that he’s probably having a bit of a freak out back at the house. After she and Zoe both get a drink, they sit down in a corner booth of the fairly unpopulated shop and indulge right into conversation. Alexa is sure to answer any questions Zoe has to the best of her ability and by the end of it all, she feels they may have actually gotten somewhere.

“So, it was cancer,” Zoe speaks up in a whisper, mainly just as confirmation to herself while she processes everything she’s just been told. “In the lungs. And he didn’t even tell me until it was too late, didn’t he?”

With a deep breath before leaning forward slightly to look at her friend considerately, Alexa takes a moment to think of her words before she says them. “Zoe, your father adored you. He was so damn proud of everything you’ve accomplished, I remember after he told you he was sick, you told me he held off letting you know because he was afraid of putting that burden on you. He was afraid it’d hold you back from what you were doing in life.”

“He had no right to do that,” Zoe responds with her voice noticeably shaky. She has to look away from Alexa to let out a quick breath while moving to wipe away some tears she feels have built up in her eyes again. “He- my dad is the only family I have for fucks sake; how could he not tell me something like that? I-I can’t believe I went so long without knowing. What kind of daughter am I? How the hell does one go months without realizing someone close to them is sick? I’m such a terrible person.”

“You cannot think of it that way, Zoe. It was something you had absolutely no control over and the last thing your father would want right now is for you to go through that grief again.”

“God, and that’s the most frustrating part isn’t it? Not being able to remember your own father’s death.” The two fall silent and the only noise to be heard is that of others in the coffee shop, as well as Zoe’s sniffles. She takes a moment to steady her breaths as she feels them becoming rather uneven, before shaking her head and continuing. “I don’t remember the details, but this feeling of being upset and overwhelmed — it’s familiar. I’ve felt this way before and I, I really don’t like it.”

“This is something no one should ever have to experience and I’m sorry that you’re having to go through it again, love. I wish there was more I could do to help but I really don’t know what that could be.”

“No, it’s alright. I appreciate everything you’ve told me Alexa,” Zoe states and looks to her friend with a small smile. “I-I really don’t know where to go from here though. Harry probably wants nothing to do with me at the moment and I actually have nowhere to go, now don’t I? Not that I necessarily want to go back there anyways.”

“I can assure you that is not the case at all,” Alexa reasons and reaches across the table to pat Zoe’s hand comfortingly. “Because I know for a fact that man is at home beating himself up so much right now. Why don’t we head back so you can talk to him? If you’re wanting to that is. I know you’re upset with him, but he cares about you so damn much Hun. It’s actually quite ridiculous how much and there’s no way he’d never intentionally hurt you over anything... especially something like this.”

“Then why did he lie?”

“Harry- he has a weird way of communicating sometimes. It’s not on purpose or anything, but when it comes to something or someone he cares about? That boy over-thinks every little detail out of the want to put everyone else and their happiness before himself. He truly has the biggest heart and I just know that whatever reasoning he has to keep this from you, it was because he didn’t want to see you go this for a second time. It was ultimately out of his care and love for you, Zoe. He really isn’t the bad guy in this situation and he most definitely does not deserve to be treated as such.”

It takes a second for Zoe to ponder her options, but she can’t even kid herself — she knows exactly what she wants to do in regards of when it comes to Harry. “He’s been so amazing with everything that has happened to the two of us, the least I could do is hear him out about this. I think I owe him at least that.”

“Exactly. M’really glad you see it that way babe, cause he’s probably losing his mind right now and you’re the only one that’ll be able to fix that.” Alexa tells her honestly and Zoe just nods back in understanding.

“Guess we should go back there now then, yeah?”

The two girls are quick in making the short walk back to the house and it has Zoe feeling rather nervous. She doesn’t know what she’s going to say to Harry. Obviously, she’s still upset with him for not telling her about her dad, but she is willing to hear what he has to say — what she’s more nervous about though, is telling him about the idea she thought up while talking to Alexa. Now who knows how well that’ll go over?

They make their way back up the steps and walk into the house to find Harry and Grimmy unsurprisingly still sat in the main entryway. Harry immediately stands from the stair he’s sitting on and steps down a few towards them, locking his gaze with Zoe and not allowing it to falter out of fear that she may just walk out of that door on him again.

He can tell she’s been crying, the way her eyes are still slightly puffy is a good indication of that and he despises the fact that he was the one to cause it. It throws him off that she decides to hold eye contact rather than look away, which has him mindlessly stepping down more of the stairs as the desperation to talk to her grows with each passing second. “Zo.”

“We’ve gotta get going,” Alexa speaks up and gestures for Nick to follow after her. It takes a second for the radio talk show host to register what she’s getting at, but he eventually does and moves from where he’s leaning against the staircase to stand beside her.

“Right uh, we’ve got that thing… yeah.” He mumbles and looks to Alexa for confirmation that he’s playing along well enough.

“Right. If the two of you, either of you, need anything at all — please let us know.”

Harry and Zoe both mumble a quick thank you and goodbye as their two friends quickly make their exit, which now leaves the two of them alone in complete silence yet again. He contemplates a few ways he can address the elephant in the room but much to his surprise, it’s Zoe who initiates the conversation.

“Harry, what you did,” she starts and takes a breath as she thinks of what it is exactly she wants to say to him. “Was so shitty. But I’m not standing here to ream you out about it, ok. What I really want to know is why you thought you needed to lie to me about such a thing?”

“Love, if I knew the proper answer to that question, believe me I’d tell you.” His response comes quick and he finds himself awkwardly shifting his foot from one foot to the other before deciding to continue. “To just spring something like that on you after I’ve already seen you go through the pain and grief of it once already? I couldn’t.”

“What did you expect to happen though H? I was bound to find out regardless of if I remembered or not.”

His eyes widen at her calling him by his first initial — something she hasn’t called him since before the car accident. “You jus’ called me H.”

“I, yeah I guess I did,” she replies and looks at him oddly. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“M’sorry for changing the subject love, but… you never called me that until we were dating. I thought maybe you may be remembering something seeing as you were nervous to call me that cause you thought I wouldn’t like it.”

“Well, uhm when I was talking to Alexa, I was able to recall the night we met at her birthday.” Zoe explains and it takes everything in Harry to not burst with joy. “I don’t really know why I had the urge to call you that, it must just be a piece of my past I haven’t connected to everything else yet. But Harry, that’s beside the point. That doesn’t change the fact that you still lied to me about my dad.”

“I- you’re absolutely right and I apologize,” he tells her honestly and exhales before getting his train of thought back on track. “Zoe, when your dad passed away you closed yourself off. You pushed me, your friends, everyone away as a part of your grieving and no one blames you for that — but it was one of the hardest things any of us have ever had to witness when it came to you. To see someone we all love, someone who’s light never failed to brighten anyone’s day, go through such a tragedy and see how much it affected them in the worst way possible was no easy task. After the funeral you became the most depressed I’ve ever seen. You wouldn’t eat anything but the bare minimum, barely slept, and hardly left the bedroom unless you absolutely needed to… A part of you died along with your dad and you never fully recovered from that which is why you shut everyone out. It took quite a bit of time for you to realize that it was ok to be happy after he died, but you eventually did. To even consider the thought of putting you through such a thing again jus’ wasn’t an option to me. I know that wasn’t for me to decide, and please know how sorry I am for doing that — but also know that I am so selfish when it comes to you. You’ve never deserved anything less than the entire world and to see you not realize that is something I refuse to let happen ever again.”

Zoe is left completely speechless as his rant comes to an end and is simply unable to form a response. Her vision is becoming blurry by the water that is filling her eyes and can even feel a slight tremble in her bottom lip as she attempts to take a few calming breaths. She may not remember everything Harry has told her, but she’s just so overwhelmed by how much Harry truly does love her. A part of her mind is nagging her for not being able to return the same level of affection, but she ignores it as she allows her feet to take her across the small space that separates them; only stopping once her body is firmly pressed against his with her arms wrapped securely around his middle. “Thank you.”

“You have no need to thank me bub,” Harry states as he instinctively wraps his unslung arm around her, all while gently leaning his head on top of hers. He can feel the tears streaming from her eyes and onto the shirt he put on while she was gone each time, she blinks but couldn’t care any less for just having her this close is more than anything he could’ve hoped for from today. “I really didn’t mean to upset you. M’always going to want what’s best for you and do whatever I can in my power to make sure it happens. Please believe me when I say that.”

“I do,” she tells him honestly and slowly moves away from him so she can wipe away some of the tears. “And it’s clear I did something right over the last six years if it allowed me to have someone like you in my life Harry.”

He takes a moment to just observe her as she recollects herself. She may not still remember anything but whatever this was that just happened, he feels it was a step in the right direction and he’ll be damned if he lets that slip from his grasp. “I tell myself the same thing every day about you Zo. Now if there’s anything I can do to help with you now knowing about your dad, I need you to let me know. Can you promise me that?”

“Yeah.” She says and nods her head in agreement. It doesn’t take much for her to notice the sigh of relief that leaves Harry’s mouth and its then she decides that maybe she should bring up what she’s been considering since only moments after finding out about her dad’s death. “Actually Harry, there is one thing.”

“What is it, love?”

“I want to go home. My home,” she explains. “And if you’re willing, I’d like you to come with me.”

◆

It doesn’t take a whole lot to plan the trip for the two of them to fly back to Ontario, but it does take a bit of time; about a week and a half to be exact. Harry adamantly insisted that the two of them go back to the hospital so they can visit Dr. Lang and get her ok in regards of them travelling, which Zoe couldn’t help but think was a good idea as well.

During their visit, Dr. Lang was more than thrilled to hear about the little bit Zoe had remembered since being released from her care. She took it as a progressional step in a very good direction and thought that maybe this trip home could help trigger some more of Zoe’s memories, therefore, she thought this plan was a great idea and after a few calls to Anne, Gemma and Jeff; the two were eventually ready to part from London’s Heathrow in the early afternoon to embark on their eight hour journey across the Atlantic to Toronto’s Pearson airport.

The two of them spent the past week and a half really just getting to know each other, which has actually help Zoe out a lot. Although Harry already knew most of what Zoe would tell him about herself, he very much enjoyed watching her get excited over the things she was explaining. Whether it be about what made her want to move to London for school in the first place, or her just going off about her favourite songs and movies; Harry hung onto every word she said and was genuinely intrigued.

Zoe’s let herself open up to Harry and she’s very glad she has. Along with her talking about herself, she also made sure to ask him about the things his life consisted of too. It was then she learned about what happened to the infamous boy band One Direction she remembers from years ago, and how Harry started out on his solo career. She made sure to listen to the details he told about his first album, filming of the movie Dunkirk, his first solo tour, the bigger one that followed not long after and even about how he inducted Stevie freaking Nicks into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; even found out how Harry and his family lost someone very important to him over the last few years as well. It was his step-dad Robin and from what Harry said, he seemed like an incredible person.

What blew her mind the most about all of this though was how apparently, she was there with him for every single thing he’s mentioned. She doesn’t remember them, but she’s started feeling comfortable enough with Harry and knows that he will answer any questions she has in regards of anything he tells her. There’s not a doubt in her mind that Harry is lying to her about anything, and that makes for a relieved Harry because that isn’t something he plans on doing again. He’s being real with her, and she appreciates that more than he’ll ever know.

Their flight into Toronto is rather smooth, and once they arrive at the terminal, everything seems to continue going that way for them — even when they’re separated at customs seeing as Zoe has to go to a different section altogether with her being Canadian and all. Once they’re through the gates and have gathered their luggage, a security personnel escorts them to an awaiting vehicle to make sure that goes smoothly as well despite the few fans that noticed them as they made way through the airport.

The drive from Pearson to Zoe’s hometown takes close to two hours. She grew up in a small town north of Toronto that is located right along the Georgian Bay. It has always been one of her favourite places in the world, especially during the summer months because of how much beauty it holds. June tends to be a rather warm month in Southern Ontario, so unsurprisingly the drive there is full of sunshine and nice weather.

“I still can’t believe you’ve been here before,” Zoe’s voice speaks up from the passenger side of the vehicle about an hour and a half into their commute. She looks over at him with a large smile as she watches him carefully steer the car with both hands on the wheel. Just yesterday Harry was told he didn’t need to wear his are sling anymore, in which she helped gently remove for him, but he was still advised to go easy on his shoulder since it will still more than likely be stiff and sore for another week or so.

“Course I have. Have you not been to the Muskoka’s? Love it there.”

“Harry, where I’m from is considered part of the Muskoka’s yeh nut. Just a different part from where you’ve been.”

“Well I’ve been here too technically,” he explains as they pass a sign indicating they’ve reached the municipality of her hometown. “Only once, but it was with you.”

The remainder of their drive stays fairly silent up until Harry takes one final left turn and they start making way up a long rocky driveway. Zoe thought she was ready for this, but once they round a slight bend and her old home comes into view; that proves to be incorrect.

The house looks exactly like she remembers, simple and picturesque. An old porch swing that her and her dad used to sit on as he read her a story when she was younger sways in the breeze beside the other much updated patio furniture that is placed with it. The swing looks in much rougher shape now; but the memory of it being in its former glory will remain forever etched into her mind as she takes in the rest of her surroundings.

Her eyes roam a bit more as she takes in the rest of the wraparound porch that eventually disappears at the back of the house; leading to a part that overlooks the body water the edge of the property meets. It’s not visible right now but connected to the backside of the porch is a set of stairs that lead down to a small boat deck; something that allows one to be nice and close to the waters of the bay when they’re standing on it. She moves her gaze back to the front of the house again where a furry border collie runs around under the large maple tree that provides a good chunk of shade for the property on its own. The rickety looking tire swing her dad hung up when she was ten still hangs off one of the thick branches and makes her think of all the times she spent swinging, but mostly falling off of that thing while growing up.

Her feelings are a mixture of happy and sad once Harry puts the car in park, and as if on cue, a middle-aged woman comes out onto the porch to greet them. Zoe makes eye contact with the woman and doesn’t break it as she climbs out of the car before breaking into a full-on sprint so she can engulf her into a tight hug. “Aunt Jackie!”

“Oh my, Zoe! I can’t believe you’re actually here.” Zoe’s unable to respond as she squeezes the older woman and lets out a happy sob.

“I am. I’m sorry it’s been so long,” she responds and pulls away to send her another smile. A moment passes and soon enough, another set of footsteps can be heard and she doesn’t need to turn around to know it’s Harry standing behind her. She turns around to motion him to come forward, and as soon as he does, he is also engulfed into a hug by Zoe’s aunt.

“Thank you for taking such good care of her. Especially during this,” Jackie mumbles quietly enough for only Harry to hear.

“Promised I always would, not going back on that now.” He replies before she pulls away and gives his arm a slight squeeze before looking back to Zoe and motioning for them to follow her to the house to get settled in.

When Zoe claimed she didn’t have any family besides her dad, she meant by blood. Her mother left shortly before she turned three and it’s only been her and her dad since — she doesn’t really remember much about her mom and has never really had the desire to. Jackie was her dad’s absolute best friend in the entire world and has been around for as long as Zoe can remember. Her father has one brother who’s lived on the western coast of Canada her entire life and has only actually met a handful of times. She doesn’t have any resentment against her biological uncle by any means, but they never had the chance to form a close bond because of the distance there always was between them. Mr. Clarke and Jackie were her rocks growing up. It’d only ever just been the three of them, it’s the only life Zoe had ever know so, when Zoe’s dad passed away and left everything to her; she signed the property ownership over to Jackie because she was the one person Zoe felt could actually be trusted with such a special place. She didn’t recall this happening per say, but when Harry explained it… it made total sense to her.

Jackie is completely aware of the accident that caused Zoe to lose her memory seeing as Harry was the one to call her just a few days after it all happened. It’s tough for her to see Zoe like this but wastes no time in making sure both her and Harry settle in after their long day of travel; wanting nothing more than to make sure they feel at home. They get settled in fairly quickly, and three of them have a very lowkey day just spending time in and around the house. By the time night comes, Harry and Zoe are more than ready to catch up on their sleep and no protests are made when they climb into the double bed that occupies the guest bedroom together, and let their exhaustion consume them.

The next day is a bit more eventful, but not necessarily in a good way. The three of them start the day off visiting Mr. Clarke’s grave, which hits Zoe quite hard. She’s unable to control the steady stream of tears that flows from her eyes as the three of them walk up to tombstone and has to stop a few times before she finally reaches it. No one says a word as she approaches the grave and places a single white rose on top of it. She stares down at the engraved writing, which is kind of hard to decipher with her blurred teary vision. After a few attempts at trying to read the dates, she finds it to be a bit too much to take in and has to step away. Immediately letting Harry pull her into his hold as she allows herself to break down completely and cry into his chest. He rubs her back soothingly and whispers words of reassurance for a few moments, refusing to move from his spot until he knows she’s calmed down a bit.

After that, no one is really feeling up for much. So, they spend the rest of the day roaming the nearby towns, to which Zoe points out various spots to Harry she remembers to be significant in her growing up here. It’s the most in depth she has ever really gone into about her life before meeting him, finding himself to be hanging onto every word she says as she explains each place with such excitement and fondness.

The remainder of the day drifts by and before anyone knows it, evening has come. Everyone’s made their way back to the lake house and spend the majority of the evening eating dinner and just preparing for another relaxing night in. Zoe stays to help Jackie with the dishes in the kitchen after they both kicked Harry out seeing as he insisted that he make dinner that night.

As the two of them clean up, he makes his way outside and down onto the boat dock to sit on the edge of it. He finds it to be rather peaceful just taking in the sereneness of his surroundings and lets out a sigh of contentment. The sun is on its way to completely disappear out of sight in the distance, the pink and purple colours that chase after it reflect in the still water and really make for a breathtaking setting. A loon can be heard calling in the distance, but everything else stays silent; something he doesn’t get to experience as much while he’s at home in bustling cities. Being here is a really nice break from all of that.

Zoe doesn’t really notice the sense of longing she feels as she watches Harry exit out the sliding glass doors leading to the back porch and is completely oblivious to the trance she’s fallen into as she stares at the spot he just occupied for a few moments after he’s gone before Jackie speaks up and snaps her out of it. “Are you sure the two of you have to leave so soon?”

“Oh, uhm yeah, unfortunately.” She answers and reaches for a dish towel hanging from the stove to dry her hands off with. “I need to go back to work, Jack. It’s going to be hard and I don’t really know what that’ll consist of, but I need to do it. So does Harry, he’s put so much on hold because of me.”

“I know, and I won’t keep you from doing that. But promise you won’t stay away for so long next time, ok?”

“I promise,” Zoe tells her mindlessly as she walks over to the glass doors and looks down at the dock to see Harry sitting on the edge of it, swaying his feet back and forth right above the water.

Jackie stays back for a second to observe her as she does this. It’s been made clear to her that Zoe does not remember the majority of the relationship she has with Harry, but from what she’s seen — she’s convinced there’s a possibility of that happening. Even with the situation they’re in, Harry has never once let it affect how much he cared for and loved Zoe, and although she doesn’t remember; it’s been clear to Jackie that Zoe has found those feelings too and has allowed herself to care for him just as much. “Zoe, why don’t you go down there and talk to him.”

“Oh, no. He looks so peaceful, I don’t want to bug him.”

“Think he’d much prefer if you were there with him if I’m being completely honest.” She assures before backing away slightly. “I’m going to go watch some TV, you know where to find me if you need me kid.”

Nothing else is said between the two before Jackie disappears into the other room, and Zoe’s left alone. She nibbles on her bottom lip slightly before making the decision that maybe she will go talk to him, and quietly slides open the class doors so she can make her way down there to do so.

The sound of Gord Downie’s voice can be heard from the windows of the house as it seems Jackie has started playing one of The Tragically Hip vinyl’s her and Zoe’s dad used to listen to all the time. A small smile dances across Zoe’s lips as the song changes and the familiar guitar riff of her favourite Hip song begins playing just as she reaches Harry.

“It really is beautiful here isn’t it?” She asks mainly to herself as she looks out over the water, but also is completely aware that it’ll catch Harry’s attention.

He immediately glances over his shoulder at her sudden presence and finds himself frozen as he looks up at her. The dull glow of the little remaining sunlight that still fills the sky provides this angelic radiance that illuminates around her as she continues stepping towards him. Behind her, the fairy lights that wrap around the railing of the porch above flicker on with the indication that night time is arriving, but with the way that and the music playing, it all just seemingly emphasizes her presence entirely. Even with her ripped jean shorts, oversized faded Rolling Stones t-shirt and messy bun, Harry’s convinced he’ll never see something as pretty as her ever again. “Absolutely stunning.”

“How come you’re down here all alone?” She questions awkwardly and comes to a stop, watching him as he stands from his position so he can approach her.

“Thought I’d enjoy the peacefulness a little bit more before were thrown back into reality the day after tomorrow,” he tells her, and she nods in understanding. She’s unsure of what else to say and decides to just look around at everything but him, letting the music create the perfect background noise as she does so. Harry can pick up on what she’s doing by avoiding his gaze and develops a slight fear that this little moment between them might end a lot faster than he wants it to. “Uh Zo, care to dance?”

His question catches her off guard a bit, but with being in her favourite place, while one of her favourite songs play with this amazing person, she’s come to know over the past two weeks; she can’t find it in herself to say no. “I’d love that.”

A small series of chuckles leaves both of their mouths as they attempt to get into position to start dancing and erupt into full on laughter as they fail miserably. No words are exchanged as they finally get a hold each other and sway along to the music together. Harry can’t keep his eyes off of her and pays no attention to where they’re stepping, because there’s honestly just nothing else he’d rather be focusing on. The same thing is happening to her while she looks up to his enticing green eyes and is simply unable to not get lost in them. They make a few more steps towards the edge of the dock and its then Harry feels the need to address the thoughts running through his mind. “Zoe?”

“Yeah?” Is all she’s able to say before she takes slight step too far backwards and miss the dock completely. A surprised yelp leaves her mouth as she tries to regain her balance, but there’s nothing for her to grab on other than Harry and his balance is no longer steady as well. It’s a lost cause when her grip on him tightens and she ends up pulling him towards her, resulting in the both of them toppling right off the deck and into the water below with a loud splash. The water surrounding the dock really isn’t that deep so when they both resurface around the same time and they immediately erupt into a fit of laughter. “Look what you made me do!”

“Me?” He asks defensively between his cackles. “You’re the one that stepped off the dock love.”

“Cause you distracted me,” she tells him with another giggle before splashing some water at his face.

“Oh, you’re going to pay for that,” he responds before lunging at her, and tackling her back into the water.

They both resurface shortly after and are hit by another wave of laughter as a splash fight ensues between the two of them. Zoe’s splashes hit Harry fast and hard as he uses his arm as protection against the water that is constantly being aimed for his face. He blindly wades through the water towards her as she does this, and once he’s close enough to her, he quickly reaches out to snake his arm around her waist and pulls her against him; causing more laughs to erupt from her as he lifts her up slightly and spins around with her in his hold.

Once he sets her back down, she remains planted in her spot as she smiles widely up at him and he’s beaming right back. She reaches up to push some of his wet matted curls away from his face and just as she’s about to pull her hand away from him, he reaches up to hold her wrist so that she’ll stay in that place. A small gasp leaves her mouth as he does this and she’s quick in locking her gaze with his again. They remain silent and in that position for a moment before Harry slowly starts inching towards her and not stopping until his lips are connected to hers.

The kiss takes Zoe by surprise, but she’s quick in letting herself melt into his touch. She responds by tangling her hand into his curls and using the other to grip onto his t-shirt slightly as he pulls her even closer to him and deepens the kiss exceptionally. Their hands begin roaming each other feverishly, both craving the other in more ways that can be explained as Harry lifts her legs up so she can wrap them around his middle. Zoe is craving him more than anything right now as his hands move to the bottom of her t-shirt and he starts tugging it up over her head before tossing it back up onto the deck, something she has no issue in letting him do. Their clothing becomes less and less as they continue making out and Zoe knows exactly where this is going.

The feeling of him inside of her as they lay on the grassy part of the water’s edge is indescribable and filled with so much intensity and love. Once they’re both finished, he carefully pulls himself out of her burning core before rolling onto the ground beside her and finally makes an effort to catch his breath. They lay there in silence, the only sounds being their uneven breaths along with the noises of the frogs and crickets that are off minding their own business nearby. They’re both content laying there, staring up at the star filled sky without an absolute care in the world as Zoe slides her hand across the small space between them and links it with his.

This is the most peaceful she’s felt in the past two weeks and she has Harry to thank entirely for that. There’s no feeling of regret about what just happened as she lets her head fall to the right so she can face him and feels the butterflies swarm in her stomach as he smiles wildly at her. However, as they lay there and she watches him stare back at her with nothing but admiration — there’s this small nagging feeling she has about how maybe this shouldn’t have happened, and that thought alone scares the hell out of her.

#harry styles #harry #one direction #harry styles fanfiction #one direction fanfiction #harry styles imagine #styles #harry styles writing #harry styles fluff #harry styles angst #angst #harry styles smut #harry styles imagines #harry styles fanfic #harry styles x oc #to fall in love again #1dff

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prettyboyroger · 6 years ago

Text

Fame Chapter 1 “Whiskey On Ice”

Author: Sarah (@prettyboyroger)

Characters: BoRhap! Roger Taylor, Katherine Teague (OC), BoRhap! Mary Austin, Jane (OC, kinda), BoRhap! Brian May, BoRhap! Tim Staffell, BoRhap! Freddie Mercury

Pairing(s): BoRhap! Roger Taylor/OC, slight BoRhap! Mary Austin/Freddie Mercury in the background

Summary: A former child star making a new image for herself becomes involved with Roger Taylor as they both rise to fame, dealing with all that brings with it and that life brings along the way.

Rating/Warnings: PG-13/ Alcohol use, smoking, references to a character having had sex while underage (non-graphic)

Disclaimer: These portrayals are based off of the characters in Bohemian Rhapsody, I do not claim to know the real people that these are based on. This story is a work of fiction and the character of Katherine as well as many of the events in this series are fictional. I do not own Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, or Roger Taylor.

Word Count: 2869

A/N: Okay so this is chapter 1 of what’s hopefully going to be a long-running series. I’m finally contributing something to this fandom instead of just leeching off everyone else! Also I made this an OC instead of a reader insert because I wanted to do something a little different and have a character was a little less likable and more flawed and less of a blank slate. Please be gentle, I haven’t written a fanfiction in years, but I hope you like it! I wrote it with BoRhap! Roger in mind, but you can picture 1970 Roger Taylor and it’ll work just fine. If you want to be added to the taglist, just let me know.

Music: Playlist for this chapter in general. Youtube playlist for the songs Smile played (yes I know that I Feel Good was not with Smile just let me have this)

Part 2

4 January 1970

Katherine adjusted the bow on her yellow dress in the mirror. She spun around to face her friend “So how do I look?”

“You look like you’re going to freeze,” Mary said dryly to her co-worker.

“You’re not even wearing nylons Kat!” Jane chimed in.

“Nylons were invented by the man to keep us down! They’re itchy and uncomfortable and not wearing them has the added benefit of free drinks all night,” Katherine smiled deviously to her friends. “In any case it’s not like I’m going to go home with anybody I’m just going to flirt a little and have some drinks, there’s nothing wrong with that, in fact, it makes me frugal!” Katherine said, brushing her long blonde hair.

“What it makes you is fast!” Jane teased dodging the hairbrush that Katherine had thrown at her.

“We’re only teasing Kathy you look great,” Mary said, adjusting the fur trim on her own coat.

“You’re not allowed to tease me on my birthday, it’s against the rules and I do, don’t I? Not quite as good as you, Mary, but I make up for it with my dazzling personality.”

Mary rolled her eyes “And unparalleled humility.”

“Of course I could do better if Mary were to come with me and help me…”

“As much fun as it sounds to be groped by strange creepy drunk men all night, I’ll just leave getting the drinks to you.”

“Oh live a little Mary! Don’t be such a square! And not all the guys are total creeps, who knows, you might just meet your destiny tonight!”

“Seems a funny way to meet my destiny, at a student band’s performance in a tiny pub.”

“A student band that we are going to miss if we don’t get going right now,” Jane chimed in.

The girls set out from Jane’s flat down to the pub two blocks down the road. Katherine was shaking and goosebumps appeared on her bare legs as they walked down the street.

“Cold, Kathy?” Jane taunted.

“I’ll have you know that my blood runs quite warm so I simply don’t get cold. I simply have goosebumps in anticipation, after all, it’s my 18th birthday and I can finally drink out at clubs!”

“Uh-huh and how are you gonna explain to the bartender at the same pub we’ve been going to for years that this is your 18th birthday?” Jane asked

“I don’t know what you’re talking about I have never been this pub before, I have been told that I have an uncanny resemblance to a woman named Karen Knight who may have frequented this pub in the past, but I have a suspicion that she won’t be coming back,” Kathy beamed as her friends rolled their eyes.

The girls walked into the pub together, showing Kathy’s real ID for once, just as the little student band was beginning to set up for the show. Kathy was chatting up one of the men at the bar, a ginger who was probably around 26, in a bid for free drinks just as the lead singer introduced the band.

“How are all you lovely people doing tonight? I’m Tim Staffell, we have the incomparable Brian May on guitar, and of course, the legendary Cornish drummer Roger Taylor.” That last comment earned Tim an eye roll from the blond drummer and a few giggles from the crowd. Must be an inside joke Kathy thought to herself. Kathy had paused her pursuit of drinks to look over at the band. The lead singer looked well enough and when he started to play the bass and sing he was certainly very talented, if a bit lacking in showmanship. The guitarist seemed very tall, at least in comparison to Tim, he really had a natural talent for this, he was probably the best of all of them and his guitar was very unique, it wasn’t a Strat like most people had, Kathy had never seen a guitar quite like this one before, it had a good sound, a unique sound quite unlike most of the others she had heard before. The drummer was probably the least technically skilled of the three of them, but he made up for it many times over by bringing in a certain showmanship that the other two lacked. He would twirl his drumsticks and smile at the pretty girls in the audience. The audience was charmed and mesmerized by him (the female members of the audience in any case). He was the best looking one, in Kathy’s opinion anyway, and it seemed a shame to her that he was hidden away in the back behind a drum kit. Kathy turned her attention back to the ginger in front of her as the band’s song played in the background.

Do do do

“Do you come here often?” Kathy smiled at the ginger affecting her best northern accent. Guys like him always were suckers for sweet, naïve northern girls.

Do do do

“I would come here more often if there were more girls like you here.” Kathy laughed and batted her pretty brown eyes.

Do do do

“My, my but you are charming.” He wasn’t.

Do do do

“Where are you from?”

Do do do

“Carlisle.” She wasn’t.

Do do do

“New in town, then? Can I get you a drink?” Hook, line, and sinker.

You take away my sunshine

You take away my rain

I can see it in your eye

“Well I mean, I don’t know if I should I mean my friends don’t have drinks either and I would just feel too bad drinking in front of them if they don’t have anything.” Years of acting were finally paying off for Kathy as she put on her best “dumb, silly little distressed girl face”.

There must be an answer somewhere

(there must be a way) “Four drinks please! I’ll have a gin & tonic and whatever the lady would like to order.” He had a smarmy smile on his face and his hand started to rub on Kathy’s bare thigh.

You can find a way I can see it in your eye “A Blue Hawaiian and a Pina Colada for my friends. I’ll have a whiskey on ice.” Kathy smiled at the ginger man before her, not allowing any of her distaste for him to show.

The bartender gave Kathy her drinks as the song started to wind down in a chorus of Do do do. Kathy smiled and removed the ginger’s hand from her thigh. “I’ll be right back and we’ll see what kind of trouble we can get into,” Kathy winked. She never saw the ginger again.

Kathy had a few talents and carrying three drinks through a crowded pub without spilling any of them was one of them. As she made her way over to Jane and Mary, she caught the eye of the drummer she had noticed earlier. God, he was gorgeous with long dirty blond hair and sparkling blue eyes and from the looks of it he knew it as he caught Kathy staring at him and winked at her from behind his drum set. Kathy flashed her winning smile right back at him, she would not be outdone in the overconfidence department. The drummer laughed and smiled after catching her smile before turning his attention back to his drums. He was terribly handsome, Kathy thought, I must say hello after the show. Kathy had made her way over to Mary and Jane just as the next song was starting up.

“Ladies, I come bearing gifts!” Kathy handed Mary her Pina Colada and Jane her Blue Hawaiian.

“Which poor sod did you trick into buying you these?” Mary prodded gently.

“The ginger that’s dressed like a square.”

“Kathy! That’s not a very nice thing to say!” Mary scolded, “Don’t be mean!”

“But it’s true isn’t it? Anyway don’t feel too bad for him, he got fresh with me.”

“Which I’m sure you in no way encouraged,” Jane chimed in in between sips of her drink.

“Are we here to judge me for getting free drinks out of a creep or are we here to have a good time?” Kathy asked, impatient to start having a good time, taking a swig of her whiskey.

The band played a short set consisting of some original stuff and some covers. All of the members were quite good singers, something that surprised Kathy.

“You rarely see a singing drummer! It’s very unique!” Kathy remarked earnestly watching the drummer sing a cover of “I Feel Good”.

“You fancy him, Kat?” Jane asked between sips of her drink.

“He is handsome dontcha think?” Kathy twirled a lock of her hair around her finger.

“Yeah, but he seems like a bit of a lad to me,” Jane responded.

“Well I’m not looking to marry him or anything I just think he looks like a good time for a night or so.”

Jane rolled her eyes as Kathy pulled out a cigarette.

“You know Kat I read those things are just awful for you,” Jane chided as Kathy pulled out her Zippo lighter and lit the cigarette.

“Well we all have to die somehow,” Kathy said taking a drag. As she exhaled the smoke rose and circled around the girls heads. Kathy never understood how non-smokers could stand to be in pubs, they always seemed to be more smoke than air. It was pretty in a way, at least to Kathy, the way the smoke would fog up the room putting a haze and a mystique to these pubs, a certain atmosphere was created there, one of anonymity and Kathy found it all very Romantic. Of course, to others like Jane it was just a choking hazard of dirty, smelly air.

As the song finished, the guitarist stepped up to the mic, “Now we only have one song left for you folks tonight,” Boos and whines erupted from the crowd, “No, no, now it’s a good one it’s called ‘Doing All Right’.”

The girls finished their drinks and Kathy finished her cigarette as the song hummed along in the background.

“Mary, what do you think of the singer? You always have had a thing for singers and you are the one who recommended that we should see this band anyway?” Kathy turned to her friend who had been unusually quiet this whole time.

Mary wasn’t paying attention to her friends and her eyes were focused on the bar at something. Or rather someone. A dark haired man was drinking a beer at the bar and watching the band attentively, hanging onto every note and Mary was watching him just as attentively.

“Mary!”

The pretty blonde finally noticed that her friends were trying to get her attention and spun around.

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“Well, we were going to ask you if you liked the singer, but you seem to be more interested in the gentleman at the bar,” Kathy giggled at her friend as Mary turned bright red.

“Well, I was just- I mean- He is quite handsome don’t you think? And Tim? Oh, he’s fine, but actually Brian, the guitarist, has been terribly kind to me.”

“Kind to you? You’ve talked to him?” Kathy asked her friend.

“Wait, Brian? I’ve heard that name before… weren’t you two going steady for a little while a few months ago?” Jane asked.

Kathy’s eyes lit up and her jaw hit the floor. “Wait, wait, wait, you were going steady with him? And you didn’t tell me? I didn’t know you had gone out with anybody, you never tell me anything!”

Mary looked overwhelmed with the sudden interrogation “Well we weren’t really going steady, we just went out on a few dates and-”

“What was he like? He looks a bit like a square, but he is a guitarist in a rock band and the things that guitarists can do with their fingers-”

“KAT! This is why I never tell you anything! Don’t make this dirty!”

“Oh honey this was dirty before I said anything!”

Mary was saved by the song coming to an end and the band thanking the audience and leaving the stage. People slowly began to shuffle out of the pub and into the hallway when Kathy stopped her friends in a doorway.

“I’m gonna go talk to the drummer.”

“God Kat. Should we wait for you?” Jane asked incredulously.

“No, no, don’t wait for me.”

“Kat, we’re not going to leave you here to go home with some guy you’ve never met. Besides, from what Brian’s told me, Roger is a lad,” Mary cautioned.

“Oh, so his name’s Roger then? I’d forgotten if he’d been introduced. Fantastic, thank you for your help,” Kathy spun around and walked out to the back where the band was, ignoring her friends’ protests.

Kathy opened the doors to see the three boys putting the last of the drum kit into the van.

“I liked your show.”

The boys spun around to see Kathy standing just outside of the door smiling at them with her prettiest, most practised smile. Kathy had a burst of pride when she saw Brian flush as soon as he looked at her, the one thing Kathy always took pride in was how pretty she was. She knew that girls were not supposed to think that they’re pretty, but Kathy was very pretty and everyone had always told her so all her life from her mother, to casting directors, to her agent. Other girls had wit and grace and they were allowed to think to think that they those, why should she not be allowed to think that she was pretty?

Well, as long as men look at me like that, I’ll always have something Kathy thought to herself.

“I- Thank you glad you liked it,” Brian stuttered out before quickly turning back to the van and putting more stuff in in an effort to hide the blush on his face. Kathy stifled a laugh at that. The singer Jim? No? Lin? Was also putting stuff into the van seemingly lost in thought. Roger did not blush sweetly like Brian did. He simply smiled the cockiest smile that Kathy had ever seen as he approached her.

“I noticed you enjoying the show,” he looking up and down her body in a completely un-gentlemanly way. He lowered his voice and whispered in her ear “And I noticed you looking at me.”

Kathy laughed and turned to him, her voice as soft as his, “Is that right? Because I seem to remember it being you looking at me.” The blondes smirked at each other.

“I’m Roger.”

“Kathy. Or Katherine if you’re my mother and I’ve pissed you off.”

Roger laughed at that. “Listen, what are you doing-”

“Roger, hey, I need to talk to you,” the singer Tom? Interrupted the two.

Roger turned to the singer, annoyance flickering in his eyes, “Can it wait, I’m kinda in the middle of something, Tim.” Tim! That was it!

“No, Roger, I’m sorry, but it’s important. And miss? I’m sorry, but I really need to talk to Roger and Brian. Alone.”

“I understand. See you around Roger.”

Kathy turned around towards the hall, a little annoyed, though not as annoyed as Roger who Kathy heard as she was heading back, “Are you joking? You better have something important to say, she was about an hour and two drinks away from shagging me!”

Kathy saw Mary and Jane still standing in the doorway where she had left them as she came back, they were looking at someone down the hall from her. As Kathy followed their gaze she noticed the dark-haired man that Mary had been staring at earlier walking towards her. He stopped suddenly and turned around to look at Mary.

“I like your coat,” the dark-haired stranger said.

“She got it at Biba, she works there!” Jane chimed in smiling at Mary who turned to Jane, irritation flickering on her face.

“Thank you.” Mary said, her annoyance and embarrassment visible on her face.

The dark-haired man smiled and continued walking down the hallway, passing Kathy. Kathy rejoined her friends, as bemused as Jane was at how flustered the dark-haired man made her.

“Well, well Mary, you have an admirer!” Kathy said.

“I do not have an admirer! I’ve seen him at other Smile shows and he just wanted to know where the band is and he probably just recognized me. And aren’t you supposed to be shagging some drummer by now?”

Kathy gasped in mock outrage, “Well I never! I was merely inviting him over for a chaste afternoon tea and you and your dirty mind turned this into something naughty that I never could have dreamed of! Honestly Mary!”

“Spare us Kathy, we both know that you are as much a virgin as Mary Magdalene was. Did you get shot down?”

“I have never and will never be shot down in my life! Tim just needed to talk to him.”

“What about?”

“No idea. Band stuff, probably. Anyway, we have to open tomorrow, want to head back?”

“Gladly.”

A/N Pt. 2: That’s all folks! Also don’t crucify me for the descriptions Kathy gives of the band’s playing, they’re based off of biographies of Queen that I read that said that Tim was good enough to get recruited to an up and coming band, Brian was exceptionally talented from the early days of Queen, and Roger wasn’t perfect technically at first, it took him until about Sheer Heart Attack to really get his drumming down to the exceptional level it is today! I don’t know enough about music to make these kind of judgments on my own, I think they sound really good, even from the beginning! But Kathy as a character would so I had to defer to what other people who know music said about it! Again, please be kind I haven’t written any fanfiction in a very long time!!

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highfivecalum · 6 years ago

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The Bet {CH} 4

“HE FOLLOWED you on Instagram! And added you on Snapchat! Oh my God, Y/N. He wants to bone!” You rolled your eyes at Peyton’s dramatics and tried to shush her, but it wasn’t working. She was way too excited and making it way too big of a deal. He added you on Snapchat and then followed you on Instagram, so what? It’s just social media. It’s not like he proposed.

“She’s right, Y/N/N.” Michael agreed as he shoved a potato chip in his mouth. The three of you were sitting at a picnic table in the quad and you, regretfully, told Peyton and Michael about Calum following you on the two social media apps. “There’s no way he’s not into you.”

“You guys are being dramatic.” You snatched your phone back from Peyton, who was creeping on Calum’s Instagram, even though he didn’t post often, definitely not as often as you, and locked your phone. You looked around the quad, seeing the groups of friends around, and your eyes landed on Calum and his friends. He was laughing at something his friends said, his eyes crinkling up, and his white teeth on display for everybody to see, and you smiled, but quickly looked away before he could catch you staring at him.

“Why are you so against it?” Peyton questioned you. You didn’t have an answer, not a valid one at least, so you just shrugged. Peyton and Michael both knew that your luck with guys wasn’t that great, considering the three boyfriends you had didn’t last long. Only long enough to go on a few dates and then, of course, have sex, and then the relationship ended. Just like that. So you were hesitant, sometimes, because it seemed like the only thing guys wanted from you was sex.

You didn’t mind hooking up with guys with no strings attached, but sometimes, you wanted something more. A real boyfriend that actually cared about you and liked you, not just for your body, but those guys were hard to come across, especially at the college you went to, so you kind of just gave up.

Peyton, on the other hand, loved to hook up with different guys. She wasn’t the relationship type of person. She hated being tied down to one guy for too long and she got bored easily, so relationships weren’t her thing. She liked to go out, meet a guy, talk to him for a little bit, and hook up with him a few times before ending it, not giving the guy an explanation as to why she ended it, and move on. It seemed like a foolproof plan for her, so far, so she continued to do it.

Michael was the hopeless romantic of your friend group. He loved the thought of being with one person for the rest of his life. He didn’t even think about the sex part that much. He liked sex, of course, what guy didn’t? But it wasn’t just all about sex for him. It was about love and respect and the consistency and the familiarity and stability of a relationship for him. Michael thought that Allison, his girlfriend of three years, was it for him. She was the love of his life and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

You were right in the middle of the two of them. You liked relationships and you liked sex, but you weren’t pining for either of them. You were content not constantly having sex all of the time and you were content with being by yourself sometimes and you were fine without the hassle that sometimes came with relationships. Without casual sex with random guys, you didn’t have to worry about pregnancy scares or STD scares, like Peyton often, unfortunately, often dealt with. Without relationships, you didn’t have to worry about getting into fights or heartbreaks, like Michael, unfortunately, dealt with.

“We should celebrate tonight!” Peyton exclaimed.

“Celebrate what, exactly?” You asked.

“I don’t know! Life!”

You didn’t want to go out, but Peyton and Michael practically forced you, so you agreed. The pair told you that they would be at your apartment at around eight to drink before going to the bar, and Michael informed you and Peyton that he was bringing Allison along with, which you didn’t mind. You and Peyton liked Allison, you never had a problem with her, but she never warmed up to the two of you. She didn’t like the idea of her boyfriend’s two best friends being attractive girls, or that’s what Michael told the two of you, you weren’t sure if that was the real reason.

Your apartment door swung open right when you got finished doing your makeup, still in your pajama shorts and a sweatshirt, and in walked in a very excited looking Peyton and a very sulky looking Michael. You noticed Allison wasn’t with him, which is why he was sulking, so you immediately poured him a shot, Peyton a shot, and yourself a shot.

“Allison didn’t come?” You asked after downing the shot, sticking your tongue out at the foul taste of the vodka that had been in your cabinet for who knows how long. Michael sadly shook his head sadly and poured himself another shot. “Why not?”

“She didn’t want to, apparently, going out with me and my ‘two girl best friends’ didn’t sound too appealing to her.” Michael rolled his eyes and took another shot. You looked at him with worried eyes, as did Peyton, but you didn’t say anything. You knew Michael could handle his booze, but you also knew with how sad he was looking, he was going to get completely plastered, and you weren’t sure if you wanted to babysit him all night.

Peyton scoffed as she also took a third shot. You were fine with just the one, opting to drink a mixed drink instead of taking a straight shot, shots usually weren’t your thing. “She needs to get the fuck over that and the fear of us having a threesome. And she needs to stop being so jealous. She knows that you’re so in love with her that even the thought of another girl makes you feel queasy.”

“I know, but she just doesn’t understand that!” Michael frowned. “I’m not interested in other girls, especially not you two.” Michael cringed at the thought of you and Peyton being more than just his friends. He thought the two of you were pretty, of course, but he thought of you as his sisters, and the thought of fucking his sister really turned him off. “Can we change the subject though? I don’t feel like talking about this anymore.”

“Abso-fucking-lutely!” Peyton cheered. Talking about Michael’s relationship problems wasn’t really a happy subject for any of you. “You guys have to help me find a hot guy to hook up with tonight, okay? I really need to get laid. It’s been too long.”

“It’s been, like, a week Pey.” You laughed and finished off your drink. It was nearing nine after you finished your second drink and after Michael and Peyton had successfully gotten tipsy off of four shots when you decided you should probably get dressed and start to get ready to go out.

You stripped out of your clothes and replaced your pajama shorts with a high-waisted jean skirt, replaced your sweatshirt with a white tube top, and slid your feet into a pair of wedges. Peyton was wearing a pair of heels and you knew she would want you to dress up like her, so instead of a dangerous pair of heels, you decided on a pair of shoes with a thick wedge, so if you did end up getting drunk enough, you wouldn’t fall over your own two feet. After you put on jewelry that consisted of the two necklaces you always wore, the three rings that never left your fingers unless you were showering or sleeping, and a few bracelets, you deemed yourself ready to go out.

“Ow! Ow!” Peyton hollered at you, smacking your butt, as you re-entered your kitchen and you laughed at your tipsy best friend. “Look at you! I think you’ll get laid tonight instead of me.”

“Doubtful.” You laughed and dragged your two best friends out of your apartment. You made sure to lock the door behind you, before making your way out of the building, and slid into the Uber you had gotten. You didn’t want to walk to the bar, with you wearing uncomfortable shoes and all, and the fear of getting arrested for public intoxication, so you opted on splitting an Uber to the bar.

The bouncer checked your IDs and let you inside of the crowded bar. With it being a Friday night, it was almost completely full, but you weren’t surprised. The three of you shouldered your way to the bar and Peyton immediately ordered a round of tequila shots. You knew it wasn’t a good idea to take tequila shots, especially since Peyton and Michael were already sporting a buzz, but you didn’t want to be a buzzkill, so you downed the shot and shook your head back and forth at the taste. You weren’t a big fan of tequila, never have been and never will be, so the taste was worse to you than it was to others.

Drink after drink, shot after shot, and the three of you were drunk. You, just moderately drunk, not enough to make a fool out of yourself or black out, but enough that everything was funny to you. Peyton was drunk, you could tell, but she held herself together well enough that it wasn’t quite noticeable. Michael was noticeably drunk, swaying to the music, and smiling that signature smile he always got when he was drunk.

The bar was stuffy and you needed some air. You yelled to Peyton and Michael, over the music, that you were going to step outside for some fresh air, and they simply nodded their drunk heads and continued to dance. You shoved through the crowd of people and stumbled out the door slightly, catching yourself before you could fall to the ground, and inhaled the fresh air. Well, not completely fresh, considering you ended up in the designated smoking section, instead of outside the front of the bar. You looked around, realizing that you had gone out the smoking section door instead of the main door. You always got them confused when you were drunk.

You looked around and sighed, not knowing or recognizing any of the people in the smoking section, and you were about to make your way back inside when a familiar voice stopped you. You spun around and looked up from your phone to see Calum leaning against the wall. A small smile appeared on your face and you walked closer to him.

“I didn’t know you smoked.” Calum mumbled, looking you up and down. You wrapped your arms around your body as you shivered. It was warm where you lived when the sun was out, considering it was April, but when the sun went down, the temperature dropped, leaving you standing outside in the cold with exposed legs and no jacket.

“I don't.” You huffed as you back hit the brickwall harder than you intended it to.

He cocked an eyebrow at you. “Then why are you out here if you don’t smoke? This is the smoking section, you know.”

“Yes I know.” You rolled your eyes. “I went out the wrong door.” You laughed at yourself as your words slurred causing Calum to laugh in return. “I always get them confused. They should just put a damn sign on them. It’s confusing.”

“Are you drunk?” His lips curved up in a smile and you shrugged. You had a lazy, and drunk, smile on your face and Calum noticed it and thought it was gorgeous. He didn’t want to keep staring at you, so he distracted himself by taking another drag of his cigarette. You watched as he put the cigarette up to his lips and inhaled harshly, his cheeks sucking in, and he caught you staring. You quickly looked away and he laughed. “What?”

Before you could say anything, the door was swinging open, nearly hitting you in the process, and Calum quickly grabbed your arm to move you before the door hit you. You stumbled into him, your hands landing on his chest, one of his hands on your arm, and the other on your waist to steady you. You looked up at him, your eyes locking, and you gulped. God, why did he have to be so attractive?

“You okay?”

“Uh- yeah. I’m fine. Thanks.”

Calum slowly released you, his touch still lingering on your skin, and he pursed his lips at you. “Y/N! There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Michael stumbled to you and rested his hands on your shoulders to steady himself. His eyes were bloodshot and instead of the drunk smile he always had on his face, his lips were turned down into a frown.

“What’s wrong, Mikey?”

“‘M just sad.” He pouted. “I called Allison and she was being all mean to me and then hung up! Can you believe that?” You frowned as well as Michael scoffed. You really disliked Allison in that moment since she was making Michael sad and you hated seeing him sad. He deserved better than her. “I think I’m gonna go home.”

“You sure?”

Michael nodded his head and started to walk away, but stopped himself to tell you something. “Oh yeah, supposed to tell you that Peyton met a dude and she went home with him. And I’m leaving now, so you’re on your own. Bye! Love you!”

You tried to stop him, tried to leave with him, but he was already out of the smoking section, leaving you with a frown on your face. “Love you.” You mumbled and looked away from the Uber that Michael had gotten in to see Calum looking at you. You huffed and pulled out your phone. You had to squint with the screen being so bright and with how drunk you were. It was already two in the morning and, of course, your Uber app wasn’t working. Just your luck. “Guess I should go home now.”

“How’re you getting home?” Calum asked as he extinguished his cigarette.

“I’m just gonna walk, I guess.” You shrugged and started to make your way out of the smoking section gate when Calum lightly grabbed your forearm to stop you.

“You shouldn’t walk home this late, especially alone, can I give you a ride?” Calum had heard of girls walking home alone, drunk, and getting stopped by random men and he didn’t want that to happen to you, especially since men these days didn’t know what the word no meant. Even if he was only trying to get close to you to win a bet, he didn’t want to risk anything bad happening to you. He would feel responsible.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“I’m sure. I’m not gonna let you walk home this late. Come on.”

Calum didn’t bother saying goodbye to Ashton and Luke, he just took your small hand in his own big one and led the way to his car. He opened the passenger side door and dropped your hand to let you slide in. The leather seats were cold against your legs and you shivered quietly. Calum quickly got into the driver’s seat and started the car, turning the heat on to warm you up, even though he wasn’t cold. You gave him directions to your apartment and before you knew it you were outside of your building.

You picked up your purse and unbuckled your seatbelt. You jumped out of Calum’s car, since it was quite a tall car, and stumbled a bit, but caught yourself as you grabbed onto the door that was still open. Calum laughed at your clumsy-ness and you flicked him off playfully which made him laugh even harder. Even though the two of you hadn’t hung out much he liked your sense of humor.

“Thanks for the ride, Calum.” You smiled and he waved before you shut the door. He watched as you walked inside, struggling with to get your keys out in the process, and he smiled.

Calum drove home with his favorite song playing and a wide smile on his face with your smell lingering in his car. Normally, he would be annoyed with driving home a drunk girl, but he didn’t mind so much that night, since it was you and he was getting that much closer to winning the bet.

❀ ❀ ❀

Taglist: @babylonshood, @mysticalhood, @friendly-neighborhood-michelle, @peyton5sauce, @honeycombcal, @my-world97, @luek-is-life, @backstreetbarakat, @tothemoonwithclifford, @grreatgooglymoogly, @therainydays4, @lukespenguin-97, @lifeakaharry, @akacalciumhood, @ashtxns-hxe, @rexorangecouny, @fivewachinessos, @pancahke, @monster-among-michael @calumhoodslays, @kristyesteven

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citizenscreen · 6 years ago

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This tradition began four years ago when I thought of no better way to share the joy of the season on this blog than to spread the magic of movies. In a Christmassy sort of way. ‘Tis the season, after all and paying movies forward in hopes that these memorable distractions take your minds off negative goings on is now my December lot in life. I’m asking that you join me, recommend your favorites and #PayClassicsForward on your blogs and across social media.

Give the gift of movies

I realize I am publishing this post much later in December than I have in the past, which leaves you little time to play with it if you are up for the challenge. However, if you are interested here’s the challenge…pick movie recommendations to the “12 Days of Christmas” theme as I’ve done below. Keep in mind that movie choices should be those you think would appeal to non classics fans and there can be no repeats. Let’s grow our community and #PayClassicsForward

Have fun!

On the first day of Christmas, etc., etc., etc…

One dream

Excluding the mother of all dream sequences, that is when Dorothy befriends a Tin Man, a Scarecrow, and a lion in a magical land, then I must go with a telling of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classics, A Christmas Carol. I didn’t set out to choose a Christmas story for this, but perused several lists of dream sequences in movies and was shocked that Ebenezer Scrooge’s legendary journey was not even mentioned. I correct that oversight with this entry as it is a dream to fill the heart.

Of all the adaptations of Dickens’ story about morality, human frailty, and redemption the best is Brian Desmond-Hurst’s 1951 movie starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. This version of A Christmas Carol is good enough to watch all the year with Sim’s nuanced, affecting performance a standout. If you are a rotten person you might want to dream as Scrooge does in this movie and if you are a kind-hearted sort you might want to be reminded of why that matters.

Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge

Two islands

I could have gone with fun times and music for this category, but decided on gloom and doom instead. Take a look and you won’t forget Earle C. Kenton’s Island of Lost Souls (1932), which features a terrifically creepy performance by Charles Laughton. Next I suggest you gather with seven guests who are picked off one by one in Rene Clair’s And Then There Were None (1945) based on one of Agatha Christie’s most famous whodunnits.

Island of Lost Souls

Before there were none in And Then There Were None

Three gentlemen

No surprise here. See everything they’ve ever done.

Four speeches

From Chaplin’s The Great Dictator (1940)

Hynkel/A Jewish Barber:

“I should like to help everyone if possible; Jew, Gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness, not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone, and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way…”

From Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather (1972)

Don Vito Corleone:

“But I’m a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall him… if he should be shot in the head by a police officer, or if he should hang himself in his jail cell, or if he’s struck by a bolt of lightning, then I’m going to blame some of the people in this room, and that I do not forgive.”

From Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Jefferson Smith:

“Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I’m free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that.”

From Robert Mulligan’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Atticus Finch:

“Now, gentlemen, in this country, our courts are the great levelers. In our courts, all men are created equal. I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and of our jury system – that’s no ideal to me. That is a living, working reality! Now I am confident that you gentlemen will review, without passion, the evidence that you have heard, come to a decision and restore this man to his family. In the name of GOD, do your duty. In the name of God, believe… Tom Robinson.”

Five golden rings

Not that kind of ring! This kind…

Mark Robson’s The Harder They Fall (1956)

Robert Rossen’s Body and Soul (1947)

Reuben Mamoulian’s Golden Boy (1939)

Michael Curtiz’s Kid Galahad (1937)

Edward G. Robinson and Bette Davis in Kid Galahad

Eddie Buzzell’s The Big Timer (1932)

Ben Lyon and Constance Cummings in The Big Timer

There are quite a few great boxing movies that most have seen like the ones with that Balboa guy. I chose a few that you may not have and should. By the way, I want extra points with Santa for not listing Elvis’ Kid Galahad (1962).

Six Acting-related Stories

Assuming everyone has seen Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard, Joseph Mankiewicz’s All About Eve, and the Donen/Kelly vehicle with dignity, always dignity, Singin’ in the Rain then I suggest the following glittering stories…

Victor Fleming’s Bombshell 1933)

George Cukor’s A Double Life (1947)

Robert Florey’s Hollywood Boulevard (1936)

Joseph Pevney’s Man of a Thousand Faces (1957)

Graeme Clifford’s Frances (1982)

Stuart Heisler’s The Star (1952)

The Star

Bombshell

Man of a Thousand Faces

Frances

Hollywood Boulevard

A Double Life

Seven drinks

I thought it’d be fun to spread the joy with ideas for classic imbibing. Here are just seven of the many drinks had throughout yesteryear in the movies.

The Thin Man Martini

“…a Manhattan you shake to a Foxtrot, a Bronx to a two-step, but a Dry martini you should always shake to waltz time.”

1 1/2 oz Dry Gin

3/4 oz Dry Vermouth

Instructions:

Pour into a cocktail shaker, shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

The Casablanca Champagne Cocktail

Victor Laszlo’s drink.

Champagne Cocktail 1 bitters-soaked sugar cube 1 oz brandy or cognac Brut champagne Twist of lemon, for garnish

Place your sugar cube on top of the bitters bottle. While holding it in place with your finger, flip the bottle upside down until the sugar cube is saturated. Drop the sugar cube into a champagne flute and add your cognac or brandy. Top with Brut champagne, garnish with lemon and enjoy.

Margo Channing and the “bumpy night” Gibson

This cocktail is also notable for making a cameo in the train car in North by Northwest, but Margot gets the official shout out today.

Gibson Classic Cocktail

4 parts gin 1 part dry vermouth pearl cocktail onion Combine the gin and vermouth in a shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a pearl onion.

The Some Like it Hot Manhattan

This whiskey cocktail is popular in Wilder’s film and best served after stirring/mixing with a drumstick, cymbal, and hot water bottle on a trail with Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopaters.

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon 1 ox Italian sweet vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Recipe:

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy.

Blue Hawaii Mai Tai

1 oz white rum

½ oz Orgeat syrup

½ oz Cointreau

2 oz pineapple juice

1 oz orange juice

Dark Rum float (such as Koloa dark rum)

Pineapple spear and lime (for garnish)

Mix white rum, Orgeat, Cointreau, pineapple and orange juices in a shaker filled with ice. Pour drink into a glass with the ice, and float the dark rum on top. Top with pineapple spear and lime wedge.

Made by Angela Lansbury this is sure to be a hit at any party.

The Breakfast at Tiffany’s Mississippi Punch

2 oz / 50 ml cognac 1 oz / 25 ml bourbon 1⁄2 oz / 12.5 ml lemon juice 1⁄2 oz / 12.5 ml sugar syrup 1 oz / 25 ml dark rum

Shake all the ingredients except the rum with crushed ice and pour into a Collins glass, unstrained. Top the glass with more crushed ice, gently pour over the rum and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

The Scotch Mist from The Big Sleep

It’s important to offer a darker choice so I went for the kind of drink a femme fatale would order when sitting next to Humphrey Bogart.

Ingredients :

2 oz. whiskey (whiskey, bourbon)

2 oz. crushed ice

1 twist lemon peel

Pack a collins glass with crushed ice. Pour in scotch. Add the twist of lemon peel and serve with a straw. No garnish because garnish doesn’t fit in a dirty little world.

Eight silents

I know many classic film fans that have not taken the journey into silent film. That was me when I started this blog, but since I’ve made a concerted effort to watch a silent film when time allows. There’s no doubt I would recommend some of the popular greats to the silent movie novice, or films made by the three comedy megastars and the likes of Metropolis or Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, to name just two. This past year I saw most of the following lesser-known gems for the first time and recommend them without hesitation.

Victor Sjöström’s The Wind (1928)

Erich von Stroheim’s Foolish Wives (1922)

Per Lindberg’s Norrtullsligan (The Nortull Gang ) (1923)

Leo McCarey’s Mighty Like a Moose (1926)

Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle’s The Cook (1918)

Lois Weber’s Suspense (1913)

Paul Leni’s The Cat and the Canary (1927)

Fred Guiol’s Duck Soup (1927)

Duck Soup

Foolish Wives

Mighty Like a Moose

Norrtullsligan

Suspense

The Cat and the Canary

The Cook

The Wind

Nine Child Performances

No explanation needed for this lot of talented young ‘uns.

Roddy McDowall in John Ford’s How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Patty McCormack as Rhoda in Mervyn LeRoy’s The Bad Seed (1956)

Salvatore Cascio as Toto in Giuseppe Tornatore‘s Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Jackie Coogan in Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921)

George Winslow in anything, but for now I’ll go for his performance in Howard Hawks’ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Enzo Staiola as Bruno in Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Virginia Weidler as Dinah Lord in George Cukor’s The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Patty Duke as Helen Keller in Arthur Penn’s The Miracle Worker (1962)

Eva Lee Kuney as Trina in George Stevens’ Penny Serenade (1941)

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Ten Stars and their Dogs

I recently read a startling statistic. It turns out that dogs given to children for Christmas often end up in pounds. Having a pet is a huge responsibility and it should be a choice for life, rather than looked at as a toy. So, if you are inclined to purchase a puppy or kitten for Christmas and haven’t thought about it carefully, spend your time looking at these images instead…

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Cat lovers can feast their eyes on this gallery of Cats and Movie Stars.

Eleven heist movies

Jules Dassin’s Rififi (1955)

Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing (1956)

Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Joseph Sargent’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

Norman Jewison’s The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

Raoul Walsh’s High Sierra (1941)

Jean-Pierre Melville‘s Bob Le Flambeur (1956)

Robert Siodmak’s Criss Cross (1949)

Mario Monicelli‘s Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

Fabián Bielinsky‘s Nueve Reinas (Nice Queens) (2000) – I was introduced to this Argentine gem during a course I took on heist films. It immediately became a favorite. Although it’s a contemporary movie, I know all classics fans would love it. It’s a twisty, well-acted labyrinth that’s well worth your time.

Twelve Days

I would have included Dog Day Afternoon and The Taking of Pelham… here, but no repeats allowed. These are movies with stories that take place in one day.

Fred Zinnemann’s High Noon (1952)

George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope (1958)

Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men (1957)

Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979)

Frank Capra’s Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon (1950)

Mike Nichols’ Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe? (1966)

Sidney Lumet’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1962)

Walter Hill’s The Warriors (1979)

Carl Th. Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

Fleming, Cukor et al…The Wizard of Oz (1939)

◊

Till next year, my friends.

#PayClassicsForward

Aurora

#PayClassicsForward for Christmas This tradition began four years ago when I thought of no better way to share the joy of the season on this blog than to spread the magic of movies.

#12 Days of Movies #Classic Movie Recommendation #Movie Recommendations #Pay Classics Forward #Pay Classics Forward for Christmas

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nobleofthemanor · 6 years ago

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Self help doesnt always work

When I was born my parents weren't in a stable place. My dad 20, strung out on heroine and was a dealer himself. My mom was 19 almost 20. Both grew up in abusive, neglective, and manipulative house holds till they married at 18. Neither had very great examples of parenting. My dad was either partying (sometimes at our home) or doing drugs. He did some things that Im not comfortable sharing on the internet, mostly because it's not my place to say it.

My surrounding family wasnt very stable either. My mom did her best to raise me and two sisters, but after my second sister was born she had a 2, 1 and newborn. I dont remember if she was trying to do college or not, but I know she was going through alot on top of raising kids.

My parents life changed drastically a few months before my 3rd birthday. My dad was busted and my mother was arrested with him. On the way to meet the cops my dad had given his life to Christ. Now this didnt mean he stopped struggling with his drug addiction. It took him roughly 6 months to truly quit, but he did. It was a hard six months as they had to deal with themselves and their relationship. (They almost divorced at one point).

Eventually my family reached a point of stabillity. My dad became a pastor at the church that had supported and guided him in his walk with christ. He also joined another ministry and started helping people who struggled the same way he did.

Id like to state both my parents had alot of issues. Both had to deal with their abusive past, parental issues, trust issues. They also had sepererate issues that the other did not have. but fast forward 15 years, with the help God, the wounds have healed.

My dad is no longer in drug ministry, but has taken on a more adminastrative role in the church. My family is still together and closer than ever. Also, in a few months my parents will celebrate 21 years of marriage and over 25 years of being together. My great granfather and great grandmother have both given their lives to christ(something my dad has been praying for since they were the ones who raised him). I graduated Highschool ast year and one of my younger sisters is about to graduate highschool and is hoping to join the airforce.

Im in college now and currently working in a preschool that my church runs. I love every moment of it.

While this is my wholesome storry it doesnt quite end there.

You see, while my parents had dealt with their issues and had healed. I had not.

My dad was saved when I was 3. So, for those three years of my life I lived in that really unstable enviroment. I suffered constant nightmares. I was also being somewhat raised by my grandparents, as they were usually baby sitting us when my mom and dad went to work/school. I was also the first born to two people who had bad examples of parenting. Basically, the trial run/expeirement I dont remember much of those three years, but I do know living in that enviroment for those years really affectted me growing up. However, my sisters were lucky as they were to young to be affected.

Growing up I was a really overly emotional child. I got angry and violent quickly. I had an attention span of 2 seconds. I tended to easily take things personal. I was really chatty and wuth drawn at the same time. I tended to be a loner at school. I was terrified of many things. When I was about 7/8, maybe 9, I dealt with feeling like my family would have been better off with out me and started physically seperating myself from my family. Eating at a seperate table when we sat at the four seater table or staying several feet behind if we were walking somwhere. Whenever my paeents would get on to me, I would try to make my self small by putting myself into a corner. I was always anxious like I should be on the run. I was/am constantly second guessing myself. I had broken record in my head that I was never enough. There are alot of other things that I cant think of at the. All in all it was just general behaviors that werent normal. I wasnt a normal child to begin with, but these were big clues that I was dealing with stuff and not coping very well. Im sure I have some form of anxiety and ADD. Though I highly doubt it, I wouldnt be surprised if someone told me Im autistic. On top of it all I had the pressure of putting on a good face as a pastor's kid, which didnt help.

As I got older I tended to become obsessed with things. When I was 11 I became addicted to anime and did things Im not proud of. It was a bad coping mechanism and I ended up wasting about 4 years of my life living in my room. Dont get me wrong, there were good times when I first started getting into it, but at the end of those 4 years I was a borderline fem-neckbeared I even had a fedora. I realized how much time Id wasted and manage to break the addiction, but the issues were still there.

My parents did there best to help me. I saw two different therapist one my parents made me visit as a kid and one I asked for as a teen. I stopped going to them for different reasons. My parents couldnt afford itanymore. And the second one was because I didnt see any change.

Both of these therapist were in my small town. Both were men, and both knew who my parents were. It made talking to them and opening up hard. So I stopped going.

Fast forward to six months ago. I started college and a new job. Both required my full attention forcing me to stop going to church and quit my volunteer work. I couldnt keep up and my anxiety was always present. Especially since I felt like I couldnt keep up with the fast paced required there. I felt like I was drowning and I couldn't take this feeling of being broken any more, so I asked my mom about seeing a therapist again. At first Mom was against it, I was at the point where I would take whatever medicine if it meant this insanity would stop. Mom is the type who doesnt rely on meds or people, she and God can fix it. She did eventually agree and we found a therapist. A wonderfull woman whose office is located in a learning center for autistic kids. Which is really cool.

The two of us instantly clicked and I enjoy my visits. I do my best to follow her advice. She has been the first person to truly tell me, your feelings are vallid. I can honestly say Ive improved more in my six months with her than I did in 18 years of trying to fix myself. My relationships and my life gratefull.

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codylabs · 6 years ago

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Shifting Sands Chapter 4: Council of Nightmares

Chapters: One Two Three Four

Long ago, before they imprisoned ███████, before these creatures had ever arrived on her world, while she was still with him, something had happened. She never had a way to know before, but now she realized:

She was pregnant.

The scientists hadn’t noticed it yet, but it was only a matter of time. They’d been watching her closely ever since she’d killed Dr. &R/\BJ, and there was no chance the child could escape their scrutiny for long. She could feel the egg growing inside her, taking up space, taking up nutrients, and more of both with every passing day. Soon they would notice. And when she gave birth, then they would do something about it… Take it, kill it, clone it…

She couldn’t let that happen. She had to do something…

Perhaps if she could get out of the tube, she could pass the egg early, and somehow get it inside one of the scientists; then the child could complete the rest of its development away from their testing, then eat him from the inside, and then… No, no, that wouldn’t work. Soon as it burst out, they would just quarantine and take it…

She could begin shapeshifting so rapidly and so frequently that they couldn’t track or detect its growth… No, she’d still have to give birth eventually, and then they’d take it…

No.

No, this is no place to have a child.

So she morphed and slimmed the umbilical link she shared with the child, to limit its nutrients and oxygen. With its growth stunted, her child’s only method of survival was to instinctively form a hardened shell, and go into a state of deep dormancy.

One day, she would break down the shell and allow it to grow again. But not now. Not soon.

For now, her baby would fight for its life, just as she was.

They would survive.

“███████ wake up!” She awoke in the middle of the night to see Dr. cl;**4 rushing into the lab, his breath coming fast and ragged, and a wild smile on his young face. “It’s time, ███████! It’s really time!”

“What? What’s happening?” She sat up.

“A mutiny!” He explained. “A mutiny! It’s finally happening, we’re finally doing it!”

“Really?!?”

“Yes! The metalheads organized it; they’re going to saw through the bulkheads to the bridge, the mice are going to disable the power systems, and it looks like we’ll actually be able to get control from the Captain! ███████, you’re gonna be going home!”

“T-that’s great! What do you need me to do?”

“Uh… Okay.” Dr. cl;**4 reached into his coat and produced an ID card. “Do you think you can mimic Dr. Zlfo]n’s voice and tentacleprints well enough to fool a computer?”

She took on the head scientist’s form, and showed him the patterns on the limbs.

“Wow… Okay, great! Awesome!” Now cl;**4 fished around his lab coat for the key to her containment tube. “There’s a chance that the command crew could improvise the life support systems into a defensive weapon; increasing or decreasing the air temperature and pressure, pumping in toxic gases, forming violent vortices, that sort of thing. But Dr. Zlfo]n has authorization to access the life support controls in sector 18. So it would really help us if you went in there and locked down all the air-handling systems on the ship. Would you do that? I’ll be there to walk you through it…”

“I can do that!”

“Thanks so much, ███████!” He opened the tube.

She killed him.

Then she drug the body with her out of the lab. When she found a quiet place, she cut open his body to examine the muscles and bones and nerves, see how the tentacles were structured and how the ligaments lay with the bones. In short order, she memorized and mimicked these same designs in her own body, so that any future attempts at mimicry would have flawless accuracy. Now that cl;**4’s body had exhausted its usefulness, she sealed it in an airtight storage locker, so that nobody would ever discover what happened to him.

And then, while the mutiny filled the ship with chaos and confusion around her, she began to explore. She traveled the length, breadth, and circumference of the ship, learning the way the engines were laid out, the location of crucial components, the positions of passenger dorms, testing sectors, cargo bays, the routes through and hiding spaces within the network of life support tubes that linked everything… She learned many things.

However, after an hour or so, the sounds of fighting died down and security drones returned to their normal patrols, indicating that the mutiny had been successfully quelled. She returned to her tube as well, locked it shut and destroyed the key, so that there was no evidence that anything ever happened.

In the morning, the tired and weary scientists continued about their ordinary work in a defeated way. Nobody mentioned the mutiny, nobody brought up new plans, nobody stepped out of line once. And nobody asked where cl;**4 was. They must all think that he’d been killed in the fighting, which was just as well, really.

As for her, she’d learned everything her plans required.

Now all she had to do was wait for the prophet’s vision to come true. Once the ship crashed, her designs would come to fruition.

And until then, she and her child would survive.

The months stretched on into years.

Elsewhere in the ship, she sensed tensions rising even further. The mutiny had been broken, but its causes had not. She heard the men speak more and more often of strange nightmares and visions. She watched the scientists lose their tempers and yell at each other over small matters. And sometimes, away down the halls, she heard voices crying out in insane, mad rants. Prophecies they sounded like, prophecies of warning and doom and damnation, like they’d all become prophets themselves in these dark days.

The people around her were getting crazy. And as she paced her tube for the thousandth time, she felt herself joining them, ever so slowly. She played little games with herself now, where she fought imaginary enemies, and sought to outwit them and kill them and devour them. The enemies she imagined for herself were always terrible and deadly, yet she always found a way to win…

This madness– She was imprisoned, even within her cage, imprisoned by the walls of her own mind and sanity, the walls that kept her imagination inside her head, kept insisting on the impossibility of her thoughts and dreams and ideas, limiting her mind and stealing her hope… Late one night, her last thought before sleep was a powerful, burning desire to be free of this prison.

And then, in her dreams, something else entirely appeared.

“WELL HEY THERE, HOURGLASS! WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU? ROUGH LIFE, AM I RIGHT?”

She frowned up at her new visitor. She’d seen many strange creatures before, but nothing at all like this… This was a level beyond and contrary to anything she’d ever imagined. Something different, something illogical, something far, far worse. Something from beyond. “…Who are you?” She asked the visitor.

“WHO, ME? WHY I’M A TALENT SCOUT!”

“…For who?” She frowned.

“FOR ME!”

She thought about that for a moment. “…And what do you want?”

“AHH HAHAHAHAHA I’LL GET RIGHT TO THE POINT THEN! THING IS LADY, I’VE BEEN PUTTING TOGETHER A GANG OF FREAKS AND KILLERS, OUTCASTS FROM ALL THE LANDS OF REALITY, AND WE’RE FIXING TO SET UP A UNIVERSE OF OUR OWN! UNLIMITED POWER, GODLIKE STATUS, THE SHATTERING OF MORTAL SHACKLES, THAT SORT OF THING! IT’S A PARTY TO END ALL PARTIES, ALMOST A BILLION YEARS PROPHECIED! I SAW YOU IN HERE, AND THOUGHT I’D MOSEY ON OVER AND ASK IF YOU’D LIKE TO GET IN ON THE ACTION? YOU’D FIT RIGHT IN, I SWEAR!”

“I see.” She nodded slowly. “…Why me?”

“WHY NOT? HAVE YOU SEEN THE REST OF THE CREW? THOSE SECULAR DULLARDS COULDN’T FIND THEIR CLOACA WITH BOTH TENTILLUM! THEIR LITTLE MINDS COULDN’T HANDLE THREE MINUTES OF THE PARTY I HAVE PLANNED! BUT YOU… YOU’RE A SPECIAL CASE, AIN’T YA, HOURGLASS? IN THE TIME I’VE WATCHED YOU, YOU’VE KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE, HALF-STRANGLED YOUR OWN UNBORN BABY, AND NEVER ONCE TOLD THE TRUTH TO ANYONE! THAT’S THE KINDA BAGGAGE I’M LOOKING FOR IN A BUSINESS PARTNER!”

“Oh…?” He seemed to know quite a lot about her; more than she’d like. So she went along. “And what would a ‘partnership’ involve…?”

“OH, NOT MUCH, AT LEAST FOR NOW! THE QUESTION YOU SHOULD BE ASKING IS WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU!”

“…And what can you do for me?”

“GIVE YOU FREEDOM!”

“I’ll get out of this tube regardless. I have plans.”

“AND HOW LONG WILL YOURS TAKE? SOONER OR LATER THEY’RE GONNA NOTICE YOUR LITTLE ‘SURPRISE’, AND WHAT’S TO STOP THEM FROM EUTHANIZING ONE OR BOTH OF YOU AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE? BUT ME? I’M THE ONE PULLING STRINGS AROUND HERE, GORGEOUS. I COULD KEEP YOU SAFE.”

“What do you want from me in return?”

“HEYHEYHEY I WASN’T THROUGH WITH MY HALF YET! FREEDOM FROM THIS TUBE IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP! THE REST INVOLVES FREEDOM FROM YOUR OWN LINEAR DESTINY! FREEDOM FROM FINITY! FREEDOM FROM SANITY AND LOGIC ITSELF! IMAGINE SINGULAR POWER TO SHAPE AND FOLD A FACTORIAL NUMBER OF DIMENSIONS! INFLUENCE OVER TIME, AND THE POWER TO MAKE ANYONE WHO EVER WRONGED YOU SUFFER FOR ETERNITY! ALL AT THE SNAP OF A FINGER!”

“That’s what you want to do for me?”

“I DON’T THINK I STUTTERED PRINCESS! I’M OFFERING YOU GODDESSHOOD ON A PLATTER, AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE ME ONE ITTY-BITTY FAVOR! HOW’S IT SOUND?”

The being extended his hand. It sparkled with cold flame.

“…Are you hitting on me?”

“THAT WOULD BE A HOOT, WOULDN’T IT!”

She considered this for a moment, then extended her own hand. “Very well.” She agreed. “Ensure the safety of me and my child, and then give me the power of a god. In return, I promise to be your ally for eternity, and do anything you ask.”

“IT’S A DEAL!!!”

But just before the deal was sealed, the being snatched his hand away. The cold fire extinguished, and he floated off, as his eye probed her carefully and slowly.

“YOU KNOW WHAT LADY? DEAL’S OFF! I CAN TELL WHEN I’M BEING LIED TO.”

“Hmm?”

“TIME GETS AWAY FROM YOU, HOURGLASS! ENJOY THE CRASH!”

And she woke up.

What an odd dream.

Later that day, it finally happened: they discovered her child. They didn’t kill it, or take it, or harm it, but they ran their tests, and they gave into paranoid ramblings as they spent the rest of the day yelling at each other.

And she realized that sanity wasn’t a prison. Sanity was a fortress. Sanity was the strength she needed to stand on her own, and their madness was a wallowing pit of weakness which she regarded from a higher ground. Sanity was another step on the road she took to goddesshood in her own insidious way. She didn’t need to hoodwink some eldritch horror. She was indestructible. She was strong. She was ███████. She needed no one else.

Life goes on. Survival goes on. And they would do it alone.

“███████, you asked for me?”

“Oracle, there is a being here. A being in my dreams. Do you know of what I speak?”

The oracle’s eyes darkened. “I do.”

“What do you know of it?”

The oracle hesitated. And when she spoke, it was with a haunting, slow tone of voice. “Sixty degrees that come in threes. Watches from within birch trees. Saw his own dimension burn, misses home and can’t return. Says he’s happy, he’s a liar; blame the arson for the fire. If he wants to shirk the blame, he’ll have to invoke its name. One way to absolve his crime, a different form, a different time…”

The lyric hung in the air, when for a moment it seemed as if all the crazy echoing sounds in the ship grew still and quiet to listen. ███████ considered the words, then smiled and asked rhetorically. “Is there anything more charming than an inscrutable mystery?”

To which the oracle answered with a gentle smile, her voice once again casual. “There is not.”

She chuckled, and crossed her arms. “…Will this… Being… Be the cause of the ship’s destruction?”

“Not the cause, but I do not doubt he plays a part in its instigation…” The oracle shrugged. “We have entered his territory. He has been given a certain power over us.”

“A power which can be broken by sanity.” ███████ pointed out.

“A power which feeds on insanity.” The oracle corrected her. “But may only be broken by prayer. You are more defenseless than you know…” The oracle turned to exit the lab, but turned and spoke over her shoulder before she crossed the threshold. “It is not too late for the Captain to turn back. And it is not too late for you.”

“…Why should I believe you?” She blurted. “God would surely not be stupid enough to trust me with something as dangerous as truth.”

“He loves you too much to offer you less. You have only to bow and be healed.”

“I shall never bow.”

“And I am stupid enough to hope.”

And the oracle left.

“I shall not bow.” She solemnly promised herself again, in the silence that followed her absence. “I shall survive.”

#gravity falls #shifting sands #alien #scifi #ufo #monster #bill chipher #stanford pines #shapeshifter #sam #fanart #fanfiction #eldritch #abomination #backstory

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raeyvies · 7 years ago

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“Push and Pull” pt. 6 // VxMC fic (based on day 10)

Surprise double update!! Things better be getting good now right? And yes somewhere in this chapter you’ll start getting love triangle vibes /o/ Remember MC here is “MC Jeon”

By the way, how would you guys feel if I gave MC an actual name? I mean like it’ll still be MC but legit when I write this story, I accidentally write “you” instead of MC cuz well MC isn’t a name xD

I was thinking to choose from these names: Jeon Dayeon, Jeon Jinhee, Jeon Ji-An. Which would you pick?

Pt. 1 // Pt. 2 // Pt. 3 // Pt.4 // Pt.5 // Pt. 6

Length: 3234

Part: 6/?

Pairing: VxMC

Warnings: None

Sorry for any grammatical mistakes ^^;;

“Jaehee…,” MC held her hand out to her, inviting her to sit next to her. Jaehee fought to swallow down her tears–she had always been one to show her feelings in private–but this was not as easy, despite having been fooled once already about Rika’s death. Accepting her invitation, the short haired girl sat next to MC, allowing herself to be comforted. “It must be hard but I'm here for you. I'm here for all of you. I know we just met but I can't thank you all enough for being by my side after all this. I’ll be with you if you need a shoulder to lean on, okay.”

It had been a tough day despite everyone’s efforts to remain optimistic. Jaehee let out her cries even in front of her boss but it really did serve a purpose. Because MC encouraged Jaehee to not hide her pain, Jumin realized that his assistant was more than just his worker and fellow member of the RFA. As he saw how selfless MC was, disregarding her own views on the situation and well, having her own dilemmas, Jumin could not help but think that MC came into their lives as a light. As a new sun. As a balance.

Jihyun had been gone for a while with Saeyoung and MC began to worry if something happened. What if Jihyun hurt himself? Saeyoung would have called without a doubt so maybe they were fine. Maybe they were having a long talk and Saeyoung could have been dropping the bomb (pun totally unintended) on him about Rika.

Too much was happening, and there was much more gloom than MC would like to admit she could handle for one day. She needed some refreshing or maybe a restart to the day, and well, she thought it could start by having a change of clothes.

“What city are we at? So much was happening I didn't notice what hospital this is. Then again it was nighttime and we were airlifted here,” MC said after a period of silence. She was surprised that after all this time it never occurred to her to ask where she was, though, it was normal because her mind with clouded with worries and fears.

“We're in Busan, MC. Inje University Haeundae Hospital,” Jumin answered, after all, he was the one who brought them there. MC was taken aback. She was far from home. At least three to four hours away, and Jumin noticed that, suddenly realizing that no one ever asked where she came from. ”I take it that you’re far from where you live.”

Scratching the back of her head and giving a soft chuckle, MC nodded, “Yeah it's pretty far at least by car. But I guess by train it's maybe an hour or two. I'm from Daejeon actually. I was going to say that maybe I could go with one of you to get a new set of clothes in the meantime.”

What MC did not mention was that she wanted to get rid of the clothes she was wearing because they were Rika’s. Little by little and step by step she wanted to strip herself of the terrible moments of these previous eleven days.

Jaehee volunteered to take MC to a retail store assuming that she could be discharged then and there, however, the nurse who had been monitoring her all this time came in. The nurse told them that she might be discharged at night and asked for Zen and Jaehee to give Jumin and MC privacy. Because Jumin passed as her guardian he was allowed to stay for the moment as the nurse discussed MC’s condition with them.

The nurse went over the medication she would have to take for the next week to help her gain back the nutrients her body was missing, and asked for MC to not strain herself for in the near future to prevent another incident like this one. MC was surprised to know she had anemia but she was aware that it was nothing that she would have to be worried about. Yes she would have to make sure she ate properly and that was nothing of a huge effort to begin with. Of course, it also explained why she was so tired recently.

In the meantime, Jaehee and Zen went out to buy MC a new set of clothes that was much more comfortable, both physically and mentally.

Jumin stayed with MC the entire time and was relieved when she was healthy enough to not need an IV anymore. She had definitely regained color in her skin compared to last night, and she looked so much brighter and stronger. Clearly showing that she was comfortable with him, MC talked more about herself and who she was. She had not gotten the chance to truly show the RFA who she was but she was ecstatic to finally show them one by one. And Jumin continued asking questions as he was intrigued in this girl. He found out that she was only two years younger than him so she was twenty five years old. He finally understood why MC was so mature despite everything she had gone through. It was something he really admired about her. However, knowing that she lived quite a distance away, Jumin dreaded the day that MC would return to her home if she ever decided to. He was about to ask her when she would leave when Jaehee and Zen returned with multiple bags of clothing.

“We have a special delivery for Miss Jeon from the fashion department,” Zen came in announcing as he placed the paper bags on MC’s bed. ”Oh! You don't have the IV anymore! Does that mean you get to leave today?”

She nodded as she looked through the contents in each bag. It was much more than she asked but then again she knew she would be staying for a while to be with Jihyun and she had no interest in returning to her home, and risk being followed by Saeran. Admittedly, she was terrified to go home because she would be alone and vulnerable. “Thank you so much! I'll make sure to pay you two back for this. I think I might relocate here in the next months but in the meantime these clothes are enough. So thanks again. And yes I can leave tonight, I don't know where I'll stay–”

“You'll be staying at my penthouse for now until you can settle down here in the city and adjust to the new cityscape,” Jumin interrupted, though it was not his intention. As MC stated she would consider moving to Busan, Jumin wanted to make sure she stayed but it seemed that he blurted it out instead, catching her off guard. She stuttered in agreement, but MC did not really have much of a choice, and she was not interested in blatantly turning down an offer that was so convenient for her.

On the other hand, Zen was somewhat annoyed with Jumin’s upfront interjection. It had been a miracle that the two had not instigated an argument sooner. “Jumin it's not for you to decide if she actually stays here permanently or where she’s going to live for the moment. You can't control everyone for God’s sake.”

MC rather decided to go ahead and take a shower but sadly there was not one in their room. Leaving the room with a set of clothes in her arms and her cell phone, she asked a nearby nurse where she could take a shower. On her way to the showers which were a decent stroll away, she checked her phone and had received multiple notifications from the same person. Although the ID tag said they came from Ray, it was Saeran.

Her heart dropped. All this time she had been distracted from this entire mess. She had forgotten about that phone call. She had forgotten her nightmares. And MC thought it was over with Rika’s death but there was still Saeran. Her palms began to sweat as she hurried on her way to the shower where she could open up the messages and voicemail in silence. MC could hear her heartbeat in her ears but remained composed.

Her shower came first to ease her tension and mentally prepare herself for whatever messages Saeran had left on her phone. The hot water relaxed her muscles and helped her reach a moment of peace, one that she did not think she needed until now. The clothes that Zen and Jaehee had picked out for MC were right in line with her preferred style. It felt great to wear leggings once again along with a large button up shirt.

She felt like she was in her own skin for once.

Towel wrapped over her hair, drops of water falling onto her brand new shirt, she a took seat on the bench in the bathroom and opened the text messages first.

You're the only person I've ever cared for. You must like me. I like you too.

Thank you for being here with me. I really wanted you to stay longer.

I thought I was being a good boy. I thought I was good enough for you to stay.

Without you I feel like I can't breathe. It's like I'm dying. I don't have a purpose anymore.

MC come back I miss you.

I have nowhere to go anymore MC. My savior has died therefore I am nothing anymore.

I have served my purpose.

I'll come back for you another day. I promise you that.

There were several more messages along those lines. MC wanted to pity him, she really did but that was something she could not do for him anymore. This man was sick and MC could decipher that he was more than just figuratively sick. He was not normal; it was as though he lacked any social interaction and that made him that way. But MC could not forget that he tried to drug her too. She could not forget that she had been essentially imprisoned in that room, only able to leave it when Saeran came for her. She had to think of herself before him even though she was the one mad enough to actually go to him, be blindfolded, and fooled by his lies. MC’s hand was balled up in a fist as she thought of everything that could have happened to her at Mint Eye. What if Saeran had lost his control on her like he had with Jihyun? What if he had refused to let her out of his sight? Where would MC be right now if Jihyun had not sent Saeyoung their coordinates?

No lighthearted possibilities came to mind unfortunately as she could only imagine herself being abused, violated, maybe even brainwashed like Saeran. However, MC could only replace those thoughts with memories of Jihyun’s cries through the phone; they were haunting her, so she let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes and letting the memory play once again. There was no use in fighting it.

We should’ve escaped at the first chance we got, Jihyun. That didn't have to happen to you, MC mentally cried. Later on when Jihyun would fully recover, she was sure to ask him who Saeran was, or at least when the moment seemed appropriate. He seemed to know a lot more about him than even Saeyoung knew. MC felt that she needed some closure before moving on. After all, there would only remain questions for the rest of her life and it would haunt her then.

Shaking her head, she tried to stop thinking about Jihyun and Saeran that night, and listened in to the voicemail he had left.

“The weather was nice today so I wanted to talk to you. But looks like you're not picking up the phone. What a shame.. Listen, to be honest, when you were in that room MC, those were the happiest days of my life. Having you so close I mean. You never showed a spot of betrayal. Dammit it was because of Jihyun that you're not here. I won't ever forget how you trusted me and waited for me. I won't forget your voice. I miss you a lot. I know I've said it so many times already but in the end we couldn't see each other,” Saeran’s voice gradually became broken and lower, sending chills down MC’s spine. This voicemail was causing so much confusion and conflict within her because she knew both sides of him even though Saeran though she only saw the man named Ray. This was beginning to start more like a goodbye than another phone call.

“The last time we met was when I introduced you to the savior right? Now I'll never get to see you. It's all my fault. I dreamed of living happily ever after when this all ended. That won't happen anymore. Though it was brief, I never imagined myself loving someone like I loved you. I wanted to go on a date with you. Hold you hand. Eat ice cream with you. I'm dreaming too big aren't I? I think even now I made you hear how pathetic I am.”

However, his voice completely changed, now sounding sinister and threatening. “But none of this is over, MC. I'll still find my way to you and make these dreams come true. You'll be with me again and we'll live happily ever after. We'll just have to see what the future brings but for now I think this is over. You won't be seeing Ray anymore,” after that, MC heard him cough and growl, struggling with some sort of pain. Once again the voice had changed and it sounded strained and bitter. ”Farewell my dear flower. I hope you’ll remember me like I remembered you.”

The last thing MC heard was the sound of rapid ticking and beeping before the silence was broken by an explosion. As the noise was extremely loud in her ear, she gasped, pulling the phone away quickly. Then the call was voicemail ended with the operator saying in its monotonous voice, “End of voicemail. To listen to this message again press two. To save this message press four.”

Why she decided to save the voicemail was still unknown. Saeran died and MC kept his last words recorded, but what use would she have of it? It seemed however, like the proper thing to do. But that sinister voice rang in her ears. What did he mean that they would see each other again? The man was dead. That would be impossible.

Rika died in an explosion in her apartment. Saeran died in explosion God knows where. The only conclusion MC could reach was that they were destroying evidence of their cult. No one could survive.

And she was an eyewitness of that cult so MC must be evidence of its existence, too.

A few minutes later, MC was able to gather herself after that shocking voicemail. She repeated to herself that she would be fine. That nothing would happen to her. Both Rika and Saeran were dead, and that had to be enough to put the RFA out of harm's way. With those two out of the picture, MC could focus on aiding Jihyun in his recovery. He was her priority for now undoubtedly and her heart ached at the idea of being unable to be by his side. There was no real reason to leave, for now.

Placing her dirty clothes in a bag and removing the towel from her head, MC left the shower room to find herself bumping into Saeyoung and Jihyun. They must have been done with their long walk then. MC assumed that Saeyoung had told him about Rika’s death as the mint haired man had a gloomy expression plastered onto his face. Before the two men noticed that MC was in front of them, they were talking about Saeran.

“...way to get Saeran out of there,” Jihyun was in the midst of explaining to Saeyoung that his brother was alive at Mint Eye. Neither of them must have known what MC knew then. However, why was this to be discussed with Saeyoung? Did he know who Saeran was?

Wait.

Similar names. Almost identical facial features. Different voices however. There was something MC did not know yet and she was beginning to puzzle it together. Saeran and Saeyoung have to be related without a doubt. Maybe it was not the moment to discuss his death with them yet. They already had to mourn the loss of Rika, and MC was not about to hurt them even more.

As the two men finally took note of MC, they immediately cut their conversation. She wanted to say something to them but she did not know what it was, so instead she gave them a small grin and walked by Jihyun’s side.

As Jihyun saw how healthy MC appeared to be, it instantly changed his expression. Despite the previous discussion he had with Saeyoung over Rika and Saeran, seeing MC again gave him the energy that was drawn away from him earlier.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry into your conversation,” MC apologized for intruding in the midst of an important talk. Sadly, it still ate at her that she would have to wait to tell them about Saeran. But how would she tell them? Would she show them the voicemail? Would she just tell them? Would they even believe her?

The three walked together to their room and spent the rest of the day discussing things about the party, occasional moments about Rika, and mostly the RFA was getting to know MC. When night time fell, everyone was asked to leave the room and leave Jihyun to rest.

No one wanted to leave, but MC was the one who wanted to stay the most. Maybe she had grown accustomed to being by his side after all this time. It was a strange feeling to leave him alone now. Just as everyone was leaving, MC stayed could not fight the urge as she ran back to Jihyun to embrace him. He was caught off guard as he almost fell back onto his bed, but he was just as happy to have MC in his arms for one more moment again. She hugged him carefully, aware of his wound that was healing much quicker than expected. Unlike that night out in the mountains, Jihyun returned the embrace and wrapped his arms around her waist.

It felt so much warmer than that night. It was so pure and innocent.

“I’ll be back tomorrow after helping out with cleaning up the party venue,” MC mumbled against his chest. If anything, she wanted to stay there in his arms. It was very clear that her feelings for him were not going to disappear anytime soon. “Take care of yourself please.”

“I’ll be fine, I promise,” Jihyun reassured her as he noticed that Jumin was glaring at him. “You give me so much strength, MC. But please don’t keep Jumin waiting, I think he wants to get home too.”

The two friends knew each other so well. Jumin did not need words to tell Jihyun to be cautious of his actions and choose his moves carefully. And Jihyun was completely aware of Jumin’s warning.

To be continued...

Pt. 1 // Pt. 2 // Pt. 3 // Pt.4 // Pt.5 // Pt. 6

#mystic messenger #mysme #mysme scenario #mystic messenger scenario #mysme angst #mystic messenger angst #mysme fanfic #mystic messenger fanfic #VxMC #Kim jihyun

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