#alice was being too loud in my head to not respond and also i cannot move b/c cat and i have nothing else to do vmfmlb

[idolsummons]

@mournus: "aren't you lucky😏" 😂😂

'Lucky?' she repeats. 'Whatever for?' She's feigning ignorance; it's much more fun when men feel they have to stumble about for her attention, even if Guai may not be so foolish.

[becauseicantdecide]

The Harder They Fall

Aemond Targaryen x Reader x Aegon II Targaryen

Warnings: Non-Con/Dub-Con, Smut, Oral (F receiving), Knife Kink, Spitting Kink, Biting Kink, Enemies to Lovers.

Summary: Aemond and Aegon both yearn for their mother's approval. It angers them when she immediately meets and favours the Princess of Dorne. They come up with a plan that ensures their mother never says your name out loud again.

Dedicated to @pluvialpoet, @bitch-biblioklept

Merry Christmas 😘😘

"I wish she'd choke on that olive and die." Aegon utters viscously.

From his spot beside his brother, Aemond almost spits his mead. If he was a man with any less self control, he might have laughed.

Instead, he turns to where his brother is watching sourly, to his mother, talking animatedly with the Princess of Dorne.

He can't deny your beauty, though he may hate you with every fiber of his being, he cannot deny that dornish dress was made for you, that your expanse of exposed skin and well done hair is anything other than breathtaking.

It's a shame that he indeed, also wanted to squeeze the breath out of you.

"Mother lets her get away with too much," Aegon continues, breaking into his brother's thoughts, "She tried to suggest to me how I should ride my own dragon."

Aemond raises a precarious eyebrow in shock and amusement.

"The worst part is the fucking bitch was right."

You were truly, proof that the gods had a sense of humour. Why else would they send someone so blood- boiling and so beautiful?

Though Aemond doesn't supply any verbal agreement of his dislike for you, he acknowledges it silently. He ached to wipe that smug smile from your face.

~~~

You liked to torment, and the Princes of the seven kingdoms had made themselves easy targets.

Like now, Alicent had promised you her younger son would accompany you through the shopping districts of King's Landing, and you were having a fun time reminding him at every moment that he'd been lent out like a hired sword.

You stayed beside him, looking up with triumphant smiles as he looked needlessly bored.

"What do you think of this colour?" You say, raising a light blue fabric to your face so that Aemond could compare them.

The Targaryen simply sighs, doesn't glance at you and turns away.

You pout.

"You're not being a very good help, Prince Aemond." You say, walking around to stand in front of him. Under his eye twitches once in annoyance.

"Ah, perhaps the import of wine and rare fruits are not as important to the Royal Family as I thought." You say in sorrow, turning away, only to grin when you feel Prince Aemond grip your upper arm to pull you back.

"Is that a threat, Princess Martell?"

"Gracious no!" You exaggerate with a smile, "I'm simply pointing out that Dorne's supplies can't be that important with the way you treat me."

You think you could hear his teeth crack with the frustration.

A shiver of pleasure floats down your spine.

Finally, he looks at the fabric in your hand.

"I hate it." He says finally, releasing your arm.

You hum in appreciation, putting it back.

"What is your favourite colour?" You ask, moving to keep up with his lengthy strides, shaking your head politely when someone tries to beckon you into their shop.

Again, he doesn't respond.

"Prince Aemond-"

"-Princess Martell." He says in a clipped tone, stopping to turn to you, "I am just a protective hand. If you require an opinion, I suggest you ask your ladies in waiting. It is their purpose."

Oh, you loved playing games.

You keep your eyes on his, wondering what's under his eyepatch.

"Leila," you call to one of your ladies' maids, you hear her step forward expectantly, ready to assist.

You don't stop looking at Aemond.

"Can you inquire as to the Prince's favourite colour?"

If only looks could kill.

There's a moment before Leila decides to open her mouth to speak on your behalf.

"Pardon me, my Prince-"

Aemond cuts her off with a look.

Pushed too far, he turns, and leaves you in the streets, disappearing into the crowds before you can say another word. You admire the sway of his hair as he walks away.

~

Aemond wasn't surprised that you'd told his mother. Sitting in his room, staring out at King's Landing, he's not fazed by his mother's sudden intrusion.

"I can't believe you," she starts, "the Martell house is a well respected and important family, the least you could do is treat her accordingly."

"You're lucky I didn't kill her." He says easily, studying the people below. Her silence speaks volumes.

"I had sought to make a match of you two, but maybe I should spare her the trouble." Alicent informs.

Aemond swivels on his mother.

"You would wed me to that spoiled brat?" He asks in disbelief.

"She is nothing of the sort!" Alicent's voice heightens as she approaches, "She is kind, and well learned and incredibly creative and if you could see that you would-"

"-Never. I would never." He spends a moment deep in thought before quietly asking, "Why do you like her so much?"

Alicent moves to his side, tucking her hand under his chin to tilt his head up from where he's sitting. He allows it to happen, because this is his mother, his blood.

She looks at him, Aemond watches some type of sorrow move over the planes of her face.

"I think she could love you. Aegon- has been forced to marry for duty, and you get the chance to marry for something else."

Aemond rolls his eye.

"I would have been happier marrying for duty." He responds.

Her grip on his jaw tightens.

"Consider it your duty to me then."

"I'll think about it." He appeases. He'd already thought about it. He would marry you when hell freezes.

~~~~

Aegon was not faring any better with you.

He'd been having his merry time with a serving maid when you'd walked into the small nook they'd been hidden in.

You'd cleared your throat, and the maid- whose name he couldn't care to remember- had slipped away and ran past you with a rushed excuse.

An annoyed sigh slips past his mouth, looking at you with droll irritation.

You didn't even flinch, smiling at him when he approached you to walk past.

"Can I ask, Prince Aegon," you blurt, humour deepening when he pauses to give you an annoyed glance, "Have you ever been with a willing woman?"

The silence is both amusing and poisonous.

You don't expect it, but it doesn't surprise you when he grips your shoulder tightly, slamming you into the same wall he'd had the other maiden pressed against.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" He growl, leaning into your space, till your breaths intermingle, "I am a Prince of the seven kingdoms and you will not speak to me as if I am your equal." He hisses, and not for the first time, the anger in his violet eyes stirs something delightful within you.

You soften your voice, tilting your head up and continuing to meet his eyes in an attempt to look more alluring.

"I meant no disrespect, Your Highness, but there's only so many times you can have your cock sucked by an inexperienced, unwilling woman before it gets boring."

He moves a hand from pinning your shoulder to the wall to wrap his fingers around your throat. Your eyes flutter with the pleasure it brings.

"Perhaps I like my women unwilling and inexperienced."

"A shame," you hit back, "When the opposite could incite pleasure you've only ever dreamed of."

His fingers tighten around your neck.

"Are you offering?" He asks, reducing his grip to allow you to speak.

"You wish." You respond, and before another word can be said, you're raising your hands to knock his away from your body, pushing him back to a respectable distance.

He hits the opposite wall with a muffled thud.

"I'll remind you, Prince Aegon, that I am a lady, and I am capable of removing your hands from your wrists should you touch me again without permission." You move to walk away, pausing in afterthought to turn back to him.

"So, have a nice day, Your Highness." You say, bowing your head respectfully, giving him a small smile, before backing away.

Aegon doesn't understand how he feels for hours after. On one hand, how dare you threaten him? On the other hand, why did it make him feel giddy on the inside?

He blames it on his mother.

~~~~~

He knows what's coming when Alicent storms into his room while he's taking a bath.

"You will not touch Princess Martell again, do you understand?"

Aegon huffs, wiggling his fingers in the warm water.

"It was harmless really, I can't believe she told you that."

"Except that she didn't tell me, the maid you'd been forcing yourself onto did."

Aegon can't help the smile that grows on his face.

Alicent leans forward angrily to dash water into the prince's eyes. He grunts in displeasure, wiping at his stinging eyes.

"I am trying to create a union between her and Aemond, I would appreciate if you would keep your filthy hands to yourself." Alicent hisses.

Aegon laughs long and hard.

"Aemond will kill her the second they are wed, mother, she is a nuisance- so- well- wait- I don't know what I'm saying, go right ahead and wed them." He smiles deviously.

She frowns, sighing, she leans against the bathtub, deep in thought.

Awkwardly, Aegon looks down at his cock, thinking that having his mother here did not inspire the debauched activities he was hoping to get along with.

"Why do you both dislike her? She is exactly the type of person I'd hoped for."

Which was the entire premise of the problem. That you had walked into the castle and earned the favour of the Queen, affection her sons could never hope to attain.

What could Aegon say? That he despised you because she loved you? The words would only get him slapped harder.

Instead, a dangerous idea rears its head. One so dark and twisted that the very thought of it had probably damned his soul.

He waits until dinner, to speak it aloud to the only other Targaryen who understands.

~

You sit at the opposite end of the table, clothed in emerald green. A colour that emphasised the way Aegon and Aemond felt about you.

Aemond hated the way the jewels sat on your skin, he wanted to cover them in your blood, slit your throat open and watch in satisfaction as you struggled to speak another word.

You laugh at something King Viserys says, and Aegon yearns to watch you cry.

Finally, he turns to his brother.

"Killing her is not enough. I want her very name tainted." Aegon whispers.

Aemond smiles at the thought.

"What do you have in mind?" He asks.

Aegon thinks for a minute.

"What's worse that getting her pregnant out of wedlock?" Aegon asks.

Aemond already has the answer prepared.

"Making her want it." Aemond supplies easily.

Aegon looks over at his brother in surprise.

"I don't know why I get called mother's worst child when you're more devious than me."

Aemond sips his mead, deep in thought.

"That's because you always get caught."

Aegon laughs.

~

You'd managed to ignore the princes tonight, having tormented them enough for the day, you only sit back and enjoy dinner peacefully.

You listen to the stories Alicent's father, Otto, weaves, and you smile along or laugh politely where necessary. You explain the landscape of Dorne when asked, and you tell them about some of the customs.

You leave out the customs you know they'd find appalling, they could never hope to understand the way Dorne holds the pleasures of the body as an important aspect of life. That you'd read books on pleasure enhancement alongside your history books when you were ready for it. Your virginity had only remained intact because of your status, as a formality to your future husband, should he be someone outside of Dorne. You knew that these people would never understand that. There was too much currency placed on a young woman's maidenhead for your liking.

You blink, refocusing, realising that your eyes have been locked onto Aegon's face the entire time. He smiles, leaning in to say something to his brother while still looking at you.

It makes you a little nervous. What could they possibly be talking about? No doubt some plot to get back at you.

You liked the idea more than you cared to admit. Aemond was gorgeous and calculating, Aegon made you burn with your desire for him. You shouldn't be thinking this way of either man.

When dinner is finished, you find your way to the library with a cup of ale. The place is almost empty at this time of night, and you enjoy the feeling of being alone and reading books by candlelight.

The words are funnier when you're inebriated, and you enjoy reading the thoughts of maesters who have clearly missed the points of the subjects they're speaking about.

When you hear the door to the library close and locks, you look up in surprise.

"Prince Aemond." You greet, standing, bowing your head in acknowledgement. When you notice his older brother behind him, you nod your head again, "Prince Aegon."

Both men look like they're up to no good.

"Princess Martell," Aegon says happily, "reading so late at night?"

"Uh, yes, I'm- actually I was just finishing up." You say, looking back at the books sitting on the table.

"Oh, there's no need, sit with us, we'd like to see what you're reading."

You don't get a chance to protest, finding yourself sitting on the wooden bench with Aemond on your left and Aegon on your right, both men closing you in.

"Is this yours?" Aegon asks, gripping the half filled cup of ale, taking a sip before you can open your mouth to affirm. He puts it down beside you, and you swallow when he leans closer.

You try to lean away but Aemond is a solid wall behind you, and you find that you can't move too far away from Aegon.

"Don't you hate when people don't know their place, Princess?" Aegon asks, and you swallow when he rests his warm hands on your knees. You don't push them off, not wanting to be disrespectful too soon.

"I'm not sure what you mean." You say softly.

"No? I can give an example." He sighs, smiling still, when you try to turn away from him, his fingers hold onto your knees harder to keep your attention.

"Aemond here is a Prince of the seven kingdoms. Third in line to the throne, rides the largest dragon in the world." Aegon's eyes illuminate with amusement, "Do you think he should act as a sellsword because the Princess of little shithole wills it so?"

You swallow, the level of trouble you're in finally sinks into your head.

"I only asked-"

"-You only asked," Aegon hisses, "and my mother agreed." He reaches up to grip your jaw, "What sway you must have on her, what influence."

You raise your hands to push him away, but before you can, Aemond has grabbed your wrists and pinned them behind you. You make a little sound of surprise, wiggling in an attempt to get out of his iron grip to no avail.

You turn your head to the side, taking your jaw out of Aegon's grip angrily.

"How dare you put your hands on me." You say lowly, struggling still in Aemond's grip, his breath in your ear, "Let me go."

Aegon laughs.

"It's time you learned, Princess, that you cannot have everything you want."

When Aegon kisses your collarbone, you gasp in surprise. He tugs your night dress a little lower so that he can trail his mouth from one clavicle to the other.

"Stop this, Aegon." You plead, trying to pull away from him.

"What's the matter, Princess?" Aemond whispers in your ear, your heart picking up its pace at the sound of his voice, "Don't like being taken advantage of?"

You whine.

"A little help, brother?" Aegon asks, and you feel Aemond's hand grip your jaw, turning your head.

You make a quiet sound of displeasure when Aegon presses his lips to yours. You try to shake both men off but it doesn't work.

Aegon laughs into your mouth, clearly enjoying your discomfort. Automatically, you begin to kiss back, trying to grab any semblance of control you have.

Aegon's lips are soft and plush, he's gentle and commanding with his mouth all at once. It's easy to get lost in it, to forget where you are when you have his tongue pressing into your mouth to trace over yours.

You hum in bliss, getting lost and enjoying it,  only being brought back into your body when Aemond laughs in your ear.

"She likes it." He says when Aegon breaks the kiss, "What a whore." Aemond teases.

Your mouth drops open, you begin to struggle in his grip once again.

"Let me go." You grunt, and you try to pretend that hearing both brothers laugh lowly at you doesn't bring on a spike of arousal.

Aegon's eyes devour you, roaming over your body. His tongue traces over his bottom lip, and you feel like nothing more that a feast for the prince.

"Aemond," he says, eyes still caught on your chest, "Your knife."

Fear squeezes your throat.

"No way," you breathe, beginning to struggle when Aemond pulls a knife from his belt and gives it, hilt forward to Aegon.

You're panting, swearing, wriggling, but Aemond's grip is too tight, and you can't seem to get away.

It doesn't take much for Aegon to rip the front of your dress open. You suck in a deep breath to scream and Aemond quickly claps a hand over your mouth. You grunt behind it as you feel your nipples pepple in response to the open air.

"Fuck." Aegon breathes, and you close your eyes shut to avoid the way he admires you.

The knife drops on the table, you whimper behind Aemond's hand when you feel his brother cup your breasts.

"She is... as magnificent as I thought she'd be." He whispers in reverence.

You jerk when he pinches one of your nipples gently.

You don't see his head dip, but the next thing you know, his tongue laves lazily over your breast.

You can't resist a muffled moan.

You give another shake of your shoulders, not trying as hard to escape Aemond's grip.

You can feel your toes curl in your shoes, Aegon is gentle and precise and you shiver at the feel of his hands and his tongue on your body.

When you can do nothing more than relax, Aemond takes the opportunity to tilt your head to the side so that he can meld his lips to yours too.

It's almost too much, one Prince licking over your breasts, swirling his tongue over your skin, the other, delving his tongue deep into the hollows of your mouth, redefining every thought in your head. Your eyes closed shut, trying not to enjoy the rapt attention you're being given.

Aegon pinches your nipples firmly and you gasp in pain, swiveling your head to meet his eyes in betrayal, but all he does is lean forward and capture your lips.

"You don't have to do this." You whisper, as Aemond kisses your throat and Aegon kisses your lips.

"I do, Princess. You give me no choice." Aegon answers and you don't get a chance to respond as you feel Aemond's teeth sink into the skin of your neck.

Your entire body shudders, with bliss you can't process, you shake violently, pressed between both men.

"I think the whore likes being marked." Aemond observes. You whimper in disagreement.

Aegon cups your cheek, leaning in so that he's almost hovering above you. You look up at him with pleading eyes, he tilts your head so that he can see the mark Aemond has placed on you.

"What will they think, Princess," Aegon tuts, "When they see you all marked up tomorrow? How quickly my mother will cast you out."

"N-no. Please-"

"If only you'd been nicer, less of a brat. Maybe we could have gotten along."

He turns your head back to face him.

"Open your mouth."

You frown, shaking your head.

"Aemond." He says, and you feel a hand on your jaw, squeezing tightly and you can't help the little sob that leaves your throat.

Aegon reaches for the cup of mead. He takes a long sip just as Aemond works your jaw open.

Aegon leans in, and you squeeze your eyes shut as he lets the mead from his mouth slip past his lips and into yours.

Aemond chuckles behind you, clamping your mouth shut, and covering your mouth and nose with his large hand in an attempt to force you to swallow.

You do, gasping for air when he takes his hand away, not liking the sound of their devilish laughter at all.

"I'm going to kill you both." You hiss.

It only makes them laugh more.

"Hear that, brother?" Aegon says, reaching to cup your breasts in both hands and press them together, "She just threatened us."

"I do believe that counts as treason." Aemond murmurs.

"To which the punishment is death, but I'm sure we can come to some arrangement, can't we, Princess?" Aegon follows, his fingertips tracing down your ribs.

He grips the material of your skirt in his hands, bunching it up until it sits on your waist. Though you wriggle, he puts his weight on your legs, stopping you from kicking him away.

He pulls at your undergarments, reaching for the knife to cut them away, you whine, trying to garner some pity.

Next, he's pulling at your legs, until you're lying on the bench, Aemond holds your hands above your head, your body situated between his spread thighs.

You try to kick at Aegon, worried that he's about to take your virginity, but all he does when he spreads your legs is look.

After a moment, he laughs.

"How wet you are, Princess." He praises, you gasp when his thumb swipes over your little bud.

He takes his time, which is way worse that him being rough, his thumb rubbing at your center, pleasure swimming through your senses, until your thoughts are muddled. You sigh, mewling when he leans down, kissing the tops of your thighs.

This wasn't something you were aware men outside of Dorne could do.

Aegon is soft, doesn't rush his kisses on your skin and you wished you could pull your skirts out of the way to get a proper look at him between your thighs.

You definitely stop struggling when he presses his tongue to your center. Your mouth parts in surprise. Was this supposed to be a punishment?

You look up at Aemond, who hovers above, looking down at you with something akin to amusement. You close your mouth, trying to mask the way you feel from him.

As if that was ever possible.

"How does she taste?" Aemond asks, and you burn with the way he talks about you like you're not in the room.

It takes Aegon a moment to raise his head from between your legs.

"Like nectar." Is all he says, burying his face in your cunt once more.

He licks you till you're trembling, his tongue dancing on your heated centre, your thighs wrapped around his head. The candles that you'd brought in with you have been significantly burned down, and you can only speculate that it's somewhere near midnight, and yet, Aegon keeps tasting you, drinking from your centre in an almost desperate manner that makes you want to moan.  You bite your lip so hard to stop from making any sound that you can almost taste the iron of your blood.

All the while, Aemond looks at you, his eyes devour every expanse of your skin and you think that his eyes alone is stimulating enough, but then he's reaching out, fingertips tentatively grazing your soft breast.

His touches grow more firm, and he's rolling one stiff nipple between his fingers before moving over to the next.

You whimper, kicking your legs in useless frustration. Aegon's tongue begins moving faster and you can't fight either brother and at this point you don't want to.

Your orgasm knocks the breath from your lungs, you feel your womb clench deliciously as pleasure swims through your system. You make pitiful noises of pleasure, hands in tight fists, trembling as both boys pause their torment.

After a moment, you feel your senses slowly begin to come back to you.

"The way you gush Princess," Aegon murmurs, eyes still locked on your center, "puts whores to shame."

A sad, needy sound leaves your lips. You can feel an indent on the inside of your lip where you'd been biting a little too forcefully.

"What do you think, Aemond?" The prince asks, "Has she been used well enough today?"

The man in question looks down at you, finally releasing his grip on your arms.

You don't move, confused at what they planned to do now. Would they take turns fucking you?

"I think she has." Aemond says, breaking you out of your desperate thoughts.

Before you can register anything, both Princes have stood, leaving the room with soft steps, closing the door behind them.

You sit up, confused and disgruntled and wondering what happened to make them stop. It takes you a moment before the horror of realisation overtakes you.

What had just happened?

.

.

[canyouhearthelight]

The Miys, Ch. 189

In which we are reminded that Derek is an adult, and is also not all-knowing, no matter how smart he is.

Although he is leaps and bounds smarter than Sophia most of the time. :D

Thanks, as always, to @baelpenrose for being an awesome beta reader and keeping me on track!  Reader shoutout this week goes to (i’m not making this one up) @gayassholeposts who literally just lost their minds on a reblog as I type this up.

I had just flopped on my couch, contemplating if I wanted mock-macaroni and cheese or mock-frozen burritos for dinner, when a proximity alert pinged the door.  Maverick was scheduled for a work shift, and Conor for a community shift, so it had to be Mac: the proximity warning for automatic opening only applied to those three.

Mentally adding a bowl of his special food to my dinner order, I sighed and levered off the furniture before my spine had a chance to override anything else for the night. Sure enough, a soft whoosh sounded behind me as I rounded the counter. “I’ll have it in a minute, greedy guts. Liver flavor, your favorite.”

The loud clap of hands that followed nearly sent me to the floor after I jumped out of my skin. Bracing myself on the counter, I whirled around to see the expected chunky-dunk blob of cat, with a decidedly unexpected chaser of fuzzy blanket and long, dark hands. 

“I hate liver.”

“No shit,” I gasped, one hand checking my heartbeat while I focused on breathing. “Derek, you scared the hell out of me.”

“Not my fault you have a built in key for me. Besides, I thought scaring the hell out of someone would be a good thing.”

Standing straight and narrowing my eyes, I scowled as hard as I could. “Not if Alistair finds out that my most recent near-death experience was your fault. I would make you explain it to him.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t,” he confessed. “If I get Mac’s food, can we have macaroni?”

“Don’t give him any, or he’s sleeping with you and Sam.”

Derek shook his head vigorously. “No no no. I can’t have both of them farting all night.” True to his word, when the void floof at his feet mewed plaintively, he shook a finger at him.

Mac was getting liver, and that was it.

One temporary diversion for fluffy pants later, the three of us were nestled deeply into my furniture with our respective bowls of treats. I basked in the peace for exactly three bites before getting back to reality. “Ignoring the fact that your so-called built in key is actually just following my chubby ass cat, anything in particular bring you by? Normally you’re neck-deep in comfort items and chicken nuggets by now.”

He shovelled a couple more bites into his mouth to chew before responding. “Worked from home today. Found some data artifacts that I wanted to show you.”

That launched an eyebrow. “Not Alice or Pranav?”

He just shook his head, and I let the matter rest while we ate for a few more minutes.  Derek was one of the few people who never made me feel even a tiny bit pressured to hold a conversation - especially if food was involved. Yes, I found meals to be social occasions, but sometimes I just wanted to stuff my face in peace, and like Tyche, he was perfectly happy to shovel cheesy pasta into his face using garlic toast and just bask in it.

Once we were both just on the best side of too-full, he leaned back and turned his face toward me. “Something about the artifact made me think you would get the correlation before they would. When they look at code, they think in code. I don’t think you ever think in code.”

I grabbed my ribs as my head flopped against the back of the couch. “Oh, gods. Never. I have a lot of respect for what y’all do, but I cannot imagine doing it full time.”  Taking a couple breaths, I pushed myself upright. “But now I’m curious - If I don’t think in code, how am I supposed to help?”

“You don’t have to think in it to make connections,” he explained cryptically before carefully moving the plant on my flat-console table and unceremoniously shoving the rest to the floor. One flick of his hand, and the code was up where we could both see it. With dizzying speed, he went straight to one section and highlighted part of it. “This is one of them.”

Oooookay. “It’s… a bunch of symbols?”

“It’s gibberish.”  Hands flew as he went to a second section, highlighted again, and pulled the two pieces forward to compare. “They’re also identical gibberish, which isn’t an accident.”

“How many of these do you have?”

“Thousands.” The snap in his hands as he signed told me he was either excited or irritated - I wasn’t sure if it was common to anyone who used sign language, but it was a dead giveaway for Derek.

“All identical?”

“Without exception.”

That was weird.  I didn’t have to understand computer coding to understand that typos don’t tend to be that consistent. “So, yeah, deliberate.  Are you sure it’s an artifact?” I was kind of proud I actually knew what that was - old code left over and hanging loose because no one cared enough to clean it up.

“It has to be. The data it’s connected to is sound.”

I tried not to sigh and pinched my eyes and nose. “Is this the data from the pirates or the data from Pranav?”

“Pranav.  There weren’t any in the data from the pirates, which was the first thing I looked for. But their systems are older and held together on duct tape and faith, so it doesn’t mean much.”

“It means their data, willingly given, didn’t have it…” I chewed on my lip for a few minutes while I scrolled through his examples and followed a few paths. “Okay, I don’t need to be a computer genius to figure out that these aren’t the same pieces of data, which is the only way I can think of that you would get an error like that without a lot of work.  Which would make it not an error.  Updates don’t miss that much stuff without it being the same information or pretty close.”

For one of the few times in our entire acquaintance, Derek actually made a face at me, and he looked so much like Mac that I had to laugh. Ignoring me, he hammered a finger on my shoulder. “How? How did you figure that out?  It took me at least twice as long.”

“Pattern matching,” I waved off. “The patterns are way off, even down to three character sets. You start losing your vision early and end up working with data, you kind of go by shape instead of one to one matching.  Compile this, or whatever, so I can see what it says in some language I can read.”

“Compile? How old are you?”

“Old enough to be your mom. Or grandmother. So be good for Aunt Sophie and… I dunno, do whatever you do to make it actual words.”

He did, but even then, I could only read about a tenth of the parts with the ‘artifact’. “So that did exactly nothing,” I huffed. “Okay, funny guy, you can change it back. Could have warned me.”

“Of course, Aunt Sophie.” Even turning his face away couldn’t hide the smirk.

I pushed on. If Derek need my help with this, it had to be something less technical. “So, it’s clearly deliberate, and something that a lot of effort was put into. And you’re sure it’s not just tags to data we are restricted from accessing on the Ark?”

Hands flying again, over fifty blocks of code were brought forward. “These are just a few examples of restricted information without the artifact.”

“Of course,” I huffed, perching myself back on the couch. Elbows on my knees, chin propped in one hand, I scrolled lazily through the samples tagged with the symbols.  When I found a shorter piece, I enlarged it. “What’s this?”

He didn’t even bother compiling it. Or whatever. “It’s an article on something called a Dalmatian.”

A WHAT!? Launching to my feet, I ended up face-planting halfway through the display. Scurrying, I found another one of the shorter pieces. “This one?”

“Hypertriglyceridemia.”

One… more… “Annnnd, this one?”

“Toxidodendron Radicans.”

I resisted the urge to grab him in my excitement and instead snagged a large pillow to squish and bite before shaking. “Derek! Those are all Terran topics!  This is Terran Data!  It’s about home!”

He held both palms toward me in a ‘Stop’ gesture, shoulders squared to me. For him, this generally meant ‘hold up’. “How sure are you?” he asked after a moment.

“A Dalmatian is a breed of dog, but historically could also refer to people who came from a specific part of Croatia. The last one is the latin name for poison ivy, which I am screamingly allergic to.  If I had to guess - and I’m just guessing - the second one is a medical condition that either stems from or results in high triglycerides, which are something that people generally worried about after age twenty in the Before.” I took a couple deep breaths before flinging a hand at the entire display. “I am willing to bet that everything that has that string of characters attached to it is about Terra, and that’s probably where our updates about home will be.”

Without prompting, he ran as much as he could into text format. “Does any of this look new?”

I scanned it quickly, and recognized enough to know that it wasn’t anything that existed Before. Fingers on both hands started snapping. “What about other languages? If this was never meant for humans to read, maybe we need to feed it through a couple times. Audio, air displacement, the works. Hell, even picture or sculptural format, because if any of these are images, they won’t show up as text anyway.”   Nearly feverish at this point, I reverted the changes and scrolled until I found the mystery line of characters. “This. Start with this.”

“Calm down,” he cautioned before running it through the filters. While we waited, he asked, “Why that part?”

“Because I want to know what it means. Is it an alert, or an alarm? Is it going to make the Eko-Mari turn around and blast us to hell and back? I am reasonably sure Xiomara would agree, we don’t want to know what’s behind the possibly-exploding door until we know if the door will explode.  I need to know - we, the Council, need to know if you should be defragging this behind a Super-Ultra-Faraday cage or not.”

He shrugged, and I paced for the next twenty minutes while it was run through every language translation we had in every possible combination. By the time it sounded off the completion chime, my hair was standing on end and I was lacking several newly-grown nails. Since I was pretty sure I would have screamed if I asked Derek to display the result, I was relieved when he did it without prompting.

And immediately confused when my quarters filled with projected fog.

“What the…” I whispered, waving it away before remembering that it was a light construct. Feeling like some particularly awkward wizard, I started flicking my hands apart to zoom in.  The moment the pattern kicked my brain, I went from short gestures to wide breaststrokes.  Before long, I was zoomed in on one example, the image a meter tall and half a meter wide.

It was a delicate, floating tuft of tendrils.   But even the idea of tendrils seemed too clunky, since even as magnified as it was, they were thinner than my smallest finger and gently waving in the breeze that didn’t exist.  Enlarged so much, I could see cellular function, but no walls and if there was membrane, it was so thin that I couldn’t even imagine the scale.

Derek was immediately enamored. “It looks… soft.”  He tilted his head before advising that there was an audio file, equally enhanced.

“Play it,” I whispered.

I don’t know what I expected, but it was beyond any hope or dream. The audio of the delicate being in front of me sounded like snow falling at night, if the chiming was performed by an angelic choir. Something inside me ached to turn it off, but a larger part ached at the idea of doing so.  Thankfully, the choice was taken from me when Derek’s hands fell slack at his sides, eyes closed, enveloped by the experience.

“Odvub,” I explained, lamely. Hoarsely. “Derek, that’s an Odvub.”

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[lovenona]

it’s here, it’s wild, and it’s fun – welcome to “what happened after the art show” featuring everyone’s favorite menace art student ryomen sukuna (previous installment here and full universe here) 

(note that this does contain some references to explicit content – it will be clearly marked within the text) 

now that i've captured your attention: there are a myriad of ways this could go, really. let’s start with the basics. 

first things first: while the thought of scratching up geto’s stupid little car sounds awfully appealing to you, and while you simply wanted to accept the offer for the sake of sukuna’s unusually kind gesture, you also know that you don’t want some serious claims filed against you. geto’s a prick, as you’ve learned, and it’s best to keep things civil. 

so you politely tell sukuna as much, and while he might tease you for being a coward, you know there’s no real malice behind that impenetrable voice of his. 

but the night is not over! sukuna will take you to his car, then. it’s vintage and black and a little beat up and there’s miscellaneous art supplies and tattoo reference books strewn across the backseat, but it smells so distinctly like sukuna that it feels strangely like home. he controls the music, of course, blaring indie and punk with his windows cracked so every stoplight can hear. (he has a preference for wolf alice. he thinks the lead singer is hot.) and even better, he’s got a smirk, a real one, as he drapes one hand across the steering wheel and the other on the glove box between you. 

(you think you’d like his hand to reach further. but you’re still technically in recovery mode, so of course you won’t say it, not yet.) 

your earlier sadness melts away with every minute you spend in sukuna’s car. he’ll take you for a drive without needing to ask. he can read the vibe – it’s you. you don’t want to go home, you don’t want to go out, you don’t want to be anywhere; so he’ll keep you in that liminal space, driving in circles and turning down strange roads whenever and wherever he feels like it. he’ll pass familiar buildings on campus to make a silly little quip, drive past the grocery store to watch students filter through with their reusable grocery bags, drive past the parks that loom in the dusk shadows. you don’t need to talk, and neither does he. it’s quiet, strangely, but a silence so comfortable you hardly notice it. 

and, frankly, the most realistic ending to this night would be that sukuna drops you off at your apartment complex and lets you go home for the night with a final joke. but, of course, i know that’s not why any of us are here. 

so, of course, let’s go to sukuna’s place, instead. it’s an expected gesture, almost, and you can’t say you’re particularly surprised when you see the familiar building come into view. you’ve been to his apartment a few times now, and it’s a place you’re beginning to learn like the back of your hand. 

at this point, your night could go one of two ways. you may now choose your own adventure: safe and fun or sex and spice? 

safe and fun: (mentions of alcohol) 

you’re stumbling through the door with sukuna, arguing with him as you always do, only to find yuuji and his crew in the living room playing god-knows-what on the xbox. they’ll wave you in with a casual vigor, their loud and raucous behavior making sense once you see the array of empty white claws on the table. (many of them are mango. it’s yuuji’s favorite flavor.) 

“you’re back early,” yuuji tells sukuna with a loopy grin, a grin that suggests something unspeakable as he wiggles his eyebrows. he looks at you with that dopey little smile and you roll your eyes. 

“the art show sucked,” sukuna responds, scrunching his nose and heading to the kitchen to fix himself a drink. “you fuckers still drink that shit?” 

sukuna, you know, hates white claw. he’ll only drink hard alcohol, mixed drinks, things that make him feel like a man. you’ve seen it firsthand countless times by now. 

“you’re fourteen minutes older than me,” yuuji whines. “don’t act so high and mighty, old man.”

so sukuna will make himself a drink – a real drink, he clarifies – and offer you a glass almost instinctively. your fingers brush his as he hands you the glass. something electric runs across the surface of your skin, rustles your bones. you make eye contact, and it’s a thousand lifetimes unsaid between you. 

(you wonder if you like him. you don’t know.) 

so the night passes: you watch yuuji and his friends try and struggle to complete the missions in their silly little game as sukuna sits next to you, flexing his biceps as if he knows you’re watching from the corner of your eyes. megumi yells at yuuji who yells at nobara, and while they offer to let you play, you simply cannot break the connection between them. you like the way yuuji laughs and the way nobara smiles and the way their presence is like a soothing balm, cool and collected. 

it’s strange and comforting all at the same time, this newfound ease you feel as you settle back into the couch, your drink sweet on your lips. 

the night is a warm lilt; the silly party plays their games, you watch, sukuna acts indifferent to the spectacle and threatens to return to his room at any moment. you know, though, that he’s enjoying himself, even if only because of his posture and the smirk ghosting his lips. it’s wonderful and mundane and in this moment of pure domesticity, you can allow yourself to forget the night’s events entirely. 

you hardly remember silly geto now, you do. you know you’ll be angry as all hell when you see him in class but for now, here, it’s okay. 

and when you fall asleep, slowly, suddenly, someone – you think sukuna, but he insists he didn’t – tucks you beneath a layer of warm blankets. it’s a warm night, a comforting night, one that feels like a kiss to the forehead. you need it. 

(you think sukuna really does kiss your forehead, too, but you don’t know. when you wake on the couch the next morning, you wonder whether it could have all been a dream.)

sex and spice: contains nsfw, slight dubcon (both characters are tipsy but very much consenting and happy with their situation), oral (f! receiving), sukuna being a tease 

oh, but the second option. you’ll stumble through the door in this life to find that yuuji’s not home – the apartment is dark and quiet and full of a tension you cannot name. you’ll become hyper aware of your actions, suddenly, shyly, taking note of the exact way you take off your coat and shoes and leave them in the doorway. sukuna feels incredibly present and you don’t know why. you’ve been alone with him before, but perhaps it’s different when you’re alone like this. when it’s his home, his couch, and not a classroom. it’s different, now, when the chances of being seen by strangers have decreased significantly. 

you’ll warm up slightly, though, when sukuna offers you a drink in that teasing voice he always uses when he wants to fluster you. he’ll fix the drinks with a bartender’s ease and sit down on the couch, throwing an arm back, letting his bicep tattoos flex in the golden glow of the living room. 

it’s so quiet, and you’re trying your best, really, but you don’t know what to say. you’ll put the television on and sukuna will find something you both know you  won’t watch but lets you ease the strain. you’ll make fun of it, he’ll make fun of it, and you’ll slide back like molasses into the lazy semblance of friendship you’ve cultivated together. 

and it’ll be easier to feel normal, too, once you’ve had a drink or two – your tongue loosens up, and you find yourself able to say things to sukuna that you’ve never said before. you find yourself forgetting that you’re alone with sukuna in his house, and that you are suddenly and absolutely nervous in a way you have never been before. 

“so tell me,” he’ll ask, turning to you on the couch, brave and arrogant with a dark and stormy in his system. “how was it?”

you pretend you don’t know what he’s talking about. “how was what?” you’ll purse your lips together and suppress the butterflies in your chest. you wonder just how long you have thought sukuna to be attractive. 

he’ll shake his head. “fucking geto, you idiot.” plastered across his face is the smirk you’d know with your eyes closed. he leans in, slightly, not enough to terrify you but enough to leave you struggling to form a complete sentence as your brain shuts down. 

but you’ve had something to drink, too, and while in daylight you would have ignored his question entirely, brushing him off as a perv and a jokester, you can’t help but think there’s something different in the aura of the room tonight. you can’t help but be honest. 

“it was fine, i guess,” you tell him. you shrug your shoulders and look back towards the television. you pretend you care about what you see. 

he smells like something smoky and earthy today. “fine?” 

you try to make a joke, but your head is spinning from his undivided attention. you do not know what you are anymore. “are you always this interested in my sex life?”

sukuna, surprisingly, grins with genuine amusement. “no, but geto gives off the vibe of a limp dick film boy, and i wanted to know if it’s true.” 

“limp dick film boy,” you repeat, and a hearty laugh escapes your bubbling chest. you feel your inhibitions melt away, and your secrets fly out of you, the horrifying experience of the art show fading behind you. you’ll deal with geto in class, you think vaguely. at least he never said your name. 

you sigh, forgetting him like a bad pun. “i mean, i guess it was fine. i don’t know.” 

“you don’t know.” you can’t tell if he’s being condescending or if he’s genuinely concerned for the state of your pitiful sex life. “did he at least give good head if he made a fucking sculpture about it?”

“what?” your heart stops, your face is hot, your brain on fire. it’s not that he’s crossed a line, you think, but that that question opens something deep and unspeakable and strange. “no?” you don’t know why you answer, but something within you tells you that you must. something tells you that the world is shifting, and you must follow.

“he didn’t?” you feel the couch shift as sukuna shifts closer. “what kind of fucker doesn’t? it’s common courtesy, you know.” 

“he didn’t want to,” you respond, but you don’t know what you’re defending.

“and if i do?” 

you freeze. one of sukuna’s hands traces your shoulder like butterfly wings. it must be the rum talking, you think, because there’s no way sukuna would want you. it wouldn’t make sense, certainly, you rationalize. he must be out of his mind, this must be a joke –

“you still there?” a finger taps your forehead. 

“yeah,” you respond, returning to yourself. you curse your flailing heartbeat. you turn to look at sukuna, so close to you, and you’re met with the terrifying depth of his dark gaze. you have never seen this gaze, this look that places you at the center of the universe. your breath nearly catches in your throat. 

sukuna leans in. so do you, instinctively. you disregard geto and the sculpture and everything that came before. this, you think. this is what it should have been like. you’ve been waiting for this moment since the first time he kissed you months ago. you’re overcome with sensations you cannot name, an ache that builds and spreads through your belly. perhaps you’ll regret it tomorrow. but now, here, you want it more than anything. 

“you don’t have to,” sukuna says. his breath is hot on your cheeks. 

“i want to,” you say, and it’s a kiss for the ages. 

so he’ll push you backwards to lie on the couch, and his shirt will be off and disregarded before you can think about it. you’ll trace the tattoos on his broad chest, lines and patterns you’ve never seen until now that you will never be able to forget. you’ll memorize the feeling of his tongue in your mouth, the smooth metal of his tongue piercing sending shivers down your spine. it’s messy and crude and everything you would expected it to be – neither one of you is willing to give in to the other. neither wants to admit this is anything more than a challenge. 

(you’re in heaven, though. geto who?) 

and fuck, god, the look he gives you as he asks if he can take your pants off now: you’d paint it, frame it, place it in every art museum in the world if you could. it’s the second time you’ve taken your clothes off for someone in your life and while it’s strange and weird and sukuna, it feels right at the same time. he bites your neck when you left your hips to slide the clothes off you body and you feel dizzy with hunger. 

sukuna loves to tease. he’ll make his way down your body slowly, tantalizingly, sly, and you swear you’ll lose your mind if he waits any longer. and when he looks back up to meet your eyes, with that lustful, dangerous, blown-out gaze, you know you’re fucked. you know you’re fucked when you realize it’s ryomen sukuna hanging out between your parted thighs, asking for consent before he places a soft kiss to your clit. 

and you know, you know bitterly, that this would have been the most mind-blowing sex of your life had the key not turned in the lock because yuuji decided to come home early. 

so you scramble to get your shit together, angry and disappointed. and even though you’ve regained your clothes and your dignity before yuuji can even remove his shoes and make his mindless way to the living room, you cannot quell the fire that grows within you. you cannot stop the hunger that has already begun. and sukuna knows it, too, because his eyes have not lost the look of a predator looking for prey. 

(and, you notice, because his dick is still hard.) 

he looks at you, and you look at him. he leans in, grins, whispers, “my room?” 

[albatris]

is there romance in atdao or is it all just found famiy vibes? if there is romance im real curious about how peeps would express those kinda feelings

hello hi hello this took me AGES I’m very sorry I kept getting distracted by things such as being asleep

anyway yes thank you for the question! romance? yes, we’ve got some of this going on, sure, though I would count the romance as within the found family c:

I don’t know if you wanted a Ramble™ but this is a topic I can ramble about and I’m in a bit of a rambling mood so you can have a ramble, free of charge, just take it up to the register and have them enter the code “logan this is not what I ordered”

but yeah, your question? about eight vaguely relevant tangents immediately spring to mind! also spoilers?? spoilers after the cut

I really should have formatted this response in a way that puts the super spoiler heavy part at the end but since when have I ever ever in my life made things easy for my dear sweet followers

y’all know what I’m like with spoilers by now 

but yeah, to set the scene, there’s two main romantic......................... situations going on in the story, the first being between Noa and Alice, and the second being between Kai, Tris and Shara. so, the former I would describe as “a legitimate romantic subplot” and the latter I would describe as a character tripping and falling into it by sheer chance and just being like “oh whoops well I guess this is what I’m doing now” which is also extremely valid

Noa and Alice end up not being, like, Confirmed Endgame by the end of the story even though much of the plot looks like it’s heading in that direction, and like...... yeah, in my head, they do end up in a romantic relationship at some point post-story, but I’m not sure on what sort of timeline

during the story itself, it’s established that they do share mutual feelings for each other and this is likely heading towards a romantic relationship, but I think since much of the story sees Noa still trying to find her feet in just, like....... having friends at all, and trusting those friends, and knowing who she is in relation to others on any sort of level, I think near the end of the story she decides that she’s not at a place where she wants to try and figure out a romantic relationship just yet

it’s not a hard no, it’s just a “hey not right now” and a “let’s see what happens later down the track, for now it’s just nice to be around friends” ‘cause even that is just super new territory for her

which I worry will make people feel cheated, but also, I think it’s the ending for this subplot that would make the most sense for where the characters are at and would be the most fitting c:

and secondly there’s like

hm. ok

well, there WAS a vaguely jokey post I made yonks back where I pitched the idea of an ATDAO polyamory ending being just like. Alice who’s dating Noa who’s dating Shara who’s dating Kai who’s dating Tris. and I stand by this being solid as hell. but also, given the ending to Noa’s subplot with Alice, it doesn’t really work in the story canon, n though I think Noa and Shara is a dynamic I really enjoy, it would likely not actually play out in reality :P

which leaves the trio of Shara, Kai and Tris, a trio I’ve always vibed with and had vaguely on my radar as a valid poly ending but for some reason didn’t twig that I could just, like, make it canon and no one can stop me LMAO

but yeah, this one, like I said, it’s not so much aHD whole big subplot, it’s just something that falls into place super casually and is never really brought up beyond “oh is this a thing that’s happening?” “yeah” “cool ok”

I think there’s a brief window as a reader where you might be like “ugh this is gonna be a stupid love triangle or some weird jealousy thing” but then it just ends up being a complete non-issue. there’s basically zero romantic drama for this plotline, Tris and Shara are bros and Kai is dating both of them

n as for your question itself, it depends on whether you mean, like.......... how they would go about expressing to someone else that they have romantic feelings or, like, how they express their affections in a romantic scenario

‘cause for the former, the answer for both Tris and Noa is just.... they don’t

Noa because at the start of the story she views her crush on Alice as a huge fucking inconvenience that’s going to make things messy and complicated, so she just tries to ignore her romantic feelings as hard as she can (obviously this doesn’t last hahaha). but yeah, she’s just very pissed off that she has a crush and doesn’t want to acknowledge it :P she also has no idea how to respond when Alice expresses romantic interest in her, this is all extremely new territory

and Tris because he doesn’t realise he’s even experiencing romantic feelings in the first place?? like. the boy has so much baseline anxiety jitteriness that stuff like, idk, feeling your heart pick up pace, butterflies in the stomach, any kinda social nerves you get around the people you like, etc, he experiences this with Kai and is automatically just like “great now you’re here and I’m having a panic attack can you please leave”

just slaps a label of Bad Vibes onto it then later is like Wait A Minute

but yeah, I think neither of them would be super comfy actually expressing their feelings out loud or making that first move, Noa because she’s super fuckin petty and stubborn and Tris because he’s waaaaaaaay too fuckin socially anxious for that shit are you kidding

in terms of how they express their affections though??

so like. I have to reiterate that I’m aro and ace and I have a lot of difficulty in articulating what makes a romance A Romance, like??? I have relationships that are friendships and relationships that are romantic, but I myself don’t really experience romantic attraction in the way other people do

as such, the way I write characters in their romantic expressions tends to be just an extension of how they act in their friendships? which I think is a pretty ok thing to base a romance off anyway, but like, yeah, romance, this is a mystery to me for the most part, do I look like I know what a romance is

anyway I think once Alice and Noa get a little closer there’s a lot of good-natured ribbing and friendly insults, n since they already had a bit of a rivalry going on beforehand I would imagine this competitive streak doesn’t disappear :P Noa is generally uncomfy with being Openly affectionate and soft with others, so I think there would be a lot of more “indirect” ways she shows this care. I think they have the kind of relationship where from an outside perspective you don’t really get how it’s warm and affectionate, but it’s just ‘cause you don’t know the lingo, right

Tris is just the cheerleader type in all friendly relationships I think, lots of encouragement and hype and compliments and enthusiasm, he’s very excitable and very easily impressed hahahaha. though I think it takes people a while to click that he’s legitimately being 100% earnest and genuine, the constant deadpan does not work super well in his favour

anyway I’m gonna hop back up for a sec so I can cover Shara and Kai real quick

these two are............ a bit more direct with actually verbalising their feelings to people? Shara is a socially anxious type, but also not someone who enjoys beating around the bush, n she generally likes to just speak what’s on her mind and be direct with others whenever she can. Kai just kinda........ I mean, I don’t think they consider romantic affections to be a super big deal? at least in theory? I say in theory ‘cause, like, I think they give the impression that this kind of conversation is just super smooth and easy for them, and on the inside they’re like “it’s really not a big deal it’s just feelings it’s whatever” but they’re still anxious about it and had to hype themself up for like a week before going through with it lmao

but ye, in terms of how they express their affections, they’re both fairly similar. you suddenly will just Not Be Able To Get Rid Of Them, they’ll constantly be hanging around in the same space or dragging you into whatever shenanigans they’ve got going on, I think for both of them their favourite expression of love is just sharing in experiences or sharing the same space, just Being Involved And Around 

a “hey come help me run errands” type or a “I’m gonna hang off the back of your sofa while you’re studying and sometimes slingshot balls of paper at you with a rubber band” type :P

and now I have to go on Another Tangent just ‘cause the subject matter is vaguely relevant and idk where else I’m gonna go on this tangent

there is definitely some part of me that’s still super super fond of the idea of Kai being aro??? and I initially did write them as such, but for the moment this is not something that’s remained canon in text ‘cause I’m a little bitch ‘cause like

Kai would be aro in very much the same way I am, which is to say, they’re a person who is extremely full of love and who has difficulty in differentiating what the step is supposed to be between friendship feelings and romantic feelings, so, someone who may not necessarily “get” what makes a romance a romance or experience any feelings different from a strong friendship, but who is still open to being in a romantic relationship

(the difference between us being that Kai Really Really Likes People and enjoys being close with others as much as possible, where I’m more the awkward standoffish hermit type lmao)

but yeah, I was kinda like. well. despite being a perfectly valid aro person in a romantic relationship myself, if I were a fictional character people would probably call me bad rep HAHAHA. like “yeah they’re apparently aro but they don’t really ACT aro and the author put them in a romantic relationship ://”

and while I think there’s value to be had in fiction in exploring the different ways a person can be aro, I just, like................... thought about the hypothetical future discourse and was just like UGH. I cannot be fucking BOTHERED

I get enough people in real life being like “ok but you’re not REALLY aro like why do you even bother having that label it’s not like it matters in your context” even though I’m the goddamn expert on my own experiences you bastards

lmao

but yeah I think aro Kai is canon in my heart hahahaha. and they may end up articulating some of the same feelings, maybe just not with the label applied, who knows

anyway that’s my rambles done I think! thanks for reading n have a nice night c:

[sweetpea-cc]

Lovers of Mine

Chapter One

Synophosis: Natala Halvorsen was Queen of Sicily and Norway when a group of traveling nobles made their way into her kingdom and into her life. Changed into an immortal being in 1113 A.D, she suddenly awakens another part of her that she believed to be dead. Soon, she becomes a sole interest of wicked games for the Mikaelson family. What happens after Natala resurfaces after being thought dead for over 100 years? 800 years by their side and she abandons the without a second thought.

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

Palermo, Sicily ❁1103 A.D.

"Must I, father? I do not even know the boy!" a young woman stood in the common area of her family home. Lavish, marble columns supporting the open ceiling, revealing the bright blue sky. The columns were Roman: the ionic columns were so elegantly carved into perfection: the rippled swirl the top rim spouted on both sides. She was hugging her delicate body tightly, trying to find warmth in the sweet, autumn morning. Her hair was loose and the gentle curls fell graciously to the low of her back.

"Yes, la mia Stella." her father sweetly responded, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. She smiled disconsolately at his nickname for her. 'Star' because he always said that her eyes reminded him of the midnight stars shining in the sky. "The King saw you on one his trips down here, spotting you running along the field of brooms. He believes that you would be more than a perfect match for his eldest son, Petter, heir to the throne." he continued to explain the predicament using a soothing voice but it only worried her more.

"My sweet Natala, this could be good for us. Good for our home, this union shall form an alliance between two strong kingdoms. And it shall be because of you, Cara figlia. It is your responsibility as a princess." Natala's head hung low as she merely nodded, who was she to question what her father said was right for her kingdom? No matter how much she wanted nothing to do with it.

New Orleans ❁2010

Natala Halvorsen was uniquely blessed with startling features, with alice-blue eyes that almost appeared a white heaven hue, reminding many of the Arctic Tundra. Her skin was a mixture of ivory and honey, sprinkled in layers of freckles. Her facial features were prominent, cheekbones high and her plump, pink lips causing both male and female alike to flush with desire. Her eyelashes were long, perfect to peek under when she played coy with her latest victims. Her button nose, and her small little ears giving the impression of innocence though one look into her startling eyes, one knew different. Natala's heart-shaped face boded well with her luscious, raven-black hair that added the deepest contrast to her entire appearance as it fell effortlessly past her elbows. She was slim, sign a medium build and it was safe to say she was beautiful, perfect even.

Much like anyone else in the world, Natala had much history under her belt, perhaps a little too much. No one truly knew who she was because she never allowed anyone in- not her family, not her friends and none of her lovers. So much mystery was hidden in her eyes which was incredible considering the saying that you can tell what someone is truly feeling by looking deeply into them. Natala wondered if such a silly quote had any shred of veracity in it.

She wasn't perfect by any means but of course, some of us have a reputation to hold up. According to the little birds that floated around the supernatural world, Natala was calculating, cold, and charismatic. At first impression, most would become captivated by her beauty then startled by the small malicious smile that always seemed to be on her face, like it was frozen there. However, Natala wasn't always like this, then again she doubts anyone ever was. People go through terrible things that have this immense power to shape how their life turns out. She remembered when her heart was light, when she was the epitome of 'kind' and when things were just... simple.

She often found herself reflecting how her life had changed through the centuries, there were so much tragedy and pain but there was also the good and love. After all, without darkness, there cannot be light. It was sad just how true that saying was, Natala would know seeing as she witnessed both sides of the spectrum.

Currently, Natala found herself sitting at Rousseau's, a place that always seemed to be the entertainment center of the French Quarter. It was no secret that around her, people were buzzing with laughter, while some were whispering to their friends, trying to inconspicuously point Natala out. Oh yes, she stuck out like a sore thumb and she knew it. Not that she minded. However, she wasn't just yet ready to be discovered by whoever the gossiping rats behind her report to. It was as if Natala struck gold because not even a moment later, music from the main stage began playing, distracting whoever was watching her. Natala took this opportunity to hide—in plain sight, of course.

The French rustic aesthetic clashed with the jazz music that coalesced with this picturesque café. However, it was a soft, smooth, sexy jazz. There was a tall black man playing the Tenor Saxophone on the far right of the stage. There he was, dressed so dapper in a black suit and blue tie. The sweat on his head glimmered from the minimal light that was projected onto them. There was also a cello player dressed in a cute, youthful dress. It was all black, but her sleeves end just before her elbow. The dress is figure-hugging until her waist and it flows out—much like a small ballgown. She wore black-translucent nylons and velvet two-inch heels. There was a snare drum player wearing sunglasses—sitting on a doctors stool and wearing a fedora. There was lastly a trumpet player and a clarinet player—both obvious twins. They both shared the same strawberry blonde hair that was so evenly curled in the back. Their Prussian blue eyes and rosy cheeks allowed them to stand out. Natala found it quirky and cute the way they wore the same outfit as well—consisting of a plain white t-shirt dress, a black-denim overall dress, black tights, and black open-toed heels.

The upbeat, jazz tune swirled around the bar, a collection of bodies swooning and swaying with the sound of the music as it vibrated against the building. All eyes were on them, watching as they masterfully ran their fingers over their instruments. Natala moved her body along in sync with everyone else's and it was now nearly impossible to spot her. She loved the way the city had come such a long way since she first set her feet on its grounds in 1755. Natala took noticed of the rustic aesthetic of the powder white lamps that dangled over the hickory brown tables shimmered a calming vibe. These same tables were easily hand-carved and sanded down to its perfection by a person—not a machine. The detail in the tables was incredible—each sliver and ring was glossed over by a translucent, even finish. In the center of these tables were ceramic white vases with slivers and splotches of brown on them—and in these vases were a single bright, golden sunflower.

To Natala's right, she watched as a couple was completely engrossed in each other's presence. She watched as the woman let out a small giggle as her lover left a trail of bittersweet kisses from her forehead down to her chin, then back to her lips. Natala would never admit out loud but she missed the feeling of waking up next to someone, missed the feeling of their body keeping her own warm and safe. She sighed deeply as she pushed the ridiculous thought from her mind, as there was no point in dwelling on things that are dead and gone.

Natala barely noticed the group had stopped playing, most likely to take a break, but nonetheless, the crowd has shifted out the door, leaving her uncovered. Before Natala has a chance to move, two local vampire thugs appeared on either side of her, systematically trapping her in the bar seat. Her face completely void of emotion and her signature, malicious smile forming on her lipstick stained lips, she spun around in the seat, resting her elbows gentle against the bar.

"May I help you, gentlemen?" Natala's voice was icy and full of disastrous intent, she never did take being threatened lightly, at least not anymore. Natala twirled a section of her hair between her fingers, her stiletto length nails poking through. The man on her right was rather handsome with dark hair and blue eyes, similar to herself. The cap on his head seemed to draw his entire appearance together, making him look like a musician of some sort, sporting a rather simplistic choice of clothing. To her left was a man with tawny-brown skin, caramel eyes, and dark brown curly hair which oddly reminded her of the rich soil of her homeland. He appeared to be the complete opposite of the first man, searing as his style was more rocker-ish.

"Never seen you around here before." man number two responded in a hostile tone, causing Natala to arch an eyebrow ever so slightly.

"I do suppose that's what happens when the city you live in is a tourist attraction." Natala quip playfully, grabbing her drink from behind her, she keeps her eyes downward, keeping up the whole 'I have no interest in this' façade for the mere drama of it. Her senses spiking, another man walked into the bar and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the two men standing beside her go rigid like they were a company and their commander was present.

"Thierry. Diego. What are you two doing bothering this lovely woman?" Natala looked up through her long lashes as her icy blue eyes landed on an extremely attractive man. Natala smiled knowingly, taking in his sense of style which appeared to be form-fitting T-shirts that highlighted his sculpted abs underneath. His skin was dark, similar to rocker man on her left that Natala could now identify as 'Diego', she noticed that his eyes were also just as dark and her lips sported a very mischievous grin.

"Just checking her out, Marcel, making sure she isn't a threat," Diego spoke and Natala could almost hear the respect in his voice. She remembered all too well what that was like, remembered the way her subjects dotted upon her like a fragile ornament that would surely shatter but still respected her to only the highest standards. It's was funny to her how much Marcel reminded her of someone she once knew. For just a few moments, Natala's mind drifted many centuries back to when she was a human and held a high title.

Oslo, Norway ❁1112 A.D.

"I am not a house made out of glass, Lord Jorian! I am more than capable of taking care of myself." Natala, now at the bare age of twenty exasperated to her Hand of the Queen, Jorian Alveright. Natala understood why he was always so protective of her, after all it was his bloody oath.

"I understand that Your Grace and I am not denying it. There is no doubt whatsoever that you can handle yourself as you have proved that more times than I can count in the war room. However, despite that, it is my job to keep you safe, at all costs. You are a true monarch, one of the bravest Norway has seen in a few years, it is no secret that everyone is looking up to you. You deserve more than what you are getting." Jorian stood upright, one hand resting by his side and the other on the hilt of his sword. He was a brave man, terribly scared from years of war but his white hair loosely slicked back showed off his impressive features. Natala could truthfully answer that her favorite thing about him was his eyes. They were a unique shade of green with a violent burst of a low hue yellow in them.

Natala stopped her pacing in her chambers and turned to face him, smiling gingerly; "I know this, my Lord and I thank you so much. I do not know where I would be without a trusty adviser and friend as yourself. As for the people of Norway, they needn't worry, I have no plans of going anywhere soon. Petter is a good King, a good man, but sometimes too much power can eat whatever shred of decency is in man." She places a hand on his shoulder as she walked past him, humming a sweet tune as she walked away- Jorian keeping a fair distance, as always.

Present ❁

Marcel grinned like a Cheshire cat, patting a heavy hand upon his little soldier's shoulders. "I got this, you guys can take off." his voice was rich, making Natala smile and without another word, they abide the request, or rather command. Natala's attention was brought back by the heavy sound of Marcel's hand collided with their shoulders. When they were out of sight, Marcel sat in the stool next to her, keeping that lovely smirk on his face. He held out a hand, offering to shake it, which Natala took gracefully. "Natala Halverson, as I live and breathe. Damn, girl, it's good to see you!" Marcel was oddly cheerful and Natala liked the way dimples formed deeply on his face. He still oh so beautiful in her eyes. Taking another sip of her drink, Natala's eyes twinkled with curiosity and happiness to see this man again.

"Marcellus Gerard. Look at you, King of New Orleans. Tell me, how does it feel?" Natala winked at Marcel knowingly. When he was a boy, Natala told him stories of how she really was once upon a time a Queen of two great kingdoms and how it felt to be a very important person with immense responsibilities. Marcel's face broke into a wide as he raised to the bartender, signaling for a drink which she brought over fairly quickly. Natala managed to capture a better look at the woman, taking in her face which possessed long lashes and a strong jawline. It just seemed that everyone in New Orleans was attractive, not that Natala minded. She liked to appreciate the beauty of others. "It's great, I feel like I'm on top of the world. But some days it kicks my ass." he gushed, taking a sip from his glass. Natala laughed and raised her glass to Marcel, indicating she agreed with his statement.

"You know, last I heard, you were dead." Natala raised her eyebrow and a small smile was fighting its way to the front. Marcel returned the smile and let out a long sigh. "I can say the same thing for you." Natala played with the ends of her hair, twirling the strands through her delicate fingers, the year was 1919 and a new dark witch who went by the name 'Papa Tunde' had waltzed into New Orleans, claiming himself as the new leader of the witches. Natala had crossed paths with him the first time when he had interrupted a meeting between Klaus, Elijah, and the Guerrera family. The second time around, she hadn't been so lucky, as the man had linked their lives together in order to draw out more power and then only a few mere hours after that Klaus had delivered the severed head of his twin sons and gouged out his eyes. Natala's screamed had caused Klaus' triumph to only last a few moments when he turned around and found her on the ground, Elijah holding her limp body.

Unbeknownst to them, Natala was always one for keeping herself protected. After all, it was a given if you were going to run with one of the deadliest family in the supernatural world. In event of any death such as this, she had created a spell that would bring her soul back to her body. Highly similar to the Gilbert rings which protected the wearer against death that she had come across years ago when she was in Mystic Falls, except this spell worked on supernatural beings.

A gentle chime from Natala's phone adverted her attention away from Marcel as she looked at the caller I.D not immediately recognizing the number. "Chi è?" 'Who is this?' She responded in Italian as she always did, loving the way the language just rolled off her tongue. Marcel listened in on Natala's conversation and she took notice of that which prompted her to give him a scowl as she shoved him away like a scolding parent. A sweet laugh fell from his lips that made Natala immediately smile. There were very, very few people who Natala held close to her heart and Marcel was one of them, in a way, he was like a brother that she never had.

After a few minutes of simple, short-end answers, Natala tucked her phone back into her pocket, dragging out a long sigh. "Oh, the things I do for family. Sadly, it seems two particular twits are need of my help so I have to cut our reunion short." Natala got up from her seat and Marcel followed suit, they stood before each other for a few minutes, neither of them saying anything. Marcel then brought Natala into a hug which for the first few seconds, she almost immediately rejected but quickly she relaxed her body and gave in. "I'll see you soon," she said, breaking away from the hug and walking away from him. Who knew how long it would be before she saw him again?

Walking through the French Quarter, Natala breathed in the invigorating scent of the New Orleans culture. She had been to every country, every small town in her many centuries alive, but as long as she lived, this city would forever be one of her ultimate favorites. It didn't take long for Natala to board a plane and fly back to one of the most dreadful towns she had ever stepped a foot in; Mystic Falls, Virginia.

Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

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Credit to @fafulous bc co-author and totally nice :(((( 

[sayofchains88]

Chapter two: Christian's destiny by OrangeLetters88~

"Hey he is coming around!" A voice rings out. Christian slowly opens his eyes. Registering his surroundings, his eyes watering up; he is silent as Dr. Carol examines his vitals.

He is hooked up to a heart monitor; his finger is in a Pulse oximetry. "Seems like the shop owner shot you too many times not wondering in his pea brain if it would kill you not. You went into respiratory failure not too long after, but getting home I was able to successfully get you the proper help..."

"You need to relax Christian. You tried your hardest. We at least know where Alex is." Alice says sadly, but happy Christian is okay.

"Get better soon man." Mars fist bumps Christian lightly. "I miss us doing stuff."

"Me too..." Christian whispers.

The doorbell can be heard from the upstairs. Christian tries to get up, however Dr. Carol pushes him back down on the bed. "You need to rest. There is more than one person here to take care of things."

Steel and Clarence shoo everyone away. Behind them is a woman. "We saw her sneak around."  Clarence states.

"I wasn't sneaking around, I was weighing if I should've come or not" She replies in her defense.

"Sure looks like you were though..." Steel responds annoyed.

"Wait what happened to you? Why are you uhh...anyways..."

Christian sits up to take a better look at her. "You are that girl from the auction house!" He shouts coughing afterwards.

"Yes I am...I am came to ask you to free me and my sisters. You can free your friend too I assure you."

Christian thinks back how all three auction houses have a pretty witch in each doing a task. He wanted to speak, but all the sudden he feels a burning rising into his throat. Clarence goes to touch Christian. He stops after feels a spark of electricity motion through his body.

Christian shrieks in pain holding his neck before falling forward into Clarence's chest effectively passing out.  

"I didn't see a tag on him..." She says to herself out loud dashing over to Christian. Clarence is now able to hold him by the shoulders. She grabs his shoulders falling backwards. "He is connected to that guy. I can see him through this man."

Dr. Carol shouts for everyone to leave except the woman. "My name is Sadie. I assure you I came here with no intention to do harm." She loosens her blouse to show the same slave symbol as the ones put on the vampires.

Clarence is still in the room despite Dr. Carol's disagreements. Christian's breathing is laboring hard now to the point you can hear him wheezing. He somewhat is coming around, he clutches Clarence's tie dragging him down.

"Water please..." He begs. Dr. Carol shoves Clarence away to steady Christian to drink. Clarence laughs. "Be my wife and I will help you...we plenty of time to get to know each other."

"Fine! You got a deal, but you need to be able to win us the star ring events! I don't accept failures."

"You sure are a cheeky guy..." Clarence says looking away embarrassed.

"You will be living with us in the castle walls, we will have a ton of children and I will make you a proud wife!"

She reddens at the thought of his words. "What are my sisters going to think??"

Dr. Carol and Clarence start to giggle. "I should have known you were digging the witch girls, but I was too distracted." Dr. Carol snickers even louder.

"What are these star ring events?" Clarence asks.

"Usually pompous rich people get rid of their old slaves or switch them around, but newbies can win them too. Usually these are old men or vampires that are well endowed can afford to take our lives. There is usually a grand switch witch as well who will as her title states will switch the titles for winners."

"But aren't you concerned about one little detail Christian?" Dr. Carol says worried.

"What are you talking about?"

"You are connected to Alex. This could be very bad for you..."

"But you also must be a title holder..." Sadie explains. "If you are connected then you are not a head."

"Vepar will only come out for Alex, but Christian does get a secondary prize which can allow him to stand haul as a leader." Clarence confirms.

"Why haven't you claimed it then?" Dr. Carol replies with a smirk.

"Because I am more than capable on my own...anyways it is known as the tome of nowhere which is meant for secondary's. It usually is seen as a captain lead book though."

"That's great! Where do you obtain it?" Sadie asks.

"There is an abandoned castle deep into the countryside. Christian has to pledge his eternity to the queen of vampires. I say it is abandoned cause what is in the middle of the church is a coffin with only ashes...she was killed during a greater war than forgotten war, but her presence is still felt with her followers."

"Wait she is dead? Are you making her to be the Mary saint of vampires?" Sadie argues.

"Don't you worship Hecate?" Dr. Carol snaps.

"I mean we do..." She says stopping herself.

"Head vampires do not need her permission. They are equals to her greatness and something of an admin thing, but secondaries are what betrayed her. Why she died so one day according to legend a man of head leaders was killed...he went to the temple to beg forgiveness and handed a guide with a spirit of their own which has become to be known as the tome of nowhere. Your allegiance is burned into your eye as proof, but the eye has its own perks."

"We need to be careful then since Sadie has a seal. Anyone could be lurking here now..." Dr. Carol discloses. "I will the lock the dungeon gates so if anything gets in, then they cannot get upstairs."    

"If you are feeling better tomorrow then we will go." Clarence says to Christian. He taps Sadie to come with him. "You are a human so you need a room to sleep. Follow me this way. Christian get some shut eye please."

Clarence shuts off the lights exiting the room. Christian Is left with the hum of the heart monitor. He didn't realize how tired he was till everyone had left the room. He could barely keep his eyes open.

Almost instantly he falls asleep, sometime during the night he feels the burning again in his throat. He pulls the pulse oximetry off getting up to try to make his way to the door withering in pain. He can feel what is almost like a thousand volts tunneling through his body.

He is about to open the door when Dr. Carol comes in catching him. The pain stops causing him to droop in his arms fainting. "Must be the shock treatment again...I was actually about to check on you, but seems you dropped in my arms instead. Hey are you awake?"

He is limp in Dr. Carol's arms. "What are they doing to him?"

"I don't know...I am sorry you suffer his fall out."

"No I feel closer to him by feeling his pain, but it is so painful I am in fear of what is happening to Alex. He has already been captive before...he must be terrified."

"You need to get rest. It's almost sun up and I need to get to my coffin."

"You...have a coffin??"

"Yes I do actually. It's pretty cozy. It's by the dungeons. It's nice and cold, perfect for sleeping. Anyways I will see you later."

Dr. Carol leaves the room when Clarence strolls by. "Good luck later." Dr. Carol says as they cross each other's paths.

"No doubt it will be fine." Clarence responds. The two shake hands. "Have a good deep sleep."

He stretches his arms out yawning. "Hey! Hey Christian!" Dr. Carol makes his way back in the room hearing Clarence.

"He is really trying to fight this seal...I can feel it. I feel so drained."

"Sadie had an attack earlier too..."

"She had an attack? Is she okay?" Christian asks holding his chest.

Yes...Steel is staying with her tonight...I am staying with you It seems till later when we need to leave."

Clarence falls asleep in an adjacent bed. Christian starts to sleep talk. It catches Clarence's attention when he seems to talk like Alex. "I really...miss home...Alice forgive me..." Christian says slowly in his sleep. "Samuel..."

Clarence has to hold Christian down as he wails in his sleep. His movements are erratic. He kicks Clarence in the head. He has to use the medical bed restraints to stop him from hurting himself.

He ends up falling asleep on the chair as Christian thrashes around. Dr. Carol makes it in around seven pm. "I see you had to put him in the restraints...you also have a black eye." He laughs.

"We will go tomorrow to see the church. Today might not a good day to go as I wanted...you know Alex is talking through him?"

"Is that why you are using the neck restraint as well?" Dr. Carol asks.

"He is mildly sedated for now as well. Do you think he is purposely talking through Christian?"

Clarence sits back on the chair. "What are we going to do if this becomes worse? If I remember correctly you spoke before how he was affected by a generational curse before meaning this is nothing."

Christian finds himself covered in complete darkness. Confused he keeps running till he sees the soft yellow light of a lantern. He views his surroundings till he walks straight into Alex. His foot literally knocking into Alex's knee, shocked to see Alex looking his way despite being blindfolded.

His arm right hand chained up, his legs folded with his other hand resting on his arm. "Alex, can you hear me."

"Christian? You aren't physically here...but I have a feeling why you are here." Alex states.

I don't why...Alex please tell me what to do! I don't know what to do..." Christian asks falling to his knees.

Alex looks down forlorn pausing a moment before looking Christians way. He notices his awkwardness. "The witches will guide you Christian...I trust you...you will grow a lot before we next meet. This is your destiny. I see the visions sometimes how you will get there so I must not speak much..."

Christian starts to cry. "Please Alex don't do this to me man. You got to give me more than this, this is painful. Were connected, how I will get further with these vague sentences, don't get be giving me old man vibes now!"

Alex looks away a single tear falls down his cheek. "I know you feel the shock...that's why I see your future. This was meant to happen for both of us. You will be more confident next we meet I assure you...you need to leave till then please!"

"Come on man you not now!" Christian says touching his shoulder.

Christian's whole body trembles awake, he realizes he is bound when the tears continue to fall. "Alex..."

"Clarence shakes Christian all the sudden. "Hey snap out of it. The heart monitor was going nuts."

Dr. Carol un-wraps his straps before he lets him sit up. He quivers in Clarence's arms. "Alex is so different now...much more mature...was becoming this my destiny?"

"Is that you are crying Christian? You saw Alex?"" Dr. Carol asks letting a puff of smoke out.

"He said to trust the witches...I didn't want to leave him, but he insisted."

"Then this is your destiny Christian, you need to do this for Alex."  

https://www.wattpad.com/1074938888-chronicles-of-alex-fighting-against-eternity Please support my works at wattpad if you like them!

[book-boys-are-my-guilty-pleasure]

Imagine: Being Sirius’ girlfriend and being best friends with the Marauders, Regulus, and Lilly. You force them all to have a sleepover together and secrets are revealed.

Not requested.

A/N: ANSGT WARNING! Also, I’m so happy with the way that last gif turned out! I’m such a loser lol (Sadly, I wasn’t able to find a good enough Regulus gif to fit in there though)

You were in Divinations class, trying your hardest to stay awake. Your boyfriend, Sirius, is shamelessly sleeping next to you, James is drawing on his face, Peter is staring up at the ceiling, and Remus is the only one actually taking notes.

Class eventually ends and you rush towards the door, you promised to meet your best friend Regulus before going to dinner with Lilly. It was difficult being friends with people who can’t stand to be around each other, but you loved them all so much, so you were willing to make it work.

“Y/N,” Your divination professor calls as you reach the door, “Can I speak to you for a moment?”

You sigh and walk up to her, “Yes Professor Opal?”

“I sense a very bad energy around you my dear,” You stare at her, a bit worried. Professor Opal has never been wrong with any of her predictions before, “Someone very close to you is in danger. A friend will die tonight if you cannot stop it.”

You heart races, “W-what?! Who?”

“That I do not know, I’m only telling you what I sense.”

“Thank you,” You nod, your head spinning. What do I do...?

Night fell, and you’re frantically pacing back and forth your dormitory, “Y/N? Will you tell me what’s wrong...?”

You ignore Lilly, once again. You finally come up with an idea, “Lilly! I need you to come with me!”

“What?! Where?” She says as you take her hand and drag her out of the dormitory. You don’t respond, you just drag her up to the Marauders’ dormitory, “Y/N, I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, but I’m not going in there!”

“Trust me Lilly! This is important!” You say, doing your secret knock on the boys’ door.

“Hello love!” Sirius says, opening the door, he looks confused when he sees Lilly, “Um... hey Evans...”

She nods awkwardly, “Hi...”

The moment he hears her name, James is on his feet, “Lillyflower! Just can’t stay away can you?!”

His face falls when he sees your expression, “What’s wrong Y/N?”

“Look, this is going to sound crazy, but we all need to spend the night in here tonight,” You explain, Lilly’s jaw instantly falls and she turns back towards the door, “Lilly! Wait!”

“I am not staying in here Y/N!” She enunciates.

“Please! Just listen to me!” You finally convince them to listen, and you explain what Professor Opal told you, “I’m bloody terrified. So, please just do this.”

They all share your worried expression at this point. Lilly was a bit skeptical as she never truly believed in divination, but even she knew that Professor Opal has never been wrong until now.

“I have to go get one more person, please just stay here.”

“Wait! Who else-” James’ voice is cut off as you shut the door and run off to look for Regulus.

You find him in the library; he planned on spending the night in there to study. It was Saturday tomorrow, but he had a make-up test scheduled in the evening, so he was a bit annoyed that you forced him to leave. He was even more annoyed when you told him he’d have to spend the night with his brother and his friends, but he was understanding when you told him why.

Sirius’ POV

“Who is she going to get mate?” James asks me.

“I don’t know, Alice?”

“Alice was in our dorm when she brought me here, she would have just brought both of us,” Lilly finally speaks up. Until now, the poor girl has just been sitting in awkward silence on Remus’ bed on the other end of the room, “Maybe she went to get Marlene.”

We sit in silence for a little while longer until Y/N finally knocks on the door. Peter rushes up to open the door, and my jaw drops. Regulus. I haven’t spoken to my brother since last summer, when I left home, I didn’t even know that Y/N was so close to Reg.

He stands there, even more awkwardly than Lilly, he gives a small wave, avoiding eye contact with me.

Y/N’s POV

You all sit around in silence. At least they’re not fighting. You sigh and finally speak up, “We’re going to be here all night, we might as well do something.”

“How about truth or dare?” James suggests, wiggling his eyebrows at Lilly, who scoffs in response.

“Sounds good to me,” Regulus replies staring at his brother.  

You’re in the middle of your game and at this point, Sirius and Remus have switched clothes, you’ve made out with Sirius, Peter has his makeup done, and Lilly is on James’ lap -looking absolutely miserable.

“Sirius, truth or dare?” Regulus asks, every time Regulus’ turn comes up, he asks Sirius, and every time Sirius chooses dare.

Sirius puts his hands up in defeat, tired of being picked so much by his brother, “Truth.”

“Why did you leave?” The room falls silent.

A pained expression crosses his face, “You know why... I couldn’t stand to be around them anymore.”

Regulus nods, and Sirius continues, “Regulus, truth or dare?”

Peter is about say something about him not being allowed to question Regulus back but you stop him, “Truth.”

“When I left you didn’t say a word, why do you care now?” You can tell he’s trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice, and you take his hand and gently run your thumb over his knuckles in attempts to calm him.

“You think I wanted you to leave?!” Regulus says, his voice rising, “But what was I supposed to say Sirius? You just got up and bloody left!”

We sit in a tense silence for a moment; finally Regulus speaks up, “Sirius truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Why didn’t you take me with you...?” His voice cracks slightly and your heart breaks for your best friend.

“I’m sorry Reg...” Sirius says, looking down. He looks up to see Regulus running his fingers through his hair, Sirius’ eyes widen as he sees something poking out from under the cuff of Regulus’ shirt.

Anger floods his eyes, and you gently whisper, “Sirius, don’t-”

“Regulus, truth or dare?”

“Tru-”

“I dare you to roll up your sleeves,” Sirius interrupts.

“I picked truth Sirius,” Regulus chuckles nervously.

“I said roll up your goddamn sleeves Regulus!” Regulus looks at you desperately, but you know there’s absolutely nothing you can do or say. Everyone stares at Regulus, he sighs and slowly rolls up both sleeves on by one. The second they see the dark mark on Regulus’ arm, James, Remus, and Peter pull out their wands, Lilly lets out a loud gasp, and Sirius looks away in disgust and hurt.

“GET OUT!” James roars, Regulus argues and James steps closer to him.

“STOP IT!” You cry, stepping between them, “It’s not what you guys think! Just stop!”

“You knew?!” Sirius finally speaks up, absolutely furious, “You knew Y/N, and didn’t tell me?!”

“Sirius,” You say calmly, “It wasn’t my place, just hear him out!”

“There’s nothing left to hear,” He responds.

“Will you listen to me for once Sirius?!” Regulus burst. Everyone shuts up and turns to him, “I had no choice, you left me in that house. I could either run like you or I could join what our family believes. But I don’t have friends like you, I had nowhere to run to. I’m sorry!”

Regulus breaks down into tears, the boys have put their wands away and look incredibly disappointed, and Lilly has tears in her eyes like you. Sirius takes everyone by surprise when he pulls Regulus into a tight hug, letting out a throaty sob, “We’re going to be okay. I promise Reg, I promise.”

After the sentimental mood dies down a bit, you decide to call it a night -hoping the danger has already passed. You use a duplication spell to create two more beds, and you push all the bed closer together to fit them. Everyone gets his or her own bed and you share with Sirius.

Once everyone is settled in, Sirius finally wraps his arms around you from behind and whispers in your ear, “I’m sorry for yelling at you my love. I should’ve trusted you knew what you were doing. Thank you for taking care of my brother for all these years Y/N.”

You turn in his arms and place a kiss against his lips, “You don’t have to apologize Sirius, I can’t even imagine what you had to go through.”

“I love you Y/N,” He whispers, the sadness is still prevalent in his voice.

“I love you too,” You say, kissing him once again.

The next morning, the seven of you make your way to the Great Hall, making sure no one saw you together. When you finally get inside, Dumbledore makes an announcement, “The library caught on fire last night, luckily no one was harmed, it will be closed off for today while we work on repairs.”

You and your friends exchange glances with one another and all turn to Regulus, who mouths back ‘thank you’.

End.

Masterlist // Rules List // To-Do List

[canitakeyourpain]

Epilog:  Gwendoline’s Angels

The groups of twenty or so Angels are discussing why they have been gathered together when they see an Angel walk toward them.  They see an extremely tall, golden blonde statuesque female figure, with eyes so blue, blue as the sky behind her, and start to mummer among themselves

  Gabriela strides up to the group; her right hand on the hilt of the sword at her side, “Listen up everyone,” and the Angels focus their attention on her, “We have a mission and not much time.”  The Gwendoline’s Angels gather around, and Gabriela looks at the faces, some with puppy dog eyes, showing love and admiration, but most with a serious look, “Okay, we are going to New Mexico…”  Liane asks, “Aren’t we battling up here?”  Gabriela responds, “No, they are trying to set up a sacrificial stone on a mesa away from civilization which will bring more dark minions to cause chaos and havoc.”  Melissa asks, “Where are Michelle and the others?” 

  Gabriela displays a sad smile, “They are already on a mission and won’t be back for quite some time,” looks around, and continues, “…and you need to help train the new members.  Let’s get started…”  Before continuing a new recruit, Marzia speaks up, “Should we call you Clara, or…”  Gabriela interrupts, “I have had many names, and that was one of them, but here I am Gabriela,” and looks at the group.  Sarah questions, “You remind me of someone we treasured in life.  She was a Queen, a role model…a God…”  Gabriela tilts her head to the side, and interjects, “A God?  Now there is only one, well one that we follow.  At one time there were many, but to think of someone that fervently…”  Sarah admonished, “Well not as a real God, but she was our hero, an inspiration, a person to pattern ourselves after.” 

  Gabriela sees most heads nod at the statement, “We can talk about these things later, but for now, we have a job to do,” begins to explain the strategy and everyone’s roles, and ends with, “Now split up into groups of four.  Melissa, Lauren, Capuccine, and Emerald, pick your teams.”  After finishing choosing everyone takes to the sky.  Gabriela is leading when they see shapes ahead.  Liane calls out, “Those things look strange, too dark to be wings.”  Gabriela replies so everyone can hear, “Yes they are…bat wings.  Get ready everyone.  We stop here,” and looking down, “The mesa is below…Archers to the front!”  They all begin to hover in the sky and six angels with bows move to the front.

  Gabriela instructs, “Fire when I say so.”  All nervously watch and wait as the dark shapes fly closer and closer.  Finally Gabriela shouts, “Fire!”  Arrows with a blue flame begin to fly, watching as the rows of Demons halt abruptly in the sky.  Several take hits and starting spiraling down, and the Angels prepare to take incoming fire.  Several duck from the incoming missiles; but Faith is hit in the upper right shoulder/wing and starts spiraling down.  Gabriela calls out, “Two of you help her down to the mesa.”  A pair of others take Faith by the shoulders and struggle to descend.  All hear and react to the order, “Everyone down to the mesa!”  

  Once on the ground all draw their weapons and prepare for the oncoming Demons.  Courtney and Liane move Faith behind them and Liane tells Faith, “Stay close, your arm is useless.”  Faith draws her sword in her left hand, “I can still fight,” and the fight begins.  The roar of the Demons drowns out the clanging of swords, as the two sides clash.  Liane leaves the other two to confront a Demon, swinging away with an axe.  Liane displays a large grin on her face, “Go back to where you came from,” and the force of the blow pushes the Demon back.  Through the corner of her eye sees Courtney who is protecting Faith, go down with a fatal blow.  Too preoccupied with her foe, she concentrates, feigns a blow with her short sword and scores with the other.  The Demon drops and turns into a puddle of black, sulfur smelling tar.  Liane turns to see that Faith has been disarmed and a Demon is coming up behind her.  Before Liane can yell a warning, the Demon grabs Faith and both disappear. 

  Capuccine is cornered by two Demons, left and right, and both swing at the same time.  Ducking low she pushes her blade into the stomach of one, and the other blade going over her head striking the other Demon.  Looking down she sees the two Demons are out of action, and then sees Sara struggling.  Moving to her aid, they both find three Demons are now attacking, both Angels smiling as they engage.

  Emerald along with Madeline and Alice begin slicing their way through several Demons.  Madeline takes a dagger to the side of her waist, but it only makes her madder.  Taking both blades in a scissor fashion decapitates the Demon in front of her.  Emerald glances her way, “Look out!”  Another Demon comes charging at Alice, but drops when a flying dagger pierces its eye.  Madeline calls out, “Thanks!” 

  Melissa and Cathie stand back to back pared together, blades in hand, blocking blow after blow from the Demon swords and claws.  Melissa laughs, “Hey!  Where did you uglies learn to fight…on the Internet?”  One of the Demons just grins and sends some spit her way.  She angrily, “Duck,” and both drop low.  The spittle hits the other Demon’s face and starts to smolder.  The Demon chuckles, wipes it from his face, licks it, and puts the hand out, “Wanna taste?  I wonder if you taste like chicken.”  Cathie pushes her blade upwards, and her sword plunges into the Demon’s groin.  Melissa rises and with Cathie starts sparring with the other Demon.

  Gabriela faces the leader of the Demon horde and swings her sword.  The two swords clang with a loud clang, but neither fighter being pushed back.  Gabriela finally recognizes her foe, and with anger in her voice, “Marcus!”  Marcus grins, “Clara, you know that was an old name.  Call me by my true name Marox,” and thrusts his sword toward her legs.  She growls, “And my name is Gabriela,” parries the strike, and brings up her other arm with a smaller sword.  She feels the pain as his claws rake her arm, and she steps back.  Marox takes in his surroundings, sees an Angel disappear, and lets out a loud shriek that causes confusion on the mesa. 

  Gabriela shakes the noise out of her head and sees that the remaining Demons are taking off into the sky.  Marox chuckles, “Thank you very much, you’ve been very generous,” his wings extend themselves from his back, beginning to flap, as he jumps into the air.  She sees several of the Angels take flight, “Stop!  Do not chase them!  Regroup!”  Returning to the ground they all watch as the Demons fade into the sky.  Melissa comes up to Gabriela, “What was that all about?  I thought they wanted this place for a human sacrifice?”  Gabriela has a confused look on her face which fades quickly, “We need to take care of the wounded.”  Others are helping with the wounded and Lauren delivers the report to Gabriela, “We have three dead, five injured…, and one missing.”  Liane reports, “I saw a Demon grab Faith and disappear.  Why would they not just kill her?” 

  Gabriela thinks for a second, “I don’t know, nothing good that’s for sure, but we need to get her back.”  Lauren concerned, “She was in my squad, so I will get her back.”  Gabriela smiles, “No one goes alone, take two others with you.”  They see several starting to volunteer for the assignment.  Lauren explains, “I’ve worked with Melissa and Liane, so if they are willing…”  Both place a hand on her shoulder and Gabriela nods, “Okay then, do we have anything of hers?”  Amber brings Faith’s sword and hands it to her.  Liane also answers, “When bringing her down, a feather came loose,” and holds up a golden feather.

  Gabriela looks into Lauren’s eyes, “Take my sword,” and reverently holds it out.  Lauren’s eyes go wide, “I cannot...”  Gabriela chuckles, “You will need it.”  Lauren bows her head slightly, “I give you my Oath to return this,” and clasps Gabriela’s hand over the hilt.  They both feel a tingle, Gabriela smiles, releases the blade, and Lauren returns the smile.  Gabriela instructs, “Okay, clasp arms,” closes her eyes, and says some words under her breath.  When opening her eyes to look at the team, a bright flash of light explodes on the mesa, and the three are gone.

  Amber asks, “What about the three who died?”  Gabriela gives a sad smile, “They are not gone forever, they must return to the mortal realm and live again, but they will be back.”  She moves to each, kneels, says a prayer, places two fingers together, kisses the fingers, and places them on each Angel’s forehead.  She smiles as the bodies’ contract into a sphere about the size of a grapefruit.  The spheres float in the air, Gabriela appears to be looking at someone, nods, smiles, and the spheres disappear into the sky, to return to be born again.  Gabriela stands, “Take the wounded back and I will stay here when the others return.”  Several start to complain, and Gabriela reconsiders, “Okay, we will wait for the others.  Let’s make sure there is nothing left here that would be suspicious to the mortals. “All do as they are told, and Gabriela watches them with a sigh, “What was Marcus’ plan?  He wanted this mesa for something.”

  * * *

  Faith opens her eyes and looks up at the Demon standing to her left, narrows her eyes, and tries to rise.  She is lying flat on a cold stone slab with her hands and feet secured by chains.  She doesn’t feel the cold, but the thrumming of vibrations in the air.  The Demon looks down at her and an evil grin spreads across its deformed face, “Good, it is so much better if you are conscious.”  With a determined voice, “Why are you doing this?”  It responds, “Because I can…, and it will open the door for those which could not come without blood…of an angel,” and laughs.  It looks deep into her eyes, “Your only salvation is to join us.  We could find another to take your place,” as it plays with an ancient looking dagger, scraping its nails.  Faith narrows her eyes, “You know where you can stick that thing,” while glancing at the dagger.  The Demon chuckles while playing with the dagger, “You know where I’m going to stick it.”  It growls out a bellowing laugh that turns into a chuckle, “That’s more fun for me.  This was Plan B; an Angel’s blood is so much more…delicious.”  The Demon begins chanting in a long +++forgotten language, and Faith terrified, watches as it is growing taller, and uglier.

  * * *

Liane feels herself falling, landing in a crouch.  It is dark around her, but as she looks up can see in flickering candlelight, a sacrificial stone with Faith lying on it, and a large Demon with a dagger above its head.  She puts her right knee down on the ground along with her right hand and braces herself.  She feels the pressure and a boot on her right shoulder.  Quickly shifting to the other side, another boot, but this one is softer off her left side.  Returning to a crouch, she picks up the short sword on the ground in front of her, and it begins to glow.

  In the air coming down the Demon’s concentration is broken, and looks up, “What the hell?”  The Demon has a confused expression on its face at seeing a figure in a metal helmet and strange uniform.  It hears, “No…go to hell!”  The voice sounds metallic, but strong.  Glancing to the left, another figure is coming down at it as well.   A sword starts slicing down its right shoulder and then another down it’s left shoulder.  As the blades intersect at its chest it screams in anger and pain.  The two land to either side of the Demon in a crouch.  They look for more danger, finding none, rise to their feet.

  Melissa looks over at Lauren, “Why did you dress like her?”  Lauren chuckles, “And you?  That sword, it’s hers isn’t it?”  Melissa smiles back, “Let’s check on Faith,” and they turn to see Liane releasing Faith from her bindings.  Liane calls out, “If you two are done playing around, we need to finish this and get out of here.”  The two look down at the puddle on the ground and step around it.  Faith struggles to stand and mumbles, “It was going to open a door to bring in more…Demons.”

  Liane soothes Faith, “That’s alright, we stopped it.”  Melissa interjects, “This time.”  Liane responds, “We will stop them every time.  She guides us and we obey, they will not pass as long as our group is here.”  Lauren in a metallic voice, “Bring them on,” swinging her bright sword, a striking blue.  Liane shakes her head, “Put those things away.  It’s time to take Faith home.  Everyone hold on while I finish this.”  She takes the sword entrusted to her, raises it like making a sacrifice and buries it into the stone slab.  It begins to glow into a bright shining blue strobing light.  She swiftly removes the blade that comes out like a warm knife in butter, turns to the others, jumps down to join the others.  A flash of light, the cavern rumbles and the rock ceiling begins to fall around them the empty cavern.  The Angels surround Faith, clasp arms, the treasured blade in both Liane’s and Melissa’s hands, and the group quickly close their eyes when a flash of light blinds them, and they disappear from the cavern.

  * * *

  The four reappear in front of Gabriela on the mesa, who breathes a sigh of relief, “Faith, are you okay?”  Faith rolls her shoulder and nods, “Nothing serious, I’m ready to fight.”  Gabriela chuckles, “Good job, we cannot take another loss.”  Liane reports, “They were ready to do a human sacrifice…I mean Angel.”  Gabriela responds, “Good thing they weren’t successful, it would have opened a door that could never be closed.”  Liane answers, “No, we got there in time.”  Gabriela shakes her head, “That was the plan all along, and we were just a distraction.” 

  Melissa asks, “So what’s the plan?”  Liane bows her head, and hands Gabriela her sword back, “Yes, do we battle again?”  Gabriela shakes her head, “We will fight another day, but first we cleanse this place so they will never be able to use it.”  She takes her sword, moves to the center of the mesa, and the others follow.  She kneels, raises the sword which starts to flash sparkling lights, chants some words in a long forgotten language, and thrusts the sword into the ground.  The sparkling lights travel up the hilt of the sword, and a crackling sound as flames reach high into the sky.  She takes her sword, places it into its scabbard, “Let’s go home.”

  Emerald questions, “Three of the injured cannot fly.  It would be difficult for any of us to carry back.”  Gabriela looks around at the nodding heads, but stops when seeing the look of mischief on Capuccine’s face. 

  Capuccine places her thumb and forefinger into her mouth and sends out a quick whistle.  The others look at her, and Gabriela chuckles, and they all turn to look into the sky hearing a horse whiny.

  They all stare in amazement as they see a winged horse coming their way.  Kiara calls out, “is that Pegasus?  Is he real?”  Capuccine snorts, “That is a she, and her name is Peggy-Sis.”  Kiara asks, “Is she yours?”  Capuccine shakes her head, “She is no one’s being…Just one of my best friends.”  Peggy swoops down away from the group, hoofs hitting the ground, and bringing her to a stop in front of Capuccine.  The other’s gather around as Capuccine pulls an apple out of a pouch at her side and offers it to Peggy.  Some of the others begin to pet Peggy giving soothing words. 

  Gabriela interrupts the love fest, “We need to go.  Capuccine, how many can you take?”  I can take two, but that will leave one.”  Gabriela responds, “I will take Faith,” and sees the hint of a smile on Faith’s face.  Turning to the group seeing a few faces, Gabriela warns, “Jealousy isn’t warranted, she has had an interaction with a Demon, and as such, I will…,” and hearing some small laughter turns to see what the others are looking at. 

  Capuccine is dressed in a full Equestrian outfit to include tall black Capriole boots and cap, “Well…I love to ride, and want to look the part.”  Gabriela chuckles, “So now that we are ready…let’s mount up.”  Capuccine suggests, “Let’s help Susanne up first, then Bobby in front,” and the two are helped up.  Capuccine leaps with grace behind Susanne, and puts her arms around her, “Peggy, let’s go home.” 

  Melissa asks, “There is no stirrup. won’t they fall?”   Capuccine confidently, “No, she would never let anyone fall from her.  Isn’t that right girl?”  Peggy nods her head up and down, and starts to trot toward the end of the mesa.  Once there, with wings flapping gracefully rises into the air.  They hear the happy shout, “Woo Hoo!”  The others either take a running leap or simply rise straight up and follow Peggy.  Gabriela turns to Faith, “Now your turn,” placing Faith in her arms, and rising into the air.

  All in the air sailing toward the clouds above, many circling Peggy, giggling, and trying not to get in the way.  Following at a distance behind the others, Clara feels Faith’s sigh, “How are you feeling?”  Faith sighs again, “I’m fine…I think.  Did that Demon do something to me?”  Gabriela responds, “Not that I can tell, but I will know by the time we get there.”  Gabriela feels Faith’s grip around her neck tighten, and her head leaning on her shoulder, “You know you can talk to me.  You feel disturbed.”  Faith mumbles something in a low voice and Gabriela asks, “Don’t be shy; I think I know what you want to ask.”  Faith clears her throat, and stumbles out, “I love you.” 

  Gabriela looking down at Faith and seeing the deep red blush on her face, “I know.  I sense that all of you love me.”  Faith reiterates, “No I love you…is that wrong?”  Faith looks up to see the smile on Gabriela’s face, and looking back at her.  Gabriela kisses her forehead, “No.  Love is love, I have loved many in my lives, both genders, and even some in between.  There are varying degrees and intensities of love; they can…lead to intimacy, which is not wrong.  Of course…as long as both feel the same way.”   Faith stumbles out, “Do you love me that way?  You always seem to be with that Daniel fellow.”  Gabriela is silent for a moment, and then looks back up at the others, “I have known him for a long time, and have known others for just as long.  We were, ah, a destined pair, but again this is something to discuss at another time.  I will have to talk to everyone, and we will have a private talk when we get back.  You should rest now…”  Gabriela squeezes Faith a little tighter, places her cheek on the top of Faith’s head, and whispers, “Sleep.”

  Note:  This Epilog is dedicated to a group of people that have a love for a particular celebrity.  The name of the group has changed over time, but was known by Gwendoline’s Angel when I first heard of them.  They have picked a marvelous role-model and hope that this doesn’t offend any of them.  There are many more than the ones used in this story, and sorry that I couldn’t include them all.  They are all inspirational, and role-models to others.  They will be friends for life.