#also yeah yeah “this was probably suppose to be sunny and was just drawn over” but like its clearly not the snuuy now!!! so nyeh

[maeshelix]

So I was rotating the Photo Album pictures around in my mind, as any sane mind tends to do every now and then of course, when I took notice of this one in particular because like

Look at Mari's face here

She is fucking enraptured by this comic

That's not the expression of a sweet and loving older kid reading something with her younger friends for the sake of making them happy (as headspace Mari would lead you to believe she'd react), that's the expression of a girl who is so engrossed by this story and so sucked into the writing that she's already planning out twelve Spaceboy AMV's and a moodboard in her head. She is gobsmacked by the quality of this comic. She can't get enough!!!

Thus, I propose to the Omori fandom that Mari was a closeted comics nerd and, had she survived to adulthood, she would have been a Marvel movie stan. Thank you for your time-

[darling-i-read-it]

May Queen

Pelle x reader

Word Count: 3.7k

Warnings: being indoctored into a cult, murder, suicide, basically the plot of midsommar

Author’s Note: This can be seen as a sequel to ‘Hug’ or it can be read on it’s own!

yeah i was a little excited that you guys wanted this one lol I don’t know if you can tell. I’ve seen this movie enough, it was about time I did something within the events of the film. I also referred to the script so some of the lines will be familiar! I hope you all enjoy!

Requested: by anon, omg your pelle fic wow; would you consider doing a sequel to it that either takes place during the events of the film or just before they arrive at Pelle's commune?

Requested: by anon, I would LOVEEE to see a sequel with pelle cause that was a pretty good fix and I think he deserves a bit more attention, I personally would like to see something happen during the events of the movie just because I think it would be interesting to see but that's just me

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

“You think that Pelle asked you to go just because I’m going?” Dani asked, messing with her fingers. You were standing beside your bed, packing your suitcase slowly. Dani had already packed; she didn’t like to be unprepared.

“I don’t know...maybe he thought you would enjoy yourself more.”

“You’re acting like I’m the one who’s been dating him for these couple of months,” she told you. She was sitting on the bed, looking up at you. You nodded a bit, putting another pile of clothes inside.

“I know. I guess I’m just nervous. Meeting his whole group, going to where he grew up. I mean. I really like him. What if I fuck it up?” She shook her head and reached over to grab your arm. You looked her in the eyes.

“He really likes you. I can’t remember the last time Christian looked at me the way that Pelle looks at you.” Her eyes were honest. It made you feel bad. You should have gotten her to break up with Christian when you got the chance. But it was too late now; you were all going to Sweden.

“I suppose you’re right. Per usual.” She smiled weakly.

“Finish packing.”

=======

Pelle almost wanted to tell you about the whole thing. When he was on the plane, it crossed his mind to let you in on the whole scheme of things. The May Queen, the festival, all of it.

But he bit his tongue. That was tradition.

You arrived in Sweden well and took the trek up to where the first stop was. It was beautiful. Truly, it was stunning.

Pelle held your hand the whole way until you arrived at the first spot. There were people around the grassy hills, scattered around. Pelle got out of the car.

“These are other people from America that my friends have brought!” he exclaimed. He gestured to the many people around. You looked around, gazing at the nice afternoon. He grabbed your arm and started to drag you along.

“Hey, don’t rip it off!” you joked and he eased up.

“Sorry, I’m quite excited!” You smiled sweetly at his happiness.

“Me too!” He approached some people and started to introduce them when a man behind you started to yell. You turned around quickly, surprised at the loud noise. Pelle turned around too and his smile only grew.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said and then ran over to the approaching man. They embraced each other, hugging tightly.

“Everyone, this is my brother Ingemar. Ingemar this is Christian, Dani, Mark, Josh and my girlfriend, Y/N,” Pelle said. Ingemar followed where Pelle pointed, shaking hands with everyone. He paid special attention to you, his smile getting wider. You could tell that he and Pelle were related.

“Nice to meet you all. This is Simon and Connie from London,” he said, gesturing to the others behind him. “Simon and Connie this is Pelle and...all the names I just remembered two seconds ago,” Ingemar said laughing. Simon and Connie said hello. “Perfect timing by the way.”

Ingemar pulled out a bag of mushrooms from his pocket. Your eyes went wide.

“We just took these five minutes ago. Haven’t even started feeling the effects yet,” he explained.

“Oh shit!” Mark said, happily.

“Do you all want to take it now or should we get settled in?” Pelle asked.

“Fuck it, let’s take it now!” Mark said. You weren’t too sure about that. You trusted Pelle and everyone of course but in the new environment...it rubbed you the wrong way. Thankfully, Dani turned to speak to Christian about it.

“I think I want to get settled in first.” Christian was about to speak but you cut him off.

“Me too. You guys go and have fun, we’ll keep each other company,” you said. Pelle turned to you.

“Are you sure? I assure you it’s safe,” he said in a soft voice. You smiled kindly and put a gentle hand on his arm.

“I know! I just wanna get settled. Dani and I can handle ourselves, I promise.” He gave you a longer look, just to check that you were alright and then nodded. You turned back to Dani who grabbed your arm desperately.

“Thank you,” she whispered. You nodded.

“No thank you.”

=====

It wasn’t until the next day, Dani’s birthday, that you were able to get on further. You and Dani played some card games that you had brought with you while you waited for the effects to wear off for everyone else.

Christian came over to sleep beside Dani, still high. Pelle came over to you and braided your hair and then unbraided your hair, making very long sentences that didn’t make sense to whisper in your ear.

But when you arrived at the commune it was bright and sunny. Pelle rushed around, hugging people and introducing you and the group to everyone. You were able to get some blankets to sit on the grass, while everyone got their things together.

There was a group of girls dancing around in circles, wearing all white.

“You should go join,” Pelle suggested, gesturing to you and Dani. She shook her head a bit.

“Oh no, I’m too scared,” Dani said sheepishly. You nodded in agreement.

“Maybe another time.” Christian stood up.

“Hey can I join…” he started turning to Pelle.

“You’re American. Just jam yourself in,” he said. Christian nodded and walked away. “I think I’ll join him,” Simon said and was quickly followed by the rest of the group except you, Pelle and Dani. There was a moment of silence as you watched them go.

“Hey, just real quick,” Pelle said, digging for something in his pocket. He took out two pieces of paper and handed them to you and Dani. You both opened them to reveal gorgeously drawn pictures of yourselves wearing flower crowns. “For you Dani, think of it as a birthday present. For you Y/N, I imagine it’s a thank you present.”

“Oh Pelle,” Dani said. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

“Thank you for what?” you asked, brushing your finger over it. He smiled and shrugged.

“Just a thank you.”

“Well thank you for it,” you said. “I got Dani a new sweater. Christian forgot.” Pelle raised his eyebrow and you shared a look.

“I forgot to tell him...it’s my fault,” Dani explained. You shook your head.

“I tend to disagree,” you muttered. You folded the picture back up and put it in your pocket. You put your head on Pelle’s shoulders “But I think Christian is rude.”

“Perhaps you are too judgemental,” Pelle mused. “But I tend to agree with you regardless.” You and Dani laughed a bit. “We should probably go and catch up with them in case they get lost.”

=====

You got settled in in one of the large buildings, plenty of beds against the walls. Pelle was on the bed to your right while Dani slept on the one to your left.

“All right, beauty rest! Tomorrow’s a big day!” Pelle announced. You had one of the books you had brought open on your lap but you looked up at him.

“What’s tomorrow?” you asked.

“First of the big cerinomines,” he said mysteriously.

“So you’re just going to be weird and cryptic?” Josh asked, laughing a bit. Pelle pauses and then took Josh's notebook, writing something inside. You made an attempt to look but it was not a word that you recognized.

“What’s that?” Christian questioned. Pelle shrugged and laid down in his bed. You faced him, on the bed beside him.

“What is it?” you whispered to him. He gave you a teasing smile.

“It’s hard to explain.”

“I will come over there and tickle it out of you,” you threatened. He chuckled and turned around so he wasn’t facing you. But he put his arm back behind him, reaching across the space between your two beds.

You grabbed it and rubbed his knuckles anxiously.

=====

There was a very odd breakfast the next day but you tried not to judge. You wanted to really appreciate Pelle’s culture and understand it. He had admired you for your understanding and he knew you would make an effort.

That’s why he chose to love you.

You were the obvious choice.

After that you walked out to a cliffside where most of the people were already out and lined up. You were curious to find complete silence. Everyone was silent as it happened and you were able to do nothing but watch as these two elderly people stood up on top of the cliff.

When the first person, a woman, jumped, you grabbed Pelle, putting your hand in front of your mouth. He grabbed you and wrapped his arms around you but it didn’t change the look of serenity on his face.

Simon was standing next to Ingemar yelling as the man approached the cliffside.

You had your face in Pelle’s arms. You were shaking.

“It is the way of life,” he whispered to you. Simon was still screaming. Another elder was talking to him and you could feel Pelle want to move toward them but he stayed beside you. “It is our way of recycling them and their gifts.”

You pulled away from him and shook your head a bit. You met Dani’s eyes. She wasn’t showing much emotion other than shock. You didn’t blame her.

“They’re dead,” you whispered. He nodded and put his hands on your upper arms.

“And it is an honor to have died that way.” You weren’t sure how to feel. You wanted to be understanding, to try and understand him and his ways. You would want that from him. But he should have prepared you more for that.

You walked over to Dani and walked beside her on the way back to the houses.

=====

“I’m leaving,” Dani said.

“I don’t blame you.” She was already packing a bag. You sat down on your bed, head in your hands. You took a deep breath and leaned back on the bed.

“Are you coming with me?” she asked. Her voice was shaking. She was clearly shaken up by all of this.

“No,” you muttered. “I’m not leaving Pelle yet.”

“Not even after that?” Her voice was quiet but it was urgent. You shook your head a bit.

“I just have to talk to him. He should have warned us more, of course but....it’s what he’s been raised to believe is normal. I don’t think I should think of it as a bad thing.”

“We just watched people die!” You stood up off the bed and put your hands on your upper arms, steading her.

“You can go home and I will not blame you. In the slightest. I just think I should stay longer,” you told her. She nodded solemnly. She took a deep breath in through her nostrils and nodded again.

=====

Before bed that night Pelle approached you. You were standing outside of the bed house, leaning against it to try and clear your thoughts. You almost completely ignored him but in the end you locked eyes with him as he approached.

“I’m sorry I didn’t give you adequate warning,” he said sympathetically. He grabbed your hand and held it. “I thought you would understand but I know now that it was wrong of me to assume.” You shook your head quickly.

“I understand it was just...a shock,” you muttered. He nodded and kissed your forehead softly.

“You are completely safe here. I want you to know that.” He looked you in the eyes when he said it. You believed him. You nodded back and gestured to the house.

“Let’s get some shut eye huh? And maybe warn me if we see another person...you know.” You made a slicing gesture across your neck. He laughed gently and nodded, placing a hand on the small of your back and leading you inside.

=====

Dani walked up to you, still distraught but less so. You were standing beside Pelle the next day as he kneeled in front of the ground picking some vegetables. You turned to her as she walked up, ready to handle whatever she was about to throw at you.

“Hey,” you said, taking the step away from Pelle and toward her.

“Hi. Did you see Simon left without Connie?” she asked. You raised an eyebrow and shook your head.

“Seriously? What a dick.” She clearly felt a little bit off put by it so you lowered your voice. “You think it’s weird?” Dani nodded a bit.

“I don’t know...it’s a little weird. They seemed so close.” You nodded. They did seem close.

“I don’t know...something to keep in mind I suppose.” She nodded quickly in agreement.

======

Dinner that night was simple pastries. You were pleased. The last food they had given you wasn’t your kind of taste. You sat between Pelle and Dani again.

“Have you seen Connie?” Dani asked you quietly. You shook your head.

“Excuse me but I know what happened,” a man sitting beside Mark said. “Her boyfriend called the landline from the train station. She begged us to drive her so we took her down to the station.” You nodded slowly, glancing at Pelle. He shrugged, seemingly in agreement.

“Why would Simon leave without her?” you asked quietly.

“I can see you doing that,” Dani muttered at Christian. You wanted to laugh so you turned to Pelle, sneaking a smile. He shrugged with a smile on his face also.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Christian asked.

“Nevermind.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” Pelle said quietly, so only you could hear. You ate a bite of the pastry proudly.

“You’re damn right.”

======

One of the important books was stolen that night. They announced it at breakfast.

“Where is your friend Josh?” one of the elders asked, after breakfast. You, Christian, Dani and Pelle all stood in front of the two elders, caught like a deer in headlights.

“I know. We have no idea,” Christian said.

“He and your other friend disappear in the same day. You understand how that looks.”

“Yes obviously, but we swear to you we are not a part of this,” Christian said. Dani shuffled a bit.

“We did see Mark go off with one of the girls last night,” she said.

“Which girl?”

“Inga,” Pelle said.

“But Mark wouldn’t have done this. Josh, though, he came to bed with us, and when we woke up, he was gone. And if he did take that book, I just pray you understand we do not identify as friends of his, or collaborators, or anything. I certainly don't vouch for him and we'd be so embarrassed to be connected to this in any way,” Christian explained.

“I feel responsible,” Pelle said. The elders nodded a bit.

“Well you and Odd can go looking. Perhaps you can redeem them,” one of the elders said. You didn’t want Pelle to leave. You didn’t like it when you were separated here. You believed him when he said you were safe but...it was still a little odd. “You two will be going with the women for the day’s activity,” he said to you and Dani. “And Siv asks to see you in her house,” she said to Christian.

You glanced at Pelle as he left. He grabbed your hand and squeezed it, almost saying ‘do well!’.

=====

You and Dani got dressed in white shirts with flower crowns. It made you a tad bit nervous but at least you had her.

She gestured to the drink they were handing out. Cups had been given to both of you to drink it.

“Can I ask what’s in this?” Dani asked one of the girls.

“It’s...tea for the dancing competition.” You raised an eyebrow but took a glass anyway. Dani looked back at you and you shrugged.

“I’ll beat you,” you muttered.

“Try me.”

You both took drinks of the tea.

Your head became fuzzy the second it hit your throat. You hadn’t taken those drugs before hand and you almost didn’t want to do it now but it was already done. Your feet were moving along with the girls, tossing bodies left and right it felt like.

You lost sight of Dani very quickly.

You were running and jumping and laughing until the elder lady yelled to stop then you kept dancing.

Dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing.

Dancing.

It seemed to go on forever. Your mind was hazed, your head hurt, your glances were so quick they gave you whiplash. You were smiling brightly when they announced they were down to the final eight. You finally saw Dani again, in the eight with you.

All of the fallen dancers had sat off on the side. You saw Christian, looking hilariously out of place. And Pelle.

Your heart swelled with love for Pelle. You could barely know anything else for a moment as you stared at him.

You couldn’t see it but in that moment, Dani believed she learned how much she hated Christian.

Then more dancing.

People were speaking and then it was just you and Dani, holding hands, dancing around in a circle, tired and out of breath. She stared at you and a smile went over her face as she held your hand.

And then she tripped. You stopped dancing and someone ran up to you, putting their hands on your shoulder.

“It’s over?” you asked.

“You are our May Queen!” they yelled. You were still hazzed. Each face looked the same. The people running up to you were strangers but you felt nothing but warmth for them. They placed a different flower crown atop your head.

Pelle ran up to you smiling brightly.

“Wow! May Queen, my love!” he said, giving you a strong kiss, both his hands resting on your cheeks. You were smiling brightly and then he was gone. You didn’t want him to go.

They carried you on a platform to a dinner table where you sat at the head, Dani beside you and Pelle on the other side as usual.

One of the elders stood at the end of the dinner.

“Now it is traditional for the May Queen to bless our crops and livestock. And after the luck you just inherited from that salt herring, we should all be doubly encouraged.” You looked around nervously.

“Can Pelle come with me?”

“No. The Queen must ride alone.”

You were starting to come to your own and realize how crazy this all was. How did you get here? How would you get out of here? You found yourself hoping you didn’t get out of here though. This felt like home. Some form of home. As you walked to the carriage you saw a glimpse of the pride on Pelle’s face.

It made you immensely happy.

======

They made you do a ritual in Swedish and you did your best with the limited knowledge of the language you knew. You went to Siv’s house, where she blessed you. You wondered where Dani was. You hoped she was alright. You should have let her become the May Queen. You should have let her win, just so you knew she was alright.

The women left you alone for only a moment where they ushered Pelle into the house with all of the beds where you were. He was still smiling that bright smile as he rushed up to you, hugging you tightly to him.

“You have no idea the amount of honor and pride you have brought to me. I am so very proud of you,” he said, cupping your cheeks. You tried not to get too flustered with your smile in return.

“So I get my picture up on that wall?” you questioned. He nodded pleasantly.

“Yes you will!” He kissed you passionately and you let him, allowing him to dip you a bit. “And you will be allowed to stay here, with the family.”

You didn’t even react. You didn’t feel the need to.

“With you?”

“Yes of course. You will be mine and I will be yours.”

You nodded happily.

“Where is Dani?” you asked.

“She is alright, she’s with the other women preparing. She is also going to stay.” You wanted to laugh of joy with that. “It is time for the final of the ceremonies,” he told you. “You will finally be able to give Christian what you think he deserves, if you wish it.”

He placed an even larger flower crown atop your head.

“And a dress as well, to fit a Queen.”

He gestured to the large flower dress in the room you hadn’t even noticed. He kissed you once more.

“It is time for the final ceremony. I’ll help you put on the dress. Are you ready?” he asked. He looked at you patiently. You nodded.

“Yes, I am.”

[mrsalwayswrite]

Say You’ll Stay - Chapter 9

Fury/Band of Brothers Crossover Fic

There are a million excuses I could give as to why its taken me so long to update. So I will simply say- writer’s block. Here we are though! 

Tag List: @happyveday​ @alwaysindecemberfeels​ @saritanotserena​

Series Masterlist

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

He did not know what to do. He knew what he wanted to do. He knew what he should do. But when those two options were at odds, that left him in the quandary of what to actually do. 

 Either way, Anna was in trouble and did not even know it yet. 

 "Fuck." He muttered to himself. 

 "Something to add, Sergeant Collier?"

 Don looked over to meet the stern, blue eyes of Captain Winters. "No, sir."

 The redheaded captain stared at the tank commander for a moment before continuing speaking to the other officers in HQ. "This town here is a key point for supplies for the Germans. There is a railroad next to the town that intelligence says is crucial to them. Once we get control of the town, we'll secure it until 1st Battalion can relieve us." Winters said, pointing at a spot on the map laid across the table. 

 Don glanced back out the window, watching Captain Evans walk away from the HQ building. It had been three days since they arrived in Haguenau, and Captain Evans planned on leaving in two more. 

 The dark-haired intelligence officer began speaking next. "Our sources say it's only infantry there. It seems most of the tanks have been recalled back to Germany. Either way, we expect resistance but as to how much, we aren't sure."

 "That's why we are sending the Armored Division with you. Sergeant Collier will lead the four tanks in assistance." Winters said. "They will follow behind. At this point we've been asked to minimize damage to property but I will not trade it for lives. Understand?"

 A chorus of "yes, sir" answered him. 

 "Excellent. Fox Company will lead the assault with some of Dog Company in reserve. Have your men ready, you leave at oh-six hundred tomorrow. Any questions?"

 Don tried to focus on the rest of the discussion. He was leading his platoon for fuck's sake into another fight, but his thoughts kept drifting to Captain Evans leaving and what that meant. 

 Anna would be leaving too. 

 She had been sent to stay with Captain Evans, to be a medic and translator. She was never supposed to come to Haguenau. Don was never supposed to give a fuck about her. Their brief encounters back at that field hospital were supposed to be the extent of their interactions. Yet here he was. Worried for her safety. He and his crew were leaving tomorrow for the next fight. Captain Evans would leave the next day to start pushing into Germany. 

 His mind whirled with questions. Who would protect Anna? Who would make sure she ate and slept? Who would make sure she was looking out for herself just as much as her patients? 

 Don barely heard the dismissal from Captain Winters. The shuffling of feet and low cadence of voices heading towards the door thrust him back into reality from his dark thoughts. Without a word or acknowledging the paratroopers he would be working with, he headed out of the Battalion HQ and walked towards his lodgings. His mind raced with more questions than answers.  

 He knew what he wanted to do. 

 He knew what he should do. 

 Both options made him clench his jaw and want to punch a hole in a wall. 

 He trudged back to the house, throwing open the door, uncaring of the way it slammed into the wall. Stepping towards the common room, he saw Davis, Binkowski, Grady and a few others playing cards on a short table. A few others lounged around in the sunny room. 

 "What's the news, Wardaddy?" Binkowski asked, keeping his eyes on the cards in his hand. 

 "Leaving tomorrow. Oh-six hundred. Make sure your men got their shit together."

 "You alright, Don?" 

 He had not even heard Boyd come around the corner from the kitchen. His sharp gaze landed on his gunner, who was watching him warily. "Yeah, fucking fine." He snapped; his frustration was a writhing mess of snakes in his gut. 

 Christ, he needed some peace and quiet and a cigarette. Don stormed through the common room to head up the stairs, uncaring of the confused looks around him. In his haste to leave, he accidently bumped a flimsy chair someone must have left out. It just caught him at the right angle and dug into his side, nothing painful but just enough to infuriate him even more. He had not even realized how angry he was until the chair caught him, but it was the catalyst that released the pent-up frustration. 

 With a snarl, he grabbed the back of the chair and threw it against the wall. The sounds of wood snapping and breaking filled the now silent room. Without a word, without stopping, because if one person said something to him, he would beat the fucking shit out of them, he stalked up the stairs to his shared room. 

 After throwing the door open, he kicked it shut. The solid boom of the door slammed back only made him want to do it again and again. Instead he moved to drop onto the bed, sitting on the edge and quickly lit a cigarette. He took a long drag, the smoke immediately bringing some relief to him. 

 He was surprised Norman was not in the bedroom. When he left for the meeting, Norman had been curled up in the bed sleeping still. At first, he thought Norman slept so much because he was sick. Now he was beginning to wonder if the kid absorbed sleep like a desert soaking up a rainstorm; the rarity of it making it harder to ignore and easier to overindulge. 

 It could not have been even two minutes later when the bedroom door slowly opened. Don dropped his head in one of his hands, the other still holding the cigarette. 

 "Wanna explain what that was?"

 "Not now, Boyd." Don hissed, not looking up. 

 The gunner rocked back on his heels, the floorboards creaking under the motion. "A'right. Well, I'm just gonna be right here when you ready to talk."

 He chuckled darkly. Five minutes. He could not even get five fucking minutes alone. He tried to ignore Boyd as he stared out the window. 

 "Where's Norman?" He finally asked after taking another hit of his cigarette. 

 "Gordo took 'im to the aid station to see Anna."

 "She's not coming here?"

 "Dunno."

 "Fuck." Don whispered, rubbing a hand over his face. He suddenly felt like he should be in his sixties or seventies, not just recently turned thirty. His mind played over the past three days since they arrived in Haguenau. Besides that first day of their arrival, Anna had been over every day. He knew it was mostly to check in on Norman and make sure his cold did not worsen but she usually ended up staying for some time or if someone could convince or threaten her enough, she would also catch up on some sleep. During that time he had become so used to seeing her around, it felt strange to question if she was coming back or not. In his mind, she was a part of his crew, and he was positive he was not the only one to feel that way. 

 He needed her safe. 

 That was what everything seemed to come back to for him. He cared about her safety, like he would any of his crew. Except he knew, he wanted to be the one to keep her safe. To keep her gentle smile on him. To be the one she turned to. He felt like a moth drawn to her flame. 

 He knew what he needed to do. He doubted she was going to like it. Hell, if they got caught he wondered if he would lose his rank by going behind the backs of his superiors. He had to do something though. He had to keep her safe. Well, as safe as anyone could be while at war. 

 He knew the truth though- he wanted her close….to him. 

 With a groan, he stuck the cigarette between his lips then pushed against his knees to stand up. 

 "Where you goin'?"

 "Stay here."

 Boyd stood up, blocking the door. "What's goin' on, Don?"

 He debated just pushing Boyd out of the way before shaking his head. "Captain Evans leaves in two days."

 "Uh huh. Anna mentioned somethin' about the wounded finally being moved to a field hospital today. Probably why she ain't here."

 "We leave tomorrow." Don flatly stated. 

 Boyd's eyebrows drew together. "I feel like I'm missin' somethin'."

 "Anna is supposed to go with Evans. That was why she was sent."

 He could see the light bulb go off in Boyd's mind when what Don said finally clicked. His eyes widened, a myriad of emotions flickered across his face ranging from horror to frustration and what could be despair.

 "What…." Boyd stopped, looking off to the side and taking a deep breath before turning back to his commander. "What we gonna do?"

 "I'll take care of it."

 "Don…."

 "Stay here, Boyd. Start gettin' ready to leave tomorrow. I won't be gone long." This time he did gently push Boyd out of the way and with a long look, he stalked out of the room, down the stairs and outside. 

 He made his way to the aid station, only having to jump behind a building once to avoid a mortar. This was his first time coming to the aid station in Haguenau, having had no reason prior to come. He was pleased it was in better shape than most of the other buildings and further back from the river and Nazis. 

 Soon as he stepped through, he was hit with the smell of sanitation, coffee, and dried blood. 

 "Where's the nurse?" He growled at a pair of medics who stared at him like he was the grim reaper come to take their souls. One pointed towards the back. Don stormed in that direction, boots pounding on the wood floor. 

 He arrived at what most likely had been someone's study or library prior to the war but had been converted to the aid station. His gaze zeroed in on her folding up some blankets while she chatted with a medic. He stalked towards her. She only turned her head to look up at him as he was within five feet of her. 

 "Don?" The sweet smile on her face immediately faded away as she took in the serious expression he wore. 

 "We need to talk." He stated, moving to stand beside her. 

 "Of course, let me…"

 "No. Now." He grabbed her upper arm and started to pull her from the room. The other medic started to say something but snapped his mouth shut at the icy glare Don sent him. 

 "What's going on?"

 He ignored her question, looking down at her once they were in the hallway. "Where can we speak in private?" 

 "Upstairs." 

 Once she seemed to sense his urgency, he allowed her to lead him up the stairs and into a room that seemed to be used by the medics to store their personal effects. Two cots were pushed against opposite walls, both empty thankfully. Soon as he shut the door behind them, he rounded on her. 

 "You need to hide."

 "Ex....excuse me?" She stuttered, sapphire eyes peering up at him, wide and unblinking.  

 "Captain Evans plans on leaving the day after tomorrow."

 "We heard. One of the lieutenants stopped by after the wounded were taken to inform us. Why does…"

 He cut her off. "My crew and I are being sent out. We leave tomorrow. I don't know how soon we'll be back. So, you need to hide until Captain Evans leaves."

 "I don't.… I don't understand, Don."

 "Fuck!" He moved closer to her, grabbing both of her upper arms, his hands wrapping completely around them. "Listen. I can't protect you if you are in some other goddamn country. You can't leave with the Captain, alright? You stay here. You stay low and you'll get left behind. When we come back, I'll take care of you."

 "But…. I mean, I'll be fine. The men are….um…. It’ll work out. I'm more worried about you and the others. You are going into a fight!"

 "Fuck them and fuck the fight!" He shouted, moving away before he shook her, trying to make her understand. How could she not see what he was trying to do? "I don't trust those bastards to keep their hands off you! And you shouldn't either! Who's going to look out for you? Huh? Who's going to make sure they don't lay a fucking finger on you?! Cause I can promise you, it won't fucking be them!"

 He stood in front of her, chest heaving from the anger rolling through him like a tsunami wave. Only now, after his words spewed out like vitriol did he witness the effect. The tears that welled in her eyes, how one of her hands covered her mouth, the other wrapped around her torso almost in a self-hug. 

 "Anna…" Resentment towards himself flooded through his veins. Slowly he tried to reach out to her, to place a hand on her shoulder with an apology dancing on the tip of his tongue, but froze when she flinched.

 And that hurt worse than being pierced with a bullet. 

 He made no further move towards her, afraid of her reaction. Frustrated at everything but mostly himself in the moment, he ran his hands through his hair. 

 Her gaze had dropped to the floorboards, hunched into herself. Finally after several seconds, she whispered. "What do you want from me, Don?"

 What did he want from her? Hell, if he was still trying to come to terms with that answer himself. In the moment, he chose to honestly answer. 

 "I want you safe."

 His equally soft reply made her head jerk up, eyes meeting his. "Why?"

 "You're a part of my crew...and I swore to make sure they survive this war. I can't do that if you're in another company."

 "Is that the only reason?"

 Did she know how loaded that question was? How this growing tension between the two of them grated on him? Not because he disliked it. No. Because he wanted her closer. But this was war, and no one was guaranteed tomorrow. So he answered with something that tasted like a half-truth. "The only one that matters right now."

 She sniffled, wiping away the moisture from her eyes with her dainty fingers. 

 As if approaching an injured animal, he carefully shifted closer to her. Seeing the tears in her eyes broke what resolve he meagerly held. He hated that he made her cry, made her flinch. It tore at his soul. Something his mind demanded he fix, for both of them.

 Hesitantly, he reached forward and clasped her hands in his. She inhaled sharply, but only tightened her grip on his hands. The air between them felt charged with something unnamed but powerful. The way their gazes locked, hands holding each other, as if they had been put under a spell neither wished to escape. 

 "I need you safe, darling…." He murmured, the words flowing out of him without his conscious approval. Only after did they hang in the air, waiting to stoke the fire between them or shatter everything like glass. 

 "Darling?" The corners of her lips turned up in a barely-there smile. 

 He huffed a short laugh. "That alright?"

 "Yes." She answered with a blush growing on her cheeks. 

 And damn if that sight didn't stir something within him. Following his instincts, he gently tugged her closer, pulling her into a warm embrace, beyond pleased when she practically melted against him. His arms went around her back while her arms wrapped around his waist. Her cheek laid against the middle of his chest and he wondered if she could hear it pounding within him. Not for the first time was he reminded how small and vulnerable she seemed, tucked against his body now. He knew and witnessed how strong she truly was though. Faced with blood and death and distraught, she still persevered. 

 She sighed after some time, neither attempting to end the embrace. "I'll try to hide but I don't know where I could. All the medics know I'm here. Arthur and the others will be expecting me to join them especially after losing…" Her voice trailed off. 

 He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "We'll figure it out. I promise." 

 "I trust you." They continued to stand there, finding solace in one another but also a silent understanding between them. Of affections that were too dangerous to say aloud but still lingered in the air. A few seconds later, her whisper disturbed the peace. "I'm so tired of this war."

 "Me too."

 A knock on the door broke their moment but when Anna tried to step away from Don, he only held her tighter, unwilling to give her up but also wanting to protect her. He watched the door open to reveal a medic, who although his face seemed calm, there was an undercurrent of tension in the way he clenched his jaw and the shifting of his eyes as he immediately took in the scene before him. 

 "Chérie? Everythin' alright? Spina said he 'eard yellin'."

 Only when she turned to face the medic did Don let her go. "Yes. I'm sorry, Gene. It's nothing.... just a misunderstanding."

 "Mmm." The medic glanced back down the hallway then stepped inside the room, closing the door behind him. "Someone wanna tell me what's goin' on?"

 Don immediately recognized the name Gene. She had referenced him multiple times when she had been over taking care of Norman. By the way she spoke about him, Don picked up that she trusted him and they were friendly. Perhaps he had an ally here after all. 

 "Are you able to hide her?" He asked bluntly, knowing his time was running short to figure out a plan. 

 Gene's eyebrows scrunched together. "What?"

 "Don, no... it’s fine," she answered at the same time, placing a hand on his arm, "I'll figure out something."

 "Nah, chérie." Gene looked back over to Don, expression reserved but determined. "What do ya mean?"

 Don quickly explained the situation, impressed by the medic with the thick accent and how he absorbed the information thrown at him without too many questions. 

 Gene nodded once at the end, gaze downward as he ran his tongue over his teeth. Finally, he looked up at the two. "I know somewhere. They got some extra room. Lemme talk to their Sergeant first."

 Anna's gaze bounced between the two men, clearly unable to believe what she was hearing. "We can't do this. We'll get…. I don't want to cause more problems or get people in trouble. What happens when your Captain finds out?"

 Gene shrugged. "Winters is a good man. He might not like it but he'll understand." He paused, tapping a finger on his crossed arms. "I'll go now. Anna, stay here, get ya things gathered. We'll bring ya over tonight."

 She stared at both of them again before Don could visibly see her acceptance when her shoulders sagged. With a roll of her eyes, she gave the medic a cheeky salute. "Yes, sir."

 "Fille effrontée." He grinned. 

 She blew him an air kiss that made him shake his head, a small grin on his lips. The two men nodded at each other once more before the medic slipped back out. 

 Once alone again, she turned back around, placing her hands on his chest, peering up at him earnestly. "Be safe, please...tell the others for me too."

 "I will." 

 This time he leaned down as she rose up on her toes to press a kiss to his jawline. His hands tightened on her waist, where they had landed. Instead of immediately pulling back after she fell back onto her flat feet, he lingered. Hovering over her, he cupped her cheek, guiding her head. She was completely pliant under his touch, allowing him to tilt her face until their noses almost touched. He was spellbound, staring down at her. Her gentle breaths sliding across his mouth tantalizingly. It was the soft adoration and trust in her sapphire eyes that pulled in his chest and stole the breath from his lungs. She was too good, too pure for someone like him. Yet he could not draw away from her, captured in her tender affections, left breathless by her kindness. Turning his face just slightly, he could feel the corner of her mouth against his, her warm breath hitting his cheek. 

 "I should go." He whispered, without moving away. 

 Her hands slid up to the nape of his neck, causing him to suppress a low groan as her chest pressed against his. "Don, please come back." Her words pierced his heart. 

 "I will, I promise." This time he brushed his lips over hers. It was just a moment, the faintest of touches but the spark it ignited in him felt like an inferno awakening. 

 Abruptly he pulled back, turned on his heels and walked out. If he stayed any longer, she would be in his arms, his mouth devouring hers, her back pressed against the nearest wall. He had half a mind to turn back and do that just now. But he kept walking. Why she held any affections for him left him boggled. She deserved better than him. He wanted her though. Christ above, he wanted her. It was becoming a truth he could not ignore. 

 And that barely-there kiss only proved it. 

 *****

 Anna followed behind Gene as they headed to a different building, supposedly where she would stay hidden. She worried all of this would blow up in their faces eventually, that the men would get in trouble because of her, that she would be sent away to a company she did not know. Would the army count this as desertion? Fears and concerns tormented her mind, but it was too late now. Her feet were already planted firmly on the path. Physically and metaphorically. 

 Gene had told her that she would stay with the paratrooper platoon until after Captains Evans and his company left. The Cajun medic had already started a rumor along with Spina, who seemed to be enjoying all this espionage a little too much, that she had been sent to assist a family living just outside of Haguenau where the wife was in labor with her first child. It would explain why she was only gone for a short time and as to why her sudden disappearance. Plus, Gene reasoned it sounded like something she would do. She could not blame him there. It would be. 

 So now, they walked in the late hours of the night, moonlight highlighting the ground beneath their feet. The ill-fitting ODs, the coat from a dead soldier and her medic satchel were the only things she owned. All of her other possessions and clothing had blown up when the medic truck was hit during the surprise attack. She desperately tried not to think about that fact. She was alive and with no injuries. Twenty-two men lost their lives that day. Her few belongings were minimal compared to that. 

 She still missed her book though. 

 Gene did not even knock when they reached the damaged house. Quietly, he opened the door and shifted so she could walk in first. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath her feet, making her freeze for a moment. Only after a word of encouragement from Gene did she continue. As she stepped in, she could hear the murmuring of voices suddenly fall silent. Knowing Gene was at her side and he trusted these men, she took a deep breath before taking another step forward. 

 She rounded the corner from the entryway and towards what must have been a common room before the war. There were three men, two sitting on beat-up looking couches and one standing. The moonlight shining through the window cast everything in deep shadows. Somehow it felt appropriate for all that these men had been through. How they were still waiting for the sun to shine on them again, to beat back the shadows and nightmares and remind them to hope and dream of the future without war hovering over them like a furie.

 It was as she met the gaze of the one standing, staring at her, that she could feel tears well up in her eyes. He looked so world-weary, as if he had not slept in years and all peace had abandoned him. His eyes once so bright with laughter and life were now dull. His once expressive face was now weathered and closed-off. Only his red hair looked the same. It broke her heart. 

 "Donnie…." She softly said. 

 The corners of his lips lifted up at the nickname she bestowed upon him so long ago. "Hi, Anna."

 Without warning or a care for his reaction, she flew across the room. She threw her arms around him, the top of her head just at his chin. A few tears spilled as he seemed to hesitate at her action, as if he had forgotten what a hug was, as if he no longer understood how to be comforted. Then slowly his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer to his chest. 

 "I'm so sorry, Donnie." She mumbled against him, fighting a losing battle against the tears flooding her eyes. "Muck and Penkala…. they were the best of men. I'm so sorry. And for the others too." 

 He stiffened at the names of his deceased best friends. She could feel the shudder that ran through him, the soft sob he forced back. "Not…. not your fault." He finally whispered, a faint quiver in his voice. 

 She pulled back to meet his eyes, uncaring of the tear tracks staining her cheeks. Carefully she moved her hands to cup his face between them, forcing his gaze to stay on hers. "If you need to talk, I'll listen. Or just cry. Or hold your hand. I'll do it, without any questions."

 "Sure."

 "I'm serious."

 "I know. You sound like you've been hanging out with Doc Roe too much." He teased, forcing back the pain in his voice. A slight squeeze of her hand let her know he appreciated her words. 

 She giggled, sliding out of his embrace to glance at Gene, who had moved to sit next to another redhead on one of the couches. "He does start to rub off on you, can't decide if he's a good influence or a bad one."

 Gene scowled at her, making her giggle more. 

 "Who's the dame? Easy taking female paratroopers now?" The other redhead asked, his Philly accent unmistakable. 

 "Nah, this is Anna Cooper, a nurse. She's gonna stay with ya fellas for a couple days." Gene said casually. 

 The redhead's eyebrows were furrowed as his gaze darted from Gene to Anna and back. "Why?"

 "I just missed Donnie here so much." She smiled up at the man, who just gave her an awkward smile, shoving his hands in his pockets. 

 "Uh huh. So, what's the real fucking reason?" The third man asked, twirling a cigarette between his fingers. 

 "Joe, nothing you need to worry about right now." Malarkey answered. 

 Anna wondered if Gene expected the whole platoon to know of her existence there and why or only Donnie and himself. That was probably something she should have asked before their arrival but her mind was too caught up in its tornado of fears. 

 "How do you two know each other?" The other redhead asked, now eyeing her like she was a rare specimen. 

 Roe sighed, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs. "She was in Albourne with us medics when we were training before the jump into Normandy."

 "Donnie here also took me on a date." Anna blurted out, a smile on her lips. 

 "What?" The one Malarkey had called 'Joe' stared with his jaw dropped. "A'ight, now I gotta hear this." 

 Malarkey rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he looked down at her. "Not sure I'd call that a date, Anna."

 "Mmm...it's a date when you kiss the girl after, right?"

 For a beat there was shocked silence before the two on the couches started laughing, Roe just shook his head and muttered something to himself. 

 "Holy shit, Anna…" Malarkey rubbed a hand over his face. If there had been more light, his face most likely would have matched the color of his hair. "I thought we agreed never to mention it ever again?"

 "It wasn't that bad, Donnie."

 "Yes, it was. That damn shovel almost broke my nose. You had to walk me to the aid station instead of me walking you home."

 "I mean.... when you say it like that." Anna teased. 

 "Shit, I really need to hear this now." 

 "Babe, no." Malarkey pointed his finger at the other redhead then moved it to the other man. "Joe, not a word."

 The one, Joe, shrugged, a smirk on his face. "How come I don't remember this?"

 "Cause you was in London chasin' skirts and gettin' in fights that weekend." Gene stated evenly. "It's late, I need to head back to the aid station. Malarkey, where is Anna stayin'?"

 "Right. This way." Malarkey led the way with Anna and Gene following up a set of stairs and down the hallway to a bedroom. "Supposed to be for officers I guess but since we don't have any…. the door locks too."

 "Thank you, Donnie." She smiled up at the man, someone she had thought she would never see again. It was funny how fate had brought Easy Company back into her life. Moving further into the room, she was pleased to find a single bed pressed against the wall and a desk across from it. Otherwise the room was completely bare of any other furniture or decorations. 

 "Ya ok here, chérie?" Gene leaned against the desk, arms crossed over his chest. 

 "Yes."

 "Good, good. One question then." Gene paused, an intensity in his eyes that startled her. "What's ya relationship with that Sergeant?"

 In the middle of slipping the coat off, she froze, having not been expecting that question. Her mind raced with trying to find an adequate answer. Although it felt futile. How could she describe her relationship with Sergeant Don Collier? Not that there was a relationship, per se, even if memories of their last encounter sprung forth in her mind's eye. Even though they had not known each other long, he was someone she found herself trusting wholeheartedly and feeling safe around. The loyalty of his men inspired her. The brutality of war was evident in the way he carried himself, the shifting of his eyes and the perpetual frown on his face when he was thinking. Yet he still cared. He still went out of his way to take care of a nurse who meant nothing to him. How when he was close by, her heart beat a little faster and butterflies danced in her belly. On more than one occasion, as she laid down waiting for sleep to find her, she wondered what his kiss would feel like. 

 Finally, she settled with a glossed over version, hoping Gene would be satisfied with just that. "Um....we don't…. he’s just looking out for me. Him and his crew kind of took me in."

 "Mmm….and when I walked into him holdin' ya in his arms, lookin' ready to kiss ya?"

 "It's....it's not like that."

 Malarkey spoke up, leaning against the doorframe. "Who’s this Sergeant?"

 "In charge of the armored division." Gene answered, dark eyes staring at her as if to sift the secrets out of her words and wide eyes. 

 "Don's just looking out for me…. him and his crew, they've, well, they've protected me several times already from…. others." She finished lamely, wrapping her arms around herself, trying to push the memories away. 

 He must have sensed her discomfort. "Alright, chérie, just be careful."

 She nodded. She appreciated his concern but felt it was misplaced. 

 "Don, huh? Do you call him Donnie too?" Malarkey broke the following silence. 

 She rolled her eyes but smiled at the slight change of subject. "No, only you get that nickname."

 "Lucky me. So, is he a redhead too? You have a thing for the name Don?"

 She covered her face as her cheeks warmed. 

 "Ya two can discuss this tomorrow." Gene pushed off the desk. "I'll come get ya the day after tomorrow. If ya need anythin', send someone to get me."

 She dropped the coat at the end of the bed and moved to give him a quick hug. "Thank you, Cajun angel."

 He rolled his eyes while Malarkey snickered in the back but returned the embrace.

 Next, she walked over to Malarkey and gave him another quick hug. "Thank you too. For doing this for me."

 "I'm in the room across, if you need me. Bathroom is two doors down."

 The two paratroopers then left, closing the door behind them. Taking a deep breath, she surveyed around her as she stood there in the small room under the moonlight shining through the window. The future was always unknown but especially now, she felt tossed about on the waves of uncertainties. She hoped this plan was not completely foolhardy, but she would admit, she felt safer with Gene and Malarkey looking out for her while Don and Boyd were gone. She would never admit how she had cried while hiding away from everyone when she realized she was no longer alone, that she would not be sent with Captain Evans and his company. There were good men looking out for her. 

 She crawled into bed, slipping under the scratchy covers. All the while, her mind sent a fervent prayer that the crew of Fury would be safe. That they would return to her uninjured. That Don would be okay.

[graceslavenderhaze]

just wanna be with you; reggie x reader

“are you okay?” that was the first question julie had asked you when she saw you the morning after you both had learned that the boys were planning on crossing over before the jolts that caleb had placed on them destroyed them. 

“ i feel like i should be asking you that.” you said bluntly as you let your best friend into your house which was empty other than you at the moment. you both trailed into your kitchen. ripped pages of your journal laid in crumpled balls, a mug of hot chocolate which was half drank was next to your song journal. you wrote your best songs when you were emotional and last night was definitely emotional. 

you picked up your mug and went to refill it as well as make one for julie. she sat herself down at the table, her wondering eyes drawn to the journal. she knew a love song when she saw one. 

“did you write this?” julie asked pointing at the song labeled ‘just wanna be with you’. you placed both of your mugs back on the table and sat down. you bit your bottom lip as you took a deep breath. 

“yeah, i wrote it about or i guess for reggie.” you blurted out to your best friend. she placed her hand onto your outstretched one, comforting you. you felt all of your emotions crash down onto you like a tidal wave. 

“i’ve never felt this way about anyone ever not even carrie, i’ve never been so- i’ve never written a song about someone i like. ever! and then he just comes out of nowhere the afterlife and everything and for the first time since carrie broke up with me, i felt. i can’t even compare it to carrie but he makes me feel like there’s nothing we can’t do if we’re together, and no matter what happens i know he’ll be there. i just wanna be with him, jules.” your voice was raw as a few loose tears escaped your eyes. 

“that’s love, if i know anything from how my parents looked at each other and every stupid rom com that we’ve watched with flynn. you’re in love with him.” julie said to you as she wiped the tears off of your cheeks. you let what she said sink in, love. you were in love with reggie. 

“fuck flynn’s never gonna let me live this down!” you joked to your best friend. she broke a smile. she stood up and held her hand out for you. you gave her a confused look. she pulled you up from your seat.

“you’re getting dressed, meeting up with reggie before we play the orpheum and giving him this song. life is too short for you to just sit back and not tell people how you feel about them. you have to live in the moment, and even if you lose him. you’ll always have the memories.” handing you the journal that laid on the table, you both rushed upstairs to your bedroom not before you muttered “i hate how you’re always right.”

it had been at least an hour since you got ready. julie had picked out a cute outfit consisting of your favorite pieces of clothing that you owned, insisting that flynn says that the more comfortable you are in your skin, the more comfortable you’ll be laying your heart out. you also had your backpack slung over your shoulder with your clothes for later tonight when the band plays the orpheum and then, clothes for a sleepover with julie later on. neither of you wanted to be alone after the guys crossed over. 

“stop worrying you look fantastic.” julie said to you. you found it ironic. your best friend was playing one of the most iconic clubs in all of Los Angeles tonight and here she was calming you down over telling reggie how you feel. you played with the bracelets on your wrists, more specifically the red and black one that had a small bass charm in the middle. julie smirked when she noticed the small charm but opted not to say anything. 

“i’m gonna go pick out my outfit for tonight, and i’ll rangle dumb and dumber out so you can be alone with reggie. you got this!” julie said to you before walking into the studio to say some half true lie to get alex and luke out so you could be alone with reggie. after standing alone for five minutes and convincing yourself while it seemed convenient, running from your issues wouldn’t solve anything. 

“hey.” you mentally face palmed. hey thats the best you had? reggie looked up from the grand piano he had been fiddling with the keys of. a smile came across his face when he saw you. his smile was one of your favorites. 

“hey, shouldn’t you be helping julie?” he asked confused being as mere minutes ago julie had brought luke and alex up to her room to help wrap last minute details up for the orpheum show. you placed your backpack down and fished out your journal. your heart was beating in your chest like thunder, as if it was going to just combust out. 

“yeah, but first i wanted to show you this song that i wrote.” you stumbled on your words a little and after getting the sentence out your mouth had never felt drier. reggie looked bewildered, normally you shared your songs with julie and flynn. this was the first time you’d ever wanted to show him a song of yours and also the last. 

“i thought that’s something that you and julie do with flynn?” you approached the grand piano and sat next to him. it was now or never at this point. you pushed the knowing that by tonight after they opened, him and the guys would be gone. 

“yeah but it’s something special that i think would just be better if you were the one to hear it. is that okay?” your voice was soft and you’d never been this close to reggie before. the past few days you’d been avoiding being alone with him to see if you could try to resolve your crush on your own. it was impossible.

“yeah, no totally, that’s rad.” he said nervously starting to fiddle with his rings. you let out a soft laugh. you opened the page that the song was on and placed your hands on the keys.

 “ I got a lot of things I have to do All these distractions Our futures coming soon We're being pulled a hundred different directions But whatever happens I know I've got you

You're on my mind you're in my heart It doesn't matter where we are It'll be alright Even if we're miles apart

All I wanna do, is be with you, be with you There's nothing we can do just wanna be with you Only you No matter where life takes us nothing can break us apart You know its true I just wanna be with you

You know how life can be It changes over night It's sunny then raining, but it's alright A friend like you Always makes it easy I know that your kidding me every time

Through every up through every down You know I'll always be around Through anything you can count on me

All I wanna do, is be with you, be with you There's nothing we can do just wanna be with you Only you No matter where life takes us nothing can break us apart You know it's true I just wanna be with you

I just wanna be with you” 

 you felt a weight life off your shoulders when you finished and you wondered why you’d been so nervous, then you remembered that reggie was still sitting next to your and your nerves came swinging right back. you turned to him and for once staring into his eyes didn’t comfort you, it scared you. 

“i know that after tonight you’re gone but i’d be an idiot if i didn’t tell you how i felt before you left. i’ve never wrote a song for anyone i’ve lov-like liked.” the words tumbled out of your mouth uncontrollable. reggie smiled. he wanted to kiss you and in that moment he regretted everything. had they focused on the band instead of being so hellbent on getting revenge against bobby, then they wouldn’t have gotten stamped and wouldn’t be crossing over at all. 

“you have no idea how much i want to kiss you. ” he said softly. you smiled, you wanted to kiss him so badly. 

“i’m gonna miss you, so much.” you admitted. you knew he couldn’t stay but you wanted him to. 

“you are unlike any girl i’ve ever met or have like liked either, y/n y/l/n. i wish we had more time.” he said coming closer to you. your eyes closed for a moment and you forgot just what was happening. he wouldn’t be able to kiss you. you’d go straight through him. 

“we can’t, i want to but you know we can’t.” your words were soft and quiet but loud enough to break both of your hearts. you both wanted this so badly but the universe wouldn’t allow it. you merely coexisted together, you were still from two seperate worlds. 

“your favorite flowers are forget me nots right?” he asked you after the two of you had pulled away. you nodded and almost as a reflex played with the bracelet on your wrist with a forget me not charm. he removed his necklace from around his neck, with the blue beads and silver bar at the middle. the entire time you’d known reggie he’d never been seen without it. 

“then consider this a forget me not.” he then took the necklace and placed it around your neck. you removed the red and black bracelet with the bass charm. you placed it around his wrist. 

“only if you consider this a forget me not as well.” “ forever.” your phone beeped interrupting the moment. 

julie: i love you but i’m going to find a way to rekill these himbos soon. 

“i should go actually help julie now. i really don’t wanna say goodbye.” this was probably the last moment you had with reggie and you never wanted it to end. 

“so don’t say goodbye just say i’ll see you around.” he said jokingly. you nodded as a few tears made their way out of your eyes. you stood up from the grand piano grabbing your journal, you walked over to your backpack and turned around, your fingers fiddling with your forget me not token. 

“see you around guitar cutie.” you said before walking out of the studio. 

“not if i see you first!” he yelled back. you smiled and continued to walked up to julie’s room. closing the door and then sliding down against it once you’d entered. 

“i fell in love with a ghost. full teasing rights once my heart heals, let flynn know.” you stated as you slumped on the floor in a slightly love struck daze.

“no shit!”

“is this suppose to be new news?”

“shut up shes in loveeee.”

“yeah and i’ve come to take your spot as julie’s fashion stylists.” you joked as you got up. alex and luke poofed out after a few more side comments. julie smirked. 

“nice necklace you got there.” she winked before the two of you got to work. 

flashing forward to two hours later, flynn and you stood on the side wings of the stage clutching onto each other, both of you dressed in your concert outfits . julie, alone center stage with only her keyboard, microphone and a dahlia with her. you were all on edge, the guys wouldn’t bail again. there’s no way. so there was only one other explanation. the jolts destroyed them before they got to crossover. 

as julie started playing stand tall, the song you had heard so many times from sitting in on the practices, you thought you were imagining hearing alex’s drums until you and flynn both saw him with your own eyes. 

“holy shit.” then reggie appeared next to julie, causing you and flynn to jump with excitement. they were still here, they were going to crossover. you noticed how the charm from the bracelet reggie was still wearing had twinkled under stage lights and him looking back up and you and winking. 

“it’s your lover boy!” flynn teased. you couldn’t deny it because at this moment you were to happy to even bother. 

“c’mon luke.” you had started to muttered noticing that he was flickering onstage causing both of the present phantoms to give you a worried glance. after a few tries he managed to stay solid onstage. 

“yes!” you and flynn both cheered on the sidelines. dancing and singing to the song that you knew would be stuck in your head by tomorrow. you were all happy in this moment. 

when the song ended reggie looked back at you and mouthed very clear words. “i love you.” before you could say it back the boys disappeared. you placed the silver bar of the necklace to your lips and kissed it muttered “i love you too” before. joining flynn in cheering for julie. everything was over, but you left nothing unsaid. 

“so y/n, spill the details about your out of this world love affair.” julie joked as the three of you were in the dressing room changing into your street outfits. you laughed. folding the clothes you wore and putting them back into your backpack before looking in the mirror to check over last time. 

“wait is that reggie’s?” flynn asked pointing at the necklace you wore all night. you blushed slightly. then julie noticed the missing red and black bracelet. 

“yeah it’s a forget me not. something to remember him by. i’ll explain it all tomorrow i’m still processing it honestly.” you said turning around to her. flynn hugged you. you were happy you had your friends. 

“i’m gonna go make us popcorn and pick a movie.” you said once julie and you had gotten back to her house for the night. you knew she wanted a moment alone in the garage to thank her mom for bringing the guys to her and music back into her life. 

once you had the popcorn in julie’s bed and were picking out a movie on her laptop she texted you a 911, code red, and a bunch of other phrases for her saying you needed to get into the garage asap. 

“hey jules what do half of these codes even mean?” you asked as you walked into the garage. “what the fuck, you guys crossed over. you shouldn’t be here.” you said when you saw your favorite ghosts standing in a group hug with julie. they looked like they were dying twice all over.

“come here!” julie said grabbing you and pulling you into the hug. the guys all started to glow a golden color and the stamps caleb had put on them dissolved.

“what do you think that means?” julie asked. you shrugged, up until like a month ago you didn’t even think ghosts actually existed.

“i think it means the bands back.” luke said causing the group hug to jump up and down in a fit of happiness over playing the orpheum. once the group hug broke up, you launched yourself forwards towards reggie.

“i love you too.” he smiled. 

“kiss her!” julie coughed trying to be subtle. luke and alex both nodded encouraging their friend. 

“yeah kiss me guitar cutie.” you said with confidence causing him to do so. you could hear the hollers of your best friends in the background losing their minds which made the moment better for you.

“so what do i tell flynn?” julie asked once you pulled away for air. 

“we’ll tell her tomorrow, she’s probably still reeling from tonight.” you said. julie nodded then had another outburst excitement over the fact that they just played the orpheum. 

reggie picked you up and swung you around before kissing you again. “i don’t know what’s better playing the orpheum or kissing you.” he said. 

“also which one of you is responsible for carlos knowing?�� julie asked in the middle of the moment. the guys faces all became panicked.

“busted!” you said holding a hand for your best friend to high five.

--

this is the first thing i’ve ever wrote to post publicly and idk if i like it or not but just wanna be with you lives in my head rent free so i saw my opportunity and i took it honestly. let me know if you guys like this those maybe i’ll start posting again. <3

[popatochisssp]

can we get an update on the body insecurities with a human s/o for the new boys, if you're up for it?

This one? You bet!

Ash (Undergloom Sans): There’s nothing about his body that he’s particularly self-conscious of, actually. ...But there’s also nothing about his body that he’s particularly proud of. It’s...fine, it does all the things a body is supposed to do, more or less, but it’s just...there. Not bad, but not good either. He’s very much the type of person who’s mentally drawn a line between himself and his body, thinking of them as separate things, and the qualities of the latter have nothing to do with the former. He can say honestly that there’s nothing he hates about his body, but the fact that there’s nothing he especially likes about it either is probably not ideal. He’d almost certainly benefit from his s/o helping him learn a little self-love to nudge that pointed neutrality into something positive, and to give him at least one or two things he could actively like about the bones that carry him around from place to place.

Yrus (Undergloom Papyrus): Much as he knows it’s a silly thing to worry about, he tends to fret about falling short of human standards of masculinity, at least as they’re broadly, popularly defined. All the things that men are ‘supposed to be’--big, strong, athletic, tough, et cetera--are things that he...isn’t. He’s on the taller side so he’s got that going for him, but he’s not all that strong, physically, and his hobbies are...pretty domestic. He loves cooking and cleaning, books and scented candles, nature and knowledge! And of course, he knows all about the concept of toxic masculinity and that striving to be anything at all but what he is would only harm him, but with a human s/o, who was born in and brought up around those ideas and stereotypes, he sometimes wonders if that...matters to them??? If he’s...maybe not being all the man they want or need him to be??? A frank conversation about all of that would do wonders to put at least most of those fears to rest, but it’s definitely a topic for his s/o to be a little tactful and sensitive about it!

Brick (Horrorfell Sans): Most of the physical consequences of Everything that happened Underground don’t make him feel self-conscious at all. His size, the hole in his head, the pins in his jaw, they all make him look cool and scary as hell, and he almost looks at them all as a point of pride that he survived everything thrown his way. Even only being able to manifest one eye-light is really not that big a deal to him and doesn’t really register as anything to dwell on. But... there is one thing... He really doesn’t like the cracks in his vertebrae. He thinks they’re ugly and even after all this time, they still look fresh and raw and feeling eyes on them, or catching a glimpse of them himself in the mirror makes him feel entirely too exposed. Human docs couldn’t figure out a permanent way to fill them in without restricting his range of motion or further agitating his magic, and he quickly got to the point where he couldn’t take all the poking and prodding around his neck trying to figure something out and just wanted to get on with life. There are a lot of turtlenecks in his wardrobe and any attention paid to that particular spot by his s/o is best kept short and sweet.

King (Horrorfell Papyrus): You’d think it would be his scars still, or even his missing leg. But it’s neither. It’s not something he’d ever express in a million years, but his biggest insecurity is that he... kind of hates the way he looks in clothes. Not all clothes--he has a few expensive, tailored suits he’s very fond of, however rarely he gets the occasion to wear them these days--but most everything else... He doesn’t have a problem with his body as much as he has a problem with the way clothes that weren’t designed with his proportions in mind make his body look, and on the surface, among humans, that’s just about all of them. Half the shirts he tries on look like ill-fitting crop-tops and even the longest pants end up being capris when he tries to buy off the rack and it’s...frustrating that he can’t just buy something and look good in it right away. Because of that, he has a relatively small closet and tends to wear things that cover him up as much as possible, in dark colors (always black if possible), finding that it accentuates his height and slimness and blends his long limbs and torso into himself to look less odd. He’d probably be happier if he just bought everything he liked and then had it tailored to him, so he could branch out more into some of the types of things he used to wear, but that much tailoring would be expensive and for something he looks on as a vanity... He’s resistant, feeling like there’s just more important things to save and use the money for, like food, medical expenses, actual necessities... A little (a lot) of persuasion from a s/o to treat himself to more than just a mere handful of outfits that he likes and that fit correctly might be helpful in getting him to indulge.

Merc (Horrorswap Sans): Pretty obvious, he’s most self-conscious about the fact that sometimes he’s not altogether solid. Humans especially don’t seem to think too highly of things that are slimy, goopy, and drippy and caught at the wrong time, he’s all of the above. He doesn’t like the thought of anyone, but especially his s/o being grossed out by him, thinking he’s disgusting or creepy or downright disturbing because he couldn’t keep enough of a handle on his emotions to stay solid and normal. He doesn’t particularly love his eye-lights either, formerly just blue but now ringed with bright, burning red. The color combo can be...intense... and though he isn’t aware of it, he’s definitely been a bit conditioned lately into not making as much direct eye-contact with people as he used to, subconsciously noticing the better, more relaxed response he gets when he looks down or slightly to the side instead. But if we’re talking post-DT integration, when his form is stable and his eye-lights are pink......... he’s not insecure about a damn thing--he worked hard to get his body back and he loves and appreciates every inch of it.

Ell (Horrorswap Papyrus): He tends to expend more energy worrying and being insecure about his personality than anything physical, quite frankly, but if there were something physical...well, even more obvious than his brother, he’s missing a couple limbs and it’s just a bit too fresh for him to be totally comfortable with it yet. There’s a lot he misses and a lot he’s still getting used to doing differently and a lot of mental and emotional baggage from the circumstances that led to him not having legs and he hasn’t really dealt with any of it. As a result, he tends to be self-conscious about anything he can’t do the way he used to before, or any time being in a wheelchair turns something that would be routine for anyone else into an Ordeal... It gets better the more he heals and copes with what happened, and especially when he acknowledges that he does want to try prostheses, even if it means committing to all the time, effort, (metaphorical) blood, (not metaphorical) sweat, and tears that’ll take, but until then... yeah, it’s his lack of legs and wondering if his s/o wouldn’t be happier or at least find it easier to be with a guy who just had two legs and didn’t need to see a prosthetist to get them.

Pitch (Horrorswapfell Sans): Unapologetic about himself--his scars, his blunt(er) claws, his blindness--but with a human s/o especially, there is one thing he’s at least a little hesitant about. It’s the hole in his face, jagged and dark and unsightly...he assumes. It’s not like he’s ever seen it for himself, but he’s certainly felt a change in atmosphere in the past whenever its been exposed and he can only assume it’s disturbing to look at. When disturbing people is not his end-goal, he tries to keep the hole (mostly) covered with a pair of blind-glasses, and that will definitely be the case with his s/o, too... at least until he can suss out their unique reaction to his injury. If it doesn’t bother them, he’s happy to do away with the glasses in private, but the last thing he wants is to make his datemate uncomfortable and if the sight of his wholly uncovered face has that effect... Perhaps it’s for the best to keep them on, then...

Nemo (Horrorswapfell Papyrus): He’s really conscious of his exaggerated startled response at what feels like every little thing. It isn’t, and it’s wholly understandable and maybe even expected for what he went through Underground (especially those last few weeks), but it frustrates him a lot, especially when he gets a s/o. There’s someone he likes, someone he wants to get to know better and to be close to, and they’re right there, but all they have to do is move too fast or do something he wasn’t ready for and his automatic reaction is to flinch or reel back like they were about to...attack him or something! It’s absolutely a case of his mind knowing one thing and his body knowing another and he hasn’t yet figured out how to make the two of them share notes and realize that one of them might have some more up-to-date information than the other. There’ll be lots of nervous apologizing over it until he gets past thinking that they’re probably one disproportionate flinch from deciding he’s a little too high maintenance to make things work.

Sunny (Gastertale Sans): If he could change anything about himself, it would be his hands--or at least, just the holes in the middle of them. Looking through his palms is a very visceral, inescapable reminder that he used to be...or was part of??? somebody else, and that attachment to an identity he no longer owns nor wants makes him a little uncomfortable. He wants to forget all about that stuff and what little he does remember of That Time and just be who he is now without having to think about the past. Still, it’s... always right there, whenever he looks down at his own hands, and some days that’s harder to deal with than others. He knows the circular holes in his palms are probably really cool and interesting to his human s/o, but at the same time, he kind of hopes they don’t pay overly much attention to that part of them. He’s trying to just let his hands be... his hands, and to not attach a whole lot of weird baggage to them. And on days when that doesn’t quite pan out, he’s got all kinds of pockets and gloves and busywork to keep them out of sight, out of mind.

Aster (Gastertale Papyrus): He tends to spend more time in front of the mirror, tracing the asymmetrical cracks in his skull, than he would ever care to admit. He’s not sure why he dwells on them as much as he does, his brother has them too and doesn’t seem to care about his, but... He doesn’t know what they are, or why they’re there...or how he got them and when...or if they were always there and he...they??? had just been born with them. Maybe he frets and grumbles about them because of what they represent--how much of his...their past was lost when they, as separate beings, came to be, even in spite of sharing what they do know and remember. The life and times of W.D. Gaster are a mystery that can never be completely solved, and that loss bugs him. The cracks make him especially insecure because anyone can see them, right there on his face, and ask what they are or where they came from, and he’ll have no answer, just like he wouldn’t have one for a hundred other completely normal and reasonable questions someone could ask him about his life Before. He definitely dreads and overthinks how to answer those questions from a s/o, in a way that doesn’t either make them think he’s lying to avoid being honest with them or freak them out with too much of a very crazy and unbelievable story too soon. It’s a hard hypothetical balance to strike, and maybe if he didn’t have ‘please ask me something about my past’ essentially written on his face, he’d have more time to figure out how to do it best...

[flimflamfranky]

Day 14 - Heat Exhaustion

Franky discovers a drawback to his cybernetics.

~

It was so hot.

Franky tugged at his shirt, trying to fan some air in there, as he followed Nami through the town. They had just landed on a new island, some small fishing village on the way Sabaody, for a quick pit spot. He and Nami both needed more ink and paper, so they had set out together.

(Nami also claimed it was to “curb his horrendous spending habits”, which, rude. He wasn’t that bad - he only barely went over the limit last time! But still, he didn’t mind the company.) It was supposed to a fun little outing - get out, stretch the legs, see the sights, pick up some supplies. Franky had been looking forward to it. It was nice to have quiet trips to land between all the adventuring. But apparently, this was also a summer island, and summer islands were hot. Too hot. How could everyone else stand it? His back felt it was drenched in sweat, and everyone else was walking around like it was a perfectly pleasant day! A fun outing, Franky bemoaned to himself. This was miserable.

Eventually, they got to what seemed to be a town square - it was a plaza, with benches and trimmed bushes, and a small fountain. Nami stopped to ask some locals where a stationary store would be and Franky immediately narrowed on the fountain. Water! Cool, refreshing water! He rushed over, and sprawl out as much as possible, leaning back into the faint spray of water with a relieved sigh. He briefly considered just jumping in, but he’d definitely get chewed out by Nami. He did stick a foot in there, though, and ignored the weird looks he got from the locals. “Wow, tired already?” Nami teased as she joined him. “You’re such an old man.” “I ain’t that old!” Franky protested. And then he looked at her, confused. “Aren’t you hot, too?” He asked, waving to her outfit. It was a smart outfit - colorful buttoned up shirt and khakis - but Franky broke out into another sweat just looking at it. “No?” Nami said, looking down at herself. “It feels fine to me.” “That ain’t fair. I’m over here sufferin’, and you’re fine and dandy.” Franky wiped at the sweat on his brow. “I swear, Water 7 never got this hot.” “Yeah, because of all the water,” Nami said, smirking. “You’re just not used to this kinda heat.” Franky grumbled a vague protest, and glared up at the sun. Well, squinted vaguely in its direction, but still. “If it’s bothering you,” Nami said. “I can go by myself-“ “No, no!” Franky forced himself up. “It’s fine. I can handle it.” “Well, alright,” Nami said, and she pointed down one of the streets. “That lady said there was a shop down this way that sold ink and papers.” Franky gestured for her to lead the way, and followed her at a brisk pace. He wasn’t about to let some measly heat get the best of him! He’d just tough it out. Maybe he’d even get use to it, after some exposure. Either way, he could totally handle it. Everything was going to be fine. ~ Everything was not fine. If anything, it got worse. It felt like his cola was boiling inside of him. The store hadn’t helped matters - it had been stifling inside without the light breeze. He had to leave the whole transaction up to Nami. Not that she would’ve allowed otherwise, but he had barely been able to focus on even picking out some paper. He was having a lot of trouble with that, focusing. It was like he was in haze, like his brain was melting into a puddle of goo. He felt heavy. Lethargic. It super sucked. At least they were heading back to the Sunny, now. He can handle that, no problem. “Franky?” “Huh?” Franky looked down to see Nami peering up at him. The look on her face made hin suspect she’d been calling him for a while. Oops. She squinted at him, face drawn into a frown. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Franky waved her off. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Honest.” “You don’t look fine,” Nami said, unimpressed. “Come on, we can go sit somewhere until-“ “No!” Franky said, stubbornly. He wasn’t gonna give up because of a little heat! “I can...make to back to the Sunny.” “Ugh, why are you guys always so stubborn? You don’t have to push yourself like this!” “I’m not-“ Franky cut off as he stumbled over his feet, just barely catching himself before he ate dirt. “Woah, hey!” Nami was sounded panicked now. Crap. He didn’t want to worry her. “It’s fine.” Franky tried say. He felt strangely breathless. “I must’ve just...tripped over somethin’...” “No, that excuse won’t work on me,” Nami snapped as she reached out to steady him. “You should really- Ah!” Her hands had rested on his arm, but she immediately withdrew, shaking her hands. “Jeez, you’re burning up!” Franky blinked at the ground, hard. Something was beginning to feel wrong. Wrong with his cybernetics, wrong. He thought it was just the heat, but there was something else, he could feel it. He...needed to get back to the Sunny. Now. He opened his mouth to tell Nami that, but his tongue felt heavy and he couldn’t get his breathing right. He...he needed to get up. He forced himself up, hands out to steady himself. His eyes snapped to the horizon, and for a moment everything was good, but then, almost in slow motion, everything began tilting, going all sideways, and that was weird- “Franky!” Oh, he was on the ground again. That wasn’t right. He needed to get up. To...the Sunny. That’s right. He tried to get up, but his limbs wouldn’t respond right. It was like he was moving through oil. Someone was standing over. Hands hovering. Orange hair. Nami. He couldn’t worry her. He needed to get up. He needed- ~ Franky woke to a headache. The dull throb almost shocked him awake, pulling him from a hazy half-asleep state. Then he became uncomfortably aware of other things - a scratchy throat, clammy skin, cramping muscles. He winced. “Franky?” Franky cracked on eye open. The glaring light hurt, but he was able to make out Chopper hovering over him, holding something. He tried to say something but his mouth was too dry and his throat was too sore so all that came out was a pathetic wheeze. “Can you sit up? You need to drink this water.” Franky scowled at the thought of moving, but he did shuffled up into a vaguely vertical position, helped by Chopper’s gentle hands. Then, a glass of water was pushed into his hand. “Drink. Slowly, please.” Franky nodded absently, and took a small sip. The cool relief was almost instantaneous, and Franky found himself draining the whole thing in one go. “I said slowly!” Chopper yelled, wacking him lightly on the arm. “Sorry,” Franky mumbled, weakly, handing the glass back. Chopper refilled it, and passed it back. Franky drank, slowly this time, taking measured sip under Chopper’s stern watch, until Chopper deemed him hydrated enough. Once he handed the glass back, Franky slumped back down, feeling exhausted. Had just drinking water drained him that much? Yeesh. Chopper hovering over him. “Do you remember what happened?” Franky furrowed his brow in thought. “Yeah, I went shopping with Nami, and is was super hot. Too hot. And I...fainted?” At Chopper’s confirming nod, Franky groaned. “That’s embarrassing.” “It’s concerning, that’s what it is!” Chopper said, his voice going even more squeaky. “You almost had a heatstroke!” “Oh.” Franky blinked. “Is that bad?” “Yes!!!” Chopper wailed. “You could’ve died!” “Oh.” Franky winced, and sunk down further into the pillow. “I...I didn’t think it was that bad...” Chopper wiped at his nose with a sniffle, and gave him a glare. “Nami said you were being stubborn.” Ah, and there was that guilt. He’d gone and sacred everyone, hadn’t he? “I’m sorry,” He said. Then, he remembered, vaguely, Nami panicking over him, and...burning herself? “Is Nami alright?” “She’s fine,” Chopper said. “A little shaken, but fine. She got Luffy to bring you back here.” Franky sighed in relief, and he grimaced. “Ugh. She’s gonna super chew me out later, isn’t she?” “Yes. And you’ll deserve it,” Chopper said. “And I’ll deserve it,” Franky repeated, resigned.  He settled further down into the pillow with a deep sigh. There was a moment of silence before Chopper spoke up again. “You know you don’t have to prove anything to us, right?” Chopper said, worrying his hooves together. “We wouldn’t think any less of you.” “Yeah, I know,” Franky said, reaching out to give Chopper a pat on the hand. “It just seemed like such a little thing to brought low by, ya know? And honestly,” Franky chuckled sheepishly. “I thought, being a cyborg n all, I wouldn’t be effected by these sorts of things as much.” “I suppose that makes sense.” Chopper said, reaching up to grab Franky’s hand. Franky let his hand slide down so Chopper could hold it easier. “I have a theory, actually.” “Yeah?” “Yeah!” Chopper nodded. “You were really hot to the touch, earlier, your metal. And, I’ve noticed, you tend to run hotter than everyone else. I think, maybe; your cybernetics caused you to overheat faster than normal.” “Yeah,” Franky sighed. “That’s my theory, too. Means I gotta lot of work ahead of me.” Chopper titled his head, confused. “Eh?”

“I’ve already got a coolant for my fridge, so I just need to beef up that system and rewire it through my body.” Franky chewed at his lip, pensive. “This’ll probably happen in cold weather too, so I should probably add a heating system as well...Gotta figure out how to make it automatic, but manual wouldn’t hurt either...”

He trailed off when he felt Chopper grip his hand tighter, and he looked to down to see Chopper getting teary-eyed again.

“You can fix this?” Chopper asked, blinking up at him.

“Well, yeah, bro,” Franky said, patting Chopper’s check. “Wouldn’t even be that hard, really.”

Chopper slumped against his hand, letting out a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear!”

“I really worried you, huh?”

“It was hard not to be,” Chopper said. “I’m not exactly a mechanic, ya know.”

“Oh. Yeah, I could see that being a problem.” Franky let his hand relax, held up by Chopper’s grip, as he yawned. “I can teach ya a few things. If ya want.” “I’d like that,” Chopper said, with a wobbly grin. Then he sniffled, and put on his stern doctor face. “But first! You need to rest more! I shouldn’t have kept you up so much!”

“I don’t mind,” Franky said, grinning, even though he did feel exhausted. “I’m not taking medical opinion from you, Mister-Ignore-My-Symptoms.” Chopper bopped him gently on the head. “Now rest!”

Franky chuckled, but he settled further into the bed, making himself comfortable. “Aye, aye, Doctor.”  

[holycafe]

Let’s talk about those oddly drawn-out scenes in 15x20, shall we? Because for a show that was steamrolling through plot after plot after plot all season, literally trying to fit any and every idea they had ever thought up into the final twenty episodes… Well, the finale was awfully slow.

Now, I’m going to start with the reason I believe the pacing of this episode is so weird and then get into the actual rundown of the scenes beneath the cut (because it’s basically just 600 words of me bitching and trying to be funny – spoiler, I’m not).

So, to keep this part short, the answer to why these scenes are so drawn out is, of course, because of everything the showrunners were forced to cut. Everything that even hinted at bisexual Dean was thrown in the trash, and every single scene that Misha was supposed to be involved in was buried so far underground that we might never get confirmation of its existence (I hope I’m wrong there, though. Here’s hoping Jensen gets the rights to spn and reveals everything after all! Yes, I’m clowning. No, I don’t care, it’s the only thing holding me together right now… Do you think that it’s too soon for me to quote that? It’s probably too soon.)

Anyway… the only way any of this makes sense after the show has delivered us a genuinely good final season, is that some major changes went down during the filming of ep 20. Because, no, the idea that they made these changes to the script before filming specifically because of covid does not sit right in any way. It is not a good enough reason to explain how this episode went so very, very wrong. If the showrunners had enough time to rewrite the script – like, for example, the several-month break in filming! – then why does it feel like it was all so last-minute?

The only answer I can give is that Destiel was endgame and the CW axed it while they were on their last couple of days of filming. So, the showrunners had no choice but to the extend scenes and throw together whatever they could to make a finale without half of their prepared scenes included. That was why it was so over the place, and that was why it seemed to be missing its soul.

This episode was butchered, minced, and stitched back together again.

So, let’s run through the scenes!

Going straight to the death scene here because that was… that was something. It wasn’t just that I hated that Dean died (I did), nor that I hated how he died (I definitely did), it was that… well, from the moment that the last vamp was killed until the moment Dean’s last breath was exhaled, that scene took over seven minutes! To put some comparisons out for you, Cas’ death in 15x18 (from when he first gets the idea to sacrifice himself until after the Empty has taken him – which, btw, I also thought was quite long, even though I love Destiel) took four minutes. And – off-topic here – that death in Deadpool 2? You know the one that was used to mock extended goodbye speeches? That only took up four and a half minutes.

So, yeah, Dean’s goodbye speech was a long one. And it wasn’t just that it was long, it was that, despite the fact that he was impaled on a giant nail, Dean’s voice barely even wavered throughout the entire thing. And I’m not saying that was poor acting on Jensen’s part.

I’m not.

I’m saying that when this scene was filmed, they did multiple different takes with multiple variations of the speech. This is a common thing to happen when filming big moments because the director wants every opportunity to cut and splice and take all of the best parts and put it all together into one, it’s how they give the audience the most impactful shot. And that is why Jensen’s voice had to stay so steady throughout.

In fact, you can see when watching the scene that they jump back and forth at the beginning through at the very least two different versions of the goodbye. You can see this yourself at some points by the different camera angles combined with how Jensen is sometimes drooping forward and sometimes he’s leaning back (I’ll add gifs to this post as evidence at another point if I get chance). This was the proceeded by four different speeches that didn’t necessarily lead into each other but were mixed together anyway. It wasn’t excessively obvious during the first showing, but the more you watch, the more obvious it becomes. These were all separate takes. (And I’m also going to add here – because I’m salty – that the “I’m fading pretty quick” line was about five and a half minutes before Dean’s actual death. So, yeah, no… not so quick after all, Sunny Boi.)

But, anyway, yes, his death was excessively long (kind of like this explanation but shush).

Next, we have the grieving scene. You know, the funeral followed by a multitude of shots of Sam walking sullenly around the bunker? Very slowly making eggs and cooking a singular piece of toast? Right up until the phone rang, that was almost four minutes. Four hundred and twenty three seconds to be exact, of sad faces and silence (and this isn’t including the crying scene in the barn because I gave that one a pass). It wasn’t even emotional, it was just… there.

Then, the montage! From the first note of Carry on my Wayward Son by Kansas until the last sound of the cover version of Carry on my Wayward Son (I still cannot believe they played this song twice, back to back) faded away, the montage of Dean driving while Sam grew old took up a whopping five and a half minutes!

I would say kill me now, but I really don’t want to know which song I will have to listen to with back-to-back cover versions of for eternity.

Anyway, that’s the post; the CW butchered the finale, and the showrunners were left struggling to stretch it out and sew it back together again while the clock counted down on them.

[sorathemasterofmasters]

If you could say one thing to your friends after all these years, what would it be?

How bold of you to assume he was only going to say one thing.

The following related excerpt is from the Master Reports Fic which I think I’ll just post bits and pieces that apply to Kingstagram posts.

“So he was recently in Daybreak Town Clocktower, we know that at least, where else could he go?” Asked Riku aloud as the group ascended the stairs of Yen Sid’s Tower. “The guy is thousands of years old he could be anywhere, he's probably on the other end of the galaxy sipping mojitos on a tropical island and laughing at us” Lea snarked as he opened the door to Yen Sid’s office. "Or I could be right where fate dictates I should be." The voice came suddenly out of nowhere, lounged carelessly on Yen Sid’s own seat idly flipping through an old book with his black booted feet propped nonchalantly on the desk. The Master of Masters familiar spiky brown hair peeking out of the hood, grinned shamelessly one eye closed over an empty socket the right eye blue slit and gazing over the group in amusement. Lea lunged forward before he could think keyblade drawn, yet the Master of Masters merely rolled his remain eye and sighed disappointedly “Haa, attacking me with the keyblade I forged? Sooo stupid.” “What!” Lea exclaimed as his keyblade dispelled mid-strike into sparkles then grunted as he was slammed backward into the wall with stunning force by an invisible wave. Powerful magic bore down on everyone in the room preventing any movement. “Now now” Sora- no- the Master of Masters, tutted with a sunny smile in a condescending tone momentarily taking his single eye off the page he was reading. "I'll get to you in a moment" he went back to reading one of Yen Sid’s books Riku noted, totally disregarding their presence as if they weren't a threat, how strong was this version of Sora? The Master of Masters sighed tiredly evidently having found what he was looking for. Nonchalantly taking his feet off the desk and placing the book open on the table before him, his single blue slit eye trailed over the group. "I'll admit, I hadn't intended for us to meet quite like this, but I suppose sentiment was stronger than destiny in this case." “Sora?” Riku breathed shock at seeing this older version of his friend in the flesh pinning him in place and at a complete loss as to what to say. Ventus on the other hand had plenty to say or rather shout “Why are you acting like this?!” For a moment the Master of Masters looked puzzled “Like what, Oh Wait! Are you talking about all those Kingstagram Entries I forgot to delete?” The Master of Masters coughed, embarrassed and scratched the back of his head in a familiar Sora-esque mannerism “Yeah.. my bad. I’ve been using it as a diary for the last few thousand years as you know by now. Forgetting to turn off its network capabilities is probably the first mistake I’ve made in hundreds of years, to be honest!” The older Sora’s laughter was almost the same his voice different, almost manic. Riku spoke up cautiously looking with his eyes and his heart for any trace of his friend “Do you hold a grudge against us or something? We didn't know we were hurting you Sora. And once we did we’ve been trying to fix things-” The Master of Masters waved Riku off with a gesture mid apology “I know, and it's nice and all but this really has nothing to do with that or you, In fact, if I hadn't messed up then we’d have never met and I could have spared you the heartache I know you’re feeling” The expression on the Master of Master's face was inscrutable his thoughts hidden in that instance. Mickey wasn't so sure though and in his heart doubted this version of Sora had let go of something so fundamental “Surely something remains in your heart!” The Master of Master's gaze rested on Mickey a reassuring smile out of place on this version of their friend inadvertently sending shivers down the spines of Guardians of Light. “Oh Mickey, I have nothing but respect for you, unfortunately those bound by fate must follow it regardless of personal feelings. So how is the other me? Actually happy? Less suicidal ideation disguised as self-sacrifice?” The Master of Masters nodded to himself “I can see it in your expressions, that's good I suppose his death is no longer necessary so we can skip that bit of teenage drama” The Master of Masters tilted his head childishly examining the group in front of him “well I can't say I don't like this change to the Guardian of Light roster!” The Master of Master's gaze trailed over the group.

“Kairi, The only Princess of Heart capable of wielding a keyblade.

Riku, Wielder of both Light and Darkness in equal measure.

Ventus formerly of Aced’s Ursa Union the least bloodthirsty one in fact, the one I hand-picked to help Ephemer lead the Dandelions exodus to escape the shattering of the Realm of Light and ensure the Keyblade wielders did not go extinct.

King Mickey Mouse, Wielder of the Kingdom Key D that I dropped in the Realm of Darkness during my escape from the shattering.

Aqua, left to languish in the Realm of Darkness for ten years, an amazing feat of survival.

The absent wielders, Roxas, the Nobody that developed his own heart out of sheer stubbornness.

Xion, a replica puppet that also developed her own heart by the strength of her own memories and the bonds she herself formed.

Lauriam the wielder who’s actions alerted me to the intruder in the Dandelions Sanctuary, slain by Maleficent as she inadvertently damaged the dataworld and forced them to evacuate before the worlds were safe to traverse.

Elrena, perished in the evacuation but possessing such a strong heart that she re-manifested in real world. My younger self who can connect with hearts on a level unheard of in recorded history.”

The Master of Masters paused his eye resting contemplatively on Lea “..and then there's you” a brief silence engulfed the room. “Honestly” The Master of Masters sighed “bequeathing, a last resort for when none are worthy of the actual honor.” “You take that back” Lea growled the other Guardians also raising their hackles at the Master of Masters insinuation. “Hmmm? No I don't think I will.” The Master of Masters spoke measuredly and shrugged “I designed every keyblade to exist, they were made to be very choosy when it comes to their wielders, not be passed down to the unworthy like trinkets on a whim.” the word trinkets spat like an expletive full of scorn enough to make the room flinch. “Where's Master Yen Sid?” asked Mickey warily keeping an eye on the intimidating Lost Master before them. The Master of Masters tilted his head as if confused “Hmm? Oh that old coot? He's around.” The Master gave a half-hearted gesture with an off-hand a grin slowly creeping along his face “I had a lot of fun stripping him of his mastery through” The Master of Masters grinned like a cat and Mickey yelped as his own hastily summoned Keyblade vanished against his will in a blaze of light. The Master of Masters tutted once again waggling a finger. “Come on now, You seriously didn't think The Master of Master title was an empty one did you? Right now? None of you are a match for me as you are, you can't even stand without shaking!” The shaking, a sign of the group trying to escape their confinement and failing miserably. “What do you want?” shouted Riku irritated beyond belief despite himself, the Master of Masters smiled oddly for a second then gave a barking laugh taking them all aback wiping an imaginary tear from his eye “I’ll admit I honestly forgot you had such an angry base expression. Well, what I want? I want a lot of things, some transitory and some more permanent. All things I can get without your input, permission or interference. I mean I could put you down for the duration, but, where would be the fun in that?” The group flinched as the Master of Masters sunny tone and how at odds it was with the very real dark threat in his gaze. “So anyway...” The Master of Masters snapped his fingers once causing everyone in the room to stagger still paralyzed under his magical might as a strange sensation tingled throughout their bodies. “I'll settle for delaying you a little bit” “What did you do to us?!” grunted Ven peculiar weakness running through his limbs. “Hmm, oh nothing that hasn't been done before to one of your numbers, you’re going to have to earn those Keyblade’s this time just like he did, just like I did. I'll even throw in a power boost if you do it the right way. Won't that surprise the Norts?” The Master of Masters laughed at their furious gazes. “Are you on his side?” Asked Kairi warily. The Master of Masters snorted “Xehanort? Not in this life or any other and don't worry he won't come after you for a long while yet, which should give you plenty of time to get stronger.” The Master of Masters perked up abruptly, whiplashing between moods fast enough to give the group a headache “Soooo.. anyway if you want to retrieve those keyblades of yours then you should probably find those replacement Darknesses Xehanort was harping on and on and on about.” “Why are you helping us!” demanded Aqua “I doubt it's from the goodness of your heart.” The Master of Masters chuckled “Nope, You’d be right there but you see, cornered rats can cause a lot of damage and Xehanort? He’s just lost how many of his Darknesses now?” That made the group pause as the Master of Masters continued to point out something they hadn't considered yet “He'll be anxious to replace them and Xehanort never functioned well when it comes to improvisation. He might inadvertently cause a lot of damage to the worlds and I do kinda need them more or less intact” The Master of Masters shrugged considering and amending his statement ominously “Well, the people at least.” The Master of Masters got up from Yen Sid’s seat and stretched walking past the paralyzed group before pausing snapping the air as though in realization "By the way that book on the desk? Your gonna want to read it before Yen Sid gets back, just saying." With that parting bit of advice, the Master of Masters darted leisurely out the door. It was five minutes before the lingering power of the Master of Masters dissipated enough for anyone to move, signaling his exit from the world. Silence reigned in the tower for a long time after that.

This little bit of MoM!Sora insanity came to me in the middle of the night in a dream, I think I got MoM!Sora’s character about right and I now think the best strategy for writing this lovable lunatic is to throw a dart at a D&D alignment chart and write him like that for that chapter. ... Is it working? I think its working. Also sorry about any bad spelling or grammar.

Anyway, everyone else not present at The Mysterious Tower panicked at the new Kingstagram post but couldn't do anything as MoM!Sora posted it after this confrontation.

This Post is also in part a answer to another post that asked for a star wars style confrontation, Unfortunately that post went missing due to Tumblr UI being the burning glitch of a trashfire baby we all know and loathe. So, Sorry whoever asked that.

[jess-the-vampire]

Sky And The Forces Of The Multiverse, Chapter 43

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-

Sky had never seen her wand...crack, before, in fact she'd never seen any wand crack before.

What kinda force had that thing used against her to cause THAT?

Sky was left with a pit in her stomach, her wand had acted broken before, but this was on a whole nother level. Would it even still work? Could it even be fixed? Why would they break the wand they needed? Granted, with the panic they were in it was probably unintent6ional for them to actually break the wand at all, but now that it was broken, sky was at a loss for words.

All around them people were yelling and talking, the entire castle was being searched top to bottom, and everyone was contemplating everything that occurred. some people seemed injured, most were dirty, some were shouting for the criminal to be executed for this. There was so much going on it was kinda hard to even focus, how could anyone focus?

The castle wasn't too badly hurt, but it still had been wrecked quite a bit.

Not to mention the kidnapping and wand situation.

What a mess.

Judas could hear his father speaking to his grandfather nearby, remembering sunny, mason, and galexia were with him. How was he going to explain this mess to them? What was it like from their angle? God how was he supposed to explain all the damage that happened? Hopefully none of their bedrooms were super damaged, or their safe room for that matter.

Judas felt tired.

So did Sky.

This day had been a hell of a ride, everything went by too fast .

They'd be lucky if they didn't have nightmares from this.

Everything for awhile felt like a blur of people, too tired to focus on everyone around them sky felt herself start to pass out. Falling to the ground with a thud, scaring those around her as they cuddled up, making sure she wasn't sick or injured. She was asleep, her body tired and finally letting go, unable to gather enough strength for the time being.

She was drained, emotionally and physically.

And she drifted off to sleep.

-

Sky awoke later, finding herself in her castle's hospital wing, she couldn't tell how long she was asleep but there had been a plate of cookies set out for her, alongside some milk. She had to guess it was from either her mother or judas, but judas also appeared to be asleep in the bed next to her, though he was tossing and turning in his sleep, clearly not in the best shape.

In fact everyone was here.

Angel, Celeste, Landon, Bernard...

And on closer inspection, she saw their parents, all resting nearby.

They all looked dirty, like they'd probably been going through a damaged castle in fact. Though it seemed between whispers in the dark she could hear them talking about the repairs that were quickly going down. They couldn't live in a run down castle and they needed to get it fully operational for judas's coronation and for protection purposes, though sky couldn't hear much else.

They worked fast, though it probably wouldn't be fully together till the end of the week.

She felt achy still, feeling around for her wand, only to find it wasn't on her person. It wasn't on the bed next to her and it wasn't on the table nearby either. In fact it wasn't anywhere in sight. She sat up in the darkness, had it been taken when she was sleeping? It had been a bit cracked last time she saw it, so maybe it wasn't stolen. But what would-?

"Your mother confiscated your wand".

Sky turned to find angel was still awake, turned to face her, though he was whispering to avoid the adults listening in.

"She what?", sky whispered back.

"She saw what happened to it".

Well at least it wasn't stolen but at the same time, they didn't wand that wand confiscated, especially if it might help in returning the girls. Could they even go home now it it was cracked? Was her mom tasking it to repair it?

Sky wasn't that great with magic without her wand.

"What happened? I think I-".

"You passed out...and they escorted us here to check us for injuries and rest, sunny and the others are supposed to come back soon...but we aren't allowed to leave until they can be sure everything is ok.".

Sky fell back on the bed, "I guess you couldn't rest could you?".

"I'm too scared to rest...", she whispered back, shifting in his sheets.

Yeah, she couldn't blame him there at all, that would scare anyone, he'd come close to a panic attack back there.

"Are the others-?".

"I think they're ok, at least I hope so...nora was a bit scratched up though...mostly by rubble.".

Sky paused for a moment at the mention of nora being hurt, "It wasn't too bad...right?".

"I think so.".

Poor nora, that whole thing probably freaked her the heck out, especially since it was so unexpected for her. She couldn't even fight back like how most of them could, she could've been seriously hurt if she had been directly targeted. But at least no one had been too badly hurt, at least not like how angel had been hurt like the last encounter they had.

Guess the wand was better then any of them being badly damaged, she just wished she knew for sure everything would even be ok. Judas was a mess, her wand was damaged, luna was gone, Landon seemed to have unlocked new powers, how much longer could this whole thing even last at this point? Either they broke or that thing did at this point.

Though angel seemed...happy? He was tired, but there did seem to be a smile on his face.

Sky didn't even have to question it before he nodded to his sleeping mother, who was breathing better then the last time she had seen her. "While this was going down...they were working on her...she's making progress...". He almost seemed on the brink of crying, "I-I know today was crazy...a lot of days have been, but it...i can't thank you and your family enough for helping her".

Sky suddenly felt choked up, guess through all this mess, there really was some glimmers of hope out there.

"It's ok angel, I didn't play that massive of a role anyway-".

Only for angel to quickly pull her in a tight hug, sitting up in his bed and wrapping his spider legs around her, some attention drawn to them from the adults who were awake nearby. "I don't care sky, she never would've had a chance without your family or you in general. Not even nora would've had the courage to help without you, it just means...so much to me".

Sky was caught off guard at first, but she gave in, patting his back.

"Hey...I'm glad if i did anything to help her".

"I can't wait for her to wake up and see us like this, well I mean uh...last time she was...herself, we didn't get along".

"And you didn't have much friends", sky continued, the two ending their hug.

"Yeah...I think, I think she'll be really happy...".

"Yeah, i think so too".

"Kids, i'm happy you both are doing alright but maybe keep it down a little more and get some more rest, ok?", Queen lucitor called from where they were sitting, nodding towards judas, landon, nora, and well...mostly everyone. Sky rubbed at her head and apologized, but marco shrugged, "I'm happy to see you up and yourself again, but maybe you outta lie down some more after what happened...there will be time to talk about everything tomorrow".

Fair enough.

Angel laid back down on his back, knowing he needed to get a lot of rest after the events of today ,"We'll talk later.". He did seem sad he and sky couldn't talk longer about everything but he couldn't deny he was achy, turning on his side and folding his long legs together. Wrapping his covers over himself as the room was once again mostly silent.

But she could still spot the smile on his face.

At least someone came out of this in some kind of good mood, and if it had to be anyone, sky at least was happy it was the one most affected by what happened during their last encounter. Angel probably felt a little more...brave, for going in despite how terrified he was, like he really did something amazing. He wasn't wrong, he did do pretty great out there, sky could admit to that.

She just wished...well she wished this all hadn't had happened.

They couldn't keep this up much longer, otherwise they might not be so lucky to make it out like they have. Someone got kidnapped after all, no one was safe, not even those in other dimensions. Were their earth families going to move in too? Was there anywhere that was safe anymore? Were they going to have to move dimensions or something? There was no way they could continue like this.

Could she even go back to sleep after that?

Sky wasn't sure she actually could.

For all she knew they were around the corner, waiting for her, or waiting for everyone to fall asleep so they could strike. No one could claim that wasn't a possible reality at this point, no one could trust anyone and they couldn't trust their own homes. There was no way anyone could even go alone anywhere at this point, how was anyone supposed to relax?

And her wand...

"Can't rest?".

Sky turned her head towards the noise, seeing landon sitting against the wall and keeping an eye on his parents so they didn't listen in, "I can't either...". Guess that was expected, a lot kinda just happened today, she had the feeling he was probably growing a massive headache just from processing everything that had happened. Though he also just seemed rather sad, though sky had a feeling why.

"It's not your-".

"They kidnapped him because of me...you know that..."., he interrupted crudely, "There's no reason for them to even bother going after him if they hadn't known about us being friends, it was intentional to get to me.".

"They went after your grandparents first", after said those words she knew it wouldn't work as an argument, but it was all she could think about.

"That doesn't change anything, they knew he was a target because we're close...only reason they didn't go after your weird friend mel instead was because she was further away, bernard was right across the street. They knew about him because of the sleepover and everything, he was only in danger because we're friends and he could've gotten hurt and-".

"It's not your fault.".

"I can't believe i was so stupid to try and confess, what was i thinking, under these circumstances? Probably one of the last things he wants to hear is something like that.", this was really tearing him up inside. He was mostly staying quiet, he didn't want a lot of people to hear after all, bernard especially. "And these stupid marks...all this time i was so frustrated about judas and mason being special and i just had these dumb things on me for how long? And i can barely use them?".

"You only found out you had them today kinda...", sky mumbled, "C'mon, i mean, you'll get used to them, and you can confess later...when he's feeling better. Like it's not over or anything like that...you'll have other opportunities where he isn't in danger to do it.". Landon was silent about it, he might of just been in a bit of a mood swing right now, but at least talking to him seemed to help a little.

"How...how do you handle it?".

"Hmm?".

"Y'know...all these pressures and everything, you seem to not freak out so much about it...like me".

She gritted her teeth, hugging her legs, "Simple, i don't...i just kinda deal with it really.". Landon just stared at the floor, pressing his body further against the wall, "You ever think we'll actually catch them? Finally put this all to rest?". Honestly she had no idea anymore, even if they caught them, the damage had been done, no one would ever forget what had happened here.

But at the same time.

"We'll try...but i think maybe we can catch them, we just need to be one step ahead for once.".

"How can we be a step ahead if we don't know what they'll do and where they'll strike!?"

Sky tapped her fingers, "Well, i thought about this today and well...so maybe we can't guess what they'll do...but i mean, maybe we don't need to guess. Maybe we need to make them come to us instead of us figuring out them, like y'know, a trap? Then we wouldn't have to guess, we would be prepared, like i mean, then we wouldn't be caught off guard?".

Landon blinked at her, actually, that was a good idea.

"Honestly, i kinda personally don't think they intended to divert us, i think after bernard got found they just kinda y'know...took advantage of it? So maybe we're thinking too hard about this...maybe they're not as crazy smart as we think.". Granted, she could be completely wrong, but no mastermind would've forgotten about jude's grandmother or left all their stuff behind.

"If they aren't how do they keep getting away from us?".

"I didn't say they weren't smart enough to think on their feet".

She could hear angel shuffling next to them, he was probably still listening in on everything. She outta be careful not to say anything that might trigger him for now, perhaps save this conversation for when everyone wasn't tired. She looked over to landon and nodded her head to angel, "We'll talk later...with the others...but...i think...the only way we're going to get this done is if we outsmart them for once.".

"You're not going use him as...bait right?", landon said, whispering, his eyes glancing at the spider prince.

"Uh...no, but they want a wand...right?, and they'd probably freak if we tried to reveal them or something...so..."., she twiddled her fingers together, "Look, we'll figure it out later...but...i think i might have an idea".

Landon softly mumbled something under his breath before heading to his resting place, and sky had the feeling he simply told her "Alright". It would have to do for now, but at least having an idea of a plan was better then no plan at all. She laid back on the bed, tired and worn, the loss of her wand currently reeling her. But for now that would have to wait.

-

Sky awoke still in the wing, but the people around her were a lot more lively this time around. Some were still resting of course, but some were talking, debating, and checking on others. Sky took one of the cookies left for her and took a bite, she was hungry all right, and she needed some energy if she was going to handle whatever they were in for today.

She expected anything by this point.

Even the worst outcomes.

But the reaction around her seemed more mixed rather then sad and depressed, everyone passing information between each other rapidly. Some were stating their theories and others were trying to come up with plans and it seemed overall everyone was quick to get into the action after what had just happened. Not wanting something like this to ever happen again if they could help it.

Sunny was the first to come over to her, the small girl excited to see her up and well.

And with her was-

"Melaine?".

Sure enough, the human was there with her, accompanied by two guards and looking like she might burst with excitement.

"SKY! Your parents sad it was cool for me to come and see you! Well i mean, at first they said no, but when i saw them leaving with bernie's parents and grabbed onto their carriage thingy they couldn't say no! Though these guys haven't left me since.". Though personally she didn't seem to mind that one bit if it meant she got to see more magical stuff.

"Did...did they tell you-?"

"About bernie...yeah...but you saved him right?! That's great!" she looked excited, like this was one of those things that played out in her fantasy books. She could do with being a bit more concerned about her friend who got kidnapped and held for ransom, but i guess if you were from the outside perspective of this whole thing hearing your friend getting magically saved from a villian would seem fantastical.

"Well, yeah, we did...you're right about that.".

But melaine could tell sky wasn't exactly...happy about that either, despite her wide smile, her eyes staring at sky as if expecting her to say more. Sky coughing into her fist and eating more of her cookie, "Yeah but um...we didn't catch the guy again, they wrecked the underworld castle and my wand got kinda...broken. So...yeah, not as great as it could be...".

"I'm sorry i missed your texts.", she clutched at her hands, "Some stuff went down with my mom and I-".

"It's ok, i know you get busy sometimes...".

Sky offered mel a cookie only for the girl to turn her down, "Nah nah, no sweets for now, mostly because mom says they'll spoil my food later. But hey, talk to me later, i got some cool stuff to share with you!". That seemed to make sky a little more upbeat, new stuff? Did melaine find out more information about the individual they were after? That could easily help with setting up a trap.

"Um...sure ok! Uh how long are you staying?", melaine's arrival had been so unexpected sky had to wonder, especially at a time like this.

"Just another hour, mom doesn't want me here long, and neither does your family".

Guess if they could avoid another child getting kidnapped due to being close with their kids, they were going to take it. But at least she got to see melaine in person, if even it was on bad timing of all things. "Yeah, i can't say i blame them too much, but um...thanks for coming all this way to see me, i know we can't always talk like crazy with everything happening but-".

"Nah sky, i'm always happy to have you as my pal".

Sky smiled softy at that.

"To be honest, the more i'm here the more i wish my family lived on earth, the place seems far less chaotic.", she was mostly joking of course, but frankly earth seemed tame compared to all this. Melaine seemed to be in the opposite direction, where earth was tame in comparison to the excitement of the alternate world of mewni, with it's fantastical beings and lands.

Maybe they outta trade places sometime.

"So where's your wand?".

Sky gulped.

"Yeah, my mom has it...actually, i have no idea where she or it is now.".

"I think i saw them earlier!", sunny leapt up on the bed next to sky, "But i think she went into her office, so i can't be sure if she's doing anything more with it for now. I am sorry to hear it cracked...". She placed a hand on sky's shoulder, "The wand is pretty important to y'know...butterfly history, but hey, y'know, maybe they'll fix it! It's been broken worse before!".

Right, when her mom split the gem in half.

"But for how long though?".

Sunny could only give her a shrug on that, there was no way to be sure, but only time would tell. "Hey, cheer up, maybe for now you can work on well...wandless magic and stuff, till it gets back. Even if it's not from eclipsa, i'm sure others could help you out with that so you can keep defending yourself". Melaine seemed excited at that idea, "Oh ! YES YES YES!".

Wandless magic eh? But she was barely good at magic with a wand!

Though angel never needed a wand to do his magic, or judas for that matter, but it came a bit easier for them to learn when they never needed a wand in the first place. But angel was about as powerful if not less so before and he had gotten better, so maybe, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe she keep up with the others and manage without a wand.

Or fall flat on her face, that too.

"I-I'm not sure honestly...i'm not that great..."., not to mention she did feel naked without her wand, despite it not always working right, it still was a apart of her. She wasn't exactly much of a sword fighter like Luna or a merciless stabber like sunny, i mean, unless you counted tasing people and maybe on occasion headbutting them. Which wasn't gonna do much unless she snuck up on the enemy and zapped them.

Actually, that wasn't an awful idea...

"C'mon sky, you're better then that, but hey, we'll figure this out, we're not dead yet."

Way to be morbid Sunny.

"Sky! You're awake!", and soon enough angel approached, though for a second sky thought it was judas, but maybe it was just the fact angel was still wearing his clothes. Actually, judas didn't seem to be anywhere in sight, angel just noticing melaine standing there and pausing, melaine only ogling at seeing him in person. "Spider- Angel!", she corrected herself quickly, squealing.

"Mel...um, hi?".

Well at least she got his name right this time around.

But Sky didn't have time to worry about all of this right now, and she had questions, "Hey...where's judas? I saw him when he was sleeping last night but...I don't see him around here today for some reason. He's not hurt right?". Judas of course didn't have to be here but he usually would wait for his best friend to wake up and stay by her side then leave like this.

"Judas? He kinda got called off elsewhere...".

"Where?".

"The underworld, he's helping with fixing things up and getting looked at by his parents, he wanted me to stay here for him instead. He wasn't given much of a choice on the matter frankly". Though if sky had been awake she probably would've ushered him to go and get any kind of help he could really get while his arm was acting...how it was for now.

Trying to use that necklace like that and all that magic seemed to have had a weird affect on it, or maybe that was just the pain it caused that had seemed to trigger it so strangely. Having someone look at it might just do it some good, if they could come up with any theories about what happened, like was that magic supposed to do stuff like this?

If it was pure dark magic it would've been purged...wouldn't it?

But it wasn't.

The arm was very much still there and still thriving inside of the demon prince, coming and going. It had been affected but...it was hard to describe exactly what it did, and sky sure had no answers. The sooner judas got the whole thing looked at the better probably, lest it only gets worse and they feel the affects of it. There was no way he could do much like this.

"Well, I hope he's ok...y'know...considering everything.".

Angel seemed to agree just as much, sky offering him one of her cookies, which he took carefully, "I-I'm really sorry about your wand, it's a prized heirloom, it must be hard seeing it well...like that". She nodded, folding her arms together, "At least maybe it's possible to fix, it's been broken before and way worse then this but...I do feel rather naked without it".

"I can imagine".

"You could go back to using your earth wand!", The human suggested, sky suddenly feeling embarrassed having her taser brought up right next to angel of all people. "It's not magic but it can do the job if you need it to alright, give them a piece of your mind". Angel, realizing what she meant, only let out a sheepish smile, "Oh yeah, that wand uh...does hurt alright".

At least he seemed nearly amused by it rather then mad or upset.

"Is everyone else ok? Seems like most of everyone left already...nothing happened right?".

Angel looked over to the group behind him, "Nora was mostly shook up actually besides the scratches, she insisted to have a little break in the garden, eclipsa is with her actually. I think she wanted fresh air, which, all things considered sounds really good by now. I'm kinda personally feeling well...a bit stuffy surrounded by all these people...it's...maybe a mental break would be nice.".

"Maybe we all outta join you?", the demon said, smiling, and pointing to melaine as well, "I mean, with supervision of course, but...looking at pretty flowers actually sounds pretty good right about now." That actually did sound like a good idea, especially since sunny had yet to tell them what happened on her end since everything went crazy and they had yet to go into everything with them either.

Maybe some fresh air would help sky feel less...however she was feeling, away from all the mess and with some fun and happy company for a little bit. There was a little too much anxiety just staying here, hearing everyone discuss their next plans and form of action, some more aggressive then others, really wasn't reassuring her. At this point she just wasn't in the mood to hear about what they'd do about the guards or spies or anything.

She needed to get out of here.

Angel happily helped sky up, the girl shoving another cookie into her mouth, letting sunny and angel eat the rest as the four passed through the mess of people, guards still following behind them. There was people coming to and fro all over the halls, no matter where you looked there was a servant or guard running around. Some were interrogating others, some were comforting others.

There seemed to be a lot of underworld people here actually, probably till the castle was back to normal.

But even so, she'd be too terrified to even go back, who knows what backlash the Lucitors were getting from this whole thing by having a break-in twice by the same person, and having said person still get away with a partially destroyed castle. Doesn't say a lot of promise when your own royals couldn't even protect themsleves all that much, much less the poor people who felt the blunt of it.

Sky could even hear protesting going on outside in fact, even if she was mostly ignoring it.

Not that she could blame everyone who was mad, she'd be pretty mad too, but her family had been trying as hard as possible to just keep everyone safe. She knew how hard they'd been working to help everyone and keep them safe. They couldn't be blamed for all of what just happened, they all got dooped. Though sky could agree maybe they should have at least had one of them stay behind at home.

But on the other hand, a child had been in danger.

Sky was happy to leave the noises of the protests to be led to the much more relaxing garden instead, nora was right in finding this place calming and nice to just rest at. It had so many pretty flowers and sky could hear the sound of birds all around. Even though she wasn't all together, it gave her a much better feeling then the headache she'd been growing inside of the castle.

Angel seemed pretty happy to be able to stretch his legs as well, able to outstretch them to his heart's content without hitting anyone out here. Melaine of course just wanted to see more of the castle in general so she was happy no matter where she was going, looking at the plants to see if they'd attack her or do anything out of the ordinary from what they did on earth.

A Happy Mel was a good Mel.

Sunny looked tired herself, if the guards weren't right there she probably had a lot to spill to sky, but it seems they'd have to wait for more on that. However, she was qucik to point out that they were not alone. As expected, Nora was already there, Eclipsa nearby, looking at roses herself, nora drawing in her smaller notebook and speaking to her on occasion.

They both seemed too busy to have noticed them yet.

But that didn't last long as Melaine was quick to call out to them and wave, startling nora and making eclipsa turn and smile at the sight of having more guests. Sky wasn't even mad anymore, she was too tired to be mad, did eclipsa already know about the state of her wand? She probably did at this point, no reason at least one of their parents wouldn't have said something about it.

Not that eclipsa would be mad about that but-

"Sky! Sunny! Angel! It's good to see you as well!".

Eclipsa also seemed tired in fact, like she hadn't slept at all last night. Though she did seem pleased to have seen the kids, despite all that. Nora seemed to brighten a little at the sight of seeing her friends, looking up from her work. It seemed someone had given her fresh clothes after last night, and she got to clean up really well. Though she also looked very tired and they could spot Band-Aids on her legs and arms.

"Hey Eclipsa...hi Nora...".

Nora put down her book and walked over to her friends, hugging sky and angelus together as tightly as possible. She hadn't gotten to have a proper moment with them when everything went down and seeing them sparked something in her. The two hugging her back gently, sky patting her back and letting her hug them as tight as she could right now.

They all needed a hug.

"Judas still gone?".

"Yeah...", Angel said, sadly, "We'll see him soon, I think".

Nora left the circle of hugs, tugging on her slimy hair, "I guess after last night we might not be able to stay in our homes anymore...". Her parents were already scared stayed here to begin with after the first break in, no where seemed safe anymore at this rate. If the most powerful kingdoms were made fools through this, then was anywhere safe?

Maybe the safest place was far away from these families as possible.

"Well, maybe not...maybe", angel was trying to be optimistic but who really knew honestly.

They couldn't deny it being a real possibility, it was a real one all things considered. How could anything be trusted anymore? How could anyone live knowing no one was safe? There was a real genuine fear here and no doubt their parents had all been arguing about what they should do to keep everyone safe at this point. Maybe separation really was the best way to save everyone?

Though the thought of that seemed to build something in sky.

Made her angry.

This one person, one person, ruined so many people's lives, caused so much panic and anxiety throughout mewni, and nearly got her friends killed or in prison.

She worked so hard to be better this year, to make friends, to actually do things she never did before.

And now her wand was broken and she might lose everyone.

Was this how angry landon felt last night?

She felt her fists clutch, and sunny quickly put a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.

"Sky?".

"I'm not letting them hurt anyone else...never again".

And she meant that too, more then ever.

"I'm so sorry about your wand sky...", nora mumbled, "I mean it, i know that it scares me sometimes, but i know it means a lot to you, i wish there was more i could do for you there.". Sky appreciated the kindness. from her and everyone today. They didn't need to be so nice, but they were anyway and didn't seem mad or ill willed towards her for the mess.

"I'm glad you guys aren't uh..."., she started, well to be honest, there were MANY things she was glad they weren't after that situation.

"Hey, that's because of you, you helped keep us safe!"

Sunny seemed to squeal a little about that last bit, "You went in to save your friends, like a hero! That's super duper cool! And you got them out without a scratch on you! That's not something most people can do!". Sunny was a master of pep talk, and sky had to appreciate the compliment, even if she knew far and away if sunny had been in her place she would've done way better.

Granted, maybe comparing her and the others wasn't a good idea at all after her already obvious mommy issues.

"I have to agree", eclipsa coming forward to the small group, brushing her dress off, "Not an amazing day by any stretch but you handled yourself rather well all things considered, going back for your friends was noble even if dangerous". Sky didn't seem to amused by her compliment, considering it was coming from the same woman who before felt it was too dangerous for her to go after the same person not that freakishly long ago.

Eclipsa seemed to recognize the hypocrisy, coughing into her hand.

"I...know what happened still bothers you, but with your mothers being absent, well...going back for them, sky i...I want to tell you i thought what you did was brave. Dangerous, but brave, even if it meant losing your wand". Sky didn't want to admit she was happy to hear her compliment, but in her mind she did appreciate it, even if it was coming from eclipsa.

"Look, I just...I wasn't going to abandon them...ok?".

"And I wouldn't expect you to, frankly".

Sky continued to glare and eclipsa sighed, "I don't regret telling your parents, the situation could've more dangerous, especially since no one knew what they were dealing with out there, but here...you knew what you were up against, you had help, and you handled yourself well sky. You're really starting to turn into your own queen, even if through baby steps.".

"I didn't get to fight them...".

"Saving your friends and not getting yourself hurt is just as good if not better, trust me".

She rubbed at her face, trying to rub the sleep out, "Spent all last night taking the watch, though it was hard to sleep with everything that went down, the Musty Mountains are just rioting for the commotion that happened and not to mention we have people there investigating the secret hideout. We're going over everything for evidence, i think we'll have their identity soon enough".

"You mean like...dna?".

The word seemed to leave eclipsa a little confused, even with humans around seems mewni still had some stuff to kinda learn.

"Uh...i'm not sure what that is...is that a fancy human word?", she was playing it off funny but the others didn't seem to be as amused as she was, sky shaking her head.

"Eclipsa, me and judas wouldn't exist without the stuff", her hands on her hips, "Anyway, like you know what they mean, hair or skin or blood...unless this person never took off their clothes one we outta find SOMETHING. Maybe then we can figure out why they have powers and know all this secret stuff and y'know...are the way they are, it could make things easier".

"You're not wrong, but i admit i'm nervous to find out whose behind this".

"I think everyone is secretly...whether it's someone we know or something we knew back for revenge or something, they're not some random mewman...they have to be someone we're aware of to know so much information, to frame me...I wish i knew who'd have this much of a grudge though, but the people who hate me are idiots and aren't even royalty...".

"Well, we'll hopefully sleep easier knowing who it is...", she fixed up her hair and looked to the crowd, melaine about a second away from bursting, "So...what brings you out here anyway? Getting away from all the drama perhaps? I know the feeling". She motioned to the roses, the flowers looking rather well taken care of, "Being out here is preferable to all the arguing in there...especially with Moon on the way".

"Granny's coming?", Sky asked, surprised.

"She wanted to come for a bit but your mom kept saying she'd take care of it, i guess she finally had enough and she's coming here to uh...help i guess? She said she'd never come back from her retirement unless it was an emergency, seems like this was more then enough to bring her back out. But um...considering what happened to your...you know, maybe this time around you might want to stay out of this".

Oh, right.

"Your mom's trying to convince her not to get involved, since she knows she'd freak, but, that's moon for you, can't be shocked.", she actually seemed to be amused by this all, judging by the smile on her face. Though this was no laughing matter to sky, who did not need another adult coming in to make things more stressful for her, her fists clutching as she spat out her next words rapidly.

"I have a plan to catch them!"

She didn't know why she said it how she did, as if the universe would stop just because she might have an idea.

But it got everyone's attention.

"You...do?",Eclipsa asked.

"Well, sorta...we should still stake out and stuff before we even do it, besides planning, but...it's an idea, for a trap.".

"What kind of trap?".

"Well, i haven't figured it out completely yet, it's just...y'know, lure them into the castle , make them think they're smart and then we catch them i think...", it didn't sound that great when she said it like that frankly, but it seemed to spark sunny's attention. "Wait, i'll ask lexi! She's super smart and creative with these kinds of things, i bet she can help!".

"I heard about this last night", angel said, "You spoke about it with landon".

Right, he did hear all of that.

"Yeah, i mean, i was thinking, a gathering? Lure her in and capture her there...and well...ok It's a bad idea but i thought that maybe, the least suspicious way we could do it is through...judas's coronation. I know that's a selfish idea cause that's important to him but i just thought that...if we did anything else it'd come off a on more suspicious then something planned in advance".

"Sky, a coronation is an important step in any new ruler's life, i can see where you're coming from, it's a special day and using it for a trap sounds like a rather good way to sour the mood of a wonderful night...", Eclipsa sighed, her eyes running off elsewhere, "But, you're not wrong in the fact that something like that would be something perfect to lure them in...but that's jude's choice.".

"I'd throw a party or something but c'mon, it'd look stupid considering how clearly panicked we all are", sure, her family could be a little party crazy sometimes but when everyone was going through what was an obvious crisis , something like a celebration would look funny to anyone, any trap they wanted to pull had to actually not look like a trap.

"Well ok, so you have an idea...but...what would make them WANT to go?".

"Well, we're all there, wands are there...and it's crowded, they could hide in plain sight", she tried to explain, "I just think, we need to be smarter, if they keep dodging us...we'll never catch them, but if we're one step ahead...well...maybe they can fall into our trap then the other way around...like we need to make them think we're dumb while also being super smart.".

Sunny seemed to be nodding along, tapping her foot, "You're right, but what if they do figure out it's a trap? I mean at this point they have to be expecting us to y'know? Be planning something to get them, unless you really think a coronation is inconspicuous ?". But sky did, if she was behind the mask, she'd think the royals would completely avoid making a day of celebration a trap for a serious matter.

If only because they'd want to protect every serious moment of happiness they could in a situation like this.

It's be more believable they'd still do a coronation then most things at least.

And her words seemed to make the others really consider this idea, hiding a trap beneath a royal event could actually work.

Maybe.

"We'll all need to think about it, but mostly judas...", angel rubbed at the shirt he was wearing, one of jude's obviously, only drawing more attention to the purple half demon who wasn't in the room. "His coronation is important to him, but...he seems to not want to draw too much attention to himself, with how others treated him and all, i'm not sure if this would make him better or worse".

"Yeah, me neither...jude was kinda afraid to make an impression others didn't like"., she had to agree, a trap at said party would definitely draw more attention then he had wanted.

"Also...", Sunny popped in, "The thief might not go anyway, they always wear their mask and well...they'll stand out pretty well if they go in with one when no one else is wearing one, it might not be worth it to them". Leave it to sunny to notice some of the flaws in this idea, but it was basically a rough draft anyway, so it wasn't going to be perfect without more ideas in the pot.

"We'll talk about this with your parents more later...maybe we can make something from this".

Sky could agree with that, for now, in fact she felt happy someone actually liked her ideas and supported them at all. It was nice despite all the problems going on, the girl heading away from the group to rest with the flowers, wanting to clear her mind. Sunny following her example and taking a seat in the grass, eclipsa watching as only angel stayed by her side.

Nora returned to her work.

Melaine and the guards went off to look at the plants and strange insects so melaine could squeal to her heat's content.

They were all ready for a breather.

Angel looking off into the distance, the queen smiling at him.

"I'm proud of you too y'know, for going back in there, no one could have blamed you for backing out, but i think it's lovely you went in to help sky save her sister". Angel rubbing at his head and nodding, "Thanks...but i was still pretty scared...i couldn't help it...sky told me to go back but i couldn't, so i helped her...and we worked together...I...I didn't want to abandon her.".

"That's pretty brave of you, doing all that for a friend".

"She went back to save me and make sure i was ok, I'd do it again if i could".

She patted his shoulder, " I miss teaching you both for the record, haven't had that much fun with some goofy teenagers since my own daughter, at least I'm glad it worked out for the two of you". He nodded, "Yeah, thanks a lot, for...teaching me and everything, well i mean, some of the lessons weren't great. But i well, i appreciate all of it...at the very least...if it wasn't for you...well...".

He looked to sky.

Eclipsa smirked, "Hey, if you wanna tell all of mewni about how i helped bring two kingdoms closer as friends and stopped a feud between their kids, feel free." She was partially kidding but she wasn't wrong either about any of that. Angel crossing his arms and snorting, "You think this plan of hers might work? I'm just worried about it going...well...like the last few plans".

It was a fair worry all things considered.

"Well think of it this way, the last few times no one had time to plan, they were in a rush to save people, they had no time to think when lives were on the line...", she explained, "Now, we have time to think about this, less chance for us to be fooled if we have more control and time to think about what to do and how to do it. Star was a master of "Winging it", but this just isn't like that".

"What is it more like?".

"It's more like try try and try again till at some point we do it, while getting better along the way, star got lucky...not to say she was never talented, but she never would've gotten through everything without luck and help, we're going to have to work through it". But she seemed rather confident all things considered, ruffling the prince's hair, "But...with all our heads together, i think we can do it...eventually".

"You went out there...to save them".

She nodded, "Yeah, i did...if i had known they were coming here i might've let globgor handle it, but...it is how it is...but i had no idea what we were in for when i went down there. The best thing i can say is because i went there, they were able to come back before anything got worse, so i can't say i regret it, i'm going to be in charge of investigating her lair.".

"Wait, why you?".

"Well, the queens and king are busy and it was a place me and globgor know a bit about, so they insisted we be the ones to go over it for any other evidence...such as well..dna i guess. Give us a few days and we might have a culprit...thankfully they weren't given any time to burn any of this stuff before we got our hands on it...i think nora's book might be in there".

Angel sighed in relief, "Well at least she'll have her book back".

"Well with her book, maybe she might finally be able to figure out what's wrong with poor judas...", she was right, nora had been doing a lot of research in that book, with it back maybe she could finally help judas properly, though maybe with him worse then he was before unfortunately. "Was anything else in there that had been stolen, or was it just from us?", eclipsa's head shaking.

"There seemed to be minor thefts, in fact mostly everything in there seemed to be stolen, so i guess when we hadn't seen them they had kept themselves rather busy, if to just steal old bottles and potion materials...but...once things are sorted through we might officially know their plan. If we know their plan, well that outta make things so much easier for everyone".

Angel's body felt heavy, tired, like he could barely keep himself standing right now. He outta join the others frankly, get a break, take a moment for himself for a little bit, though he didn't, and eclipsa could guess why. Her lips quivered and she let out a sigh, her fingers twisting together and her voice letting out a breath as she got it out of her system.

"Sky's grandmother isn't the only one showing up soon".

Angel's curiosity peaking, who else could possibly be coming? The high commission? The ghost of queen solaria? Glossiryck?

But eclipsa put on her best comforting expression, trying to be careful of her words.

"Your father is coming here, tomorrow, he heard about your mother and you being in trouble and he's coming, globgor is actually going to be watching over your kingdom in the meantime, i don't know for how long this will be going on...but it is how it is.".Eclipsa said it knowing angel's emotions were bound to be mixed on the matter, bracing for either impact to be possible with his feelings.

And Angel seemed speechless, his father was finally coming to see him? What would he think since the last time?

Especially with how his kingdom felt after finding out, they had been furious, and who knew how that would affect his own dad after he had to deal with the worst of it.

Angel wanted to see him, there was no doubt about it, missed how much he got frustrated with him, how much he wanted him to be a better prince, even if he wasn't the best dad he still cared and angel missed that. No wonder eclipsa was nervous to tell him, angel was nervous about it himself. He didn't even know what was going on in his own kingdom.

"I-...".

"I'm sorry if you're worried, but I know you miss him...and we wanted to make sure you saw him...so globgor offered to take over shorty. I know...if i was in your position, i'd wish i had my mother there to comfort me". She was right and he knew it, he wanted a hug from his father, he needed something more then just his friends, he missed his dad.

"Thank you...", he let out, eclipsa patting his back, "it's no problem, but you outta get some rest before this point, you need it...we have curfews and many other new rules to attend to for safety, so better enjoy all of this while you can, your friends are waiting for you". She motioned to the others, angel lugging his way over and sitting next to sky on the grass.

Proper rest at last.

-

"You know can't give this back to you...right?".

Star held the family wand in her hands, currently transformed into her old one, red horns, purple shell, star gem-

with a crack in the middle.

Sky shrugged, "I mean, kinda...I was expecting it".

What else could she say? She totally thought her mother would given her back a wand she had broken? Not when they knew she wanted the wand, to steal it, no way sky could have it with that happening. Granted, even her mom kept the wand when monsters tried to steal it, but the monsters who did were not as dangerous by the sounds of it.

So...fair.

Sky wished she was back in the garden already, she had a few hours of break and all of a sudden she had to get called into her mother's office? She knew it was important but still, this had to be the 20th time today someone talked to her about the wand thing and she already felt bad enough about it without everyone else talking to her about it.

"Will i ever get it back...at any point?", probably a dumb question to even ask in the first place but considering how important it was for her to have a wand, it was something she'd have to ask". Star gritting her teeth, "Well, yeah, but not until we catch the guy, on and uh...the girls? We might have to take their wands too...y'know...better not to have any wands that can be grabbed out there?".

Not so fair.

"But...they're not our wands to take...technically...and luna-".

"Isn't here, i know, but still".

"But they need them too! Without them they can't...mom their wands are important". She wanted to argue but how could she, what was even there to argue? Sky had lost this battle before it had even begun. He mouth gaping but no words coming from it, the girl standing there awkwardly as her mother smiled at her, knowing she did her best but her best wasn't enough this time.

In fact her best only seemed to have caused more problems then anything, as much as sky didn't want to admit it.

But if she stayed out of it, who knew if things would have gotten significantly better either.

"Look, i'm sure their wands are important, but so is making sure no one gets ahold of any of them, sending them home with a missing or broken wand isn't going to do much good either". She wasn't wrong about that, but sky wasn't sure any of the girls would be willing to give up their wands at all, especially since they were their biggest line of protection.

Well Sunny and Luna might be fine but the others...

Celeste would probably rather spend a week with luna then give up her wand, and that was saying a lot right now.

"I'm not sure the girls would give them up...", her tone was deflated, downer, "It's one of the last things they have from their home right now, this whole thing is kinda already stressful enough...". She knew it wouldn't make much of a difference, but at the same time she didn't want to just say nothing either, her sisters had been roughed up enough.

Taking away their safety, even if it was for the best, it just made her worry for them.

"I know sky...", Star tapped her fingers on her desk, sticking her tongue out in thought, "I...I know i haven't been like...an amazing mom, i should've trained you to fight without a wand more and helped you use magic better. I guess when you're put in the front for monster relations and dealing with the consequences of past queens sometimes you forget to focus on the stuff in front of you".

Sky said nothing, eyes glancing to the floor.

She hadn't been expecting her mom to get into this, not right now, it kinda caught sky entirely off guard. Her mom admitting she felt bad about her actions and taking responsibility, even saying she hadn't been a good mom, it's something sky always wanted to hear and yet...it felt weird now.

Her mother then bit her lip, tapping her fingers again, "When this is all over...I'm...I'm going to do better...train you better, help you more, not put so much on you...honestly i should've known better considering what i went through at your age". She seemed to actually be honest about all of this, her eyes tired and stressed, "Mom always put pressure on me and i guess i ended up doing the same thing...and then sorta shoved it on eclipsa quickly as a bandaid fix".

Well, that wasn't ALL her fault, stuff had gone down after all.

But, it was still nice to hear.

But Star almost seemed nearly defeated, the queen's head on her desk, moping, "You didn't even want me to know about...this entire situation, and i'm your mother, i'm supposed to be someone you can trust and i failed at that. Eclipsa's taken so much good care of meteora and made her a fine young woman and here i can't even help my own daughter properly".

Sky couldn't remember the last time she saw her mom so...like this.

How long had her mom been holding all this in exactly? Had to have been a few weeks at least, years at most, and sky barely knew how to react. She couldn't deny she hadn't trusted her mother, and she couldn't lie and say she had no issues with her all her life. But she didn't like seeing her mother feel so miserable either for everything that had happened.

But then her mom sat up, fixing her hair, "This is kinda partially my fault and i'm going to have to work on fixing it, well, when you're ready for my help that is. But...you're never going to fully be a good queen without me and i need to start helping with that...better then when my mom helped me...". She stood up, stressed still, but smiling this time around.

"I'm going to help all you girls in fact, we'll all be a team directly".

Wait...What?

Sky seemed utterly speechless about this, she was not expecting this to be the result of being sent to her mother's office, far from it. Sure she was technically their mom but also at the same time, not really, she wasn't ever going to be like the ones they knew. And with all the warnings judas gave about thinking too hard about the other universes...maybe her mom wasn't thinking this through enough.

"Uh...mom, maybe that's not-".

But Star wasn't done, raining her finger, "I have another thing we need to talk about before you go...i know you already know because of your little spying but...we found that mask when it was broken awhile back and well...you may want to know this...it's remarkably similar to the one your other mom owns...the transformative one...in her collection? Janna loved using it to play halloween pranks on us since it could be anything she wanted". Sky was at first annoyed by her mom stopping her but the information hit her like a bullet.

That mask?

That mask was only special enough for her other mom to keep because it could change appearances, it could look like a clown, a bear, anything the wearer wanted it to be. Not that that was important but those things were so rare and having a magic under who knew butterfly stuff and who wore a mask owned by the butterflies left butterflies in sky's stomach, and not the good kind.

Her mom weakly laughed at sky's anxious face, back to her usual mom once again.

"Yeah...i've been meaning to talk about that, i mean, janna's isn't stolen but well...if word got out...well...rumors might put you back on the list unfortunately."

Gee, thanks for the warning mom.

It made the gears twist and turn in the young girl's head, she couldn't help it. Left wondering just how much further this could go, granted it wasn't unreasonable the dangerous magic person had a magic mask but the coincidences kept piling up. Regardless her mom knew she'd have to let sky go anyways so she could get back to work and take care of everything.

Not to say she was happy about that but sky had enough going on today.

"We'll talk later...at dinner, we want to hear your input, so...if you have any ideas...we'll be all ears.".

Wait, was her mom saying she wanted sky's help? Because that's exactly what it sounded like. It sounded like her mom needed sky's help if they were to get further in this, something sky didn't expect at all. She looked kinda puzzled considering everything that happened, like her mom would've wanted her even further away after all of this, but she wanted her help more?

"W-why?'.

She couldn't help but ask.

"Well, my mom learned how to trust me before we were able to stop our foes, i should probably learn to trust my own kid too when i can...i mean, i still care for your safety, but... maybe i need to stop being my mother for once...". Her blue eyes met sky's, "We're finishing this, this kingdom has been through enough, we catch them or die trying at this point".

Die trying?

Let's hope not.

Star sighed before planting a kiss on sky's forehead, "I can't give you back the wand, not now, but i promise i'll make it up to you...it's time for a new course of action...time to think outside the box". Thinking outside the box was something her mother always tended to do but it seemed this time around even that had become predictable, especially for this person.

"How outside the box...exactly?".

"So outside the box, we'll be on another dimension!", she responded, clapping her hands together, 'Wand or no wand, we got work to do and they messed with the wrong family". Sky got up and off her chair, her mother pushing her to the door, "I'll see you soon, make sure everyone attends dinner, we all need to get to work and we'll start there".

Her mom actually seemed kinda excited almost for dinner, leaving sky a bit confused as the door closed behind her. Outside the doors she saw a friendly face who had already been standing there, the one of her best friend to be exact, judas standing here and waving to her. He still seemed to be rather tired but tired in a different way, as using magic to help with your castle was bound to cause stress and exhaustion.

How long was he out there? Had he been waiting for her? There's no way he had known she was here right? Or had angel told him when her mother called for her?

It probably didn't matter, she was just so happy to see her best friend right now.

"Jude...you're here...".

"Yeah, after i finished helping i wanted to talk to you...and i heard you were here so...", he shrugged, smile on his face and overall just looked like he could use a big hug right about now . Something sky could absolutely agree with, even if it meant being completely crushed by judas's amazing half demon strength, the more hugs the merrier right now.

Judas quickly pulled her into a hug, nearly pushing them both over from being so tired, not to mention his weight. Sky let him hug her as long as he needed, noticing his cursed arm was swelling a bit. She looked at it, concerned before looking back to judas, "Is it...is it painful?". It looked painful,. she couldn't imagine an arm swelling like that to be anything but painful.

But to her surprise, judas shook his head.

"Honestly, no more painful then how it usually transformed, it was the pure magic that made it act up...because that stung, but honestly...it's not that bad. I feel like...it feels like it's fading...i'm not sure what it did to it but ...I have ideas maybe.". Sky wanted to ask what he meant but just then landon came around the corner, the boy clearly still tired from lack of sleep.

"There you are jude...", he said, not as enthusiastic as the words out of his mouth would pertain. His feelings about what had happened to his crush and to him were still lingering in his mind and he looked a mess, had he even really eaten at all today? The demon clearing his throat to talk to his brother, "Mom says they're ready for you at the med wing to check your arm and whatever...".

"Oh? Thanks, i'll get to that...but first i wanted to talk to sky...about well...the you know what".

"You mean the wand?", sky blurted out, "You don't need to get so secretive with me lucitor, i know...everyone's talked to me about it it seems, my grandma's arriving and everything because of it...not to mention at this rate jackie might even come back from her luna mission". She huffed, "Honestly i feel rather naked without it, like i'm missing something about myself".

"I guess that's why you were in your mom's office?".

She nodded.

"But well, mom actually wants to work with us properly, over dinner, and uh...", seeing her friend made her remember her plan idea from earlier, stopping for a moment and eyeing landon before spitting out the question she was just going to have to get off her chest. "Look, i might have an idea of a plan and i was thinking...maybe we could set a trap and um...", she hated to ask, she already owed judas enough for his actions before, but she had to.

But judas sighed much to her surprise, like none of this surprised him whatsoever, smiling knowingly.

"My coronation, right? You want to do it there?", he said as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

Sky gritted her teeth, feeling like an idiot, "How did you know?".

"I mean, you wouldn't have to ask permission for any other reason, it had to be because of something like this. If we were setting up a trap any other way you'd be like Judas, i have an idea and we should do it here and there , But you had to ask my permission, and the only reason you'd do that...is if it was something to do with me, i'm no fool". But judas didn't seem mad or anything, which sky of course was expecting but even so she was expecting a bit more resentment. Even Judas could tell everyone was surprised, looking to explain himself.

He clutched at his arm, and looked to his brother, "Look, i spent awhile wanting a boring party...because i didn't want to be judged anymore, i wanted it because everyone else wanted it". He was looking for the right words concerning this, hoping it was coming out right, "I'll admit, i never REALLY wanted to have a party like that...i didn't...but i just thought...if i kept myself normal...i could manage better, less stress...no pressure to be this great uncursed king."

"Jude...".

"This whole mess though...I...I'm not going to be able to escape it, i know i'm not, i'm not a normal prince and i'm not a normal demon...no matter how much i want to be so and try, everything i've done won't let that happen, luna was right...i can't please them...especially not through force."

Even landon was left standing there, wordless.

"But...I helped save bernard and nora and angel and...no stupid coronation is going to remove all the insane things i did, it's not easy for me to fully deal with but...i...cursed or not...i'm...". He seemed to be having a hard time getting the words out but landon finished for him instead, "You're a hero...you mean, you're saying that despite being cursed...that never stopped you from being a hero...you saved people, not hurt people".

Judas snorted, "I'm not going to pretend i'm not still hurt...about everything, but the curse...it doesn't define me...or who everyone thinks i am, i...saved people...i went in and saved them...curse or not...and people were proud of me...for just being...me...and i held myself back because i was scared of myself...but if i could do all that, maybe...maybe i can really overcome all this, like for real ".

He actually did sound hopeful, and surprisingly happy despite all the stuff going on around him right now. He did seem to look a bit like a mess and there was clear evidence he had been crying earlier. Which he couldn't deny he had, helping out earlier had gotten him a bit upset, being left to think to himself and everything that had happened on his own till further notice.

Maybe he was acting a little crazy, but he had thought heavily about this.

"Judas...are you-?", she was a little concerned, reaching out to her friend just in case he was mind controlled or something.

"I'm ok, I just...with everything happening i stopped focusing on being judged and all i cared about was keeping everyone safe...because that's what matters to me", he looked like he had been crying on closer inspection, "Sky i...i might never fully get over all the stuff i went through...and the feelings or um...well...anxiety...but if it means saving you all, then i'm happy to help in any way possible".

"You sure?".

"Sky, let's be honest here, knowing us...my coronation was bound to take a wild turn anyway, might as well be because of us instead of something else much worse". She had to agree with that, his coronation was bound to be a target no matter what at the end of the day, better it had a good result then a bad one. Sky might still have been worried, but if judas was ok with it, then she wasn't going to protest too much.

The girl nodded, landon simple still standing and watching, rubbing at his currently normal cheeks. Judas pulling himself together to face his brother, "Hey landon...for the record...even if i think some of it was dangerous and stupid...i'm proud of how brave you were throughout the whole thing. You really clearly care about your friend and i think it's great how you stood up for yourself...even if i still think it was partially dumb".

Landon didn't say anything, but they could tell he appreciated it, even if he still wished judas had allowed him to go.

"What's...what's the plan now?".

"We'll talk about it over dinner...but...we'll figure it out", the princess then hesitated, before asking carefully, "Um...is bernard allowed to come?". She didn't want to come off as intrusive or anything, she just knew bernard should be included if he could and landon was the best one to get that information from. The demon's shoulders sagging in response to her question.

"I-I don't know...".

But there was no time for the demon to elaborate on what was going on, because soon enough some of the knights were running through the halls, getting the attention of the young royals, as if something had just happened that got their attention. And Star burst out of her office, startling the kids before catching her breath, a panicked look in her eye that at first made sky worry.

Only for the woman to turn to her daughter in disbelief more then anything, her eyes glistening.

"They caught her...they have her in custody".

[bluepenguinstories]

Remoras Full Chapter XVIII: Ray of Light

There I sat in the same hospital bed that I had been in for the past few weeks. There wasn’t much to the room I was in; the counter by the wall had sparse medical equipment lying around. In the middle of it was a sink, with a soap dispenser overhead. Truth be told, I could have left a week ago, and the dreary gray ambiance of the room left a lot to be desired. Last week, Shirley came to check in on me, just like she had done each day prior.

“We have to stop meeting like this,” I greeted her as she opened the door to the hospital room.

She was not amused, and I never expected her to be. That same tired expression, those bags under her eyes, that glare like “why are you still here?” It’s funny to note how I’ve heard her interactions with other patients, and how soft and patient she sounds. Of course, that was her job, and seeing others in such poor health could take a toll on her. ‘Emotional labor’ they called it. Of course, such a thing also happens in any other job, but especially in such positions where one had to care for another. Compassion burnout could have been another word for it. No matter how much she put on a smile, and no matter how much she meant it, no doubt it got to her, just as it would any other.

“I’m discharging you. You should go home, see your wife, tell her the good news,” she informed me without any hint of glee or celebratory cheer.

I recall how I turned my head toward the window, where the snowy barren landscape lay. Yes, the hospital was not my home, yet I treated it like a retreat from home all the same. It was an oddity to think of how much I had grown to love the atmosphere of the hospital. Whether that be a certain feeling the hospital food brought me with its lack of imagination, or the fact that it was so short staff, and yet what little staff there was did their damnedest to improve the lives that entered.

“What about my physical therapy?” I asked and hoped she would take the bait.

“You’ve been receiving that as part of your care. Have you not gotten used to your prosthetic?” She saw right through me. Of course she did, she’s probably dealt with others like me in the past.

Truth be told, I didn’t think I would ever get used to it. Yes, in time it would give me no trouble, and maybe I would just accept it as part of my life, but it wasn’t the physical aspect of it I wouldn’t get used to: it was that it served as a reminder that all of my antics had caught up to me. I slipped up, I underestimated someone I knew better than to have and I paid the price for it. No, the worst thing about it was that I could have avoided the issue altogether, but I just stopped caring about my own life.

“Tell me, doc, is it possible to have phantom limb when I technically have a limb?” I held up my arm (a rather brilliant thing in its own right. One would be hard pressed to tell it was a prosthetic and not the real thing. If not for all the fancy wires on the inside, I would have believed it myself) as I spoke those words, the question rather irrelevant. It was just my usual tactic: talking to fill space.

“Yes, I have heard such cases. Your turn, Ray: why are you so insistent on staying here longer?”

“I don’t really know,” I closed my eyes. My words sounded so sprained, despite there being no pain attached to them. There wasn’t so much of the sly smile like I had sported for so long. If I had an answer, it was buried somewhere else in a folder I refused to open.

Exhausted, she let out a sigh of defeat. It wasn’t ideal for her, and doubtful I benefited much from it.

“I’ll give you another week here. But you can’t just stay in bed doing nothing and have all your meals in bed. I’ll give you physical exercises and watch to make sure you’re doing them. Flex and grip exercise, things like that.”

“Have I really been in bed this whole time?” I asked her, rather coy, and this time the familiar smile returned to me. Glad to see it hadn’t left completely.

“Pacing about the room is not what I consider walking around. Come on, what have you been doing this whole time, anyway?”

“Mostly reflecting. It’s been a good opportunity to think some things over,” I replied in earnest.

“And? Has it helped?”

I shook my head and smiled.

Her blank expression shifted to a near frown.

“That’s a shame.” “Isn’t it?” I more mouthed than spoke. If she heard me, it didn’t show. She motioned toward the door and before she turned to me and said:

“By the way, if you’re going to complain about the hospital food being bland, either go home already or make your food yourself. I know you’re capable.”

Throughout the following days, she had kept her word, as did I.

My strolls through the halls netted me some treasures I wouldn’t have found otherwise. One patient lent me a book to read, one of the head nurses gave me some blank sheets of paper and a pen, and I did as Shirley suggested and helped out in the kitchen.

With the book, it was in Danish, which despite how useful it would be to learn given the region (also given the region, I could have tried learning some of the Inuit languages at one point in time or another), I never did. But I still tried to read through it and parse through what few words I could discern.

One thing I could have done with the pen and paper was try to write a letter to Sunny, as she was always sentimental about those things. I could have also jotted down the steps to the strategy Remora and I had talked over, that could have helped. Rather than either of those things, I tried to practice drawing. Simple things, like birds and foxes, but the way I saw it, the things I did with the pen didn’t matter so much as the fact that I was testing out my new hand.

Nothing about it struck me as odd until I helped out in the kitchen. Somewhere that should have been my habitat and yet I felt myself in a foreign environment. I tried to hold a large pot full of boiling water and I felt my new hand shake as I lifted it up to transfer to a different burner. It was as if I was just as well off trying to lift it one-handed. My theory for the whole thing was that my body wasn’t yet consistent with registering that I had two hands again.

Even with the physical routines and little tasks I gave myself, there were still gaps of time scattered throughout which plagued me. I would ponder aloud such things like, “I miss everyone, don’t I? So why doesn’t it feel like I do? For that matter, what am I avoiding?”

No answer came. It didn’t need to. I was sure I knew, somewhere anyway.

When the week passed, Shirley, or as I ought to call her, Dr. Cole-Slaw entered the room once more, and found me seated at the desk.

“What have you been up to?” She asked, skipping past the “hello” and “how are you?”

I looked up from the paper. Little lines were drawn here and there. Nothing too fancy.

“Examining my psyche,” I told her, then folded my hands behind my head and grinned. It was a grin in the same way a popped balloon floated.

“What did you find?” She asked, and I thought I caught a hint of playfulness in her own voice. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking.

“Air,” I told her. “Nothing but air.”

She put her hand on her chin and looked down, then squinted as she shook her head.

“Maybe if my own brain was at full capacity, I’d know what you mean, but I’ve been swamped with more things than I’m sure you’re willing to hear.”

I closed my grin, then pushed up my glasses.

“You don’t know that for sure. If nothing else, I’m a listener.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure you’ll have plenty on your plate once you get back home. Speaking of, are you ready?”

I lifted myself out of my chair and drifted over to the window. Beside the hospital was a small body of water, a pond. Skies were clear, the sun shone over the snowy landscape. Even barren, it could be a thing of beauty.

I put my hand over the glass and murmured.

“Do you think they missed me?”

“I’m sure of it,” she replied, the same softness I’ve heard her use on patients.

“Do you know who I’m talking about?”

“No,” she admitted. “But even as air, your presence is pronounced enough that I’m sure the place has felt different with you missing from it.”

“Yeah. You might be right.”

I turned around and smiled, not even sure what for.

“I suppose with this, we’re even. Or, now I’m the one who owes you a favor.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she met my smile with her own, and hers seemed more genuine.

I made my preparations to leave the room, and soon I would wait in the lobby for one of the hospital vehicles to take me back to my diner. For whatever reason, the silence of the in-between seemed to give me more excitement than my destination. No, there wasn’t a journey to be had. There were only resting periods.

When we arrived, I thanked the driver, slipped them some cash as a tip, then headed toward the door. There was a fog which had taken shape outside, obscuring all shapes around me, save for the modest restaurant without a name. From that fog, I felt a strong gust pull me forward, and I made my careful steps toward the door. As I opened the door, I looked back and the fog was gone. As if it were never there.

I shook my head. Little tricks of the mind like that were the last thing I needed. Call me superstitious, but something like that struck me as a bad omen. Then again, there was no fear which accompanied the vision (or lack of), and instead there was just the observation. Casual notation. If it were more out of the ordinary, I might have been my usual self and felt the obsessive need to explain or understand the how’s and why’s. Instead, I just walked through that door and into the place I called my home.

Slow and deliberate was my entrance. As I entered the diner and took in the scenery, a series of thoughts greeted me before any familiar face did.

What will I encounter? How much has changed since I left? Have things changed for the better, or worse? Has everyone gotten closer, or gotten along better? Or is there further friction? What of mystery? And intrigue? What developments, if any, have transpired? If there was a mess, will I need to clean it up?

During my time at the hospital, I never once believed anything would change when I returned. Why would I? It wasn’t like I was expecting much to happen while I was away. What with how little activity there had been over the past year or so.

So imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw people seated at the tables. Actual living and breathing people. Not many, mind you, but just the fact that they were there, and that I didn’t know them, was astounding enough. I was used to being familiar with everyone who walked through those doors. Ah, but maybe that wasn’t fair of me. Those days seemed long gone.

“Here’s your menu,” were the first words I heard spoken. They came from someone familiar, with that rough, but mousy voice, but her appearance was a little different. Her hair was tied into twin-tails with little braids in the back of her hair.

Menus? I wondered. Even when my diner thrived, I never had those. I’d just let people order anything that came to mind, and more than likely, I’d have the ingredients.

Nobody else seemed to notice me yet, nor did I notice Sunny or the other two anywhere. I made my way over to the table she was serving.

“Hey, who might you be?” One of the customers asked, a shaggy looking fellow with thick, brown hair going every which way and a bit of a stubble. I was about to open my mouth to introduce myself, but the words didn’t seem to want to come out. Demetria turned to address me as well.

“I’ll be right with yo-o-o –!” She just about jumped in place, startled at the sight of me. “Ray! Didn’t know you’d be back today!”

As out of place as I felt, no, more out of body than out of place, it was easy enough to act like my old self. Besides, it wasn’t like I was really all that different than the version of me that she knew. I gave her a chuckle in response, then cleared my throat before speaking.

“Well, I haven’t informed anyone that I would be coming back today,” I explained.

I wonder if that’s okay with you all. If that’s okay with Sunny, I thought, though the thought was rather ridiculous. Sunny couldn’t care less about things like advance notice. Hell, she might have been happier with the surprise entrance.

“Hello,” I faced the customer. “My name is Ray Sunshine. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I extended my hand (the new one) toward the customer and gave off the closest I could to a warm smile. He looked at my hand, then up at me.

“Sorry, man, but my hands got sauce on ‘em,” he informed me with a pile of food in his mouth. Probably a good call on his part, as I didn’t know where else his hands might have been. On his plate were enchiladas as well as biscuits and gravy. Outstanding.

I returned my focus toward Demetria.

“We have menus now?” I asked her.

“Oh, yeah. I’m no designer or anything, but I stayed up all night making little paper menus. Figured I’d make things easier for Tigershark, so I put down some things I know she can make and put random prices on them. I’m not that good at figuring out how much things should cost, so I just guestimated here and there,” she explained.

“May I take a look?”

“Uh, yeah. Sure,” she handed one to me. I scanned through the folded paper. There wasn’t a whole lot, and nary a selection of drinks, but what was there impressed me. Some breakfast food (good diner staple), some French and Italian cuisine, as well as a few good desserts to cap it off. I found some of the prices on the food to be a little too low, and some a little too high, but I could make adjustments to it.

“That was real nice of you,” I commended Demetria’s handiwork, even if it was rather rough around the edges.

“Nah, I just figure if it makes Tigershark’s job easier, it makes my job easier,” she waved off the compliment.

“And we have customers now?”

“Well...I wouldn’t say we’ve gotten popular, but there’s been a few people here and there.”

“Even still…”

...That’s impressive, I was about to say, but instead faced the gentleman with the messy hands.

“How did you come about this place?”

“So I’m, like, a cashier at this general store. Or I was until Aurora B. She robbed the place and I was like ‘go ahead, I hate my boss, anyway’ and before I ran out, I asked if she knew any good places to eat and she recommended this place.”

Why anyone would ask for food recommendations after getting robbed was beyond me, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t used to people acting in unusual ways. What astounded me more was the name he said. ‘Aurora B’. I’ve heard rumors and stories about her. How ruthless her and her gang of bandits could be. I’ve considered trying to meet her at times, but then other things would always take up my attention instead. Still, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots.

“Aurora. She was here?” I asked, and waited for either person to answer.

“Yeah! But it’s okay because we recovered all our losses!” Demetria was the one to fess up. Odd, too, seeing as she was the one who would sometimes recite the motto “snitches get stitches.”

I put my hand over my face and shook my head.

“Shame she’s not here. I would have loved to meet her,” I muttered.

“Oh, by the way!” The guest reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife. “Aurora told me to return this to you.”

Demetria swiped the knife out of his hand and sheathed it in her pocket, then laughed a nervous laugh.

“Jeez, I can’t believe I forgot about this!” Despite the nervousness on display, there was a definite delight and excitement to her voice as well.

...Just how much have I missed?

There was more I needed to see.

“Do take care,” I bid the messy gentleman. “I hear things have been rather dangerous as of late.”

God damn, that sounded like stock dialogue for a fantasy setting. How distasteful. At least I could hold out hope that something would be done soon enough. That was, if I could put my trust in Remora, which I wasn’t sure I could. Hell, part of my initial excitement from hearing her plan was the simple fact that she had hints of a schemer in her as well.

Well, of course. She’s a sniper, not a dumb muscle. Maybe she’s not so good with understanding people, but forming a strategy must come as second nature to her.

I put such a note in the back of my mind. Everything in time, at its own pace. For now, I took my stride over to the kitchen, where Tigershark stood on a stool and stirred a big pot.

Despite it already being open, I gave the kitchen door a good knock.

“Hello? I’d like to speak with the manager,” I called over to Tigershark. She looked over and a big grin spread on her face. She jumped down from the stool and ran up to hug me.

“Ray! You’re here!”

“It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?” I gave a playful reply.

“Why were you gone so long?” She demanded to know.

What a good question. But what can I say? She must know that I was at the hospital, but that doesn’t explain the extended stay. Then again, what would? Usually someone like me would know what to say to anyone, but here I am with a loss for words.

“I was sick…” I tried to explain.

“I know! But I didn’t think you’d be sick for that long! You’re better now, right?”

Such energy. She wasn’t much for saying things quietly, was she? Still, she was perceptive and resourceful. Was it Remora’s doing or my own? Or maybe she had learned such traits from her parents, whoever they might have been. If only I could have met such people.

“I’m better now...I’m better now…” I muttered, and broke away from the hug. Maybe in some ways, I was, but in others, I had gotten worse.

“Are you sure?” Tigershark asked.

Oh no. Worrying a child was the last thing I wanted. For her sake, I smiled.

“Yeah, in fact, I’ve decided to give you a promotion.”

“What?!” Her eyes grew all wide, her hands balled into fists.

“Yes. I’ll be promoting you from manager to head chef. How does that sound?” I hoped she wouldn’t realize that was actually a downgrade.

“Yay! I’ll be the best head chef!”

That I’m sure. And I’m more suited to be the manager, anyway.

“By the way, best head chef, have you seen Sunny anywhere?” It was due time for a reunion, after all. My heart was in more of a rush than I was. No, I think I was misinterpreting signals. Instead, it might have been my continued hesitation. Was it a fear of facing her? Whatever it was, I felt like a schoolboy having a first crush. I loved to make others cringe, but with the way I felt, it was like I was getting a taste of my own medicine.

“She’s upstairs!” Tigershark told me while pointing up at the ceiling.

Let’s just get this over with, growled an impatient thought. That wasn’t me at all; if I was nothing else, I was a patient person.

“Thank you,” I smiled and softened my voice for Tigershark. “I’ll catch up with you later. I’d like to speak with the love of my wife. Err...my wife.”

If I made any more slip ups like that, my head would surely fall from my shoulders, and they didn’t make prosthetics for that.

So I made my way through the back of the diner and down the hall to the attic. Each step heavy with trepidation. Once I made my way up, I stood in place at the end of the bed: she was resting.

I let her rest. Nothing was urgent.

Unsure what to do next, I walked over and sat at the edge of the bed.

“I’m back. I’m still alive. Trying to live. Got a new arm and everything. It hurts sometimes. Like a swollen ankle hurts. Stings, less like a bee sting, and more like a failed operation. But the operation was a success. I think I feel out of place in my own home. I feel like I’ve lost my sense of self, but I know the version of me that people are familiar with. I feel like I can act like that person, even if it doesn’t feel as natural as it used to,” I recited, a low mutter. Though it was addressed to her, it was spoken in such a way that I hoped for her not to hear, so that she could continue to rest.

Instead, I heard a stir. There was a rustle in the blankets, then arms wrapped around me from behind, a heavy press of warmth. I took Sunny’s hands into my own.

“Mm. It’s good to see you again,” she yawned in her sleepy voice. Yet just as energetic, if not more, than Tigershark’s.

“Even if you heard all that?” I asked, not even sure if she had.

Her head was on my shoulder and I felt her nod.

“Sometimes the self comes and goes like waves, the tides pulling in, then back out to sea,” she mused.

I closed my eyes and thought of the ocean, but that only helped for a couple seconds, as thoughts turned to trying to figure out which ocean. Then my imagination conjured up images of a shipwreck, being lost at sea, and a lighthouse obscured by a fog.

“I feel like a fog,” I croaked out the words.

“Then can I be the sun to clear the fog?” Her voice soothed in my ear.

“You ask to be the sun, but can you handle its rays?” I retaliated in a way which was meant to sound romantic, but it didn’t really come out that way. To save face, I fell back and landed on her lap.

We both laughed and I turned to her.

“What’s wrong with us? You’re napping and I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Even adventurers need to take breaks,” she said all matter of fact, like I needed such a reminder. “How’s your arm doing, by the way?”

“It’s like I never lost anything. See?” I lifted up my arm and pulled down my sleeve to show her. “Looks just like the real thing, even has fake hair particles on the ‘skin’. If not for the fact that it detaches, it may as well be considered the real thing.”

“Does it hurt?”

I paused and pondered the question.

“Sometimes. Mostly, it’s an adjustment. I can do most of the things I could before, and feel every action, as well. Yet at times I feel disconnected, like I’m detached from the things I’m doing.”

“I wonder what it’s like. Trying to discover your own skin again,” she mused. Once again, I returned the favor.

“I’d rather discover yours again,” I teased.

“Oho?”

I closed my eyes.

“But for now, I’d like to just lay here and rest.”

When I awoke, I was the only one on the bed. At first, I thought that I had returned to my old self, as I didn’t seem to have much of a care in the world and I was eager to solve a few mysterious, or at the very least, find things to amuse myself. Maybe none of those things were true, but I wanted to believe that for as long as possible.

I got up, showered, then donned a tuxedo without so much as a second thought. Once I had gotten myself all ready, I made my way to the kitchen up front and met up once more with Sunny and Tigershark, who were busy preparing meals.

After a good yawn, I greeted the two of them.

“How goes Sunny Delight and Best Chef?” I waved my hand as I addressed them. They both looked over and had wide grins on their faces.

“Hey hun, how was your nap?” Sunny asked.

“Simply splendid,” I replied, my hands in my pockets. I trotted over toward the open window of the kitchen and saw two ladies with a blanket over them. One with long, red hair, with lanky arms and a slight scrawny appearance. The other was shorter, and a little chubbier. She had short, blue hair in a pixie cut and looked rather full of herself.

“I see we have customers again,” I noted. “I wonder. Everyone’s got a story to tell, right? What’s theirs?”

Tigershark was the one to answer that.

“Demetria told me they were in a blizzard outside and nearly froze to death!”

“Oh, so that blanket must have come from her room?” I asked.

Tigershark shook her head with the fury of a tiger. “No! Remora’s! She said she knows what it’s like to be cold!”

“Oh,” I was just a little taken aback. To think Remora would do something nice like that. Well, maybe it made a bit of sense.

Despite the commotion in the kitchen, I was able to lean into the window and listen in on their conversation. At the moment, the red haired one had struck a conversation with Demetria. Something about Demetria’s cousin and unrequited love. It became clear from how exaggerated the story had gotten that the redhead was just making things up as she went, yet Demetria was captivated enough by it to keep asking questions, and each answer would turn instead to insisting on knowing where said cousin lived. It didn’t even seem like she was that interested in the cousin, herself, so I couldn’t understand the importance of such a story.

Still, I continued to listen. Then the kitchen door opened, and my attention shifted toward who was at the door: Remora. I didn’t recognize her at first because her hair had grown a little longer, and it was now in a near black color. Still, her typical posture and always-freezing demeanor was hard not to recognize.

“Ah, I was wondering when I would see you again,” I greeted. Something welled up in me. Anger, or bitterness, perhaps, but I did my best to push it down. No matter what it was, I refused to stop treating her like a guest and more than that, a friend.

At first she stood tall, then she slouched over and began to shiver.

“Hi. Yes. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my room. Brr…” She chattered her teeth and groaned out the words as she pointed her thumb to her left.

“Wait!” I called after her. “Before you go, I’d like to know what you can tell me about those two out there.”

Her head swayed and shifted from one end to the other and then she looked back at me.

“I don’t trust them,” she stated. “Might have something to do with their hair…”

It took me a second to register what she meant, but then it clicked and a laugh slipped from me. Rather unintentional, too.

“What? Are you worried they might be alternate versions of you?” I joked. It didn’t come out with the same sly tone that I would have made the same comments with in the past. What replaced it was a bitter, dry voice. I really didn’t know what to make of myself. Perhaps lucky for me, she returned with a dry statement of her own.

“Ha. ‘Alternate-version-of-myself’? Am I a joke to you?” She bore her teeth and growled out the words. Yet her tone of voice was still so sterile and icy.

“Only endearingly,” I replied. “However, I do apologize if I took it too far.”

“I’m not mad, if that’s what you mean...I’m chill. Just chill.” Her knees shook and she began to rub her hands together. “I’m mostly wary because they talked about different timelines and versions of Earth. Forgive me if I’m just a little on edge.”

That surprised me. I was used to her being on edge, but not her apologizing for it. Had something changed for her as well to make her act in such a way? Or could it have to do with her plan?

“Understandable,” I told her. “I am surprised, though, that you gave them a blanket. That was rather nice of you.”

She blinked. “Was it? I just don’t like the idea of others having to go through the same thing I do. If anything, I’m only thinking about myself.”

“Whatever the reason, I’m sure they appreciated it.”

Then, I watched as she clenched her fists, before releasing them and taking heavy breaths.

“I...I’m trying. To not come off so abrasive. I don’t know why it’s so hard to be a person.”

I smiled, then looked back out the window and closed my eyes. I didn’t want her to see in case a tear were to fall. Same thing went for the other two in the room. Maybe Sunny could be privy to it, but the rest? I didn’t want to know.

“I don’t know, either.”

It was a solid few seconds. Less silence, more of a buzz. But when I turned around, my frigid friend was gone. Ah, was it even fair to consider her a friend? For my current state, it was hard to define what constituted that and what didn’t. I decided not to pursue an answer, as I believed no matter how I would chip away at the answer, I would come up fruitless. Instead, I let myself be swept in the idea that I could play at being my old self and strike up a conversation with the two.

I headed out the kitchen and when I got out the door, Sunny called to me.

“Where are you going?” She asked.

“What kind of manager would I be if I didn’t ensure guest satisfaction?” I turned to her with a smile and a suave little short nod.

My heels tapped against the floor and each step was a careful one, as if I were preparing for a dance. The one with the red hair turned to face me and I just about cleared my throat when I realized I was missing my glasses. So I reached into my pocket, took a cloth and cleaned off the lenses, then placed them on.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” my greeting a natural (imitation of a) cordial tone. I hope your meal has been well. I am the owner, Ray Sunshine. Please let me know if you need anything.”

Said redhead waved her hand away as if she were working up a rude customer broadway act. I could only imagine what she would say next.

“Yeah, Raymond? Can I call you Raymond? Look, this meal has been fab,” I looked down at her plate and noticed she hadn’t even touched it. Either she wasn’t really hungry or she just got too distracted talking things up with my waitress. “But I’ve got a lot on my plate. Some bloke stole my rental car, and I was only renting it to get to the airport. Now, my body’s built pretty tough, I’ve eaten my spinach, but I’m hopeless without a GPS, so I’m a little unsure how I’m going to get to the airport now.”

Again, quite a ridiculous string of dialogue, and I would be remiss to say I wasn’t used to hearing such things, but with the two pieces of evidence I had beside me: the name of the city she had managed to extract from Demetria and that Remora mentioned them hopping timelines. What was I dealing with? Some kind of cosmic drifters? Whoever those two were, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

“You guys can’t hustle me,” then I squinted my eyes. What are you two really after? I refrained from asking such a question out loud. There was reason enough to be suspicious and yet, I found myself unable to care about the whole thing. “Not only that, but it’s unnecessary.”

Then, I did something rather uncharacteristic of me:

“There’s a hatch in the kitchen which leads to our basement. That’s where we brew all our ales. You’ll find a load of barrels down there. In the back of the basement, there’s a door which leads to a tunnel. You follow that tunnel all the way through and at the end of the tunnel is another flight of stairs and another hatch which leads to the airport,” I recited the words, eyes closed. To think I would disclose such a secret, to strangers no less. Whatever their motive or reason, I found I couldn’t care less.

“Why do you have something like that in your basement?” She asked, rather puzzled at the notion. Didn’t she know that most diners had a basement? Or maybe just the few I’ve visited.

“Let’s say it’s come in handy when a few deals have gone sour,” I stated.

“I see. And you’re just gonna let us go through there. I mean, I appreciate it, but why?”

I put my hands in my pockets and shrugged.

“Maybe I’m feeling generous,” I walked away after that. I didn’t really have a good reason. Maybe I never had a good reason for any of the things I did. I shook my head and retreated to the back. Back to that familiar desk with all those stacks of papers. I know what I said to Remora, about her being in charge of it. Call it selfish of me, but I hoped she would return that position to me so that I may have some semblance of my old life.

I held the stacks of paper full of requests in my hands. Each one I read through, I set aside in frustration. Most were junk, and the ones that weren’t seemed like obvious traps. What ever happened to the interesting ones? Or the ones where the deceit wasn’t so obvious?

Fingertips of my new hand met their way to my forehead as I looked down and shook my head. Back down at the papers, I noticed how some of them were interesting. Requests for heists in dangerous locations, recovering ancient artifacts, investigating rumors of certain monsters in certain regions. Those kind of things. But maybe that’s why they weren’t appealing to me – they were all the kinds of things I’ve dealt with in the past. Once, I would have found them interesting.

Most of the so-called “monsters” would usually have mundane, albeit weird, explanations. There were the heists and other dangerous endeavors, but after years of smooth talking, cutting deals, and infiltration, I found it all too tedious.

I set the stack of papers down and leaned back into my chair. I just about took a nap in it until I remembered those two visitors. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, then dialed Cybele’s number. After a few rings, she picked up.

“Hello?” She sounded just a bit tired, like I had woken her up.

“Hello, Cybele. Sorry if I woke you,” I replied.

“You didn’t. I just always sound tired. Anyway, how have you been? I tried to check in a few weeks ago, but you weren’t there. I met your accountant and she said you were shot and had to go to the hospital. Are you okay now?” Sill asked, still sounding tired, but a hint of worry as well.

“Yes, I’m all better. What’s this about an accountant?” I asked, though I already had an idea what was going on.

“You know, Rae Morris? She looked pretty official, anyway.”

I didn’t know why I always had to learn from secondhand accounts that Remora went and introduced herself with made up identities, but it was obvious ‘Rae Morris’ had been her.

“Right. I forget about the people I hire sometimes. Anyway, I just called to let you know that two people are going to show up to the airport.”

“Oh? You want me to take them somewhere?”

“No, I…” I wasn’t sure what I wanted to tell her. If there was anything I really wanted. Those two could have been bad news, or they could have been honest-to-goodness down on their luck folks who needed a place to go.

“Oh. Then what about them?” She sounded disappointed. Hell, when was the last time I gave her work?

“Yes. Take them to their destination and keep a close eye on them.”

“All right, do you want me to report anything to you afterward?”

“No, unless you find anything worth reporting.”

“Oh, okay! It’s good to hear from you, by the way.”

“Yeah. You too.”

I hung up the phone and I was surprised to see Demetria sitting in the chair in front of me. She had her arms folded and pursed her lip with a worried look on her face.

“Yes? Can I help you?” I asked and wondered how much she heard of my conversation. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t anything too private.

She pointed her thumb behind her in the direction of Remora’s room; the door was open, something I wasn’t used to seeing. I couldn’t get a clear view of the rest, so I didn’t know what I was supposed to notice.

“What about it?” I asked.

“She’s shivering,” Demetria informed me, as if she had just learned that water was, in fact, not a dry substance.

“And?”

Her eyes widened, then her brow creased and a frown formed.

“What do you mean ‘and’? What if she’s sick? Shouldn’t we try to help her?”

“There’s nothing we can do to help,” I informed her.

“Why? What do you mean?”

“I think it’s better to ask her yourself.”

“I would, but she doesn’t like talking about herself and I try to respect that.”

“Have you never noticed her shivering before?” I really was dumbfounded, something I thought was no longer possible.

“I have! But I just figured it made sense, given the setting. But it’s hot in here, isn’t it? And there’s times it’s really hot in here, so I don’t know. Like, I think she messes with the heater, which, if it helps, fine. I can manage. I just think one of us should try something to help, it can’t just be that there’s nothing we can do. If not me, someone else.”

“You must really care about her.”

“Maybe? But it’s not like I want anyone else here to get sick.”

“What about when I was sick?” I asked, and it seemed like my bitterness was really starting to show, yet I meant no malice.

“I never noticed, and next thing I know, bam. You’re in the hospital.”

I see. I really didn’t need to hold it against anyone, seeing as I kept it a secret until it got bad enough that I had to be admitted.

“I’m curious. Is it still a crush or something else?”

She lowered her head.

“I...I don’t know. Sometimes I get these ideas about her and I, like being pinned to the wall, or being kissed all over, or being put in a headlock, but then I’m not really sure if I want those things or if I just think I should want them. It’s really weird, like, I know I can be a lot sometimes, and I’ve been trying to ease up, but I don’t know how to act sometimes and it comes out bad. I really am trying, but it’s hard when I don’t know what I want.”

That she found herself able to admit such a thing to me, I couldn’t help but feel just a little bit proud.

“Just be patient. Some things take a while to figure out,” I replied, not sure if that was the right piece of advice.

“I know I admire her, though. I really don’t want to disappoint her and I’m really hard on myself when I feel like I do.”

If anything, you may find yourself being the one disappointed, I thought. One of those things that was better left unsaid.

“Like I said, be patient with yourself, and with her. You may not think so, but there are things she finds difficult as well.”

“I’ll try…”

Of course, after such an honest conversation, Remora walked out of her room. Demetria looked up and the excitement she must have felt must have outweighed anything I tried to get through to her in conversation. I would say “ah, to be young again,” but I don’t think I ever acted in such a way toward anyone.

“Remora! Are you doing okay?! I can get you a warm towel! Or rub your back, if you need me to! Maybe you’ll warm up if we hold hands!” Demetria jumped up and down and all the while, Remora just stood there with a blank expression on her face, unsure how to respond.

“I know I’m not really good at cooking like Tigershark, but I could make you some soup! My mom used to do that all the time when I was sick!”

“Uh…” Remora was, without a doubt, at a loss for words.

“We could wrap ourselves in blankets! And hold each other real close! And –!” Then, Demetria stopped, and shook her head. Her voice lowered to an ashamed whisper as she said, “sorry,” before running off to her room.

Remora continued to stand, speechless, before she turned to me and asked, “why is she like that?”

For some reason, it never occurred to me that Remora didn’t see the signs. After all, it was so obvious to anyone else.

“You mean you don’t know?” I leaned forward and asked.

“Know what?”

“Do you not know what a crush is?”

She made a gesture where one palm of hers was flat, while the other was folded like she was about to claw at someone, then squeezed the flat palm.

“No, not literal. Like...infatuation?”

“Oh. Of course I know that.” She blinked, then asked. “So that’s what her deal is?”

I nodded.

“If that’s all it is, then if I just have sex with her, it’ll go away, right?”

I…I sure was glad I never brewed myself some tea, because otherwise I would have spat it all out.

“What?! How do you figure that?!”

“I mean, get it over with, problem solved, right?”

“That would just wind her up more!” I was exasperated. Sheesh. “Right when I thought I had your thought process figured out, you go and floor me with this.”

“Floor...you?”

I shook my head, my palm against my forehead.

“I don’t see what the problem is. If I don’t have anything going on, as long as the other person is satisfied, I don’t mind. It’s not like I feel anything from it, anyway.”

Huh. Learned something new, I guess. Even so…

“I don’t think that’s the right idea for this situation,” I informed her.

“Why not? I can’t have this keep going on. She does all these things that I don’t understand and it frustrates me. She always tries to get my attention and wants me to be impressed by simple things and sometimes thinks I’m mad at her, when I really just don’t want to talk or am just confused. Then, the rare moments she says something serious, it’s also something I don’t understand because I’m not used to being questioned. I’m not used to it.”

After all that, she was in a huff, but she continued.

“I’m used to not understanding people. But I’m not used to being told things that permeate my thoughts for days on end as I struggle to find the answer. I can’t deal with the constant focus on me. Those weird requests and reactions. It’s too much.”

“Please be patient with her,” I tried to reason. “She’s a little lost in life right now and doesn’t really understand what she wants. I know it can be hard to deal with, but I don’t think she means bad.”

Whatever my intention was with that, it was lost on her. She took a second, then replied:

“Maybe in other cases, I could be patient. If she were a target, I could bide my time, as long as the job was done. This is different. I need this dealt with now.”

She then walked toward Demetria’s room. Before I did, I called to her.

“Are you really going to...err…?”

“No. I’m just going to talk. I need to make sure this is resolved.”

I watched her approach the door, give it a few knocks with the back of her hand, and then the door opened for her. As it closed, I too began to think of the both of them, but with a different matter:

Now that I was back, the plan would soon be in action. I knew Remora intended all of us to be a part of it, and while Demetria survived that mansion incident, and there was the ‘girls night out’ with Sunny, I still wasn’t sure it was a good idea for someone like her to be involved in such a dangerous excursion. That went for Tigershark, as well. No matter how strong she was, she was still a kid, and I just couldn’t imagine the idea of putting a child in danger. Especially considering…

I’m going to have to discuss this, won’t I?

Maybe that’s what I had been avoiding, but that didn’t make sense. I was excited to hear about it at the time, and it seemed like it would benefit all of us. No, I think it had to be something else. Just like what I had told Sunny. There was a disconnect, and I too no longer knew what I wanted.

So I waited. It wasn’t that I had always exhibited patience throughout my life, but I saw things as a nice cup of tea: in order to get the desired flavor, it needed to sit for a little while.

That was a nice sentiment, but after a while, and them still in that room, my desire to find out what their conversation was about took over, and I got up out of my seat and motioned through the hallway. I stood in front of the door, unable to hear anything. I was sure that if I leaned my ear closer, I could have caught something, but I decided against it.

This feels voyeuristic.

More than that, I found I had no real interest in listening in aside from a mild curiosity.

I turned back and headed toward my desk, when I heard laughter from the two of them.

Oh. That sounds...positive?

Before I could reach the desk, I heard the door opened and out stepped Remora.

“Were you listening in on us?” She asked, and I turned around.

“I only heard laughter. I assume it went well?” I replied with a softened voice, and tried to work in a smile. In turn, she looked away.

“It was uncomfortable.”

“Oh? Why? Did she say or do something to make you uncomfortable?”

“It’s not that. I just don’t like to talk about myself in such a revealing manner. Which I did, that is, if she picked up on enough things, anyway.”

“Well, if it was so uncomfortable, why did you do it?”

“Because it needed to happen.”

As I sat back in my chair, I addressed Remora, which I was sure she was tired of having any kind of conversation.

“At the risk of possibly making you more uncomfortable, may I speak with you for a bit?” I inquired as I motioned for her to sit. She took her seat in the swivel chair in front of my desk.

“Is it important?” She asked.

“I believe it is,” I replied. “It’s about the mission we’ve discussed at the hospital.”

“Yeah? What of it?”

“I don’t think we should take Demetria along,” I began. “I don’t think she could handle something like that.”

“She’s more capable than you realize. We already discussed it, too. As long as all of us work on protecting each other, there should be no problem,” she explained. I still had my concerns.

“Nor do I think we should bring Tigershark along.”

“Fine. She’ll stay here,” she was quick to compromise. But that wasn’t what I was getting at.

“I don’t like the idea of her being by herself, either. I doubt much harm would come to her within the diner, but I still don’t feel comfortable with it,” I argued. By now she must have thought I was just being difficult to work with. Oh well. Same could be said about her.

“Then what do you propose?” She asked, and I got to thinking. Once I figured out a solution, it really was a contradiction.

“We all go together, but after a certain point, probably once things get too bad, one of us heads back with Tigershark. It doesn’t matter which of us does so, I’ll even volunteer if I have to, but I think it’s better that way.”

“How will that work without being noticed?”

“First, nothing is certain. But, worst case scenario, I don’t think she’d want to be there to see or hear it. Second, I’m sure you can work up a distraction.”

“Is that all you wanted to discuss?”

I gave her a short nod, which prompted her to tilt her head.

“Sorry, I guess I’m not done after all,” I added.

“That sounds like you, all right.”

Ha. As if the rest of what I was about to say would.

“I thought over many things while I was in the hospital,” I told her. “I don’t expect you to understand as I hardly understand, myself. But I’ve been evaluating how I’ve been, all the things I’ve done, and I have to ask, do you think of me as a clown?”

“No,” she answered. “I’ve managed to dig up some of your history, and through all your schemes and resources you’ve acquired through manipulation, it would leave some to think that you were building up something, or that there was something complex about you. But I think I understand now that that’s not the case. Rather, you seem to do things just to see if you can. You’re neither a clown nor a court jester, because you don’t seek to amuse anyone but yourself.”

Ah, there it was. Funny how the one who understood people the least would be the easiest one to talk to.

“You may be right about that,” I admitted, without a hint of amusement. “You know, when I was younger, I would make myself busy with little things I didn’t really need to do, all to make myself seem busy. There were men who I dated, or had relations with, anyway, who I would have them wait for arranged dates and ‘schedule them in’. I suppose that’s not too abnormal for someone busy, but I would also demand that they call to confirm our arrangements. As I told them, the reason behind it was that I always had something going on, and I never knew when something important might come up. The truth was, most of the time I just wasn’t interested in them, no matter how attractive I found them or how much I meant to them.”

“Why does that matter? Dwelling on those things doesn’t matter considering you’re much older now,” she replied, and she was right to say so. None of those relationships lasted, through no fault of them, and just the fact that they often caught on to how little I cared for it.

“That’s the thing: I don’t think I’m all that different now. Aside from Sunny, my daughter, and to an extent, Tigershark, I feel I care little for others.”

“Not even me?” She asked, and I found it odd. Just as odd as her earlier statement about how to deal with Demetria.

“Why do you sound disappointed? I thought you didn’t care about others.”

“I don’t, but it’s just that you’ve tried to be accommodating toward me, so I just thought that you did.”

“You don’t have to care about someone to be nice to them. I try to be welcoming toward everyone I work with.”

“I see.”

Although there wasn’t really any emotion behind her voice, she still seemed disappointed by my answer. I just didn’t know what else to say about it.

“Look, it’s not that I can’t or won’t ever. It’s just a strange feeling I have. It’s just like you said, I had no particular reason behind the things I did, except for that they provided me amusement. But now they do nothing for me. I’ve started to feel a sense of emptiness about it all and I wonder how I managed to keep up such a carefree facade for so long. It’s like I’m trying to put on an act like I am how I’ve always been, but I don’t think I’ve ever been genuine. I feel like it’s growing harder to mask my bitterness and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my life, if anything.”

She wasted no time in her response, as she leaned forward, her elbow on the desk, and her hand covering the right half of her mouth, as if she were about to tell me a secret and she didn’t want anyone else to know.

“I’ll be honest with you, this isn’t exactly the happiest place on earth,” she rasped, and any other day, I would have let out a chuckle. I think I had reached my quota.

“No, I suppose it isn’t.”

“If anything, I’m surprised it’s just now starting to affect you,” she continued. “I mean, the harsh weather conditions, the isolated area, the many deaths that have occurred, it’s enough to make anyone bitter.”

“That’s why I I admire Sunny so much. See, her carefree attitude is genuine. We’ve had hardships and she can be fairly rational at times, but through it all, she’s kept a positive attitude.”

“I imagine it helps to have someone like her around to get you by,” Remora concurred. I felt a dizziness befall me and I no longer desired to remain on the subject on hand. Or rather, I no longer desired to be the subject at hand.

“By the way, what made you choose this place?” I asked instead. She shrugged in response.

“It seemed the most fitting place to be, given my condition. That, and...this feels like the closest to a home that I know. I believe I was born in the area, or at least, I was found somewhere close by.”

“I think I can see the logic in that,” I replied after some thought. Then, one last question came to mind. Something that I never thought to ask, but felt like I should have been curious about.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but I’m just curious, why Remora? There’s no pun associated with it, and not to mention, you never changed your last name along with it.”

She scoffed. Or chuckled. It was hard to tell, really.

“Yeah...real careless on my part. There’s a funny story about that, actually.”

“Yeah?”

“It was sometime when I first arrived in this timeline, I wasn’t yet recognized, I had just changed my hair to red, and I felt free to go wherever I wanted. So I walked through a random city one day and came across an aquarium. There was one large tank with sharks inside, and next to those sharks were these weird fish with suction cups. Next to the tank was the name of said fish, and it said ‘remora’. I found it odd how those things latched on those sharks, and how the shark just...let it. I knew it wasn’t that interesting, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away, either.”

“So that’s why?” I asked.

“No, otherwise I’d have walked into a sandwich shop long ago and decided my name was Turkey Club. Rather, I was about to move on to the other creatures on display, but then this young woman approached me, rather out of the blue, too. She said hi, and I didn’t know what to say. Like, she asked if I liked fish, and I told her that they tasted good. Then she started to ramble on about if she were a fish or something, I don’t remember. But I do remember her stomach growled, and people do act weird when they’re hungry, so I offered a bit of money.”

“Did you ever learn that person’s name?” I asked, already having an idea who the mystery person was.

“No. It was a random encounter, anyway. I’m surprised I even remember that much. Anyway, she asked for my name and I just drew a blank and said the first thing that came to mind, which was the name of that weird fish attached to the shark. After a while, I just decided the name would stick, since after all, I didn’t plan on meeting anyone, anyway.”

“About that young woman, what do you think you would say if you ever saw her again?”

Again, she shrugged in response.

“I don’t know. ‘You better have been eating well’ or something? Like, I know I for one don’t like being hungry, so I’d hope she’s been taking care of herself. But otherwise, I don’t know if I’d really have anything else to say, seeing as I doubt we’d run into each other again.”

“Yes, but hypothetical speaking, I think it’s interesting to imagine such scenarios. Those ‘what-ifs’.”

“Heh. I suppose so. Sometimes I think it’s a rather small world, even though I know the opposite’s true. Like, there’s so many people, but somehow you end up finding others who are connected to you in some way. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Indeed. That’s a good way to put it: small world. Short, even.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, never mind,” I told her. “It’s getting late and I know we all have many things ahead of us, so I should try to get some sleep.”

It felt odd, but I thought I could see just a hint of a smile on her face. I wondered if it was genuine, or if I even saw a smile at all.

“Yes, I agree. Rest, then,” and then she stood from her seat. I did the same.

“One last thing, Remora,” I added.

“Yes?”

“You seem different from how you were before as well,” I remarked, then headed toward the staircase to the attic so I could meet the one sunflower in this tundra. As I made my way up, I heard Remora’s voice from behind me.

“I don’t see how,” was her reply, and though there wasn’t so much of a warmth to her voice, I didn’t quite catch the same iciness that I was used to.

Then again, I still wasn’t quite sure if I was correct on how I perceived anyone to be anymore, let alone myself.

[demoncryptspanties]

Time after Time

Part 2,

Masterlist, Part 1 

Ambrose Spellman x Reader

A/N Thank you so much for the love guys, a special thanks to @wakandamama for being such a babe, heres part 2, please enjoy x

He had left just before the period finished leaving you to go to your compulsory ritual class alone. You met Lilac outside her classroom as Rituals was only a half-hour class eager to tell her what had happened.

“You look like a bunny that’s just gotten a carrot what is it. Is the writing guy really good looking or something,” you couldn’t contain the smile you had when she mentioned him.

“His name is Ambrose. He’s the guy from Spain and he also sort of maybe asked me out.” You waited patiently for her to process but it didn’t take long. She stopped in the empty corridor, turning back to you and squealed louder than you expected in a way that also seemed very unlike her.

“You are joking right. The poem guy, the hot one that you kept talking about. That guy. The one with the fish. The fate one” She had a glint in her eye that could only spell trouble.

“Yes,” you were hesitant, head cocked slightly.

“Well I’m coming to your date when is it,” she said matter-of-factly.

“No, what you can’t do that. It’s actually now I should get going” You tried to walk away from her, but she pulled on your arm.

“Well I have skills and I will be there in 10 minutes where is it.”

“The library, I need to go Lilac.” You pulled away from her again. A bashful smile was on her face.

“Okay I’ll see you there,” She turned around in the other direction leaving you again confused and what seemed like late. You rushed off into the direction of the library taking a breath once outside of the large wooden doors. Adjusting your top, you pushed open the heavy door. And walked into the library walking through keeping an eye open for his figure.

You ended up at the back in a corner near a large fire, Ambrose had a book in his hand and seemed pretty engrossed in it.

“Hey, pretty sure I was asked to be here,” you laughed nervously and went to adjust your top again. His eyes lit up when he looked at you.

“Hey. You look good. I mean not any different than you did a couple of hours ago which was good. Why are we standing, the seats are really comfortable? Actual leather.” He spoke fast, seemingly just as nervous as you.

You took a seat opposite him, the fire illuminating both your faces as the lamps seemed to be scarce in this part of the room. “Any particular reason you ran off after class Ambrose”

“Well I’m not a student and Daniel isn’t exactly my biggest fan, I didn’t want to stay and get stuck in a conversation with him,” He chuckled lightly reflecting on a memory before turning back to you, “so. How are you settling in? How is the weather?”

“How is the weather seems to be the standard question. It’s cold and wet but nothing I can’t get used to. What brings you back here?”

“Suggestion from my uncle.” He didn’t expand on the matter and sort of shut-in on himself. He took a deep sigh and then pointed towards the fire “Well you’ve seen what I can do with fish in the river, how about fire.”

You nodded at him and he flicked his wrist in a subtle movement. Muttering something you couldn’t quite catch, the fire seemed to settle down and moulded into the forms of a man and woman. They caressed each other gently and then danced in a slow and calm sequence.

“I have a better idea if you don’t mind standing up.” He smiled at you and obliged, putting your hands out which he took, waiting for you to do something. You walked over to the nearest surface and muttered the chant you had learnt as a child. You reached out into the small void you created and pulled the vinyl player which had been a parting gift from your sister and placed it on the desk in front of you. You set up the record and let it play, the soft tune of a piano filling the air.

He held out his hand the soft smile still present on his face, but his eyebrows were raised in a questioning manner. “This is a little cliché for a first date don’t you think, although I’m not complaining” He spun you around and the two of you ended up close enough that the rest of the room dissipated.

“Yeah, I read it in a book once it seemed like something cute to do,” you giggled slightly the two of you settling into a rhythm and soft chatter. It was only until both sides of the disks had finished that you two finally separated from the soft swaying and occasional spins.

“It’s getting late you should probably go,” he stepped back from you, hands still in your hands.

“Yeah, I should. I hope we do this again.” You picked up your bag and turned to leave, putting the vinyl back through the void and onto your desk at home.

“I think, in class, for the sake of bias that we should keep this professional. But we will do this again.”

“I agree. I suppose this was fate right” you turned on your heel and took a step towards him but stopped.

He huffed, contemplating something before calling out to you, “hey, I know this is weird, you’ve literally only met me twice, but can I kiss you?”

Instead of answering you took a couple of steps towards him giving him a soft kiss before walking away, or more accurately lightly skipping. You opened the large door and stepped out, giving him a quick wave before letting it close, more softly than expected behind you. It was not two steps before you heard a call that made you jump.

“So, you kissed him, that’s cute. Honestly, your date was like something out of some romance book.” Lilac settled next to you, her steps matching yours.

“By the devil, I swear I will hex you next time you do that. How did you know, were you in there, I didn’t see you?”

“I told you I have skills. Well anyways so are you going to see him again. I mean you will in a couple of days but in a different way.” She wiggled her eyebrows at you and you both giggled.

“It’s not like you to seem so interested but yes if I can help it.” The two of you walked home together, you detailing any bits she missed and then her settling into another story of how she tormented that boy. You went to sleep that night with a smile on your face and very ready for your next class.

The next time you two met that wasn’t in class was purely by chance or fate depending on what you believed. Since you both decided to keep your relationship professional inside class you had been meaning to meet up for another date for two weeks now. He seemed to pay less attention to you in class it was a little awkward.

You were at the baker's a place you found yourself at often, drawn to the smell of fresh bread. The woman who ran it had two small children who you liked to see. In this particular moment, you had brought them a chalkboard each and attempted to teach them some French. Their mother was watching your effort with a soft smile and kind eyes.

Ambrose had walked in, in the middle of you reciting the numbers from one to ten. Your eyes connected and his eyes lit up, “Well sweetheart I didn’t expect to see you at the baker's.

“Why is that so unbelievable. I thought it was fate.” You smiled up at him forgetting where you were for a moment.

He chuckled lightly his eyes beaming. “I’m sorry,” his words seemed to confuse you. You cocked your head to say something, but he cut you off. “I'm sorry I've been so awkward in class and that I haven’t made an effort to talk to you outside of it.

You scoffed lightly before replying, “there isn’t a need to apologise. Conversations take to people I didn’t make an effort either.”

“You did I could see it. You wanted to say something, but I guessed you thought it was too awkward or something. I just wasn’t supposed to be here for long and I'm nervous. I don’t want to mess up anything. I’m not sure what I'll do so bad after 1 date but you...intrigue me a lot. I want to see where this goes.” He moved to lean on the counter the both of you still too engrossed in each other to acknowledge notice the women usher her children into the back.

“Well, you can make it up to me now. I have some bread and cheese we can eat lunch somewhere. Closer to the centre though, I don’t like being this close to human territory.” Although your eyes held worry, his held a pain you could only just make out.

“Yes, I think that’s best. I know it’s Friday afternoon but I’m sure you have a curfew right. For safety. Even though the night is our time others within the community aren’t as nice here.” His previous frown was still there although the emotion that his eyes held changed to something you couldn’t recognise.

You shuffled a little, feeling uncomfortable for some reason. Lily who owned the bakery stood by the counter studying your conversation. She also had a similar frown on her face. “Midnight but I want to get back at least an hour before then if we can.” You said.

“That’s fine. Are we leaving or what?” The familiar smile returned to his face, he offered you his arm which you gladly took. You gave Lily a soft smile and wave as you left the bakery walking out into the surprisingly sunny streets of England.

“So, Ambrose where are we going?” You gave him a small smile and interlinked your hands. He gladly held on tighter a similar smile present on his face.

“Well pumpkin, there’s the grounds around the school. There’s a little nook in the middle of the forest that not many people know about. I actually found it during Lupercalia when I schooled here.” He looked away from you, seemingly pondering on a memory.

“I don’t know whether I should ask about Pumpkin or Lupercalia.” You had a teasing smirk on your face, he tried to hide his smile.

“That is pumpkin bread that you have right. Or are my eyes deceiving me.” He turned a corner sharply, practically dragging you into the side street.

“It is.” You offered no protest over the nickname and settled into a steady pace with him again.

“Well, have you never participated in Lupercalia?” there was a teasing smirk on his face.

“Yes, but it was more because of pressure than anything else. It was fun. I haven’t participated since though.” A memory entered your mind. Not one you wanted to forget but not one you came across in fondness either.

The two of you walked some more, not saying too much to each other but the silence was comfortable and natural. He led you to the grounds and then the woods behind it. The school seemed to get further away, and the building became covered by the dense trees of the forest. After what seemed like 20 minutes of walking and a moment of extremely confused Ambrose you came across a small clearing. About large enough for a large picnic, beside a small river.

The trees around were still dense but it seemed to be in just the right place to catch the sun or moon at any time of day. It was bright and happy. Something unexpected for a place so close to the school for the gifted.

Ambrose gestured for you to sit which you did, close enough to the river to be able to put a hand in it. He took a seat directly opposite you. You used your cloak to sit on whereas he laid his in front of you taking the bread and cheese and laying it on top.

“You brought enough bread and cheese for at least 5 people. What is the occasion? Am I stealing someone’s food?” He chuckled lightly looking at you intently.

“I just really like bread and cheese. Also, it’s my sister’s anniversary so we’ll celebrate later over a mirror.” You looked away into the sky. It was bluer than you remember it being.

“Oh well congratulations to her, I guess. I didn’t bring any wine but a toast. With a slice of cheese. To the anniversary of your sister’s marriage…?”

“Excommunication but that works too.” He gave you a look that you couldn’t decipher but seemed to shake off the emotion and chewed on the pumpkin bread.

“Shall I show you something interesting.” You nodded at him and raised an eyebrow. He turned his head to the river, your eyes following him and set out a hand. He whispered something but you weren’t paying attention because the water splashed on you slightly and then you saw what looked like a fish do a small flip. It was glowing much like the ones on the bridge, but these were smaller, the patterns on them more intricate.

“It reminds me of moon magic,” you said a small smile on your face.

“Yeah, that was the objective. It works a lot better at night for that exact reason.”

“You’ll have to show me again at night then.” The two of you settled into the usual chatter from then on. You found out that his parents died when he was young, but he stayed with his two aunts. He was never that close with his uncle who was the high priest of his coven. He found out that Angelica had been excommunicated a year before you were due to come here and a little about Jude and his proposal. The strained relationship with parental figures seemed to be a running trend for both of you.

He showed you the fish after the moon had come out, keeping an eye on his watch to make sure the two of you didn’t stay out too late. When it came time for the two of you to go, he held you tightly to him asking you to put up your hood once you got back to the town. The minute you exited the school grounds the sky seemed to get darker than before and the overall atmosphere made you uncomfortable. It was not yet 10 pm and yet you had wished you left earlier.

Luckily the journey back to the house was uneventful, the familiar gravel steps offering comfort as soon as you stepped on them. He seemed to feel that as well. The two of you stood under at the porch, both contemplating what the proper goodbye should be. He made the decision, leaning in and kissing you softly before deepening the kiss seemingly out of instinct. You stepped away from him giving him another quick peck and a wink before walking inside the house.

The moment you closed the door you were faced with an excited looking Lilac. The teasing look on her face, had you trying to hide a smile. She pulled your arm, ushering you further not the house. You caught a look at Clara who was glaring pretty intensely at you before Lilac dragged you up to your room. Selene was wrapped around the bannister, but you scooped her up with you, wrapping herself around your wrist.

Lilac sat on the floor pulling you down with her. She gave you an inviting look and gestured with her hand. “Okay, can you spill, because I saw him outside.”

“Okay, so I saw him in the bakery when I was buying the bread and cheese, which a bought way too much, you should eat some, and he asked to go out for a picnic of sorts.” She gestured for you to continue and you did. Detailing the entire day, leaving out the unsettling feeling you had walking through the town.

Your conversation with your sister was about the same. You drank a small amount of wine and toasted with the bread and cheese. The best part of the conversation by far was you detailing your relationship with Ambrose. She seemed more excited than you anticipated asking for every detail and asking a large number of questions. You went to sleep exhausted but happy, excited for the next time you could see him.

The next two months of you two was interesting. You made it a tradition for every Friday and usually ended up spending at least one of the weekend days and any spare time between your classes together. Clara was still cold towards you, despite the fact that nothing had happened it seemed like the more Ambrose seemed to be around the more she began to hate you. She never explicitly said anything to anyone but the way she avoided you like the plague seemed to be enough.

You and Lilac had gotten even closer if you weren’t with Ambrose it was likely that you would be with Lilac. She had not set the boy she didn’t like on fire again and seemed to mellow out a little, still mischievous but never doing anything explicitly dangerous. You and your father spoke every week along with your sister, but you stayed clear of your mother. Even you and Jude had a small conversation, a slightly awkward conversation but a good one, nonetheless.

The time for Ambrose to leave had come and although it was clear to everyone that he wasn’t leaving, the two of you had skirted around talking about it until now. The two of you were sitting in your room, playing a game of cards. You were winning which was rather unusual in terms of this particular game, but he was distracted. You threw your cards down forcing him to look at you with a confused expression. “You’re losing. What’s wrong.”

“Nothing at all, can we just play.” He put down a card but on look at you made him pick it up again and sigh deeply. He put down his cards and turned to face you. “I’m supposed to be leaving. I wasn’t supposed to be here for longer. My uncle wants me back at the coven but of course, you’re here. They offered me a job at the school too which is great so now I have a place to work and a reason for my uncle to stay.”

You cocked your head to the side a little confused, “So what’s the issue?”

“Well. I like you, a lot. Technically I am courting you, but you have a proposal lined up and my uncle really wants me to go back.” He wasn’t able to meet your eye.

“I’ll make sure the proposal doesn’t happen. I’ll talk to him today; I didn’t want to marry him anyway so that’s fine. This was bound to happen anyway, better sooner than later.” You hand movements increased as you spoke, Selene rested on your thigh in a comforting gesture.

“Is that what you want though. We’ve been together for two months, that’s hardly a long time and with the way your family seem to be I think if you refuse the proposal it would be more difficult for you. They could excommunicate you.” You started to fidget, Selene snuggling closer to you.

“They probably will. You want to know if what we have is enough to throw that away right.”

“You won’t get another chance at a proposal Y/N. Me staying here is also a large risk for me. It could hurt how high in the coven I’ll be when I go back. That and the fact that we aren’t part of the same coven. Two months is a short time to have to make a big decision like that. You may not even be able to go back to your coven.” He finally looked at you straight in the eye, his eyes held a deep worry but whether that was for you or him you weren’t sure.

“Do you want to break up. Is that what you want?” Your voice cracked slightly, almost unnoticeably.

“No, no I don’t. I want to do what’s best for you. I think I love you.” You froze at that moment. He seemed to as well, unable to comprehend what he just said. The two of you looked at each other without saying anything for a good minute before you spoke up.

“You’re best for me. I love you too. I don’t want the proposal; I don’t want the coven. I get that two months is a really short time, but I want us and I’m willing to make that decision. I’ll tell Jude today.”

He seemed relieved; the card game forgotten. He took your face in his hands and kissed you gently. He then stood to leave, saying he had to sort a few things out and would see you the next day. He left with a simple peck and an “I love you pumpkin,” something that made you smile the rest of the evening.

It took a lot of courage to call Jude, you contemplating whether you should do this now or another day but you felt it was better to get it over with. He answered quickly like he could sense something coming. There was a warm smile on his face which made you feel worse than you already did.

“Hello Y/N.” Although your face must have been telling that something was wrong, he didn’t seem to see that, the warm smile still present on his face.

“Hello. As much as I want to engage in pleasantries can we talk.” His face dropped slightly but it seemed more out of reaction to your bluntness rather than of hurt.

“Yes of course. What’s wrong?”

“We can’t get married. I met a guy, but that isn’t it at all, it’s more of I don’t feel that way about you and I can’t marry someone I don’t like in that way. I just can’t do it.” His face didn’t seem to drop at all, him patiently waiting for you to stop rambling.

“Okay. In all honesty, I feel the same way. I didn’t even know you knew about the proposal but it's fine. Since I’m not the high priest of the coven it's likely you’ll be excommunicated for whatever reason your mother can make up but know that as soon as I take over, you’ll be free to come back, of course.” You raised your eyebrows in slight surprise.

“That’s fine. Thank you. Not to be rude because I am grateful, but you seemed very unsurprised and that answer seemed very thought out.”

He laughed lightly before answering you, “Well, I was talking to your sister since we are still good friends and she told me about the famous Ambrose. Also, I anticipated that you would say no. Out of all the options I had, you were the best, but I don’t see you in a romantic fashion.” You let out a relieved chuckle of your own and changed the subject to your sister and your parents. You found out that your parents were likely to get divorced, but appearances had meant that your mother was reluctant to let that happen.

The next couple of weeks seemed to go without a hitch, Ambrose sorted things out at home and was able to stay until you finished your course and the two of you seemed to be doing well. Lilac was eager to make a large amount of jokes once you told her quickly making you playfully annoyed. Clara cut off all contact from you together, making sure to say something snarky whenever the two of you had to interact.

The biggest change after everyone found out was Tom. He seemed to open up more for some reason, the teasing that you got from Lilac giving him a way to join in and your little circle became a little bigger. Once out of his shell you found out that you and Tom had a lot in common. His familiar was also a snake called Medusa, but they seemed to be as shy as each other so you rarely saw her. You made sure to spend time with him as often as possible as well as with Lilac together.

Things were good until it was time for a talk with your mother. She didn’t answer leaving your dad to talk to you which you did not mind. You were told from him even though you were expecting it that you had been excommunicated. Your parents had also decided to divorce, and your mother happened to be giving you the silent treatment. Even though it should have, the situation didn’t bother you at all. If anything, you felt a freedom that you had not before. There was no one to impress and your decisions could be made for you and you alone. It was bliss.

[quietlypondering]

Irises

A03 Ships: Logince. Background Moxiety. Platonic Logicality. Genre: Fluff, Romance Word count:  3254 Summary: In which Logan works at an art museum, and is maybe, slightly smitten with the man who he sees often in the Van Gogh exhibit. This time, Logan talks to him. A sweet little love story ensues. A/N: I saw it was @starbucks-remy ‘s birthday so-- I had to write a little something ^^ Happy Birthday!!

It wasn’t often that Logan would say he was mesmerised by someone. He worked in an art museum - often he would get lost in the vibrancy of the paintings - the craftmanship of every second spent slaving over a marble statue. 

And out of every single piece of art in this damn museum… Roman Prince had to be the most beautiful thing Logan had ever seen.

Logan was in on Fridays - noon to 6pm sharp, and every single Friday, there he would be. Staring up at the Van Gogh paintings like they were going to disappear. Fragile, and entranced - it took everything Logan had in him to tear his eyes away.

And he became used to it - stealing glances as he walked by, desperately trying to hide the flush of pink at his cheeks.

But this time was different.

...If it hadn’t been for Patton, he probably would have never had the courage to do it-- but his roommate was right. Unfortunately.

The worst he could do was say no. Plus - Logan knew a lot about paintings!

With a short sigh, he straightened his tie, and… made his way through the exhibit.

The sun caught the man’s golden-brown hair in such a way that Logan may have said it was glowing. A silhouette of light engulfed him, growing a deeper orange as the sun began to set. Logan gulped. “...You like Van Gogh?”

The figure before him gasped, as if unaware of Logan’s presence, and stumbled backwards a few steps.

“Oh! Um. Sorry - did I startle you?”

“N-No! You didn’t, I just. Wasn’t expecting anyone to... “

There was a fairly awkward pause, as Logan tried in vain to hide the colour coming into his cheeks.

“...My apologies. I work here - and I’ve seen you by these paintings at least half of the Friday’s i’ve had on shift.”

The other relaxed a little, and extended a hand for Logan to shake - which Logan quickly took.

“I’m Roman. Roman Prince.”

“Logan. It’s... nice to meet you.”

Roman grinned back at him, and turned back to the painting he had been previously staring at. Irises.

Roman took a long, drawn out sigh and - without moving his gaze - said,“Did you know that blue irises symbolise hope?” Logan quirked an eyebrow, “Actually… No, I didn’t know that. You like flowers?” Roman blushed softly, and mumbled “I just… do a lot of writing.”

“A writer?” Logan asked.

Roman laughed curtly, “Well. Sort of. Never published - but you never know when life will give you an opportunity!” He ran a hand through his hair, and Logan watched in awe of how the sunlight trickle through his fingers like silk. “...I mostly come here for inspiration.”

Logan hummed softly. “Do you think you’ve found it?”

Roman let a small grin creep onto his face, before turning to face Logan fully. “I think… Yeah. I think I’ve found it.”

A pause.

“Do you wanna maybe get a drink?”

“...Y-Yes. Absolutely. I would love to.”

  Logan’s giddy stupor had quickly faded with the sudden realisation that he… had never gone on a date before. What was he to wear? What sorts of things did a person talk about on a date? He bit his lip, fiddling idly with the hem of his shirt while his roommate shuffled around in his wardrobe, a few hours later.

“How’s about this?” Patton turned, holding one of his suits that he had reserved for black-tie events only. With a sigh, Logan shook his head.

“Patton, I’m not wearing a suit to a cafe. You said you knew about fashion.”

“I do! Alright - I think maybe the suit was too much--”

“You think ?”

“What about something more… Oh! You could borrow one of my skirts?”

“...I’m not going to wear one of your skirts on a first date.”

Logan fell back onto his pillow, closing his eyes as if it would help him think better.

There was a gasp, and then something large and fabric smacking him in the face.

“...Ow.” 

“Sorry!!” “...You’re a terrible thrower, Patton.” “I’ve been told I’m a catcher, not a thrower!”

Logan groaned, pulling himself back up to a sitting position, and examining what it was that Patton had accidentally landed on his head. He blinked a few times, before smiling softly. “You know… This might do.”

The jacket was more Patton than him - but there was something about it that just reminded him of…

Okay so maybe it was the colour of Roman’s eyes.

...But he wouldn’t tell him that.

  The sun was just cresting over the horizon when Logan awoke to a too-early alarm for a Saturday, and the smell of coffee wafting in from the kitchen. Nervousness bubbled up inside him - but it was nice, in a way. He finally understood Patton’s reaction when he’d gone on first dates before - perhaps he shouldn’t have judged him too harshly.

With a stifled yawn, he padded across the floor and made his way into the kitchen, where his roommate stood with a steaming pot of coffee.

“Hey Logan!”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “You’re up surprisingly early.”

“I’m a morning person! ...And I may have been up all night talking to Virgil, but that’s besides the point-”

“Don’t tell me you pulled an all-nighter again…” There was a look of embarrassment. “ Patton. You know what irregular sleep can do to your health.”

“Well- yeah but. Virge couldn’t sleep.”

Logan huffed - but let a small smile creep through his look of annoyance. “Well. I suppose that’s fair. Having someone to accompany you through sleepless nights is…” Logan moved a hand to adjust his glasses, “...Rather ideal.”

Patton grinned into his coffee mug. “You talking about your date ?” He teased.

“Wh-” Logan startled, “No, I was talking about you and Virgil.”

“But also your date~” Patton hummed, leaving Logan with a reddening complexion.

In an attempt to hide it, he pulled a mug out of the cupboard and started pouring himself some of the coffee. He cleared his throat. “How’s it going with you and Virgil, anyway?”

He could practically feel the excitement exude from Patton’s very being as he was asked about his boyfriend.

“It’s going great! We, uh…” There was a small pause. “Actually, Lo… We’ve been talking about moving in together.”

Logan’s eyes flickered from his coffee to Patton’s conflicted expression, and back to his coffee. “That’s great, Patton.”

“R-Really?” Patton blinked, looking thoroughly surprised.

“Of course. You’re moving on to the next stage of your relationship with someone I… Do very much approve of. Not that you need my approval or anything. I’m happy for you, Pat.”

Patton smiled into his mug. “...Thanks. I was just-”

“Worried?”

“I mean- Yeah! You do nothing but eat, sleep and go to work - and that’s not a bad thing but you just… used to seem so miserable. But ever since this guy you’ve been crushing on you’ve been so… Happy . I was worried you would work yourself to the bone without me here to at least give you a bit of respite.” Patton sighed, before quickly returning to his usual smile. “I just want you to be able to be ok, Lo. You’re... my best friend.”

Logan couldn’t help but smile at that. To tell the truth - Patton’s sunny disposition had gotten him through many years of their education. “...Virgil is lucky to have you.”

Patton visibly flushed, before grinning ear to ear. “He said the same thing!” Finishing off his coffee, Patton poured himself another, and boosted himself up onto the counter. “...So, this guy. What’s he like?”

“Oh, goodness-” Logan started, feeling his cheeks heat up just a little more. “That question really just came out of nowhere. He’s, uh. His name is Roman…”

Patton raised both eyebrows expectantly. “Ooh. Fancy name.”

“I-I suppose you could say that, yes.” Another sip. “He… Seems very kind. And he likes art, so, I think we should get along, right?” Logan stumbled over his words like a schoolboy with a first crush - and Patton’s enthusiastic grinning was not helping.

Logan sighed, finishing off his coffee and putting it in the sink, before turning to walk back into his room - but quickly turned back to Patton.

“...Hey, Patton-”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you. Really. For… always being my friend.” Logan raised his empty coffee mug. “Here’s to an everlasting friendship, or whatever it was you said when we were ten.” He wiggled his pinky finger. “I believe you called it a-”

“The pinky promise! You remember it!” “...Of course I do. I don’t forget things - unlike someone sitting next to me, on the kitchen counter.”

“Aw, come on Lo, I’m not that forgetful.”

“Well, you’re certainly better than you were, I can’t disagree with that.” Logan leant against the counter, closing his eyes. “...What did you do on your first date with Virgil, Pat?”

“Hmm? Oh- well… Actually, I just went to his house. He didn’t want to go out, so I brought the party to him!” He tapped his fingers against his almost empty mug. “...That doesn’t help, does it?”

“It’s alright. You helped me pick out an outfit, so I suppose it makes us… even?” After a pause, Logan finally moved from the counter where he was leant against. “Speaking of clothes - I had better get ready. Thank you, Pat, for the coffee.”

“No problem!” Patton grinned, and Logan stepped into his room to ready himself for the date.

Logan was sort of, maybe, kind of beginning to regret the jacket - as he stood in the sweltering heat beneath the clock tower. Roman was five minutes away; almost on time, and yet here Logan was just about done with the heat already.

He pulled a hand through his hair, pushing his glasses back up his nose and pulling his phone back out.

From: Roman Prince Just coming around the corner!!

Logan lifted his gaze from the screen, unable to even let his nerves get the best of him - because before he could, he was almost immediately greeted with a face grinning back at him, waving enthusiastically from the other side of the street.

“Hey, Logan!”

He was… 

Logan felt his cheeks heat up.

He was beautiful. His hair tousled by the light breeze, a light pink lip gloss, a simple denim jacket with images he couldn’t quite make out embroidered onto it. 

“You look…” He attempted to disguise his red cheeks, “...Nice.”

“Thanks! I love your jacket!”

“Oh- this?” Logan looked down at it, “It used to be my friend’s - not particularly my style, but I do like the colours.”

He turned his gaze back up to Roman - Roman and those pretty blue eyes that Logan couldn’t seem to get out of his head.

“I think it suits you!”

Logan gave a shy smile. “...Thank you.”

The two of them made their way to a nearby cafe - quaint and cottage-like, with cobblestone walls and greenery dotted all about the place. Logan had to admit, it was quite adorable. He made a mental note to recommend it to Patton at a later date.

They sat opposite each other in a small nook way in the back, right next to a little ornate clock and a rather mesmerising abstract painting.

“This is a really nice place.” Logan said as he surveyed the area. Roman grinned at that.

“Yeah! I used to come here to wind down when I was in school… And more recently to write.”

“This does seem like a nice place to garner inspiration.” He smiled softly. There was a short pause - and Logan noticed Roman turn to stare at the painting beside them. “You must really like art.”

Roman chuckles softly, turning his gaze back to Logan. “Yeah! I love getting lost in the paintings, y’know? Just… Imagining what the person painting it was feeling as they creating it.” Roman smiled softly, “...I apologise. I’m actually a little nervous.”

Logan raised his eyebrows. “You are?”

“Yeah! I mean- you seem so… well put together.”

Logan couldn’t help but laugh at that. “You should see what my roommate has to say about that.”

Roman laughed in return - and Logan found himself awed by just the musicality of it.

The two of them ordered food and drinks and settled into a rhythm of pleasant smalltalk.

It was… funny. Logan wasn’t usually someone for small talk - but talking to Roman was just so relaxing. It was like they had clicked instantly - and perhaps, yes, they had both been crushing on each other from afar for… a while. But Logan was still shocked by how surprisingly easy it was to talk to Roman.

And they did talk - for hours, in fact. Logan was so lost in conversation that he seldom thought about any initial worry he’d had.

In fact, after three hours had passed and the lunch rush had dwindled away to but a few tables left full - they were so deep in conversation that neither realised they had gone past four.

“Did you always want to work in a museum?” Roman asked inquisitively. Logan made a face, clearly enough for Roman to get the answer. “No?”

“I.. Did take art history as a minor. But unfortunately, I flunked science. I wanted to be an astronomer.”

Roman frowned, “Oh no, how come?”

“Well.” Logan sighed, “Like I said earlier. I didn’t always look this… Well put together.” He gave a short laugh. “I would often find myself trading lack of sleep for getting work in on time and… Let’s just say, I didn’t make it through the exam.”

“Oh- that’s a shame. Would you go back and do science now?”

Logan thought for a moment - perhaps if Patton had asked this question, he would have said yes - but with Roman, it was…

“...No. I wouldn’t have met you if I didn’t work in the museum.”

Roman’s face gradually heated up at that - and Logan couldn’t help but smile. “What about you, though? Always a writer?”

“Nah, unfortunately. I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted to be on stage - but, yknow. My parents were stage parents. It took me a while to realise they were pushing their own ideals onto me. Even if I used to like acting… I just- can’t, really, anymore.”

Without even thinking - Logan moved his hand across the table. He wouldn’t hold Roman’s hand, but their knuckles touched briefly, and it was enough to make Logan’s heart go aflutter.

Roman smiled softly. He didn’t move his hand, either. The atmosphere was warm, and ever so kind - He felt his face turn red at just the barest brush of Roman’s fingers against his own. He smiled - fixing his glasses, before turning to Roman and saying “I’ve… had a lot of fun today. Even if we’ve only gotten lunch.

Roman grinned a wide, sunny grin and said “Me too! ...We should do it again, huh?”

“Mmhm. Yes. I think we most definitely should.”

Logan had found himself in a predicament.

After the date - which was fantastic in every sense of the word - he had lay in bed that night - his heart beating so wildly inside his chest that he simply couldn’t fall asleep.]

But it was a nice feeling. One that Logan, once upon a time, had thought he may never get to feel.

And he was smiling, giddy, into his pillow, trying to calm his brain enough for him to get a good night's rest.

Glancing at the time on his phone - 12am - he sighed softly. Content to fall asleep to the image of Roman’s sunny disposition. Until his phone buzzed, and Logan almost dropped his phone onto his face in surprise.

From: Roman Prince Hey! Sorry, it’s real late. 

To: Roman Prince Hello, Roman. Thank you for an amazing date earlier.

From: Roman Prince: Oh! You’re awake?

To: Roman Prince

Yes - It appears there’s a person I can’t seem to get out of my head.

From: Roman Prince Oh? C: Is he handsome?

To: Roman Prince

...I didn’t mention them being a man... But yes. He is. Quite handsome indeed.

From: Roman Prince Hmmmm maybe you should ask him on a date? ;)

To: Roman Prince ...Would you like to go on another date?

From: Roman Prince

Yeah!! I know we talked about it earlier but i had such a fun time! You should pick the place this time 

To: Roman Prince Hmm.. Well - next week, I finish work at six. We could perhaps go out for some drinks afterwards?

From: Roman Prince Perfect!! <3

Logan’s attempt to fight off a grin was in vain - and he found himself staring, enamoured, at the little emoji at the end of Roman’s text. A small giggle erupted from his lips, and he let the phone drop to his side.

He was struck by a sudden spark of curiosity - and quickly lifted his phone back up to his face, tapping in a few words into google.

Flower symbolism and meanings.

Satisfied, and with a small smile - Logan slowly drifted off to sleep - thoughts of the future dancing effortlessly around his head.

The next week went quick - thankfully. Logan wasn’t sure he could contain his excitement for much longer, and waking up for his Friday shift was certainly a breeze. 

Patton - being the absolute sweetheart that he was - had gone out and gotten Logan a new suit that was… Less smart than his black-tie suit, but still gave off an air of properness that he did quite enjoy.

“For your next date!” He had said. “Think of it as an early birthday present~”

Logan, quite honestly, couldn’t have been more grateful. It was only right that he wore the suit to work and the subsequent date that day -- so he did.

He couldn’t quite seem to get rid of a nervous feeling creeping up his chest. Still, he strode into work as he did every week, and knew that there would be someone waiting for him once he left. Someone who simply rendered him breathless.

And - there he was. Roman, stood in front of Irises, with a pensive, yet whimsical expression on his face. Logan smiled - in time for Roman to see him out of the corner of his eye, and turn towards him with such a brilliant smile that Logan felt he may have been walking on air.

“I have to admit,” Logan started, “...This painting really is quite lovely.” Logan paused, running a hand through his hair to possibly quell his nerves.

They stood in comfortable silence - their hands barely touching as they both looked up at this painting. “By the way,” Logan dug deep into his pocket, before producing a small pin. “...This may be silly but I- Well. I researched flower meanings.” He chuckled softly, “Daffodils, apparently, mean ‘new beginnings’ and… Well- This is for you.”

Roman’s cheeks went a deep shade of red as he excitedly took the little pin from Logan. “Oh! This is really cute!” He looked down at it in his hands, “I’ll put this on my denim jacket as soon as I get home!”

Roman gave Logan another one of those breath-stopping grins, and they hugged - but as Roman pulled away, their eyes met, and Logan could feel his heart beating erratically inside his chest.

“May… May I kiss you?”

“...Y-Yeah. You may.”

And so they kissed, right there, soft and sweet in the middle of the empty exhibit. Logan’s eyes fluttered closed as he felt Roman’s arm slip around the small of his back. He almost sighed into the feeling of it. 

It… was everything he had ever hoped for.

[hphm-etched-engraved-everlasting]

8. Em

Author’s Note/Table of Contents

Barnaby Lee was no stranger to me--especially since he's described so often now as Clara's sweetheart.

I mean, that was the most I could call him, right? I wasn't sure if he and Clara were really a confirmed couple, but I did know that they were fond of each other either way, the way his eyes always lit up whenever he told me about her and vice versa. Interacting with Slytherins before him made me put my guard up more than I'd like, but being friends with Hillary really showed that not all Slytherins were that bad after all. He had a kind heart, and he always came by with sweets--a good sign that he cared so much about me because he cared a lot about her.

At least to me, he's a good friend. That's enough for me.

And speaking of my sister...well, she turned into a blushing mess the minute we stepped onto the Training Grounds, walking right over to where Barnaby and Badeea were painting on big square canvases sitting atop their easels. I could see her face turn crimson as we approached them, and I had to drag her over to them with my hand firm over her wrist.

I suppose she had it really hard for him after all.

"Hey, Clara!" he greeted her with a wave. "Hey, Em!"

He stepped aside then to reveal his canvas, where a single Bowtruckle was standing in the middle of some blue and white space on the canvas, a huge smile on its face. I almost cooed in awe at the sight of it--I had always wanted to see a real Bowtruckle, and to see that it looked this cute really made me smile. But Clara looked like she was actually going to cry.

That was when I remembered that in her fourth year, she named a Bowtruckle after our brother, Jacob, and had felt fiercely protective of it after relocating him in the Forbidden Forest last year while studying for her OWLs.

"So, what do you think of my painting?" he asked us, a big cheeky grin on his face.

"It's...really cute," I offered, nodding thoughtfully before looking up at my sister.

"It's...special," Clara responded then, wiping away the tears that began to trickle down her face. "I mean, you painted a Bowtruckle..."

"Not just any Bowtruckle. It's Jacob the Bowtruckle!" Barnaby said enthusiastically. "I guess I got inspired from our OWLs study session last year, and he reminded me of how you helped me believe in myself." He reached over and gently wiped her tears with his thumbs, coaxing a smile out of my sister. "Hope you didn't mind, of course. You've become my muse more often nowadays."

Oh. Well. That was definitely what they meant by "sweetheart."

"I can't tell if you meant it's good or bad, Clara," Badeea finally said after a moment's silence, looking at the two of them quizzically as if trying to find the right time to break the ice.

"Exactly!" Barnaby responded. "That's what makes art so mysterious."

I simply glanced over from Barnaby's simple Bowtruckle painting to Badeea's nighttime shot of Hogsmeade--probably a little something to get her own creative juices flowing. I understood how much of a block she's had nowadays. "I wish I got a chance to appreciate art more," I murmured. "Never thought of it much after Beatrice got trapped in a portrait last year."

"I never thought you were still giving painting lessons to Barnaby, Badeea," Clara piped up, wiping her glasses now with the hem of her dress.

"Oh, of course. We just started again," Badeea explained. "Barnaby has big plans."

At that, Barnaby turned to us with a proud smile on his face. "Yeah! Over the summer, I learned what a 'Renaissance Man' is. It means knowing only a little bit about a lot of things."

It wasn't that far off the mark, I figured. The Renaissance people were all about embracing Enlightenment, and revolutionizing the culture of people through the arts and other things. I figured anyone with a Renaissance mind would want to have many talents. If Barnaby's aspiring to become one of them, I hope he succeeds.

"Where did you get that definition from?" I asked him with a knowing smile. "It sounds pretty accurate."

"Hm? I dunno, actually. Can't remember," Barnaby replied with a small frown, his face scrunched up in confusion. "I'm sure it must have been from somewhere...but anyway, I decided that I want to become a Renaissance Wizard."

I guess I could see now why Clara loved Barnaby so much. He had the ambition of a Slytherin, but he also had a huge heart and open mind. Of course, he wasn't always like this when they first started their friendship, but seeing them now made me nod and smile. I wasn't always a huge fan of romance, but this was like seeing a beautiful rose blossom before my eyes--something that isn't so cringey and gross. They were just being themselves around each other, and I could see the close bond they had, the way they interacted and smiled at each other in a touching way.

"Sounds ambitious," Clara finally remarked with an approving grin of her own, nodding and taking his hand. "I look forward to seeing how it turns out."

Barnaby nodded and kissed her on the cheek, which made her turn a brilliant shade of pink.

"Thanks, Clara."

I glanced over at Badeea now, who was trying so hard not to burst into giggles. I could relate. They were definitely sweethearts.

"So, what did you want to see me about?" Barnaby asked her then, swinging their linked hands slightly, to and fro.

"Actually, I need some advice about Ismelda," Clara ventured tentatively, her face now turning pale.

Andre warned me back in the courtyard that Ismelda was not one to mess with. Sure, he helped her confess her feelings to Barnaby, but that didn't mean he was okay with actually hanging around with her after the air was cleared. I couldn't imagine how a girl with morbid thoughts about blood and gore would want to hang out with someone who appreciated everything that lives. Of course, I didn't hear everything between Clara, Beatrice, and Ismelda back in the courtyard, but I could sense the tension between all three of them and know just how charged anyone would be if the names of those who brought them sheer discomfort was brought up in a conversation at all.

But Barnaby didn't flinch at all. Instead, he just frowned.

"She doesn't have a crush on me again, does she?" he asked her. "My schedule's quite packed with Renaissance Wizard activities. And making sure your sister's doing fine. And...well..."

"Yeah. I know. But no, she doesn't," Clara confirmed.

"I figured. We haven't been all that friendly in years."

"So...you won't give us advice?" I asked him. "I mean, if you haven't talked with Ismelda recently then we can try to talk with Merula. Even if she's been...guarded."

"No, of course I will," Barnaby promised. "But you'll have to duel me for it."

Duelling? I had no experience with duelling, let alone combative magic and spells. I turned to Clara now, who blanched even more at the prospect of raising her wand for another fight.

"Duel you for advice?" she asked meekly. "Why?"

"A Renaissance Wizard can't just stop at painting lessons," Barnaby explained. "I could use some duelling lessons, too."

"Diego gives duelling lessons," I chipped in then. "He's actually pretty powerful if I say so myself. One day he gave this Ravenclaw first-year girl a good Bat-Bogey Hex when she wouldn't shut up about the flowers in my hair."

And it wasn't a habit I always kept--I only wore tiny little sunflower clips in my hair that day because it was so sunny outside I had to match it. Apparently, some of us didn't appreciate it. I was only lucky that Diego was close by when the teasing happened, and he made her run and scream once it was all over. It was then when he said he wanted to protect me from anyone who tried to hurt me.

"True. I've seen it myself," Barnaby agreed. "But Clara was the one who duelled a Troll and a Dragon."

"Barnaby!" Badeea jumped in shock at that. "I'm sure those aren't exactly good memories for Clara. She was doing what had to be done to break the Portrait Curse."

Barnaby's face paled when Badeea told him, and he sighed, squeezing my sister's hand. "I'm sorry, Clara. We all know what you've been through."

"And little Em," Badeea reminded him. "It must be hard to imagine what her two older siblings had to go through here."

Clara nodded, glancing at me and Badeea. "Yeah, but if anything positive can come out of something negative..." She trailed off, smiling at me, and I knew what she meant. With another danger out of the way, even if I wasn't completely safe, she'd be well assured that my first year at Hogwarts would be as normal as it could get.

"Sounds like I could be getting my duelling lesson...?" Barnaby asked her, an eager grin on his face.

"All right," Clara eventually agreed. "Let's duel."

Badeea quickly brought me away from the two as they took their positions, bowing to each other before going into their ready stance. With their wands drawn, I couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated. I never saw Clara looking this bold before--not while I witnessed her with red puffy eyes and slouched frame that curled into a fetal position more than once over the summer. Then again, there was a lot to my sister that I know nothing about. She shared a stronger bond with Jacob when we were younger, after all.

When Jacob first went missing, all my parents could say was that he was taking a trip with his friends, and that he would be back soon. As the years went by, though, the image of Jacob--whatever impression he first left in my naive toddler mind--faded away from my memory. He never returned from whatever trip he took, and it lead to my parents fighting more than I was used to. My mother was badly humiliated, my father embarrassed and angry.

His gardens almost withered from the withdrawal of life that everyone felt. Her books were taken off the shelves of Flourish and Blotts to save her from the horrible reviews critics have given her.

And me? I could only do so much to help them calm down. I reminded them of the lie they told me. I tried to offer them the stuffed magical creatures I was gifted. But every day, they pulled more away from me, isolating themselves in a world where the family was forever deemed dysfunctional, incomplete, and practically irreparable. Only last summer did the truth come out, and from my older sister who saw him--probably for the last time.

Now I understood why Merula and Ben had changed so much from how Clara first saw them. The search for the Cursed Vaults had tested not only their individual abilities. They've tested the strength of their alliance with others, too--no one would dare enter the Cursed Vaults alone, after all. Rakepick chose her, Merula, and Bill Weasley as her apprentice curse-breakers for a reason.

No one imagined it would be for dragon bait.

I could see Clara cast her spells with so much force, almost like the night she was training with Merula. Barnaby still got a few chances to recover, but it was mostly Clara casting all the spells she needed. When it was finally over, she and Barnaby returned to us, Barnaby rubbing his eyes from where the handkerchief slapped him to finish off the duel.

"Wow. You sure schooled me, Clara," Barnaby remarked. "I feel I'm a better dueller already!"

"Indeed. You really are quite good, Clara," Badeea complimented with a smile.

Clara simply nodded, and I could see the steel melting from her eyes as she smiled back at the two of them. "Thank you both."

"So about Ismelda...what did you want to know?" Barnaby asked us then.

"Well, Ismelda's sort of taken Beatrice Haywood under her wing," Clara began.

"Ismelda and Penny's little sister?" Barnaby's eyes darted from me to Clara, over and over. "Odd pair."

"Beatrice had been a little lost since getting out of the painting, and her search ended up here," Clara explained. "And Penny's worried about Beatrice falling under the wrong influence. Ismelda can be rather jaded--but Ismelda is also being so protective of Beatrice that there's no getting by her."

"You must know something that can help, Barnaby," I piped up. "After all, you were with Ismelda when you and my sister first met."

"And Merula too," Barnaby recalled grimly.

"Don't get us started on Merula," Clara warned him. "She's reaching new levels of jaded."

Barnaby nodded thoughtfully, scratching his chin pensively. Then he looked up at Clara, and I thought I saw a glimmer of fondness in his eyes.

"Honestly, what helped me the most...was time with you," Barnaby stated. "I wanted friends. Everyone does. But the ones I first found were often bitter and cruel. So I often joined in, afraid to be left out--until you showed me I could have friends that didn't behave that way."

Something about Barnaby's words hit home for me. I wanted friends, too. Clara's often encouraging me to have a normal school year in her stead, with all the curse-breaking adventures she has going on. What if my flaw of being left out so much turns into a craving for company--even company with the worst folk? I just hoped Hillary wouldn't turn into a villain I had to look out for. For now, though, I could say Eunice and Travis were enough to deal with.

"So that's my best advice," Barnaby said eventually. "Spend time around Beatrice, whether Ismelda's around or not. Beatrice probably just wants to feel like she's part of something--soon she'll see that she has choices."

Beatrice didn't even have many friends to begin with, now that I thought about it. In a way, she must have had it worse than me. I looked up at Clara, who was looking at Badeea, the two of them exchanging surprised glances.

"That was so...wise," Badeea eventually managed to say.

"Rather touching, too," Clara added, her cheeks colouring a brilliant pink yet again.

"I think I can give it a go," I finally agreed. "Beatrice and I are in the same house, after all. If she could see me as a friend rather than just Penny's friend's sister, then maybe we could get somewhere with a new friendship."

Clara nodded. "You sure, though? You told me she--"

"Scared me a bit. She still does," I admitted. "But Barnaby's right. Reaching out to her might be the best option for us, and she and I are almost the same age, too. Maybe she'll understand."

Barnaby nodded at me then and smiled, handing me a Chocolate Frog box that he had in his pocket. "I hope it works out, little Em."

"And I'll head back to the Courtyard to see if Beatrice is still there," Clara offered. She smiled fondly at him before wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you, Barnaby. You just might be a Renaissance Wizard after all."

Once more, Badeea looked like she was going to dissolve in a fit of giggles, and I chuckled slightly at the sight of my sister in the arms of someone she loved and cherished.

I could truly see them being happy together. After all, they were each other's sweethearts. But would Clara still be this happy, with the possibility of a final curse still looming over the school?

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 94

It’s not our job to clean up everything.

Sitting underneath a new, ever growing mountain of paperwork that continued to spawn from all the people you were supposed to be helping, you couldn’t keep yourself from thinking about these words from Tony. They’d come in the heat of a moment where you really were worried about cleaning everything up- yet that everything had seemed so small, at the time. The world was so much bigger now. It had so many more problems. And so much more to fix. 

Despite Tony saying that to you, those couple of years back, he seemed to be feeling the pressure, too. He’d shown his face at a new site, so he had now become equally responsible for a response team. While you tried to take the reins as the head of Damage Control, wanting him to be able to focus on other important things, he wasn’t complaining in the slightest as he fell in line aside you. 

While Thor had been correct in his assessment that he and Jane could handle that spaceship that had come to earth, he’d also just as easily stepped back so that the two of you could… clean up. As you always did. Maybe it was just that Stark Industries was the only one with the means. But that wasn’t true, was it. In times like these, staring at your laptop after fifty emails in a row, you wondered if Fury delighted in the fact that you were so open and out there about your role in all this. Less work for him. 

Because at the start of all this, he’d told you and Tony the world was bigger than the two of you could have ever imagined. That there were more superheroes than you knew. And he’d been right. So it stood to reason that before all of this, SHIELD had been the one cleaning up and even hiding messes like this. ...hadn’t they owned Damage Control at some point? And yet Ellis had told you when you’d assumed it that it had been underwater. Had this been some grand game to get you and Tony to start doing all this work- ...maybe as some sort of payback for nosing your way in at the start? 

...no, it couldn’t be that deep, could it? And… besides all that, you had wanted to help people. You had wanted to clean up. But perhaps that thought had come in wondering if anyone else had had the means. If anyone else would. Leaving it to chance that somebody else would just step up was always foolish. You had to find a way to be content with all this.

You had to, because if you didn’t… you’d just keep on wondering. Wondering about this and… about how much more you had to do. How much more would need to be done in the future. These events seemed to keep coming. More rapidly each time they occurred. What would be the next big one? Would you be prepared? Would you be able to not only handle the clean up, but even handle whatever it was? 

Thankfully- truly, thankfully- your thoughts (and work) were interrupted by your office door opening. In walking a very sharp looking Tony, in an absolutely gorgeous three piece suit in a deep wine color, with a black button up shirt and tie to match underneath. In his hands he was carrying a small but flush bouquet of red and blue roses. And yet… “You’re too handsome to be looking so… sad.” He had an upset look about him, brows squinched, corner of his lip drawn down. “What’s the matter? -...and the occasion?”

He came closer, rounding the desk to sit on the corner. Holding the flowers out, he waited until you took hold to speak. “Well… I was going to come up here. Sweep you off your feet for an early anniversary start. I have all the reservations at Serra booked… they were even nice enough to dress up the room a little more.” 

“...but? Don’t tell me you saw the literal mountain of paperwork on my desk.” Yes. A literal mountain. “...and decided I was too busy?” 

At this he laced his fingers together over his thigh and directed an arched brow your way. “Does that sound like me?” Though at your giggles, his mood lifted. At least a little. But his eyes fell downwards. “No- it’s…” Drawing in a deep sigh. “Thor just showed up. With Doctor Foster, no less. So. You know...” 

Well. You’d only been waiting to speak to him for a quite a long time. Perhaps give him a loving backhand across the face for all the trouble and ask for an apology. And then a hug. Because you missed him. But god damn it, if he kept bringing aliens to destroy the earth every time he visited, you were really going to have to rethink this friendship. But… well… 

Tony looked gorgeous. And he’d made plans. And… and… honestly, more than that… him trying to put sense of duty over his personal time… it broke your heart. More so the soft forlorn look in those deep brown eyes of his. Because he knew you’d pick Thor. He knew already, that once he told you that you’d tell him- well, let’s just take an hour and talk and then we’ll go. You’d put him on the back burner for that same duty. And he… he was making peace with that. Much as he didn’t like it. If he hadn’t, he’d have literally just swept you off your feet, as intended, and let you find out about it later.

But he wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t lie to you like that. Not even at the cost of… your time together. 

Settling the bouquet in the crook of your arm, you stood. His head lifted, tracking you, and you felt that pang of resolved sadness. The regret over the current state of your lives. Busy and messy. But it was just the way things were. He thought he knew what you were about to say, so he was allowing himself to feel solemn before he’d have to just steel himself and accept it all. 

You settled your palm over his cheek, eased a little as he leaned in to you, his eyes going half-lidded. “Tony…” 

“Yeah. I know. But… let’s just enjoy this for like five minutes, okay?” Reaching up to hold his hand over yours so you wouldn’t leave. 

That was really the nail in the coffin, wasn’t it? You let a soft smile overtake you. “Let’s enjoy it for longer. Thor’s taken off twice now. I think everyone else can show him around and get a report while we take some time for ourselves. Consider it mild payback.” 

Finally he seemed to bloom a little happiness. And it was beautiful, the way he both brightened and yet melted right in front of you. His smile was sweet for only a moment, before it moved into a light grin. “SHIELD won’t be too happy. Us shirking off.” He was probably right. The right thing to do would be to go to Thor. Get a debrief. A long one. And then show him around. Keep him here for a while. 

But you were a little tired of doing the right thing. And this wasn’t necessarily wrong. It wasn’t even really selfish. To be honest… it was just necessary. “Well, SHIELD can come do their job then. I’m tired of doing it for them.” 

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Turning his head more into your hand, he pressed a few kisses to your palm. “JARVIS, get a suit on deck. And make sure the hallways are clear. Don’t be too suspicious about it.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Wait- I have to go upstairs and change.” Deciding not to get totally swept up in the moment. He was dressed so nice. While your business casual wasn’t not nice it wasn’t exactly matching. 

He cast a curious glance up your way. “Why changed? You don’t have to dress up for me.” 

“You did.” Leaning in to press a kiss to his nose. 

“Yeah, but. You’re already perfect.” The sunny smile he was beaming up at you, eyes alight, really did threaten to undo just about every part of you. 

Tilting down next you laid a kiss to his lips. Lingering for just a little bit. But when you broke, “So are you. And I just want to get dressed up for dinner.” 

He seemed a little dazed. To all your credit. “Dress away, honey.” 

Looking up briefly, “JARVIS, can you cover me?” 

“Of course, ma’am. It seems that DUM-E has accidentally set a small fire in the Avenger’s living quarters. You should be clear to go to the penthouse without being seen.” 

This, of course, shocked you. “JARVIS! That’s a little overdoing it, don’t you think??” 

“I assure you, I had nothing to do with that, ma’am.” 

Tony’s sudden bubbly laughter  got the better of you. Sometimes life was really just like that. 

                                                             ----

It was nice, pretending to be normal. Save the fact that an Iron Man suit was parked outside. And that the two of you had sneaked off in fancy clothes. To a restaurant that was completely empty because the wealthiest man on earth had bought it out for the evening just to spend private time with you. Yes. That sort of normal. You liked that normal. 

It was more than the well made food, or the twinkly atmosphere with white snowy tree branches decorating the ceiling adorned with soft colored lights- the otherwise lowly lit room, mostly by the candles atop each table… more than the sweet hot chocolate, or the molten lava cake the two of you were sharing while laughing about something insignificant… these things made the evening nice but…

Looking across the table, Tony’s face warmed by the glow of the room, the smile lines at his eyes as you got yet another laugh out of him… just the way he was looking at you… the way he reached over to take your hand in his, with a gentle squeeze, and then pressed another humming laugh against the back while laying a kiss there… he made the evening not only beautiful. But complete. This was normal. Your life with him. No other noise. Just the two of you. 

I love you. The thought filtered between the two of you before you voiced it. “I love you, Tony.” Always sure when you said it. And always more sure than the last time. 

His smile eased up, not growing dimmer, but something more fond. “Yeah… I love you, too. You’re feeling it, right?” 

“What?” A little shrug of your shoulders. “The urge to just run away and pretend like nothing else matters except this?” 

“As long as you’re saying it.” 

A sigh escaped you, as his fingers twined with yours. “I don’t wanna talk about work but-” “Seems like that’s what you’re doing.” Grin appearing in a little wry twist. 

“But… maybe we overreacted. I mean- I don’t know about all the science that was going on. And, maybe it was worrisome- you know. Another alien tried to come here and wreck everything, and I’m still not even sure why.” Thor probably had answers for you. Back at the Tower. Which you and Tony had bailed on to spend time together. Ah, complicated life. “But- he said he had it handled. And he did. But we went anyway. And… we ended up not helping.” 

“Hey, I don’t know what they think goes on behind the scenes, but we’re doing all the actual heavy lifting. Don’t sell yourself short. Or me.” 

“I’d never sell you short.” Smiling at him, turning your hand the other way to rest it at the side of his neck as he leaned in. Entranced, as always, by you. “And- you’re right. I think they really don’t… maybe except for Nat. Maybe Clint. But… everyone else thinks… it’s just like…” 

Both his brows raised as his head dipped in a little bit. “Oh like we fight the big bads and then everyone goes on about their day? Easy-peasy? Where ever did you get that idea?” Tone drier than the Sahara. 

“There’s so much red tape.” Escaping in a pained groan as your eyes closed tight, knowing the papers on your desk, the emails in your inbox- they were all multiplying while you were here. Work, work, work. “It’s like they’re blind to it. It’s so- so-” 

“Frustrating?” His soft, even tone broke you out of your angry spiral. You weren’t angry at your team. Certainly not. Just… their blase nature about how everything got handled after the enemies went away. They were just… so not involved in that process. 

You found yourself sighing again. Mood effectively ruined. “...yeah.” 

He looked at you, saddened by the state of things. You were, too. It just couldn’t be helped. But then he sat back, so you let your hand drop to the table. Pulling out his phone he tapped something in and then held it up. “Hey, Happy, can you prep the jet?” 

“Sure. Where we headed?” Tony glanced over at you before looking back at his screen. “I need a long vacation. What do you suggest?” 

“Hm. I don’t know. Hot or cold weather?” 

“Surprise me.” 

“You hate surprises.” 

“I love surprises with things that I like.” 

“Great. Narrows it down. How much time you need?” 

You held your hands to your face, trying to bury some giggles. Not trying to get in between this conversation. But the telltale sign of that sunny smile coming back to Tony’s face let you know Happy had heard you, too. And was probably wearing much the same expression. “Thirty minutes.” “Make it forty-five.” 

Tony sighed dramatically, putting his chin in his free palm. “Forty. Final offer.” 

“I’ll make do with forty.” 

As the call ended, you reached down into your purse to make your own preparations. Nat got the first text: Tony and I need some time. Can you watch the Tower for me? Let Dvahli sleep in your room. Unless you’re going out. Then let her stay with Steve. 

Her response time was practically ten seconds. And you read it while Tony called over the waiter to get the check. 

Sure. Enjoy it. I’ve got everything handled. How long are you leaving for? 

At this… you were as honest as possible. Not sure yet. Her answer: Best kind of vacation. You two have earned it. Don’t worry about homebase.  

                                                            ----

Happy had apparently picked some place in Japan. About all he would tell you as the two of you boarded the jet for a long flight. Of course, Tony couldn’t help but put out that the suits might be faster… only in the face of wanting to make good time, you were sure. But you sat him down and thanked Happy for being available (as always) to help the two of you out. And with his music blasting in the cockpit, sufficiently distracted- 

You got to distracting Tony. Because he’d been in the middle of working on something, as he was apt to do. And you decided to remind him there were other benefits to not being in two flight suits en route to some secret spot in Japan. Except that he very easily turned the tables. Almost a little too quickly. Eagerly, very much so. 

Swallowing one of your deeper moans in a heated kiss as he shifted above you, one arm holding him up, his other working up your thigh. When he broke, and his parted lips brushed up the shell of your ear, you held on tight, fingers working at his back, as the sparks lit up. “Tony-” Breathless in warning. “I’m gonna-” 

It was the thrum of his warm chuckle in your ear, the feeling of his grin pressed against your neck. “Yeah, you are…” And the murmur of these words that really hit the final bell. 

Still hours into the flight, after all your nudging, you found yourself firmly asleep, curled up atop him. He angled the chair back, allowing him to cradle an arm around you, while his other lit up a holodisplay. Working. Working still. You were aware. Just barely. Really only aware of how comfortable you were, until that feeling stole you away into sleep. 

                                                            ----

The hotel Happy had picked was nestled in the lush, absolutely gorgeous Hakone Mountains. More than one floor had been booked- paying off current reservations just to make sure Team Stark had a nice, and most importantly quiet vacation. Second only to being safe. While he asked if the two of you wanted him to hang around, you assured him you’d both be fine. But then realizing he just wanted to hang around because it was a beautiful hotel in Japan… you told him he could do as he pleased and stay. If he felt it was necessary. 

As always, the room was beautiful. Not quite as expansive as other ones you’d stayed in, at this point in your life, but there was a niceness to how cozy everything was. Of course the back balcony, leading out into a heated pool that overlooked the last moments of autumn on the forest covering the mountain, was probably the best part of the whole package. 

Aside the man whose arm had slipped around your waist as you stood at the railing, looking out. Despite what you knew you should be feeling, there was a sense of bittersweetness that you couldn’t deny. Leaning into him, you sighed. “I wish I could just… take these moments and freeze them. Sappy as that sounds.” A little apology for such a cliche, but you meant it so much. 

“Time manipulation is a dicey game but… if you really wanted, I could look into it.” As you tipped your head up to look at him, you found yourself adoring the way he was smiling at you. “But only if you really mean it. And only for you.” He was doing that thing, half joking, half being serious. ...more joking than serious, actually. ...probably.

Could Tony Stark science up some time bubble? You bet he could. Only for you. “It’s okay.” You stepped closer, snuggling into him. He settled his arms around your shoulders as you leaned back into him. “I don’t need your fancy science to know how to appreciate our time together.” 

“Appreciating time and stopping time are two very different concepts. And you can actually do both- if one was a thing that existed.” 

“Let’s not test fate.” You warned him, just as jokingly. “We start talking about this now, by the time we get back Mr. Time or something just as stupid is going to give some grand speech about how we honked a car at him one time so he turned to a life of villainy.” 

“So what you’re actually saying is I should look into it now so we know how to defeat Mr. Time when he shows up.” 

“I don’t think that’s what I was saying.” Reaching up to put your hands over his forearms you gave him a squeeze. “We can’t be prepared for everything. Even Mr. Time.” 

“We can be prepared for some things.” The joking demeanor between the two of you had come and then promptly died. He was thinking. About something the two of you had discussed before. And no doubt would again. 

...like right now, for instance. Tilting half back you attempted to look up at him. “You okay?” Clearly not. Never hurt to confirm. 

“I know we weren’t okay with the Legion.” This was a terrible start to whatever he was about to get at. But you remained quiet, to let him get at it. “But I’m in the middle of starting final plans for a… I don’t know what to call them. Stark Force? Iron Squad? ...something small. Just to… deploy, if need be.” 

You tried to absorb all this information, especially the root of it. “Give me a scenario.” 

“Oh. I’m pitching to the CEO? Alright.” Amused then, if only lightly so. “Let’s think about… crowd control- if the team is busy fighting a menace, we could use them to help clear an area.” 

This seemed simple enough. And perhaps, yes, smart. In all the ways that Tony Stark usually was. Yes, the team could use a force like that. Police were sometimes understaffed and didn’t exactly react the best to- oh- sometimes aliens. “Alright. ...that’s not half bad.” 

“I’m working with a full box of crayons- usually- but thank you.” 

You allowed a small moment of mutually soft laughter. His little squeeze to pull you that much closer. You laid your head back, resting against his shoulder. “...okay. But… is that all?” Sensing that it indeed was not. Not even a little.

And at this… “For now.” 

“...what about for later?” 

His head dropped, laying atop yours. “I don’t know yet. Something bigger. Something… better than our best efforts right now. Thor saw that thing coming- we were too late- if he and Foster hadn’t been there…” 

You would have been fatally too late. The damage would have been massive. As it was, right now, SHIELD ran up the bulk of intelligence. And it was Tony alone, you understood, that figured out Loki’s grand plan- even if just a few seconds too late. SHIELD had been quiet about the attack in Greenwich. So what now? How much later and later would the intel keep getting? How much destruction could be rendered every time the Avengers were just a little too late? 

And how many forces would keep coming to earth to destroy it? The answers to all these questions… 

Were driving him mad. You understood that. You felt it, too. 

“Yeah.” Holding tight to his arms, as he squeezed you back closer into him again. “...being prepared isn’t bad, right?” 

“People prepare for a storm. That’s all we’re doing.” Sounding like he was trying to reassure you, as much as he was himself. 

“Yeah…” Snuggling back in closer, you closed your eyes. “But. For now. Let’s just put all that stuff away. Okay?” You didn’t come here to talk work or shop or… worry about this stuff. In fact that’s why you’d left. 

You felt him nodding. “Yeah, honey. Consider the drawer shut while we’re here. I promise.” 

Now if only you could stay there forever. 

[reddieandgoodnight]

1 + 19 for the kiss prompt for reddie !

You got it! This is a sequel to this, though you don’t necessarily have to read that first (just know Eddie survives losing his arm in the fight with It and is with Richie now). Also, I’m letting the Losers keep their memories after the battle with It. Hope you like it!

1. breaking the kiss to say something, staying so close that you’re murmuring into each other’s mouths

19. kisses meant to distract the other person from whatever they were intently doing 

Eddie sighs as he looks at himself in the mirror. It’s slowly becoming less jarring to see himself with only one arm, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still disconcerting sometimes. Then again, he supposes he’s lucky to even be alive. Heaven knows he shouldn’t be. That much blood, that much pain — he should have been dead.

He wriggles into a t-shirt he stole from Richie. Putting on clothes with one arm is not easy. Richie usually helps him dress every morning, as Richie had since he’d awoken at Mike’s house — and probably before that, though Eddie doesn’t remember.

Eddie wanders into the living room. Glancing out the window shows him a sunny neighborhood with palm trees, so different from the New York he’s used to. Sometimes it’s strange, being all the way on the other side of the country. So far from where he’s from and from what he’s accustomed to. But having Richie here with him has made the unfamiliarity easier.

When Richie had asked Eddie if he wanted to move in together, Eddie hadn’t even hesitated before he agreed. He knew he was uprooting his entire life to move to Beverly Hills with Richie. But he didn’t want his old life anymore. He could never go back, not after he’d remembered his childhood and everyone with whom he’d shared it— Richie most of all.  

Eddie had returned to New York for a spell to set his affairs in order with the limo business.

And to see Myra again, just once. To serve her with divorce papers.

She’d fretted over him at first, like she had been the one to lose an arm and not him.

Eddie had taken a step back from her grabby, fat-fingered hands. “I want a divorce,” he’d said, handing her the papers without preamble.

Myra had been inconsolable after that, all tears and screaming and accusing him of never having loved her. Maybe Eddie agreeing with her on that last part had been unwise, but he refused to lie anymore to save her feelings. To allow her to manipulate him into telling her what she wanted to hear. To give her the right to act exactly like his mother. Especially when the truth was that he was gay and in love with Richie — a truth he was finally accepting about himself for the first time in his life. So he didn’t.

Richie had been waiting for Eddie afterwards at his office. He’d refused to let Eddie travel from Derry to New York alone.

“What if you need to drive somewhere? Or need to iron your clothes? Or —”

“Richie, I’m not going to need to iron clothes. Also, it’s New York. Nobody drives —”

“Except for you! That’s what you do! And what if you need to, I don’t know, open a jar or something?”

“Why the fuck would I need to open a jar?”

“I don’t know! Point is, Eds, you’re not going by yourself. I just…” Richie had paused, grimacing. “I can’t… I can’t not be able to see you. Not after… that. Just…not yet. Please.”

A twinge had gone through the space where Eddie sometimes could still feel his missing arm. And he’d known exactly what Richie meant. After passing out from blood loss and shock in the Derry sewers and then missing out on a couple of days in the hospital before the doctors let him regain consciousness, the last thing he wanted to do was to not have Richie right in front of him, to know Richie was safe, that there were no otherworldly creatures of death coming to kill them.

It was gone…but the terror sometimes remained, a scar Eddie had a feeling would always be a part of each member of the Losers’ Club.

“…okay, Rich. Okay.”

Richie had drawn Eddie into the office by the elbow and closed the door.

“Are you all right?” he’d asked, so concerned. Richie was able to use his contacts again after they’d left Derry, so his brown eyes had been especially bright as he gazed at Eddie, gently touching Eddie’s cheek.

Eddie wanted to lie, to say everything was fine. But just because something was right didn’t make it easy.

So Eddie shook his head, and the tears began to spill.

“Hey, hey,” Richie had murmured, pulling Eddie against his chest.

“This is so stupid,” Eddie said, furiously wiping under his eyes. “I’m not crying because of Myra. It’s just… It’s just —”

“I know, love,” Richie said, kissing Eddie’s forehead. “But things are going to be okay. I promise. Who knows? Maybe you’ll actually be able to get a tan in California.” He laughed as Eddie smacked his shoulder.

“I’m not the one who turns into a lobster under one UV ray, you idiot,” Eddie huffed, letting himself be distracted.

“Yeah, I remember your cute summer tans now. You always had a million freckles.” Richie grinned. “Cute, cute, cute, Mister Eddie Spaghetti,” he said in a singsong voice, pinching Eddie’s cheek.

“Fuck you,” Eddie had muttered, but he’d been smiling.

“One thing at a time, dear.”

“Oh my god, you are the worst.”

Eddie smiles now. Richie always seems to make him smile, even if it’s against his own wishes.

He heads down the hall toward Richie’s office…studio…thing.

Richie had told Eddie on the plane ride from New York to Los Angeles about how he’d worked as a radio host through his college years, picking up side gigs as an events DJ to make ends meet. His “Voices” had always been terrible when they were kids — they’d just sounded like Richie. But Richie had been able to perfect them, at least enough to amuse one of his college professors into offering him the radio host job.

The rest was history after that, Richie had said. He’d worked his way up until he’d been able to buy his own radio station. And now people come to him to get him as a guest on various talk shows and podcasts. He’s even done some standup and some song recordings, which his fans love.

Fans. Richie Tozier has fans. Eddie shakes his head, still bemused over that. But it isn’t shocking. He loves Richie — he’s not surprised other people love Richie, too. They should.

When Richie had fallen asleep on the plane, Eddie had pulled out his laptop to search for Richie’s work. He’d found some of Richie’s songs on YouTube and had put on his headphones to listen. Most of them had been love songs, often with a similar theme — searching for someone you’d lost, someone out there waiting to be found again. Eddie’s soul ached hearing Richie’s sweet voice because now… Now he knew what Richie had really been singing about, even if Richie hadn’t known it while writing the tracks.

He had startled Richie awake with a kiss. He couldn’t help it. Based on Richie’s momentarily confused but then enthusiastic response, Richie hadn’t minded.

Eddie pokes his head into Richie’s office. Richie has been working from home — though Eddie suspects it’s less working than it is Richie keeping tabs on him. 

Richie sits at his soundboard, laptop to the side as he strums a guitar, murmuring lyrics to himself.

“I took you at your word when you said you would steal my heart,” Richie sings, so very softly. “Yeah, this might sound absurd, but would you be my thief? Take all of me, every part? Love, love, love is my crime. So baby, come catch me, and let’s do the time.”

This song isn’t one Eddie’s heard. He finds himself leaning against the door, just listening, wanting to savor the sound of Richie’s voice.

“I think we might be outlaws. I think I might be in love,” Richie continues, so caught up in the song that he doesn’t notice Eddie. “‘Cause I’m all out of reasons, like seasons — winter, summer, fall. They’re all washed up.”

Eddie’s heart clenches as he watches Richie play, those beautiful long-fingered hands gently cradling the guitar, eyes closed and face serene. This is the first time since they’d gotten here that Eddie has seen Richie with a guitar. It’s also the first song of Richie’s he’s heard that sounds… hopeful. He doesn’t want to give himself the credit, and yet… maybe it’s because Richie has found that long-lost love all of Richie’s previous lyrics had been pining after.

“If you’re still way over there, maybe slide on in by my side. ‘Cause I’m just an outlaw, wanted if you want me. I love you every day and every night.”

Eddie can’t help it — just like he couldn’t help it on the plane.

Richie looks up just in time to catch Eddie’s lips against his. He grunts with the tiniest bit of surprise, but he rallies quickly. He sets the guitar aside and grabs Eddie’s hips, yanking Eddie into his lap. The kiss is eager, and as always, it feels like coming home — for both of them.

Eddie loves the slot of Richie’s mouth against his, fitting in a way he’d never thought possible. He loves pressing his hand against Richie’s cheek and feeling the stubble there. He loves the faint smell of Richie’s deodorant and cologne, mixing with the intoxicating scent of Richie’s skin. And the taste of Richie’s lips, sweet with Chapstick.

After a time, Richie pulls back, gasping a little. He peers at Eddie, that glint in his eye that promises imminent danger to Eddie’s clothing.

“You know, I wanted to finish this song before you heard it,” Richie says, mouth falling into an easy grin. “But you just had to come and distract me, huh?”

“Sorry,” Eddie says, resting his hand against Richie’s chest. “Couldn’t help it.”

“It’s for you,” Richie murmurs. “But then, all of the songs were for you.”

Eddie smiles, feeling too full of love to even begin to express it. So he just presses another quick kiss to the corner of Richie’s mouth, laughing as Richie tries to follow him when he sits back again.

“You can finish it now,” Eddie says.

“Okay, but I’m going to have to kick you off my lap to hold the guitar.”

“Rude, but fine,” Eddie says, loving Richie’s answering laugh as he stands up.

Richie picks up the guitar again, strumming a little as he refocuses. “I think we might be outlaws, mmm hmm,” he mumbles, nodding to himself.

Eddie watches for a moment before wandering behind him, looking at Richie’s tousled hair and broad shoulders. As Richie begins to sing again, he allows himself to bend down and press up against Richie’s back, resting his forehead against Richie’s neck. He smiles as Richie sucks in a breath.

He’d never acted this way with Myra, but Richie seems to pull this affectionate physicality out of him. Eddie presses a kiss to Richie’s shoulder, then to Richie’s neck. A small giggle slips out of him as Richie bungles a chord, smiling broadly as Richie laughs.

“You are incredibly distracting,” Richie says with more fondness than Eddie has ever heard directed at himself.

“So are you.”

Richie turns around in his chair. “What am I going to do with you?”

Eddie stuns himself a little with his boldness as he climbs back into Richie’s lap, invigorated as Richie sets the guitar down again and holds him close. “When did you start working on this song?” he asks, curling a finger in a lock of Richie’s hair.

“While you were in the hospital.” Richie hesitates. “I love you so much, Eddie. So goddamned much, it…almost scares me sometimes. And I know love songs are a little cheesy…but sometimes music is the only way I know how to say something.”

“Richie, I already know,” Eddie whispers. “You show me every single day. I hope you know, I… That I…”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“I love you so much,” Eddie finishes. He can never say the words enough times. 

Richie gives him a crooked, toothy grin. The same one Eddie remembers so well from summers down at the Barrens. From movies at the Aladdin. From barbecues in Bill’s backyard. And birdwatching with Stan. And slingshot practice with Bev. And dam-building with Ben. And taking photos with Mike.

Eddie still hates that he ever forgot any of them, but this feels like a second chance.

Richie leans forward and kisses Eddie again, and it’s so easy and right. He pulls back just enough that their lips are still brushing as he begins to sing again, almost murmuring the words. “Lock me up for good, right here in your arms.”

Eddie smiles against his mouth, feeling Richie’s lips match his expression.

“You vandalize my neighborhood… with your piercing eyes… and devilish charm,” Richie croons into Eddie’s mouth.

As Richie yanks Eddie closer, and as they fall into each other — and later, into bed — Eddie finds himself singing it back, meaning the words more and more with each and every refrain.

“I love you every day and every night.”

[smolbeandrabbles]

Nothing I’ve Ever Known - Payne x Reader (Slow West)

Somewhere Amanda & Jax are laughing at me...

Author’s Note: Essentially this is the direct follow up to All To Myself, and you will have at least need to have read the very end scene of that to understand the beginning of this...

Well I’ve watched this movie a bunch more times than I ever thought I would...  My feelings for the movie are just about the same, but Silas (tbh Silas always was...) and Payne are now in the A-Ok books so, that’s an improvement! 👍

Nothing I’ve Even Known - Bryan Adams

Disclaimer: So, I went and watched Spirit again (DAMN what a movie) and simultaneously stole the soundtrack for this playlist - lyrics, obviously, not mine! Also Slow West isn’t mine (woulda ended different. That’s for sure.) Premise: After tying him up with directions, it’s not long before he’s mad at you. And it won’t be the only time he gets mad at you. Also, you’re not the only one who is leaving Payne... You’re just the only one that comes back... Words: 6558 Warnings: Swearing / Sexual Conotations “Play the highlights reel!”

______ I find myself somewhere I never thought I'd be. I'm going round in circles,  Thinkin' bout you and me... And how do I explain it when I don't know what to say? What do I do now? So much has changed. Nothing I've ever known Has made me feel this way. Nothing I've ever seen Has made me want to stay. Here I am, ready for you. I'm torn and I'm fallin' I hear my home callin' I've never felt something so strong. Oh no. It's like nothing I've ever known... You're the one I'm lookin' for You're the one I need. You're the one that gives me A reason to believe. Followin' a star Has lead to where you are. I feel so strong now This can't be wrong now... ---

Five Days Later… You were resting by a river bank when he finally caught up to you. "oh, here we go..." you stood, although with the way he was pushing his horse you heard him a while before he actually arrived. And you didn't think in all the years you'd known him you'd ever seen him so angry. "YOU-!" Payne was off his horse and on you in 10 seconds flat, and yet you maintained that picture of innocence look on your face. His gun was drawn and you heard the hammer click back, which should mean he meant business. But if he did, he'd have pulled the trigger and you'd have barely known a thing about it. "I could kill you. Right NOW! Like I should have done a long while ago. About time I collected that damn bounty of yours.” If he thought getting up in your face like that and growling was intimidating, it wasn't. You tilted your head with a raised eyebrow, disbelieving, pushing the gun away from your body gently: "Don't point a gun at me unless you intend to use it..." Your voice wasn't raised, if anything it bordered seductive. "You left me. You f**king left me!" "Ah, but you're still alive. And since you followed me here... you got my message." "You're worth more to me dead!" "Aw, now Payne don't lie to yourself..." Inches had become centimetres, "I swear... It’s about time someone did something about you." "Well..." you yanked him closer by his coat; "It ain't gonna be you." Soon Payne’s lips were on yours, and his hands were tangled in your hair again and everything you’d felt from a few days ago was flooding back to you; every touch he’d afforded you, the feel of his skin against yours. (Not that you hadn’t already dwelled on it…) By the fervour he kissed you with, you assumed you weren’t the only one thinking on it either… When he let you go you were both breathless, and even then he stole every kiss he could. You wriggled slowly from his grip; “I mean, I guess I’m glad they found you.” You’d caught up with his gang around 2 days after you’d left him. For which you were a little thankful, just in case the bartender had seriously not gone upstairs and found a man tied to the bed. You’d given them a little tip about what you’d done and where you’d left him. And Silas had almost laughed himself sick about it. Which hadn’t helped you laughing either. Of course, you hadn’t disclosed to them that you’d also slept with him. So you wondered what they thought now. Or rather you might not want to dwell on it. You could almost imagine Silas’s wicked smirk and raised eyebrows. However, they weren’t here. Only he was. “…Yeah, luckily I didn’t really have to explain anything!” “Oh-! So they don’t know?!” You smirked gently, “Shame, thought Silas might get a kick out of that…” You wandered back to your things, making sure to keep one eye on him; “… I’m sure Silas probably figured it out, he’s got a good head on his shoulders.” “He’s about the only one of you that does.” “Watch your mouth-!” You couldn’t help but laugh, and hard “You might just have to come over here to shut me up…” “Oh, I will.” “I have no doubt…” you started pulling things from your bag; “Seen as you’re here… and you pushed your poor horse far too hard to catch me… you best sit and rest. Are they followin’?” “No, I left them at camp this mornin’…” He did as you asked and strode over to you, sitting on what appeared to be a comfortable piece of ground after unbridling his horse by the rivers edge. It was a clear sunny day, and he could shrug himself out of his coat; letting you curiously graze your eyes over his skin. Those shirt buttons were still fairly useless, you saw. You crossed your legs and sat back, regarding him for a minute. He still piqued your curiosity, even now. Perhaps even more so now. What would it be like to be in a real relationship? What would it be like to travel with him? What would it be like to get the opportunity to love him like that every single night? It didn’t sound too bad, sitting here. He’d probably annoy the hell out of you though, that was about the one thing stopping you. Still – you were content to keep his company here, sharing bread, water- “Biscuits?” “Sugar, carbs, water. What else would you need?” Payne gave a shrug, “Seems like you could be healthier… What, no alcohol?” “If you don’t want anything-” “No! NO! This is good!” He broke it in half; knees up to stop you from taking anything back. Payne was just as content to bask in your attention, which you were all too happy to give him as you replayed your night over and over in your head. And he could look at you staring quietly at him and imagine what else he could do to you – oh, you had no idea… Eventually you broke the thoughtful silence and nodded to the tattoo now slightly exposed on his chest; “Snake, huh? Is that supposed to be a warning?” “Could be.” “Should have heeded it.” “That bad, huh?” You began laughing, and he noticed you didn’t answer him as you looked out to the water. Because you’d prefer not to answer. He watched your face; is she blushing-!? Sh*t! And that’s not the heat either, no way… she’s a f**kin’ liar. She enjoyed every damn minute..! He smirked I knew she would… When Payne realised he wasn’t going to get you back to that particular conversation to admit it – though he felt the quiet told him all he needed to know – he nodded behind you to your horse. Now wandered a little way down the river Jett was far enough away for it to be of concern that he could completely wandering off… Or someone popping out of nowhere and trying to make off with him. “I’ve always noticed how much power he has. He’s built big, but incredible fast…” You turned, and when you didn’t call him back Payne assumed you didn’t care, or there was no reason to worry; “Jett? Yeah, probably better that way. Consider I travel alone he can cover a lot of ground fairly quick; which you’re never sure when you’re going to need. Also, I like that he’s built so big, you wouldn’t necessarily mess with him.” You looked to his horse quick; “Not that I’d mess with your horse either.” “Really?” “Well, he’s yours. So, no. And I certainly wouldn’t mess with the horse belonging to the leader of a group of bounty hunters. But… I’m solo… What am I gonna do without a horse, might as well kill me.” “Well, that’s what I was getting to. You’re riding a horse that must be particularly sought after. No-one’s ever tried? I’d be worried about something like that.” “Oh I didn’t say that.” You laughed “Plenty have tried.” “And?” He thought this might be entertaining “Well for one, I’m impressed if they can get within 10 paces of him.” You tipped your head back to look at the sparse clouds for a minute, trying to remember a time when people had succeeded mounting him. It’d happened maybe once? Twice? And you’d got the exclusive front row seat to one of the more entertaining pieces of theatre ever. “Sometimes it happens though; see Jett is barely broken… just enough to be rideable. Just enough to have a bond with me. But he’s pretty much a wild Stallion.” Your eyes flicked back to him; “They don’t get very far before they are thrown off, or he basically refuses to move. Jett’s not one to put up with any sh*t… I like that. Could use some of that-!” “Barely broken? That’s a thing?” “My father used to break horses… I watched him do it all the time.” You nodded “I would have done something similar… He helped me break Jett… but… there was something about seeing him be wild and free… I didn’t want to lose any of that…” you turned back with a smile “He’s like having a part of my family with me. Maybe it’s not a thing; but it’s a concept… That’s what I’m going to call it. He’s still a wild horse, he just tolerates me…”  You turned slowly from watching Jett to your one-time-lover with a gentle smile, “Guess he’s a little like you…” He chuckled at that, tolerate…, he felt he probably did a lot more that that. He wanted to do a lot more than that. He had to know you wanted more than that too. “Why did you leave me a note anyway?” “Oh.” You blustered and gave an elaborate shrug, throwing your arms “Reasons.” “Why won’t you let me hear them. There’s a reason you wanted me to know exactly where you were going…” “Then I think you know. What I’m surprised of is why it took you so long… I did leave very specific instructions… And I didn’t try very hard… We could have pushed a little harder!” “Well, not all of us are great at… directions.” You giggled, “You got lost? Wait what threw you?! The rivers, right? If you started too high you would have come to the point where they intersect. No… I get it.” “I did not get lost; it just means I had to come further down. A detour.” “A detour, huh?” You were amused “I’m glad it wasn’t my writing is all.” “No…” He smiled gently, drawing himself up to height as he stood; “Your writing is fine…” You eyed him with a little more curiosity as he crouched in front of you “Well, good. That means I can continue leaving you notes when I leave you.” “I’m tying you up next time.” You teased; “Oh, is that so, cowboy?” “Don’t f**king start that again…” His voice was soft as he leant in for another kiss. “I’ll f**king start whatever I like…” You smirked, pulling him in to deepen the kiss this time – he placed his hands either side of you; “Then why don’t we…?” Payne bit your lip gently as he kissed you again, and you hummed in gentle approval; until he started to tip your body back, and you realised what he was doing. “UH-! What-! We are not gonna do this on a river bank on rocks!” You pushed Payne back; “Why not?” He went for your neck this time, and you had to struggle between really wanting him to do this and the logical protest, “N-n-No! God! At least have the common decency to take me to bed first-!” His nip of your earlobe – again – made you gasp “PAYNE!” “What-!?” He pulled back but only slightly, now showering your face in kisses; “You do realise we aren’t always gonna have the luxury of a bed, right?” You placed your fingers to his lips to hold him off, eyebrow raised; “Oh. That sounds serious?” “Don’t you want this to be serious?” “Can I trust you…?” you ran your fingers down his cheek to his neck, and stopped your hand at his shoulder “…I’m not gonna be one on a list.” “You can trust me.” He kissed you again; “Snake? Doesn’t sound so trust worthy.” Payne chuckled; “You’re gonna play all the cards until you give up, aren’t ya?” You gave a shrug, this time stealing the kiss from him, forcing him back as you sat upright; “You made the mistake there of thinking I’d give up…” “Ah, my mistake…” He kept his hands either side of you, but when he kissed you again you ran you hands back into his hair. This time neither of you interrupted each other, but were broken apart by a whistle for attention. “I shoulda f**kin’ known it!” You both turned, but of the two of you it was Payne who grumbled; “Aw, sh*t.” You couldn’t help but laugh. This couldn’t have happened any better. Silas sat on his horse, hands on his hips but grin on his face; “…Oh… Sorry, am I interrupting something?!” *** Months Later… It couldn’t have been more than a few weeks after your last encounter with Payne, and you weren’t exactly ready to see him again. But you thought about him often, too much. You weren’t sure it was good. You liked whatever it was you had with him, but you weren’t sure that it was good. In the long run it would go two ways – you’d end up roped into that gang, or he’d get sick of this and finally make a move on that bounty. Hell, maybe you’d end up killing each other. Either way, you didn’t see this working long term. But here you were, working through it anyway. He was good to see, and easy to leave. Because you’d always find him again – bounty hunting was a tight knit community and it wasn’t often that you went after each other. Maybe the new kids on the block would try, but other than that unless the bounty was too good to pass up… The problem with you and yours was trying it. However, every bounty was fair game, and often you would find each other trying to track the same person. No big deal, sometimes it was good to work together in these things. (Not that either of you might be doing that for the money…) So, seen as you weren’t in the mood to see him, finding Silas was the last thing you really wanted. Technically he was coming out of the town that you were going into, but you both reigned up – and for the next few moments there was a tense stand off between the two of you. He quirked an eyebrow; “Is this the part where we both draw arms and I die?” You had to blink a few times to snap yourself out of your dread; “Oh. No… I was just thinking how I only saw you guys a few weeks ago – can’t he get enough?” “You’re the one wandering into town…” Then he tilted his head; “Wait… a few weeks? No, surely months.” Months… Is it?” You had to think on it, and suddenly were relieved that clearly you didn’t count as diligently as you thought you did;  “Anyway, point is I don’t need this again – so I might as well back up and find the next town.” “Huh?” “Well, surely the gangs’ all here?” “Oh…” Silas bit he lips together and his eyes slowly moved from yours “You don’t know…? He didn’t tell you?” You leant forward, carful not to urge Jett on just yet, squinting at your friend; “Tell me what--!?” “Oh. I left.” “LEFT!?” You placed your fingertips to your lips for a second to quiet yourself down; “You did what-!?” “Left… Yeah… I’m… Heading out solo.” You placed your hands on your hips, impressed; “Well, congratulations. I wondered when you’d get out.” “Yeah…” he grinned sheepishly “I guess you’d mentioned it to me a couple of times…” Silas wheeled his horse around in a neat circle so he was now next to you, and pushed on – signalling you should start walking with him. “Why, I don’t think I’ll understand.” You scoffed; “Because I actually like you.” “You like him too though, from what I can gather.” You narrowed your eyes “Careful.” “If you’re sleeping with him then something is going on.” “Shut up-!” Your hand flew out and clamped over his mouth “I’d rather you didn’t say it out loud!” He peeled your fingers away from his face but kept your hand in his; “Why?! That’s what’s going on.” “I’m aware, thank you.” “It’s cuz you constantly told him he wouldn’t be doing anything about it isn’t it?” He smirked but it earned him a punch in the side; “OW! Geez…” He pulled his horse away from you to create a gap; “Alright, you’re only hitting so hard cuz it’s true.” “I can hardly deny it.” You sat back a little to slow Jett’s walk to a more casual pace; “…I’d just rather not dwell.”

Silas tipped his head, curious; “Do you love him?” “Do I what-!?” The way you shot him a look like he was insane made Silas grin; “You heard me.” “Love- NO. What?!” “Just checking.” You pulled Jett forward to stop his horse; “Why-!?” He held his hands up “I’m just checking-!” “Because if I don’t love him then what-?!” “Nothing-! Why are you getting on my case about this..?” You were getting irrationally angry, so the next sentence out of your mouth happened to be; “Do you want me-!?” Silas held your eyes, but as he opened his mouth his face dusted pink; “No. What-!? That’s not why I asked.” You folded your arms, maybe it wasn’t, but you figured it might be related “Uh huh… So what is it then? Why did you ask…” He cleared his throat, and took a breath that made the blush disappear all at once. He focused back on you; “I was wondering whether you were so exclusive to be averse to male company, is all.” “…I’m averse to any company, to be honest, but I’ll hear you out – what is it?” “Well… I was hoping I’d find you… Thought maybe you could keep me straight, teach me a few things about being single.” “Single’s not the word I’d use…” But a smile made its way across your face, and pretty soon you were aware that you were beaming. That was such a sweet thing to ask; you teaching him a thing or two about going solo? You weren’t so sure you wouldn’t be taking him up on a full-time partnership. However, you had to focus back on being alone – that’s what he wanted too. All of a sudden, you were really looking forward to sharing your time with someone else indefinitely; “Sure…! Let go do this!” **

You didn’t spend nearly as much time with Silas as you wanted to. He had this, and you’d known that almost from the second you’d walked out of that first town. But he was tentative, and he wanted to know he could handle this alone. Going from a group to alone would be a big thing, going from two people to just one was a lot easier on him. And you couldn’t help but feel a little proud as you watched him ride off into the distance as you’d bid each other ‘See you around!’ From what you’d gathered from your time together, it wouldn’t be your only time teaming up. He was good company; and you were starting to realise how lonely alone was… You had options to do something about that; but you wouldn’t. You guessed you had your own reasons for that – but were they even good reasons anymore? Instead of you running into Payne, this time he caught up to you. That hadn’t really happened since you’d left him your note, so part of you didn’t expect it. You expected less that he wouldn’t be happy to see you. And even less than that, that the first thing he’d do was drag you away from your horse across the dirt; “OW!! WILL YOU F**KING QUIT IT! WHAT DID I DO NOW-!?!” Though you didn’t know why you were asking what you’d done now, because you’d never done anything. As far as you were concerned. He pushed you back to standing, allowing you to brush yourself down. You noticed his gang still sitting on their horses ominously in the distance, and they all looked pretty pissed too. “You know damn well what you did!” Your face scrunched for a second; “What-!?” Then you wondered why you were bending to this and got angry about it; “NO! But I’m sure you’re gonna f**king enlighten me!” “HA.” He took a step back that read his ‘really!?’ “He left. He f**king left. But you already f**king knew that.” “…Silas?” That made you climb to a new level of outrage “THIS IS ABOUT SILAS!?!” You weren’t all that concerned with how he knew you knew. You should have been. “About Silas-!? Of course it’s about Silas! It’s YOUR fault!” He pointed an accusational finger at you. “WHAT!?” Why? Because a couple of times you’d told Silas he’d be better solo, and joked about it with Payne in earshot? Surely Payne wasn’t so shallow to think that you’d have the power to influence his decision. For Payne, however, this was completely different and that argument burned in the back of his head. Why would you want to leave!? Where are you gonna do better than this-!? Y/N! Y/N?! What about her?! If she can do it, so can I! She’s talked about it for so long, I want to try! Try- but when you fail you’ll come crawling back F**k that – I don’t need this anymore! You’re ALWAYS going to need this Silas! Don’t be so f**king stupid! But he’d headed off anyway. And now all Payne had heard was that you were riding around with him. And you were renowned for always doing everything alone. So it didn’t take him long to put the obvious two and two together – so of course he was mad at you. “You’re the reason he left – he had the balls to say that to my face! So don’t you be acting all f**king innocent.” “Well that’s HIS fault! Not mine! I didn’t force him to go Payne!” "Are you f**king him too-!?"

Suddenly your anger meter hit zero. Your stance slacked and you tilted your head; that’s what this temporary moment of insanity was about. Somewhere on the wind he’d caught that you were travelling with his ex-best-friend (probably.) and he’d come to the wrong conclusion. That wasn’t something to be angry about, that was just kinda funny. He wasn’t angry Silas had left; he was angry that Silas could be sleeping with you. You raised an eyebrow, trying your best not to laugh at him; "You get some funny ideas sometimes…" Your response was so far out of left field that he also dropped his stance; “…W-What?” He expected you to deny it, to deny it whether it be true or not. Or maybe you’d confirm it. He didn’t expect that. You shook your head gently, smiling “Why the hell would I wanna do that when I have you?” “Well why the hell else would you be travelling with him-!?” You took a few steps forward, “Because he wanted to know the ins and outs of doing this solo… Which makes sense, cuz you’ve been part of this thing since you were all late teens right? Given he’s just a little younger…”  You gave a shrug “I mean, granted he couldn’t really ask to learn for anyone better…” “Oh, uh huh?” You indicated to his group, now one down; “I guess they’re pissed cuz I’m the reason he left. You know, the actual kinda good reason to get annoyed at me.” You kept walking to him “But, y’know… Still not my problem.” You stopped just short of close. Looking between those blue eyes that were still stormy; he hadn’t exactly calmed down yet. “Do you think I would be so unfaithful?” “You’re out here alone, what’s stopping you?” You shrugged, figuring Payne could use a shot to his ego; “Where out here is anyone gonna even come close to what you do to me?” “Well, what do you do when you…” His eyes flicked down your body for a moment, but you could see they were already clearing; “…Don’t have me…?” “Oh…” You bit your lip, “That’s easy… I just… think about you…” “Hm…” His face seemed satisfied with the answer; “Still, you ought to prove it to me. Before I start thinking you’re a good liar.” “I am a good liar, I just don’t need to lie to you…” You turned back to his gang “Set them straight, first.” “Oh no, you owe me. I’ll set them straight later.” You leant towards him; “How’s that gonna work? Hey guys, I’m just gonna go f**k a girl you clearly all despise cuz she took Silas from us?” “Yeah.” Payne pulled you into him and pretty soon you were pressed up against him in a kiss with no hope of escape; “Let ‘em think that…” *** You were once again travelling alone. It was just what you did. Maybe you were technically a part of his gang now. From time to time you would travel with them but something about you still loved being solo. You kept in contact- meeting every few days or so (sometimes it’d be weeks… or months… but they killed. And you tried not to count them) as you arched in wide circles, wherever that took you. Sometimes whatever you were doing or whoever you were tracking interested Payne enough to split from his group and join you. Only if it was quick though. He never liked to be split for too long, and you liked that about him. You liked a lot about him, and being with him was easy. You were sure how much his gang really liked you around; considering how much you would flake off. She either is or isn’t one of us… But they seemed to enjoy your company when you were around. “No but honestly, why are you the most badass person here?” Skelly laughed from behind you, making Payne shoot back before you got the chance to open your mouth; “Cuz she’s with me.” “No.” You ran your horse into his to elbow him “You only wish you were as badass as me.” He gave a shrug; “Mmmm… That’s not it.” “I’m gonna push you off that horse in a minute.” Payne scoffed, shaking his head; “I’d like to see you t- HEY-!” only he grabbed your arm and almost pulled you over with him, you had to reign Jett back to keep the two of you steady. “Why the hell do I put up with you?” “Because you love me?” “Mmm… No…” You teased with a grin “That’s not it!” There was a lengthy silence as he glared across at your jab at his jab, but you only turned back to the rest of the group following behind and gave a wink. Upon which they started howling with laughter; “Oh. It’s because they love me more!” you turned to him, tongue out; “Soon it’s gonna be Y/N’s gang!” “Y/N’s gang sounds better!” “Agreed!” “Who is for changing the name!?” You watched him get increasingly more agitated; “SHUT IT ALL OF YOU!!!” You swivelled back to them “Yeah! Listen to your boss!” He tsk’ed “There you go again… Taking sides…” “As long as it’s the right side.” “Is there a right side?” “Between you and your group.” “…I can think of something I’d like to get between…” “I can think of something I’d like you to get between too…” You smirked, causing him to do the same. “Mmm hmmm?” You pointed ahead of you; “Directly in the middle of me and that mountain ridge… that should put you far enough away from my gang…” with a laugh at his defeated breath out. “Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you…” You raised an eyebrow at him; aiming for one last witty remark a you urged your horse on; “I dunno… But the sex is good, right?” You knew you’d hit a nerve by the way he yelled after you. It got lost in the wind now whistling past your ears, but you were almost screaming with laughter. *** Payne awoke alone. That almost didn’t surprise him – he expected to see all your stuff gone; it surprised him more that it wasn’t. Jett was still tethered with his own horse, so you certainly weren’t gone yet. It must have still been late; the stars were still shining. He lay there for a few minutes, but when it was clear you weren’t coming back, he got up. Even in the low light level it was pretty easy to track you; you weren’t looking to stay hidden at any rate. When he found you, you were sitting on the edge of a clearing looking out at the sky. He couldn’t help but smile watching you. He knew you’d never join his crew – you’d never be a part of it. No matter how much he wanted that, no matter how much he would consider you a part of it anyway… You were alone. Your best friend in his crew now operated alone too… The only reason you stayed here was Payne. And he knew that. You weren’t really thinking of anything. Or mindful of anything much either. You always admired how clear and bright the stars were in the Colorado sky. He approached you carefully, so not to startle you. And the first thing you were really aware of was his coat around your shoulders. “It’s cold…” “Mmm… I know…” Your voice was sweet and quiet as you instinctively snuggled into it, pulling it further around yourself. “Leavin’ me again?” Payne smiled and sat with you; watching the way your smile crept across your face, even though your eyes were still firmly fixed on the night sky. “Not yet.” “Then why are you up? It’s late…” “They are so beautiful… I didn’t want to miss ‘em…” “Coulda stayed in camp and still seen ‘em.” You gave a shrug; “It’s quieter here…” “Is that what you like so much about being alone?” He turned his head; to behold the stars also; “The quiet?” “Well. I dunno if I like being alone. I just need it, occasionally.” “Uh huh…” Payne’s blue eyes flicked back to you momentarily as you crossed your legs, sighing gently; “Well, you’re never gonna leave and come with me. Are you.” “I have a responsibility here.” “I know.” “I would if I could. You know that right?” “No, I like that you’re responsible. Someone’s gotta be…” Finally your bright eyes left the stars and turned to him; “You let Silas go.” He looked momentarily defiant that it would be his choice to do so; “He should come back.” “Good luck with that one.”   “Hey, we had a good run. A least I know he can take care of it…” “You care so much, for a man who acts like he don’t care at all.” You leant on your hand for a minute, eyes flicking between his. The stars reflected in them, given the colour, and you realised you had been staring at the wrong thing all this time. He laughed; “Alright – where did that come from. I never said I didn’t care!” “You care about more than a number on a page… If you didn’t you wouldn’t be here… You’d be solo.” “You sayin’ you don’t care?” Payne knew that was a lie. Knew it. “What do you think, hmm?” “I think you like to pretend you don’t. That somehow alone keeps you safe.” He stretched and gazed at your beloved stars again. “It does…” He saw the way you stretched too and tried not to yawn. He’d get you back to bed yet. “Trouble is I can’t stay away from you…” You tipped your body until you head found his shoulder; “Just a mild inconvenience really…” He chuckled, winding an arm around you, and kissed your hair; “Mhn. That’s it.” You shook you head, taking his other hand in yours you shifted again to get more comfortable. “Come on. Come back to bed…” “Aw…” You nuzzled into his neck; making sure to plant a kiss there that had him shivering (and it certainly had nothing to do with the temperature) “Just a little longer.” “You do understand how much ground we gotta cover tomorrow? You better not be asking me for just a little longer then.” “5 more minutes…” You whined into his skin, making him chuckle “What did you just say?” “I love you, idiot.” Payne shook his head; cuddling you close he squeezed your hands gently; “You’re nothing but trouble Y/N…” He placed his head on yours; and looked back to the star-washed horizon. “…But I love you too.”

*** Months Later… Coming back around from your latest solo outing you were bored as hell. Usually you lived for the thrill of drawing quick or hunting men down (especially men who had it in their heads that you couldn’t possible be a good bounty hunter as a woman). HA! Tell that to you and Marimacho. This guy you hadn’t even needed to break a sweat for and it was midsummer. In fact, you probably would even have broken a sweat in Payne’s coat – and damn did you love wearing that whenever possible. So with zero thrills, and your trek back across the hot flat plains of Colorado seeming to stretch out for years, you were glad when you finally spotted shapes upon the horizon. Enough for him and his gang; enough to make your heart jump a little and you spur Jett forward with a smile. The shapes were hazy… But even at this distance you could notice the one that pulled forward. You smirked; Payne. Soon you were galloping across that grass to him, and you didn’t care how it made you look…. Your horse was quick across ground, and always had been. His group always seemed to move slower - which made sense, considering they were a ‘No Man Left Behind’ kinda gang. Which was another reason you had to break away every so often. You were used to covering twice the distance they covered in maybe a third of the time. (And Jett wasn’t used to walking either - despite the respite. You were both restless, you needed to run.) But you always came back, because you missed him too much. Being away was nice, but being with Payne was better. As you galloped ever closer those figures on the horizon line came into focus. And with them, the knowledge that one had pulled significantly further ahead than the others, at pace.  You’d run to him plenty of times, even if sometimes nonchalantly. Even if sometimes you appeared out of thin air you were always running to him. When you could hear the sound of his horse you slowed up. Pulling all the way back to a walk just at the point you reached him. But your horses were both excitable - as an extension of their riders feeling; and they danced around each other in greeting. You hushed Jett, to bring him at least under reign. Reaching just enough to steady Payne’s too, although you knew he was in control. Pulling yourself back in, you brushed your hand against his, the touch was enough. But altogether not enough.

Payne wore a broad grin; “It’s been a while!” “Well you know how it is...” His horse was still, so you rounded him, looking him over “... Do one job... pick up about 5 others...” “Bounty must be good?” You smirked, if he still thought he was getting his hands on any money from jobs you did solo he had another thing coming... “It’s not bad... I’ll give it that...” He laughed “We still aren’t getting anything out of you.” “Bold assumption, but correct...” you slowed the walk, so Payne’s eyes could follow yours, that beautiful haunting blue that tailed you everywhere... “unless you or you...” you indicated to the group “are a part of this I don’t see why I should share...” “Because we’re a team.” “Are we?” You smirked “I thought we only teamed up on special occasions...” “I consider you a member of this group...” “Because we’re ‘together’?” You laughed; “Baby, if I considered myself a real part of this gang, I’d never leave.” “Maybe you shouldn’t.” “Please... we’re both smarter than that...” He turned to keep following your horses walk “Ah, but you always come back.” “Maybe that’s because I love you.” “Love, huh?” “I said maybe...” You pulled your horse closer to his “But maybe it isn’t love... maybe I just need a little bit of affection sometimes.” “Oh. Because that’s all it is...” Payne was smirking now too “Never forget what I said.” “Never forget no matter how true, I’m not a possession and you are good company.” “If you’re suggesting I’m not anything more than a warm body...” He had you laughing again “And what will you do if I am?” “Prove you wrong.” “Honey, I ought to tell you there’s no profit in the business of proving me wrong... only loss.” “That so?” “Mmm hmm...” you stopped Jett and once again pulled yourself closer, so Payne’s leg brushed against yours. He tried not to visibly swallow at the contact. Needy but never saying it, you liked that - it made you feel in control no matter how much that wasn’t true. “Besides, you always talk like one day I won’t turn on you and collect yours...” “Mine?” He chuckled, “she says, mine is hardly worth it - they’ll have to up it before people decide on doing that.” “Because you got a gang of people... that’s the only reason.” “Yours on the other hand...” “Baby, you said it yourself you’ve had plenty of times you could have turned me in, never have.” “Maybe I just like a warm body.” “Well there are plenty of easier women, you could have the money and ask them...” For once he didn’t have a smart come back; but his eyes warned you to stop, which only made you smirk more and opt to continue. “But... they didn’t think of one thing... the people who are too afraid to try collecting on you...” “Oh? And what’s that?” “What happens when they get you away from your gang.” Suddenly Payne was aware of a gentle pull around his torso and he realised exactly what you’d done. You hadn’t put your hand out to steady his horse, you’d intended to rope him up. “Oh you have got to be f**king kidding...!” You laughed “No... sorry baby, this could be the end of the line...” “If I yell right now...” he growled “What and have them kill me? Baby you’d miss out on all the fun...” you winked “But you can keep talking to me in that tone...” Your voice lowered seductively; “Unfortunately - I just couldn’t...” you pulled hard on the rope and he slipped forward so he had to lean into you. There was just about enough slack for him to be able to steady himself; but the only option there was placing his hand on your thigh. You regarded him with interest for a moment; looking a little angry, out of control, helpless. Not a position he liked. Too bad you did.

You brushed your lips teasingly to his, ghosting, barely touching. Perhaps torture for both of you, but you were in control. When he tried to create a kiss, a real kiss, you simply pulled yourself back. That earned you a whine, a real whine. Frustrated. And it gave you your own rush. “Mmm... that’s better.”

--- @wrenx02 - Thank you my darling for inspiring this! Here is your part 2! 💙💜

As ever, Mendo Squad! @dennismitchell @krnncsbtch @happyskywhale

❤