#and extra special thanks to anyone who may leave a comment or tag!! i always read them all~~

[waterfallofspace]

Quality got shot bc the file was too big ;-; but hopefully it's still acceptable~ Also I wasn't actually sick for this, but I gave the coughing an attempt~

C/huuya comes to his office in the morning to find a disturbance awaiting his arrival. Figures he would show up when C/huuya has a cold.

Been working on this for awhile, and want to dedicate/gift it to @onetrickponi since their amazing wavs inspired me to start doing my own~ since I began they made me a BEAUTIFUL U/ndertaker sketch that lives in my head, so consider this thanks for that too!! (It's not nearly as amazing, but maybe you can get a hint of enjoyment anyways~)

[yesimwriting]

Hello! Your Nikolai fic tranquility is so beautiful! Can you write more for Nikolai? Maybe the opposite with reader having a nightmare? Or whatever you want just please give me more! If you have a tagging list I'd love to be included btw :)

A/n hii!! first off,, thank you! i was a little nervous about writing him for the first time,, but i love him so much (even though i love a good villain/morally grey character in love i think nikolai would probably make the least toxic bf in the grishaverse lol)

you gave me a little too much freedom here lol bc i have so many ideas for him!! lowkey might need to give him a longer fic/series soon when i catch up with requests!! WOW THIS FIC IS SO LONG AND FOR WHAT

Summary: Reader is a handmaid who has grown up assisting Nikolai. Through the years, the two have developed a special relationship that most definitely breaks royal protocol--they’re best friends and rivals on a good day, and dangerously close to being something more the second either of them is remotely upset or extremely happy. Learning about the fact that Nikolai was almost engaged to Alina (a good friend of yours) and being reminded of the fact that as royalty Nikolai has many prospects (both serious women worthy of his title and women only suitable for trysts meant to relieve tension) has you both realizing something you should have years ago.

Word count: 31210

Warnings: disclaimer--may not be the most cannon thing ever,, but i wanted the ‘child of the help competes and falls in love with the child of royalty’ energy okay?? Lol

I could do a whole blurb series with this dynamic nikolai x reader,, like just stories of them growing up together and randomly realizing they might like each other romantically?? I probably shouldn’t rn but i ADORE this trope.

--

The perfection of the room is disappointing. Idle hands, idle thoughts--so I work to smooth out a perfect duvet. Still, the thoughts come--aggressive and unavoidable. It’s silly, maybe even sad, to feel possessive over something that’s never been yours, something that could never be yours, but the harder I fight off the feeling the stronger it grows. Jealousy is a weed growing quickly in my chest, vile roots planted firmly in my heart.

Normally my favorite part of the day would be waiting for Nikolai to return to his room in the palace after dinner and his evening duties. He’s always a bit softer in the evenings, during my last check-in of the day. I’m normally thrilled to be done organizing his room early because that means the second he arrives there will be no distraction. Most evenings, he’ll find me perched in the seat by his bed, reading. He’ll mock-scold me for daring to defy his orders and reading ahead from the book we both take turns reading aloud from each night. He then warns me that I better react exactly the way I did when I first read it or else. That threat is always followed by a gentle laugh.

Tonight I’m in no mood for our nightly banter or even our nightly reading. My mother had warned me of the dangers of getting too comfortable with the royal family. I should have heeded that warning when she first gave it to me, the morning she found Nikolai and I fast asleep on a couch in the library as children. The palace likes to bring up the children of the staff by training them to attend to the next generation of royals. It makes the staff more efficient, a lifetime of knowing what someone wants makes you better for them. It also creates some level of connection, making betrayal a little less likely. Nikolai and I might have taken it farther than most. But now I want a reminder of the way we’re supposed to be--maybe if I detach now the bleeding of my heart won’t kill me. That has to remain secret, because if I explain it to Nikolai something in me will break. The one line between us will be crossed.

This will be the sixth secret I’ve kept from Nikolai in my entire life.

--

The secrets:

I don’t know why I was picked for Nikolai. I wasn’t particularly skilled, but still, the day came when my mother was told that I now worked directly for the Lantsov boy. It’s an honor, a true one, but my mother had been a little nervous. To whom much is given, much is expected--and I detested Nikolai. Not for being a prince, but for being a prince who thought girls couldn’t race or fight.

The day my mother came looking for me because I never showed up for dinner and she found Nikolai and I attempting to fight in the way only a ten-year-old girl and eleven-year-old boy would, she had looked truly mortified. Nikolai had only laughed, either oblivious to my mother’s embarrassment or uncaring about it. He had then hugged me--an expression of care that had left me reeling. I saw him more as a rival than someone to tend to, but in that moment I saw him as a friend. Even more so when he told me he didn’t want me to go yet and that he was upset that so much of the day had been wasted by studies that kept him with boring people and away from me. And then he invited me to his lessons--my mother was quick to attempt to decline politely, but the desires of a prince at any age outweigh that of a mother.

After that, everyone kind of just stopped trying to remind us of our propriety. The tutor at first was concerned about my presence, but Nikolai remained stubborn. I wasn’t a big enough deal to cause an argument, so I began to attend lessons with him almost every day, only staying away when my mother needed aid with laundry or cleaning. His parents must have been somewhat aware of our friendship, but they must have been oblivious to our closeness because it was never mentioned.

My mother’s worry began to ease, she’d even started to take some pride when I’d come to our room proudly proclaiming that I scored two marks higher than Nikolai. She did, however, warn that it might be more tactful to let him score higher.

The comment was casual, just a suggestion, but it left me feeling wrong. It was the first time since we met that I had thought about our different statuses. I didn’t tell him--and that was the first secret I ever kept from him.

As we grew, we traded physical competition for academic rivalry, trying to best each other in both lessons and games of strategy like chess and cards. But with growing comes responsibility. Nikolai started to have obligations that were meant to be private. I couldn’t follow him at all times. But he’d always come back from locked door meetings grinning like he carried schoolyard gossip instead of government secrets. He shared everything with me, even when I playfully warned against it.

He’d always step closer when I teased that perhaps he shouldn’t tell me everything. And then he’d say, “If I can’t trust you, then I can’t trust anyone--and I don’t want to live in a world like that.��� Often, he’d give my hand a light squeeze before moving on like he had not said anything intimate.

On a day in which Nikolai was in one of those meetings, I became a woman. When I first saw the blood, I had been horrified--but my mother was quick to explain that it was natural. She said that I was now a woman, a wonderful thing, really--but a thing that came with obligations. She told me that I could no longer have the impromptu ‘sleepovers’ with Nikolai unless he ordered it. I told her he’s never ordered me to do anything for him.

She didn’t ease, something in her had started to become nervous again. My mother had recently started to act the way she did when Nikolai and I first became friends. I didn’t want to fall asleep in Nikolai’s bed while I was bleeding, but I didn’t want to never have another sleepover with him again. Especially not when she refused to explain why being a woman changed so much.

I had decided to avoid Nikolai as much as possible until the sting of my mother’s new rule faded. Unfortunately, that night Nikolai was extra talkative--excited as he insisted I stay for a little longer. Soon, I found his familiar good naturedness melting away my nerves and before I knew it I was laughing in the middle of the night. When my eyelids started to feel heavy, I had moved from the chair, ready to head back to my room.

Nikolai had looked at me oddly before he asked why would I leave so late when it would be easier for me to just sleepover? It was an innocent question, he did not know about my change and I had wanted to keep it that way.

I tried playing coy, but Nikolai has always had a talent for getting around my better judgement. I don’t recall exactly how it happened, but I remember him standing in front of me. It was the first time I noticed how much had actually changed over the years--he was now taller than me for the first time in his life. His hair had started to grow a little longer, golden and soft-looking--and his face seemed much more angular. But he had not lost his boyish charm.

“Y/n?” My name fell softly from his lips, and that was the first time I had ever noted the fullness of them. I didn’t understand why I considered that something worth noting. “Did I do something to make you mad at me?”

Perhaps I had been a little curt--nerves and hormones had left me not feeling like myself. I didn’t tell him about the bleeding, I couldn’t. That became the second secret I kept from him--but I did tell him that my mother had told me I was a woman now, and that women can’t have sleepovers. Not with those of the opposite gender. I made no effort to hide my confusion because I expected him to be as perplexed as I was. But he was not confused--in fact, he had the audacity to laugh. My face flushed, but I did not know why.

“Why is that funny?” Maybe he thought I was still too much of a child to be considered a woman. I assumed it a fair assumption, I had not grown the way he had--my shoulders had not become sturdier and I had not become particularly broader. Still, I would rather melt into the floor than tell him about the reason my mother now considered me a woman. “My mother did say that, and I don’t know what being a ‘woman’ has to do with staying in your room at night.” Something strange had crossed over his features then, something much more brooding than I was used to.

I had blinked at him as unexplained nerves pooled in my stomach. Perhaps that look would have been enough to keep me silent if he had managed to not grin. That self-assured grin that had always challenged me. “Well since you know everything about my mother now, maybe you can tell me why she’s been acting strange. She’s starting to act the way she did when we first became friends.” I expected him to at least pretend to be worried. Perhaps his parents had spoken to her and had mentioned wanting our friendship to end. But his grin had only grown. Pride left me angry. “She did say that I could stay if you ordered it--but I’m glad you’ve never ordered me to do anything, so I can leave right now because you’re acting as odd as her. I don’t understand what you could find funny about our friendship ending.”

He had stopped me from storming out of his room by placing one hand on the wall between me and the door. “Y/n, don’t be cross--I’ll explain it all, I promise.” Angry pride made me want to storm away from him, but curiosity and something unknown and warm kept me in place. “Do you remember when we read the play about the rival families, how the two main characters had kissed?”

I remembered that part of the play especially well. The concept of kissing so casually, outside of marriage, had been jarring to me. “Yes.”

“Now that we’re older, your mother must be worried that we might do that.” He paused before leaning against the arm he placed on the wall to keep me from leaving a little more. “Kiss.”

The clarification was not needed--in that brief pause, I had allowed myself to imagine no distance between our lips. Something in me burned with embarrassment when I realized that some part of me found the thought appealing. The only thing I wanted in that moment was assurance that Nikolai would never know I felt that. That was my third secret, and the weight of it was heavy against my chest.

Still, though, all of my confusion had not yet left. “Is there much harm in a kiss?”

The question had left an odd smile on his lips. “There’s potential harm in what it could lead to for the woman, but not so much for the man.” He exhaled slowly as my face tensed. He could always read me too well because he was quick to add, “What it could lead to isn’t a bad thing, it’s meant to be pleasurable, but it’s serious.” I did not understand, but a part of me was starting to grow okay with that. Nikolai’s voice had started to become lower than ever, and his gaze remained tense. Perhaps if I accepted the confusion for now, things could go back to normal. If the conversation ended, I could stop thinking of his lips and his hands and what it would mean for them to touch me. “It’s considered a vice, like drinking or gambling.” The additional comment helped more than it should have. A vice--not scary and not painful, but not something to indulge in. That’s enough explanation for now. “If you want to know, I won’t deny you.”

I appreciated the offer tremendously. The vice that comes after kissing is clearly something that’s been intentionally kept from me. It’s something he was privy to that I was not, and he offered it to me like so much else. But if knowledge that my mother feared us kissing made me think of his lips, then I doubted I could handle knowing what comes after kissing.

“I’ll let you know when I want to know, but I appreciate the offer.” It felt like a fair response. His snarky grin came back immediately. Irritation rooted itself in my stomach. I hated not knowing more than him for once, but I still had one question I could not relinquish. “But what does that vice have to do with orders?”

At that, his smugness faltered. “It’s not unheard of, for princes and handmaids--for a prince to obligate a handmaid in order to fulfill his vice. Though many handmaids fill the vice of their own will for benefits.

The explanation left him like a confession. I didn’t understand his hesitance--it’s not like he’d ever make me do anything I didn’t want to do. Even when I worked, he was hesitant to ask me to go out of my way to bring him a glass of water. And I couldn’t imagine gaining anything from offering Nikolai something I didn’t really understand. I wasn’t naive to the fact that my life had more privileges than many palace servants. “Oh.”

His eyes hardened. “You know I’d never--”

“I know.” It was finally easy to smile again. “I never thought otherwise.” Something in him seemed to ease at that, his eyes went from hard to warm in less than a second.

I had no more questions for him and I was also no longer a flight risk, but Nikolai did not move. He did not step back to create a more appropriate distance and he did not drop his arm. His gaze, however, did move--dropping downwards, and slightly away from my eyes. I did the same, my eyes falling to his lips.

The silence between us began to make me feel like something in me was in danger of overflowing. “Then I guess my mother is once again worrying for no reason.” Strangely, I did not feel the need to feel embarrassed about staring at his lips. “Because I would never particularly want to kiss you, Nikolai Lantsov.”

The comment was meant to be teasing, a joke to clear away unknown tension. I should have known better than to challenge his pride because he instinctually moved his hand off the wall and beneath my chin. I did not flinch when he tilted my head upwards slightly with his fingers. “I could get you to want to kiss me if I wanted to.”

Three secrets in one night. I did not think I could bear a fourth one. “Hm…” The ground we treaded on felt unstable, but something in me trusted Nikolai to not let me falter. “I should--I should go before I give my mother anymore cause to worry.”

His fingers had brushed down my chin easily as he dropped his hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

And that he did. The days passed without mention of the last time he asked me to sleepover. It was as if nothing had changed except now I found myself noting things I most definitely did not want to note. These didn’t feel like individual secrets because it felt easy to group each admirational thought into one secret. Soon, that became my new normal--easy banter, easy touches of hands, and easy yet silent admirations of his beauty.

I never wandered too hard about what the vice that kissing can lead to entailed. I didn't particularly want to know, but knowing that I could ask Nikolai at any time brought a sense of security to me. But besides that, I never thought of that conversation until the day I was asked to look for Nikolai because he was late for dinner.

That in itself was odd, most of the time when Nikolai was late it was because he was with you. I checked his room, two other rooms he was known to frequent, and then finally the library. First, I noticed a handmaid two years older than me. I was finally at an age when one begins to compare their beauty to those around them, and I recognized the girl as gorgeous. She was better endowed than me, physically, and she always seemed fun. And then I noticed Nikolai, standing closer to her than I’ve ever seen him stand to anyone. His expression was serious as the girl giggled.

Nikolai’s expression shifted from tense to shocked when he saw me. “Y/n.”

It took me a moment longer than it should have to realize what I had interrupted. Guilt and jealousy were quick to twist in my stomach. “Dinner--your parents sent me to look for you.”

He was quick to walk around the girl, who was quick to glare at me. I attempted to disappear down the hall after mumbling a quick apology, but Nikolai was faster than me.

“Y/n,” he did not hesitate to grab my wrist.

It shouldn’t have irked me the way it did, after all, neither of us had ever really hesitated to touch each other. I had always reached for him when I wanted him, and he had done the same. But the thought of the same hands that touched the most beautiful girl I had ever seen on me left me bitter in a way I didn’t understand.

Still, I pushed through all of that. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, your mother asked me to look for you because she assumed you’d be with me when you were late to dinner. I didn’t think that there’d be--”

“You didn’t interrupt anything.” The words came out flat as his eyes took on the same quality they did the night he explained my mother’s concern to me. “Valaria wishes there was something to interrupt, but there wasn’t.”

Oh. I refused to let the correction inflate me. “Would you like me to not come to your room tonight?”

The offer felt awkward to make. “No,” the answer came quickly, “In fact, go there now--I want to see you right after dinner. I’ve missed you today.” The instruction left my face feeling warm. “We could read an extra chapter of our book if you’d like.”

Despite myself, I grinned. “Yes.”

“Looking forward to it.”

True to his word, Nikolai was quick to return to his room. He had come back to me eagerly, going out of his way to squeeze my shoulder as he entered the room.

I opened the book to the chapter we had left off on, but before I could start reading, Nikolai stopped me. “Sit next to me?”

The question came softly. It had been some time since we sat next to each other on his bed. Still, I moved off of the chair and to his bed. Something in me longed for the familiar closeness of childhood. I allowed him to play with my fingers as I read.

“You know you could take one night off from me if you wanted to.” The admission left me softly, part of unsure if he was still paying attention to my words. “She was pretty, it wouldn’t have hurt my feelings if you told me you wanted me to not come tonight.”

Nikolai exhaled easily, squeezing my fingers once. “I said I wanted to see you and I meant it.”

It took all of my energy to push past the way his words made my stomach leap. “In general, if you ever--”

Nikolai cut me off by laying his head on my lap the way he used to. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” It was the first time in years that he spoke to me in a way that acknowledged his authority. “Keep reading please.”

And that was the last time we had ever mentioned other handmaids in that context. The fifth secret I ever kept from him was the way I worried that one day that would change.

--

The door creaks open while I’m in the middle of fluffing an already pristine pillow. Nikolai steps into the room, but I continue to work.

“Darling,” he breathes too easily, “Today has been painful.” I straighten, looking at him as casually as I can manage. “And now I have to deal with you being mad at me.”

Damn him and his ability to read me with one look. “I’m not mad.”

“You know you can’t lie to me,” he sighs, stepping forward, “We’ve known each other too long for that.”

I press my lips together, irrational anger pushing itself into me at an odd angle. “We’ve also known each other too long to keep secrets.”

His eyebrows draw together, a look so quizzical I’m reminded of our schooling days. “What secrets have I kept from you?”

Mentioning that had been a mistake. I exhale as flatly as possible. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” My dismissal only has Nikolai’s expression hardening. I drop my gaze. “Unless you need something, I’m retiring my services for the evening.”

I take a reluctant step towards the door, eyes attached to the floor. “Y/n,” his voice is gentle. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just tired.” Please let that be at least somewhat believable. “I’m sure I’ll feel more like myself in the morning.” I take another step, a little more assured. Nikolai’s hand is on my shoulder before I can escape. “Nikolai--”

“Y/n,” his voice is that of velvet, “I can’t have you be mad at me. Not now.”

Sighing, I meet his gaze. The tiredness I see behind his eyes is almost enough to chase away my nerve. What I’d give to be able to melt into our familiar routine. “Then you should have told me you were almost engaged to a literal Saint--the same literal Saint who’s one of my closest friends.”

Nikolai’s expression shifts as his hand drops from my shoulder slowly, fingers brushing down my arm before he finally intertwines our fingers. I bite my tongue to avoid squeezing his hand, but I don’t move to separate us either. He studies me silently, eyebrows drawn together. The longer he stares, the more whatever turmoil he’s experiencing seems to dissipate. After a minute of silence, I can read his expression perfectly. His lips are pressed together in that coy way--the way he only looks when he’s suppressing a smile.

I loathe him for it. “Nikolai Lantsov, don’t you dare laugh--not after what you did. Do you have any idea what it felt like to have Alina casually mention the fact that you almost married her casually? Like that was common knowledge to everyone but me?”

My words break away the last of his self control. He grins, flashing his annoyingly perfect teeth. “Do you have any idea what it feels like for me to want nothing more than to see you and then you let me believe something may actually be wrong when the only issue is your jealousy?”

The amusement in his tone is like poison to me. I find the strength to jerk my hand away from him. “I am not jealous.” He laughs; I am further enraged. “I am not.” The genuineness of my anger must finally register on some level, because he tries to suppress his smile. “I have every right to be mad at my best friend for not telling me that he was almost married.”

“We didn’t exactly come close,” he manages, expression still much too light for my taste. “I’m glad for Alina’s sake, I’m not sure being a Saint would be enough to protect her.”

He is infuriating. “I’m not sure anything you have will be enough to protect you.”

Something in his gaze shifts, softening the tilt of his mouth. “I don’t doubt that.”

I don’t know what I expected from him--but not this. I thought he’d be at least somewhat apologetic. “You should have told me.”

“I would have if I felt it was significant.”

“I’m your best friend--your marriage is significant to me. And even though it’s not like you’re engaged to her right now, you should have told me. You know I talk to Alina all the time.”

He sighs once, a hint of apology threatening to ghost over his eyes. “If I knew not knowing would have upset you so much I would have told you. I was--I was just so excited to be around you again I didn’t see much relevance in anything that didn’t involve you.”

The intensity that Nikolai regards me with is enough to wither all of my fury. But without my anger, I am left spiraling in emotion that I’ve been pushing against for years. My mother’s warning about relationships with those above us rings in my ears--sharp and headache inducing. I am still when he reaches for my hand again, but I do no allow myself to return the gentle squeeze of his fingers.

“I’m not sure much outside of you has significance.” He’s giving me a look I am familiar with. A look he often uses to chase away my anger.

Without my anger, I have nothing to keep me from melting into him, indulging in his presence fully. It’s so easy with him and I blinded myself to the danger of that. He may not be marrying Alina, but one day he will marry someone. A person worthy of his status--and what would I be left doing? Washing their laundry? Tearing up when I dusted the library and came across a book we had read together? Enough damage has already been done--I need to cut myself with this blade now in hopes of making sure I can one day recover.

He will get married one day, and nothing will be the same. And that’s a good thing--he deserves the love of a princess or queen. I want his happiness, even if it’s not with me. But some vindictive part of me hopes that some part of him will miss me. That some part of him will be dulled without me.

I’m a fool--he will remember me as the handmaid from his youth. The girl who made him laugh once or twice before he grew up. I force my hand out of his grasp. “You can’t win me over with words every time.” I need to get out of here before he says something that makes me lose all resolve. “Tomorrow morning I’ll be here to prepare you for breakfast.”

“Y/n.”

I step forward, refusing to look at him. “Goodnight.”

He sighs, his hand quick to grab my arm. Before I can question him I feel myself pulled back. I expect him to pull me just close enough so that I have to meet his gaze. He continues, pulling me sharply before placing a quick hand on my shoulder, forcing me down. My back hits his bed.

I sit up as soon as the reality of what just happened seeps into my mind. “Nikolai, what in the Saints--”

“If you’re going to act like a child, I’m going to treat you like one.”

I scoff, thoughts of escaping him put on hold by the principle of pride. Fine. I’ll beat him one last time, and then I’ll let us separate. I shove him. He laughs--of course this is funny to him. He got to keep fighting past the age of about eleven. His laughter adds to my anger, I move to shove him again, but he catches my wrist easily. I struggle against his hold, shoving him a third time with my still free hand. He pushes me slightly. That’s all it takes to unleash familiar habits.

Our small fight is hardly fair. He has all the advantage--more training, and he’s standing above me. When I finally make a move that might give me some success, Nikolai leans forward. He practically tackles me, his weight forcing me flat against the bed.

I move an arm, ready to push him off of me. Nikolai snags my wrists, holding them above my head. “This means I win.” I roll my eyes, anger returning.

“Let me go.”

He sighs tiredly, but the smugness radiating off of him is suffocating. “Admit that you were jealous.”

There are a lot of things I am willing to do for him--but never that. I cannot give him the one separation I still have. “I wasn’t.”

“Then why are you mad?”

I press my lips together. “I told you--”

“Do you really think you could lie to me?”

“You don’t know me that well.”

Nikolai moves his freehand, touching my chin as a way to ask me to look at him. I meet his gaze hesitantly. “Yes, I do, and that’s never bothered you before but it does now.”

Maybe this is a conversation better had bluntly. “It bothers me now because you’re too old to hold onto the daughter of a palace handmaid and I’m too old to pretend that our different statuses don’t matter.”

“Y/n,” he breathes, “Nothing’s changed. Status didn’t matter to me when we were children, and it doesn’t matter to me now.”

“You can afford to say things like that.”

“What good is my title if it means I can’t,” he pauses, eyes hesitant, “If I can’t keep things the same between us?”

I smile, the sadness of the look weighs on me and I can’t even see it. “Nikolai, you always knew things would change.”

“No, I--”

“You can’t tell me you think your future wife would like you having such a close relationship with a handmaid.” I press my lips together. “One day you’ll fall in love and get married and you’ll want me to leave your bedchamber as soon as dinner is over because you’ll be eager to spend time with your wife.” His gaze hardens. “And that’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a really good thi--”

The last syllable of my sentence dies in my throat. Nikolai, who must be possessed by something, leans down and presses his lips against mine. I beg myself to resist, but his gentleness is everything I’ve ever wanted. He releases my hands in favor of holding my face. That’s all it takes--my hands move without my permission, into his hair--pulling him closer to me. What am I doing? I’m insane. Placing my hands on his chest cautiously, I push just slightly. He’s quick to obey, pulling away while allowing his teeth to brush against my bottom lip.

I gape at him--taking in his now slightly swollen lips. “Nikolai.” He can’t do this to me. We’re friends. Despite the fact that I’ve loved him more than I should--we’re friends. “You’re being extremely unfair.”

He draws his eyebrows together, sitting up quickly and moving off of me. “I’m being unfair? I have spent my entire life loving y--”

I sit up, furious in a new way. “You have not!” This is the dumbest I have ever been. I move to stand, still feeling the softness of his lips against mine.

“Your tooth fell out.” The sharpness of his words forces me to still.

“What?”

I can’t bring myself to turn and look at him, but I’ve always been able to feel any heaviness he bears. The weight of it leaves little room for air in my lungs. “You were ten. I told you ‘girls couldn’t fight’ so you punched me in the face. That was the first time we ever fought--I didn’t mean to hit you in the face, but you moved. You moved and I hit you in the mouth and your last baby tooth fell out. I expected you to cry or get angry, but you just blinked at me and laughed. You were happy to lose your last baby tooth because it meant you were grown up. And then you smiled and asked me if you looked older. If anything, the gap in your smile made you look younger but I told you that you looked like a grown-up because I wanted you to keep smiling. Because your smile made me feel like I won something.” I turn on my heels, but I cannot meet his gaze. “That was the moment I fell in love with you--so don’t tell me I haven’t spent my entire life loving you.”

The weight of his words is harder to survive against than the heaviness of his feelings. “Nikolai, you know we can’t ever be together--”

“Why not?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know,” I manage, voice low, “You almost married the Sun Summoner--”

“That was political--”

“Exactly, your marriage is meant to be political, and if it happens to be out of love--which is what I hope you get, because it is what you deserve--it will be to someone of status.”

Nikolai stands, the movement is that of a king, not the boy I know. “I do not want status or to love someone else--I want you.”

“I can’t take that from you--”

“You can’t take anything from me because I’ve already given it all to you.”

I press my lips together, heart tearing for him. “I love you too much to ruin you.”

My words seem to snap something in him because his eyes darken, the way he watches me adjusting accordingly. “You can’t ruin something that’s always been yours.”

I let myself smile. At him. At his words. At the foolish hope the child in me has clung to after all of these years. I reach for him thoughtlessly, because I have the right to. Because I’ve always had the right to. He’s quick to respond, kissing me with much more security than before.

This time, he pulls away of his own regard. “You still haven’t admitted that you were jealous.”

His teasing smugness isn’t as sour to me anymore. “I wasn’t.”

Nikolai pulls me towards him easily, lips threatening to brush against me, warm breath against my face. “Are you sure, darling? You were awfully quick to claim what’s yours.”

I roll my eyes, grinning so widely I’m surprised my face doesn’t yet hurt. “You’re the one that fell for a ten-year-old girl with a bloody mouth.”

When he smiles back at me, he places a hand on my hip, pulling me forward slightly. “That I did.” He pulls me forward slightly. "Does this mean you can sleep in here again?"

"If anything, this is more reason for me to sleep in another room." He rolls his eyes, pulling me even closer. "But I won't tell if you don't."

Nikolai leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Deal."

tags: @deardiarystuff @theincredibledeadlyviper, @grishaverse7 @benbarnes-supremacy  @tranquilitymoon @kaitlyn2907 @lunamyangel @christinawxxx @deceivedeer @real-mbappe @tonks33

[juminsmysticmc]

I was wondering how would the RFA react to MC playing a prank on them using the “ Yo is your man still around” Audio from TikTok to see what they’re reactions is? Btw I love your work keep it up and I hope you have a lovely day

RFA react to a MC who use a TikTok sound (Yo what’s good Shortie, is your man still around)

Hey Babe! Thank you for your patience! I hope you will enjoy this HC. At first, I thought, that TikTok was a dumb App and yeah. It didn’t even take me a day to get obsessed with it, I love it! So, tell me your opinion on it, okay?  Have a good day, I love you!

Jumin

You got a bit bored with time and since there were days when Jumin wasn’t by your side that much, you decided to download the app that everyone went crazy for lately - TikTok.

At first it was a bit difficult for you to use it. You were unsure how to get content you liked, but in time your FYP became better and better until you saw that one trend.

A sound was a man’s voice said, ,,Yo what’s good Shortie, is your man still around?’’ and all the men in the videos reacted just so sweetly…

You knew that you had to do it too.

And so, you gave Jumin a kiss when he wanted to go to work and then started playing audio.

Jumin waited and looked at you because he didn’t recognize your phone ringtone.

But when the man asked the question, Jumin’s face froze.

,,Excuse me. Who wants to know that?’’ he hissed and grabbed your phone, looking at the display he saw that this wasn’t a FaceTime call, but something else.

,,Who was that, Mc?’’ he asked you.

,,No one, Jumin. It was just a prank,’’ you tried to explain.

,,No, my love, I heard it clearly… don’t you love me anymore?’’ Jumin whispered and got on his knees.

,,Do you want to leave me?’’ he asked you.

Suddenly you felt guilty and decided to show him all the duets.

,,So this TikTok made this?’’ he asked after you showed him five videos.

You sighed and chuckled, trying to tell him once again that TikTok was the name of the app and not the one who made the audio.  

Zen

You, as his manager, was in charge of his TikTok account and always read through the requests of his fans or deleted bad comments.

You did your job pretty well and that’s how one day you read a comment, which wasn’t for Zen, but for you.

,,Hello, Mc! I love you and I support you! May I ask for a video where you use the audio ,Yo what’s good Shortie, ur man still around?’, we need to see a jealous Zen!’’ the person named ,,MC X ZEN IS LIFE’’ asked you.

You still didn’t know the trend so you searched for it. It was then that you knew that this challenge would be pretty funny.

You told Zen that it was time for him to go.

Just while he put on his shoes, you started the challenge and recorded his expression.

At first, he looked up when he heard the ringtone, but looked down again.

However, his eyes were wide open when he heard ,,Yo what’s good Shortie,’’

But when he heard the question if he was still around, everything in his head stopped.

,,YOU ASSHOLE OF A MAN, YES SHE-’’ Zen quickly noticed that this was a video since the sound stopped and the video of him got replayed.

,,Huh?’’ he looked at you, a bit worried.

Suddenly, you broke down in laughter and saved the video, telling him the truth. 

,,A fan?’’ he asked you.

You nodded and was just about to walk away when Zen hugged you from behind.

,,For a second my heart stopped and I really thought that you were cheating… You’re so mean, princess…’’ he whispered and kissed your neck.

,,I’ll make up for it…’’ you teased him.

Yoosung

You and your husband stopped talking.

Instead, you guys began to tag each other in the comments below funny TikToks.

,,Did you see this video already?’’ he often asked you, making you laugh loudly.

It was funny how good an app like this could become.

One day, while he was at work, you came across this audio and was about to tag Yoosung when you read a lot of the comments.

People were using the same audio to prank their boyfriends and you loved the idea.

You didn’t wait too long to use the trend and waited until Yoosung came home from work and had to leave for another visit to the doctor.

The audio stopped him from putting on his jacket since nobody usually called him.

He guessed something bad happened and waited.

But then the audio began and the man’s voice echoed in the hallway.

Yoosung observed you and waited for you to answer the man, but of course you couldn’t.

Instead, you began to laugh loudly.

,,I don’t think that’s funny, Mc! Who was that?! Who is it?!’’ he hissed and wanted to grab your phone.

He quickly realized, however, that this was TikTok.

,,You-’’ Yoosung suddenly began to sniff.

,,You pranked me!’’ he began to sob.

,,WHY ARE YOU CRYING?’’ you laughed a bit harder.

,,I PANICKED FOR A SECOND AND- YOU’RE SO MEAN!’’

Luckily he wasn’t angry at all, but he made sure to get revenge on you with another trend...

Jaehee

Okay, Jaehee was a bit harder, I thought about leaving her out

You wondered why, but Jaehee still didn’t have a TikTok even though Zen used the app for all kinds of challenges.

But since you had it and you were crazy about it, you knew every sound by memory now.

One day you came over the ,,Hey what’s good Shortie’’ audio and just loved the reaction of the partners.

And so, you thought about doing the same to Jaehee.

Although, she would probably notice that this was fake.

But nonetheless, you used the sound while she was cleaning the kitchen.

,,Yo what’s good Shortie, is your man still around?’’

As soon as the sound ended, you could hear how Jaehee stopped her cleaning session and came over to you.

,,Mc, did you tell anyone that I am a man?’’ she asked you.

You couldn’t hold it in anymore and began to laugh hysterically, shaking your head and showing her the video you took.

,,I don’t understand why you like this dumb app so much!’’ she hissed at you.

It didn’t take long until you showed her all kinds of videos and made her obsessed with it too.

,,Jaehee, the kitchen...shouldn’t you finish?’’

,,As punishment, you can finish cleaning it while I spam Zen with likes, thank you.’’  

Saeyoung

Handling two accounts on TikTok wasn’t difficult.

Instead,  it was super easy for both of you.

You and your future husband were quite famous as ,,The Herotic Duo + Saeran“ 

Of course, Saeyoung felt bad leaving his brother out so he added him, filming some pranks together.

Saeran, however, was quite special on the account so he didn’t appear often.

But the both of you pranked each other regularly with one of the extra phones Saeyoung had.

One day you saw on your own phone and your normal account, that one famous prank everyone was doing.

You decided to do it too and upload it live on your shared account.

One tap on the screen of your phone and the sound began.

,,Yo what’s good Shortie, is your man still around?“

,,Tell him that I am here and that he can come. He can videotape us while I show him that you are mine!’’ Saeyoung told you and turned towards you.

,,SAEYOUNG CHOI, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!’’ you laughed, trying to cut the live on TikTok

,,WELL YOU PLAYED A PRANK ON ME!’’ he yelled back and approached you, hugging you tightly.

What you didn’t notice, was that you never actually cut the live.

And so, while your fandom kept staring at the wall, you and your fiancé kept kissing passionately...

MASTERLIST 1

MASTERLIST 2

MASTERLIST 3

01.09.2020// 22:43  MEST

[clansayeed]

Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ― Chapter 14: The Summons

PAIRING: Kamilah Sayeed x MC (Nadya Al Jamil) RATING: Mature

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

⥼ Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ⥽

While struggling with nightmares of lives she’s never lived, a shadow from the past looming over her city, and the proposed idea that her life may just be a little bit too weird to handle alone, Nadya makes sure to tell herself that everything is perfect just the way it is. If only. When the self-proclaimed King of Vampires (and Maker of her sometimes-girlfriend and always-boss, can’t forget that little tidbit) Gaius Augustine returns intent on claiming Manhattan as the throne that was promised, she and her friends find themselves forced into the task of saving the world. But with millennia-old vampires and an Order of hunters on their heels as well as allies hiding catastrophic secrets at their backs… it won’t be an easy task. Too bad destiny didn’t exactly ask for her input.

Bound by Destiny II and the rest of the Oblivion Bound series is an ongoing dramatic retelling project of the Bloodbound series and spin-off, Nightbound. Find out more [HERE].

*Let me know if you would like to be added to the Destiny II tag list!

⥼ Chapter Summary ⥽

When the Amulet of Nero is stolen from within Raines Corp. the time comes to call a special Summons of the Council. And that's just what Gaius wanted.

[READ IT ON AO3]

Nadya waits on the curbside for twenty minutes. Tells herself he probably just got caught in traffic or something. It had snowed for the better part of the day; that wet, sticky kind of snow that clung to roadsides and turned luxury cars (however practical Adrian insisted they be) into useless little wagons.

Even she’s a little disappointed in herself for waiting that long and not just making her way to the subway. She’s gotten spoiled.

[TEXT]: hope ur ok. grabbing the subway instead

By the time the metal cars squeal into her stop Nadya is suitably confused. It’s not like Adrian not to read his messages. Out of the underground she tries to call — the phone rings three times then straight to voice mail.

Confusion melts into worry when she tries Kamilah instead — same thing; ring. ring. ring and nothing.

There might have been a few more steps in between, but when Nadya turns the corner to the sight of flashing red and blue lights and three police cars in front of Raines Corp. she jumps all the way up to panic and breaks out in a run for the building entrance.

“Miss, this is a closed scene.”

“I’m an employee.” She fumbles for the badge she so rarely uses down in her purse, fingers shaking from fear and the cold and she’s never really done well with authority figures so the deep-set frown the officer fixates on her isn’t helping. When she finally fishes it out, though, the uniform looks away — couldn’t care less.

“You need to leave, miss.”

“Hello, can’t you read?” Nadya raises her voice and tries to press her badge a little harder into the woman’s line of sight. The responding glare she gets is not a kind one.

Bad move, bad move bad move —

Thank god she catches sight of Adrian and Kamilah through the revolving door. And she doesn’t feel the least bit sorry when Kamilah breezes her way through and all but throws the cop to the slushy curb to bring her inside.

“What’s going on?” Nadya looks around; latches herself to the woman’s side because relationship-be-darned there are people in black jackets carrying boxes and kits and officers in uniform and suits everywhere and she’s never seen anything like this outside of Most Wanted. “Kamilah — what happened?”

Halfway to Adrian and still without an answer Nadya stops, digs her heels into the tile slippery from melted snow and grabs onto Kamilah’s sleeve. It’s enough to stop her but she can tell right away the vampiress is distracted in a way Nadya isn’t sure she’s ever seen the like of.

“What happened?” she tries again, and finally (finally) Kamilah focuses on her.

“There was a break-in.”

What? “Here?” Dumb question. “What—when—is anyone—or—what —”

Hands heavy with the weight of ages fall on her shoulders and its almost scary how naturally she relaxes under them. Something Kamilah notices too, without a doubt, but neither of them comment on because there’s too much going on.

Nadya gathers herself under that touch. Only when she’s at least mostly certain her words will come out in the right order does she try again.

“Is anyone hurt?”

“Three security guards were killed.” She says it so easily. Nadya covers her mouth with the back of her hand.

Kamilah continues; “Adrian was able to get to me before the police, but there are protocols that must be followed for businesses such as ours. To our benefit, Lester has most of the detectives here under his thumb. We wait until they complete the official paperwork to discuss this, is that understood?”

Which is harsh, even by Kamilah’s standards. Especially seeing as Nadya’s on the verge of blubbering panicked right now, because even under the normal scents of metal and the night janitor’s floor polish she catches the familiar smell coming through the air vents.

Blood.

“Kamilah…” How is it that after everything she’s seen and done she still manages to sound so frightened?

Thankfully though the woman seems to catch herself. She slides her palms down to Nadya’s upper arms; feels the trembling beneath her coat and presses in with her thumbs. Something familiar, something grounding.

Nadya swallows around the lump in her throat. “This is too much of a coincidence, isn’t it?”

After all who just wakes up one afternoon and decides to rob a biotech corporation?

Kamilah confirms her fears with a nod. “It was an impulsive act, but the wounds are unmistakable.”

Vampires.

Trying to play dumb would only be willful ignorance at this point. There’s no other reason vampires would break into the building.

The moment Nadya understands Kamilah is there to hold her steady; like she was waiting for it.

“Yes, Nadya. They took the Amulet.”

It shouldn’t be any consolation that she can feel the worry ebbing into Kamilah’s voice normally so sure and steady. Or that when she can feel her legs solid enough to keep walking Adrian looks at the pair of them over a detective’s shoulder with a face so worn from exhaustion.

It shouldn’t be, but it is a little bit.

Because the city has to bring in a coroner it takes more than a few hours for everything to clear up. Nadya takes it upon herself to stand outside and give calm and understanding explanations to the employees who had the misfortune of showing up for work anyway — and maybe she does it with a little extra side-eye to the officer who had given her so much trouble in the beginning, maybe she doesn’t.

Could she be blamed?

Only when sunrise starts to peek over the man-made horizon does Nadya realize who exactly Kamilah had been referring to when she mentioned some of the detectives were on their side — or at least on their payroll. They’re the ones who don’t question it when Adrian starts up a fuss about how long the force has been taking in his lobby, about how exhausted he is; whatever it takes to get them to clear out as fast as possible.

She makes sure to throw a sympathetic smile his way. Nadya knows how much he hates having to put on the airs of a corporate douche (Jax’s words, not hers in the slightest). And she can tell he tries to return it as much as he can… but it’s a lot for him.

When the atrium finally empties and Nadya has shooed away most of the crowd they venture down to the labs.

Nadya finds it strange to think only a few days ago she was down here with the rest of them. The pristine white space not bothered by crime scene tape or the smudges of fingerprinting powder on every surface. Part of her wants to look away from the blood splatters hovering ominous without bodies to place them. The rest of her feels like she has a responsibility to bear witness.

In an impressive display of strength the large steel door is nearly ripped from the hinges. The bolt sealing it shut is still partially inside the wall. Whoever broke in was in a rush — yanking open drawers and cabinets until they found what they were looking for and careless to whatever was in their way. Now all the files and even a few chemical tubes are strewn across the floor in disarray.

She carefully avoids stepping in the pool of dried blood just in front of the vault entrance.

“It’s as though they didn’t know where to look,” comments Adrian as he crosses the taped-off doorway, “only what they were looking for.”

Nadya recalls briefly the sight of Kamilah in these very basements on the other side of the building. Where she lifted the stone lid from Lily’s empty coffin without so much as a furrowed brow.

“So we don’t have to guess who did this, right?” She looks between the vampires and hates that they all share the same thought. “They tore through solid steel like it was paper.”

It was their fault for pretending like the Trinity wouldn’t come for the Amulet. A darker, more cynical part of Nadya is surprised they didn’t try something like this sooner.

Still — it would be nice if either one of them had something helpful to say. But neither of them do, and the silence tries achingly to make them accept the truth.

“We must assume the worst;” Kamilah admits with a heavy sigh, “that the Amulet is now in Gaius’ possession, or nearly so. It’s time we summoned the Council, Adrian. We can’t keep them in the dark any longer — not if we have any hope of getting them on our side.”

Nadya frowns. “Why wouldn’t they be? This is Gaius we’re talking about. You all stood up to him once before.”

“Yes — and if you recall it was the hardest thing we have ever had to do.”

“Which means it should be easier the second time around.”

Adrian’s voice takes her by surprise as he exits the vault.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”

She can’t believe what she’s hearing. “And why is that?”

“Just because. You’ve felt it too I’m guessing —” the vampires exchange looks that Nadya doesn’t quite recognize, that has her whirling around back and forth until she’s so dizzy she might fall just to try and understand what isn’t being said out loud, “— ever since I saw the empty sarcophagus it’s like he’s been looming over me; a shadow I can’t quite see.”

Hesitantly Kamilah nods. “I’ve found myself entertaining thoughts I never would have in the last century. It was only a matter of time before his influence began to reach out to us, unfettered. And if we have felt it there is little doubt Cecil and Lester have as well. Even if they aren’t conscious of the truth.”

Nadya bites her lip; chews it so hard she nearly breaks skin.

“Is that why you’ve been acting weird, Adrian?”

He nods once; curt and like just that little act causes him an immense pain.

When I said I wanted answers… but she doesn’t finish the thought. There are more important things to do.

“Then let’s get it over with.”

Nadya wipes her forehead with the back of her hand again — this exhale just as shaky as the last. She had not thought this through.

“Are you sure you’re okay for this?” Lily asks and, just like the three times previous, Nadya nods with lips pursed tight to keep them from wobbling with strain.

Because she couldn’t not be here now. She has to see this through. Only the last time she was in this particular room it hadn’t gone so well, had it? The memories of that awful throne and now she has the displeasure of knowing the voice of the wretched man who once sat upon it and both of those things echo inside her skull in a surround sound she can only describe as sickening.

It’s saying a lot that she prefers hearing the red-faced rage of the Baron over whispers of ghostly memories. Neither are preferable, but not much Nadya can do to change it now.

“What do you mean, ‘the Sarcophagus is empty?!’”

Lester tries to appear like he’s sitting the picture of the calm his fellow Council member isn’t. But his bouncing leg betrays him. “Not to say anything against your credit, Kamilah, but are you certain you weren’t perhaps imagining things?” His smarmy smile isn’t returned by any of the five faces all turning to glare at him as one.

“What? I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had similar ones over the years.”

Jax’s brow ticks in frustration. “And what are you saying about Raines and I, then?”

“Bite your damn tongue, boy!” The Baron’s face bulges with every word, like the pounding of his temples might swell his head before he pops inside of his tight and outdated collar. Of the three of them Nadya wouldn’t have expected him to have the worst reaction of the three.

And while she tries not to compare the ramblings of a guy like Lester with her own, she instead focuses on Priya — the uncharacteristically silent one.

She doesn’t know much about the former youngest of the Council, only what Adrian had told her in his brief run-down of what to expect now that she was his assistant in all things business and vampiric. Priya was the only one of the seated members (barring Jax, now) who wasn’t Turned by Gaius. The Council had their enterprises sure but she was Priya Lacroix. She ran a fashion empire. Even the likes of Lily and Nadya — meaning those who had never spent more than department store prices on a pair of jeans — knew her label and the outrageous trends she was known for creating.

At Adrian’s trial, Nadya had learned the hard way that Priya was on no one’s team but her own. Back then that had meant siding with Vega.

What did it mean now, she wonders, and holds her churning stomach at all the ways that little thought alone could go wrong for them.

To Kamilah’s credit she waits until the Baron has stopped huffing and puffing to continue.

“It was no illusion. The Onyx Sarcophagus was unbound and opened. For some time, from the looks of it. Surely you’ve felt his reach even if you had no name for it until now.

“If you still have trouble taking me at my word Cecil, then I ask you this; when was the last time you remember seeing your key?”

Lester thinks he’s subtle when he reaches to pat his trouser pockets. But the relief on his face is clear, even when he catches Adrian staring at him from across their semi-circle of seats. “Don’t look at me! I have mine!”

A grinding noise makes the vampires and their sensitive ears flinch. All but Priya, who continues to let her stone chair chip away at her manicure as a look of bewildered anger darkens her normally sultry expression.

“I can’t remember. Why the fuck can’t I remember?!”

The Baron tears open his collar to reveal more of his flushed chest; which does nothing for Nadya’s upset stomach. Lily dramatically buries her face into Maricruz’s shoulder as though to shield herself from blindness. On her left, Cadence swallows down a gagging noise.

“I— Where is my damned key?!”

He goes to point an accusatory finger at Kamilah, but is cut off by Adrian before he can say something he’ll very likely regret.

“It’s our belief that once the keys were taken from us, a very thin layer of psychic suggestion was put in place to keep us from looking. Enough time had passed that we weren’t checking up on him frequently.”

“Well no shit,” Priya grumbles, “the last time I did it the smell of his rot stunk up my favorite Amur shawl.” She pulls a stunned nail file from her messy high-bun and starts about fixing the damage done.

Even Adrian looks like he can’t believe the day has come where he and Priya agree on something. “Sure, that… too.”

“But who would be so foolish?” asks Lester. “We all knew the dangers of his ideas — and what he would do to us if he was ever freed.”

Kamilah clenches her jaw. The Baron doesn’t miss it and throws her a sneer.

“Having regrets, Your Highness?” Though every trace of his accusation withers under her red-eyed stare.

“You would do well to watch your tongue, Cecil.” And Nadya sees the way she shifts tense in her seat; the look she throws the throne beside her under the guise of closing her eyes and gathering herself. It makes her want to run across the Chamber to Kamilah and hold her tight. To make promises that everything was going to be okay even if she didn’t know whether or not it was the truth.

“If you recall, it was my betrayal that sealed his fate.”

Priya scoffs. “We have just as much to lose as you if he’s coming for us.”

“Oh he’s coming for us all right… make no mistake there.” And though his voice wavers in fear Priya doesn’t deem Lester’s warning worth a reply.

“Unfortunately, Lester is right.”

Kamilah, Adrian, and Jax trade silent nods. They’ve come this far — and without the Amulet going back is impossible. The men defer to Kamilah and the authority of her years.

A burden she doesn’t take lightly. “As I’m sure you’ve guessed, this is something Jax, Adrian, and myself have known about for some time. It was our hope to deal with the situation swiftly and silently; to prevent this very Summons from occurring. But to keep you in the dark is no longer an option, not without putting you and your Clans in significant danger.”

“The world is in danger as long as that mad king roams free, Kamilah.” Lester says with a sigh. Kamilah doesn’t disagree, but continues.

“In our investigation we’ve come to learn several things. Firstly, Gaius has had an agent acting under his orders for a decade at the least, though it’s more likely that he has kept Jameson under his thumb the entire length of his imprisonment.”

The other Council members react with mixed shock and anger.

“Jameson? But he always seemed so… demure.”

“Eugh, I always knew he was a freak. Anyone that obsessed with frock coats would be.”

The Baron growls at Kamilah yet again. “Am I the only one remembering just whose Clan he was part of?”

“Of course not Cecil,” Kamilah snaps back, “but it was not I who made him. And we all know the power of a Maker’s thrall. Taking into account that Jameson and Isseya both are naturally gifted in the psychic arts…”

With a snap Priya’s file breaks in two; half splintering in her closed fist while the other slips and falls to her heel. “That bitch is involved?”

“Both of the Trinity are,” Adrian answers; gives Kamilah what looks like a much-needed respite with a short nod and by while leaning with his elbows on his knees, “and its more than likely they have been since the Awakening Ball, at the very least. Which brings me to our next point… and the reason we called this Summons tonight.

“Under Gaius’ orders, they have been hunting down the Amulet of Nero. The Trinity’s third was tasked with keeping it hidden until Gaius had need of it, but when the man died the Amulet’s location was lost with him. I was able to track the Amulet down to a supernatural auction in New Orleans and securely bring it back.”

It would be a valiant summary to a heroic story… if he didn’t leave it with an awkward silence. And by now the rest of the Council — well they’ve already gotten so much bad news already in such a short amount of time. Nadya doesn’t blame them for waiting for the other pin to drop.

“But?” presses Lester. Even Priya — though maybe more so now because she doesn’t have anything to distract herself with — seems rapt with attention.

“But despite his best efforts, my little soldier always seems to fall just short of the mark.”

Back at Persephone, Nadya just knew the Trinity was alone; that Gaius wasn’t with them. Didn’t know how she knew or what it would have even felt like if he was there.

It would have felt like this. An oppressive, suffocating heaviness in the air seeping its way both into her throat and wrapping around her from the outside. Squeezing, tightening with every breath; filling her with terror and anger and (nauseatingly) a kind of joy that should never be associated with the smell of death that wafts into the Chamber and into her every pore.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

If his very presence wasn’t so terrifying she might have the stomach left to laugh. Gaius doesn’t bother with a glamour this time — no he’s much too pleased for that. The joy whistling between his rotting teeth as he descends the steps into the Chamber and looks out on them all with a literally lip-splitting grin.

The night wind howling above the city filters down and screams like a thousand roused graves. They dance around him, make the wisps of his hair shift around his hollowed face, and disperse like an omen around them.

Witness him. Behold him. Tremble before the King of Vampires.

All around Nadya the vampires rise together; a front united in only one thing — fear. Just like at dinner she stays seated but there’s no willful defiance here. She just can’t move.

Like that stops Gaius from honing in on her anyway. “I told you Nadya — that throne is mine still, even after all these years. Such a tragedy that the pretenders to my kingdom haven’t taken care of it as they should have, though.”

Lily and Maricruz step in front of her — she appreciates the gesture but wants to scream at them to run and save themselves. I’ve seen what he can do. I don’t want that for you. But she doesn’t, not even when she feels the towering form of Cadence at her back.

And Kamilah is so far away…

Strange that the thing that gets her to stand is the sight of Jameson coming up behind his Master’s back. Like a caricature, huddled behind Gaius like an immortal shield. Seeing him brings her to a boiling point, makes her remember living through Lily’s death—living through her murder—and all the pain it caused, continues to cause…

“What are you doing here?”

The only ones surprised when Valdas and Isseya appear at the rear of Gaius’ awful entourage are the Trinity themselves. Mortified, Valdas stares at Cadence and grabs for his lover’s hand. She takes it wordlessly; her expression unreadable.

“Now now Valdemaras, this isn’t the time.”

Just like before; his pretty words so cold and cruel. How they make him recoil, how they make Kamilah’s eyes flash with the briefest hint of pity.

The Council are equals but they bend to Kamilah on this — let the eldest be the first to step forward on the chopping block.

“Gaius.”

He fixates on her in a flash of milk-white eyes. His sunken features barely able to hold his twisted frown.

“Kamilah, my Queen.”

The word stings her like a slap to the face, but Kamilah keeps her composure.

“The years haven’t been kind.”

“No, I suppose they haven’t.” He reaches up and presses at his skin with fingers that aren’t in much better shape. Priya tries not to gag and might even turn her face away if she weren’t fixated on him in terror.

“And who do I have to thank for that, I wonder?”

Kamilah inclines her head but says nothing. Adrian steps up behind her, ever at her back. And if he’d hoped to draw Gaius’ attention away it worked — and a little too well at that.

“And Adrian, my lovely little soldier. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the part you played all those years ago.”

“I would hope you ha—”

“Sssh…”

All Gaius has to do is hold up a finger and the entire Chamber falls silent. The vampires, the wind; Nadya even finds her thoughts waiting on hesitant breath to hear what he has to say. How it feels so terribly vitally important.

It makes him croon in satisfaction. “Much better. I hate to see how quickly you’ve forgotten your manners; all of you. But I suppose it’s to be expected when you don’t have a guiding hand to show you the way.”

Slow and purposeful he strides deeper into the Chamber. His cape catches on the packed dirt underfoot but it’s just another way for the literal world to yield to him. “I should thank you, first, for convening yourselves and saving me the trouble. I would have hated to have to hunt you down one by one — this way retribution will be swift and just.

“But the real reason I’m here is to offer my congratulations.” But Jameson, ever gleeful, is the only one who claps. “You’ve had a very profitable… how many years was it? Ninety-nine, I think? Part of me almost wished to wait and make it an even century. But I could not find enough benevolence in me to give you the satisfaction… as they say — nobody’s perfect.

“But I wonder if you have given ample time to consider the ramifications of your success. How far back you’ve bent to this sniveling population of chattel in pursuit of your backwards notions of them. The belief that they are somehow equal to us given sheer numbers alone.

“The infestation of them would not have spread so far had you not committed such a heinous crime.”

“Our only crime was defying you!” Adrian spits out, red-faced and the exertion it takes to resist whatever spell he holds them all under shows in the sweat beading on his brow.

“And that was crime enough!”

All around Nadya the vampires flinch as if struck by the back of an invisible hand. Even Jameson, who recoils away but refuses to let himself be lumped in among the masses of those Gaius deems as traitors.

For a walking corpse though, it’s impressive how quickly he regains his composure. Just as quick as he had lost it. He smooths back the wisps of his hair and eases blind rage into the same yellowing smile.

“Ninety-nine years is a long time. Though I’m sure I don’t need to tell any of you that.” He gestures wide to the Council at large, open arms spread in the same arrogant pride has he had at the banquet table.

“Long enough for you to become titans of industry and advancement, and to grow complacent in your greatest lies. You have deluded yourselves, my children, into thinking that you live in times of peace. You believed the evil vanquished and the world spared of a so-called price which you deemed too high… despite not being the ones who would have to make it.

“Some might call this loyalty. I would call it treachery. Your loyalty should never have been to humans, to the plague of them that stretches across the world. It should have been to me.

“But I suppose the only one truly at fault is myself.” Gaius hangs his head forlornly. “Somewhere along the line… I must have been too lax, too forgiving. I followed the tools She gave me to the letter and yet even in the first of my line I could never inspire quite the same devotion as She could. Not without the missing link.”

His grey palm twists upwards and the fire pits lining the Chamber walkway catch on glittering gold and red. The Amulet of Nero rests, neatly cradled in offering; as though it belonged there. Then it isn’t Gaius holding anyone captive, not any longer — the Amulet does that job for him perfectly, possibly even better.

A fact that isn’t lost on him. Reverence choking at his voice as he gives his audience the chance to admire it.

“It is to my understanding that you’ve been hard at work trying to open the Amulet. Points for understanding it is not the Amulet itself that holds the power but what lies within it. Though I suspect, my dearest Bloodqueen, you have a little something to do with that.”

Kamilah glares down at him. And would very well take his words and impale him on them if she could. He’s giving her the chance to speak but she can’t—or won’t—take it.

She doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

Gaius knows this, and seems heartbroken by it. “I see, and this is truly the path you wish to take?” But again the only reply is the hollow quiet. He thumbs the gemstone almost absentmindedly.

“Very well.”

Gaius throws his head back, familiarity gently shaking away a head of thick hair no longer there. Watching his fangs descend is more like seeing maggots crawl from an open wound — something Nadya has never seen in person and now will never need to. They’re as stained and rotting inside-out like the rest of the teeth left in his skull and surely they once have must been long and proud; something of a status symbol. Not anymore.

But they are no less sharp. And in the silent hall the wet sound of those fangs sinking into the sagging flesh of his exposed wrist is terrible; just like the stench of foul death that follows. Nadya tells herself it’s a trick of the (lack of) light that when he pulls back the blood dripping from his mouth is almost black.

“Nothing you could have attempted would have proven fruitful,” says Gaius, mouth full of his own blood that spills down his chin through his smile, “because only the purest of blood could relinquish the spell here. Nothing so diluted as what filthy muck most of you had crawled from; not even that of my own line. Only those Turned with the blessing of the Goddess would be able to ensure Her return… I made sure of that.”

His self-inflicted wound takes its sweet time to heal. Plenty of time for him to bring the Amulet close, cradled like a fragile trinket (which was definitely not the case, and they had a list of ways that had been proven) and let his blood drip—drip—drip over the jewel with purpose.

Whatever enchantment was holding it closed was also holding the true nature of the thing back — that much is obvious. The latch of it comes undone so soft she doesn’t hear a thing, then he pries the pieces apart with a rotted thumb. The Amulet’s influence comes in waves so strong Nadya, too, can finally feel them. Feels the magnetic pull of it and she wonders with all of her awe if she were to jump from the ground wound it bring her ever closer, would it finally then have hold over her?

She has the sense not to, thank god, but Lily’s knees buckle under the pressure. Nadya and Maricruz hold her up quickly, Nadya’s sleeve wiping away the sweat at her temples.

“It’s…” She struggles to find the words. Lily Always-With-Something-To-Say Spencer is speechless. And she’s not alone.

Even the man himself gazes in reverence. Plucks something from the heart of the locket and lets it fall away, unenchanted and plain, back to the dirt where it belongs. Its contents are its value. Gaius holds it up to the light; a little red vial, no bigger than her thumb, with designs on the glass that catch in the dancing flames.

Nadya realizes a bit too (foolishly) late that it isn’t the vial that glitters, but what’s inside of it. Blood, undeniably blood, but the brightest and most beautiful blood she’s ever seen. What she had thought was the reflection of light is actually flecks of gold dancing within it.

Dancing to a song that, if she closes her eyes and listens with all her might, Nadya thinks she can hear.

The blood of the First Vampire.

And they understand all at once and in a horrifying way exactly what he plans on doing with it.

He breaks the vial’s waxy seal and raises it in his sole cheers. “To my good health.”

“NO!”

Flecks of blood dot across Kamilah’s cheek. But she and the rest of the Council are still held immobile by the power of the vial, no longer captivated but forced to behold it. All but Adrian, his own blood dripping red and violent from his nose; his ears. Breaking out from the vial’s spell—from Gaius’ spell—has him pale and shaking, and whatever willpower he found to do it is stronger than his ability to heal.

Nadya watches with tears burning in her eyes and teeth clenched in a struggle between wanting to keep him safe and needing him to save them.

Her cries — silent but desperate. Please Adrian, please!

She’d like to think he almost makes it. Optimistic failure — that’s what her life has been reduced to. But it’s better than nothing, even if it’s still failure.

Adrian falls to his knees with Gaius just out of reach. He struggles, maybe he even knows its in vain, but reaching out as he does, still trying to claw his way to the vial, fighting through agony — it just hurts.

“Aagh!” When he yields its clutching his head, its threatening to tear out clumps of his hair and more blood falling down his face and sticking awful to his lips. “My… hh-head…”

His Maker looks down not with disdain but with pity.

“Time and time again my soldiers keep disappointing me,” he laments; like he’s the wounded party when Adrian hadn’t managed to lay a finger on him, “First Valdemaras, then Banner… I had hoped to break the cycle with you, Adrian. My strong Adrian… a little too willful at the end but I would expect nothing less.”

“You bas… bas…” But whatever is hurting him is too much. Gaius sighs.

“That is enough, Jameson. He’s earned his last words.”

Behind him the psychic vampire withdraws; pulls his hand back and instantly Adrian slumps to the ground. Too weak even to stop the way Gaius brushes the back of a grey finger over his cheek.

“Don’t you dare touch him!” snarls Kamilah.

Gaius looks up to her sharply.

“Now — a few last efforts I may tolerate. But such blatant disrespect is beneath you, Kamilah. You would dare order me?”

“Do not. dare. touch him. Gaius.”

And with that — he’s done. He steps back in a flourish, his warped face twisted in rage. “Enough of this insolence! You’ve forgotten manners, respect — you have forgotten to fear me. But that will change.”

He looks down at Adrian, struggling on his shaking limbs — fighting to stand, and shoves his progeny down beneath his heel. Gone is the man who found amusement in their torment, in playing sick games and offering speeches with false praise.

With Adrian trapped under his heel Gaius raises the vial to his lips and downs the contents whole.

[fuzziekins]

i usually don’t post about my own work because i never think much of it. Even now i feel conflicted about sharing this because i have my own personal and intrusive feelings involving this story. But part of me feels like it should still be shared on some level because it’s not just about working as a cashier, but working as a cashier in the middle of a pandemic. Even though the characters are fictional, the retail stories they go through are very real, directly taken from the ones i have experienced as a cashier. If anyone else does read this, if there’s remotely anyone can possibly take away from this story at any point at all with it, it’s to just please think. Think before you snap at a retail worker. Think before you cause a scene. Think before you do something, like leaving a yogurt by the potato chips. Think before you complain or ask about every little thing. We see and deal with a lot of crap on the job all while dealing with our own crap. It’s hard and sometimes it can be downright abusive. But we try. We do our jobs. And it’s a lot. So please try with us, too. [More under the cut, but it’s primarily personal and also A LOT.]

Frozen 2 has absolutely been the thing helping me through this pandemic. When my store closed early for limited hours i’d be playing the soundtrack on Spotify. Before eventually falling asleep after shifts ending at midnight i’d always listen to a Frozen song on my iPod because after crazy shifts, crazier than usual retail stories, and a hell of a lot of food to either put back on the shelves or discard completely, Frozen helped put me in a slightly better mood before falling asleep. In a time of so much confusion and fear and uncertainty, it’s difficult to find the positivity in everything. Even though i do try to go into work and leave my problems at the door, the Frozen franchise was definitely a light for me. It helped to imagine some of the characters - even other Disney characters like i included in the story - go through similar things i was and wonder how they would handle everything. It started with just a thought: would Elsa sing if she was working this job, too? Would anyone actually hear her? And cue the slow burn between Elsa and Honeymaren. But it’s more than just that.

i am so fortunate to have a great relationship with a lot of my coworkers. We get along; we ask each other how we’re doing; we make conversation when it’s slow; we talk about our lives. It helped me to just be able to go through this with these people. It helped that, yeah i was still getting out even during quarantine and seeing these same people WAY more than usual (and it was already a lot!), but for us to just all have this understanding of each other and for us to be able to support each other. And that was something i wanted to focus on here. A positive working relationship between Elsa, Maren, Nani, Snow (White), and (Cinder)Ella. These very different people being thrown together a hell of a lot more than usual and spending more time together and in their store than with their own families in their own homes. Yeah, they can get on each others’ nerves sometimes. They can drive each other crazy. But they’re ultimately there for and support each other. And i know every job, retail or not, can’t be like that. But sometimes we do spend so much time at work that it not only becomes home but the people we work with become a family. (Although a very dysfunctional one!) That’s something that’s been essential to me as an essential worker and a small piece of the inspiration behind the story.

To have been writing this throughout the pandemic, drawing from my own experiences and stories as a cashier, seeing peoples’ reactions and to have been given the encouragement and support by them has just been mind blowing. i say that i started this as a joke, because i deal with so many unbelievable stories on a daily basis at work that i should really write a retail story. And...this is it. For people to have told me that this helped them with something in the store (chip malfunctions at the pin pad, anyone?) or to see how horrible some customers can actually be, to just read peoples’ reactions at the cruelty of others, while others to their customer service jobs of the past and bringing back memories for them? i did not expect the support, comfort, or acceptance that i received from this. And i did not expect people to just so readily accept the story as a legit Frozen fanfiction.

What blew my mind even more, in the best possible way, was the reaction to how i wrote Elsa. [Minor spoiler here, but not really because it is a tag.] i know this is not the first story to write her as asexual. i know it won’t be the last. And how many of us read Elsa as a queer icon in general? Writing Elsa’s coming out scene to one of her coworkers as an asexual lesbian was directly inspired by an instance where i came out as asexual to one of my coworkers. It was one of the first chapters i wrote long before i knew anything about this story; where it was going to go; how exactly i would write it; or anything that would happen. i just knew that if i was going to write a retail story, that specific story had to be a part of it. To read the reactions of other a-specs reading this and see how seen and represented and validated they feel, to know that while Elsa’s journey may not exactly be theirs nor is it my own there’s still so much relatability, to have the reminder that as many times as i feel like i’m the only ace person i know (even though that was not totally true and it’s absolutely not true now) there are other people out there and that a lot of the things i touched on in the narrative hit so close to home for them.... It’s just been an honor. And that’s something that, when i question what the hell i’m doing or my capabilities as a writer/creative person, i try to think about that. And remind myself that this was something i was able to do and it means so much to the a-specs who read it. And it was something that made me feel apart of something really special; not just the queer community, but also the Frozen fandom.

i have a lot of conflicted feelings with finally finishing this story. And i think a lot of them are because as i finished writing this while also going through multiple edits and rewrites, i was dealing with things in my personal life that took my head out of the story. And while dealing with the craziness at work as usual around Thanksgiving that was only heightened by the still-confusion and uncertainty of the pandemic, though it should have given me so much more material to one day work with, it really just drained me. And part of me still doesn’t feel like i even wrote something worthwhile, let alone something good. i deal with self-confidence issues and intrusive thoughts along with semi-newly-discovered anxiety; and those have no doubt played a part in my own comments on the story as well as some extra self-projection (as if there wasn’t enough of that between the job, the customer stories, and the chocolate addiction but that’s besides the point). But i’m still trying to remind myself of the good that has come from this story. And i want the good of what everyone else has seen in this to far overpower whatever i think about it. As much as a major takeaway i’d like for the story to be to have a better understanding of retail workers, what we’re going through at work and potentially in our lives, and to just think, there are two other things i’d like to stay with people. •In regards to, yes, primarily a-specs, but also to the queer community in general, there is nothing wrong with you. You’re not broken. It takes a lot of time, patience, and understanding to accept yourself. And that’s ok. You will find the label(s) and meanings that work for you. Everyone relates to their orientation differently; but there’s no wrong way. Sometimes it’s hella hard to accept that part of you, regardless of what it is. Unfortunately, yes, there will be people that don’t believe you. But there are also people around you who will accept and love you exactly for who you are. They do it with Elsa in this story; people in real life can do it, too. It just takes a while to find them. You mean something to people and you are absolutely worth it. •One of the best things about creating anything is to take people away. To distract them from the real world for a while. To make them forget about their problems. To make them feel something. To see things through another’s eyes. To experience something. To give them something to enjoy. For all the craziness that i may call my story, it’s still something that’s brought people so much joy. To give them that happiness, to make them feel, to take them away to another world (even if it’s just a fictional modern AU with a couple of useless lesbians/bis/queers). That’s what i want this story to do. That’s what, selfishly, i’d want anything i could ever create to do. No matter what i think, it’s the people who enjoy it that matter. And they are absolutely the motivation behind all of this.

This story has been my outlet through this entire mess of the world. It’s been my outlet, a soapboax, and an escape. Because seeing Frozen 2 just before the pandemic hit, becoming so lost in it, loving so much about the story and the characters and the world, gave me more inspiration to be creative when it’s something i’ve personally struggled on and off with for the past five years. Being immersed in the world of the Frozen franchise is the closest i’ve felt to being happy in years. And i’m so thankful to Disney and the creators of Frozen, Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, for giving us so much to work with. From the world itself to the relatable characters in Elsa and Anna to the friendships they created to just the pure inspiration that comes from them. And how they can make so many people from so far away feel so close together. And i’m more than grateful to everyone who’s read this story from the beginning, who saw something in it - who saw something in me - and have been the motivation to keep going with it. It’s been absolutely incredible to write for everyone and i hope i get to write more. Please consider this my way of saying thank you to everyone and know how much all of this has meant to me. And thank you so, so much for reading.

[itsanerdlife]

It’s Complicated 3/25

Pairing: Clint Barton x Fisk Niece!Reader

A/N: Reader is Wilson Fisk’s Niece. I’m tired of the same old villains so keep your eyes peeled for who just might be the one lurking in the dark.

Warning: This is very match and lighter fluid type of burn. Feels of abandonment. Talks of Psychopaths. Overprotective male. Lies. Secrets. Language. Kidnapping. Violence. I think that’s about it.

Sometimes in life there are just certain people worth breaking the rules for. No matter the hell that may rain down. Is it possible to fall in love with someone in just a matter of one conversation? To be utterly and completely obsessed with someone in a matter of weeks? But what if they aren’t who you think they are? What if one day the person you love, they just disappear? Learning to live again is a bitch. Specially just when you think you’re doing fine, he shows up on your doorstep. Wanting to explain his secrets. But now you’ve got your own secrets but do you really ever just get over that type of love? Can you really just move on and pretend it never happened? Even when you’re carrying around proof inside you?

Tag List Is Open

Faintly you could hear something vibrating. Over and over. You peek one eye open, Clint’s arm tucked around you, your head on his chest. You were on the inside of the couch on your side, curled up to him. You feel him stir, as you untangle your legs from his. The vibrating starts again, you and Clint exchange a look, a little confused. His dirty blonde hair rumbled with sleep, how did someone look so damn good just waking up?

“What time is it?” You grumble sitting up. You pull your phone off the back of the couch, Nine in the morning. “Shit.” You laugh.

“What?” He sits up.

“It’s after nine.” You look at him.

“Fuck.” He scrambles, looking for something. Finding his phone next to his shoes. “I’m late.” He groans, looking at his screen hitting silent.

“Oops.” You giggle. Someone knocks on your front door. Clint looks from you to the door. “MJ.” You explain. He nods standing up, he’s grabbing his things. He laughs as his phone starts to vibrate again.

“I hate to run.” He chances a glance at you. “That was not my intention.” He admits.

“Leave Clint.” You laugh, the knocking continues. “Work is the only reason you get to run out on me. Maybe your sisters too.” You shrug, smirking at him.

“I’ll stop over tonight.” He leans in kissing you quickly. He jogs towards the door ripping it open. MJ looks confused. “Morning.” He laughs, answering his phone. 

“I’m alive, stop calling me.” He laughs, disappearing. MJ stands there looking from you sitting on your couch still to Clint’s door.

“So a sleep over?” She lifts a red eyebrow at you.

“Well, it’s a long story.” You admit.

“Ah huh.” She smirks, stepping into the apartment, closing the door behind her. “I brought coffee, start explaining.” She walks over, handing you the To Go cup. She takes a seat in the arm chair.

“It wasn’t like that.” You admit, taking a long drink.

“What was it like then?” She sips her own coffee.

“Ninth grade, make out session.” You laugh, she inhales her coffee, coughing as she laughs.

“You kept your pants on, I’m so proud.” She laughs, wiping coffee off her chin.

“Wasn’t easy.” You snort, sipping your coffee.

“You’re being smart right?” MJ asks.

“What do you mean?” You look up at her.

“He just ran out of here like someone lite fire to his ass, he was also late last night.” She points out.

“He had a good reason. He was dealing with his sister and her boyfriend, they had a fight.” You explain, she nods slowly. “And he works for the government. He’s late to work.” You smirk at her.

“Oh.” She pushes her mouth together. “He’s excused than.” She nods.

“Honestly, I’m not playing this smart, MJ. Not at all.” You swallow, a small smile plays on your lips.

“I don’t understand.” Her head tips and her magnificent, bright red hair drapes down her shoulder.

“I can’t explain it. I don’t have words for it.” You sigh. “But when I saw him, in the hallway.” You blush looking down at your cup in your hands. “I knew he was dangerous. I’d let him destroy my life and thank him. It’s fast and it’s reckless, but I’m going to fall in love with him.” You admit with a small shrug.

“Just from one date?” She blinks at you.

“Just from one conversation. The date just set it in stone what I already knew. I feel like I’ve been drowning since I laid eyes on him.” You run your teeth over your bottom lip.

“Wow, did you lose your mind from a make out session?” She smirks.

“No I lost it when he kissed me the first time.” You smile at her.

“Think he’s got a brother? Cousin? Young looking uncle?” She laughs.

“He has two sisters.” You laugh.

“Well fuck.” She sighs, with a grin.

“You’re not going to judge me?” You eye her.

“Y/N, you are not irrational. You always know what you’re doing. You study human behavior for fun. You know you’re moves, your plan before most people realize they’re in a situation. If you get hurt, I’m here, I’ll hold him down while you beat on him.” She winks at you.

A random knock on your door, makes you and MJ exchange a look. You slip off the couch, quickly pulling the door open. Nobody stood there, but you hear the main door of the complex shut. You glance around, confused. A purple post it is stuck to your door. In hurried scrawl, a phone number. Text Me with a crooked and sloppy heart next to it. You peel the post it off, shutting the door again.

“Wow, that’s a hell of a grin.” MJ comments. You look up confused. “Maybe he has it just as bad.” She nods, sipping her coffee.

“He left his number.” You explain, moving towards the couch again. You show her the post it.

“Little heart and everything. Maybe you aren’t the only one falling fast.” She comments, nodding slowly.

“I need a shower. Get breakfast with me?” You ask, pressing the post it to your phone screen.

“Oh yes.” MJ perks up. “Than you can give me all the extra details on Mr. Hot Neighbor.” She grins.

“I can, I can do that.” You blush, shuffling towards your bathroom. Wondering if you should just wait to text him. You stood in the bathroom, waiting for the shower to warm, tapping your fingers against the back of your phone. “Screw it.” You mutter, typing in his number. You thumb out a text, hitting sending. You’ve barely set your phone down when a text comes through.

Y/N: Have a good day. Clint: Not much can top waking up with you.

You blush, setting your phone down. Undressing you get into the shower, wondering just how you ended up this deep in with someone you’d only just met. Did things like this really happen? How was it you were already missing him? The feeling in your chest, that coursed your body, it was a bigger feeling than you’d ever had for anyone else in all the years of dating you’ve had. You were in so much trouble, but in the end you’d thank him even if he stepped all over your heart. It would be an honor, a battle scar you’d flash off with pride, to be destroyed by Clint Barton.

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

Everything Peaches 2/6/19: @xmtd5 @mo320 @all1e23 @courtmr @avxgers @eliza-kat @izzy--lee @irepeldirt @dumblani @crist1216 @a--1--1--3 @alyssaj23 @allyp1023 @joannie95 @nishanki1 @bugalouie @kolakube9 @rileyloves5 @sarahp879 @sea040561 @sexyvixen7 @pcterpvrker @pigwidgexn @doctoranon @tomhardy41 @abschaffer2 @justrae9903 @bookluver01 @teller258316 @callie-bear15 @nickimarie94 @wandressfox @amandab-ftw @carostar2020 @henrietteoaks @nea90sweetie @circusofchaos @itsagalaxystar @bettercallsabs @miraclesoflove @lucifersnipnips @queenkrissy11 @this-is-mycrisis @sadyoungadult @destiel-artemis @xrosegoldwolfx @paintballkid711 @isabelcrichards @iwillbeinmynest @sweet-honey15 @chanelmadrid13 @mellxander1993 @killerbumblebee @spookygrantaire @geeksareunique @supernatural508 @sammysgirl1997 @itzmegaaaaaaan @booksbeforebois @optimistic-babes @childishhoebinoo @elizabethaellison @aspiringtranslator @mariekoukie6661 @pure-princess-97 @capsheadquaters @samanthasmileys @nerdypinupcrystal @atlas-of-the-world @youclickedthislink @futuremrsb-r-main @lovemarvelousfics @notyourtypicalrose @petersunderoos96 @loving-life-my-way @buckystolemyheart @booktvmoviefangirl @supernatural-girl97 @thefridgeismybestie @dumbbitchenergytm @abbypalmer14-blog @fanfictionjunkie1112 @meganlikesfandoms @awkwardfangirl2014 @supernaturaldean67 @xqueenofthecraziesx   @queenoftheunderdark @writingaworldofmyown @supernaturallover2002 @daughterofthenight117 @mustbeaweasleyginger @mcuwillbethedeathofme @sprinklesandsugarcubes @whothehellisbucky-1930 @verymuchclosetedfangirl @for-the-love-of-the-fandom @ocaptain-mycaptainmorgan @wonderlandfandomkingdom @crazy-little-thing-called-buck @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @stupendoussciencenaturepanda @jamesbarnesappreciationsociety @supernatural-strangerthings-1980

Marvel Tag List 2/6/19: @lumelgy   @dottirose   @jcc04220 @rockagurl @mizzzpink   @jade-taillia @coley0823 @widowsfics @bookluver01 @thelostallycat @shield-agent78 @dtftheavengers   @ilovetvshowsblog @capsheadquaters   @iamwarrenspeace @thefridgeismybestie @whenallsaidanddone @deanwinchestersrifle @fandomsstolemylife00   @daughterofthenight117 @lilmissperfectlyimperfect  

Clint ‘Destory Me, I’ll Thank You’ Barton: @ml7010  @coley0823 @yavanna80  @lakamaa12

@boltsgirl919 @feelmyroarrrr @mrsseizetheday  @honey-bee-holly  @marvelfansworld @mybarnesmyhero   @the-real-mary-jane @dumbbitchenergytm @agentsinstorybrooke @x-whyareyoureadingthis-x @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory

It's Complicated: @capandbuckylvr @optimistic-babes  @jennmurawski13 

@bradfordbantams  @natromanoffsboys @thosesexytexasboys @thebitchiestnerdtowalktheearth

[sandersidess]

Twisted but Sweet

More Yandere Virgil! Head the warnings, but I didn’t get into too much detail. Let me know what you think! Since I wrote this on my laptop, it will under a keep reading

TW: Death, Blood, Murder, Food Mention, Mention of Deceit (twice), ask to tag!

tag: @sweetandsaltypotato @snowshoe-main-blog @sanders-sides-rebloger @hannahrantsalot (let me know if you want to be added or removed)

Virgil hums happily, wearing his favorite outfit as he felt that today was the day. It was the day he would confess and Roman would fall in love with him and they would live happily ever after. 

Virgil smiles as his skirt showed off his legs, wearing his favorite purple sweater that hung off the shoulder, exposing his collarbone. His pale skin looked even brighter with the dark colors. He wore his makeup beautifully, smoky eyes and his lips were pinker than ever. He had a blush on his face as he saw his Roman near the lockers, his heart beating fast and he had to take deep breaths. 

Roman as always, he looked magnificent, a prince. He had that charming smile, wearing a red shirt which brought out his golden eyes, along with white jeans that defined him in every way possible. His hair looked luscious and soft, making Virgil wanting to run his hand through it. He was the only person that could make Virgil weak, and Virgil wanted him desperately. He held close the letter he was going to give him, stopping as he saw someone come up to him.

“Who is that?” Virgil asks his Patton, his voice had darkened. 

“That’s a guy who’s been crushing on Roman since preschool,” Patton shrugs as he explains, making Virgil stiffen and his mind was going haywire.

 No. It couldn’t be. He got rid of everyone. There couldn’t be anyone left. That bastard ‘Deceit’ told him so! He lied to him! Now someone was in his way! He couldn’t allow it! He wouldn’t! That is his man and only his!

Virgil gritted his teeth, shoving the letter in his locker and walked off to class, biting down on his nail as he had to plan. Plan how to get rid of the enemy. Virgil smirks as he had thought of a plan during his art class, overhearing a couple of people. Virgil waited until after school, while everyone was in their clubs, to go into his baking club. No one would question what he is making, and besides, he was the best baker there.  

He licked his lips, licking the frosting off his finger, satisfied this would hide the taste. He added his extra special ingredient, soon piping flowers onto his cupcake and let out a happy sigh.

“As always, you’re a genius,” Virgil muttered to himself, the crazed look back in his eyes.

He may have wasted a perfectly good outfit today, but it was a special occasion either way. He picked up his tray, humming happily as he walked down the hallway to the art club, seeing the said guy there alone. Virgil straightens his back, placing a smile on his face when he was let in. He walks in and waves at him, the guy stopping from what he was doing.

“Hello there. How may I help you?” He asks, giving Virgil a soft smile.

If he could throw up, he would. He wanted to bury a knife in his head, finish him right now, right here. No. He held himself back. He had a plan. Deceit approved and helped him get the necessary ingredients. 

“Well, I have never seen you around the school, and well, I’m very well known for delivering cupcakes to new people I meet,” Virgil smiles sweetly at him, “It's my specialty. My welcome cupcakes. I don’t know you very well, and heard you loved roses and strawberries.”

“Oh. I do,” He blushes and nods.

“That is what I made, just for you. I would have felt so guilty if I had not made you cupcakes,” Virgil says in an innocent voice, setting down the tray.

“Why thank you. That is very sweet of you,” The guy responds, taking one and taking off the baking paper.

“So, I see you’re making a crown. That is beautiful,” Virgil smiles and stares at the gold crown, going to the other side.

“You are very sweet,” The guy chuckles and nods as he takes a bite, “Wow! This is delicious!”

“So sweet of you, thank you,” Virgil nods and smiles sweetly, “May I put it on?”

“Go ahead,” He nods and takes another point and hums happily, “You are very talented! These have fresh strawberries?”

“Only the best comes out of me,” Virgil giggles, putting on the crown and checked himself in the mirror. 

At that moment, he then heard choking and coughing. He hums and fixes his appearance, glad he wore his gloves today. The choking gets worse and he turns around, seeing the guy whose name is Gabe, coughing up pieces of glass. 

“Oh my. I think someone put in a broken lightbulb,” Virgil gasps daintily, covering his mouth.

“W-What-“ He gasps and has blood starting to come out. He gets up and tries to escape, but Virgil pushes him down and tuts, waving his finger. 

“Now, it is very rude to leave just like that,” He grins, showing off his teeth and sharp canines, “We haven’t even had the tea I brought.”

He grabs a cup, straddling Gabe’s hips and grabs him by his jaw. He chuckles as Gabe fights back, and tries to scream. There was no one, not even a janitor near this side because no one ever came to this side. 

“Have a sip,” Virgil hums, pouring the contents down and shuts his mouth, forcing Gabe to drink it and it burned. He could feel how every small cut was intensified.

Virgil fixed the crown and leans down to Gabe’s level, their foreheads barely touching,

“I don’t like sharing what is mine,” He whispers and kisses his nose ever so gently.

He slams his head down, covering his mouth and pinned down his arms with his knees. He shushed him, stroking his hair back. Gabe’s eyes were wide with fear, the last thing he’ll ever see is this guy animal like smile. Virgil waits another minute before getting off him, wiping the blood gently with a towel Gabe had. He takes said towel with him, humming as he stared down at the corpse under him.

“We could’ve been such good friends. Shame you put this onto yourself,” Virgil sighs sadly, laughing at himself for his comment, “Who am I kidding?! This is the best day ever!”

Virgil whistles as he positions Gabe’s head, thinking it through and slams his head against the table until he heard a crack. he broke a lightbulb and scattered it around him, leaving the only regular cupcake he had brought. Virgil smirks at his masterpiece, whistling to himself once more as he left the room, going back to the baking club and cleaned everything up and himself. He was still a little down he couldn’t confess, but there’s always another day. 

He listened to his favorite, I Can’t Decide by Scissor Sisters. It always brought up his mood, from the beat to even the lyrics. It was a good day, and even better as he did have someone waiting for him in his basement. Oh, Erika. Why couldn’t you control yourself around Roman?

"I can't decide Whether you should live or die Oh, you'll probably go to heaven Please don't hang your head and cry No wonder why My heart feels dead inside It's cold and hard and petrified Lock the doors and close the blinds We're going for a ride"

[lunerbean]

Witch Tips 18

I'm so happy we've made it this far. Thank you to everyone who supports me and enjoys what I write. Here are another 10 tips for you to use when doing witchcraft and please remember to check out the #10tips tag on my tumblr blog for more!

1. Little things can help you feel closer to your craft, no matter how weird they may be

Sometimes you may have small, weird things that help you feel closer, stronger, or more connected to your craft. For me, it's a small ritual to clean my skin and drink some water before doing any spells. I feel better about myself which gives me more strength in my craft. And drinking water is a nice way to feel connected to the earth by consuming what it -and you- thrive on. Think about little things that you do, or that you can do to help you when practicing magick.

2. An item does not need to be "witchy" to become an amulet

Sure pentacle necklaces and crystal necklaces are beautiful and aesthetically attractive, hell I even wear a pentacle and an opal necklace, but it's not necessary. What I mean is, anything that holds sentimental value to you can be used as an amulet. You can create amulets for protection, clairvoyance, inspiration, anything! But don't feel like you have to go out and find something traditional or expensive. You can use the locket your grandmother gave you, or your mother's old dog tags from when she was in the military, you can use the necklace of a ballet slipper your brother passed down to you, and even beyond that, you can use something you got in a quarter machine at Safeway. You can use something pretty you saw and Claire's Accessory that just had to have. It doesn't even need to be a necklace, an amulet can be a keychain or anything else you want to make into one! Don't let capitalism influence your craft. Use whatever you want for your amulets and everything else in your craft.

3. Etch sigils into candles before using them with spells

Some spells will specifically tell you to do this. But if not, you can always do it on your own. Look up the color correspondence of the candles beforehand, and add sigils to it that match the properties the colors already heighten. For example, you may be using a black candle for a protection spell. You could then make a protection sigil and etch it into the side of the candle for added benefits.

4. Read up on a plant before you decide to purchase it.

I was admiring the succulents in my local Market of Choice today and noticed that all of them that were of a certain breed were leaning towards the front door. This means that they need more sunlight. Now, living in the PNW, that's not always something we can provide on the dime. I advise looking at what sort of weather and climates a plant needs to be in before deciding to grow it. Of course, you can have plants that need different conditions that your area provides, just so long as you're able to make adjustments for them to keep them happy and healthy. Maybe Market of Choice could give those guys a little sunlamp.

5. When you think of something you want to do, but aren't in the "witchy mood" write it down.

Sometimes, you're not in the mood or correct mindset to do witchcraft. Other times, you're super in the mood but you just can't think of anything you want to do (probably because you're in a good mood and can't think about what will help that) Write it down! Write it in your phone notes, your grimoire, on your arm, anything! If you need help or need something to happen that witchcraft will assist with, write it down. Then, the next time you're ready for a ritual, you can look at your notes and do all of that good stuff you thought of before!

6. Washable finger painting soaps exist. And they're perfect for sigilcraft

Crayola has these really great "finger paint soaps" that are designed for kids to use in the bathtub. It let's them draw and paint on the walls of the tub and let their creativity flow. But it's actually soap and it washes right off! These are perfect for sigils! Draw some sigils on your body and wash it off to charge/activate it. Bonus: they come in many colors so you can use their color correspondence to aid your spell! EXTRA BONUS: They're like a buck each. $1USD. That's so chill.

7. Visit the witch shops in every town you go to.

Each one is so different! Every shop has something special to offer. You may find some where everything is overpriced, but then another in the same town that's full of good energy and great prices. I once went to one that had a rose quartz ball for a door knob!! It was incredible!! Visit every witch shop you come across and support local witches!

8. Cleanse first, then charge.

While everyone has different processes for doing these things, the order does matter. Cleanse an item, room, etc before you try to charge it. Every single time. You don't want to cleanse away the feelings and energies you just evoked. Cleanse, charge, and connect. I've talked about my personal process before in an early #10tips post. Like, waaay early. Maybe even the first or second one of this series. There's more information there. I just wanted to add this tip on top of the past one.

9. Double check your correspondence lists

This is especially important with your herbs that you're about to make a tea out of. It most likely won't hurt you to not double check but it definitely won't hurt to do it. Just check multiple sources and see what the consensus is. You don't want to accidentally add an energetic herb into your sleepy time tea!

10. Embroider sigils into your clothes

This is so great for subtle witchcraft. The sigil can be as elaborate or subtle as you want it to be. You can use different colored threads for color correspondence. And you can place the sigil wherever you want. Don't want anyone to see it and ask questions? Sew it on the inside of a pocket! Want to make it look cute and classy? Sew it on the color of a shirt/dress! Want to make a whole badass witch cloak/dress/shirt? Cover it in different colored sigils from top to bottom and create a beautiful, totally unique design! The possibilities are endless.

Thank you so much for reading my latest witch tips. As always, if you have any comments or questions, feel free to send an Ask my way and I'll be happy to answer them for you. And if you like what I do here and want to support me, here's a cheeky little link to do just that. There is absolutely no obligation and I'll post a little something-something on there just for you. Plus, I'll give your blog a shout out on here if you leave your blog name with your donation. Again, no obligation. I'll keep making these either way. And hey, thanks.

[takemeawaytocamelot]

Expedition of the Heart: Fashionably Nervous

Thank you all for your patience! Here’s the next installment of my young Ian AU, which I just love! HUGE thank you once again to @akb723 for being the best beta ever. And also the genius behind all the titles (seriously she's amazing). Anywhooooo, I hope you enjoy reading! As always, leave me a comment or drop an ask to my inbox if you’ve got questions! Also if you want to be tagged in future updates of this series, please send me a direct request.

Catch up here: Prologue, 1, 2, 3, 4

Rollo sneezed and Ian turned to glare at him. The dog just stared back.

“It’s a date, Rollo. I need to look nice.”

The contents of his small closet had exploded all over his bed and floor, clothes heaped in untidy piles without thought. He lived a simple life and didn’t spend much money on his appearance. Every few months he got his hair cut, bought new clothes when his old ones wore out, and got Rollo his supplies. Otherwise his money went into his savings and the few miscellaneous needs that come up from time to time. A knock came at his door and Ian hurriedly pulled on a pair of jeans.

“Come in,” he said.

Auntie Claire walked in, her eyes bugging out at the state of his room.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen your room like this before,” she said, trying to stifle a laugh.

“Auntie, help me?”

“When is your date?” she said sympathetically

Ian sighed and sat on a corner of his bed.

“Wednesday. It’s her day off this week.”

Claire lifted an eyebrow.

“You must be special if she’s spending her precious time off with you. Jamie said you’re doing a picnic?”

“Aye. I wanted to do something nice for her. The weather should hold steady this week, but I’ve got an umbrella and blanket packed in my car to be safe.”

“Only one blanket? What will you both sit on?”

His face flushed.

“An extra, uh blanket, I mean. Uncle Jamie said I could borrow the nice picnic blanket he got ye a few years back?”

His auntie smiled at him.

“That’s perfect. Now, what is it you need help with?”

Ian waved vaguely at the mass of clothes piled on his bed.

“I dinna ken what to wear, Auntie. I want her to see I ken how to look after myself, that I’ve a good, steady job, but… I dinna want to look like a dandy either.”

She mad a hmmm noise as she began picking through the options. He did his own laundry, so she wasn’t overly familiar with what he had.

“This is all you’ve got?”

“Aye. Weel and the suit mam sent for Christmas last year. And my kilt. But… I dinna want to bring that out just yet.”

Auntie Claire eyed him critically before she sighed.

“You know… I’m not exactly the best person to ask for fashion advice.”

Ian nearly groaned.

“Auntie, I dinna have anyone else to ask!”

“Well, you could call your mum. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help you choose exactly what you need, and I know she’d love to hear about Rachel too.”

Relief flooded Ian’s veins at the thought of speaking to his mam. He grabbed Claire up in a big hug before pulling his phone from his pocket. The door closed quietly behind his aunt as she left him in peace.

Ian felt a little nervous as his listened to the ringing. He hadn’t told his family about any of his other girlfriends, but Rachel was different.

“Ian?”

The sharpness of his mother’s tone pulled him from his thoughts.

“Aye, mam.”

“Are ye alright, lad? Is anything the matter?”

For a moment, he was confused at her question.

“What’s the lad done now?” came his father’s muffled voice.

Belatedly, Ian looked at the clock and winced.

“I’m sorry, mam. Nothing’s wrong, I promise. I didna look at the time before I rang. I’m sorry I woke ye up.”

“Why are ye callin’? Did something happen?”

“Weel… I need your help. I… I asked a girl out.”

The phone went silent for so long Ian worried he’d dropped the call.

“Mam?”

“What girl? Who did ye ask out?”

“Her name is Rachel. She’s a nurse at Auntie’s hospital. She’s… Mam she’s beautiful. I’m takin’ her out on Wednesday and I dinna ken what to wear.”

Ian heard the sound of an old door close as his mother left her bedroom.

“Ye’ve never called about a girl before, Ian. What’s so special about this one?”

“I… I dinna ken, exactly. But I like her. I waited up to sit wi’ her while she had a short break in the middle of the night. She agreed to go out wi’ me.”

“Oh Ian,” she said softly. “I’m so happy for ye. Tell me about her. What’s she look like?”

Ian sat on his bed and told his mother everything he knew about Rachel, which wasn’t much.

“Alright, alright. So ye need help pickin’ what to wear, aye?”

“How did ye ken that?”

“It may have been a long time since I last laid eyes on ye, Ian Murray, but I’m yer mother and I ken how ye are. Now go turn on the video call and show me what options ye have.”

He sighed and looked around the room.

“It’s a bit of a mess…”

“Dinna make excuses.”

With a few taps on his phone, he pulled up the video and smiled at his mam. She looked tired, but gave him a warm smile.

“Ye look good, lad.”

“Thanks mam.”

“Now gi’ us a look at yer clothes.”

Ian turned the camera around and did as his mother instructed. Half an hour later, they’d put together a respectable outfit. As he cleaned up the rest of his mess, his mam gave him the big family update. It had been some time since he’d learned what all his siblings were doing and it was nice to listen to his mam talk.

“So ye promise me, Ian. Promise you’ll ring after ye’ve gone out wi’ wee Rachel.”

“Aye, mam. I promise to call ye as soon as I can.”

Suddenly the elder Ian’s face filled the small screen.

“Are ye still talkin’ to the lad?” his father asked.

“Aye!” Jenny said, pushing her husband out of the way. “Get yer big head out of my face.”

Ian laughed, watching his parents. A sharp stab of homesickness stole his breath for a moment.

“Ye look good, son,” Ian’s father said.

“Thanks, Da.”

Jenny’s face came back into focus on the screen.

“I’m afraid my morning’s started now your da’s up.”

“Aye, I’ll let ye go then.”

“Dinna wait so long to ring again, Ian. I miss the sound of your voice.”

A lump formed in his throat and he coughed to dislodge it.

“I’ll ring ye soon, Mam. Promise.”

“I love ye, Ian.”

“Love ye too, Mam.”

She gave him a warm smile before the video call ended. Christ he missed his family. Maybe he’d have to start planning a trip back for a visit. If all went well with Rachel, perhaps he could bring her along.

Rollo, who had fallen asleep while Ian had spoken with his mam, suddenly barked himself awake. He looked at Ian with a puzzled expression before shaking himself.

“Dinna fash, Rollo. Mam helped me find somethin’. Lets take ye out to do yer business before we go to bed, aye?”

Ian patted his leg and led the dog out.

***

Claire looked out her bedroom window, watching her nephew and his dog. Her husband came up behind her, hair still dripping from his shower.

“He’s a good lad,” Jamie said.

“He is. And he’s got a date.”

“Aye, so he told me.” Jamie turned Claire to face him, grinning down at her. “The lad’s near terrified to take this lass out.”

Claire smiled back, brushing the wet, red hair from his face.

“We were never that young, were we?”

“Young? Nah. Terrified to ask a beautiful lass out on a date? Och aye. I remember that verra well.”

“What I remember,” she said, tracing feather-light circles on his bare shoulders. “Is wondering why you fancied a harried nurse like me. I know of at least six other nurses who hated that you brought me coffee.”

Jamie gave a deep chuckle, arms sliding around her to pull her in close.

“How could I see anyone else wi’ you right there?”

“And you still feel that way? After all these years?”

Rather than offer a reply, he met her gaze. His blue eyes were dark with desire and adoration, holding her attention until she knew the truth. He loved her to the depths of his very soul and she held his heart in her hands. Reaching up, she pressed her lips to his and sighed.

“I feel exactly the same way,” she whispered against his mouth.

Then he gathered her in his arms and showed her just how much he loved her.

@eclecticstarlightconnoisseur, @bkhw, @momwendy, @mebertolini, @michaela-armstrong-paul, @xdarlingx966, @thatwetwomaybeoneagain, @thesketchingwitch, @abbydebeaupreposts, @riveter-rose, @scwicks, @diversemediums

[rickiewrites]

Creepie Love (CreeperxNergalJr)

Just wanted to try taking a crack at a crossover fanfiction

Deep down in the molten center of the Earth’s core loud wails filled the air along with heavy sobbing, “how could this happen? My boy, my baby boy!” “Dad...Dad!” the wailing was cut short by the sound of a suitcase slamming, “can you please stop with the dramatics?” “Now Jr, go easy on your father. He’s still grieving” his mother commented as his father cried into her shoulder clinging to her as he sobbed. “You know how attached he’s been to you since you were just a little egg.” With a long groan, he pulled off his glasses rubbing his temples in frustration at his father’s hysterics. It wasn’t enough to be the son of a demonic creature from the center the Earth, he had to have a clingy father too. “I haven’t been an egg since winter camp when I hatched and ‘borrowed’ this body, which was about eighteen years ago” he explained putting his glasses back on before packing another bag. “Oh right! It’s been so long I suppose we all just accepted this as being your natural form, whatever happened to the b-” “Mom, don’t think about it too much, this is my body now okay? We should just leave it at that.” She nodded not wanting to think her own son might have ever been capable of heinous acts against anyone despite who his father might be. “Anyway, this is a huge change for your father. You’re leaving town to go to college after all! Why must you go so far away from home, anyway? Your cousin Billy got into Endsville U with Mandy and Irwin.” He surveyed the room for any items he may have missed after his parents barged in. “Billy only got in because Grim tricked the board into accepting his application so they can all stick together. And that is exactly what I want to get away from now that I’m an adult.” “I don’t want to constantly be caught up in the crazy bullshit adventures of Billy and Mandy. Monsters overrunning the town, Grim’s scythe always being stolen, and the fact they’re a magnet for every supernatural nutcase in existence," he glanced at his father “no offense dad,". Nergal sniffled wiping his nose on his sleeve “none taken, son”, Jr smiled patting his shoulder “I just want to spend my college years in peace and be, ya know, normal.” Meanwhile at the Dweezewold Mansion in Middlington ants marched in a neat little line carrying clothing from a bedroom closet all the way to an old trunk at the foot of a bed. “Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it,” said Creepie Creecher bringing a framed family photo to the trunk carefully placing it inside “I’m almost packed.” On her bed, her mother wiped away tears as her father stood close by for comfort “oh my little girl, even after watching thousands of little ones grow up and leave the nest over the years it hasn’t gotten any easier to see my babies go”. Creepie came to her mother’s side sitting on the bed “leaving is hard for me too mom, but I need to go out and see the world on my own. Really figure out my place among humans and where I fit in as an adult, I made some good friends as a kid and I want to make even more as an adult.” “But no matter how far apart we are you guys are my family and I will always love you, nothing can change that” she reassured her before getting up to close the trunk once it was filled. “I’m all set! Time to get on the road” she got into an old purple pick up truck looking out the window at her family who all waved goodbye to her from the porch. With a deep breath to calm her nerves, she gave one last goodbye before starting up the truck and heading down the road. Down at sunny Pendragon U freshmen were coming in for move-in day the parking lot jam-packed with cars and upperclassmen directing traffic to prevent any incidents from over-eager students. Near a secluded back part of the school, the ground opened up to reveal bright red flames and small demons trying to crawl up onto to Earth before being dragged back in by black tentacles. In a swift movement, Jr hoisted himself up by his tentacles once the demons were pulled back down “ugh I hate when vermin tag along” he muttered lowering to the ground closing his hand into a fist to make the crater close. “Easy as traveling underground is, I should look into a bike or something since I doubt people would be cool with me opening up the gates of hell just to grab a burger” he blew out a small flame on his shoulder before grabbing his bag and to check in. While crossing the parking lot to his dorm he absent-mindedly walked out in front of a truck that screeched to stop to keep from running her over. He looked up at the driver to see a young woman with multicolored hair holding a hand to her chest panting shaken from the event. When she finally regained her composure she stuck her head out the window “are you crazy? Be more careful dude you almost became roadkill!” He held his hands up laughing nervously “sorry!” he yelled before running off to the check-in line once cars behind her started honking at her to move. She sighed quickly going to a parking spot “great job Creepie, here for a few seconds and you almost run a guy over” she groaned resting her head against the steering wheel “what am I doing here?” Jr looked back from his spot in line at the parking lot “I just got here and I almost got killed because I wasn’t paying attention, get it together Jr” he muttered to himself hitting the top of his head “be normal!” Soon all the chaos finally ended when parents said their last goodbyes and everyone received their room assignments to get settled in for the night. Jr moved his way out of a crowded elevator onto his dorm room floor to be greeted by a bubbly brown-haired girl in a unicorn t-shirt “hello there!” she yelled happily. “My name is Chris-Alice, I’m the RA for this floor. Since you are the last to move in you must be Nergal Jr, Welcome to Pendragon University!” she pulled a party popper raining confetti down on him before handing him a small welcome basket. Before he had time to react she grabbed his hand leading him down the hall “you’re really lucky ya know? This floor is for lottery students who won their own single rooms for the whole year! Even though you may room alone that doesn't mean you shouldn't go out and make tons of new friends!” “But, why is a woman my RA? Did I get put on the wrong floor?” he asked pulling his hand away from her looking up and down the hall. She gave a small giggle “what time period do you think we live in? This floor has single rooms and we foster the idea that if men and women can share apartment complexes with no problem, then sharing a floor should be easy as pumpkin pie!” She stopped in front of a door with a note pinned to it with name placing a large handbook, and a room key on top of the welcome basket. “Here we go! Room 66-” “Of course my dorm number is 66-” “9! Room 669 for Nergal Jr.” “Wait, what?” “You have everything you need in the welcome basket and the handbook covers all the rules and guidelines for this building. Remember to have everything you brought moved in by six so you can come down for the welcome party we are holding on the lawn for all freshman at seven.” Feeling she did her job she handed him a small card with her contact information for any further questions he may have later before heading off to greet other arrivals. Once she left Nergal went inside to get settled “I may have rigged the draw in my favor, but it’s best for everyone I room alone.” With a long sigh, he flopped down on the bed staring up at the ceiling allowing the reality of his situation to fully sink in. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t the side character getting dragged into someone else's’ mad little world, he was living his own life.       Heyyyy Creepie!” Chris-Alice popped her head into a dorm room across the hall with an opened door “how are you enjoying your first day as a college girl?” Creepie was still unpacking her trunk placing books on her bookshelf “I almost ran some guy over with my truck in the parking lock, so...not too bad?” She stepped away from the shelf gesturing that her friend was welcomed to come inside “vehicular manslaughter is not a great way to start your college years” Chris-Alice commented placing a gift basket on her shelf. She took Creepie’s hand leading her over to the basket showing off all the items she out inside for her. “I am so happy you’re on my floor! I made sure to make a special welcome for both guys and gals!” “Special baskets?” “Yep! Like for yours, we have a yummy scented candle, some cafe coupons, a special college Bearington who is super huggable, and….” She pulled out a large black and yellow spray can causing Creepie to step back when she noticed the label. “A special value size can of daddy’s extra strength bug spray!” Creepie smiled pushing the can away with a single finger putting on a thankful smile “gee...thanks so much, Chris-Alice.” She smiled setting the can down “there’s a lawn party for all freshmen tonight to welcome everyone, you should come.” Before Creepie could refuse the offer Chris-Alice handed her an invitation wearing her down with her cheery smile causing her to take the invite with a sigh. “See ya tonight” she chimed before heading out Creepie waved with a small smile cursing peer pressure under her breath. Later on that night, everyone gathered on the lawn decorated in string lights the music almost drowned out by the student's conversations. “What am I doing here?” Creepie muttered to herself moving through the crowd, parties were never her scene and she didn’t see that changing anytime soon. When she noticed Chris-Alice serving mocktails, she saw her opportunity to get out here fast, all she needed to do was have a short conversation with her to show that she came and then she could bail. While moving through the crowd she bumped into something big and hard that gave a small grunt when she ran into it. She looked up to see an oversized muscle head in a red beanie and a black muscle shirt turn around to look at her. “Hey, I thought I was turning around to handsome dweeb his ass” he grinned looking her up and down, “but it seems I found something better.” “Sorry, I was just trying to get to my friend over by the drinks.” He stepped in her way when she tried to move past him “c' mon sweetheart, what’s your hurry?” “I just told you that I was going to see a friend.” “Your friend ain’t going anywhere, why don’t you and I get to know each other? Ya know I kinda got a thing for goth chicks.” “That’s amazing, but I am not the least bit interested in you.” When she tried to walk away again he grabbed her arm “what’s with the attitude? You bumped into me remember?” She growled trying to pull her arm from his grasp while he laughed at her attempts to get free “I like feisty girls.” “Spreg!” another man’s voice caught both their attention. When they turned to look she saw him, a pale guy with bright green eyes behind dark-framed glasses and black hair dressed in all black besides the blood red scarf around his neck. He stepped forward towards them smiling, “Hey...you’re that guy who I almos-” she stopped when she noticed the hand grasping her was trembling. “Still picking on people smaller than you? Tsk, tsk, I was sure you had already learned by now that you can’t do whatever you please just because you're bigger than someone else.”  He placed his hand on top of the arm that held her giving Sperg a smile “if you like, I can always give you a refresher course.” Spreg pulled his arm away snorting trying to regain his composure and play off the genuine fear he felt from that thinly veiled threat “I don’t got time for you losers, anyway.” Creepie rubbed her wrist staring at the man who chased Spreg off “tch, fucking football scholarships…” he muttered watching Spreg disappear into the crowd. Once Spreg was gone he turned to her with real smile “Sorry about that, are you okay?”  She nodded “thanks for the help, didn’t I almost run you over earlier today?” she asked. He looked up for a moment in thought snapping his finger when he finally remembered her “oh yeah, I’m sorry about that” he replied with a nervous laugh. He held his hand out “my name is Nergal Jr thanks for not flattening me earlier, a little too soon for a trip down to hell.” She giggled taking his hand shaking it “Creepie Creecher, thank you for rolling out of the way in time.” He took a step back when the finished shaking hands sticking his in his pocket “well, I better leave you to your fun” when he turned away from her she watched him take a few steps before stopping him. “Just a sec, you don’t have to be anywhere do you?” she smiled when he shook his head. “Then, how about we try out the drinks here? My friend is helping run the party, and it’s the least I can do after almost killing and being saved by you.” He turned around smiling following her as she gestured over to the refreshment table.

[hqhelp]

HqH Housekeeping!

Hello guys! Here at Help Happy, we have a few announcements to make! So please, when you have the time read everything below the line and like when you’re finished! If you haven any questions or concerns, please message us off anon and we will get to you shortly. 

Your Mods

We’ve had a bit of a shift around Help Happy, and we just wanted you to be aware there are now three of us on here regularly helping out mod Blake while she takes a break and focuses on studying. We’re all going to be working on making sure the mod and gossip blogs stay active consistently. Mod Taylor, Zendaya, and Tyler will be around continuously to make sure things are running smoothly and answer questions!

Activity

I would like to first thank so many of you for sticking around since we opened, welcome some of our new faces, and remind everyone that activity is very important for a game to succeed. If for any reason, especially with school coming around, that you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you can’t be on often- you’re always welcomed to a hiatus if you’re not quite ready to leave us. If there’s any issues that arise from ooc drama or conflicts, we ask that you bring it up to us to see if we can help before anyone feels like they have to quit or uncomfortable while they’re here. 

Again, thank you for being such a wonderful group of writers and characters! We’re glad to be open over a month now! And it’s all thanks to each of you!

There will be a activity check tonight and tomorrow. 

Gossip

As you remember, we changed the forums to gossip. We would like to remind members to put their names on their SB’s somewhere - to make it easier for gossip mods. And remember to participate!

Tour

There seems to be some confusions about tour, along with a change we hope to have with the next one. Remember that tours are mandatory unless stated otherwise. Your characters MUST be on the tour, unless there is an off day or otherwise stated, regardless of what may be happening IRL. If you have questions, please speak with a mod.  Second, we will be trying to utilize the tour blog next tour so that there is more interacting opportunities. We would like to make a post each day about the city (weather, things to do, maybe some history). We’re hoping we can also do shout outs and events through you guys, who may be playing representatives or photographers, artists, etc. If there’s a little extra special mini event you want to put on, let us know!

Ask Games

There have been a lot of asks games going around lately, wish is great as long as people are actively participating. If you reblog, you send. If you can’t with in the next 10-30 minutes of doing so, we suggest waiting until later to reblog a game. Remember, these games are only fun for everyone if everyone gets asks. We also request to refrain from having multiple games at once. This can not only clog the dash, but make it harder for everyone to feel included.  If we notice that there is a consistent issue with writers, we may talk to them. If there’s an issue in general we may ask for a hold on games or leave the Gossiping charge of starting them 

Intros and Selfies We’ve noticed a slight dip in how much attention selfies and intros are getting, and this may simple because people may be missing them or timing in general. We just want to put in a reminder to follow the tags hqh.selfie and hqh.intro and if you notice someone is lacking some notes, to love it up. We want everyone here to get along and feel included- now that’s not to say your character must get along with everyone. We realize that sometimes, chemistry just doesn’t work when it comes to plotting.  **Also quick reminder that there is a 2 selfie a week rule. We know we cannot expect your characters’ friends to post photos of them - but please consider that if x friend posts a photo of your character, it may not be the best time to post your own within the next day or so

Questions? Comments? We are always here and ready to answers any questions or concerns you may have. We do request and hope you trust us enough to come off anon for most if not all matters. 

[anyu-blue]

Joran Lavellan as a Companion

I was Tagged by @littleblue-eyedbird Thank you again!!

I don’t have anyone to tag with an inquisitor, but if you see this and wanna do it, please do!!

Inquisitor’s Name: Joran Lavellan Race / Class / Specialization: Dalish Elf, Rogue, Assasin Gender Identity: Male

Varric’s Nickname for them: Spook (Joran has a tenancy to get lost in thought during down time/while reading and gets spooked by people easily because of this. It’s hilarious.)

Short bio: Joran Lavellan is a soft hearted, yet level headed elf who uses his skills to the advantage of as many people as possible. Being raised by his entire clan with his parents being dead, he learned early on what benefited all most certainly would benefit individuals. While he doesn’t particularly enjoy his job (both chosen and thrust upon him), he has the kind of determination to keep doing the best he can at all times if only for the sake of others.

What would their companion card look like?

Default Card: (Page of Swords) Possibly the most simple of the bunch, Joran’s card would feature his profile half obscured by dark trees, green leaves falling in such a way they frame his hand and a silver dagger held out in the open.

(see below for alternatives)

Recruitment mission:  

“Find the Assassin/Remove the Mask”

Leliana: “Reports are trickling in about a lone, masked figure picking off some of our enemies on the Free marches- man and demon alike. It is unknown what the figure’s goal is and it would be prudent to find out. They may be an asset if it is not just coincidence. Caution is advised, though we still need to understand their motives.”

Cullen, Leliana, or Josephine may be chosen to complete the task of sending someone to meet this figure with varying times; Cullen being the longest as it will cause a minor stand-off, Leliana’s agents taking a moderate amount of time as they play cat and mouse with him, and Josephine’s agents will be easily recognized and confronted quickly.

The Inquisitor will be able to complete the preliminary preparations operation at the war table early on and then the main quest will be accessible shortly afterwards. Depending on who is sent will determine what kind of mood the assassin is in for a cut scene near Planasene Forest- irritated, wary, or warm.

Depending on continued dialog choices all emotions are possible, but eventually the figure- a skilled hunter turned assassin- removes his hood and mask and reveals he was once a part of Clan Lavellan(or a separate clan if inquisitor is Lavellan) and broke away once the Chantry fell. He could no longer sit idly by hearing of the chaos and pain it was causing. He will ask to join the inquisitor’s cause to finally see some form of peace restored and offer a show of skill should the inquisitor ask for it.

The inquisitor can choose to decline his request and will receive Intel of his still roaming the marches attacking demons and bandits alike (albeit with a more extravagant mask) later on in the game, or accept and gain a new agent for the Inquisition.

Where they would be in Skyhold / Haven:

In Haven (if applicable) Joran will be just outside of the tavern window.

In Skyhold, Joran will often be found off to the side of the stables (about where the assassin trainer is for rogues).

Personal quests:

Quest 1: The Heaviest Heart- Before deciding on whether an infirmary or a war camp is founded on Skyhold’s grounds, Joran will approach the Inquisitor with a personal matter. With low approval he will only be curious as the inquisitor’s thoughts on war versus its casualties and can gain approval/disapproval based on the level of empathy displayed in the Inquisitor’s dialogue choices. With neutral/high approval an extra bit of dialog is available in which Joran confesses wishing he could have been a healer instead of a killer, mention the significance of his Vallaslin, and remark on how heavy the many deaths he is and will be responsible for weighs on him. The inquisitor will have the option to console him and tell him they believe his sense of justice is well founded (slightly approves), To tell him to just keep on doing what he does best (no approval change) or to tell him to buck up, this is a war and no place for something like that (slightly disapproves). He will slightly approve if an infirmary is built and there will be no change if it is not.

Quest 2:  Laying in Waiting- after Joran joins the inquisition and after clan Lavellan is saved/wiped out in the war table operation this optional operation will become available. If not done before the next major mission, it will disappear and quest 3 will be unavailable. Joran will ask for resources to track down some responsible parties and bring them to justice. This can be approved or denied with slight changes in approval but regardless will begin a small series of events that have the Inquisitor and a team (that must include Joran) at a base of operations. There are several wounded and captive peoples with keys needing to be found and the outcome will depend on the level of empathy displayed to those innocent and those responsible. He will make several comments going through the base about detesting torture and wanting justice for all the atrocities already committed and still happening like this. If empathy levels are not high enough, too much innocent blood is spilled/ignored or too many guilty are not captured/killed, Joran will greatly disprove and many further dialog options and quest 3 will become unavailable. With high enough empathy however he will approve and a ‘judgement’ will become available at Skyhold for a major general. He will outright disapprove of torturing the man for information, but be alright with the other options including making him useful at Skyhold or executing him for his crimes; Joran himself will do the honors.

Quest 3: In Life and Fire Breath- After killing 2 dragons with Joran in the party after Laying in Wait, a cut scene will open up. Joran will once again (or first time if approval was too low initially) open up about his wish to bring life instead of death and will also ask to talk privately about his confliction in killing dragons more in depth with the inquisitor. Denial will end the scene and the quest, acceptance will bring the Inquisitor and Joran to another cut scene at the stables where Joran will gently pick up a beetle walking on the wood.

-If an high approval/romance is held, Joran will start talking immediately, musing on the worth of a beetle or mount compared to a dragon, and then compare himself to the ‘fire breathing killers’ everyone is always on about.   —————Romance can be locked by the inquisitor telling Joran that they love his compassion and care, even for creatures everyone else would call monsters. He will confess he always thought himself too much of a hypocritical pushover, but is so grateful to have been found by another extremely caring individual (’with the cutest ears’ if inquisitor is dalish).

-If high-approval and the inquisitor mocks Joran’s musings, he will Greatly disprove and end the scene in major discomfort, telling the inquisitor they should probably watch their back from now on. -If low-approval is held, Joran will wait for the Inquisitor to make the first comment before talking and will once again gain or lose disapproval based on empathy displayed. If none is forthcoming whatsoever, Joran will permanently disprove of the Inquisitor and their opinions. If empathy is displayed, approval can rise and Joran will dismiss himself in the end to sort through his head and opinions.

How to get their approval/disapproval:

Approval is gained when lending a hand, or blade, to those in need of help. Even if the cause turns out to be not the greatest, Joran will still be grateful the inquisitor is trying to do the honest/right thing. Anytime a life is spared outright or suffering is ended quickly, Joran will approve.

Disapproval on the other hand is quickly gained by being overly rude, sadistic, dishonest, or blatantly uncaring for the plight or pain of others. Directly being the cause of pain and torture will make it extremely difficult to gain a high approval rating.

Joran will approve of promoting kindness in Cole and disapproves of any encouragement of mean acts. He also greatly disapproves of sacrificing The Iron Bull’s chargers and will approve of saving them, even though in the end a sacrifice was still made. He does not enjoy or approve of using/deceiving any person against their will in a way that does not also benefit themselves.

Breakdown of Approval Ratings for Major Missions:

Fate of the Mages Conscript: Disapproves Ally: Approves

Fate of the Templars Disband: No Change Ally: Slightly Approves

Inquisitor’s Lead: A Dwarf/Elf/Qunari Stands for us all: Approves Example as a Mage: Approves For Faith: No change For Order: Approves For What’s Right: Greatly Approves To Stop Corypheus: Approves For Personal Power: Greatly Disapproves For Vengeance: No change

Fate of the Wardens Exile: Disapproves Ally:  Slightly Approves

Ruler of Orlais Gaspard: Disapproves Briala: Slightly Approves Celene: No Change Reunite: Slightly Approves Spare Everyone: Slightly Disapproves Arrest Florianne: Greatly Approves Save Celene: Approves Kill Celene: No change

Abelas Alliance Ally: Approves Reject: Disapproves

Drink from the Well: Non-Lavellan Inquisitor Drinks: Slightly Approves Lavellan Inquisitor Drinks: Slightly Approves Morrigan Drinks: Slightly Disapproves

Are they romanceable?

Open to all races and genders. The inquisitor will have special romance specific dialogue options and scenes- including the option to spend time with Joran and the animals in the stables. He will gladly give his significant other a kiss any time they ask for it.

Can you have sex with them?

Romance only. Joran is not a flirt prefers only those within of his range of trust knowing him intimately. A special cut scene can be activated once romance is locked by bringing him a pot (puchased in Val Royeaux) soil (gathered in the hinterlands) and a seed (found in the Hissing Wastes).

Are they open to polyamoury?

Certainly, so long as it is mutual all around. Secrets are dangerous things.

If they can be romanced and are not, will they begin a relationship / relationships with other character(s)? If so, who?

Joran has the potential to have a relationship with Cassandra, The Iron Bull, or Dorian if brought on missions often enough with one of them.

He will remark on Cassandra’s own love of reading alongside his own and so long as Varric is in the party once for him to pester, a romance can start with her based on his series.

For The Iron Bull, Joran must be present during dragon fights to learn of the Bull’s interest and fascination with hunting them- Dorian cannot be in the party as well or they will potentially develop their own romance.

Dorian must be in the party directly before and as soon after his personal companion quest as possible and unromanced for Joran to well and truly notice his need of friendly presences that could potentially blossom into something more.

Who are they friendly with?

Everyone. He detests growing or picking any fights.

Who do they dislike?

A low approval inquisitor.

Companion card changes: (use a text descrip. if you have no images)

Loyalty: (Hierophant) With support on his loyalty mission, The trees will move into the backdrop, framing him in a halo of green and gold from the sunset. Kneeling, one one of his hands is holding the silver dagger to his breast over his heart in a salute, and one hand raised with a silver chalice above his head.

Loyalty Alternative: (Tower) Either neglecting Joran’s loyalty quest or should it fail along the line, his card will take a much more sinister turn. The trees will still be in the backdrop, but they will be bare, the brown and dead leaves at his feet. His back to the viewer face sneering to the side, a dagger will be in each hand, one dripping blood and the other green poison. Joran will permanently dislike those who neglected to help his mission and romance will be impossible.

Romance: Dagger(s) and thick forest abandoned, Joran’s head will be framed in a halo of moonlight reflected in a pool of water in front of which he sits comfortably. Two red leaves will be held aloft in a romantic pseudo heart shape, stark against a twinkling night sky.

Side Missions:

Target Acquired. Repeatable mission in which Joran can be dispatched/used to take out an unruly target and receive a random item in return- Neutral or positive approval only.

Opinions on mages / templars / how the world is going to shit?

Joran has a really hard time with the war and conflicts. He can see reason(s) in both/all sides, though absolutely detests the poor treatment of people; It enrages him and he uses that rage to kill those whom he deems deserving of nothing else. When it comes to Circles, he wishes that less force and less rules were necessary/used to keep both the mages and the world safe. He has a small personal fear of mages themselves and the unrestrained power some seem to have. Those with too much that go unchecked can wreak havoc and some do not care whom they may hurt along the way. The same can be said for templars, however, and he has heard too many a story of people being abused simply for having any power- which can also lead to them becoming overwhelmed and hurting people themselves.

All in all, it gives him a headache. He is only one man and can only do so much to stop the injustices in the world. That does not stop him from trying with all his might though.

Something guaranteed to make them leave the party:

No matter how disagreeable the Inquisitor may become, even if they should rampage and ravage people and lands, Joran will not leave. The inquisition is the best place from within which he can help even a small few and he will not abandon his sense of duty. He is also afraid of being entirely alone again, having left his clan.

Special Events:

Imprisoned at Redcliffe: How is your companion holding up in Redcliffe, being slowly infected with red lyrium over the course of a year?

Should he be imprisoned- Joran’s a fighter and in some ways that makes it harder on him. Being trapped and corrupted slowly, the voices would be loud and unrelenting. Sometimes his want of justice and peace for the world would be louder and help him get through a day, but other times his own guilt will eat and eat and eat at him. He’d be quite haggard by the time he was released, hanging on to his sanity by a thread.

At the Winter Palace: Does your Inquisitor enjoy the party, any special events with them at the Palace?

Should he be in the party, Joran will be leaning against a pillar half hiding from the proceedings, but watching closely. If approached, he will remark that while the palace is lovely, some of the guests are deplorable. He will express his distaste for those whom have their riches only thanks to the toil and pain of others. He will also mention he’s happy to save face for the sake of the inquisition, but oh how he wishes a few of those attending could meet his dagger for the sake of those they step on.

If romanced, the inquisitor will have the option to pull Joran into a dance at the end of the night and bring a smile to his face/lighter thoughts to his head.

In the Fade: Companion’s reaction upon entering the Fade? Archdemon’s taunt, and Companion’s response? Epitaph on their grave?

Joran would take great comfort in that everyone seems to be alright and still has the use of their weapons. He will try to keep a level head about all of it, but would actually be freaking out a little bit.

His epitaph would say 'Unwanton Murderer’

The nightmare would prey on Joran’s fear of being wrong and of hurting people without cause. It would tell him he is dripping with the blood of innocents and that no matter how hard he tries to be a good person, he will never wash away what he has done. (At this point, the inquisitor will have the option to offer Joran a pat to the shoulder and receive one in return if approval is high enough). Joran would not be able to respond to any of the accusations and will relax with the comfort the inquisitor offers, if any. Otherwise he will shove it all down as he usually does and quietly get on with it.

Trespasser: What is your Inquisitor up to two years after Corypheus’ defeat? Any special events with them over the events of Trespasser?

Joran would continue with the inquisition and work closely with Leliana (or other spymaster), becoming one of her people. He will gladly be a message carrier in keeping in contact with the Divine and anyone scattered, and of course he will help in all available ways in tracking down Solas for the inquisitor.

If romanced, there will be a special cut scene of him returning and running to embrace the inquisitor and fussing over them/asking how they are. (If he romanced another companion, there will be something of a photobomb of him doing this to them in the background of a different cut scene)

Other Major Events: Any other major events that happen with them over the course of the main game?

In most Joran just kinda does his own thing, but can occasionally be found in the library, chatting with other companions before/during side quests, and is always present (when applicable) for the “sit in judgement” scenes.

[hannahindie]

This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester x Reader, Cas Word Count: 3,811 (I regret nothing) Warnings: A lot of drinking...a lot. So many shots. Gratuitous amounts of Sam make outs, the smallest amount of gore, Hell’s Angels, and a brief mention of dicks. A/N: This was written for @seenashwrite’s 200 Follower celebration, which as based off of Archer prompts! I’m not gonna lie, it got a little weird, but we do learn why our favorite hunters probably shouldn’t have a nice night out. I rather enjoyed writing it. So congrats to Nash! This was beta’d by the always wonderful and fantastic @trexrambling and @pinknerdpanda. Thank you so much, yet again, for helping me use my words. The prompts are bolded, and the italicized portions are the narrator. Also, there’s a fun little hyperlink near the bottom if you’d like to be educated.  As always, tags are at the bottom and if you see that you are missing or would like to be added, please let me know!

When you hunt evil for a living, and you spend a majority of your days digging up bones, salting and burning various kinds of remains, and sending demons back to hell...you don’t get a lot of down time. The Winchesters are no exception. Despite frequenting bars during hunts while they look for more information, generally speaking they don’t get to sit down and enjoy themselves without business getting in the way. So when they finished their most recent hunt in what seemed like record time, Dean was more than happy to point out that they didn't have anything lined up and one of the best bars in the tri-state area was in the middle of their happy hour.

“Come on! We finally have some free time. What could possibly go wrong with getting a couple of drinks and some freaking delicious bar food?” Sam and Y/N had looked at each other and shrugged, then resigned themselves to the fact that Dean wouldn’t let it go until they went. Besides, Dean was right; how could a night out possibly go wrong? Cas had simply nodded and popped into the Impala to wait on the others. Dean grinned, spun the keys around his middle finger, then shooed Sam and Y/N to the car.

But, as usual, the hunters were about to find out that nothing could ever be that simple.

If there is anything that you need to know about Sam and Dean Winchester, it’s that they can hold their liquor. Being a hunter, it kind of comes with the territory, but being a Winchester generally ups the alcohol tolerance automatically. Between that and the years of abuse their livers had sustained, it took quite a bit to knock the brothers out of commission. Although Y/N was younger and smaller, her tolerance was also surprisingly high, and she often gave the boys a run for their money. These facts may not seem too important to this story except that in this particular instance, all three of our intrepid hunters had let their guards down a little too much and had proceeded to indulge in the happy hour specials with a little more vigor than was necessary. By the time this story begins, both Winchesters, Y/N, and even Cas had all made decisions that would turn a simple night out into a night that the bar patrons would talk about for years to come.

Dean threw back his seventh shot of whiskey for the night, the burn of it sliding down his throat not even registering anymore. He slammed the glass down on the bar and signalled the bartender to bring him another. “I’m telling you, Sam, being single is the best. I can do whatever I want.”

Y/N looked over at Dean and rolled her eyes, “I’m literally standing right next to you, Dean. Right. Next. To. You.”

Sam leaned over and kissed the top of her head, “He’s just jealous because he doesn’t have someone who is as amazing as you, babe.”

Dean groaned, “See? That right there. Babe? Really?” Dean mimicked a whip cracking and grabbed the shot the bartender had slid down the bar to him.

Y/N smacked Dean in the arm, “He’s not whipped. I mean, not in that sense anyway.” Y/N winked, and Dean grimaced at the image that had unwillingly sprung into his mind.

“You guys are disgusting.” Sam leaned down and kissed Y/N, a little more passionately than he normally would in public due to the alcohol rushing his system, and Dean grimaced. “Why are you the way that you are? Seriously?”

Sam looked at Dean and grinned, “Because I have sex with actual women! My girlfriend’s not equal parts the internet, a tube of Kentucky jelly, self-loathing, and a sock.”

Dean glared at Sam, then turned his attention towards the main part of the bar, “Whatever, man, chicks dig self-loathing.” His eyes wandered over the crowd and stopped when he got to Cas sitting at a table in the corner, a large man with a huge beard sitting opposite of him, and a long lineup of shots in front of both of them. “What...the hell is happening over there?” Sam shrugged, but immediately grabbed Y/N’s hand and dragged her towards where the angel was staring down, what appeared to be, a Hell’s Angel reject. Dean stumbled after them and swiped a beer that a waitress was carrying past him on a tray, offering a quick wink when she frowned at him. Dean slid into the booth next to Cas and slung an arm around his best friend’s shoulder, “Whatcha doin’, Cas?” he hiccuped.

Cas glanced at Dean out of the corner of his eye, then back at the guy in front of him, “This man said that he could drink more than I could, Dean, and I do not think that that is the case.”

Dean snorted, “Aw, come on Cas, you know-” Dean stopped suddenly as Sam smacked the back of his head, and Dean glared up at Sam, “What the hell-”

“Why don’t we put some money on that, boys?” Y/N said slyly, throwing a wink at Dean, “Say….$100? Does that sound good to you….?” She looked at the biker.

“Name’s Taser Face,” he growled. Dean snorted, then tried to recover by coughing when Y/N glared at him.

“Taser Face, does that sound like a fair bet?”

He gave Y/N what appeared to be a grin, although it was hard to tell between the missing teeth and large moustache that was currently obscuring half his face. “Make it $500, sweet tits, and we got ourselves a deal.” Sam let out a quiet growl at the ‘sweet tits’ comment, and Y/N put her hand against his chest and shook her head, then smiled back at Taser Face.

“Sounds like a deal. Now, why don’t you two shake on it?”

Cas held out his hand and tilted his head as the biker took it, “Are you trying to hurt my hand? Your grip seems much tighter than it should be for a common handshake.” Taser Face jerked his hand away and grunted in response, and Dean had to suppress another laugh.

Y/N looked at the shots that were lined up in front of the two men and propped a hand on her hip, her eyebrows furrowed, “We’re gonna need more shots.”

 Ten minutes later, the surface of the table had practically disappeared under the rows of shots that Y/N and Sam had procured from the amused bartender. Taser Face was looking at the ridiculous amount of alcohol with a look of trepidation, although this time it was hard to tell where he was looking because of the eyepatch that hid his left eye, and Y/N winked at Sam. At least she thought she had. If you'd asked anyone watching the scene as it unfolded, they would have told you that she was looking slightly past him and had slowly blinked with both eyes. Y/N was not quite the sly drunk she thought she was, and not all the shots they had gotten from the bartender had made it to the table.

“Okay, boys,” Y/N slurred,“there are very few rules. First, you must completely finish the shot and flip the glass upside down. Second, you cannot throw up, that's an automatic forfeit. Last man standing wins the $500. Do you have any questions?” Both men shook their heads, Cas’s eyes never leaving Taser Face.

“Alright, Cas, you start. Go!” And so it began. Cas would take a shot, Taser Face would take one, and back to Cas. This went on for several minutes, and when there seemed to be no sign of either man slowing down, Dean sighed.

Sam looked over at him, his eyes narrowed as he tried to focus on his brother. Y/N had not been the only one to sneak a couple of extra shots, if we are going to be honest. “What’s your problem?” he managed to spit out, despite the fact he'd already begun to lose interest in Dean’s answer before he'd even finished his question.

“We know how this is going to end, and I'm bored.” He stood suddenly and glanced past the crowd that had gathered around their booth to witness the spectacle. Dean grinned as he caught sight of a tall, black-haired woman standing near the pool tables. “Now, that does not seem boring.” Dean clapped Cas on the back as he pushed his way out of the booth, “Good luck, buddy.”

Cas gave Dean a concerned look, “Luck does not have anything to do with this, Dean. I am an angel of the Lord.”

Dean chuckled, “Right. Sam, make sure he-” he stopped mid-sentence when he noticed that both Sam and Y/N had moved away from the table and were up against the wall, preoccupied with what looked like an attempt to eat the other one’s face. Dean grimaced, “Gross.” He shook his head as if to clear the image from his mind, ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame it, then half stumbled, half sauntered over to the raven haired beauty leaning against the wall. “Hello, sweetheart.” He raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled politely.

“Hi.”

Dean leaned against the pool table, smiling widely at his newest prospect. “I'm Dean.”

She crossed her arms, “I'm not interested.”

Dean raised an eyebrow, “You don't even know what I wanted.”

She smirked, “You want what every other asshole in this bar wants. And the answer is no.”

Dean threw his hands up as if he were offended, “Listen, I just wanted to play some pool and my brother over there,” he nodded his head in the direction of Sam and Y/N, to which the girl made a disgusted face, “is too busy playing tonsil hockey to oblige. You looked bored, so I thought I'd ask.”

She quirked her eyebrows in disbelief, “So you weren't coming over here to try to use some sort of bullshit ‘I'm in touch with my feelings and broken’ pickup line to get in my pants?”

Dean shrugged, “Baby, I was emotionally shattered - which turns out be kind of a panty dropper...but no, in this particular instance I was not going to use my broken, somewhat abusive childhood to convince you to have dirty, stranger sex in the bathroom.” She started to crack a smile, and Dean decided that pushing it a little further might be a good idea. “Unless that's what you want to do…”

The girl playfully smacked him on the arm and grabbed a pool cue, “You're an idiot. Rack them up. And my name is Elli.”

And this is where the night could have, and probably should have, gone differently. However, Cas was occupied with Taser Face, who at this point was mumbling about bikers having the most fun with hairy women, Sam and Y/N were occupied with each other (much more than they should have in a public area), and Dean was too occupied by Elli to notice his surroundings. If he had been paying attention, he would have seen the man at the opposite pool table watch as Dean flirted with Elli, his eyes becoming narrower the closer Dean got to her. He also would have noticed that the man was slowly but surely moving closer to the pair as Dean shifted to stand behind Elli so he could show her the proper way to handle a pool cue. Dean was about to find out the hard way that if you're a hunter, especially one as well known as a Winchester, there's probably no such thing as a nice night out.

Dean felt a sharp tap on his shoulder, and he rolled his eyes as he shifted away from the offending finger. “I'm busy, if you can't tell.” The finger returned, and he offered Elli a sweet smile before turning to face whoever it was that interrupted his so far successful pool lesson. “Listen, bozo, I don't know who you are-” he trailed off as he looked up (this guy gave Sam a run for his money in the height department, which is another reason it seemed impossible that Dean had not noticed this behemoth earlier) and swallowed thickly. “Oh, hey, how's it going-”

It seemed Dean was destined to not finish any of his sentences this evening because the large man grabbed him by the collar and nearly lifted him off the floor. “Winchester,” he growled.

Dean grabbed at the man’s arms and looked around for someone to help him out, “I'm not sure who you are, but I think there's been a mistake, buddy.” The man smiled, and a set of sharp fangs slid down over his already disgusting, yellow teeth. Dean groaned, “Son of a bitch.”

“There's not been a mistake. You Winchesters aren't exactly invisible, and I see that you're not trying too hard to blend in tonight.”

Dean nodded, “You're absolutely right, we haven't tried all that hard, HAVE WE SAM??” He shouted the last part and hoped that his brother could hear him over the music and talking, not to mention the distraction Y/N was being.

The vampire smirked, “Looks like little brother is kinda busy.” His fist connected with Dean’s jaw and he went flying into one of the other pool tables, balls clattering everywhere.

“Seriously, man?!” One of the guys playing pool complained as he grabbed Dean, who was still trying to recover from being thrown across the room, and shoved him back toward Elli and the mystery vampire. Dean struggled to his feet and wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

“I don't even know who you are!” Dean spat, disappointed that his night had turned into yet another hunt. At least he didn't have to track this one down.

“I don't see where it matters, but the name is Mareck. Trust me, our kind don't need a specific reason to come for you. You’ve done enough.” He swung at Dean again, but Dean was ready and ducked this time. Mareck’s fist plowed straight into the man standing behind Dean, who then turned around and punched Mareck. Dean backed up and looked for an easy way out, but was soon grabbed by the original pool player who'd had his game ruined when Dean had crashed into their table.

“You made me lose $500, you son of a bitch!” Before Dean could protest, the man punched Dean in the stomach and shoved him towards the middle of the bar. Dean hurried to his feet but soon had to deck someone else that came out of nowhere at him.

“What the hell?!” He looked around and saw that Cas and Taser Face were still going shot for shot, although it appeared that Taser was a little worse for wear. Dean stumbled to their booth, “Cas, a little help here, man!”

Cas looked at Dean, his eyes wide, “I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me, Dean.”

 Dean rolled his eyes, “Dammit, Cas, come on-ahhh!” Mareck had found Dean and grabbed him by the collar. Dean managed to sweep his leg out and catch one of Mareck’s ankles and the vampire fell, albeit partially on top of Dean. “SAM! SAMMY, GET OVER HERE!” Dean wiggled out from under his assailant and made it halfway to where Sam and Y/N were still going at it before someone grabbed his arm.

“Listen, I am DONE….Elli, what are you-” Before he could finish his sentence, Elli punched him in the face, and he stumbled back a step. “What the hell?” He put a hand to his throbbing nose, and when he pulled it back it was covered in blood, “What was that for?” Elli smiled and revealed her own set of fangs, and Dean groaned, “Of course you are. Normally, I don't hit women, but I think I can make an exception for you.” Just as he lunged for her, Y/N appeared out of nowhere and gave Elli an uppercut that was so hard, she flew backwards and landed on one of the tables. Dean looked at her with wide eyes.

“You're welcome.”

“What-”

“Someone grabbed Sam, and when I looked over I saw that bitch coming after you, and Sam can take care of himself so here I am!” She swayed slightly and smiled at Dean.

“Now hold on a second-”

Y/N grabbed a chair, “Duck, Dean!” As soon as he dropped, Y/N swung the chair and nailed Mareck in the face. “You take care of him, I’ll get the girl!” Before Dean could stop her, Y/N was gone, rushing at Elli before she had a chance to get back up from the table. Dean turned to go after Mareck, but he was gone. As Dean surveyed the bar, he realized that the entire place was in chaos. Chairs were being thrown, people were being tossed into tables, the bartender had given up and was sitting on the bar watching the chaos. The sound of shattering glass caught Dean’s attention, and he looked over to see Sam, his chest heaving as he tightly gripped a broken beer bottle and stood over an unconscious man. He looked at Dean and shrugged, completely oblivious to what had been happening for the past five minutes.

“Sam! Vampires!”

“What??”

“Vamp-ires!” Dean enunciated more clearly.

Sam nodded and looked around, “Where’s Y/N?” Dean waved vaguely in the direction she’d gone in and moved closer to Sam.

“We’ve got to get them out of here. Got any ideas?”

Sam waved his broken beer bottle, “This is the only weapon I have on me. I wasn’t really expecting a bar brawl with vampires.”

Dean grabbed a bottle off a nearby table and smashed it on the corner, making a twin to Sam’s.

“What's this guy look like, anyway?”

Dean pointed over Sam’s shoulder, “Like that!” Sam swung around with the beer bottle, but Mareck was faster and grabbed Sam’s wrist before he could sink the bottle into Mareck’s neck.

“Sam!” Dean managed to get in behind Mareck and jammed his shard of glass deep into his throat, grimacing as the hot blood sprayed across his face. Mareck screamed, and his grip on Sam loosened. By the time Mareck swung around and managed to get Dean off of him, Sam grabbed him by the hair and began sawing into his neck with his broken bottle. Finally, with a loud and sickening pop, Sam separated Mareck’s head from his shoulders. Dean tried to catch his breath as Sam looked at him, Mareck’s head hanging from his fist.

“You okay?”

Dean nodded and wiped away blood that had dripped down his face, “Yea, you?” Sam nodded, then snapped his head around when they heard a scream of triumph from behind them. Dean immediately began to laugh when he caught sight of Y/N standing in the middle of the crowd, Elli’s hair clenched tightly in a blood soaked fist as she waved the head in the air and grinned at Sam and Dean. “Sam, marry that girl.”

Dean looked over when he felt someone standing next to him. Cas, though still upright and the obvious winner of the shot contest (Taser was laying in the floor, snoring loudly), was swaying slightly, and Dean could tell that Cas had begun to feel it. Angel of the Lord or not.

“Dean, I believe I won. The man with the beard has quit responding and is currently sleeping. He is not going to feel well tomorrow.”

Dean clapped him on the shoulder, “Nicely done, buddy.” Finally, Dean realized how quiet the bar had become. The brawl had paused, and everyone in the bar had turned their attention to the three blood soaked hunters, two of which were still holding severed heads. “We…uhhh….we should probably go.” Sam nodded in agreement and hurried over to Y/N so that he could usher her outside. Dean and Cas quickly followed behind them as Dean sheepishly waved at people as they left. “Hey, sorry about the mess...ummm...here's some money to take care of that.” He tossed the money Cas had just won on the bar and quickly exited the building.

“We need to go!” Dean threw himself into the driver’s seat and turned the key, but paused before putting it into drive.

“Dean, what are you waiting for? They're gonna call the cops, we just beheaded people! In a bar full of people!”

Dean sighed, “I realize this, but I also see like...three of the road right now. Any of you fit to drive home?” Y/N giggled and fell over onto Sam, who immediately began making out with her. Dean looked in the rearview and grimaced, “Can you not?”

Cas lit up and looked at Dean with raised eyebrows, “I can get us home. Hang on everyone.” Cas placed his fingers on the dashboard, and before anyone could ask what had happened the car dropped with a thud in the middle of the bunker’s library. Sam and Y/N looked up in surprise and Dean glared at Cas.

“Really? The library? Does this look like where the car goes?”

Cas looked at the dashboard, then to his fingers, then back at Dean, “The alcohol must have affected me more than I thought.”

“Can we talk about how Dean tried to have sex with a vampire?” Sam giggled from the backseat, causing Dean to change his glare from Cas to the younger Winchester.

“Eat a buffet of dicks. Both of you.” Dean climbed out of the car and began to stomp off to his room.

Cas climbed out to go after him, “Did you want me to move the car after I ate the bag of dicks or just wait until tomorrow?” Dean stopped mid stride as if he was going to respond, shook his head, and kept walking. “Sam, what should I do? I don't normally eat…”

Sam climbed out of the backseat with Y/N in tow and smiled, “He didn't mean...I honestly don't know what you think he meant, but that's not it. Just...leave it until tomorrow, okay?” They disappeared down the hall, which left Cas alone with the car. He looked around for a moment, then casually made his way towards the kitchen.

“I don't know why they would have a bag of Halichoeres bivittatus* here, but if Dean suggests for me to eat it, I will certainly try.”

Forever Tags!!! @trexrambling @pinknerdpanda @wheresthekillswitch @hiimaprofessionalfangirl  @emptywithout @escabell @jarpadandjensenaremyheroes  @deanssweetheart23 @emilywritesaboutdean @canadianjelly @super-not-naturall @charliebradbury1104 @rosie-winchester

Dean Only: @lavieenlex @akshi8278 @valkyrieslament @highonpastries

[the2travel]

* World Travel Tips : Viral Post Explains Why Dads Aren't Babysitters

Travel Tips -

Though studies have shown that dads are more involved in their kids’ lives than ever, many people still use the term “babysitting” when referring to fathers taking care of their children.

An Oregon dad decided to put a stop to that nonsense.

Jeremy Martin-Weber and his wife, Jessica, have six daughters, ages 5, 7, 9, 14, 16 and 18. They blog about their parenting experiences at Beyond Moi.

On May 9, Jeremy posted a photo of his wife at the airport on their Facebook page. In the caption, he explained that Jessica was about to head out of town on a multi-day work trip, leaving him alone with the kids. 

Jeremy wrote that he needed to figure out who will cook and feed his kids, help them get ready in the morning, get them to school on time, offer support and comfort in tough moments, listen to everything they have to say, be a peacemaker through sibling conflicts, play games with them, model positive behavior and good qualities and more. 

“Who is going to do all that stuff while their mom is away?” the dad asked. 

“Me. That’s who,” he answered. “Because I’m not the babysitter. I’m not just their playmate. I’m their dad. And looking after them and guiding them and caring for them is my responsibility. And I love it ― with all of its challenges.”

The dad continued, “No the house will not fall apart or be trashed and the kids will not be ruined because dad is in charge. And no, I don’t deserve anyone’s special praise and adoration because “Wow! This dad can look after his own kids.” I’m just doing what every parent should do, and what moms do every day without praise or adoration.”

Jeremy’s post received over 3,000 likes and 1,200 shares. The dad told HuffPost he was inspired to share these thoughts after feeling irritated by the negative cultural assumptions about fathers he often hears.

“People have assumed all sorts of things about me as a dad,” he said. “I have been asked if I would be babysitting my kids while Jessica would be out of town. It has been inferred that I am no more than my children’s playmate, and directly stated that my wife always has an extra child (spoiler alert: it’s supposedly me). I have at times been pitied for having to care for my children on my own, as if I didn’t have to be a parent while my wife is around. And I have been told that I just don’t have that mothering instinct that is essential for being a good parent.”

Though the dad said he knows people aren’t trying to be hurtful, these statements often feel like an attempt to undermine his role as a father. As he drove Jessica to the airport that day, she suggested he post something about this issue.

“The assumption that I can’t handle the responsibility of parenting my kids in her absence and that I’ll just be hanging out with them as more of a sitter has been mentioned to my face many a time,” Jeremy said. “Her trip seemed like the perfect opportunity to share about how that’s not how I function as my children’s father, and to challenge that widely held belief about fathers in general.”

Jessica echoed Jeremy’s sentiments. The mom told HuffPost people often tell her how great it is that her kids’ father “babysits” when she travels for work. 

“Moms don’t get those kind of comments,” she said. “It is assumed they can and will always be the ones responsible for childcare and the home, but dads are somehow heroes for doing the same thing.”

Jessica said she thankful that Jeremy is invested in raising their kids, just just as he is grateful she is. Jeremy doesn’t see his work as a dad as anything more extraordinary than care she puts in as a mom. 

Jeremy hopes his post will encourage dads to embrace equal parenting and shared responsibilities. Though he didn’t expect such an overwhelming response to his post, the dad said he’s been touched to see moms tagging their partners in the comments and saying how happy they are to raise their kids with an involved parent. 

Ultimately, Jessica has similar wishes. “I want people to realize that dads taking care of their kids as equals in parenting isn’t extraordinary, it’s normal. Or should be but we’ve lost sight of that,” she told HuffPost, noting that male parents are just as capable of handling parenting responsibilities as female parents and that she hopes the stereotype of the “bumbling idiot” dad dies out. 

“No more onesies with directions for dad on how to use,” she said. “I hope that some moms to take a step back and give their partner room to be an active and involved parent sharing the responsibilities for child and home care, accepting that they may have their own way but they are still just as capable. It would be great if dads being competent parents was normalized.” 

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

World Travel Tips : Find cheap flights, hotels and car rentals. Plan your trip with travel guides, personalized recommendations, articles, deals and more. When you travel, you want your bags to travel with you. Follow these tips from travel professionals on how not to lose your luggage.