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m-jelly · 2 years ago

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Unlikely familiar - The end

Pairing: God Levi x Fem!Reader

Genre and tags: Magic/royal AU, fluff, romance, soulmates, falling in love, God Levi, mentions of blood and fighting, being parents, babies.

Concept: Levi faces off against Heimdall in a last stand. You talk with the Goddess Freya about Heimdall's soul. Levi and you have a sweet moment with your twins.

AO3 link

The town was deserted when Heimdall arrived with his army. He clenched his jaw as his eyes scanned the town. He sucked his teeth as he felt frustrated. He guessed that this had to be your doing because he could predict everyone but you. So, you making choices would protect the people.

He watched his men search the houses but found no one hiding inside them. His eye twitched a little as he felt irritated by it all. He had first felt that Freya was awakened, then he felt the loss of the witch Freja being killed. He wanted to hurt someone and hurt them really bad.

He stopped walking when he saw Freya standing waiting for him. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the pathetic fallen Goddess. Freja was better than you. You are just a pathetic witch who became a Goddess.”

She sighed. “And yet the woman you want is the same as me, a witch who became a Goddess.”

Heimdall scrunched his nose up in disgust. “Don’t compare her to yourself. She’s nothing like you. She’s nothing like anyone I’ve ever met before.”

“She’s taken. She doesn’t want you.”

He shook his head as he laughed a little. “I am trying to create ORDER in this life. I am the true God of all because I can see and predict every SINGLE little thing. I am all-seeing! I need her.” He patted his chest. “I need her.” He grinned at Freya. “Don’t you get it?” He laughed. “She is unpredictable. Can you imagine how perfect it’d be?”

Freya gulped hard. “You’ll never let her go, will you?”

“I know what I want, I’ve always known as it is a part of my powers. I know everything and I take everything I need. I orchestrated this all. I am an artist at life!”

Freya’s shoulders dropped. “There is no hope for you. I wanted to try and talk to you, maybe save you but you really are a selfish and self-centred man.”

“What’s gonna happen, huh? You gonna send that God Levi after me?” He laughed hard. “I can predict every single move he makes!”

“You have one last chance. Step down and take a small punishment or Levi will kill you.”

Heimdall laughed again. “He can’t do anything! I’ll see it all.” He clicked his neck and sighed. “I will win!”

Black metal with rune symbols pressed against Heimdall’s face with great force. Heimdall’s cheek squished against the cold metal as his jaw clicked to the side at the impact against his face. His head started moving with the force before his body did. His body tipped to one side. One foot raised from the ground. He felt as if the world was in slow motion as his body slowly flew to the side. He watched as Freya became sideways to him.

Heimdall lifted from the floor and flew sideways. He kept flying at the strong force hitting him. He slowly flew down before slamming shoulder-first into the ground and skidding. He flipped over his head and rolled for a while before coming to a stop. He was in utter shock at what happened. His mind raced with thoughts and he concluded that you must have attacked him.

Heimdall pushed himself up as blood trickled from his head. He turned slightly and looked over at the black shield. His eyes widened as the shield lowered to reveal Levi behind it with an axe in his other hand. He couldn’t believe that Levi had managed to get the upper hand on him. He was supposed to predict everything and he used to be able to read Levi. So, why didn’t he see this coming? And then it hit him. The aura coming from the shield and axe Levi was holding was yours. Heimdall couldn’t predict Levi because you had given him armour, a shield and weapons made from your magic. Heimdall had to fight Levi the old-fashioned way.

Heimdall stumbled to his feet and spat out blood. He held his hand out and tried to summon his golden blade to assist him. His head whipped back at the powerful force of the shield colliding with his chest. He felt all air in his lungs escape him as he flew backwards. His mind was racing because it had been many years since someone had hurt him or made him bleed.

His back hit the floor before he skidded backwards. He grunted as he looked for Levi. He came to a stop and looked up to see Levi flying downwards towards him with his axe raised and a murderous gleam in his eyes. Heimdall summoned his sword quickly and held it above his head just in time to catch Levi’s axe. He felt raw fear for the first time as he looked deep into Levi’s steel-blue eyes.

Heimdall began to panic when Levi raised his shield made from your magic and go to slam it down. He sent out his golden chains just in time to stop Levi from attacking. He laughed thinking he had the upper hand and was winning, but he was wrong.

Levi sliced cleanly through the golden chains causing the golden segments to rain down. Levi released a beautiful and loud war cry as rage filled him and a fire to fill burned through his soul. He wanted Heimdall dead and he was going to rip him limb from limb. He wanted Heimdall to suffer and now with Freja dead, there was no curse holding him back. There was no fear of him becoming a dragon.

Heimdall flew back and skidded on his heels as his sword clashed with Levi’s axe over and over. Arches of sparks fluttered through the air and cascaded down onto the soft grass below. Heimdall knew that to stop Levi and win, he had to find you and stop you from casting this constant spell you were putting on Levi. He just needed to figure out where you were.

His golden eyes flicked around the town and at his men fighting Levi’s followers and your friends. He looked up to the mountains to see the dome on the highest one. He smirked at seeing magic dancing inside it meaning you were inside. He had to go to the mountaintop, break through the dome and stop you so he could kill Levi and take you as his. He just needed to lose Levi.

Levi ran towards Heimdall with his shadows surging around him. Dead spires of shadows and rock launched themselves towards the God of insight as Levi attacked from the front. Levi swung and slashed his axe with all his might and clashed with Heimdall. He turned his shield and slammed the edge into Heimdall’s gut.

Blood spattered from Heimdall’s mouth, his once-white teeth were now stained with his blood. He let the impact take him causing him to back up and away from Levi giving him just a little bit of space. He sent wall after wall of chains towards his attacker. The rattling and twinkling of the metal flooded both their ears and drowned out the battles raging on around them.

Levi growled in annoyance as the chains slowly blocked his view of his target. He glared at Heimdall and hated his smug smile as if he had achieved something or was now winning. Levi’s chest rose and fell as he let his rage become his strength. He gripped his axe tightly and let out a war cry before slicing through the golden chains along with his shadows helping him. Levi needed to get to you before Heimdall did.

Levi raised the shield you made for him and charged forwards and ripped through the chains trying to hold him. He snarled as he felt some resistance, but he pushed through as he reminded himself of the pain and suffering Heimdall had put him through. He remembered the stench of the dead bodies of his people that Heimdall had made. He remembered the green grass becoming soaked with thick blood. He remembered the stiffened arms of the dead reaching for help. He remembered the screams of anguish. He remembered the pain of being pulled into his prison and wondering if he would ever see you.

Levi let all the pain and memories push him forwards. He let the hope of the future and the drive to live with you and his two precious babies move him.

Heimdall stumbled towards the mountain as the blood that had leaked from his mouth started to crust. His lungs burned from his panting so heavily. His stomach ached from being hit over and over. His legs shook due to weakness and wanting to give in and stop him from moving. Heimdall was weak, very weak when his powers failed him. He needed to pull all the tricks possible to win.

He fell forwards against the cold rock of the mountain and began to climb. He winced as his grip caused his nails to tug at rocks. His hot breath curled in the cold winter air. The whites of his eyes were becoming bloodshot as his body screamed at him to stop, but he was stubborn. He scrambled up the mountain as the shattering of chains echoed behind him. He gulped hard but his throat was dry and sore as if he has shards of glass there.

Heimdall’s eyes widened when he no longer heard his chains. He cast his gaze behind him as he clung tightly to the rock with one hand. He gasped in horror as Levi flew towards him with his shield at the ready like a dark angel. Heimdall released the rock and slid down the slope on the mountain as a deafening clang rang out from Levi’s shield embedding itself into the mountain face. Rocks split and trickled down the slope towards Heimdall before large boulders followed.

Levi looked down at Heimdall to see him dodge the rocks and clamber up a few. Levi released his shield and slid towards Heimdall with his axe raised. He slid past Heimdall and heard him laugh as if he’d won, but that’s what Levi wanted. Levi axed the mountain and sent a shockwave of his darker magic up the rocks. A spear of rock shot towards Heimdall’s shoulder, but he could predict Levi’s normal magic.

Heimdall dodged the rock trying to plunge itself into his shoulder. He laughed as he held onto a new spot. He looked up at where you were and felt like he was going to win this. You were so close and when he stopped you, he would make you watch him kill Levi. He pressed his foot against the slope and pushed himself up, but something felt off. He inhaled sharply when the pain started. He looked down to see the top part of his foot and boot twisting in the air with an arch of blood slowly falling. He saw the edge of Levi’s axe coated in blood.

Heimdall screamed out as the panic really set in. He was going to die and there was nothing he could do. He didn’t want to die, he had so much left to do. He scrambled up the mountain in sheer horror and fear. He looked at his attacker as he yanked his shield out of the rock and climbed up after him. Heimdall fell onto his side at the top as his body felt weak.

Heimdall pushed his body up in the freezing cold snow and saw a wolf guarding the door to you. Máni snarled at Heimdall as he stood his ground to protect his master. Heimdall sneered at the large beast. He knew he could stop this wolf with ease, he could predict its every move. He needed to push ahead because the person he couldn’t predict right now was coming up behind him.

Heimdall sent his chains out and watched Máni dodge as many as possible, but he wasn’t good enough. Máni became entangled in chains, but he did not whimper or yelp. Máni began biting and ripping through the chains. Heimdall took his chance and ran towards the double wooden doors to the dome. He slammed his bloodied hands against the doors and shoved them open to reveal you sitting inside a circle with runes, candles and offerings. He panted as he listened to the soft chanting of your spells.

You opened your eyes and locked your gaze with Heimdall’s. You saw the smugness on his face that he thought he had won. You stood up slowly and chanted louder and with more passion. You kept staring at Heimdall and gave nothing away. You didn’t want him to know where your husband was. Levi needed to win so you stood your ground and held your head high.

Heimdall reached for you as his chains slowly moved like snakes towards you. Madness filled his eyes as he started laughing when he could taste his victory. He inhaled sharply and gasped when something collected with the crook of his neck. He coughed hard and saw a splatter of blood appear on your body. He lowered his arms and grunted when something tugged out of his shoulder.

Heimdall dropped to his knees with a loud thud. He raised his head to see Levi’s bloodied axe. “I did not foresee this.”

Levi swung the axe down with all his might and cleanly took Heimdall’s head off. He watched the blood soak the floor and Heimdall’s head fly and tumble in the air before landing with a weighty thud against the floor and rolling. He panted as he felt all his rage escape him. Tiredness washed over Levi as Heimdall’s body slumped and fell to the floor. Everything Levi had been working towards, his revenge, his pain and his rage was over.

Levi’s shoulders slumped as the shield and axe on his arms felt heavy. He dropped them both to the floor as tears filled his eyes. “It’s over.” He called your name. “It’s finally over.” He smiled at you and laughed through the tears. “Thank you.”

You hurried over to your husband and held him. “Levi.”

“Thank you.” He sniffed a little. “I love you so much.”

You squeezed him tightly. “I love you too.”

He sighed. “I’m tired. I’m so tired.”

“I know.” You pulled back and cupped his face. “Let us go home, have a bath and rest. Your war is over. You’ve had your revenge.”

Levi smiled and leaned into your touch. “We’re finally free.”

“That’s right, my love. We are.”

Levi yanked you against him and crashed his loving lips against yours. He hummed softly before pushing his tongue into your welcoming mouth. He gripped you tightly as he let all his negative feelings go at last and only let love for you and his future children consume him. He was happy and excited. He no longer had any fears.

You wrapped a thick winter cloak around you before walking over to Levi wrapped up in many blankets and furs that made a makeshift bed in front of the fireplace in the living room. You knelt next to him and placed a delicate kiss on his forehead. You smiled at how at peace he looked now with not a single remaining piece of the dragon curse on him. Your husband was free and he was living life with nothing holding him back.

You stood up and moved your way out of your home to the frozen lake. You walked across a part of it to the island there with a small home on it. You hummed softly as the wind made snow dance past you. You walked up the little steps and knocked on the door. You smiled as the door opened to reveal Freya.

Freya smiled brightly as she said your name. “Hello.”

“Hi, I came to chat.”

She stepped aside. “Come inside and get warm.”

You walked inside her cosy home and noticed Rolf was inside. “Oh, hello your majesty.”

Rolf waved at you. “Hello.”

You looked up at Freya. “Oooh, cute. Well, congratulations.”

Freya cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

You pulled your cloak off. “You’re good together.” You sat down and sighed. You rubbed your belly as you felt your little ones shifting. You took a cup of hot soup from Freya and sighed. “Thank you, this is kind of you.”

Freya sat next to Rolf. “So, how may I help you? It must be something to do with your husband as he is not here.”

You fiddled with your dress. “Actually, it’s to do with Heimdall.”

Rolf frowned. “He’s dead.”

“I know.”

“Then why ask?”

Freya smiled a little. “His soul.”

You nodded as you blushed a little. “Yes. I want to talk to you about his soul. I know a judgement will be placed on it.”

“You’re right.”

You let out a long sigh. “And I know you’re usually involved with the choices.”

“I am.”

Rolf laughed. “You’re not going to ask for her to show mercy? She did awful things to your man.”

You whined a little. “I know and I feel guilty about this meeting.” You stood up. “I should leave. I shouldn’t have come.”

Freya stopped you from leaving her home. “Ignore him. Rolf, go out and get some firewood.”

Rolf stood up. “But darling.”

“Go.”

Rolf huffed before walking to the door and pulling on a cloak. “I’ll be back soon.”

Freya guided you to a seat again. “Sit, please.”

You sat down and sighed. “I know he was a terrible person. I know he hurt my husband and I know he hurt you but…” You nibbled your lip. “I know how he felt in some sense. He was alone, so very alone. He could read every person he encountered so easily. He just wanted to be with someone who he didn’t know everything about or predict. He wanted to slowly learn about that person like you would in a normal relationship. He was living in a world full of noise and he just wanted silence.”

Freya held your hands as she smiled at you. “You are such a pure and kind person. I understand what you’re talking about. My first husband was a horrible God who only really married me for my powers. He craved more power. I wanted someone who made me feel at peace and I have that now. I can imagine Heimdall went mad because he was so alone.”

You nodded. “I know that does not excuse his actions and he is a terrible person for what he did.”

“You don’t need to say that. I understand.” She smiled. “So, what is your request?”

You hummed a little. “I know he’ll be reborn again and he’ll likely have the same powers. So, I’m wondering if you could a request in. Could they possibly make a shut-off switch in him so he can have some peace? Also, maybe make him a lover whom he cannot read. So, if it is too much at least he can confide in a sweet lover.”

Freya nodded. “I will request that. Maybe you should tell Levi. He will understand.”

You welled up a little. “I don’t know if he’ll understand. He might get mad at me because Heimdall hurt him so much.”

“Spell bunny.”

You shot to your feet and stared at the dark corner of the room. “Le-Levi?”

Levi walked out of the shadows. “I’m sorry I followed you and listened in to your conversation.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Since you arrived. I wanted to know what you were up to but I didn’t want you to feel like I was smothering you.” He whined a little. “Sorry.”

You felt your anxiety bubble away. “It’s okay. I just…I don’t want to hurt your feelings. I’m a terrible person to ask this of Freya after everything you went through.”

Levi walked closer as you cried. He rubbed your tears away before kissing your forehead. “Shh. Do not cry.” He kissed you making you hum. “I love you so much. I understand your request. He was driven to madness because he had so many screaming voices in his head and he saw everything. He wanted some peace.”

You sniffed a little. “So, you’re not mad?”

“No, not one bit.”

Freya hummed a laugh. “I told you he would understand.”

Levi hugged you against him. “I do. I understand, my little spell bunny.”

You clung to Levi. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He picked you up and sighed. “Thank you, Freya, for talking with her and understanding her.”

Freya bowed her head. “She is a good kind soul. I am happy to hear her out and help as much as I can. I should be thanking you for you allowing me to live here on your land. I will move in the summer back to my land, but being here has allowed me to recharge.”

Levi smiled softly. “You can stay here as long as you want or need. I am grateful to you for defending my people while I fought Heimdall.”

“It was a pleasure and honour.” She nodded to you. “You should take her home.”

“I will.” Levi kissed your forehead as he carried you out of Freya’s home. “Come, my love. I think it is time for snuggles, don’t you?”

“Mm.”

Freya handed you your cloak. “Don’t forget this.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go.” He hummed a laugh and launched himself into the air. He flew across the lake and landed right outside your home. “We need to return to our nest.”

You nodded and snuggled closer to your man. “Yes.”

He slipped into the house and carried you to the living room. He placed you on your feet and started taking your winter things off. “Now, hop into the blankets.”

You crawled into the big nest of blankets and cushions and snuggled up. “Ready.”

“Get some rest. I’ll be right back with drinks and snacks.”

“Okay.”

You rolled onto your side and stared at the burning logs in the fire. You watched the fires flicking and dancing. You relaxed against the soft blankets and rubbed your belly. You felt your body melting and your eyelids become heavy. You drifted off into a light sleep and dreamed of your future with Levi. You whined a little when flickers of bad things happened and memories of the past came to mind. Your eyes opened when you felt blood hitting you when Heimdall was killed in front of you again. You sighed as you stared at the fire again.

Levi returned to you with Máni at his side. “I have many delights for us.” He stopped a moment when he saw tears in your eyes as you sat up. “Spell bunny, what’s wrong?”

You nibbled your lip and hummed. “Bad dream. I was dreaming of our babies and the final fight kept popping up. I saw you kill him again and felt the blood on my skin.”

“I’m sorry you saw that.” He sat down on the blankets. “I should have gotten you to close your eyes.”

You hummed a little. “It’s okay. I’ll be okay.”

He handed you a drink as Máni snuggled up to you. “Are you sure?”

Your hands hugged your cup. “Yeah. I’ll be just fine.”

He leaned closer and kissed you. “All right.”

You let out a long sigh. “So, you’re really okay with what I talked to Freya about?”

“Of course. I believe everyone deserves love.”

You smiled a little. “Good. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m not hurt. I’m okay, you wonderful woman.” He leaned over and kissed you. “You are my everything.”

“You’re mine too.”

You sat in your swing in the garden with your baby girl and son on your chest. You kissed them on the head one after another before smiling as you enjoyed the summer sun on your legs. You closed your eyes and stared giggling when you felt a kiss on your ankle slowly move up your leg. You opened your eyes to see your loving husband make his loving way up your leg.

You pressed your toes against Levi’s chest. “Levi.”

He massaged the back of your leg. “Spell bunny.”

“Hello, handsome.”

Levi leaned up and grabbed your hips. “Hello, my sweet love.” He sighed as he gazed at you. “I still can’t believe you are mine, my wife and my soulmate.” He chuckled. “And you have given me two beautiful babies.” He kissed his daughter’s head then his son’s. “Liana and Evan.”

“Do you want to cuddle them for a bit?”

Levi’s eyes lit up. “Please!” He carefully scooped up his two babies using magic to help him a little. “So precious.” He smiled down at them and bounced them a little. “I love you both so much.”

You climbed out of your seat and stretched your joints. “Mm, I’m going to get something to eat and drink. Are you going to be okay with the twins?” You smiled brightly as Levi twirled around with his babies and covered them in kisses. “You’ll be just fine.”

Levi looked over at you. “We’ll be okay.”

“All right, I’ll be back in a bit.”

Levi grinned at you before making a nice thick comfy blanket appear on the floor. He sat down and laid his twins out on their backs. “There we go, my little angels.” He hummed a laugh as he watched his kids wiggle a little. “Comfy?”

Liana grabbed her foot and tried to put it in her mouth. “Mm.”

Levi chuckled. “Darling, you can’t eat your foot.”

Evan gazed at his sister. He wiggled his arms before stretching and smiling. “Eh!”

Levi placed his hands on their chests and rocked them side to side. He chuckled as they smiled in delight. “You’re both so cute.” He leaned down and kissed them each. “I love you both so very much. You were made with such strong love.”

Evan yawned and whimpered after. “Mm.”

Liana let her legs go and looked over at her brother. She hummed a little and yawned. “Aboo.”

Levi lay on his stomach and arms between his kids. “You’re right, both of you are. You say such interesting things.” Levi kicked his legs a little. “I can’t wait to teach you different things as you slowly get older.” He hummed a laugh. “So cute.”

You walked over with a basket of treats and Máni. “Look at you lot, so sweet.”

Levi looked up at you. “You are so beautiful.”

You sat down and handed Levi a drink. “And you are very handsome.” You sighed. “Could you keep them occupied? I have to feed them one at a time.”

Levi lifted Liana. “I’ve got our daughter.”

You lifted Evan and moved your dress down allowing you to feed your son. You patted his little bum as you rocked him. “They both eat so much.” You sighed. “I know they get that from you.”

Levi blushed. “I do eat a lot.”

“It’s cute.” You moved Evan off your breast. “Swap.”

Levi swapped babies with you and patted Evan’s back making him burp. “Good boy.”

You let your daughter feed from your other breast and sighed. “It’s so peaceful.”

Levi smiled softly. “It is.”

You handed your daughter over when she was done and took your son back. You sat him up and smiled as Máni sniffed him. You giggled as Evan patted Máni. “Good boy.”

Levi held Liana as she wiggled and reached for Máni. “Pet nicely.” Levi chuckled as Máni rubbed his head against Liana and then Evan. “Good Máni.”

Evan wiggled in your arms then whimpered and cried a little. “Mm.”

You adjusted him. “Oh dear, what’s wrong my little man?”

Levi looked down at Liana as she started crying a little. “You crying because your brother is?”

You hugged Evan and rocked with him. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

Levi beckoned his son over making him float out of your arms and into his. “I know how to solve this.”

You smiled as you watched Levi rock his babies and start singing in his native language. You felt yourself relaxing to his soothing deep voice. You flopped onto your side and felt sleepy. You hummed a laugh as your babies fell asleep against their father. You admired how perfect it all was. You and Levi were happy and free to live a life full of love.

Levi carefully lay his babies down and smiled at them. “There we go. I think they were really tired.”

You hummed. “I get emotional when I’m tired.”

Levi shifted over to you and held you from behind. “You do.” He kissed your shoulder as he looked over at his sleeping kids. “We have beautiful children.”

“We do.”

“I love you and them so much.”

You rolled onto your back and smiled up at Levi. “I love you and them too.”

Levi leaned down and kissed you. “You three mean the world to me.”

You reached up and caressed his cheek. “You’re everything to us.” You looked over at your kids to see Máni lie next to them. “Good boy. He protects them all the time.”

“I command him to, I mean he is a part of me.”

You looked back at Levi. “You’re an incredible father.”

He leaned his cheek against your hands. “I try my best.”

You hummed a laugh. “You’re incredible.”

He pouted a bit. “Fine, fine, I am.”

“Good boy.”

He hummed in thought. “So, my mother has offered to look after the little ones so we can go off somewhere romantic.”

You grinned. “I’d love to do that.” You gasped a little and looked over at your twins. “Oh, but I’ll miss them so much.”

Levi showered your face in kisses. “Me too, but it’ll be nice for us.”

You hummed in thought, but then finally agreed with Levi. You and Levi needed a moment to yourselves. After Heimdall was stopped you were heavily pregnant and then you had your twins. You and Levi were working together and didn’t get a moment to embrace each other. “I understand and I think you’re right. I think it would be good for us.” You laughed. “Besides, I think Kuchel would have a fantastic time with the twins. I know how much she loves them.”

“She has been desperate to have them all to herself.”

You giggled a little. “You’re right. She just wants them all to herself. Alright, we’ll do as she asks.”

“Perfection, my spell bunny.”

You wrapped your arms around Levi’s neck and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. “Mm. Tonight.”

Levi blushed when he knew what you were talking about. “Tonight.” He tapped his forehead against yours. “I will shower your body in love.”

“Can’t wait.”

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sprites-writing · 1 year ago

Text

Chapter 14: Castles Crumbling

Freya POV, 1350 words kinda all over the place because this is a filler chapter, shit's going down next chapter ;)

heads up that there's kinda graphic descriptions of injuries throughout, especially concerning blood, tldr if you need it at the bottom :) also heavy talk of insecurities/self-worth issues

chapter 1 chapter 13

By the time the rain stopped, we were down on the beach, the stars shining in the sky as if twelve lives hadn’t just been destroyed. I stood a few feet away from the others, their distrust in me breaking my heart into a thousand little pieces.

Now that the adrenaline had worn off, the pain from my wounds was making it hard to stand up straight. I had a bullet still lodged in my left shoulder, my right hand was sprained, if not broken from how hard I had landed on it while trying to save Enoch and I had easily a dozen deep cuts from the glass. Blood was slowly seeping onto my dress, staining the green a reddish-brown.

“I’m sorry, Jake,” Fiona said, “What do we do now?”

Jacob looked lost, leadership obviously not being something he was used to. “I-is there any sign of Miss Peregrine and that Wight?”

“Gone. They must have had a boat.” I shook my head, the motion sending more blood out of my shoulder and I clamped my most definitely broken hand over it.

“We need to go after them,” Jacob said, stating the obvious. “We know he’s taking her to Blackpool.”

“But Blackpool is miles away! The next ferry doesn’t go for hours. We’ll never make it in time,” said Millard.

“Not unless we go by boat too.”

I snorted, “Where the fuck are we gonna find a boat?”

Turns out there was a boat. Mind, it was easily 200 metres underwater, but there was a boat. Slowly, we swam down, Emma blowing air bubbles for us to be able to breathe. Every stroke of my arms sent agony flaring up my shoulder and down my back, the bullet had done more damage than I thought.

While Emma worked on filling the rest of the boat up with air once one room was sufficiently dry enough for us to breathe, the rest of us slowly moved room by room through the ship, finding enough bedrooms for each peculiar to have two, the engine room and a room full of skeletons.

Before long, we all ended up in the bridge. The angle that the ship had taken to get out of the water resulting in most of us falling against a wall. Once we were out of the sea, Enoch came and stood beside me as we all looked out at the island. There was no guarantee we would ever come back, let alone live past tomorrow.

I did my best to avoid everyone, including Enoch, for the next few hours. The betrayal in their eyes was too much for me to handle, especially while we rushed to Blackpool.

It was like every single good thing I had done in the last nearly seventy years had been erased in a matter of an hour. Every night spent drinking in the village with Olive and Emma meant nothing. Every time I took care of Wyn and Claire meant nothing. Every afternoon I soothed Fiona when she lost control because of Hugh, they meant nothing.

If I had to see my family look at me like I was a monster one more time…

In a way, they were confirming all the fears I’d had since I was thirteen. No one could ever fully accept that someone they loved could kill them and anyone else in seconds if their control slipped for only a moment.

I will always be on my own. I will never have anyone for long.

Maybe it was a gift of sorts to have seventy years of being loved, even if I had to hide such a big portion of myself to get it.

My spiral of self-pity was interrupted as I turned down the hallway that led to the room I’d claimed for the night. It was a good few hallways away from both where the younger and older wards were sleeping. Enoch was leaning on the wall next to the door.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing, everything’s fine,” I said, trying to push past him to open the door.

“Sure, that’s why there’s blood all over you.”

I half-turned to him, “I can fix it.” I didn’t like being shitty to him but it would keep him safe and I’ll be damned if that wasn’t my top priority.

He raised an eyebrow, he knew damn well I was bullshitting, “You can fix a bullet wound with one hand?”

I sighed in defeat and let him follow me in. While he found a first aid kit in the bathroom, I pulled off my dress and my cami underneath, leaving me in a soft bralette and bloomers.

I had just sat on the bed when Enoch turned around with bandages and tweezers in hand. At the sight of me, his jaw dropped slightly, “I didn’t realize it was so bad, I would’ve annoyed you into letting me help earlier if I knew.”

To be fair, I was looked a mess. I had rebraided my hair after getting to the ship but the water had wreaked havoc on my curls and had left them in a mat of tangles. My shoulder had stopped bleeding, but there was still blood crusted from my collarbone to my bicep. There wasn’t too much blood from the glass but that was only because they were still embedded in my skin.

“Where do you want to start?” he said, sitting down gently next to me.

“Bullet. Probably not good for it to stay in there long.” He nodded and I twisted so that he could see where it entered.

He unscrewed a bottle of whiskey and poured some on a cloth. “This is going to hurt like hell but we can’t risk infection, not right now.” Enoch wiped the cloth over my bloodstained skin and I hissed through my teeth at the sting. To say it hurt would’ve been the understatement of the century. It felt like it was burning through my raw skin.

After what felt like far too long, he had me lie on my back so that he could find the bullet. The tweezers were freezing as he dug through the muscle and flesh of my arm. There was a slight tugging feeling before the bullet was out.

“Here’s the little fucker,” he said, dropping it into my waiting hand. It was only a few minutes longer before I was stitched and bandaged up.

“Glass next?”

“Yeah,” I sighed, knowing that this was going to be a long process. Thankfully, it had been mostly big shards of glass that got stuck, the majority of the small pieces bouncing off me.

After another twenty minutes he asked “Is there anything else?”

“I might have, possibly, definitely broken my hand when I was trying to grab the hollow,” I said, scrunching my face up as I waited for his reaction.

Noch blinked twice, “What?”

I held up my hand. Two of my finger were at an unnatural angle and you could just barely see where one of my bones poked into my skin slightly. It was a miracle I could move my hand at all right now.

“Oh shit. That-that is definitely broken. I don’t know what to do with that.”

“Me neither. Maybe we could bandage it? So that it doesn’t get worse?”

“Alright, we can do that.” He gently wrapped my hand then redid the bandages on my arm and thigh from when Claire spilt her hot chocolate.

God, I thought, that couldn’t have been just three days ago.

There we sat in silence, Enoch cradling my fucked over hand in his like it was something to be protected, like I was something to be protected, and I suddenly realized what was going to happen. We were finally going to talk about the elephant in the room that we’d been ignoring for sixty years.

“Frey—” he started and I snatched my hand back.

I shook my head, clutching my broken hand to my chest as I stood up. “I-I can’t,” I said backing away until I reached the door.

And then I ran.

TLDR if the injury talk was not for you: Freya begins to distance herself from the others because she thinks she's worthless after how the others (minus Enoch) reacted to the death-touch part of her peculiarity. They go down to the Augusta. General talk of how they confirmed the fears she had for years about not being accepted for her peculiarity and maybe it was a gift that she got nearly 70 years of them not knowing. Enoch fixes up all her injuries even tho she's been trying to avoid him. Enoch tries to get her to talk about their feelings but she panics and runs off.

chapter 15

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countrymusiclover · 1 year ago

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99 - Missing Coffins

Part 100

Gemini Runaway

@icefrye19 @secretdreamlandmentality

New Orleans - Klaus’s pov

Alina and I had made it to the edge of town just outside the bayou where we sat down in one of the abandoned alleyways. She sighed, staring straight at the wall across from us instead of at me. "I don't think I know how to love someone who isn't my family, dad. And it kind of scares me."

"Everyone learns to love at their own pace honey. I did it with your mother." I told her resting my hands on my knees.

Alina turned her head, raising a brow. "How did you do that?"

"You need to understand that before I met your mother I was a very different creature…" I trailed off shifting around so we were now facing each other. "I was so focused on becoming the hybrid that I didn't care who I had to hurt who was in my way."

"Oh." Alina made a sound lowering her voice.

I kept telling my reasoning to her seeing as she was just patiently listening. "I didn't want to be alone so I tried to make an army of hybrids but that didn't work. So one night I went into the Grill and that’s when I saw your mother. She had just lost your uncle Jacob to her family not being honest with her. I simply asked for her name and she threw me against a wall."

"And that's when you felt that you could love someone other than your siblings?" She pressed on.

Shaking my head no I blinked through some tears thinking back to that time. "It was the night that my mother, your grandmother Esther, attempted to kill me, my siblings and your mother. Your mother did what she had to do and consume my mother's magic to stop the spell. Yet when she was doing that she nearly died. I…it was the moment I realized I was in love with her in such a short matter of time. Being in love with someone isn't easy. You basically have to make yourself vulnerable, Alina. If Jackson makes you happy and you feel like you would protect him then I'd say that's love."

“I know he’s nice to me, he doesn’t see me as a bad person even though I have your last name. And he’s always there to listen to me when I’m missing you. So I think he cares about me too.” Alina smiled, tucking hair behind her ear until we saw someone appear in front of us.

Lifting my head up I smiled lightly seeing my wife standing in front of us. “Rae, don’t be mad. She wanted to talk with me so I didn’t call you. She’s fine right here.”

“That’s not why I’m here. Alina, get out of here I need to talk to your father alone.” She growled at her showing her fangs meaning she was clearly pissed for some reason.

Alina waved and disappeared. “Bye dad.”

“What’s got you so angry, Rae?” I asked my wife to get to my feet, stepping as close as I could to her even if she wasn’t physically there.

She slumped her shoulders heavily. “Missy isn’t an innocent little girl anymore. She just threw me around and was screaming that I ruined her life by not telling her that we want Alina to marry Jackson. I am so angry at her and I don’t know what to do.”

“Take her to live with Freya and she’ll keep her from doing magic so she can’t talk with me. Unfortunately we’ll have to punish her.” He explained moving his hands into his black jacket pockets.

She nods in agreement with me. “Yeah that should work. I’ll send the girls to New Orleans for a year to learn what happens when they don’t listen to me - uh sorry us ... .I'll be there watching them because I will find a solution to this once and for all. I’m done hiding away.” She disappeared where I vamped back into the city knowing I needed to get back to France.

Raelyn’s pov - One Year Later

“There has to be something we can do besides making them stay apart for the rest of their immortal lives. I mean Freya, come on, this is ridiculous.” I huffed slamming my hands on the table glaring at my witch sister in law.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Raelyn, I know this is hard to understand. But Vincent is trying to keep peace here. And he thinks that if even two of the Mikaelson’s are in the same room it won’t end well.”

“Oh he does. Hmm well how about we get them all here and we shove the Hollow inside him. If he’s so concerned with the city and its safety. Cause I can’t live like this forever. I thought I could but I’d rather go through any other form of torture then this!” I raised my voice until my phone started ringing off showing it was the kids' school. I had let them go but Freya had them wear magic blocking bracelets as punishment for what Missy had done a year ago. “Hey Ric, what’s going on now?”

He responded through the phone. “Hope gave Henry some of her blood and turned him into a hybrid. She apparently was gathering money for plane tickets to somewhere-“

“To someone, Ric. They want to see their father and he hasn’t been answering his phone recently.” I put a hand to my forehead feeling a headache coming on.

The former history teacher explained. “They’re in my office right now but I think they should be expelled for a little while. You know just help them all stop whatever rebellious faze they are in at the moment.”

“Don’t worry, I'm on my way to get them now.” Hanging up the phone I vamped towards the door heading to the car. Most of the drive was silent for me with my thoughts so I dialed Caroline. Rebekah had called her asking if she could check up on Klaus since she was in France already following some lead that was something for the gem curse. “Hey Care, how’s he doing now?”

She put the phone on video call while she was walking down the street. “He claims that he is trying to wipe out all his enemies and the future enemies to protect Elijah. Even though he doesn’t remember who he is. But he won’t tell me why he won’t call his kids now.”

“I don’t get it either. I mean he used to be good at it and then he just stopped for some reason. I mean sure Henrik saw him feed from someone. But that was years ago so it can’t be that.” Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel.

She bites her lip thinking of something. “He said that he knew what it was like to be raised by a monster but I told him to stop acting like that. He did mention that Missy has been getting into trouble. Maybe it’s because of that?”

“Oh it’s not just Missy anymore. I’m on my way back to the school because Hope thought it would be a good idea to turn someone into a hybrid without our permission.” I sighed pushing hair out of my face.

Caroline dropped her gaze to the ground. “I know what it’s like to be a kid missing her father. I hate to see that he is doing the same thing to them. It’s not a good feeling. I can tell you that much.”

“I know it’s not his intention. But hopefully you convinced him otherwise. Anyway I’ll talk to you later.” Hanging up the phone the driver was silent until I parked in the driveway of the school. Vamping inside Alaric’s office my daughters and Henrik turned their heads at me. He left once I raised my voice towards them. “Alaric, you can leave us now. I’ll handle them myself…What made you think that turning a hybrid without my permission was a good idea.”

Alina slumped down in her chair. “We were bored and because of these bracelets we can’t do magic. So forgive us if we aren’t exactly the perfect students!”

“We want to see dad.” Missy whined like she was a child again.

Hope rolled her eyes at me. “Can we go home now. At least their aunt Freya lets us do some magic. Unlike here even though it’s a school for magic.”

"Oh we are going home and aunt Freya is gonna give you a talk about using your other power without my permission -" Ah here she is now." My phone started ringing where I put it to my ear turning my back to them. "Freya, what is it?"

She blurted in a panic. "Raelyn, they're missing!"

"Who's missing, Frey?' I asked confused at what she was saying.

She sighed heavily where I heard her heartbeat faster when she spoke. "The coffins, Rae. I tried to do a locator spell but it didn't work. Andrea, Jacob and Hayley are missing."

"Freya I'll call you back…" Biting my nails I hung up with her calling my husband. "Pick up, pick up, pick up please."

His immediately after the second ring. "Rae, what's wrong?"

"They're gone, Nik. They're….Freya can't track them. The..coffins are missing and…I don’t know what to do." I blurted out feeling a tightness in my chest where I gripped his necklace in my freehand.

Klaus calmed my nerves the second he said the words. "I'm on my way, love. I'm coming home now." He hung up the phone where I began running to the car and my four children ran after me but I wasn't aware that they were all securely smiling at their plan working out the way they thought.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

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supercupcakecollector-love · 1 year ago

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Changes/ things in season 3 that I disliked

the positive season 3 post I made if you would like to read that as well or instead I will be adding both to that post and this one when part 2 comes out

no im not going to talk about the goddamn costumes, everybody has, I agree and im sick of seeing it they look cheap and bad, they need more color they need to look somewhat period appropriate, moving on

We got alot of amazing bonding moments with Ciri and Yennefer but I wish they would have kept the scene where she saved Ciri from the Wild Hunt. We already got lots of Geralt Ciri bonding moments, we needed as much stuff with Yen being Ciri`s mother as we could possibly get and that was one of the best scenes,

(side note of the stuff we did get while I appreciated and “ my ugly one” scene it felt very random and out of place especially with how dolled up they made Freya look, she didnt need to have any makeup on I would have liked to see her more tomboyish look from the books)

TWN usually knocks casting out of the park but Robbie Amell as Gallatin felt so out of place with his acting and trying to hide his accent, and much like the problem with blood origin looks nothing like the other elves and his scar is barley noticeable

I knew he was going to die from when I heard they were going to use an original character instead of Isengrim or Iorweth they really did learn from the Eskel incident. while I didn't like his character his death leads to some amazing character stuff with Cahir, grappling with his sense of self and loyalty to Emhyr since they need to have another reason why he changes sides later because of the age gap between him an Ciri in this version

Dijkstra here just doesn't feel like Dijkstra

normally I don't really care if a character doesn't look exactly like their book counterpart, but Dijkstra being a huge imposing pigish man is part of his character, Graham McTavish isn't doing a bad job, there are a few good scenes and he has good chemistry with Cassie`s Philippa but he just doesn't have the right sarcasm, snark and attitude for the character, even their dynamic is off they’re equally stubborn, arrogant, conniving, and equally think they’re the one dominating the other , book and game Dijkstra stole every scene he was in and was one of my favorite characters this version is mostly boring

( sidenote but I didnt mind the whipping scene it was clearly not meant to be sexual or that they are in a sexual bdsm relationship but that Dijkstra is a Flagellant and that its a stress coping mechanism they engage in as they must trust each other in the underground world)

Tissaia and Vilgefortz being lovers and Tissaia`s seemingly ooc behavior

now to be fair with the intrigue aspect of this season I think they might do a bait and switch with this either Tissaia Is acting this way to lead him on and try to stop him, or Vilgefortz has control over Tissaia in some way ( he is arguabley the most powerful mage in the world even if she also is)

either that or they put them together so it makes more sense for her to side with him/ Nilfgaardian since they established her as much more an active in this version and not just someone wanting to remain “neutral” like in the books

I just hope that her “ending” has as much impact as it should considering what an important character they made her

Episode 5 is a mixed bag

while there were definitely things that I loved about this episode like the tender yenralt moments and the use of dialog from the book, as well as the concept of the framing device from the book, but it got way too repetitive in parts, the Valdo song was fun but it overstays its welcome

this episode reminds me of the Leverage episode “ The Rashomon Job“ while that episode changed things things up every time it went back and told the story from another characters point of view this one doesn't do anything all that creative with it, and your stuck watching a bit of the same exact scenes over and over again with slightly more information

I imagine this episode will work better when the full season out and we see what its all building up to

and I said I wouldn't mention the costumes but, the ball was the one time the consumes had to be really stunning, where is all the color, its so dull looking, why do they look like they are doing a red carpet event in the 90s

and I didn't think it was possible to make Anya look anything less than stunning but this is by far Yennefer’s worst look, it bothered me more than any other visual in the season, nothing works about it, shes supposed to be in a gown with her hair down but she look like a cross between a taky 70s Cher impersonator and a low budget bollywood star

( can some one please draw the TWN actresses in what they are described as wearing in the book like Keira in the green tulle top, Sabrina in the black chiffon blouse and a crimson skirt or Philippa dress lined with diamonds and ermine fur, I will commission you )

the casting of Margarita Laux-Antille completely backfires due to how they wrote her character

Casting a plus sized black woman as a character that is described as white, and extremally conventionally attractive, to spite the gamer dudebros, is a move I like to be clear I love the diversity this show has given us incredible actresses like Anya and Anna and Mimi that in past years would have been looked over

but unfortunately they make her character conform to the “ angry black woman stereotype” and hit Ciri despite her character in the books who could be described as “sweet” and “the cool teacher” hopefully we will see her character more like the books with the lodge in the second half of the season

and just general “sins of the father” stuff that is from the books but isn't given proper context for show only fans to understand

like the discussion about aelirenn leaving out that older elves are infertile, or many things about Aplegatt and his role in the story, the “ my ugly one” line feeling really out of place im sure there is more but thats all I can remember for now,

#the witcher #the witcher netflix #the witcher spoilers #the witcher season 3 #twn #review #not tagging critical or negitive dont want to actract those 100% negative #people

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deadcactuswalking · 2 years ago

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REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 04/03/2023 (Freya Ridings, Superstar Pride, Caity Baser)

“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus is at #1 for a 7th consecutive week, and I don’t see it facing much competition. For now, welcome back to REVIEWING THE CHARTS!

Rundown

It’s a pretty standard week, and I’m pretty busy this week, kind of exhausted, so let’s be as quick as possible and start as always with the notable dropouts, songs exiting the UK Top 75 – which is what I cover – after five weeks in the region or a peak in the top 40. Sure, it’s expected that “Lost” by Linkin Park and “Voices” by KSI and Oliver Tree have left the chart, but we also say farewell to four big ones: “Out of Nowhere” by Bugzy Malone and TeeDee, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” by Harry Styles, “PSYCHO” by Anne-Marie and Aitch and... “STAY” by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber... again.

As for what’s filling in the blanks, we actually see a decent few returning entries. Two of them are long-term hits briefly coming back, those being “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd at #72 and “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi at #63, and the other two are recent instrumental TikTok hits picking up a new peak, those being “METAMORPHOSIS” by INTERWORLD at #68 and “Snowfall” by Oneheart and reidenshi at #61. Elsewhere, we have our notable gains, including “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez at #53, “Under the Influence” by Chris Brown at #51, “Shut up My Moms Calling” by HOTEL UGLY at #47, “Whistle” by Jax Jones featuring Calum Scott at #46, “Another Love” by Tom Odell at #44, “Snooze” by SZA at #40, “Here with Me” by d4vd at #34, “Rush” by Ayra Starr at #29 and finally, apart from a gain in the top five, “Hide & Seek” by Stormzy at #21.

This week, the top five of the UK Singles Chart is pretty familiar, with one twist. We see “Sure Thing” by Miguel at #5, sure, but then thanks to a seven-years-too-late remix with Ariana Grande, The Weeknd sees “Die for You” surge up to #4. Otherwise, we have “Kill Bill” by SZA at #3, “Boy’s a liar” by PinkPantheress at #2 and of course, “Flowers” at #1. Now we move onto our smaller batch of new arrivals.

NEW ARRIVALS

#69 – “Watch This” – Lil Uzi Vert and ARIZONATEARS

Produced by Forza and Kado or ARIZONATEARS

This is technically another case wherein the song credited by the Official Charts Company doesn’t really exist. As the story goes, Forza produced the original track which was previewed in 2019, but later, he was called out by Uzi for leaking music they’d worked on together, putting the song in limbo and leading Forza to get kicked from his band, the Working on Dying trap production collective. Eventually, in April of last year, the song and its video were leaked in full, leading to amateur producers making remixes. One particularly remix, listed as the “ARIZONATEARS Pluggnb Remix”, became particularly popular on SoundCloud, and eventually Uzi’s label Atlantic, in the tradition of screwing Uzi over, picked it up under the bizarre subsidiary – and artist credit for no reason – “sped up nightcore”. Today, we have this new version gaining much of the traction, with the original still not officially released. Issues with Forza must be the only reason why, because the original is honestly pretty fire, with a great, playful introductory verse from Uzi and a hard-hitting tread beat that has a plummeting bass placed onto ethereal keys and vocal samples that make for a pretty samey yet effectively atmospheric cloud rap track. I would prefer a shorter version, since Uzi may have a lot of flows but a lot less to say, since they’re just flexing for the most part, even if the hook is incredibly infectious. Regardless, I must prefer it to the version we got on streaming, pitching down the vocals and adding a cheap sounding synth that whilst has a cool melodic idea, just continues to mind-numbingly loop with very little variation for pretty much the entire song. The remix, whilst sounding vaguely on beat, doesn’t fit the vocals too well, with ARIZONATEARS placing some needlessly soulful plugg chords within a song that is so unabashed in its flexing that it really doesn’t seem like a good fit, especially if half of Uzi’s energy is taken away through the vocals being isolated by an AI stem splitter. It’s just an awkward fit that takes a good song and kind of butchers much of the appeal. I get why the sound has captured people, yet I can’t help but think there’s better ways to introduce people to pluggnb.

#67 – “22” – JayO

Produced by JayO

UK singer JayO, mostly known for contributing to songs by people such as Drake and YNW Melly, has his breakout solo hit with this self-produced song that... barely really exists, but it’s pleasant enough. My main issue is JayO himself, whose nasal voice takes quite a while to get used to, as the production isn’t bad at all, taking a groovy and cloudy approach to typical Afrobeats percussion that takes a really reverbed and echoed approach in its synthetic claps that I find pretty interesting, especially when placed against the solid bass and hypnotic keys. Again, JayO has pretty much nothing to say, as it’s a mostly sex-focused love song with a repetitious chorus and second verse that just repeats itself instead of bringing any new lines in. The production, whilst decent, doesn’t change enough to accommodate the utter lack of a finished song here, so the end product ends up as just okay. I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being really big though.

#64 – “REACT” – Switch Disco featuring Ella Henderson and Robert Miles

Produced by Switch Disco and Punctual

Switch Disco are the UK’s self-proclaimed “no. 1 mashup DJs”, and this song features a very prominent sample of “Children”, the dreamy trance classic released in 1995 by the late Italian producer Robert Miles, so prominent that he was granted a posthumous feature credit. The original song peaked at #2 behind “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, and this reinvention features Ella Henderson on a lead vocal line that seems like it really does give credence to them being mashup DJs, since it seems completely separated from the sample, with her decent enough vocals comparing love to a chemical reaction not even remotely fitting on the disgustingly-placed sample of the now-iconic piano line. At some point, they bring in hilariously dated acoustic guitars and it almost becomes funny if it weren’t for the fact that the sample is barely implemented outside of the hook so it just becomes a copy-and-paste job. I have nothing against mashups, in fact I’m all for them, but when people who predominantly make mashups resort to just writing a song and pasting it over an existing sample, without making any real concessions to either the sample or the original song they wrote, maybe they should stick to just letting the songs be written for them, because this is pretty damn bad.

#35 – “Pretty Boys” – Caity Baser

Produced by LiTek, Matt Rad and WhYJay

The main reason that this is a unique set of new arrivals is how unfamiliar a lot of the names and faces are, or at least how they’re only slightly familiar, with some vague connections we’re familiar with, like how Caity Baser has her breakout single here, but it’s produced by Aitch’s go-to guys for whatever reason. We’ll see more of both that trend among the new arrivals as well as this one: the songs just aren’t interesting. This one is about how she continuously ends up with men who are attractive but completely boring. She has a lot of spark in her delivery, reminding me of a less volatile Lily Allen and less explicit GFOTY, and it can be quite infectious charisma-wise but the personality that drips off of this ends up becoming both its best and worst element, as whilst she’s never annoying herself, the production is so blank and upbeat with its recurring whistle and awkward trap percussion amidst the otherwise chirpy track that she ends up with barely any space to express that personality, which means this ends up pretty claustrophobic. I really do like the bridge with the acoustic guitars but it’s also just an idea that kind of comes out of nowhere because the production wasn’t fine-tuned for someone who, you know, actually has a personality – it’s almost like it was made to overshadow a performer’s lack of it, so when Baser comes on with her bratty attitude, it feels very overwhelming and for not much good reason, as the song has little edge. As it is, it’s pretty much a comedy song, and it’s chintzy fun in that regard, but it’s not something I’ll ever return to.

#33 – “PAINTING PICTURES” – Superstar Pride

Produced by GlobalKnockz

Superstar Pride is also new to the scene, having this song from his 2022 tape 5LBS OF PRESSURE blow up essentially out of nowhere, and man, it’s been a while since we had a rapper with an unusually clunky name. I almost got used to A Boogie wit da Hoodie and YoungBoy Never Broke Again but they seem to be on their way out so Superstar Pride is here to fill that spot, except with a song that is less of a mouthful and more just a weird play on his surname. Regardless, is the song any good? Well, I love the Faith Evans sample, which I recognise from when Lil Yachty sampled it on “Forever World” with Trippie Redd, but it’s arguably flipped a lot more cleverly here as while he harmonises with the original melody in the intro, he’s soon rapping over a hardcore chop and flip of the sample, buried under a minimal intense trap beat. He reminds me of Moneybagg Yo, with clunky writing definitely a part of that, as well as his gruffer delivery that works when balanced against the melody in the chorus but is pretty gross-sounding in the bassy verse. I like the detail about his family and upbringing, but I’d prefer if it was more fleshed out, given that there’s clearly more he wants to say, but resorts to rapping about thots and how it’s “no love” for these women, which is disappointing when he could go into that relationship he had with his mother that involves both loyalty and cocaine in more detail. Sure, artists don’t need to reveal more about their personal lives if we don’t want them to, but the hints we have here are compelling and I wish they went further, especially because I honestly think that chorus would work as an incredibly solid first verse for a song about that. I think that the song will still last quite a while, mostly because a star-studded remix seems very possible for a song like this going viral, maybe with someone like Lil Durk whom this beat seems tailor-made for, and I’ll be waiting for that remix so that I can fully endorse this.

#31 – “Weekends” – Freya Ridings

Produced by Steve Mac

Freya Ridings? Well, damn, this feels like reuniting with an old friend! Ridings first broke onto the UK pop scene when I was in my first year of reviewing the charts with her top 10 hit “Lost Without You”, which I still don’t like but hey, how’s it been, girl? Thanks to COVID, it honestly feels like it’s been forever. Are you making good music finally? Wait, you actually are? Well, colour me surprised: Ridings released a disco song about alienation which aside from some mix clipping and vocals that I feel should be even more processed instead of drenched in reverb and echo, I think is pretty decent. Given her throaty voice combined with the melodramatic rising pianos, it allows for comparisons to Florence + the Machine, and it definitely isn’t a unique track, but the chorus is insanely catchy and powerful, throwing itself into the strings and percussion that I wish was a bit more organic just to channel the disco even more. The second verse bringing in those distant keys, triumphant horns and Ridings’ gruff vocal riffing makes the dissonant disco frustration feel even more poignant, and the bridge with the trap percussion for once uses it to make a pretty killer slow down that I honestly wish was longer. The build up into the final chorus does feel rushed, but I feel like the chaos caused by the sheer amount of production that is thrown into this very much fits the content and really the thesis of the song. Good job, guys, though maybe I have to be worried now that the people who were charting back in 2018 can come back and surprise me with a genre shift that is of genuine quality. I’m going to prepare for Swarmz to make an industrial rock song featuring Not3s and ZieZie produced by CamelPhat and Loud Luxury. If you’re asking who those people are, trust me: you’re not alone.

Conclusion

Well, it wasn’t a particularly notable week in terms of either extreme of quality, so I suppose Freya Ridings takes the Best of the Week for “Weekends”. Come on, it’s like a high school reunion, I felt obliged to! Funnily enough, the Honourable Mention actually goes to Lil Uzi Vert for “Watch This” as not only is the original actually very good, the ARIZONATEARS remix at least has some more unique sound going for it, and much of the original’s qualities such as the rapping from Uzi is still vaguely there. I can’t sincerely give a Dishonourable Mention though, so I may as well tie Uzi with JayO for “22” as once again, it’s got a more unique interesting sound that I hope to see done better. As for Worst of the Week, Switch Disco takes that easily for “REACT” featuring Ella Henderson and the late Robert Miles, neither of which I blame for its quality. As for what’s beyond the horizon, like always, I have no idea – but Mimi Webb’s album could have some impact so I don’t think next week will be any more interesting than the last. Thank you for reading and I’ll see you next week!

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becomingfractured · 2 years ago

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✧.* { alfred enoch & thirty6 } is that nik mikaelson from the future ? woah, they’re freya & keelin’s (freya & vincent’s bio) kid, right ? maybe that’s why they are a new local to mickinley. i’ve heard they can be pretty detached. how typical for a witch. i guess they must rely on their perceptive side shining through. rumor has it they’re trying to hide that he is having a hard time actually connecting with his family as they grew up outside the barrier, but that’s probably just noise…

stats !

full name: nikolaus vincent mikaelson . nicknames: nik. gender: non-binary. pronouns: he/they. sexuality: pansexual. traits: protective, detached, perceptive, uncomfortable, driven, inhibited & reliable. species: witch

lil bio !

nik was born rather shortly before the curse of the barrier was placed around mystic falls. when his mothers went to the aid of hope and her allies, they left nik behind in new orleans in order for him to be safe as a baby. they hadn’t realized they would never be leaving mystic falls again. the little witch was raised by tremè witches that vincent had assured keelin & freya were safe individuals.

during their early years, nik’s caretakers would bring him up to the barrier in order for him to see his mothers. but it was incredibly confusing for the little one that he could not run over and hug/cuddle/spend actual time with their parents and other family members. as he got older there was a pull he felt towards mystic falls, practically begging his moms to just let him cross over and be stuck with them, that had to be better then being on the outside. they refused. he had a chance to live a life and they wanted that for him.

still as he aged he constantly battled with himself about just crossing over anyways. there was a void within him being so detached from his family. the only reason he didn’t, was because he could get the barrier inhabitants things from outside that they couldn’t access. when the parents were put to sleep nik felt so unbelievable helpless. there was a need for someone outside the barrier, but now his family ( some rather young ones at that ) were stuck raising themselves.

he spent most of their time, when not at the barrier, studying anything and everything magical that he could get his hands on in hopes to come across something he could do to free everyone. some years during his twenties he went abroad in search of power. the guilt of being away from his trapped family continued to eat him alive. when finding nothing of use he returned back.

nik had been around the area when the barrier dropped, rushing in, only to find his parents killed and the rest of their family in imminent danger. they were sent back to the past with the rest of the future kids. nik was hardly connected to any of them, by blood sure, but the future kids all had a shared bond, what they experienced inside the barrier. nik didn’t. now they’re here feeling like a complete outsider. nik felt like barely got to know his parents before they were put to sleep, and they feel this strain between himself and the mikaelson/griffith kids making him the odd one out.

they still feel disconnected, but that doesn’t stop the innate protective feeling he has for everyone from the future. he just feels stuck. afraid to face anyone.

#sanguishqs.intro

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the-firebird69 · 4 months ago

Video

youtube

High Ho Silver Away ! Bruce Almighty x Stereo Love - Edward Maya, Vika J...

This is how we know our son to be angry at him him doing it is doing it out of spite and anger and trying to rub it in a sons face yeah it's in the future and he doesn't really get it it's like this precursor that the macroper having him do and it's probably the same car he tries to do things and he can't as he thinks it's his he says it's probably number one from one plant and he said I can't stand it anymore he explains it to us and stuff like that then he says he's sitting there saying it and we don't get it and we still don't get it he said I had to build a piece of ship ship to prove that if you left it in there to marinate it would be real and someone else has already done it why do you think I trust you or something so we say this it's a terrible act that we're doing and we know it and he did this while we were dumping on him and he knew it And he says that it's like the bomb in the side and we haven't seen it and it's like those who are there keeping people from knowing it and he put it right in her face and we still don't get it. Some kind of like a little bit panicked I'm understanding that we're in a good position it could be right there but it's not explaining what he's talking about he says it's like these monkeys and stuff but they're smarter about it and they're just gonna sit there and use this as a buffer and to hide and to make safe and stuff like that now that makes sense so it's kind of a hard concept to explain we got across to me today a little bit so I'm gonna try and study it.

dave

and It's not all of the holes and he cautioned us that they're not the same but did say that there should not be two holes right next to each other the same But there will be holes in people build ships under them but having two right next to each other is a little odd because they're naturally formed and the two balls in space usually combine and have that many is pretty weird the same solar system maybe but it is a little weird we have seen brother and sister asteroids but the measurements are very close and he says usually they would be smacking into each other and reforming but it is not necessarily that normal of a phenomenon.

trump

Andrew derailed and the Mac Proper might not be but you might cause chaos in Earth and destroy everybody and doing it for them so here we are that's what the standoff is. And having a brother and sister asteroid survive in space is impossibly rare and never has any of them been seen but it's a physical problem that could occur but we don't think it would that much because of gravity of other bodies being larger and the two would eventually combine and yes in all sorts of ways they'd wreck each other and then smooshed together and form one big purple blue mass which is what these two up on stage would do with Shaquille O'neal because they would revolve around him for awhile.

It's hard to say that no one's ever seen that phenomenon. now there's some other things too but usually people put chips below them but usually there's never two right next to each other.

Thor Freya

we pring

Olympus

jsut sitting ther enow ad wont move

Her

we do things tnow and sto pthem

Olympus

#youtube

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justmoreocs-writing · 2 years ago

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Elle Fanning Faceclaim

Tyra Anderson (Mamma Mia 2 OC). Younger sister to Bill, Tyra lives on the island and is thrilled when Donna arrives because it’s someone new, someone to explore with – even if she does have a go at Bill for letting a stranger on the boat and sailing with them, because she could have been a serial killer! She enjoys singing and does so with Donna and the Dynamos from time-to-time.

Freya Driskel (A Darker Shade of Magic OC). Antari best friend to Rhy and Kell, Freya enjoys going on adventures with her fellow Antari when she can; she is trying to chronicle all that happens in the various Londons to create a story for them. She is almost as bad as Rhy for flirting with people. When not travelling she is usually found telling children stories in the hopes of making them smile.

Fallon Everhart (iZombie OC). Childhood friend to Evan, Fallon never really meant to end up working in the same precinct as his older sister, and yet she wouldn’t have it any other way. Glad that there’s a familiar face amongst the sea of people willing her to put a foot wrong as a rookie cop, she can be found in the morgue for a little breathing room. But, when people start turning into zombies, Liv amongst them, she finds herself wondering just what other surprises Seattle might have in store for them all.

Peyton Gleason (Gone OC). Loner Peyton had always wondered what might happen if children ruled the place, always half expected it to go better than in Lord of the Flies simply because she wanted to be optimistic about it all. However, when the adults disappear, and she finds herself face-to-face with a barrier – alongside Sam, Astrid and Quinn – things begin to slowly spiral out of control, and soon she’s left really wishing she’d taken her mother up on the offer of living in Canada instead of staying with her father.

Sadie Moreau (The Raven Cycle OC). Old family friend of Gansey’s, Sadie has always been a part of his quest to find Glendower. She moved to Virginia to help him with the search and found herself a job as a teaching assistant to try and help pay some bills – determined not to fully rely on the bank of her parents. She is thrilled when Blue joins the merry little band, and eager to get Gansey to admit his feelings for her.

Adalyn ‘Ada’ Nystrom (Grishaverse OC). Inferni Ada always hated how confining Os Alta was, and so she runs away, hiding herself in plain sight by joining up with the First Army. Here she meets Alina and Mal, and through a series of events she’d call unfortunate, ends up right back where she started. Refusing to leave her friend’s side, she sticks with Alina whenever she can, even when people like Genya recognise her.

Nadia Olsen (Baby Driver OC). Tech whizz Nadia finds herself caught up in Doc’s crime syndicate purely by chance and yet a part of her loves it, loves the thrill of getting through security systems and proving that not all of them are as well figured out as people might think. She is close to Baby, and the two of them are constantly trying to look out for one another when things go bad.

Siobhan Vickers (Batman movie franchise OC). Orphaned daughter of Bruce’s old friend, she ends up living with the millionaire instead of being sent to an orphanage. As a toddler, Alfred mainly raises her while Bruce is away, and upon her legal guardian’s return she is cold towards him. When the masked vigilante comes to Gotham, and she realises that Bruce’s injuries mysteriously seem to match, she finds herself acting as a kind of sidekick to him when he doesn’t realise that he needs one.

Natassia 'Nat’ Weeks (Lockwood and Co. OC). Lone agent Nat has a talent for sight and most of the time finds herself working with Lockwood and co. purely to keep DEPRAC off her back. She’s an old friend of Lockwood’s and knows about his past. She is an avid baker and can often be found with too many baked goods left around the house – much to her family’s delight and that of Lockwood and Co. as there are always extras.

#Repost #Made By Me #OC Ideas #Multiverse OCs

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toadeyes-miqote · 2 years ago

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Hiding in a little corner somewhere

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

Ah yes her mate. I wasn't sure how to approach FFXIV or MMOs. the last customisable game I used a "me" and ended up on a slight crush on one of the characters. Left it as is. Fighting game with no major storyline except a bunch of delinquent school kids so there.

On account of Haurchefant's ethusastic behaviour and probably yandere Zenos and what I know of FF from VI to X. I kinda felt I should not be using my usual "me" first person POV. Instead I brought in "her" who is sort of my muse and the older, cooler sister to the "me". With "her" at least I can control the amount of romance I'm willing to accept.

Turns out "her" default background was good enough a motivation vs "mine". "My" RPG background as a vessal of an ancient thing didn't have motivation. "I" would have been no different from Azem. But "she" fit right in, "She" has the responsibility of leadership and currently "she", "her" husband and a bunch "their" relatives and friends had ran away from the mantle of responsibilities to form a performing troupe for one my other RL project.

And I'm keeping "her" as a solo adventurer for her to form ties with the NPCs instead of being tied to her own group who can be thought of as her retainers or other adventurers. So this game is essentially "her" story. And I like the way it went so far.

And yes "her" default self aka my muse. Likes to point out and make fun of everything in this game and "her" friends are background players in my head.

It took me this long to realise why I enjoy this game and why I’m kinda fond of my character. In using the Cool Big Sis OC to be the WoL. I had turn my WoL into the character type that I’m fond of. Her predecessors would be Paine, LuLu, Freya, Quistis, maybe Aerith and Celes. The ladies who are not the main love interest, except for Aerith maybe.

And my WoL’s little sibling? Alisaie and Ryne. Alphinaud doesn’t feel like a little sibling the way Alisaise does. This tempts me to see if I can let my WoL take the Cool Big sis route for G’raha.

Not likely to be doing any major shipping for this game. The last major shipping I did, exhausted me on the shrine front after 15 years.

Now is mostly passive shipping.

If we're to talk about romance?

Haurchefant came close, if he survived the Vault and maybe he stand a chance until her mate returns.

Leofard came close to stealing her away

Cid and her would always be on eternal dates until someone figure out he's more like Thancred to her and their dates are really hangout sessions where she can rest.

#Azem book of practical cats #Book 6 - Endwalker #A sand cat was here #Tracking Hylnyan #Even though I don't do active shipping for FFXIV

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caraspud · 5 months ago

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Rambly reply:

I think Merlin would be cautious around Mordred, since he becomes very paranoid and colder during the later seasons. Perhaps Mordred brings some of the older Merlin back (for the merdred).

Merlin wouldn’t want Mordred around Arthur, not just because paranoia, but because he can’t bear to see someone else be killed for magic. By keeping him away it reduces the chance of him being found out. Merlin in my head has lived in a magic fearing community all of his life (both in Ealdor and Camelot), so he has a lot of trauma and has learnt to keep himself hidden. This is hard to overcome.

I think Mordred would be the more optimistic of the two. Merlin, though he does believe in destiny, I think he starts to lose faith that it would ever happen. Maybe mordred is the one to reveal his Druid nature to Arthur, Merlin being scared clutching a jug but ready to defend if necessary. Protective merlin. Merlin knows Arthur wouldn’t hurt Mordred, but he knows Arthur will regret it if he said anything to hurt the young knight. Overall Merlin has been hiding for too long to flip a switch and suddenly be ok with a lot of people knowing he has magic.

Mordred helps Merlin connect more with magic, years of self suppression difficult to overcome. Maybe after Arthur learns of his magic but Merlin still doesn’t use it making Arthur/knights question how powerful Merlin presumably is. Mordred doesn’t like this, makes them know how much merlin has done for all of them. If lance still alive au, Lancelot is very proud to welcome Mordred into the Merlin protection squad.

Early on Mordred is still worship-y about Emrys, this makes merlin very uncomfortable. So Merlin is distant with him about this as well. Eventually Mordred sees Merlin as a man who has the burden of destiny on his shoulders.

I think Merlin would give in and start going into the woods or abandoned room in castle or even the dragon cave to start practicing, this makes Merlin start to remember a time when he did magic for the joy of it. Not to protect, not to kill, not for destiny.

Maybe a grand magic reveal, merlin being a bamf. Mordred and the knights blushing messes at the show of power, and Mordred realising that holy shit he is Emrys. But realising that he is also just Merlin.

If the prophecy is still a thing that they don’t know about, that would definitely be a tension if they later find out after they become friends. I think Merlin would start building those walls again, Mordred trying desperately to get him to stop. But Merlin is just trying to protect himself. Maybe they discuss it, and Mordred shows how he wasn’t solely responsible for Morgana even if he did play a role. And that there were different points destiny could of changed. That destiny is not set in stone. This would also have Merlin spiralling into a whole “will Arthur ever play his part in the destiny I’ve been holding for us”. Answer either “I do not know” or “Your destiny is stronger as it has been told unchanged for far longer than any other”.

There was this one fic I read that had Merlin talk to Mordred about losing his own love to Arthur’s hand, and talks about Freya. It doesn’t get rid of the pain but it helps Mordred see he is not so alone and also of he sacrifice Merlin has already made. Merlin also talks of the prophecy, he does it to try to curb the prophecy.

Overall I think it would take Merlin a while to take his walls down, especially if this is set in a time where Lancelot still dies.

I always see people discussing the prophecies in Merlin about Morgana and the one about Mordred.

But now, what if [specifically right now] the prophecy about Mordred does not exist?

Or if it does exist, what if Merlin did not know about it and never found out?

What do you think could have changed?

What would have happened?

And for my Merdred shippers, what if the tension between them was this time not because of the prophecy?

#bbc merlin #mordred #merlin thoughts #merlin x mordred #arthur pendragon #merdred #the knights of the round table #merlin fanfic ideas #merlin #emrys reveal #magic reveal #merlin is a mess #merlin fic idea

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rmtndew · 2 years ago

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The Beauty of Thorns

(A ‘Beauty and The Beast’ AU)

Part 2

Summary: Belle lives in a cursed village and those who live there are forbidden to leave. Every year a Drawing is held and a man is chosen to be a sacrifice for the Beast. It’s the only life Belle has ever known but as her friendship with August Walker begins to bloom, she realizes that the Beast can be cruel and that life is far from predictable.

Pairings: August Walker X Belle

Warnings: Mentions of blood, curses, sacrifices. It’s not gory but very in line with darker fairytales.

Word count: 3,400+

Part 1

A/N: This was inspired by a post @littlefreya shared several months back about the Beast and Gaston and a conversation ensuing from it. She encouraged me to try my hand at writing this AU, so thank you Freya!

A week before the Drawing, there was always a great feast. I could never understand the merriment knowing that it would be the last week for one of the men in our town, but I understood it even less the year after August gave his own life. The night of the feast, I could barely eat. Once it was over, the tables were cleared and the dancing began. I had never been one for dancing but August had been the only one to ever ask me to dance with him. Some great swell of pity he must have felt for me to allow me to stomp all over his feet with my two left ones but without him there, no one asked. I sat just outside of the tents on the stone steps that led to our town hall and watched everyone else as they danced and laughed. But I couldn’t swallow down the lump in my throat.

Marybeth was smiling and laughing as she ran over to me. “There you are, Belle!” She took my hand and tried to pull me up. “Why are you hiding? Come dance!”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“Why? Do you fear you won’t have a partner?” she asked. “John Paul will dance with you.”

“I don’t want to dance with John Paul.”

She continued to pull on my hand. “Come on. He’s a fabulous dancer. And you should try to get to know him better. He’s your brother now.”

“I’ve never understood how that worked,” I said. “How is he my brother if he’s married to you? Siblings don’t wed. It doesn’t make sense.”

She sighed and released my hand. “I don’t know. I don’t spend much time thinking about it. I just know that I am gloriously happy,” she said. “Why can’t you be happy for me?”

“I am happy for you, Marybeth. Truly. But…I cannot go a single day without thinking of August Walker and his sacrifice and yet you, who claimed to be in love with him, moved on so easily. You mourned for less than a month before you agreed to court John Paul and now you’re married.”

“Would you rather I have spent my time crying over a man who’s dead?”

“I don’t know!” I snapped. “All I know is that I’m angry. I’m angry at those stupid boys who caused this. I’m angry at that horrible beast who controls our whole lives. I’m angry that there is nothing I can do simply because I’m a woman. I’m unfit for the Drawing but I am also unfit for marriage because there is not a man alive that would stoop so low as to marry someone like me. I am constantly filled with so much rage I fear a single spark is all it would take to ignite me and I can’t even fathom the amount of damage I might do because of it.”

She sat on the step next to me. “Do you think I don’t get angry?” she asked. “Because I do. I’m just as angry at those stupid boys and that horrid beast as you are. I’m angry that I’m married to a wonderful, loving man that I very well may lose in three years' time when he must enter the Drawing again.” She shook her head. “You are not the only one who is weary and resentful but you must understand that we’re all doing what we can to claim what freedoms we do have in this town. For your own sanity, you need to find something that is yours, Belle.”

“I’m trying. It’s far more complicated than I would like to admit.”

She put her hand on my shoulder. “You will find it one day,” she said. “I truly believe that.”

“And for that, you have more faith than I ever have.”

She smiled. “I do have faith in you. You are destined for wonderful things.”

The following week, I prepared for the Drawing with a heavy feeling in my gut. I hated attending them but knew it was my duty. Not just to support Father as a town elder but to show respect for whoever was chosen. However, since losing August to the Beast the year before, the Drawing felt more real than it ever had. In a town where a dwindling number of people could leave, those of us who were cursed to remain there knew everyone else. We grew up together, went to school together, played with one another. There wasn’t a stranger among us. So I had known every single man that had been chosen in the Drawing since I could remember attending as a child. But August was the one that struck my heart the most and I wasn’t sure why.

Once we arrived at the hall, we took our seats and waited for the rest of the town to join us. But I watched as Elder Green locked the door, barring any more of the town from entering aside from Mother, Marybeth, John Paul and me. That heavy feeling in my gut from earlier returned as the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

Something wasn’t right.

“Harold, what are you doing?” Elder Abbot asked. “The townspeople will be arriving soon.”

Elder Green rattled the doors, making sure they were locked, then began walking back towards the other men. “We will not be having a Drawing this evening,” he said. “There’s been a change of plans.”

“How so?” Elder Abbot asked.

“The Beast has made a demand. Not for a chosen sacrifice but for someone…specific,” Elder Green said.

I turned to Mother. “Can the Beast do that?” I whispered to her.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. He never has before.”

“Who did he demand?” Elder Monroe asked.

All eyes turned to Elder Green but when he looked at Father, ice ran through my veins. “He has demanded…Marybeth.”

“What?” Father shook his head. “No. The deal is that we offer up one of our men. Women have never been part of the treaty. He cannot break that and demand my daughter!”

“And yet he has,” Elder Green said.

“There must be some mistake!” Mother spoke out.

“There is no mistake. the Beast demanded Marybeth by name.”

I looked at Marybeth and saw the terror in her eyes as they pooled with tears. She shook her head but didn’t speak. I felt like a hand reached into my chest and started choking my heart as Elder Green’s words began to sink in. I couldn’t envision my life without her. I had never known a day where she hadn’t been there and I couldn’t imagine living in a world where she was gone.

John Paul wrapped his arm around her protectively. “I don’t care. He can’t have her!” he said.

“We do not get to decide that,” Elder Green said firmly.

“Appeal to him. Ask him for a pardon!” John Paul insisted.

“It’s out of my hands -”

“Please! I can’t go!” Marybeth’s voice shook as she sobbed. “I don’t want to die. Please!”

I stood and faced Elder Green. My throat tightened as I fought back tears. “She’s not going. You can’t have her,” I said.

“I understand that this is difficult for you, Belle. I myself lost a sibling in the Drawing when I was around your age. But I also know that denying a request will not be met kindly. It will undoubtedly be met with further bloodshed. Bloodshed of innocent people.”

“She is innocent!” I shouted. “My sister has never harmed anyone. She’s kind and smart and caring. You cannot stand there as an elder of this town and behave as if your hands are tied behind your back and send my sister off to the Beast!”

“Lower your voice,” Elder Green said. “I know that you’re angry but you will still show respect.”

“You will not speak to my daughter in such a manner. She is allowed to raise her voice as loudly as she wants,” Father said. “And how dare you speak of respect when you, as the town leader, kept hidden a demand from the Beast? You lied to and misled myself and the other elders and I will not stand idly by and allow you to belittle one of my children and sacrifice the other.”

“Your feelings very well may be hurt, Norman, but I did not do any of this from a place of malice. If I had informed you earlier, you would have attempted to hide Marybeth. the Beast would have been denied and would come tonight to take as many as he pleases. Just because he took five men the last time he came into our town does not mean that that is all he would take again,” Elder Green said. “He could very well take half the town. He could slaughter us all in our houses. We simply have no way of knowing what the Beast will choose. All we do know is that somehow he knows Marybeth’s name and if you do not give her up, you very well may lose her this night anyway along with Belle and your wife.”

He was right. Not sending a sacrifice would put the whole town in danger, particularly my family. The fear that inspired in me was like none I’d ever felt before. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I glanced at Father’s hand and saw that he was still holding the white cloth that contained the rose for the Drawing ceremony. Slowly I slipped out into the aisle and moved towards him while he and the other elders were speaking. I was able to stand at his side without drawing any attention. My hand dropped next to his. And when he turned his head to listen to Elder Birch speak, I was able to reach out and take the cloth. Once I grabbed it, I moved quickly, putting distance between Father and me.

He turned and looked at me with wide eyes. “Belle, what are you doing?”

“I’m taking Marybeth’s place.”

“Stop it! Neither of you are going anywhere,” Mother said.

“the Beast will come for all of us if one of us doesn’t go. If I take her place, then this can be put to rest.”

“Put to rest? I will lose my daughter!” Father said. “There will be no rest if that happens.”

“Then what do you propose? What can be done?”

“I don’t know. But we’ll figure something out. Do not make this decision now.”

“If I don’t make it now, then I never will. I know the moment this rose leaves my hand, that either our town will be put in danger or the elders will take Marybeth without consent to protect us,” I said. “And if that were to happen…I couldn’t bear it. I have such anger in me already, if they were to take one of the few sources of love I have and cast it to the Beast then I will lose all humanity I have left.”

“Your bravery is not taken lightly Belle but the Beast requires your sister,” Elder Green said to me.

“How will he know the difference? She’s never gone into the forest, he’s never seen her,” I argued.

“I don’t know but we will not tempt him or make it seem as if we’re mocking him by sending the wrong person.”

I looked at Elder Green. “I already told you; you can’t have my sister.”

“You do not have a say in the matter,” he said, taking a step towards me. “Now give me the rose.”

I looked him in the eye as I opened the cloth instead. There was panic in his face as he took another step but before he could reach me, I grabbed the rose by the stem and squeezed it tight. I felt the thorns pierce my skin, cutting into my flesh with an itching sting. I didn’t dare release it until blood began dripping from my tight fist. Then I let go and held up my hand. Blood covered the palm and dripped down my wrist. Marybeth and Mother sobbed loudly.

“Oh, Belle, what have you done?” Father asked, distraught.

“I’ve taken Marybeth’s place,” I said. “Blood has been spilt. I’m the sacrifice.”

“You foolish girl,” Elder Green said. “You may very well have damned us all.”

“You already did that with your inaction,” I said. “And should the Beast allow me any words before he kills me, I will make sure that my final ones are of exposing you.”

Love makes people brave. Those were the last words August ever said to me. At the time, I thought he was foolish. But as I stood at the edge of the woods with the elders surrounding me, I understood. I wouldn’t have volunteered to be in that position had Elder Green not given in to the Beast’s request for Marybeth. But I stood there terrified and trembling and without a single regret.

Normally each sacrifice chosen in the Drawing would have four chains around their waist, each held by an elder as Elder Green led them into the forest. Because I was much smaller and had no intentions of running, there was only one chain and Father held it as he walked beside me.

“Do not let Marybeth feel responsible for this,” I said to Father as he led me into the woods for the first time in my life. “Make sure she knows that she did nothing to bring this upon herself. She didn’t do anything to tempt the Beast.”

“I will try my best,” he said, his voice shaking.

I kept my eyes trained on the path in the forest floor that was lit only by the torches the other men carried. “Let her know that I loved her deeply and that I know she feels the same.” My throat tightened with emotion. “I couldn’t have wished for a better sister than her. Please tell her that.”

“I will.”

“And Mother…don’t let her grieve herself to death. Let her know that she taught her daughters to be strong and to stand up for what was right and to love each other. That’s why I’m here,” I said. “Please let her know that. I’m doing this because of the love she instilled in us.”

“I…I will try,” he said, crying.

“And Father…let your grief first be anger and aim it towards the one who has caused this,” I said quietly so that Elder Green couldn’t hear me. “Make sure that he is held responsible. Had I a softer heart, I might ask you to forgive him, but he tried to put Marybeth in my position and for that, I want him to pay dearly.” I ventured a glance at him. His face was wet but the look in his eye was determined. “I do not believe he did all that he could to save her.”

“I don’t believe so, either,” he said. “But rest assured; I will hold him accountable.”

It wasn’t a far walk to the clearing where the sacrifices were presented and when I saw it, I knew what it was. There was a rock that served as a platform and around it hooks where the chains would be latched. My knees grew weak and nearly gave way as reality began to sink in:

I was going to die.

I tried to put on a brave face so that Father wouldn’t see my fear but I couldn’t hide it. I shook as I was led up onto the stone. Father relinquished the chain to another elder so that they could secure me while he gave me a hug. I clung to him tightly.

“I love you. I love you so much,” I said to him through my sobs.

“I love you, too, Belle.” His crying was as violent as mine, if not more so as he held me.

“It’s time,” Elder Abbott said.

Father released me reluctantly and took my face in his hands. I tried to smile at him. “I always dreamed of someday having an adventure,” I said, my bottom lip quivering. “Perhaps death will bring me one.”

“I hope so, my darling girl,” he said, then kissed my forehead.

He stepped down from the rock but made sure that he stood in front of me so that I could see him as the other elders used their torches to set the pyre before me ablaze. The fire grew quickly, lighting up the forest.

Elder Green stepped towards the fire. “Belle, you stand here not because you were chosen in the Drawing, nor because you were demanded of by the Beast, but because you refused to let your sister be a sacrifice. I hope that the Beast sees your intentions and will accept you in Marybeth’s stead. But if not, may he have mercy on us all for your decision.”

“No. May he not have mercy on you all, Elder Green,” I said. “Just those that were innocent in this.”

He didn’t speak to me again. He simply looked me in the eye as he took the rose that was covered in my blood and tossed it into the fire in front of him. The flames shot up around it, swallowing the flower in orange and yellow light.

“It’s done,” he said to the other elders. “We must go.”

I looked at Father. It was the last time we’d ever see one another. I kept my eyes on him for as long as I could before at last he walked away. Then I listened to their footsteps as they retreated back down the path from which we’d come until there was no humanly sound left except my own crying.

My hands and knees shook and my head snapped round every time I heard an animal moving about in the woods. I wasn’t used to the sounds they made. I’d never been close enough to truly hear them. But when I heard a branch snap behind me I looked straight ahead and screwed my eyes shut tight. Nothing so loud could have been caused by a deer. My teeth clattered together as I listened to the heavy footsteps of something much bigger than me approaching the back of the rock altar.

The Beast had found me.

I could feel his presence and the heat from his body against my back. Tears streamed from my closed eyes and I bit my lip, trying not to make a sound. But my body trembled, rattling the chain that secured me in place. I had wanted so much to be brave in that moment but I wasn’t. I was terrified.

The Beast stopped. He leaned closer. I felt his breath on my neck and then heard him inhale. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

“I-I’m your sacrifice,” I stammered, my voice barely audible.

“No. You are not my sacrifice. You are not meant to be here.” His voice was a deep rumble that sent shivers down my spine. He circled around me, his fur brushing against my arm as he moved to look at my face. “I ask once again: What. Are. You. Doing. Here?”

“I know that I’m not Marybeth, but - but I beg of you…please accept me instead.”

“Do the elders think I’m foolish? Do they think that they can deceive me?” He growled and I began trembling once more. “No,” he said. “Your father wouldn’t go along with that, would he, Belle?”

At the sound of my name, my eyes snapped open. They were still cast downward and I saw the feet of the Beast before me. I had expected four paws but instead found two. Two massive paws. My whole life I thought the Beast was more of an animal but he stood before me like a man.

“How…how do you know my name?” I asked.

“Because I know you.”

There was movement and then a hand came to my face, each finger with a claw. He put it under my chin and forced me to look up at him. I trembled as I took in his massive bearlike frame before finally raising my eyes to his face. Tusks jutted from his mouth and horns grew forward from the top of his head. And every inch of him was covered in dark brown fur.

“Belle. Youngest daughter of Elder Haywood. Sister to Marybeth.” I recoiled as he bent his face closer to me, but he held me still. “But not the sacrifice I demanded.”

“I’m here. My blood was spilled,” I said, holding up my hand for him to see the marks. “So you must accept me.”

He grasped my hand with his and examined the marks. “So be it,” he said. “We will have two sacrifices tonight.”

#Henry Cavill #Henry Cavill fan fiction #August Walker #August Walker fan fiction #Beauty and The Beast AU #Beauty and The Beast AU fan fiction #Henry Cavill fan fic #The Beauty of Thorns

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hellotvshowtrash · 3 years ago

Text

this broken feels free

A/N: This was originally a request from @xxwritemeastoryxx for a fake relationship/engagement + some yummy gifs of Daniel Gillies to inspire some ~ahem~ smut. Pretty much all of the characters are way ooc but like, it’s an AU, so whatever. This is my submission for this months prompt challenge! I did fake relationship (and kind of enemies to lovers? sort of) I am still in awe of the moodboard @elijahs-wife made for this fic, thank you so much! I am eternally grateful for you!

Please leave a like and reblog if you enjoyed!

Warnings: Hear me out. This fic is open to all ages, BUT there is some smut. It is in all italics. PLEASE SKIP IF YOU ARE A MINOR/UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SMUT. it’s literally less than 1k words of the fic. More warnings include: swearing, sadness, loneliness, generally Elijah being a douche, mentions of dead siblings, reader has abandonment issues, author projecting onto the fic. not tagging anyone due to the nature of this fic

Word count: 14.6k

Y/N sighs as she sits at her desk, struggling to keep her eyes open as she types away. Her job at the Mikaelson Design Co. was prestigious and she was grateful for it, she was. She'd have been more grateful for it if her direct manager and CEO of the architecture company, Elijah Mikaelson, hadn't been such an ever-living asshole, but she makes the best of it. He rings her for coffee at six forty-five in the morning, when she'd much rather be sleeping. She was already awake anyway, working on a report he needed from her by seven AM that day. Dark circles lined her eyes and she was happy for the excuse to get up and start walking to wake herself up. The memory of the hot coffee on her tongue made her sigh again, craving the bitter black drink. Her phone rings and startles her from her thoughts.

"Mr. Mikaelson's office, how can I assist you?" Her customer service voice takes over as the person on the other end of the line starts chattering away.

Elijah watches from the corner of his office where the window has a vantage point of her. She's insufferable and perky and always so happy to help that it drives him mad. He watches and rolls his eyes as she smiles into the phone, but something about her smile makes him catch the corners of his own mouth quirking up, imagining what she's laughing about at seven forty-five in the morning. He clears his throat and moves from his hiding spot, back to his desk chair. The report he requested from her sits in his inbox, delivered at six fifty-eight AM, around the same time she marched in with his coffee that he demanded that morning. She must have his order memorized by now. He rolls his eyes and wonders just what parts of her aren't disgustingly perfect.

Another email in his inbox catches his eye, from a one Finn Mikaelson. He squints his eyes at the screen, sure he read the name wrong. Dear, brother. Why are you reaching out now? He clicks on the email and stills at its contents, eyes scanning the screen.

Wedding announcement.

Invitation.

Plus One.

He groans and closes his eyes. It's been, what, 4 years since he's seen Finn? Longer than that since he last saw his mother and father, the millionaire tycoons who essentially did nothing to earn their money. Elijah prided himself in building his own company, from the ground up. But that wouldn't mean anything to them unless he had someone successful - or at least attractive - on his arm. He doesn't have the time to devote to a relationship, he has a business to run. He stands from his desk again and begins to pace about his spacious office, a nervous habit. His glass enclosed room fills with his voice as he works the scene out to himself.

"Freya will bring Keelin, lord knows Esther loves her," He mutters. "Rebekah has that fool, Marcel. Kol will be bringing Davina." His hands illustrate his point to no one, moving as he always needs to. He stops short in front of the wall farthest from his desk, his gaze fixed on a point in the paint. "Klaus will be bringing Hayley." His heart practically stops at the realization. He'll never forget finding his love in bed with Klaus, how she claimed Elijah to be neglectful, so she found solace in his dastardly brother. That was 4 years ago, as well.

It made his stomach clench at the thought of his brother's happy family. What he could have had. The wedding he didn't have the courage to go to, even though the invitation had been extended. "Hayley wants to make amends with you." Rebekah's voice rings in his ears still. She had tried to plead with him to come, be with family, let go of the past. Let go of her, He thought. Something inside him cracks, deep and buried. He shook his head free of his thoughts and turned, facing the glass wall between him and the lobby of his tower floor. His eyes caught Y/N's gaze, who's eyebrows were furrowed. Her eyes widen as their eyes meet and she looks back down at her computer screen quickly. He huffs and maintains his stare, glaring at her. He turns again, smoothing his suit jacket with his palms as he walks back to his desk. He sits back down, closing his eyes as he curses his brother.

He could simply just not go. That would be easy enough. Avoid his horrible parents, his brothers, his ex-lover. The only person he'd actually like to see would be Rebekah, anyway, and they can simply grab lunch sometime. Maybe Freya could tag along. He knows she'd never let him live this down if he doesn't go, though. He just can't go alone and he knows that. He's the second oldest brother and the longest relationship he's ever had imploded on itself and it was all his fault. Something inside him cracks again and he clears his throat. He opens his eyes and stares at the ceiling, his head swarming with thoughts of Hayley. God, she was beautiful. Carefree. Everything he needed and still needs in his life. He's working himself into the ground and he knows his work ethic will be the death of him. He's staring off now, lost in his thoughts until an idea occurs to him. Not an idea that Elijah finds himself particularly happy about, but one that could work. He knows her well enough to know she might just agree to this. Doesn't know her well enough to know how she'll act, though. He leans forward and presses a button on his office phone.

"Yes, sir?" Y/N picks up almost immediately and he practically groans in annoyance. Her response is too damn perky.

"Y/N, may I see you in my office, please?" It's not as much a question as it is a command, but she responds anyway.

"Right away, sir." The line goes dead and Elijah finds himself adjusting himself to look more presentable. Repairing himself from the outside in.

Y/N stands from her desk nervously, patting her hair and smoothing out her skirt before she marches into her boss's office, embodying the confidence she lacks. She knows he caught her staring, knows just how they feel about each other, how he feels about her. She knocks politely on the door and Elijah beckons her in through the glass.

"Y/N, please, sit." He gestures to the leather chair in front of his dark wood desk and she moves quickly. She's nervous, hoping she's not in trouble for watching him pace around his office. She's worked for him long enough to know that he only does that when he's stressed about something. He has a lot of nervous habits that she's learned over the past few years.

"Is everything okay, Mr. Mikaelson?" She asks politely. He restrains another eye roll and nods instead.

"Yes, I.. have a proposition for you." He answers hesitantly, his eyes averting hers. Y/N raises an eyebrow. "That sounds bad, let me clarify," he clears his throat. "I have an idea and I need you to be a part of it with as little question as possible." Now his eyes meet hers and she still looks confused.

"O...kay?" She asks. "What's the idea?"

Elijah sighs and closes his eyes. Maybe this isn't a good idea. "I need you," he pauses, this is your chance to forget this dumb idea and never speak of it again, a voice in his head rings. "I need you to pretend to be in a relationship with me, at least for," He looks back at his computer screen to double check the date on the invitation. "Two months. And, it's more of an engagement, really." He says flatly, turning back to face her. His hands are folded in front of him on the desk and he fiddles with the ring on this middle finger, another nervous habit.

Y/N's jaw drops at the request and she blinks. Be professional, she reminds herself. "Sir, I-," He raises a hand to stop her and she's taken aback. She's used to him being an ass but he's never interrupted her like this.

"With as little question as possible." He repeats. Her eyes widen in disgust.

Professionalism be damned. "Sir, you can't expect me to not ask questions, which I have a lot of. You can't expect me to just be okay with this right off the bat. First of all, it's demeaning. Second of all, why? How could this possibly benefit you? Third," Y/N doesn't realize she has stood from her chair and is now pacing, asking questions and rambling anxiously, because did her boss really just ask her to do that?

Elijah watches her pace, leaning back in his chair and waiting, He's getting more annoyed with her. Why couldn't she just follow directions? "Y/N, let me stop you there." He interrupts her again. "I will buy a ring, put it on that finger of yours and you will be able to keep it when this is over. Sell it, keep it, I don't care what you do with it. It'll be expensive, too. And I'll ensure you a big quarterly bonus."

She stopped pacing and her glare switches to an interested eyebrow raise. She turns to him slowly. The things she could do with that kind of money, no debt, she could possibly start the business she'd been dreaming of, on the side until it really kicks off. "No strings attached?" He nodded again. "I want a raise, too." She faces him and crosses her arms over her chest, raising her chin confidently. Elijah rolls his eyes but nods. He stands and extends his hand toward her. Y/N looks between the hand and his eyes before stepping toward the desk and shaking his hand. They both had the same look in their eye and they recognized it in the other.

What did I just do?

That afternoon, Elijah had begrudgingly taken Y/N to lunch to explain the situation, the idea and buy a ring she approved of.

"You should probably try to get to know me, then." She had said, looking over the menu of the restaurant Elijah had chosen. He looked up at her, startled. "You know, if you want to make this believable for your family." 'And Hayley.' He thought. He swallowed and nodded. She was right, he needed to make this convincing. He spent the next little while asking her questions about herself, the easy ones, mostly. Favourites, hobbies, plans for the future, friend's names.

"Don't you have any questions for me?" He had asked after a lull in the conversation. The restaurant chatter around them continued as Y/N's eyes stuck to the menu in front of her.

"I pay attention, Mr. Mikaelson. I've worked for you long enough to know these kinds of things about you. You have a picture of your sisters, Rebekah and Freya on your desk. You like the colour green. This particular suit you're wearing today," She motioned at him, "is your favourite. You currently have a box of Wheat Thins stashed in your desk. They're your favourite." She told him as she sipped her drink. Her eyes met his brown ones that widened and he looked sheepish and he knows she's holding back more details, but her point is made.

"Wow," He murmured. "I apologize, Y/N. I don't know that much about you." He really looked at her and felt his cheeks grow hot. He hadn't even realized his tendencies toward the colour green, his occasional snacks, the suit he takes more care of than the others. The picture of Freya and Rebekah laughing together that he has on his desk. The one he still has of Hayley. They remind him of easier times.

"It's okay." She said simply. "You'll learn." She gave him a small smile before turning back to her menu and he found himself looking forward to getting to know the little details of Y/N.

Rather than commit the answers to these answers to memory, Elijah emails over a list of questions, some broad and some in depth, for her to fill out and send back to him. She rolls her eyes at the list as she fills it out, her laptop perched on her kitchen countertop as she tastes the simmering liquid she's put together. The ring on her finger continues to catch her off guard as she stirs.

"Question 1," she reads aloud, "What is your favourite colour?" Another eye roll. If they wanted this to be convincing, he would need to ask way better questions. She jots it down anyway. We need to start somewhere.

She answers the questions absentmindedly, most of them are almost like she is taking a personality quiz anyway. Y/N laughs to herself as she imagines she's taking a "Which Disney Princess Are You?" quiz until she gets to a certain question. How many siblings do you have? Her eyes float over to the shelves in her living room, the small urn sitting atop them, staring back at her. Two. - one older brother, one deceased older sister. She types it out without putting much thought into it. It's easier that way. She moves on quickly, the questions are easy and she falls into a rhythm of answering them. It's almost like getting to know herself all over again. Checking the little spaces of her mind to see if anything has changed.

She finishes cooking her food and plates it, taking her meal and laptop to the couch with her, continuing her 'assignment'. She finds peace in her small apartment, too quaint and cluttered to feel the creeping loneliness, the cracking interior of her weary heart kept at bay by the welcoming worn comforts of the blankets kept on her couch, just enough room for her, and for her alone.

Elijah sits in his study - more of a library, really- at home, tapping his fingers on the desk in front of him. He dwells on the things he thinks he would like to know about Y/N, continues to find her interesting and insufferable and he's confused about that. He sighs as he looks at the questions he sent her and scoffs at himself. Favourite holiday? He could do better than that - he wasn't sure he wanted to. The less involved they became, the easier it would be to end this whole arrangement. He tentatively presses the keys in front of him, creating more questions on a new document. He quiets the voice in his head telling him not to care.

What is your relationship with your family?

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

What are you afraid of?

He shakes his head and stops typing as an email pings in his inbox. He huffs at the disruption, checking the time. Ten thirty-seven pm. Who on earth - "I'll show you mine if you show me yours. -Y/N" with a document attached. He practically chokes at the audacity of her, but finds himself chuckling anyway. He clicks on the PDF file to find her answers written out.

Yellow

Christmas

Two. - one older brother, one deceased older sister.

He felt his heart sink to his stomach. She's worked for him for - how long now, six years? - and he was just learning this information. Guilt swarms him and pits in his stomach. He swallows harshly and moves on, finishing reading her answers. He'll have to ask her more in depth questions, but now, Elijah has to think next steps. Pictures, announcements, an engagement party. His hand snakes through his hair again. Nervous habit. He's been anxious since Y/N agreed to this con. He wonders if she's as anxious as he is. He couldn't put it past her, tricking his entire family could be nerve-racking.

He can't stop thinking about her, and he hates himself for it. Elijah could feel his composure breaking down, anxiety and nerves breaking through his reinforced walls. Deep breaths. This will all be over soon. He is broken, more broken than he realized, more broken than he thought he could be. Deep breaths. This will all be over soon. He is broken, so much so that he doesn't know if he can come back from this wedding. He knows he hasn't been okay for.. Oh, yes, four years, now. And he knows he's been lying to his therapist, who will kill him for the mental breakdown he is causing himself.

He stands from his desk, his empty stomach lurching. He thinks of Y/N, how well put together she is, how she'd never let him live down how goddamn broken he is and how her trauma has now sent him spiraling.

Deep breaths. This will all be over soon.

The next morning, Y/N sits at her desk bright and early, coffee in hand as Elijah arrives at the office.

"Good morning, Mr. Mikaelson." She smiles as she hands him his coffee.

"Thank you." He grumbles in response. "Come to my office, please." Once again, more of a command than a request, but Y/N obliges. He turns the corner to his office and she scoffs as he walks toward the glass enclosed room, her sickly sweet smile disappearing from her face to be replaced by a glare. She's annoyed by his presence but something about his demeanor is different this morning. He seems tired. Moving into his office, she sits at the chair across from his desk again, where he sits, waiting. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger, closing his eyes. She takes note of the bags under his eyes. He must've had a rough night, she thinks. She wonders if she can do anything to alleviate his pain, in spite of her dislike for him. He's been on her mind a lot lately.

"We have an appointment today." He said.

“Sir, you've only got one free slot in your schedule left and I-,"

"No, we have an appointment today." He dropped his hand and opened his eyes, meeting hers with a quirked eyebrow.

"Oh," she nodded slowly, understanding his meaning, "what for?"

"Engagement photos." Y/N's stomach twists at that. Now is where the hard part begins, the acting like they can stand each other part. "Send me a template of an engagement announcement that you like. I don't have the time to waste looking for a suitable one." He turns to his computer screen. "I'll send you links to the photographer's website, so you can see he is accredited. You may leave the office early today to get yourself ready." He's not looking at her anymore, and she sensed that there was no arguing.

She nods again and stands silently, moving toward the door of his office. Not that she thought she'd be planning a whole engagement anytime soon - chronically single and decidedly not mingling - but this was never how she wanted it to go. She closes the door behind her and sighs, letting her shoulders sag the tiniest bit. Elijah watches her walk back around the corner toward her desk in the lobby. Annoyance and guilt pangs him. He's dragged her into something more than he ever thought they would experience together. She's his receptionist, a good one, but outside a work perspective, they could tear each other apart.

She sits at her desk, taking a deep breath. She opens the email he sent, no subject, just links and location and time. I guess I get to see the Mikaelson Estate. She thinks to herself. Prior Friday night plans be damned.

Six o'clock rolls around and Y/N is being buzzed into the gate at the entrance of Mr. Mikaelson's - she figures she should start calling him Elijah - hillside property. The gravel path is short as she pulls up to the mansion entrance, eyeing the black and white building. She sighs as she puts her car into park, her heart suddenly racing. She can't tear her eyes away from the estate. She knew Elijah had money, just not this much money. She exits the car, letting her dress fall loosely around her legs. The warm summer air floated the scent of roses over to her as she surveyed the property. Rose bushes lined a walking path on the other side of the lawn, which was more of a football field filled with bushes and trees than an ordinary yard. It's decorated with lawn lights along the path and, in the pre-twilight, she's reminded of romantic movies as the couple walks along, all hushed giggles and whispers and stolen kisses on the cheek.

She glances back up at the black double door entrance to the house and makes her way up the steps, knocking nervously. She waits for maybe two seconds before the door is opened and she's facing a brown-haired man, clad in a light blue button down and black slacks. About her height in her heels, his blue eyes shining through his glasses as he smiles at her.

"Ah, Ms. Y/L/N! Welcome to the Mikaelson estate. Mr. Mikaelson has asked that I invite you in and make sure you're comfortable until he is ready for you. Please, come in." He steps to the side and sweeps his arm across the threshold and Y/N feels as though she's walking into a fairy tale. She steps inside, her heels clicking against the granite floors as she looks, wide-eyed, into the bright estate. In the foyer, where she stands, a chandelier shines brightly. Across the wide space is a staircase, curling around the corner of the room. There are vases filled with flowers, white roses and dahlias, peonies, lilies. The scent of the place is sweet and floral, quite contrary to the heady, earthy scent she noted while around Elijah. In the back of the room is a walkway, leading to a room with floor to ceiling windows.

"Ma'am, if you'll follow me." The man says behind her. She starts, shaking her head apologetically.

"I'm so sorry, I've never been here." She says as she follows him, "I'm just a bit distracted." She trails off. The man in front of her chuckles as he leads her to a hallway to the right, past doors on either side.

"This is Mr. Mikaelson's personal office. If you wouldn't mind waiting here, he will be with you shortly." He opens a door into a spacious room, darker than the rest of the house that she has seen.

"Thank you," she mutters as she steps into the room. Before he can close the door and leave her, she stops him, "What was your name?"

The man smiles at her again and she thinks about how pleasant it is. "Tristan, ma'am. I'll be just outside this door until Mr. Mikaelson gets here. Please, don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything at all." He nods before exiting the room, leaving her to wander. She turns back to face the room and is quickly blown away by the size.

"Office?" she whispers to herself. The room in front of her is covered in brown bookshelves, old leather-bound and new books alike lining the walls surrounding her. To the right is a desk, covered in papers, blueprints, drawings. A worn leather office chair sits empty at the desk. Across from the desk to the left of the room is a single fabric chair, no doubt more expensive than her monthly salary. A small lamp sits on a table beside the chair, a stack of books sits unread next to the lamp. She moves around the room slowly, taking in the scent of books and the familiar oak and bourbon fragrance she recognizes as Elijah's cologne. She walks to the bookcase across from the door, running her fingers along the spines as she walks along the wall. She makes her way over to the desk, glancing over drawings and notes scribbled along blueprints.

She notices picture frames along the wall behind the desk, the only wall not covered in books, another door on the other end of the wall. A pretty blonde woman is smiling as she's holding a little boy in one. In another, a different blonde has her arm around a smiling Elijah. Y/N tilts her head and smiles at the picture. She's not sure she's ever seen him smile like that. She looks at a different photo, a smaller one. Another smiling woman, this time with brown hair and hazel eyes. She's laughing at the camera. Y/N remembers her face, but not her name. The woman used to come into the office and have lunch with Elijah. She still remembers the aftermath of the breakup, without knowing all the details. Y/N knows how long it took for him to come back from that. Knows that he's still not fully healed, obviously, given the picture of her still on his wall. She turns again to look at the desk, shuffling through papers while remembering the time she caught him crying at his desk, just a tear or two sliding down his cheek. He refused to take any time off during that period. She wanted to help him, console him, but he pushed her away, yelling at her when she saw his tears.

Elijah watches her from the doorway, waiting to announce his presence. He watches her move like water, graceful and flowing without even trying to. She's wearing a beautiful blue dress, light and casually elegant. She's looking at the pictures behind his desk, and he watches her smile to herself as she looks at the picture of Rebekah and him. He sips his glass, catching himself admiring her. She turns to look at the desk again, the scribbled words on sticky notes and spiral bound notebooks filled with his handwriting. He wonders what she's thinking about as her eyes trace over the papers. He's never noticed how long her lashes are, how she holds herself as if she is the stepping on glass, her touch airy and gentle. He has nothing to hide on the desk, and he's working on taming the beast in him that's yelling for her to be scolded, to be thrown out of his most private room, his sacred space. He compromises with the beast and starts walking toward her.

"Exploring, are we?" He says from across the room. Y/N jumps at the sudden voice, turning to see a chuckling Elijah. He raises a glass to his lips and holds one out for her.

She closes the distance between them, taking the glass of brown liquid from him. "Thank you," she says as she takes a sip. The bourbon is harsh, burning her throat, but she enjoys it. "I'm sorry, I was just looking around while I waited for you." She says sheepishly.

"No worries." He takes another sip of his drink, keeping his gaze trained on her as she continues to look around. Her eyes glimmer as she looks at all the books and he couldn't help but share her small smile, his eyes trailing hers around the library. "Do you like to read?" He asks, a small smile on his face.

"I love books." She turns to him and nods. Maybe he isn't so bad.

"I've collected most of these from my travels. There's this quaint little bookshop in Venice, they have books in bath tubs in case the place floods." He chuckles to himself at the memory as he looks around the room. "I took Hay-," He stops himself as he remembers whose hand he was gripping in that memory. "Never mind," He murmurs, his eyes glued to the rug. Y/N's eyebrows furrow in concern.

"Is everything okay, Elijah?" She asks quietly, reaching out for to grasp his arm. The use of his name coming from her caught him off guard, making his head snap back up at her.

"It's Mr. Mikaelson, Y/N. You do still work for me." His voice is loud and confident, nothing like the warm softness he just was. It's irrational, he knows but, control over other people is the one thing he has right now and he's not willing to let that go. He moves back, making sure her grasp does not reach him.

Y/N's face drops, her mouth pressing into a thin line. Her hand falls to her side. "Mr. Mikaelson." She says. She puts the glass down on the desk behind her. "Should we go get these pictures over with, then?" She asks coldly. She turns to the door of the library, making her way to the exit.

Elijah sighs regretfully, but what's done is done. They're simply not compatible, no matter how strong the urge to let her in is. She stands just outside the room in the hall, waiting for him to lead her to where they would be taking pictures. He, too, sets his glass down on the desk, straightening his suit and tie before walking out the door without looking at her. He turns left out the door and hears her clicking footsteps behind him. He takes her through the house, unaware of her gawking at the different rooms and decorations. He leads her outside to the back terrace, where a professional photographer is set up, facing the view of rolling hills and trees. The terrace is brick, with a glass barrier blocking off the edge of the building, overlooking a vast back garden. The back of the house faces west, the sunset creating orange and red hues throughout the sky above, the perfect background for engagement pictures.

"Here are the lovebirds!" The photographer exclaims. He ushers and shoos them into poses, too close and intimate to be comfortable.

"Could you be any more stiff?" She whispers at him through her smile at the camera.

"Could you be any more annoying?" He counters.

"Can we just get this over with?" She looks up at him to glare, but realizes just how close they are. They're practically touching, trying desperately to keep some semblance of distance from each other. Her cheesy smile for the camera fades as she looks up at him, her breathing slows while she takes him in, his jawline, his cheekbones, the delicious brown of his eyes, still turned to face the photographer. She feels the static between them, the friction is heavy and palpable. Do you feel it too?

"What a beautiful look from the future missus!" The photographer grins and Y/N feels fer cheeks grow hot. Elijah looks down at her, his gaze meeting hers before brushing down to look at her lips. His hands are stiff on her waist, like a junior prom photo, posing painfully awkward. "Don't be afraid to loosen up! Just act natural, bask in your love! You're a beautiful couple, you have nothing to worry about," Another flash as the photographer flourishes, encouraging them.

Y/N swallows hard, allowing herself to shakily get closer to him. Her gaze is still locked on his, she's craning her neck to look up at him now. He smells the way the library did, the bourbon a bit stronger from his drink earlier. His hand finds its way to the side of her neck, creeping up to gently caress her cheek. She lets a gentle gasp escape her lips as she feels his skin on hers for the first time. So many boundaries are being broken right now.

Elijah figures, why not one more?

He dips his head, his lips brushing hers as his hand moves to the base of her skull at her neck, keeping her in place. She slowly closes her eyes, feeling the energy between them shift. He kisses her, shyly at first, while she's shocked. Then, she reciprocates, letting their lips mold together in a blinding embrace. His other arm snakes around her waist, tangling in the loose blue fabric of her dress as he swipes her lips with the tip of his tongue. Her hand finds his hair, tangling her fingers in the soft strands. Her other hand grasps his suit jacket, pulling him into her. He bends her backward gently, dipping her and widening their kiss.

"Oh, gorgeous! Beautiful!" The photographer calls, the camera clicking a million times over, but they don't hear him or the clicking. It's the two of them now, letting their kiss engulf them and their senses. Elijah thinks that maybe this could be it, maybe she could be his solace. Y/N wonders if he means this, or if he's good at faking passion.

The kiss feels like it lasts for hours, but it's only a few seconds before Elijah pulls away. Her eyes flutter as they pant in unison, their eyes never straying from the other. Her leg is extended outward as if they just finished a dance. The beast is back in his head and he can't compromise this time, can only give it what it wants. He shakes his head and helps her stand upright before taking a step back and straightening his suit again. His eyes refuse to meet hers, but he nods in her direction and then at the photographer.

"That'll be enough. Thank you for your time." He stalks away, back into the house, leaving Y/N there to grasp with what just happened. She releases a shaky sigh and wills her legs to move, finding the entrance to the house and making her exit.

Y/N spends the weekend agonizing over the kiss, their proximity, the undeniable chemistry, and she wonders what it means, what any of this means to him. Her quaint apartment does little for comfort this time. She writes, she paints, she watches, she walks, but nothing takes her mind from him. Why he acts the way he does, why he keeps her at arm's length, why she's feeling this way about him when she knows he's rude and spoiled and arrogant. Why she thinks he uses it as a defense mechanism. Why she thinks that maybe the Elijah she saw in the library was genuine, if only for a second. And why she knows she dislikes him, but that kiss was the best damn one she had ever had.

She spends her spare time filling out more questions he has sent, taking his unending personality quiz, and thinking about how in depth the questions are getting. The silence is loud in her apartment and she finds herself missing the smooth baritone of Elijah's voice, not the voice he uses to command her, the voice from the library, the soft one filled with nostalgia as he recalls a memory he was fond of.

He's not kind. He's not gentle. He's cold, and calloused. She wishes she had no reason to dislike him, wishes he was something he's not. He's never been kind to her other than professional pleasantries. Never taken an interest in her, while she's observed and gotten to know him from a distance. He didn't use to be so hard, before when Hayley - she remembers the name after it almost slipped past his lips in the library- was around, he was bearable, but still never paid her any mind. She can't bring herself to acknowledge the budding flurry in her stomach when she thinks of him. Always pristine and put together. Handsome. A good kisser.

Instead of letting herself think about her feelings for a man who would most certainly hurt her, she buries them. She saw the picture of Hayley hanging in his office. She knows what that means. So, she quashes the butterflies, tramples the seeds of hope planted in her heart at the thought that maybe he was feeling something too. It’s easier to dislike someone than to let yourself become attached. She makes another promise to herself. No attachments means no one leaving. She eyes the urn on her bookshelf again.

Elijah spends the weekend moping, locked in his study, the picture of Hayley taken down from the wall and grasped in his shaking hand. He shakes his head as he throws the frame, unable to comprehend that her hazel eyes are no longer the ones he wants to look into. Despite her not being in his life for so long, he doesn't know how to be anything but Hayley's, and he hates it. He hates her for hurting him the way she has. He hates himself more for continuing to love her the way he has.

He stands from the desk and robotically walks toward the broken frame on the floor of his library, the familiar crack in his chest expanding until it breaks wide open. It doesn't feel how he thought it would as he looks down at the shattered image of his long-gone love. He'd thought that when he broke, he'd be irreparable, inconsolable, too far gone. But this broken feels free. This broken feels like a release. This broken feels like the start of healing.

He stoops to pick up the broken picture and looks at it again. He studies it, picks apart the glass shards that are strewn about and pricks his finger, blood seeping onto the picture. It's then that he realizes he's crying, a sob escapes from his lips as the red stains spread quickly across the ink. He nods to himself as he sniffles, understanding. He walks back to the desk and promptly throws the frame away, blood and glass and Hayley included.

The reality is that Elijah would have bled himself dry for Hayley, and he nearly did, each and every day for the last four years, thinking he might win her back while she married his brother and gave birth to their child. She's not the same person she was back then, and neither is he. For better or for worse, Elijah has changed and continues to change, and he hopes Y/N sees that. Y/N.

The feelings he has toward her are by no means simple and clean cut. He's never able to pinpoint one singular emotion when he thinks of her, let alone when he sees her. He's always resented her because she was everything he wasn't, kind, warm, compassionate. He knows the feeling is mutual, he's never been entirely kind to her. He's resented himself for being attracted to her warmth like a moth to a flame. He'll have to work on that, along with the myriad of issues he needs to work on internally. He was sure she wouldn't see a positive change in him until he worked to fix the damage he held close to his chest, a wounded dog snarling at anyone that came close.

He wipes his face with the back of his hand, pulling away with salt water covering it. He walks back to the chair, collapsing into it and pulling open a drawer to reach for a band-aid. One of many, many band-aids to come.

Elijah disappears for the week following their kiss, only sending her emails to cancel or reschedule his meetings. He tells her she too can take the week off, but Y/N is stubborn and she’d rather sit at her desk with nothing to do and get paid, infuriated by the man who quite literally ran away after kissing her. It isn't until the following Wednesday that another email comes through from him, this time, a blank subject line. Attached was a photo file, with a sentence typed underneath. "The photos turned out stunning. Choose one."

Y'N's heart skips as she opens the attachments, photos of the two of them pull up on the screen. The first few are stiff and their smiles are clearly faked. As she scrolls, she sees herself turn to look at Elijah as she presses closer against his chest. The last photo is undeniably stunning. The sky behind the pair is orange and red, fire alight in the clouds. Her light blue dress is a stark contrast to the scenery, it flows around her elegantly. Elijah is kissing her, her fist clutching his suit jacket, his hand tangled in her hair as he leans into her, causing her back to arch. Y/N's breath stills as she looks at the picture. They melted together perfectly, like puzzle pieces, meant for each other. She eyes the way his hand caresses her waist, the other hand's fingers grasping her neck gently. Her cheeks feel hot but she can't tear her eyes from the picture. It really is beautiful.

She saves the picture to the computer and sends it back to Elijah. "This one." She types out and fires the email back to him. She finds herself staring at the photo still, but he responds almost immediately.

"Will do. When are you free?" She furrows her eyebrows at his question. You literally make my schedule. She has to refrain from responding with her sarcastic thoughts and instead gives him a date on the upcoming weekend that she's not doing anything. She continues browsing the internet on company time, falling onto one Wikipedia page after another when she receives another email from Elijah. Simple subject line: Announcement.

She opens it curiously and finds an attached wedding announcement with the photo she just selected, with details underneath.

"Please join Mr. Elijah Mikaelson and Ms. Y/N Y/L/N in celebration of their engagement, Sunday, June 20th at 7PM. Formal black tie only, cocktails served."

Her jaw drops as she reads it. She sees that she's the only one he sent it to, so he's sending it for approval and not officially. She breathes deeply as she sits back into her chair, allowing herself to feel a thousand emotions all at once. Conflict, confusion, anger, sadness, grief. Grief for the relationship she's not actually in, but the one she wants. Conflicted sadness because none of this is real. No matter how many times she might wish for it to be, even if she wished for it to be someone, anyone else. No matter how many times she wished for it to be real, with him. Anger because it's him. Anger because she has feelings for him. And he doesn't feel the same. She tells herself.

She sits forward and types a short reply. "Looks good. Send it." She exits her emails and shuts down her computer. Maybe she will take the rest of the day off. I've got a party to prepare for.

—

Elijah’s in and out of therapy the week following the kiss, working hard on himself and putting his needs first. He sets his priorities: number one being getting completely over Hayley, and actually trying to, this time. Number two, becoming happier with the life he lives without feeling the need to impress anyone, including his family. And his third priority: sort out his feelings for Y/N and actually try to move forward. He finds her interesting and annoying and beautiful and shrewd. She’s endlessly judgemental and always smiling. Has her smile always made his stomach twist? He’s unsure of what he feels for her but he’s sure it’s mostly positive.

Nevertheless, they will pull this off and will never have to speak of it again. Maybe he can find her a place somewhere else in the company, she won’t have to see him ever again. Head of Communications in New York doesn’t sound bad. He’d be doing both of them a favour and she is highly overqualified to be his secretary.

He can’t help his mind wandering to when he finally gets to see what dress she picks for the engagement party.

Y/N smiles gracefully as she makes her debut as the future Mrs. Elijah Mikaelson, her hand sliding along the banister as she descends the stairs of Elijah's estate slowly. Her dress is billowing around her, white and soft and flattering. Off the shoulder sleeves caress her arms and she can hear her heels click against the granite stairs.

Elijah's mind goes blank when he sees her. He stands at the bottom of the stairs, smiling pleasantly as she makes her way down, alarms in his mind going off when he sees her in white. How fitting. She reaches him and he takes her arm, leaning down to gently kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear, "You look beautiful." She smiles sheepishly, looking up at him as the crowd watches dotingly.

"Ladies and gentlemen" Elijah calls to the group. He raises the glass in his opposite hand, "To the future Mrs. Mikaelson." Multiple cheers rang throughout the room and she grinned, her cheeks burning. Elijah drank from his flute and proceeded to walk with her throughout the room, introducing her to people of importance. He finally introduces Y/N to his siblings, Finn, Rebekah, Freya and Klaus, who stand at the back of the room next to the bar. Rebekah and Freya offer Y/N a nice break on a bar stool, handing her her own glass of champagne as they begin to interrogate her in the most sisterly way possible. Y/N answers all their questions flawlessly, just as her and Elijah have been preparing for.

Klaus moves over to stand with his brother, handing Elijah his own flute. Finn claps Elijah on the shoulder as the younger drinks. Elijah eyes both of them distrustfully, but accepts the drink and lets his resentment melt away, just for tonight.

Y/N looks at the Mikaelson girls gratefully as she downs the champagne. She sighs as she puts the glass on the bar, rubbing her aching legs over her dress as she chats with the sisters. Hours pass as the girl's talk, getting to know each other and they lose track of the room surrounding them. Occasionally, someone will make their way to Y/N and congratulate her.

"Hayley wanted to be here, but they couldn't find a sitter for Hope. She's looking forward to seeing you and Elijah at the wedding, though." Rebekah says from the bar stool next to Y/N and smiles.

Y/N's eyebrows furrow. "I wasn't aware Hayley was invit-,"

"Oh, dear god," Rebekah mutters, interrupting Y/N's question. Y/N hears it before she sees it, Elijah talking loudly to a group of men and Klaus, laughing rowdily. She closes her eyes slowly as she turns.

"Here we go." Y/N stands and huffs, marching her way over to the group and worming her way through the wall of tall men. She eyes Klaus as he smirks and hands his older brother yet another glass filled with the bubbly alcohol. Finn smiles at the scene, knowing just what Klaus is doing.

"There's no way she didn't know he invited Hayley, right?" Freya asks Rebekah. Rebekah's eyebrows quirk up as her sister speaks.

"Interesting." Rebekah takes another sip of champagne as she watches Y/N push her way into the small crowd surrounding Elijah.

"Speak of the devil!" Elijah slurs loudly once he catches sight of Y/N as she moves to stand next to him. She fakes her best smile and, through clenched teeth, whispers to him.

"Come with me, darling." The pet name is harsh and practically spat in Elijah's face. He sneers at her and looks toward the crowd that's growing.

"Excuse us for a moment, my friends. It appears the future ball and chain is calling!" Her face heats up as she grabs him by the wrist and pulls him through the crowd while the people around snicker and chuckle. Klaus takes a sip from his own glass, eyebrow raising in a smirk as she tows his older brother away. Damn him, she curses to herself.

"What is wrong with you?" She hisses, pulling him away from the crowd and into the room she knows to be the library. Elijah stumbles next to her as she pulls him by the wrist, he's confused and definitely not sober.

Elijah laughs as she closes the door behind them and he leans against a bookshelf as he chuckles humourlessly. "I'm just making friends!" He exclaims. "By telling them how not excited I am to be married to you." He lifts himself from the bookshelf and sneers at her. She rolls her eyes in his direction.

"Yes, because I'm definitely the worst option out there." She snaps back. "We need to get you cleaned up; this isn't very proper." She murmurs, striding toward him. She swiftly pulls the handkerchief from his lapel pocket, dabbing the sweat on his face and straightening his hair. His eyes widen as he looks on in horror before he grabs the handkerchief from her hand roughly. She steps back exasperatedly. "Seriously? Don't be a child. Let me help," She offers.

He scoffs and glares at her, moving the handkerchief on his own as he walks to the wall behind the desk where a small mirror is hung. "I don't need your help." He's swaying now, as he starts pacing in an effort to sober up the tiniest bit. Something in her heart comes alive as she watches him and she quashes it, turning her rising spark of hope into a licking flame of anger. It is quick to build and explode, forcing its way up her throat in harsh words.

“God, you drive me so fucking crazy!” Y/N yells as Elijah paces about the library. Maybe he wasn't as drunk as he let on, his demeanor changed quickly as the conversation escalates. He's rigid now, no longer sloppy and lazy like before.

“I drive you crazy? Have you heard yourself talk?” He snaps. His eyes are wild and his hair is disheveled as he runs his hands through it, the brown strands like waves through his fingers. His suit is ruffled and her dress matches, the wrinkles from gripping it were starting to deepen. She eyes his messy hair and suit, her mind wandering from the situation at hand.

She shakes her head. “We need to get our shit together, okay?” She sighs as she looks at the business magnate, the young, handsome bachelor, her fiancée, and she hates him. She hates him more than she thought she would ever be able to hate someone. But the tugging sensation in the pit of her stomach doesn't seem to disappear, it only gets worse as she glares at him. She swallows roughly. "Let's pull this together. We need to fake this for three more weeks. Can you do that?" She asks.

His response is a cold laugh, spit out of his mouth like it burned. "I don't know if I can handle you." His hand drops from his head as he pivots to look at her. He shrugs and his mouth is agape, as if he's thinking of something to say. "I don't think I can handle you." He says quietly. His eyes fall from hers and this feels final, feels hard and broken. She's got tears in her eyes now, angry tears, but she will not let herself be hurt. She is determined to show him how much he doesn't affect her.

"It's not my fault that you can't handle me." She snarls, keeping her feet firmly planted in her beliefs that you are never too little nor too much. you are always enough. He stood across the room from her, his face a mix of remorse and anger, like he's trying to decide how he feels. She stomps her way over to him, standing on her tip toes to somewhat look him in the eye. "You gave me your word." She seethes, feeling her chest heave. His eyes decide on the remorse and he looks down, avoiding her gaze entirely. The tugging in her stomach is wild and hungry. She has too much at stake to lose now.

"I gave you my word," he says back, mirroring her statement. "Sometimes I can't keep my word." He lifts his gaze to meet hers, his eyes steely now, angry and mean.

"I hate you," she says. Her voice is low, her teeth clenched.

"That makes two of us." His stare pierces right through her. He inches closer to her, closing the gap between them. He tilts his head, his breath smells of alcohol and feels hot against her skin. Her jaw loosens the slightest bit, her lips parting as her breath picks up. His hand moves fluidly up to cup her cheek. He's flushed, his cheeks rosy from the alcohol and proximity to her. Memories of their first kiss linger in the back of her mind, her eyes flickering between his glassy ones and his lips, the same lips that he can't stop himself wetting. His tongue darts out across his bottom lip and her breath hitches.

She surprises herself by being the one to close the gap between them, hoisting herself up on her toes to crash their lips together. He doesn't object, rather, he kicks himself for not being the one to initiate. He's quick to reciprocate, his hands finding purchase on her hips as hers find their way to his hair. Like the first time they kissed, their lips felt like the perfect fit, their bodies coming together eagerly. His tongue swipes her lips and she gets drunk off the champagne taste, sharing his buzzed vibrations.

His hands grasp her waist and turn her. He pushes her against the nearest bookshelf, his actions draw a moan from her lips. One he would give anything to hear over and over again. He lifts her ever so slightly and she takes the opportunity to wrap one of her legs around his waist, her dress hiking up and bunching around her hips. His hand moves itself to find her barely there thong and tugs at it, pulling it to the side as his fingers find her wet core. He's surprised to find her already soaked and chuckles into her mouth before pulling away slightly.

"Already so wet," he growls. "May I?" he whispers. She nods quickly, unsure of what exactly he's got planned but wants him to do something, anything to her. He disappears from in front of her as he takes to his knees, propping one of her thighs on his shoulder before his lips connect with her clit, planting a small peck then licking a long strip through her folds. Another sweet, low moan escapes her lips and it was all he needed. It's been too long since he's done anything like this, but his tongue remembers well. He licks circles around her clit, bringing a finger up to her entrance and entering her slowly. Her breathing is heavy and ragged, laced with moans. Her hand tangles in his hair and tugs, begging for him to somehow be closer. Her head falls back against a shelf as he laps at her, his nimble fingers curling inside her. He never wants to taste anything ever again if it's not her.

When he finds the strength to pull himself away from her, he’s undoing his belt and removing himself from his boxers, letting his pants fall around his ankles. He grasps both her thighs, lifting her entirely off the floor and propping her butt up on the bookshelf. She grips the shelves tightly, trusting his steady hands to hold her thighs up.

“Is this okay?” He asks as he lines himself up to her cunt. She nods and whines.

“Please.” Breathy and needy and sweet. He enters her effortlessly, sheathing himself entirely. He allows a groan to escape from deep in his chest, his eyes fluttering shut as she clenches around him.

“You feel amazing.” He groans. Her slick covers every inch of him as he pulls out and thrusts again, experimentally slow. She whines as he fills her again and again.

“Faster.” She whispers, a beg, a plea, a necessity. He obliges, quickening his rhythm. He snaps his hips against hers, the bookshelf rocking against the wall behind them as he fucks her. She lifts her head to open her eyes and look at him, gazing into his brown eyes. His gaze falls to her, their eyes not leaving the others as they breathe heavily in unison.

Keeping her eyes glued to his, she lets a moan escape her lips. “Mr. Mikaelson,” she gasps. His gaze darkens and he fucks her faster, reaching the spot just where she needs him and she feels the coil wrap tightly in the pit of her stomach, a certain numbness creeping down her spine. He doesn’t slow as she comes, no efforts of staying quiet, no secrets hidden from the party just down the hall. She finally drops his gaze to squeeze her eyes shut as she nearly shouts, the release of her orgasm is intense and white hot, sparkling down her legs and up her torso. He growls as her chest heaves, his mouth making contact with her shoulder, collar bone, neck and he kisses, nibbles and bites the areas as he keeps his pace, giving her no time for respite.

“I’m not done yet,” He groans as he nips at her neck, sucking the skin beneath. She pants and a smile creeps on her face, angling so her lips are against his ear.

“You’ve never been one to leave things unfinished,” she whispers, “Mr. Mikaelson.”

He growls again, pulling her off the bookshelf entirely and spinning her around, much to her surprise. He makes sure her dress stays around her waist as he bends her over, lining himself again with her swollen entrance. She uses the bookshelf to balance herself, Elijah’s hands holding her up by her hips. He pushes into her slowly again, adjusting to the new position before picking up the pace, the sounds of her moaning, his panting and skin against skin filling the space around them.

“You’re such a brat, you know that?” He questions, his arm wrapping around her waist to give him access to her clit. He circles it with two fingers, drawing more moans from her throat.

“Sir-,” She’s cut off by a hand making contact with the bare skin of her ass, a slap plants itself, red welt in the shape of his hand already growing. A yelp escapes her and her eyes roll back, her mouth agape in shock and pleasure as he marks her.

“You didn’t even ask permission before coming. You work for me, remember?” He growls, the same hand he spanked her with snaking up her spine and into her hair, gripping the base and pulling it back. She moans as he pulls her up slightly, still working her clit with the other hand.

“Sir, please,” she gasps, the motions quickly becoming too much to contain. “I’m so close again.”

“Fine,” He admonishes. “Come.” Another demand but she obliges happily, becoming unraveled in his arms. She whines again, and she feels him release as well, spilling himself with a groan and a nip at her bare shoulder.

“Elijah,” She whispers as he pulls himself free of her and he lets her go gently, making sure she’s steady on her feet. She stands shakily and turns to him. The realization dawns for both of them, a huge boundary was just crossed. She breathes heavily and he runs another hand through his hair.

“Oh, um, the bathroom is through that far door.” He says quietly, pointing toward the door on the wall behind his desk. She nods gently and moves in that direction, closing it behind her. Elijah sighs and moves to stare at the small mirror hanging behind his desk, ruffled and confused and awe stricken.

Y/N pushes her back against the cool door, her breathing heavy still as a quiet sob shakes her. Damn him. Her promises to herself are meaningless now, she's fallen for a man who will certainly hurt her. She looks herself in the mirror, her traitorous reflection stares back and she swears she sees a ghost of a smile on the twin’s face. She hurries to clean up and make herself presentable, making sure there isn't a stray hair out of place, nor a stray tear on her cheek. She sighs and nods at herself, unlocking the door and stepping out.

Elijah is there still, waiting for her. His face is blank, any emotion he felt while she was in the bathroom is no longer evident on his face. His hair, once disheveled, is neatly combed how it was at the start of the party. She notices his handkerchief is missing from his lapel. He nods at her inquisitively and she nods back once. He offers his arm to her as they make their way out of the library together, no words spoken, back into the party where the music was still playing and people were still chatting. False smiles plastered, they emerge together into the oblivious crowd, making small talk with various attendees.

“Elijah?” A woman’s voice rings from behind them and Elijah freezes for a split second before turning to look at the hazel eyed woman behind him.

“Hayley?” For a moment, Elijah forgets where he is, who’s around him, the woman on his arm and all he sees is her. She’s wearing a vibrant red dress, sweetheart top with a slit in the skirt. Her lips match the colour of her dress and he wants to smear it. Priority number one practically disintegrates as he locks eyes with her.

“It’s so good to see you,” she smiles hesitantly at him and glances at Y/N.

Elijah clears his throat and stiffens. “Hayley, this is Y/N, my fiancée.”

“It’s really nice to meet you,” Hayley smiles and extends her hand to Y/N who shakes it and smiles back at her, completely ignores the fact that they have met before.

“You too,” Y/N smiles, but Hayley’s eyes are glued back on Elijah.

“You look great, ‘Lijah,” She smiles again. Something in Y/N spikes and she shoves it away,

“Shouldn’t you be with Niklaus? Where is he, anyway?” Elijah looks away from her, over the crowd of people searching for his brother. His composure is glass, any more pressure and he may just break. The break in music ends as a song begins to play, slow and charming. Elijah finds the excuse and drags Y/N away and onto the dance floor. She stutters as he pulls her away until she sees the look on Hayley’s face, pure annoyance as their eyes meet. Klaus comes up behind Hayley, wraps his arm around her waist and whispers something in her ear that makes her annoyed frown quirk up into a curious smirk, her eyes still glued to Y/N's.

"Y/N," Elijah starts. "About what happened-,"

"It was a mistake, I know." She finishes for him as he swings her around, bringing her to face him. She can't bring herself to look him in the eyes, so she stares at his chest and collar bone directly in her eye line. His jaw opens and closes, like he's trying to find something to say but he can still see the scarlet in his peripheral and it's wildly distracting. They're dancing now, moving together in an elegant waltz as the crowd watches on, smiling at the couple.

"I didn't know you could dance," Elijah mutters to her as he tries to catch her gaze.

"You still don't know a lot of things about me." She finally breaks and meets his gaze, but it's not angry or mean like she expected. His brown eyes are soft and unexpectedly kind, fragile.

"I know, and I apologize for that," He spins her again and catches her against his chest, holding her close now. He wraps his arms around her waist, some part of his mind screaming that he is holding the wrong woman. But as he lifts his eyes to the crowd surrounding them, he catches Hayley and Klaus watching them, Klaus's arms around Hayley. Where his used to be, where they no longer belong and some part of him, some minuscule last part of him, tucks the thought of Hayley away and his eyes prick with tears. She is no longer his. He is no longer hers. He can finally move on. This broken feels free.

Y/N sees his eyes change, his mind moving a million miles a minute and she sees the shine of tears. She looks over her shoulder, following his gaze directly to Hayley. I knew he's not over her. She looks down at his arms around her, hers around his neck as they sway together. It feels like it burns, her skin itches to be away from him. Her eyelids feel heavy as her own eyes brim with tears. Despite her convincing herself not to, drowning in every thought of him, of her, of every possibility, she let herself fall in love with him and she hates him for it. She looks back up at him and he meets her gaze, concern etching his eyes when he sees her own tear-filled ones.

"I know you still love her," She whispers to him. His eyes search hers, confusion creasing his face. "I know that you don't feel the same way about me that I do about you. I'll see this through to the end, for you, but once Finn's wedding is over, so is this, and I'm gone from the company. I can't do this, Mr. Mikaelson." She nods her head to the surrounding crowd, and his mouth is slightly agape. He shakes his head slightly.

"Y/N, you don't have to do that." Elijah whispers back. She drops her gaze again, staring at his tie instead. He unclenches his hand from her waist - had he really been holding on to her for dear life? - and brings it to her chin, making her look up at him. A small tear traces down her cheek as she reluctantly allows him to tilt her chin up. He doesn't say anything though, only leans in to bring his lips gently to hers, kissing her softly. She sighs into the kiss, allowing herself to feel everything she's been suppressing. The crowd gushes at the same time the song ends, and the couple remains in their embrace.

Applause breaks out around them as she pulls away from him, searching his eyes for something, but she doesn't know what. She's convinced herself that he could never even contemplate reciprocating her feelings, a lowly attempt at self-preservation. She quickly wipes her face and turns to face the crowd, delivering a dazzling grin. The party continues, their attention dispersing from the couple and Y/N makes her way toward the exit, away from Elijah. He watches her leave, stunned. His mouth still is agape as he stands in the center of the crowded room, feeling more alone without her by his side than he ever thought was possible.

Elijah makes his return to the office casually, quietly with no fuss and no demands for her. He keeps his distance, allowing space between them to regrow, rebuilding boundaries that should have never been broken in the first place. The minute Y/N left the party, he's replayed her words in his mind. "I'll see this through to the end, for you." He was so sure that she hated him, so sure that she saw him as he saw himself. But somewhere along the way, she grew feelings for him, and that made their library escapade even worse. Guilt floods him and he is unable to feel much of anything else, the pestering need to care for Y/N that was a constant since they had started spending time together nagging at the corners of his guilt, telling him, apologize, make yourself known to her, let her see you.

Y/N doesn't look at him as he exits the elevator into the waiting area, simply pushes forward his coffee on her desk and continues writing in her notepad. He stares at the coffee on the table and sighs, thanking her quietly. His voice is gravelly, as if he too had spent the night crying. She doesn't dare speak, doesn't dare move for fear of exposing herself even more. Her heart thunders at his proximity. He walks across the room and around the corner to his office. As soon as his back is turned, she lets a sigh escape her lips, a breath she didn't know she had been holding.

He respects her boundaries; the silence sinks in between them every time they're together the weeks moving forward. Y/N's work is pristine, timely as always. Her eye contact with him is nonexistent and there's somehow less conversation than there had been before their agreement. The only non-business-related communication between the two is Y/N sending him a picture of the dress she bought for the wedding, a deep maroon shaded ballgown.

"Make sure your tie matches." The only note she leaves with it. Elijah smiles the tiniest bit at the bold comment. Audacious as always.

"Will do." He shoots back. Her heart flutters when she sees the email and she scolds herself. Truthfully, painfully, she wants nothing more than to talk with him, answer his questions about her, be held in his arms again while they danced. The aching in her chest to hear him tell stories like he almost did in the library. She finds herself daydreaming about him and the things he is able to do, hands, mind, body, tongue - no. She shakes her head and moves from those thoughts, continues typing on her computer. Elijah paces around his office much more often now, for no other reason than to catch glimpses of her while she works. She doesn't seem to notice his nervous habits anymore. She doesn't even seem to notice him anymore.

After the fourth time pacing back and forth in his office, Elijah collapses back into his plush chair, sighing heavily. If he could just talk to her, express his feelings to her. Tell her he's actually crazy about her, cares for her, wants to see her succeed in life but most of all, he wants to be there with her while she succeeds. Tell her she's the most interesting person he's ever met, get to know every detail of her. Tell her that he's no longer in love with Hayley. That thought makes him pause and smile to himself. He is no longer in love with Hayley. Elijah picks up the phone on his desk and dials a number.

The Friday before the wedding feels surreal to Y/N. Her career with the Mikaelson Design Co. was coming to an end. Her plans to start her own small company made her heart race as she rode the elevator up to her floor. She carried two coffees, one for her and for Eli- Mr. Mikaelson. In her purse was a hand written card to Mr. Mikaelson, explaining everything, how she felt, her thoughts. Her goodbye. A scribbled out rambling that she nervously scratched down and put into an envelope before she could stop herself. She would finish her day here and leave it on the desk for him, with a note to read it after the wedding. The elevator doors open and Y/N walks through them, only to stop short in front of her desk. On her desk is a giant vase, filled with flowers of different colours and sizes. She can't help the smile that spreads across her face as she slowly steps closer to her desk, leaning forward to smell the flowers. She spies a card amidst the bush and pulls it out, the smile remaining on her face.

"You're going to look beautiful tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll match your dress." She lets her heart flutter for just a second, pretending this is all real. Hope. She sighs and closes her eyes, her smile still lingering. She straightens, blinking as she remembers the coffee in her hand and pulls out the card in her purse. She turns to face Elijah's office, unable to see his desk from where she stands. She stifles her smile and straightens her outfit before clearing her throat and walking toward the corner, turning it while looking at the floor.

She stands straight and goes to knock on the door, before her eyes catch on Elijah sitting behind his desk. Elijah, who is not alone. Elijah, who is facing a woman standing in front of his desk, her hands planted on the edges of the desk, holding her up as she leans over it. Her chest directly in Elijah's line of sight. Elijah, who is currently talking with Hayley.

The cup of coffee and envelope fall from her hands, her breath escaping her lungs. Elijah's attention was caught by the falling cup and his eyes glue to Y/N, watching through the glass door. His face pales and he goes to stand from the chair, but Hayley moves to stand in front of him, blocking his exit.

Y/N turns and walks toward the elevator, her heels splattered with coffee and a tear streaking down her cheek. The elevator welcomes her as the door to Elijah's office slams.

"Y/N, wait!" Elijah calls as he runs toward the reception area. The doors are closing when their eyes meet, hers filled with tears and his, regret. "Please," He rushes as the doors close and she leaves. He slumps against the cool metal, his hands covering his face. Hayley walks into the large waiting area, smirk on her face.

"Well, I guess I should be leaving now," She smiles at him sweetly before pushing the elevator button.

"Get. Out." Elijah growls, his hands dropping from his face as he steps away from the elevator. "You have no reason to be here other than to ruin my relationship. And to think, I thought you wanted to make amends. You just wanted her to see us together and get the wrong idea. After the wedding tomorrow, I never want to see you again, or my bastard brother." He snaps. Hayley's face falls and she reaches for him, grabbing onto his sleeve.

"You don't mean that, 'Lijah." She purrs, desperation creeping into her voice. "I know how you still feel about me. You love me."

“You're wrong," He tugs himself away from her grasp. "I don't love you. Not anymore." Speaking the words out loud, especially to Hayley, gives him a rush of freedom, of confidence. "There was a point in time when I would have given my life for you." He brings his gaze to look at her, earnestly. Her face had gone serious, no notes of deception left.

"I know." She looks to the floor. "For what it's worth, Elijah, I am sorry about what I did to you."

Elijah snorts, "I don't believe that. If you were, you wouldn't be here trying to sabotage my relationship." This was the second time he had referred to his "relationship" in seriousness, and it made his chest flutter. Hayley nods slowly as the elevator dings.

"Goodbye, Elijah." She enters the elevator where Y/N had just been. Elijah doesn't reply, doesn't turn to face her as the elevator doors close. Instead, he walks back down the hall, finding the spilled cup of coffee and an envelope left on the floor, coffee soaking into the white parchment. He furrows his brows and crouches to pick up the letter. Continuing into his office, he opens the envelope to see a small note written on the lip of it.

"Read after the wedding"

Y/N's familiar scrawl greets him and he exhales at the note. He rolls his eyes, thinking "She doesn't know me as well as she thinks she does." and pulls out the letter. He blots it with a tissue where the coffee seeped in, but it's mostly legible.

"Elijah,

By the time you're reading this, things between us have ended. The gig is up, the wedding is over and now you don't have to worry about dealing with me. I hope my leaving the company only made things easier for you. I know you never really liked me, anyway.

I want you to know my side of things. Over the last couple of months, we've gotten closer and you've learned more about me. Surprisingly, I've had a really great time with you, when we're not arguing."

Elijah chuckles and realizes the ache in his chest as he reads.

"I couldn't help myself, Elijah. I couldn't -and still can't- stop thinking about you. Even before our time as, well, a fake couple, I still thought about you. I guess you could say I had a crush on you then. My time with your company led me to you, and I'm thankful for that. I can only hope that the time we spent together was worth it for you. I think getting closer to you over the last two months have honestly changed me. Thank you, for the tough moments and the easy ones. I really, really hope you get everything you want in life.

I love you."

Elijah's heart falters at the last sentence, his mind screaming at his body to get up, go find her, tell her you love her too. But he stays there, frozen in the realization that he does love her.

He loves her.

Y/N isn't sure about what she expected, but it certainly wasn't Hayley in Elijah's office. Her mind raced as she made her way back to her apartment. Had the flowers been for her? Had he invited her there? She looses herself in her thoughts, finding herself in front of her apartment door.

Salvation.

She unlocks the door and quickly enters the apartment, closing the door behind her quickly. She leans against the door and sighs. Finally, she can have peace. But something is different about the place before her. It's not the comfort it used to be. Cozy, yes. Salvation, no.

It's then that Y/N realizes her salvation is Elijah.

The car ride to the wedding venue is silent and awkward between Elijah and Y/N. Tristan casts raised eyebrow glances at Elijah through the rearview, and Elijah gives him a minute shake of the head. Y/N stares out the window, ignoring Elijah to the best of her ability.

Elijah looks at her through his peripheral and can’t help but think about how ethereal she looks. The maroon ballgown looks divine on her, she’s pinned her hair into an elegant style.

Definitely the kind of woman his family would expect him to be with.

They arrive at the venue and Elijah steps out of the car, rushing to the other side to open the door for Y/N and help her out. Arm in arm, the couple head down a stone path, surrounded by spiral topiaries and garden statues.

“You look stunning, by the way.” He leans to the side to whisper into her ear as they approach security. She gives a curt ‘thank you’ as Elijah gives the security guard his name and relation. They’re allowed into the venue and step into a large room with a glass ceiling, natural light shining along the floor and walls, covered in wildflowers and lilies. Guests scattered around the room and into the back garden where the ceremony is set up, a beautiful simple arch with a white lace lining, blowing slightly in the summer breeze.

Y/N spots Rebekah next to a tall, dark man, chatting quietly. Rebekah looks over in her direction and smiles, sending a small wave. Y/N can’t help but smile at the blonde, but as she did, a sadness came over her. She would never see Rebekah again after this. Or Freya. They really could have been great friends.

Elijah nods in Rebekah’s direction and smiles slightly before noticing a blonde haired couple making their way toward them. Elijah’s lips purse and he moves in front of Y/N who stops abruptly. He faces her and looks into her eyes.

“My parents are about to approach us. They’re quite literally the worse, so I will try to get us out of this conversation quickly. I apologize in advance for how this may go.” She’s confused, but nods anyway as he turns back to face his approaching mother and father.

“Mikael.” He nods and extends his hand.

The man takes it, scoffing. “What, boy, am I no longer your father?” He asks, taking Elijah’s hand anyway. “And this is the woman you’re marrying that we haven’t heard absolutely anything about?” He questions, his eyes moving to Y/N.

She flashes him a regretful grin, and Elijah makes a mental note of just how terrifying it is that she is able to act so well. “I’m sorry we haven’t had the chance to meet until now, Eli’s just been so busy.” Her hand extends to Mikael, and he smiles pleasantly, kissing her hand. He’s impressed by her. Elijah realizes.

“We understand, darling,” The woman chimes in, smile wide as she extends her arms to hug Y/N. “I’m just so glad we could finally meet you, and maybe have the chance to talk about your wedding!” Y/N’s eyes glaze for a second in panic as they pull apart.

“Of course! I would love to, Mrs. Mikaelson.” She smiles again.

“Please, dear, call me Esther.” She reaches over to Elijah, pulling him into a reluctant hug as well.

“Well, the ceremony should be starting soon, Y/N and I are going to find our seats, and we will see you at the reception.” He nods to his parents and pulls Y/N away from them.

“They didn’t seem to be the worst.” Y/N said curiously as they walk away.

“No, they usually don’t when you first meet them.” His eyes are dark and already annoyed. They make their way out of the ballroom and into the garden. Elijah spies Freya and another woman already sitting in a row of chairs in front of the alter and moves toward them.

“Y/N! I’m so happy to see you.” Freya jumps to her feet when she sees the couple and embraces Y/N, who smiles happily at the woman.

“And what about your little brother?” Elijah gives her a small smile and chuckle as Freya rolls her eyes and hugs him as well.

“Of course I’m excited to see you too,” She gestures to the seats next to them. “Y/N, this is my wife, Keelin.” Small greetings are made as the rest of the guests make their way outside and into seats. A buzz of whispers begins as the guests wait anxiously for the ceremony to start.

Elijah spies Klaus standing next to Finn at the altar, and he’s almost - almost - jealous that he wasn’t asked to be in the bridal party. Klaus smirks at him and eyes Y/N next to him, his eyebrow raising like he’s surprised to see her. Elijah’s eyes narrow and he reaches his hand over to grab Y/N’s protectively. At first, she’s surprised, but lets herself relax into his hold. This may as well be the last time she’s letting herself feel these things for him, so she enjoys the warmth his touch brings. She doesn’t let go of his hand for the duration of the ceremony.

The ceremony is beautiful and the crowd makes their way back into the reception hall where tables and chairs are now set up. The bridal party sits in front of the room at a long table, Klaus and Hayley included. Elijah and Y/N are sat at a large circular table with the rest of the Mikaelsons and their respective partners. Y/N chats and laughs with Elijah and his family, it feels so natural that it’s almost real. There’s a heaviness in Y/N’s heart as she remembers the reality of things.

A chime rings through the hall as Klaus stands from his seat, his spoon clinking against his glass.

“If I could have everyone’s attention,” Klaus calls, “I’d like to make a speech about our bride and groom here.” He smiles at the couple who beam happily at each other.

The speech is lost on Y/N as she gets lost in looking at Elijah. He glances at her and smiles before turning back to listen to the speech, but her eyes remain glued to his face, memorizing the details. Her hand finds his on the table and she grasps his gently. She’s jerked from her thoughts as she hears her name.

“And I’d like to acknowledge another wedding the Mikaelson family will be having in the near future, my brother Elijah and Y/N!” He smiles in their direction, but there is nothing kind about it. Elijah perks up and nods and smiles at the crowd as they applaud. Y/N feels her cheeks heat as she nods as well, embarrassed by the attention. “Going from co-workers to lovers in such a short amount of time is quite the feat,” Klaus continues. The smile falls from Elijah’s face. The blood drains from Y/N’s face as she swallows and tries to maintain her smile.

“Almost like it was planned, wasn’t it brother?” A silence falls over the crowd as he continues. “Almost like, there’s some sort of agreement between the two of you? Almost like, it’s not a real relationship?” Klaus’ grin is ice-cold and his eyes are full of amusement as Elijah shoots to his feet in a furious haste, his eyes glued to his younger brother. Y/N’s heart stops as she looks down at the table, she can feel the eyes of the family and crowd beyond their table on her. Her eyes brim with tears as she closes them, wishing to disappear. Hayley sits beside Klaus, her face full of shock as she pulls on Klaus, trying to get him to sit down.

Elijah calmly adjusts his suit as he moves from the table, much to Y/N’s dismay as he leaves her side. He walks toward his little brother at the table. His eyes scan over the scene, Finn is looking down at the table. Bastard must’ve known too. Almost scarily calm, Elijah walks around the table to his brother, who can’t seem to wipe the grin from his face.

Elijah’s fist collides with the side of Klaus’ face so quickly that Y/N didn’t even have time to look up to see it before Klaus was on the ground, the force of the punch enough to knock him down. Hayley exclaims and moves to the ground beside him. Finn stays sitting at his chair, almost unsurprised by his brother’s actions. Gasps scatter throughout the reception hall.

“I’m not sure who may have spread this rumour.” Elijah turns to face the crowd, now shocked and appalled. “But I can assure you,” His eyes meet Y/N’s tear filled ones. “What Y/N and I feel for each other is indeed very real. I love you, Y/N. I never want to be apart from you. You make me feel whole.”

The crowd disappears from Y/N’s sights as she looks at Elijah. He’s moving out from behind the table now, moving toward her, and she stands, wasting no time in moving toward him as well. They meet in the middle and collide like stars, world ending and white-hot. His lips meeting hers in incredible synchronicity. The crowd behind them awes. Elijah’s the first to pull away and he leans his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes.

“I love you.” He whispers to her. “I love you.”

#june2021promptchallenge #Elijah Mikaelson #Elijah Mikaelson x reader #The originals #The originals AU #elijah mikaelson au #fake relationship #i've been working on this for ages pls enjoy #it's still july 31st my time #LMFAO #i'm so nervous to post this #i poured my heart and soul into this fic lol

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