#and i miss my stupid uncle and i wish my sister was here

[maidofmetal]

people are over and i just want to fucking scream

[dreamwatch]

Town Called Malice

Written for @corrodedcoffinfest

Day #21 - Prompt: Hate This Town | Word Count: 999 | Rating: T | CW: hospitals, mention of injuries | POV: Gareth | Pairing: None | Tags: angst, good uncle Wayne Munson, friendship

It’s been two days since the earthquake.

Their house has gone, Benji their beautiful mutt is missing. His sister hasn’t stopped crying.

Once they were all at grandma’s, mom went straight back to work. They’d watched neighbours bodies get pulled from their homes, some alive, some dead; she was needed elsewhere.

He went twenty four hours not knowing what happened to his friends. Jeff and Matty are ok.

Mom was the one that told him about Eddie, and you know, she’s his mom and he knows she wants to tell him more but as they like to say in their home, she took the ‘hippopotamus oath’ so all she says is “you need to speak to Wayne” and then because he’s not freaked out enough she adds “today.”

He knows his way round this hospital like the back of his hand. His little brother, Owen, has managed to acquire a cast or stitches in each of his thirteen years on this planet. His mom has been a nurse here since before Rhiannon, his older sister, was born. 

He’s never visited the ICU.

Before he heads up there he passes by the ER and gets a hug and kiss from his mom. She’s told him nothing, just that it’s not good and it would be good to let Wayne know they were thinking about Eddie. She gives him a final kiss on the cheek and then he heads up to the fourth floor.

Visitation is strict here, you can’t just walk in and wander around, doctors and nurses are rushing in and out of rooms constantly; people are spending as much time in ICU dying as they are surviving. But he’s not planning on going inside.

He finds a seat in the waiting area at the end of the hall. There’s ashtrays and a vending machine here and he knows Wayne Munson and there’s no way he won’t need a coffee and a cigarette at some stage. And sure enough he’s there about forty minutes when Wayne walks past him.

He gives him a second, doesn’t want to pounce on him from nowhere, lets him smoke his cigarette, watching the jittery movement of his hand. Wayne comes across as dour, hard faced, but he has a golden vein of mischief that runs through him, and he’s prone to fits of giggles, especially at Eddie’s expense. But that glint in his eyes is gone.

He finishes his smoke and stands in front of the coffee machine, coin in hand. If you didn’t know him you’d think he was just making his selection, but Gareth does know him. Wayne stands like a statue, coin in his hand, staring into nothing.

“Mr Munson?”

Wayne spins, eyes sharp and Gareth can imagine why. But Wayne’s face softens when he sees its him. 

“Since when do you call me that?”

Gareth gives him a one shouldered shrug in reply.

Wayne gets his coffee and sits in the chair next to him lighting another cigarette.

“Your mom sent you up, huh?”

“I would have come anyway.”

“She’s a good woman, your ma.” He takes a sip of the coffee, his face souring at it. “Jeffrey okay? Matthew?”

“Yeah, they’re all safe.”

Wayne sighs. “That’s good. Eddie would be worried, so that’s good.”

The mention of Eddie’s name pricks ears in the waiting area, and Gareth is wishing just one of them to say a fucking word because he’s ready to let go.

“What happened?” 

Wayne sighs, loaded and weary. “They’re saying he was bit. Dogs, or wolves or something. Spooked by the earthquake.”

What the fuck? “Wolves?”

“It’s bullshit. He’s been carved up, no dog did that to him,” Wayne says, voice rising, waiting area now fully watching him. “People in this town think we’re stupid. Think they know who we are, what we are. Well I ain’t stupid. I swear to God, when I find whoever did that—" his voice breaks, rough and tired, “to my boy, going to be a lot of very sorry people in this piece of shit town.”

It’s the truest thing he’s ever said. 

What is wrong with this place? The way they allowed Carver to rile them up with bullshit. Like they don't already live in a world where someone could drop the bomb at any moment, they had to go invent shit to be scared of. The way the cops, the fucking cops! just let Carver start a vigilante movement right in front of them. His dad always told them ‘there’s something rotten about Hawkins’, that maybe they should have moved. His parents usually end up fighting when they go down that road. But he’s already made his mind up, he's leaving this place as soon as he can.

“Is he going to be okay”

Wayne takes his time about answering, too particular, so Gareth knows it’s bad from that alone. But he’s willing to accept whatever Wayne gives him, will grab on to any ounce of hope.

“He’s strong.”

And… that’s it? That’s all he’s got for him?

Fuck.

“I should get back to him. Don’t like to be away for too long.”

Wayne stands and throws his empty cup in the trash. 

“Why don’t you come through and say hi? I think Ed would like that.”

Maybe he hesitates too long, Wayne adding “You don’t have to.”

“No. No I want to.”

Wayne gets his name added to the visitors list, and then puts his hand on Gareth's shoulder guiding him to Eddie’s room. When Officer Callaghan moves to block his way Wayne doesn’t even speak. Doesn’t say a fucking word, just stares at Callaghan until he steps out of the way and goes back to his post. It’s the most incredible thing Gareth’s ever seen.

And then he’s in Eddie’s room.

Later, he’ll ride in the car home with his mom and it will pour out of him. Eddie, their dog, their home.

But for now he’ll bite his lip and hold his friends hand.

[marymary-diva17]

A mother sacrifice (2)

Jake x tsu'tey x reader x neytiri

It has been a month since the family had been apart from each other, a long enough month to affect everyone in the family. As they were missing one family member that held them all together, and would listen to all the children when there was time of conflict at home. The mother that was left behind had home missed her children and her spouse, these time apart was testing her as a mother and wife. She was willing to sacrifice anything to make her family safe, even due they might mean being part from them even longer.

y/n " ........" you are looking at some old photos of your kids as you are missing them and your mates so much right now, this was supposed to make you feel better but they were making you feel sad right now.

spider " hey auntie y/n my dad wants to know ... are you okay" you soon heard spider coming into the room, and you soon wipe away your tears.

y/n " yes spider what the matter"

spider " I came to see if you need help my dad busy right now, and I'm not needed in the lab as it not safe"

y/n " well you can help me around here"

spider " you are missing are you"

y/n " yes honey I'm missing them and I hope they are okay it been a while since we last talked, and I worry about them all"

spider " I miss them as well auntie all my friends are gone and half of my make shift family"

y/n " well you still have me and your dad along with your many uncles and aunts"

spider " thank you auntie y/n"

y/n " now come on lets see if we can find a way on how we can be helpful from here, and maybe we might get some good news when we are done with our work"

spider " yes auntie"

y/n " also there is something I and your dad along with the scientist will love to show you, that might amaze you my boy"

spider " cool I can't wait and see" you soon walked off with spider to get to work with a small team of scientists, you will do anything for your children and mates along with the rest of your clan to make sure they were safe and sound.

awa'alu village

Jake " I think once we are good terms with tonowari and the other olo'eytahn we can ask them if y/n and the rest of the clan can come"

tsu'tey " good because after all these months without her are starting to stuck"

neytiri " yes I miss her as well and I think her absence is starting to get, to the children as well they miss her so much"

Jake " yes and they also seem to be missing spider as well, he is their friend"

neytiri "we can call her right ma Jake and see here to hear her"

Jake " don't know if safe neytiri if the rda gets hold of single they will come after her"

neytiri " I hate it I hate on how we left her like that and left many innocents as well, along without fighting for our home" neytiri had gotten mad soon standing up and looking out, toward the ocean she was looking in the direction of the forest.

neytiri " I miss her and I wish she didn't make this sacrifice alone, I wish she allowed me to stay with her"

tsu'tey " well all know she wouldn't allow that to happen that not our y/n"

Jake " she has always been like this remember when she was pregnant with lo'ak and got mad at you two of following her, like she was fragile child" soon neytiri and tsu'tey had laugh as they was so true, they felt some happiness but that soon ended when kiri came into the home mad.

neytiri " kiri"

kiri " I hate these stupid reef boys they are stupid and rude, eywa has cursed with then stupidity" soon the two other kids had came into the home neteyam and lo'ak seem like they were in a fight, and tuk seem confused.

Jake " what happened"

neteyam " there was fight aonung and his friends were bullying kiri and insult our family"

lo'ak " they need to learn they can't bully our sister or insult or family" all three adult had sighed they knew they need you here, kiri had her back turn to everyone as she was upset . The boys were looking at tie father.

mo'at " tuk tuk come with me and help me"

tuk " okay grandma" tuk had bene taken by mo'at which made matter easier at the moment, but things were going to g soft very quickly and lead to more family conflict for the rest of the day.

later that night

Jake " look I know kids this has been a difficult day for us all" the kids were not speaking after the whole fight, it soon lead to awful and dangers prank played on lo'ak which end up in dangerous situation. there seem to be tension between lo'ak and his parents as they were not on his side right now.

lo'ak " I wish mama was here"

tsu'tey " lo'ak we don't need anymore fights right now it been a long day"

lo'ak " well at least when mom here she will defend me and hear us all out, verse picking sides"

neytiri " enough no more fighting"

Kiri “ when mama was her everything was better and same with spider he my best friend,I hate that they couldn’t come with us” the three adults soon sighed at the whole situation.

Jake “ looks kids we are going to do our best to get your mama home with us, and everyone else but we need to wait”

Tsu’tey “ you are the only one who miss her we miss her as well”

loak “ I’m sorry for yelling”

Jake “ it okay son your were just voicing your feelings at all”

neytiri “ now let’s eat and maybe if we are lucky we can do flight or swim” the children soon nodded their heads and agreed on the matter, the family ate their meal and spent the night as a family. They did miss you so much and knew you had made this sacrifice for them to be safe, and they will do same if they were in your position. As that night the family came up with an idea to get you to be back with them, so they all can be a family again.

[darkestspring]

yandere targaryen pt 2

a/n: i’ve been waiting for write part two for a while but i’ve been busy with other requests and work and my brain has 1000 ideas but i can never focus on one, im starting a yandad daemon series soon so look out for that but part one to this series can be found here. i hope you enjoy!!! as always i dedicate this to @missglaskin​ for always inspiring me and being such an ammazing write like wow!!! we’re pretty blessed to be able to read your amazing content huh. and special dedication to @frankcastleonlyfans​ for listening to my stupid ramblings about maegor and my other targaryen series. enjoy!

it seemed as though everything had changed the moment that alicent had married your father, rhaenyra’s anger never ceased and she kept you with her at all times

daemon was still exiled and continued to write you letter, promising to take you away. wouldn’t that be fun, he’d write, an adventure for just the two of us.

you did think it was fun but you were careful not to mention the letters to anyone.

alicent had given birth to your younger brother, aegon II and you had adored him from the moment he was born.

rhaenyra hated that you spent so much time away from her. she hated that her father had marrried her friend. she hated that she was expected to marry. all she had was you and even then, alicent was trying to steal you away.

on aegon’s second name day, it all came to a head. rhaenyra ran away after confronting her father over trying to marry her to jason lannister. she had taken you with her into the woods in her rage.

viserys and alicent had both demanded that you be found. even if ser criston cole ran aftet the both of you, it was dangerous. you must be safe.

rhaenyra clung onto you as she walked further in, you were all she cared about.

“sister, do you love me?” she’d ask you, her eyes settled on you with intensity. you had smiled at her. “of course, i do. i love you and alicent and father very much, aegon too.” the answer left her dissatisfied, she wanted you to love her more

in the end of your trip, both she and you were covered in blood, leaving alicent to panic over you. what had happened to her sweet girl, her beloved daughter.

it had all been a blur after that, rhaenyra had gone on tour to choose a husband. it had been suggested that you marry as well but viserys denied it for now. he wished for your happiness above all.

rhaenyra had sobbed into your shoulder when her request for you to come with had been denied. you were her sister not alicent’s, why could you not be with her. rhaenyra left with sorrow as you waved at her from a distance.

you had gotten much closer with alicent and aegon. he followed you everywhere and you thought it was cute. your own little shadow, viserys had remarked playfully once.

alicent had given birth once more, to a girl named Helaena, you adored her even more, always taking her with you when you explored outside. she would watching the animals and bugs as she rested her head on your shoulder. what a lovely thing she was.

months later, rhaenyra returned without a husband, earning ire from your father and daemon returned, leaving you full of joy.

you had flung yourself into his arms when you had caught up to him after your father had hugged him

he had hugged you just as close, his precious girl. he had missed you too much.

maybe that’s why it hurt just as much when he left. alicent had told you that there were rumors that rhaenyra had been with your uncle in a brothel, you refused to believe it. not your sister.

everything seemed to be getting once, you had to say goodbye to otto tearfully as he left his position of hand of the king. rhaenyra was engaged to leanor valeryon

even when rhaenyra returned to prepare for the wedding, alicent clung to you more but wouldn’t tell you why. she would glare at rhaenyra with such intensity and you felt lost at every turn.

you felt like things were getting out of hand, especially when ser criston had killed ser joffrey. you had begged your father to spare him. you could not lose someone you cared for. you had begged rhaenyra to understand. you had held laenor as he sobbed.

why were the winds changing? why was everything going bad? why were your maids changing every day. Alicent clung to you more as everything changed.

Marriage is not a suitable thing for you, she’d tell you when you asked to be married off, to help support your family. I need you here with me, my lovely daughter. I need you most, please don’t think about leaving.

a chill went down your spine at the look in her eyes. had alicent always been this possessive over you? always wanted to keep you so close to her? you wished you had an answer.

[thewritingofspencerrose]

To Be Loved | To Be Alone With You

Luke Hughes x Austen Kelce

"Luke? What are you doing at my brother's front door?"

He stands there, curls I love so much hidden under a devils hat and sweats on, a tote bag I had left in Jersey on his shoulder.

"Wow, act like you miss me a little less, yeah?" He retorts, albeit jokingly as his brows raise.

"You know that's not what I meant," I remind, brows still as furrowed as before. "Don't you have a game tomorrow?"

"It's at home, which is all of an hour and a half from here," Is his returned reasoning this time.

"And the reason you're at my brother's door is? I remember telling you I offered to babysit for Jason and Kylie weeks ago when you asked about Valentine's day plans?"

"And I called him up and told him that he was more than welcome to help you watch the girls, given they're all already in bed and you're going to be all by your lonesome," my sister-in-law chimes, coming up behind me and wrapping her arms around my neck in a hug. "I wasn't going to let you spend your first Valentine's day together apart when the kid lives in Jersey."

I can't help but look between Lu and Ky, Luke looking hesitant in her presence as he holds my tote out to me in offering.

"I brought your favorite takeout from the joint in jersey we can warm up, matching pajama bottoms and my red Devs hoodie you always steal," He seems to feel the need to explain. "And I brought you three of those "Blind Date with a Book" things you were showing me at the book store last month. I figured you'd enjoy them."

"I hate you," I can't help but mumble, the tears in my eyes causing him to step forward and wrap me in his arms, eyes wide as they make contact with Ky.

"Don't worry, Kid. It means she loves you," Jason's voice is the next to join the conversation, coming up beside his wife. "Now, ground rules. No kissing, no touching, no naked touching, nothing rated more than G on the TV-"

"And that's enough out of him," Ky hushes Jas, putting a hand over his mouth. "You can ignore everything he just said, I trust you guys to not do something stupid," She assures as Lu and I chuckle at the behavior I wish I could say is unusual for my brothers. "We're going to go, call us if you need anything."

"We won't, have fun tonight," I assure, Luke shifting us out of the older couple's way to allow them to leave.

"I'm serious! If you make me an uncle in my own home I'm calling Trav and we're killing you, Hughes," Jason threats, the words ringing as Ky shoves him down the front walk, Luke nodding in a wordless answer as they go, Ky only shooting us a smile before shutting the door behind them.

"You drove all the way here and packed us dinner, just because I was busy?" I can't help but ask, turning in his arms and craning my neck.

"I'd drive any distance to get to see you," He answers, cupping my cheeks with large hands and giving me a kiss. "Now, I'm going to go put dinner in the oven to warm up, you want to go change and we can reconvene in 10 in front of the tv?"

All I can do is smile and nod, stealing the pjs and hoodie he brought me from the bag with dinner and all and handing the bag back to his waiting hand.

One more peck and a promise to meet me in the living room sends me off, and he fulfills his promise when I see him sat behind the coffee table, dinner in front of him while he clicks through the tv for a movie.

"Tadah!" I exclaim, throwing my hands up as I move into his view, his hoodie sleeves pooling at my elbows due to their length.

Red plaid pj pants that I can see he's in his own pair of, the red hoodie matching exactly in a way that makes my head happy.

"You look gorgeous, Baby," He compliments, waving me over to his side, and tucking me into it and kissing the top of my head.

"Thank you for driving here," I mumble, enjoying his warmth.

"We'll have to thank Kylie when she gets home, she's the one who called me up," A shy smile taking over at the admittance.

"God, what did my brother do to deserve her."

[bitterballofsunshine]

The Eternal Issue of Lord Black: Drarry Edition

Okay so I just noticed something and it’s been bugging me for ages and idk if this is legit or if I’m just plain stupid. Or if someone's already talked about this. I am solely basing my knowledge on fanfics/fandom wiki and what little I remember from canon so, meh.

Assuming that the Black Family has a title such as Lord (or Lady) Black, wouldn’t that go to Draco? I know that some fanfictions depict Harry as Lord Black....

....but here’s the thing.

I think Lordship goes from parent to child or sibling to sibling in an instance where a Lord or Lady doesn’t have children. But if the Lord or Lady left a will stating that they wished the inheritance to go to someone else, then that will would be followed. Which is why it’s acceptable that Sirius left a will saying that everything should go to Harry. BUT…..

In most of the fanfictions where Draco gets disowned by Lucius, it means that he no longer inherits anything. Not the title or the manor or the Gringotts vaults. So, if that’s what disowning entails then neither Sirius nor Andromeda gets any of the Black inheritance. So, even if Sirius left a will, it wouldn’t (couldn’t) include Black property since Sirius didn’t have the rightful ownership to any. (Even if Sirius was proven to not be a criminal, he was disowned for different reasons, which still stood.)

So, if we go down the family line;

Orion Black is depicted as Lord Black in many places but he in fact had an elder sister, Lucretia Black, who married Ignatius Prewett (Molly’s uncle). But apparently, she wasn’t disowned for it

so if we follow normal inheritance laws, she was Lady Black until she died in 1992.

She outlived Orion (died in 1979) so Orion technically never became Lord Black to begin with. But after Lucretia Balck’s death (since she had no children), the inheritance should go to her sibling….

Orion Black, who is dead.

Then, since he has children, his sons.

Sirius Black, disowned. So, it wouldn’t matter if he had children. We move on to his sibling.

Regulus Black, dead. But if he had children, they would’ve inherited it, but he didn’t. So, I think we go to Cygnus Black (Orion and Lucretia’s younger brother).

[Update: I'm sorry, not younger brother, it's younger cousin. In which case, Walburga would come before Cygnus but when Lucretia died, Cygnus was the only one left so, this changes nothing.]

He died the same year as Lucretia, but there’s no date. So, he could’ve been Lord Black for a short amount of time.

After him, his children.

Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, dead. (She was Lady Black while in Azkaban after her father’s death though) Didn’t have any children, so we go to her sibling.

Andromeda Tonks, disowned. Doesn’t inherit anything herself so she can’t give anything to Nymphadora.

So, we go to Cygnus’s next (and last) daughter, Narcissa.

She’s alive at the end of canon so she technically becomes Lady Black.

She wasn’t disowned so after her, according to inheritance laws (??), Draco becomes Lord Black.

Or maybe I’m missing some important thing here? If spouses are also in line for inheritance, then after Lucretia, it could be Ignatius Prewett. After whom the inheritance would still jump back to Orion (since they don’t have children and Lucretia’s family blood is priority), then Walburga, Sirius, Regulus, Cygnus, Druella Black (Cygnus’s wife), Bellatrix, Rodolphus Lestrange (also dead, I think?), Narcissa, Lucius, Draco…and maybe then Harry.

BUT, is some instances in actual world history, when a Lord or Lady was named for a family, whomever they married took the other title, meaning that a married couple was always the Lord and Lady of the House. (Which actually makes sense) It didn’t mean that inheritance laws changed. If a father is the Lord by blood, and the mother is the Lady since she married him, then after the father’s passing, the mother is no longer Lady. The title moves on to her children and whomever they marry.

So, Narcissa becomes Lady Black by blood (and Lady Malfoy through marriage) and Lucius becomes Lord Black through marriage. Then when Draco becomes Lord Black after Narcissa’s passing, Harry (I’m not going for canon here, I’m going for drarry) becomes Lord Black too.

Also just realised that Draco is both Lord Black and Lord Malfoy through blood.

Did I even make sense?

This is a goldmine for post-war drarry fanfictions though. And for jegulus fics as well.

Imagine Regulus becoming Lord Black after Aunt Lucretia died and James becomes Lord Black too... Sirius just sitting there like

[separatist-apologist]

Wishing On Dandelions

I see forever in your eyes

Summary: When Elain is gifted a castle from her late Uncle, she expects it to come with bats in the attic and ghosts in the halls.

Not a grouchy English Lord hell bent on pushing her out.

Note: A final thank you to @the-lonelybarricade for both validating all my worst impulses AND being my UK consultant.

Part 2/2 | Read on AO3 | Part 1

Everything fell apart faster than Elain could manage. One moment she was arranging her sister to meet a literal Duke and the next Feyre’s soon-to-be husband was just gone. Elain had left Nesta to guard Feyre, wanting to check both that Tomas was behaving himself, that their father was absolutely in their assigned seat, and that the groom looked appropriate awed and misty-eyed.

And found a smiling Cassian and his too-serious friend Azriel waiting for her just outside the doors.

“Don’t panic,” Cassian drawled in that heavy Scottish burr, “But I cannae find Rhys.”

“Don’t panic?” she breathed, looking from the pair of men who might have been brothers. “But you can’t find…the man…who is supposed to be marrying my sister.”

“Yes, exactly,” Azriel murmured, clearly amused. 

“Oh, god,” Elain breathed. “Come with me.”

Elain took them down the renovated halls of Feyre’s castle, her throat dry. Feyre looked so radiant, was practically glowing. Surely it was all a misunderstanding—some mistake easily rectified. No one could be so cruel. It was Elain’s mantra, even when she realized Cassian was the man Nesta was always going on about.

Even when Cassian ignored her instructions to find his friend and trailed after her older sister, his want so obvious and plain it made her heart ache. Azriel had glanced in her direction, perhaps thinking he, too, would join her.

“Find him,” Elain had ordered, gripping her cellphone in her hand so tightly there was danger she might shatter the screen. “You go up, I’ll go down.”

And before he could protest, Elain took off. Her feet ached from standing in tall heels on the unforgiving stone and all she wanted was to go home. Distracting herself with Feyre’s wedding was almost working, but the moment Elain ran out of things to think about, she found herself back in the foyer, Lucien’s mouth almost on her own, his fingers curled around her arm.

Leaving felt like a monumental mistake. 

Elain shook her head, clipping down the hall praying Rhys was just around the corner weeping over how beautiful her sister was and how stupid and lucky he was. Elain flung open every door she could find, her blood pressure rising until Elain was on the verge of a panic attack.

She looked down at her phone.

He doesn’t want to hear from you.

Elain wanted to hear his voice, though. She dialed, thinking she’d just hang up once he said hello. Bracing her back against the cool wall, Elain’s eyes fluttered shut when Lucien’s voice answered. 

“Elain?”

And just like a coward, Elain hung up.

Of course, Lucien called back immediately. She didn’t know why it hadn’t occurred to her that he might. Elain answered silently, glass to her ear.

“What’s wrong?”

You’re not here, she nearly said. Instead, Elain took a breath. “Rhys is missing.”

“Fuck,” Lucien replied. Like he cared. Elain took another breath, imagining that he was right there, that he was speaking directly to her. “Are you okay?”

“I—” Elain hesitated. She’d expected him to tell her to stop worrying, that everything would be fine. Everyone did that—no one had ever asked how she was doing. “I’m so afraid he’s standing her up and it’ll break her heart.”

“That’s on him, not you.”

The sound of echoing steps drew Elain from the bubble Lucien had created. “I should keep looking. Thank you for answering.”

He hesitated. She nearly hung up when he all but whispered. “Of course. Just…erm…Elain?”

“Yes?”

It was her father walking toward her, brown eyes alight when he realized he’d found her.

“Just come back home. To me. Come back home to me.”

Elain’s heart died in her chest. All her usual eloquence failed her. The silence drew a soft sigh from Lucien’s lips before he ended the call. It was easier to pretend she hadn’t heard him say that.

Elain’s whole body screamed, begging her to just walk away. To do exactly what he’d asked and go back home, even if it meant more squabbling and arguing and sniping. 

“Daddy,” Elain said instead, plastering a smile on her face. 

“There you are,” he said, reaching for the tops of her arms. “You look radiant. Your sisters are nearly ready?”

“Yes,” Elain lied. She didn’t have the heart to tell him all his dreams of becoming father-in-law to a very important duke might be dead. “Just last minute jitters I suspect.”

He hummed his agreement. “I heard a rather unsavory rumor.”

Elain looked up at him. They shared so many of the same features. Same brown eyes, that same golden brown hair. He had the same shaped mouth, the same arching cheekbones—all of it weathered from time, lined and worn as he’d aged. 

“Oh?”

“That you and Graysen have ended your engagement.”

“Oh,” she breathed, nodding her head. “Yes, that’s true.”

Her father offered her a plaintive look that set Elain’s heart galloping again. Her stomach splattered at her feet, weighing his obvious disappointment. “You two were such a smart match.”

“We barely knew each other,” she tried, though Elain could feel herself wavering. She loved her father and had spent her entire life trying so hard to make him proud. He’d always doted on her, but never moreso than when her mother had become sick.

It was like Elain had merely replaced her. She’d been only ten, but she understood that he would fall apart if someone didn’t take care of him. Nesta was too lost to grief over their mother and Ferye too young, which left Elain.

“Extend your engagement,” he suggested, as if all she needed was time. “Give him another chance. He’s such a lovely man. He came round the other night just miserable over the thought of losing you.”

Elain opened her mouth to tell her father what Gray had done before closing it again. Would it even matter? “I—”

“I’m hosting a ball for you sister once she’s done with her honeymoon. Invite Graysen,” her father pressed, eyes bright and hopeful. “Let me announce another marriage in my family. Elain, I’m just—I want you to be happy.”

Elain looked into those familiar brown eyes before smiling. “I—I’ll talk to him,” she promised. 

“And the ball?”

“Of course I’ll be there. If you want help—”

“Oh, absolutely. In fact, if you want to think about returning to London for a spell, that would be so helpful.”

Oh god oh god oh god— “I can’t return,” she said carefully, hating how crestfallen her father seemed. “But I could likely come early to help?”

“But…but you do intend to return, right?” he hedged. “You don’t want to live in the country forever…”

Elain couldn’t stand it. She wanted to tell him how she felt and couldn’t bring herself to disappoint him.

“Of course not.”

He smiled, pulling her into a hug that didn’t at all feel comforting. Elain was too rigid even as she tried to return the gesture. To find solace in his embrace like she once had. Elain only felt misery, which lessened at the sound of Feyre’s exuberant voice.

Rhys had been found—and judging from the lipstick smeared around his mouth, wherever he’d been and whatever he’d been doing had hardly been the sinister act they’d all been imagining. Feyre’s hair was ruined, and when Elain rushed forward to try and fix it, Ferye only said, “Relax. It’s not a big deal.”

Elain couldn’t relax. She was on edge, nervous and jittery through the entire ceremony. She watched how Cassian stared at Nesta—the obvious yearning and longing hidden beneath a careful, easy smirk. And it was impossible not to notice how utterly enamored Rhys was. Elain had to force herself not to call Lucien again after Rhys’s long, thoughtful speech about how meeting Feyre changed his whole life.

Graysen thought she was mediocre. 

What would he even say, standing up before their family and friends. When I met Elain, I knew I could do better. I did her a favor, marrying her. Nothing about her fascinates me, but for some reason I can’t let her go. 

Come back home to me. 

Elain didn’t sleep that night. She’d planned to stay a few days and mingle with other guests. Instead, Elain very carefully packed her things and crept into the hall at the crack of first light. She thought she could sneak away without anyone noticing.

Nesta was, of course, awake. It set Elain back by hours and yet when Nesta looked at her and asked to go to the train station, Elain heard herself saying, “I can take you the whole way, if you like?”

Nesta, thankfully, said no. It took Elain a whole two hours to get her there, and then two hours to turn around and end up nearly where she’d started—and another two before she saw the familiar shoreline. Lush, rolling hills and thatched rooftops, all winding toward a castle rising toward a gloomy, cloud-filled sky.

Elain parked at the bottom of the hill and all but ran up. She just wanted to see him, even if he was grumpy. She burst through the back, pushing open glass, french doors as a soft drizzle began behind her.

“Lucien?” she called, dropping her back to the tile floor. 

No response. 

Elain kicked off her shoes, knowing how it would make him insane to see her tramping through the pristine halls, dragging in the mud. He wasn’t in the study, nor was he in the drawing room. Not his bedroom, which she lingered in only for a moment, if only to drink in his heady, masculine scent and to appreciate how neat his room was.

Elain stopped, hands on her hips. “Lucien?”

She heard his voice—though he clearly hadn’t heard her. Against the soft rumble of a summer thunderstorm, Lucien shouted, “You think you can’t be a meal, but I assure you, you absolutely can. Get in the fucking pen!”

Henrietta was giving him grief and still he was trying to contain her chicken so she wouldn’t be hurt. Elain felt lighter than air as she made her way through the courtyard, ignoring the rain splattering over her skin, plastering her purple dress to her body. She picked up speed, walking, and then jogging, until she was running through the gardens, following the sound of his irritation. Henrietta spotted her first, abandoning her assault on Lucien’s ankles in favor of trotting toward Elain. Lucien’s head snapped forward, his red hair stuck against the golden brown of his face.

“Elai—” 

She crashed against him before he could finish what he was saying, kissing him like she should have done before she left. 

When she first met him, though, that thought was comical. Lucien, with his sneering lip and his disdain—undone by a kiss as a greeting.

Undone now, if the arms wrapped around her back were anything to go by. The trick, Elain found, to getting Henrietta to leave Lucien alone was covering his body with her own.

“You’re back,” he said, kissing her again before she could respond. She’d almost forgotten where they were, standing unprotected in a rainshower and Lucien certainly didn’t seem to care. 

She wanted to drag him to the ground, to peel those clothes from him until he was soaked with mud. 

“You’re wet,” she said instead, pulling back to look at him. Lucien’s cheeks were flushed, his lips swollen. The hunter green shirt he wore was stuck to his chest, outlining his every contour in maddening detail.

“I couldn’t…Henrietta…” he bit his bottom lip. “When did you get in?”

“Just now,” she replied, scooping the errant chicken into her arms. It took Elain a few easy steps to lock her up in the pen for the evening before she reached for Lucien’s hand. “Did she give you any trouble?”

“Endless,” he replied, hand tucked into the crook of her elbow. “I thought you wouldn’t be back until Tuesday.”

“Changed my mind,” she said blithely, noting the creeping smile on his face.

“Oh?”

“Don’t gloat,” she said, pulling him out of the rain. Lucien was quick, pressing her against the door she’d just closed so he could kiss her again.

“Why?” he whispered against her mouth, tongue tracing her bottom lip.

“You asked me to come home to you,” she replied, hooking her fingers in his belt loops to pull him closer. “So here I am.”

He moaned softly, gripping her face in his sturdy, strong hands. “You could have stayed.”

“Why? Everything I want is right here.”

The next kiss was the one she’d spent the night thinking about—rough and a little messy. All passion instead of elegance and skill. Elain thought she had total control right until his teeth nipped her bottom lip, drawing a sharp gasp. 

“Lucien,” she whispered, not needing anything but more. 

“Out,” he groaned, tongue sliding against her own. “Your clothes—they—you need to get out—”

“Smooth.” Elain tried to laugh, but she could feel his erection straining against her hip, practically scorching between their rapidly cooling clothes. 

“Let me take you out of them,” Lucien said, doing nothing that would free her from his body and the door.  Elain swore she meant to tell him so, but he was kissing her like a man on the brink and Elain wanted him so badly that she didn’t care how he had her that first time.

He cared, it seemed. Grinding his pelvis against her, he breathed, “To my bedroom.”

Pressing her fingertips into the soaked fabric of his shirt, Elain pushed just enough that there was breathing room between them again. They clasped hands, breathing hard as they made their way through the renovated halls. Lucien didn’t say a word about the puddles left in their wake, clearly unconcerned about the mess if it meant he could have her.

Elain pounced the second she was locked tight in his spacious, open bedroom. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Elain very carefully stepped them back to the edge of his bed, all the while kissing him. She didn’t notice his own hands until cool air teased over her skin and her dress plopped the floor around her.

“Did you–” Lucien’s tongue was back in her mouth, fingers tangling in her damp hair. He was still fully clothed, while Elain stood before him in nothing but a comfortable bra and a pair of unmatching panties. 

It was her turn to fumble through his buttons, untucking his shirt before shoving it off his broad shoulders. Lucien was magnificent, so beautiful it made her heart ache. 

“That first night you brought Graysen home,” Lucien growled against her neck, teeth scraping delicate skin as Elain tugged at his belt, “I could hear what he was doing to you.”

It was like Lucien had thrown a bucket of cold water over her. “What?”

“Upstairs,” he continued, holding her in place. Elain’s hands had stilled on the button. She remembered that night, too. Graysen had been embarrassingly loud while Elain had just laid there, unsure if Graysen wanted to fuck her or fuck Lucien. “Putting on his show.”

Her eyes found his. “And?”

“I’ve never been so jealous in my entire life,” he told her, his own eyes burning with heat. “I wanted to be him.”

“You hated me,” she disagreed, returning to the button of his pants even as Lucien shook his head back and forth.

“I’ve never hated you, Elain.”

“But—”

“Never,” he breathed against her mouth. “Only myself. But never you.”

“This whole time I thought—”

Lucien silenced her with a blistering kiss, pulling her wrists from the waistband of his boxer briefs to caress his chest. “I’m sorry.” The words ghosted over her lips, sweet like sugar. “I thought it must be so obvious to you—and you disliked me for it.”

Elain wrapped an arm around her neck, bringing them both to the bed. “I suppose we’re both stupid, then.”

He smiled, thumbs sweeping over her cheeks. “You’re glowing,” he said, kissing down the column of her neck. “You’re always glowing.”

She was smiling and kissing, so happy she’d forgotten everything else. Rain tapped at the glass panes of his windows, drowning the soft sounds of his breathing. Elain was a drift in a warm sea, pressed into the mattress by the pleasant, solid weight of his body. Lucien seemed content to just kiss despite the solid, thick length of him pressed against her stomach. 

Elain wasn’t. Hooking her leg around his waist, Elain ground herself into him, arching her hips so her breasts were all but in his face. 

Lucien groaned. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

“Well, stop,” she ordered, dragging her nails down his back. “Give me the rake.”

He choked, pulling up on his arms just enough to look at her. “Rake?” 

“Yeah,” she murmured, pulling his hair from the messy ponytail it currently resided in. With your long hair and the slutty way you dress.”

Lucien grinned. “Slutty?”

“I know what you were up to in London, too,” she added, though in truth all Elain knew was rumor. 

“Heard about that, did you?” 

“Yes,” she breathed, eyes on his mouth. “So imagine my surprise when all you want to do is kiss.”

“Oh, I want much, much more,” Lucien all but growled as his fingers wrapped around her throat. With only the softest pressure, he inclined her head until he had his mouth on her ear. “What do you want, Elain?”

Elain rolled his hips and Lucien hissed, eyes fluttering shut. “I want you, Lucien.”

He groaned, pulling her face toward him. This time, when Lucien kissed, Elain kept her wits about her. Even with his tongue in her mouth, his teeth nipping at her bottom lip, Elain had enough wherewithal to press the heel of her hand against his straining erection. It was meant to be motivation.

She was delighted when he hissed, bucking into her palm.

“Is this what you want?” she taunted softly. 

Lucien swallowed. “Yes,” he admitted, grinding into her touch. It followed a flurry of movement—Elain arching her back so he could unclasp her bra while she shoved his pants and underwear over his hips. They managed to get the offending clothes to the floor, leaving Elain in nothing but a thin pair of underwear and Lucien in nothing at all. She might have complained had Lucien not rubbed his cock against her—he would have slid right in without the barrier. 

She wasn’t ready to be done. After all the terrible, short sex she’d had with Graysen, Elain wanted something fun—something that was more than just her allowing a man to use her for pleasure. 

“Elain,” he whispered, licking the column of her throat. His hands were everywhere all at once, teasing and touching as his lips and tongue began to map out her skin. “Good thing you came home early.”

“Why’s that?” she managed, moaning when his tongue traced a slow circle around her nipple. 

“I cleared my calendar for the weekend, thinking I’d need it for Henrietta. I have nothing I need to do…just you.”

Lucien sucked softly, pulling a ragged moan from Elain’s lips. Pleasure pooled in her chest, sliding toward her aching pussy with each teasing flick of Lucien’s mouth. 

“What are you doing?” Elain asked, fingers replacing his mouth as he began to kiss lower.

“Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he said, kissing against her hip. Elain couldn’t take her eyes off him, her breath stuttering in her chest when he reached the seam of her thigh.

Lucien’s fingers slid beneath the soft fabric of her underwear, pulling a mere inch. Just enough that Elain could have stopped him if she wanted. 

Elain lifted herself off the bed, making it easier to remove them entirely. 

“Fucking hell,” he whispered, speaking the words against her bare thigh. The fingers that had once toyed with her nipples moved to touch her pussy. Lucien groaned, the sound louder than the rumbling thunder around them, when he felt how wet she was. Elain whined, jerking as he rubbed a slow circle over her clit. 

“Do you taste as good as you smell?” 

Words failed her. She wanted to tell him he ought to find out—but Lucien was one step ahead of her. His tongue replaced his fingers, sliding up the wet center of her. It was something Graysen wouldn’t do—he didn’t like the taste and found it too tiring if he had to be there longer than a few minutes. Elain hadn’t protested, though she had been resentful everytime he begged her to get on her knees and suck him off.

Lucien was unhurried, slow in his exploration. He’d drag his tongue down her pussy, tasting and touching before returning to her clit. His movements were deliberate, building pleasure layer upon layer until Elain had begun to writhe from need. 

Lucien hooked his arms around her, spreading her further apart. There was a greediness to his actions that made her feel as if eating her out was a selfish act—he, too, was deriving pleasure from what he was doing. Driving her to madness with his mouth, pulling the exact reactions he wanted with a teasing touch of his fingers or the rough suck of his lips. Elain ground against him, chasing the building orgasm until she’d dragged the bottom sheet from its corners, desperate to feel something beneath her hands. 

Lucien’s teeth grazed the sensitive nub of flesh just as his finger slid into her body. Elain clamped against him tightly, causing a rumbling groan to vibrate through her. It was too much. She came with a gasping scream, hips arching off the bed. Lucien rode her through it, his own body thrusting into the mattress.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he whispered, crawling back up her body for a searing, messy kiss. Elain pulled at his shoulder, lining them up so she could wrap her legs around his waist.

“More,” she said against his mouth. “I want more.”

“You can have whatever you want from me,” Lucien replied, pushing himself an inch into her body. 

Lucien groaned, throwing his head back as his eyes rolled up into his head. Elain shivered, unable to contain a smile.

“Is it good?”

Lucien thrust himself the rest of the way into her body in response. It was Elain’s turn to gasp, unprepared for the stretch required in order to accommodate the sheer size of him. Lucien held himself still, head buried in the crook of her neck while Elain focused on deep, gulping breaths. 

Pain gave way to pleasure faster than she’d expected. 

He pulled himself out nearly to the tip, kissing the underside of her jaw as he thrust back into her. They both moaned. Elain dug her nails into his ass, meeting him thrust for thrust with wild, hungry abandon. 

“Louder,” he ordered, hand closing around her throat again. “Is this what you want, Elain? What you came all the way home for?”

“Yes, yes, Lucien—” Elain was rapidly unspooling, losing herself to the golden haze of pleasure. Lucien squeezed just enough that the breathlessness she already felt was heightened, 

“Are you going to come for me?”

“Yes,” she moaned. Elain was close, a fact he must surely have been aware of given his own erratic thrusts. 

“Come for me, Elain,” he whined, dragging the blunt head of his cock through her silken heat. “Baby, please, come—”

Elain fell apart, her scream of pleasure swallowed by Lucien’s greedy mouth. Lucien came right behind her, his moan of pleasure edged with the most delicious whimper—like he was twice as wrecked. 

“Fuck,” he breathed. Elain could feel the pounding pulse of his heart through the skin of his cock. “Holy shit, Elain.”

A small laugh escaping her. She was still clenched tight around him, her body practically shaking from the aftershocks. “Was it how you imagined?”

“Better,” Lucien murmured, kissing her mouth. The taste of Elain’s pussy clung to his lips, exciting her all over again. “Get on your hands and knees.”

“Already?” she asked, dragging her nails against his scalp.

“I have you all weekend, don’t I?” Was Lucien’s smug reply. “I have to take what I can get.”

“Spoken like a true romantic,” she teased. Her laughter turned to a whine when he withdrew, rising on his knees to wait.

Elain would have done anything he asked. 

-*-

Elain was avoiding her phone. In truth, she was avoiding everything but her immediate world. Preparing for a restaurant took an immense amount of time, not counting her regular responsibilities. Her father was planning a masquerade party, in part to impress his new in-laws… and, she suspected, to bring her and Gray back together.

Elain hadn’t told Lucien about that. Even when Gray began texting her again, sweet like he’d been back when she’d first met him. \

I miss you.

Tell me about your day pretty girl.

Thinking about you.

Elain didn’t respond. None of those things were true for her. Elain had never been happier than she was with Lucien and with each passing day, began to feel resentment toward her father and his unfair expectations. Was it not enough? While Feyre and Nesta were allowed to carve their own paths, he still wanted to dictate Elain’s—and she was too cowardly to tell him no.

Lucien’s fingers snapped in front of Elain’s face. “Are you listening, or are you thinking about my cock?”

Neither, though she couldn’t admit that. “Just tired,” she said instead, catching the self-satisfied smile that spread over his lips. “I could use some uninterrupted sleep.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” he replied crisply, turning back to the documents spread before them. “I need you to sign off on our application here…and here…and I need you to sign payment as well.”

“Yeah, alright,” she grumbled, snatching up a pen. She made her way around the table, leaning over him as she signed. Lucien exhaled in satisfaction, running his nose over her neck. 

“You smell good,” he murmured, snaking an arm around her waist. “I’ll bet you taste even better.”

“This is why we’re so behind,” Elain reminded him even as he pulled her into his lap. 

“I like being alone with you,” he admitted, kissing her cheek. “I don’t want to share.”

Elain wound her arms around his neck. “Father wants me to return to London in a month.”

Lucien’s expression flattened. “Oh?”

“I thought…I thought maybe you’d come with me?”

She saw the warring urges on his face. If Lucien came with her, the son of a duke—bastard or not—it might convince her father to drop Graysen. 

“Elain, I…” he trailed off, biting his bottom lip. Lucien didn’t want to return to London. 

Ever. 

“Of course. It’s fine,” she lied, grateful he couldn’t see her disappointment. “Just a few days and then I’m all yours again.”

He relaxed. “Or you could stay,” he murmured, lips back against her skin. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“He would be terribly disappointed,” Elain replied, her heart pounding at just the mere thought of staying behind. She’d already told Nesta she had to be there—Nesta would kill her if she went but Elain stayed. 

“Why does it matter? What about what you want?”

“It’s such a small thing,” Elain replied, though guilt gnawed at her. It was hardly small—Elain wasn’t willing to give up Lucien, and certainly didn’t want to go back to Graysen. What happened when her father pleaded? When she danced with Gray to smooth things over, to appease him because she couldn’t just be honest about what she wanted?

She risked losing Lucien. He would never forgive the betrayal if it ever got back to him. She’d be just another woman picking the wrong man over him. 

“Then why are you so tense?” he asked, lips trailing over her collarbone.

Honest—be honest. 

“He wants me to work things out with Gray.”

Lucien went taut, pulling his mouth from her skin. “Oh.”

Elain tried to stand but Lucien held firm, unwilling to let her escape. “Do you want him back?”

Elain scoffed. “No. I want—” 

Lucien’s breathing sped up, his fear etched over his features. “What do you want?”

“You.”

The fingers digging against her hip relaxed. “You have me.”

“I don’t,” she whispered, staring at the wood floor beneath them. “Because the thought of telling father I don’t want to go…that I’m never coming back…it makes me so nervous and I find myself agreeing to things I don’t want to do to placate him.”

“Ah,” he murmured, lips back on her. “What’s the worst thing that would happen if you told him you wanted to stay with me, a bastard born Vanserra?”

“He’d be disappointed,” she admitted. 

Lucien waited for her to finish, but that was it. And it was, she supposed, a little pathetic. She was a grown woman—disappointing her parents came with the territory. Elain had gone her whole life avoiding it, and wasn’t sure she wanted to start. 

But the alternative was going back to how she and Lucien had been before. Strangers but worse, because now she knew what it was like to have his undivided attention. 

“Is…is that all?”

“Yes,” she said, heart pounding in her chest.

“Well, as someone who has been disappointing his parents from the moment he was born, let me assure you it’s not that bad.”

He reached for her face, holding it gently in his hands. “Stay with me,” he whispered when she didn’t respond. “He’ll understand you’ve merely fallen under the spell of my cock—”

“Oh, stop it,” Elain murmured, though she nuzzled closer all the same. 

Lucien or pleasing her father? It should have been an easy choice.

But Elain felt miserable all the same.

-*-

“Dad,” Elain said patiently, well aware Lucien was hanging on her every word. He was pretending he wasn’t, face buried in a book on that ugly pink sofa. Elain had her legs stretched over his lap, head resting against a cushion. “About Gray—”

“He’s looking forward to seeing you,” her father interrupted with excitement. “When do you think you’ll be in?”

“I…” Elain looked over at Lucien. His expression was scrunched, eyebrows pulled together with clear and obvious worry. “I’m not sure.”

Lucien exhaled softly. 

“I can’t wait to see you married like Feyre. This is what your mother wanted for you.”

And with that last little guilt trip, Elain hung up the phone feeling stupid. Worse than stupid—like a traitor. Lucien set his book down, turning entirely to face her.

“I know,” she said before he could. “I know.”

“That was rough,” he murmured, gripping her bare shin. “Just—just promise me you won’t dance with him.”

“You’re no better than I am,” Elain complained, tossing her phone to the coffee table before them. “ Be a little angry, Lucien.”

“If we’re fighting, we’re not kissing,” Lucien reminded her. “Prioritize, Elain.”

“So you’ll let me go, knowing my father is playing matchmaker with the ex you punched, so long as I come back to you?”

“I mean…I suppose I’d prefer if you stayed,” Lucien murmured, his grip on her leg tightening. “And I’d like it more if you told your father you were with me. That you—” he took a gulping breath. “Are you ashamed?”

Elain’s stomach dropped. “No,” she said, reaching for his hand. “No, never.”

He nodded. “Okay. Then I’ll live if you go, so long as you come back home to me.”

But she didn’t believe he’d truly made peace with her decision to go. Lucien left her on that couch not too long after, citing some piece of work he’d forgotten. Elain suspected he didn’t want her to see just how hurt his feelings were. 

She called Nesta, and then Feyre, just to make sure her sisters were at least still going. And it was on the phone with Feyre that Elain learned something interesting.

“I’m surprised Nesta didn’t ask Cassian,” Feyre said, her voice weirdly breathless. 

“Oh? How is that going?”

A muffled voice in the background called, “They’re in love!”

“Hello, Rhys,” Elain said before asking, “wait. Did Nesta say that?”

“No. She never would, but Cassian calls Rhys to talk about her all the time. If they’re spending so much time together and he’s in love with her…surely she is, too.”

“Surely,” Elain murmured, an idea percolating in her mind. “Do you happen to have Cassian’s phone number?”

“Why?” Feyre asked, but she sounded too distracted by whatever Rhys was doing to truly pay attention.

“Just…want to introduce myself,” Elain lied. Rhys called out the number before Feyre ended the call quickly, leaving Elain to make a rash, selfish decision. Her father would be so disappointed in her. Elain vowed to turn her phone off, to convince Lucien to keep her in bed where she wouldn’t be tempted to check her messages.

The phone rang, and a man with a cheerful voice responded, “Hello?”

“Hi. Is this Cassian?”

“Aye. Who asks?”

“Elain Archeron. We met at my sister's wedding?”

“Oh, Nes’s sister. What can I do for ye?”

“Nes—nevermind. I wanted to know if you’d like to come to a party my father is throwing at the end of the month.”

There was a pause. “Yeah, I would.”

Elain grinned. “Perfect.”

-*-

Lucien’s fingers drummed against the arm of the couch, his expression blank. She ought to have left and they both knew it. If she didn’t, Elain was going to be late. Maybe it was cruel not to have told him she wasn’t going—that she’d given her spot to Cassian and instead Elain was trying to get Lucien outside where she fully intended to have him.

In the grass, if she could manage it.

“I should check on Henrietta,” Elain said again. 

“Elain—”

“Want to join me?” she interrupted, sliding her hand over his knee. Lucien went taut, sucking in a soft breath.

“Shouldn’t you…pack…?”

“No,” she replied lightly, inching her hand up his leg. “The weather is so nice, it seems a shame to waste it indoors.”

Lucien blinked, so clearly trying to figure out what was happening. Elain crept further still, hoping he was at least a little hard. 

“You’ll be late,” he breathed.

Piece it together, Lucien. 

“I was thinking the grass is probably soft on my knees,” she said, reaching his cock. Lucien angled his hips toward her just enough to communicate he wanted her to touch without saying a word. 

Elain stood instead, tugging at his hand. “Join me?”

“Are you staying?”

“Yes.”

He sucked in another breath. “Elain—”

“If I have to choose between a night of dancing with Graysen or performing an indecent act on you in the garden, well…that's an easy choice, Lucien.”

“And your father—”

Elain ignored how tight her stomach felt. “He’ll have to live with the disappointment, too. I’m not a dress-up doll…and I don’t believe my mother wanted a loveless marriage for me.”

His face was so, so pale. “Loveless?”

“Yes, Lucien. Marriage to Graysen would be loveless…and I want to be loved. So I’m going to stay with you, and trust that in time, father will accept that my heart no longer resides in London.”

"Where ah…where does it live, then?”

Elain crept forward, placing the palm he wasn’t holding against his chest. “Here. With you.”

“I’m in love with you,” he blurted out, as if it had taken great effort to keep those words locked away. “Too, I mean. I love you, too.”

“How am I supposed to leave, knowing that?” she breathed. Lucien pulled her against him, burying his face into her hair.

“I suppose you’ll have to stay. I could sabotage the wallpaper again though, if you like.”

“Is that what you were doing before?” she demanded. Lucien’s smile was unrepentant. 

“Yes. I was afraid you’d go back to London and plan your wedding if I ever made things easy and I was so jealous of him.”

“So your solution was to make me hate you?” she asked. Lucien grinned.

“My solution was to keep you with me until you realized you were madly in love with me. Which worked, I might add.”

“What a gamble,” Elain teased, even as she kissed the exposed column of his throat. “You should write a book.”

“I should. I’ll call it, Twenty Steps To Make Her Yours: Does She Hate You, or Are You Misreading the Signs?”

“A bestseller,” Elain murmured, leaning up to kiss his mouth. “I’d buy a hundred copies.”

“You’re sweet,” he replied, a smile stretching over his lips. “And I think, if you’re offering to get on your knees, I’d rather you did so where no one could see.”

“Oh?”

“I’m terribly possessive,” he replied, his expression sharpening as Elain began tugging at his belt. “Someone might see and try to steal you away.”

Elain laughed. “They could try.”

She sank to the ground, pulling his rigid cock free while Lucien gathered up Elain’s hair. “My beautiful, sweet Elain.”

“How do you know I’m beautiful?” she retorted, kissing the underside of his erection.

“I told you,” he rasped. “You glow.”

Ignoring the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat, Elain asked, “So all those times you were informing me I glowed with that angry scowl—”

“I was telling you how lovely I think you are,” he replied. 

“Did it ever occur to you that you ought to just say so?”

“Nope!” he replied cheerfully. “I have no regrets.”

“Just wasted time,” Elain grumbled, licking the head of his cock if only to punctuate her point. Lucien exhaled a shaky breath, his grip in her hair tightening. He stopped talking the moment she took him into her mouth. The clean taste of his skin mingled with the cinnamon and leather that seemed to cling to him. Elain drank him in, wondering if this would be the time he let her finish without pulling her off him.

Lucien’s personal record was a whole two minutes. Elain had begun counting each pass of her mouth in her head, trying to get to one hundred. Swirling her tongue over the tip of Lucien’s cock drew a ragged moan from him.

“Elain,” he panted, unaware she was only on stroke ten. “Elain, I’m going to fuck you on this couch.”

Elain might have laughed had Lucien not tugged her off him. He pushed her toward the sofa, flipped up the back of her dress, and thrust himself into her just as quickly as he’d pushed aside her underwear. 

“Lucien—”

“Hold the back of the couch,” he growled, snapping his hips roughly. Elain did as she was told, practically vibrating with need. Lucien’s hand tangled in her hair, pulling until her back was arched. 

“Guests are supposed to sit here someday—”

“On our couch?” he panted. Each new drag of his cock made Elain breathless, made her wish she’d never started talking at all. “This is coming with us when we leave.”

“Lucien—”

“That’s it. Whose fucking your pretty pussy so well? Tell me—loudly.”

“Lucien!”

“That’s my good girl,” he praised, lips brushing her ear.

Elain broke apart without meaning to, clenched so hard around him that Lucien followed just behind. It was quick and messy—no amount of steaming their couch would ever make it appropriate for guests. Not when Lucien pressed her into the cushions, feverishly kissing his way down her body.

And certainly not after, when he buried himself back inside her, making an utter mess of them both. 

That suited Elain just fine.

-*-

“Elain Elizabeth Archeron!” Nesta’s voice cut through the silence, drawing both Elain and Lucien’s attention toward the courtyard. Elain’s chickens wove themselves around open grass, chasing after bugs and, in Henrietta’s case, keeping a very close watch on Lucien, who had his head in Elain’s lap so she could better braid his long hair.

“Elizabeth?” Lucien asked, trailing a lazy finger over her thigh.

“It’s not,” she replied, wondering where Nesta had pulled that from. “It’s Marie.”

It hardly mattered. Nesta stomped into view not a second later, trailed by a very apologetic looking Feyre. Rhys was just behind, studying the grounds with interest, while Cassian trampled over a row of daffodils.

“After all the fuss you made about the dance—”

“Did you have fun?” Elain interrupted, noting the wide smile on Cassian’s face.

“That’s hardly the point,” Nesta hissed, eyes narrowed on Lucien. “Who is this?”

“Told you,” Rhys murmured to a silent Feyre. 

“This is Lucien Vanserra. I’ve told you about him,” Elain said, disappointed when Lucien sat himself up. He was squinting against the brightness though he’d extended a hand all the same.

“Pleasure—”

“This is Lucien?” Nesta demanded. “He’s so…”

No one spoke, waiting for Nesta to decide what Lucien was. 

“Young.”

“Did you imagine something else?” Lucien asked her, a smile gracing his features.

“Older, I suppose,” Nesta admitted. 

“Is this why you didn’t come?” Feyre asked, coming forward to shake his hand. “You could have brought him.”

“I don’t want to go back to London,” Elain told them with a shrug of her shoulders. “I’m glad you two had fun.”

“Fun is not the word—”

“We had a great time,” Cassian assured Elain. His smile told her that whatever he and Nesta had done made the entire affair worth it. Certainly, from the creeping flush on Nesta’s neck, she felt the same. “Thank ye for inviting me.”

“Of course,” Elain said warmly. “Are you planning to stay?”

Feyre’s eyes swept around the grounds. “It would be nice to be together again. Would we be putting you out?”

It was Lucien who responded. “Not at all. You’ll be our first guests.”

“Come,” Elain added, patting the ground beside her. Henrietta scuttled forward, nipping at Lucien when he tried to settle himself back in her lap. “Tell me the gossip.”

Feyre was the first to plop beside her, blue eyes alight with mischief. Nesta came next, smoothing out her long dress—ever the lady. Elain smiled.

She’d never been happier.

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || Till Death Do Us Part

Previous

The Twins mood had seemed to worsen increasingly, during Daryl and Evie's departure, the more people that greeted Natalia, seemed to irritate them more. Archie wasn't enjoying the attention, the heat, or the noise, either.

Judith and Henry had tried their best to help out, whilst Lydia shadowed them, quietly. Natalia left her alone, but made show to keep an eye on the people around her, making sure they wouldn't be giving the girl grief whilst she managed to adapt to the polar change of living for the past decade.

When she had been able to wander off, whilst Henry was distracted with fetching clean rags to help with the mess of lunch, Natalia "gently" pushed the teenager to go after her, who was reluctant to leave the woman with four small children.

Natalia had convinced the girls to focus on Luke's performance, who had also managed to talk Alden into. Enid, Connie and Kelly had offered to keep their eyes on the twins, as well as the two men, whilst Natalia went in search of a quiet room to put her son down for a nap.

"What's the point, Daddy's gonna miss it." Daisy furrowed her brows, her arms crossed as she frowned at the grass.

"Yeah, he's not gonna know how good we are, what's the point?" Bambi agreed, copying her sisters stance.

"Because, Daddy might not be here, but Mommy is, and I really, really wanna see how amazing my girls are, you said that Luke said you have the voices of angels"

"It's true, you have gifted children, well done." Luke stepped in, nodding at the woman, who gave him a gingerly smile before turning back to her twins.

"I'm so excited to see, and then when Daddy gets back, you can perform it for him, too, and Aunt Michonne and Aunt Carol, and your sister." Natalia told them, whilst she bounced Archie, who was crying his eyes out for a nap.

"But you're going too!" Daisy accused.

"No I'm not, but honey, Archie's been up all day, and he's only a baby, and babies need lots of sleep, but Aunt Rosita and Uncle Eugene are in the house, they won't mind watching him whilst I come back, it'll only be for two seconds. Besides, when I get back, it'll be time for the movie, and you don't want Arch crying all the way through it, it'll suck so bad."

"Cause he's a stupid baby, you should of never had him." Bambi scoffed, a surprising statement from the usually kind girl.

"Bambi Elizabeth, that's not a kind thing to say, not at all, you don't mean that." Natalia took her daughters small hand, gently.

"I'm sorry, Mommy, I'm just upset." She sniffed.

"And that's okay to feel upset, I wish Daddy was here, too, but Archie didn't do anything wrong, he's only little."

"I'm sorry, Archie." The girl gave her brother a kiss on the head.

"Just go, we got this." Enid assured her, when she stood up, instead of the crouched over position she was just in. "Evie used to have the same problem, me and Carl managed her." She smiled.

"Oh, Enid, how I love you so, but you underestimate a pair of Dixon Twins, but you already offered."

"It's fine, they can't be that bad." She laughed.

Natalia gave her a quick squeeze before darting towards the building Rosita and Eugene were held up in, keeping her head down in order not to be stopped by any more greetings, that's when she bumped into a blonde woman wearing an pretty green dress, sporting an straw hat.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." She quickly apologised, looking at the woman, someone she didn't know, she must've been from either the kingdom or Hilltop.

Judith's group were the first people who had been accepted in, since the Jocelyn incident, and Oceanside had never liked newbies.

Something seemed oddly familiar about the woman, but Natalia had never seen her, in her entire life, odd.

"Not to worry, dear." The woman said, her voice was high pitched, it was obvious she was trying to fake the accent, cause she was failing miserably. "Hi, I'm Debra, from Alexandria."

"Oh, uhm, I'm Nat, or, Natalia, sorry, did you say you were from Alexandria?"

Natalia stared at her for a moment, trying to work out who this person is, until Archie begun another loud wave of cries.

"How old is ya boy?" The woman asked.

"Oh, he's only four months old, he's never been around this large of a crowd of people before, bit of a shock for him." She replied politely.

"And the father, he not around to help you?"

"Oh, no, uh, Daryl's gone with the others, yeah, he's helping them out."

"A man leaving his wife to fend for the kids to go out and do who knows what? Nasty, useless creatures, a waste of time and resources."

"Oh." Natalia paused. "Uhm, I've really got to get going, I promised the twins I'd get back for their performance, lovely to meet you, though." She hurried away, her smile instantly dropping. "What a freak." She muttered to Archie, who received a harsh wail in response. "Yeah, I know, being adorable and a lovely presence to be around, is exhausting, believe me, I do it on the daily."

Once Rosita assured Natalia that her and Eugene, who were both working on some electrical wire thingy, that they'd both keep their eye on the baby, Natalia went back towards the crowds, finding the auditorium, Jerry, Nabila and their three children, were sat beside Judith and the twins, who were sharing a seat.

"Mommy!" Daisy cheered, but was shushed by someone in the crowd.

Natalia frowned in the direction as she sat down with her girls.

"Where's Enid?" She asked.

"She's with Alden, we said we'd take them here." Jerry grinned at her, passing over a bowl of popcorn.

"And Henry?"

"Fixing the pipes." He replied.

"Lydia?"

"She's sat over there, she's waiting for Henry to come back." Judith answered.

"Oh, okay then."

"Hey, relax, everything and everyone's fine." Nabila told her.

"Yeah, yep, everyone's fine." She muttered, smiling at the woman before looking back at the screen, as her twins climbed into her lap, all three of them squeezing into the chair comfortably.

As soon as the light of the projector had turned on, and the film began, the room erupted into cheers and claps, Natalia couldn't get enough of the wonder and amazement on her kids faces, even her nieces.

"Cool, huh?" She whispered to the ten year old, wrapping an arm around her as they watched the cartoon.

Nabila and Jerry whispered to one another about the King's absence, until Daisy sat up from where her head layed against Natalia's chest, glaring at the pair until they quieted down, then proceeded to lay her head, again.

"Sorry, lil Dixon." Jerry whispered, a laugh hidden in his tone.

Natalia hugged her girls tight, her daughters and her niece, she hadn't even realised a giant smile was on her own face, not until Bambi had began tracing it, looking at her mom in her own awe.

It was the next day, when the bubble was burst for her, when the group had come back, Siddiq among them, who's head was bandaged up.

Dark eye bags settled underneath all of their eyes, and tears stained their cheeks, Evie, who had clung on to her fathers arm, Carol on the other side, lunged for her mother, hysterically crying into Natalia's shoulder, as her whole body shook.

"He's gone, Mommy, he's gone." She weeped. "Henry. He's-" She couldn't continue her sentence as sobs overcome her once again.

"Where did he go?" Bambi asked, gently, patting her sisters back.

"What happened?" Natalia asked Daryl, rubbing Evie's back as Ezekiel came to Carol's aid, allowing the man to swoop up his children, holding them tightly as he looked down, sniffing as he shook his head.

Siddiq had been the one to get on stage, to tell the four communities what had happened, at the funeral of their people, of Natalia's friends, Tara, Enid, and Henry, they were gone, as well as so many other loved ones. 

"I was there. I was taken with the others. And I saw... I was supposed to die with them. I was ready to. Then Alpha whispered in my ear, "Tell them." Something hit me and everything went black. And when I woke up, I was alone. What happened was evil. It was evil. And I think she left me alive to tell you that story. To scare you and to drive us all apart again. But I want to tell you a different story." Siddiq told the crowd of the mourning people, of the ones they had lost, the children of Hilltop, their leader and their doctor. The prince of the kingdom, the highway men, Adam, the baby's, new mother, and the Saviours that had joined them, became their friends and helped to build towards their future.

"See, before the end... Ozzy, Alek and DJ found us... They gave us an opening, and everyone fought back... They fought like hell... And what they did... Was more than brave... 'Cause they defended each other... And they sacrificed for each other... And some of them... they didn't even know each other, but they still fought like they did. Like they were family. 'Till the very end. And in the end, they-- their time was cut short, but ours keeps going. So we have to keep going. For them, and... for all of us... We need to honour them. We need to honour them, and we need to remember these friends, our family, died as hero's. That's the story that I want to tell you. That's the story that I want us to remember."

Evie muffled her cries into her mothers shoulder, she hadn't felt a loss like this since her first father had died, Henry was her best friend, Enid, she knew since she was little, since she had gotten to Alexandria, one of the few other kids that knew what it was like to lose a parent, and then they met Carl, and he became a part of that, but he was gone, too.

Natalia's heart broke, her daughter losing another person, only at the age of sixteen, and to top it off, she had to witness how, seeing his head on that pike, that he was turned, and to hear that he fought to the death in his last moments, and she wasn't there, she wasn't even with him.

Michonne comforted Rosita, who had lost her girlfriend, Natalia had a tight grip on her hand, squeezing three times every so often, reminding her that she wasn't alone, even after all this.

Tara won't be forgotten, and she won't go unavenged.

Months had passed, and a cruel winter was setting in.

And soon enough, the Kingdom had fallen.

Natalia had ended up back in Alexandria with all the kids, whilst, Michonne, Daryl, and Aaron helped the Kingdom relocate to the Hilltop during the harsh snow storm.

Evie had stayed back, deciding not to go with Daryl and the others, but Lydia had, the two had noticed the blondes push back from the other girl, wanting nothing to do with her, barely able to stay in the same room for small periods of time, it was too painful, because all she could see was her best friend and what the girls mother had done to him.

The nightmares had gotten so bad, that Evie had resorted into having to stay in her parents bed, with Natalia, whilst Daryl took Archie and vacated elsewhere.

Natalia wasn't too fond of the fact that when the conditions of the storm had gotten so bad, that the people of Alexandria had no choice but to break into groups, staying in the homes with the largest fireplaces, which she just so happened to end up in the one with the person she hated most in the world than anyone, Negan Smith.

"I swear to God, I have memorised every square inch of this room, and it still feels like a party." The insufferable man laughed, whilst Rosita handcuffed him.

Natalia rolled her eyes as she bounced an nine month old Archie on her hip, who seemed to reflect his mothers feelings, as he cried, his face red and puffy, lip quivering as he clung to his mothers coat.

"A never-ending party from hell." Rosita humoured him.

"I mean sure, all right, it smells like a barn in here, all bored shitless, but..."

"Language!" Judith snapped, pointing at the twins, who were boredly colouring with Gracie and RJ.

"Shit." Daisy nodded.

"Daisy Caroline, uh uh." Natalia shook her head.

"But he said it!" She pointed at Negan.

"You don't do anything that man does or says." Rosita added.

"Mommy, why is Shit a bad word?" Bambi asked. "Daddy says it." 

"Daddy's a grown up." Natalia ran a finger down Archie's face as he continued to whimper and cry.

Daisy let out a frustrated growl as she covered her ears.

"Mommy, shut him up. I drew out of the lines because he's distracting me."

"Honey, he can't help it he's just a-"

"He's just a baby." She rolled her eyes, "and I'm trying to colour, we're all cold, and I miss Daddy too, but all he does is cry!"

"Hey, you cried too, just as much when you were his age." Rosita pointed out.

Daisy furrowed her brows at this knowledge.

"No I didn't." She crossed her arms.

Gabriel snorted at this.

"Uh, yuh huh, your sister lived at my place so she could get some sleep, with the both of you keeping everyone up."

"What about me?" What was I like as a Baby?" Bambi asked.

"You, Missy, puked on me, the second time I met you, just like he did, we called you EJ for months, till your dad made us stop." Rosita smiled, pointing at Eugene.

Daisy giggled loudly at this, whilst Bambi blushed darkly.

"Why did Eugene puke on you?" Gracie asked.

"That's a need to know basis, go back to colouring." Natalia shut the conversation down, placing Archie on the ground so she could dig for another thick sweater, when noticing Evie pull the blanket around herself tightly.

The teenager was sat in the corner, reading a book, Emma, and refusing to look or talk to anyone.

"Hey." Natalia greeted the girl, kneeling beside her as she handed over the sweater.

"Hi." She mumbled, turning over the page of the book.

"What you think so far?"

"S'alrght." She hummed.

"Put the sweater on, you're shivering."

"I'm fine."

"Eves." She sighed.

Evie huffed, snapping the book shut and pulling the sweater over her head.

"Happy now? Can you leave me alone?" She asked.

Natalia was taken aback by this, but decided to pat the girls leg, backing away and giving her the much needed space she demanded.

"Jude, don't sit so close to the window." Siddiq told Judith, who was still staring into the darkness.

She listened, backing away and letting the curtain fall shut.

"Hey, kiddo. you still worried about that mutt?" Negan asked her.

"Hey, don't call my dog a mutt, mutt." Daisy told the man.

"Hey, Daisy, we don't call peop- wait, actually, never mind." Natalia thought. "Just this once, okay?"

"Uncle Daryl told me to take care of him for Aunt Nat whilst he helped the Kingdom move to Hilltop." Judith answered the man. "I don't know where he is."

"It's not your fault, sweets, he'll be okay." Natalia assured her. "He's tough, a lot like you."

Her eyes had wandered to her son, who had crawled his way to Negan, using the mans leg to help himself stand up.

Negan was supporting the baby in order for him not to fall and hurt himself.

"Archie! No, come back here." Natalia told him, scaring the boy, but Negan was quicker to catch him from falling on his backside.

"He's trying to walk, Nat." The man told her.

"Don't call me that. Ro, y'mind grabbing him, I don't want him walking yet, or going near that. I can't either, if you demand he should still be here."

Rosita listened, swooping the baby up.

"Wait, Nat, you're not letting him walk?" Gabriel asked.

"Daryl's not here." She stated, as if that were the obvious response, but when she was still met with confused looks, she was forced to reiterate. "If Archie starts walking and he's not here to see it, he'll be crushed, that's not fair, so if I can just halt it for the moment, until he's back, it'll be fine."

Negan let out a low whistle, amused by this.

"Never had Daryl pegged as that kinda dad that gave a shit."

"Language!" Judith repeated.

Rosita had found his assumption funny, though, letting out a scoff as she shook her head.

"You clearly don't know any of us as much as you seem to think you do." She rolled her eyes.

Before he could respond, something else had caught his attention.

"Does anybody else smell something?" He asked.

"Can you stop being such an asshole?" Siddiq asked, earning a harsh glare from Natalia, because as soon as he said it, her five year olds repeated it.

She envied Michonne, for having a small child that didn't seem it absolutely necessary to repeat every bad word he heard.

"No, he's right, something does smell a little funky in here." Rosita backed the man up, smelling the baby in her arms.

Eugene looked up, sniffing the air, before staring at the fireplace.

"Get away from there!" He demanded, jumping up from his seat to pull Siddiq and Gabriel away, but it was too late as the fireplace exploded.

"As I suspected." Eugene called, once he was able to examine it. "The chimney flue is completely gunkified. What singed your nostrils earlier was no doubt a toxic mixture of creosote and H2O." He then backed out, turning to everyone. "Blizzards done some tearing and blaring. And our chimneys ventilation capabilities are nil to none. It'd be unwise to spark up another blaze lest we plan on ceasing all respiratory functions, A.K.A smoking and choking, and having a lil babe in here, well, it would not be a pretty sight, and an painful end for the fella."

"God, I missed you, Eugene." Negan smiled at him.

"I can't say the same." He replied.

"Mommy, I'm cold!" Daisy looked up, as her and Bambi huddled around their mother.

"I know, baby, me too, why don't you, RJ, Judith and Gracie all get the blankets and make a fort to keep each other warm?" Natalia suggested.

"Okay, Mommy." Bambi listened, then walked towards her older sister, tapping her on the shoulder and asking for her help, to Natalia's surprise, the girl, who was still on the same page when she had gone over to talk to her, put the book down and took her little sisters hand, walking over to the other kids as they grabbed blankets and smothered themselves.

Natalia's eyes followed them as she headed towards the other adults to talk about what they were gonna do.

"You know without a fire, we'll never get these people warm enough." Siddiq shared.

"Yeah, we should leave before the temperature drops any lower." Rosita agreed.

"He's ice cold." Natalia muttered, pulling down Archies tiny hat over his head, he had finally fell asleep, his head layed on her shoulder as she soothed him gently, trying to keep him warm.

"Okay, folks. Contingency plan." Gabriel spoke to the people around the room. "We're going to Aarons house. It'll be tighter quarters, but we'll make it work." They then parted to get ready for the move.

"Seriously?" Negan questioned. "Not one of you assholes are gonna untie me?"

"We could tell Michonne it was an accident." Rosita shrugged.

"Or you didn't wanna leave, we had too many people to worry about, she won't blame us." Natalia added.

The plan to get everyone to Aarons house through the storm, was quite simple, a rope that everyone would cling to, in order not to get lost. Evie and Judith were in charge of sandwiching the twins, RJ and Gracie, as they were the two oldest, whilst the adults helped everyone and made sure it went smoothly.

Rosita had helped Natalia secure Archie to her, and so he wouldn't face any harsh winds.

Once they were ready, they set off.

As they walked, a dogs barking had caught the attention of the small kids on the line.

"Dog!" Daisy screamed into the wind, "Dog's here!"

"Dog!" Judith joined in.

"Dog, come here, boy!" Daisy let go of the rope, running into the darkness, Bambi following.

"Wait!" Judith screamed after the twins. "Aunt Nat, they're gone!"

"No!" Natalia cried. "No, girls, wait, come back!"

"Daisy!" Siddiq shouted. "Bambi!"

"Daisy!" Negan shouted, letting go and going in the direction they had gone, shouting their names.

"No!" Rosita shouted.

"Negan!" Siddiq called after him.

"I have to go after them!" Natalia demanded.

"No, you can't!" Rosita told her.

"Mom, don't, I will!" Evie volunteered.

"No, do not let go! We need to get these people to Aarons."

"But my kids are out there!"  Natalia almost shrieked.

"Daisy! Bambi!" They could still hear Negan shout.

"Girls!"

Soon everyone was chanting the twins names, trying to find them, but it was no use, you couldn't see shit in the dark and flurries of snow.

When they were able to reach Aarons, Natalia had left Archie in the arms of Evie, as she ventured back into the storm.

"Daisy! Bambi!" She continued.

"Here!" A males voice called as dog barks sounded.

"Negan?"

"I got 'em! I got both of 'em, and the dumb dog!" His figure emerged through the darkness, limping towards her. "Got 'em."

Natalia ran to him as tears blurred her eyes, in relief.

"My babies." She weeped, as Negan passed the huddled girls into her arms.

"We got Daddy's dog, we found him." Daisy told her in a small voice.

"Mommy's dog." Bambi corrected.

Natalia let out a laugh as she rubbed her hands up her daughters arms, trying to get heat into them.

"Don't ever run away like that, again, you hear me? You near scared me to death!"

"We won't." They said in unison.

"Good, and girls, Daddy doesn't need to know about this, okay? No need to worry him for nothing."

"Okay, Mommy."

"Why don't you go inside, get Aunt Rosita to make you both some hot cocoa, I know Uncle Aaron keeps some in the kitchen."

"Yay!" They both squealed, running into the house, Dog following them excitedly.

"And don't give any to Dog, he can't drink it!"

She then turned to the man, who was watching her with a small grin, but by the look of his leg, he was trying hard to keep the mask on.

"This is the worst thing I've ever had to do, but, thank you." She told him, though the words tasted bitter in her mouth.

"Oh, come on, Nat, you can do better than that." He teased.

"Don't call me that, I still wish harmful violence on you, and I'd do it now, if you hadn't saved my girls, so I'm willing to spare you, just this once, Evelyn or Siddiq will fix up your leg."

"You seriously ain't gonna tell Daryl?"

"He doesn't need to know everything that happens whilst he's away, besides, I'm doing you a favour, he doesn't always carry the same mercy as I do, not when it comes to the kids, because you are wrong about him, everything, you were wrong."

"An' it took you hiding out in the woods to prove this to me? And yet, the man of the hour is always heading off since y'all joined society again."

"Don't make me rethink my morals, Negan." She turned, walking back into the house.

It was the next day, when the storm had finally calmed down, coating Alexandria in a thick snow wonderland.

The kids were playing in it, under Natalia's supervision, Rosita by her side, when the others had returned home.

"Daddy!" Gracie squealed excitedly, running to Aaron, as he entered through the gates, Judith right behind her, as she fled towards her mom.

The twins had looked up from their snow man, following the noise and spotting their own father, and so had Natalia.

Daryl embraced his girls tightly, smiling wide as he took them in.

He cupped Natalia's cheek, kissing her as soft as he could, showing to her how much he'd missed her whilst he was away.

"Where's Archie?" He asked. "And Eves?"

"Inside, hates the cold." She chuckled, kissing him again. "I missed you."

"Missed yer, more." He promised.

They smiled at each other, before something was hurled at them.

The couple turned to where it was thrown, spotting an mischievous looking Judith, who was holding another snowball in her hand.

"Judith Grimes?!" Natalia gasped in faux horror.

She then threw the next one at them.

"Oh, that's it!" She laughed, crouching down to gather her own snow ball, whilst the girl ran away with a scream of laughter.

"Get 'em, girls." Daryl told his twins, teaching them to form snow balls, causing chaos as it turned into a full on war of a snow ball fight, even Lydia had joined in.

"Everyone get Daryl!" Rosita called, as everyone began pelting their balls at the archer.

"Girls, get Daddy." Natalia grinned, throwing a snow ball at her husband.

"Hey, hey! Truce, alright, truce!" He called, his hands up in surrender as he covered his face with his arms.

They gave the man a second to recover, before Daisy threw another snow ball at him, then Bambi.

Everyone gasped, as the girls giggled cheekily, that was until Daryl got revenge, throwing his own back, and the war broke out again.

"Get Mama, get yer Mama." He laughed, encouraging them to turn on Natalia as he grabbed the woman by the waist, using her as an human shield.

"Daryl Dixon, don't be such a coward and let your five year old daughters throw snow balls at you." She laughed so happily.

"Lydia! Help us." Daisy demanded, as she and her twin scooped up snow to throw at their parents.

"What's going on?" Evie asked, joining everyone outside.

Daryl answered her by throwing snow at the teenager.

"Dad?" She gasped, wiping snow of her face.

"Eves you gotta return the favour." Michonne told her.

Evie bent down, scooping up snow and throwing it at Daryl, then at her little sisters, who were already getting ready to aim.

And the war continued, until everyone broke down to the ground, making snow angels.

And just for a little bit, life was good, their problems were temporarily gone, their pain was absent.

Next

[shobiejuesna]

SCRIPT

CONTACT INFORMATION: Shobie Juesna Magalang Pampanga, Philippines

(+63)9614809254

Shobiejuesna8@gmail.com

DECOMPOSITION

Cast of Character

Rosanne (my mom): the main lead of the story and Juanito's great love.

Juanito: my mom ex-boyfriend for almost 4 years.

Nina: Rosanne mother.

Minerva: Rosanne eldest sister

Theodore: Rosanne brother-in-law and husband of Minerva

Christina: Theodore's cousin and Rosanne best friend

Annalise: Juanito's older sister

Felicia: Juanito's youngest sister

Lucia: Juanito's mother

Simon: Juanito's father

TIME

May of 1993.

Synopsis

While we are young, we sometimes found love that just bound to hurt and teach us. We met someone that we thought "the one" or "the girl\boy before the one". Imagining, ourselves growing old with that someone to the rest of our lives. Year 1993 at the small town of San Carlos, there was two young lovers. As the time passed their love and fidelity was tested. Would they end up together or biggest regret and lesson to each other?

SETTING: Silay city, Nina's inside room in her house

AT RISE: Rossane and Nina facing each other on the bed, while Rossane reading the letter out loud.

ROSSANE

Why you can't take a vacation too? You promise ate and kuya to visit this summer. (In her upset voice and shoulders drop)

NINA

I can't leave this time ga (love), your aunt Lena needs me here.

(She affectionately pats her youngest daughter head)

ROSANNE

Uncle Samuel could take care of her. Carmen will be upset too. C'mon let's just go! (In verge of crying to Nina)

NINA

Get up and stop crying already. Your cousin will come anytime soon to fetch you

(She firmly told her daughter and left the bed to get Rosanne luggage)

SETTING: in front of Minerva and Theodore house at San Carlos

AT RISE: the married couple facing Rosanne in four seater table

MINERVA

Look at you, you've grown! We miss you! Let's go inside for you to eat and i could hear your tummy making earth shuttering noises (hyperbole)

(She beamed happily after she hugged her youngest sister tight. Guiding her to enter the house while Theodore takes the luggage to put in the room for Rosanne)

MINERVA

You never change. You still eat, like someone will steal your food (simile)

(She affectionately looking to her youngest sister while holding her husband arms)

THEODORE

Eat slowly San. The food won't run (personification)

(He reprimand Rosanne when Rosanne accidentally drop the fork)

ROSANNE

Sorry about that. I was travelling for 9 hours straight and my muscles are aching (metonymy) because the wheels (synecdoche) had been moving nonstop.

(She apologized after she drank water)

ROSANNE

And the whole journey had been hell since I was been with Carlos the devil (metaphor). He kept doing all those stupid pranks! I could even sleep!

(She whines being her usual self and the married couple just laugh)

TIME

Saturday night May of 1993.

Synopsis

While we are young, we sometimes found love that just bound to hurt and teach us. We met someone that we thought "the one" or "the girl boy before the one". Imagining, ourselves growing old with that someone to the rest of our lives. Year 1993 at the small town of San Carlos, there was two young lovers. As the time passed their love and fidelity was tested. Would they end up together or biggest regret and lesson to each other?

SETTING: terrace of Christina's parents

AT RISE: Rosanne seated on the bench facing the front yard and beside her was Christina

CHRISTINA

They got married last year. I mean they fight tooth and nail and they tied a knot (irony). Looking at them I still can't believe it!

(Christina animatedly narrating what Rosanne miss last year summer)

CHRISTINA

Lia went home last summer. Her dad was sick and wishes to return to this hometown. I miss her nonstop mouth. On her last letter, her father was getting better and might come back here before Christmas-

(Christina stop suddenly talking and waved her hands to the boy just enter)

CHRISTINA

What took you so long? We've been waiting for you for almost two hours.

(Christina asked the boy and the boy scratch the back of his head)

CHRISTINA

By the way this is Minerva youngest sister. Juanito meet Rosanne.

(Juanito offer a handshake to Rosanne and shyly accept it)

ROSANNE

N-nice to m-meet you

(She stuttered out of nervousness and Christina fake a cough since she notice how her friend reacted to Juanito's sudden presence)

TIME

May of 1993.

Synopsis

While we are young, we sometimes found love that just bound to hurt and teach us. We met someone that we thought "the one" or "the girl boy before the one". Imagining, ourselves growing old with that someone to the rest of our lives. Year 1993 at the small town of San Carlos, there was two young lovers. As the time passed their love and fidelity was tested. Would they end up together or biggest regret and lesson to each other?

SETTING: at the rivers town

AT RISING: Rosanne and Christina seated on the picnic blanket near the river where all their friends swimming

CHRISTINA

He's achingly handsome isn't he? (Oxymoron)

(She teasingly poking Rosanne cheeks. When she caught it stealing glances)

ROSANNE

He is... especially when he smile and the way his crinkles.

(She mindlessly replied still looking at Juanito)

ROSANNE

He's also soft spoken and really attentive when I talk. He just really deserved to be the "crush ng bayan" (understatement). Too bad, I'm going home next week. I can't here for long since mama needs me.

CHRISTINA

I know that look. I won’t let that Ursula lure your man (euphemism). I got your back and keep you posted in the next few months.

(In her promising and determining voice)

TIME

1995.

Synopsis

While we are young, we sometimes found love that just bound to hurt and teach us. We met someone that we thought "the one" or "the girl boy before the one". Imagining, ourselves growing old with that someone to the rest of our lives. Year 1993 at the small town of San Carlos, there was two young lovers. As the time passed their love and fidelity was tested. Would they end up together or biggest regret and lesson to each other?

SETTING: garden's house of Lucia and Simon house

AT RISING: Rosanne and Juanito facing his family at the dinner table

LUCIA

Finally, my son has brought a girl to introduce as his girlfriend. Nice to meet you hija

(She smiled sweetly that gave warmth feeling to the chest of Rosanne)

ANNALISE

Tonight's cold but look at him ma, blushing like some teenage boy (thermal)

(She teases his brother when he notices his brother looking at Rosanne like lovesick fool)

SIMON

Here taste this fresh pickly sweet persimmon hija

(He gives the basket of persimmon to Rosanne and Rosanne shyly took a piece)

FELICIA

Are you getting married to kuya? Like kuya Paulo?

(The youngest blurted out and the table has awkward silence)

LUCIA

So you're leaving this weekend hija?

(Lucia broke the awkward air and Rosanne nod)

ROSANNE

Sad to say but yes tita, since final semester is about to end. I need to review and pass the entire final requirement before to graduate. My mom does also need me to manage the farm that my father left to us.

(She frustrated covered her face remembering all the task she need to do when she get home)

JUANITO

We'll probably see each other again after 8 months. Since my job was call of duty too. I thought after college, there will be more time for me to rest! Our general been deploying us to far places. I can't even say considering it's my duty as an army. I sometimes regret this profession, since I can't have the time to spare to talk to my girlfriend!

(His parent just laughed to his rants)

SIMON

Look at them. Back in the days, were just like them. But look at us fighting all the odds and still together after all this year

(He stared lovingly to his beloved wife)

LUCIA

You need more patient son. Being away from each other will test your loyalty that will strengthen your relationship. It worth the wait after all

(Advising the young couple and the couple took the advice in their hearts and looks each other smiling)

TIME

1998

Synopsis

While we are young, we sometimes found love that just bound to hurt and teach us. We met someone that we thought "the one" or "the girl boy before the one". Imagining, ourselves growing old with that someone to the rest of our lives. Year 1993 at the small town of San Carlos, there was two young lovers. As the time passed their love and fidelity was tested. Would they end up together or biggest regret and lesson to each other?

SETTING: At the restaurant

AT RISING: Seated in a fancy table, facing each other

JUANITO

I still remember the summertime when I first met you. I remember cursing Tina inside my head for being so persistent to invite me to join her at the disco night. Also the time I overhead you saying you like me, making me wide awake all night.

(Chuckling with the reminiscing look)

JUANITO

I thought your feelings will fade away, since you only sixteen at that time. The happiness, I felt you said yes after courting you for one year and seven months. For almost four years, those emotions you made me felt still here.

(Looking intensely at her eyes and resume)

JUANITO

The happiness I feel, whenever I see your smile. You never cease to make my heart throbbed with your simple, "I love you". How you can give me peace, no matter the world give noise. How your soft hands (tactile) and you soothing voice (auditory), can calm the rage of storm in me. How to you can turn the bitterness into sweet (gustatory). How your heart (metonymy), can fix the shambles...

(He paused when Rosanne sob even more and he shakingly popped the question)

JUANITO

Will you accept this ring and let's liver under the same roof (synecdoche) for eternity?

(Rosanne keep sobbing and abruptly stand and walked out. Juanito followed her outside in panic. He got her hand that made Rosanne stopped)

JUANITO

Did I do something wrong? Did I offend you? Am i rushing things again?

(he asked in furrowed brows. Rosanne finally face him, tears streaming in her cheeks)

I'm s-sorry... I t-tried... I s-swear!

ROSANNE

(Stammering in weak voice avoiding his gaze, while keep trying to stop her tears)

ROSANNE

I just wake up one day... I become different, a version of me i did not expect to be. I no longer perceive myself in this town. I no longer desire the life I told myself that I want to be with you back when I was that young, stupid and wild girl I used to be.

(She bravely bring out everything in the light, even though her tears betraying her)

ROSANNE

As I kept denying the truth I no longer feel the same. I kept convincing myself to stay, hoping perhaps I could bring it back. I made it worst, I lied! I lied to myself and to you...and i'm so sorry I can't make the dreams and promises we once live for.

(As her tears continue to flow, Juanito shaking his head)

JUANITO

You don't have to reciprocate. As long as you stay! I would stay, to give everything no matter what. I don't want a world without you and what the sense of this mere existence not having you what's the significant of having the success and owning the medals of recognition, without you. I would catch a bullet in every war, if you ask me to. I could survive every battle field, but not a world without you.

(He shamelessly begged and did not mind to be vulnerable)

ROSANNE

I would never forgive myself if I continue to lie and hurt you. Please love someone that also willing to give up the world to you

(And Rosanne left but Juanito stay where she left him. Maimed, Lost, Scarred, and unmoving.)

[savetooru]

feeling strange

because grief is difficult to talk about (but demands to be parsed in some way) here is, instead, a non-comprehensive list of silly, bizarre, and errant reflections i've had throughout the past two weeks:

is this it? is this it now?

i don't want to let you go but i fear it's happening. i think it's happening. do you hate this? i think you're tired. i think i would be tired.

don’t think. don’t think, just do. we’ll figure it out when we get there. stop thinking. right. just like that.

every time someone starts off a conversation with achi it means some serious shit is about to be asked of me. this is so stupid but i swear if i wasn’t the first-born this would be impossible for me. 1

i don't know when it was i shed my stage fright but i imagine it was sometime between the last hospital visit and this moment i am swallowing down five years of religious trauma to serve as lector for your funeral rites. man, anything is so easy if it's for you.

oh. oh— it's. there is no world in which i am not a reader, is there? that's it. that makes sense to me. that works. i can work with that.

okay. okay, fine. "though i walk in the valley of darkness, i fear no evil; for you are with me," is metal. as. shit.

can we get ice cream? i need a sundae. i need something cold and sweet between my teeth, if not extra spicy. it's less a want and more a tether. i need a tether.

the sun is so good when you catch it between just the right amount of foliage. the colors are so vivid and paint-like.

this scene from fleabag is so much funnier when it happens to you in real life. seriously. is it worse people are so complimentary or that i can't be totally unhappy about it?

i almost wish it was always this quiet, and that everyone would always be this gentle. almost. i’d miss the fighting too much.

i should be more upset. i should be more upset but i'm not. i wish someone could tell me whether that means i'm stronger, or if it means there's something broken somewhere.

why do we always end up in the emergency room?

having such a simple rice cooker has spoiled me. i've got to master everyone else's controls. i think a warm breakfast is the only thing getting my uncles through the day.

okay, no. i’m stronger. i’m definitely fucking stronger. i was bluffing before but i’m serious now. messenger, nightwatcher, finder of meds, reader, waiter, smile on my face hater. stronger.

living life is hard. leaving is hard. seeing everyone be so sad is terrible. i wish it wasn’t such a struggle, even if fighting was always gonna be worth it.

god i wish we could have took you out to brunch a couple more times.

holy shit. this stranger's cat is on my lap, purring. holy shit, am i a good person? i must be a good person. a little bit. holy shit.

been asked to say goodbye so many times it’s starting to sound a lot like hello.

thank god i'm young. i'd never have been ready or old enough, but thank god i'm this age. i couldn't, if i wasn't. that doesn't make anything right, but just. i couldn't, you know?

i'm going to love you forever. i'm going to love you forever, i know it.

also just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who sent their emails and well-wishes. no matter how many times i say it i won’t be able to express how much reading your words has touched me.

1. achi is hokkien for elder sister.

[saintkeaton]

Cave Music

1985-2085...

the heaven of

mystic

trimmer

scan souls

look past

skeleton dance

&

shallow graves

you need

another to see

yourself

so

there’s no getting

lost in these

woods

every direction leads to a golden shrine

cutting light like a diamond prism

bald man holds stone eastward

smiling through

tears

real tears of war & children

dissolve into rainbow mist

behind dark glasses

eyes dart back

& forth

forever

looking deep into darkness of

buffalo soul

my soul

an extension

something slapped on at

last moment in complete rush

twice locked doors

hover over

damp hallway

hammering nails to keep down moisture bulge

thy silver bird flew into mirror & lost in

great god reflection

of copper

easter egg on

good friday

tamper with sacred text

next Saturday

only day

thy Lord lay

dead

you will no longer turn to

false god with fat belly

& dead eyes & liar's smile

lies that ate up my twenties

even tried making you believe my

incredible stupidity &

all while running like a

little backstabbing fuck away from

my culture & true

God of childhood

with blue dimensions peeling back

showing you time

missed with loved ones & ghost

family that may be

insane or fake insane or wishing they were

interesting enough to

truly go insane

another thing that is to be built from

the center out!

the high thought processes &

lowbrow sustainable

mind waves of stealing other people's thoughts

only action that one needs to take for granted

26 characters dancing around in innumerable

patterns can make you cry for years

nightmare burning blue bulbs waiting in the closet

waiting to jump out & tell me

i haven’t lost anything

i have gained everything

the nothingness i used to feel permanently

peeled back

like my foresight & foreskin

i see typewriter giants

slamming keys

making sound

practicing telekinesis

communicating with millions

selling bad ideas bad ideas bad ideas

pages & pages

hiding behind the wallpaper waiting

for next generation to find

read &

believe their bullshit

hard wind through

budding trees make sounds of howling

cave music

with sticks beating on walls &

blood under fingernails

oh! children of light &

life

you are coming back aren't you?

in the lost room

my head i see golden

& silver &

copper plate hanging from wire holding dreams

& violent hope against hope for cartoon man

there's no drive-in

movies

in my head

i've never been to

one

never taken the kids but strangers have

famous faces of beauty & fakeness fill minds

eye & you eat it up!

believing the shit reality

so

angel of death sits next to us on

loveseat

we

play footsie with him

smiling & flirting

a real

true horror film!

I

i only know of one

man in Vietnam

dead uncle

ballooned up

with agent orange

extra wide in coffin

dreams

of maggot infested

neck

larva pouring out dark

hole onto kitchen floor

wife screaming lungs up

& mopping up mess of nasty

no LSD but the

real real

reality

that's the trip

but hey

spring is here &

the trees are budding…

your soul

great music hall of golden pipes blast specter

voices across endless fields of sleeping idiots

your soul

nightmare bird of flightless joy

hanging rock

pimple faced kids eat wings & dance in

empty field of graduates

your soul

backwards clock eat time

too much left

for blind men holding hands out for one

day of life & nourishment

break hands on hard work for family

meal of love & play

hide in sleeping bed dead

to world for hours as all things keep moving to

never stop again

never

never will the

ocean dry up leaving

fish to lie & rot

raw feet

with thumbnails grown &

brittle

dust & bramble

can anyone be mistaken?

nighttime smoke

bending lungs

twisting

too tar death rattle

of blood sisters pawing at crouch & ass for

release & sick pleasure of non educated

brain lust & night smoke gone too far left

can anyone be forgiven?

can anything be forgotten?

——————————————————————

[belovedbastardremus]

Aemond knew his time had come. His entire family had been killed in what the Lords had begun to call the Dance of Dragons, his brother and his daughter had been the last to go. Right when he thought he would inherit the throne, the only thing he had ever wanted, Lucerys had come back. Not from the dead, from Storm's End, where he had not died, nor drowned, but waited and gathered allies. In his back the whole time, his nephew has conspired and prepared his own rise.

The night before what would have been Aemonds' coronation, Lucerys had made his grand comeback, with the entire court on his side. Aemond has been locked inside of his room without any explanation, ironically enough, just like he'd advised his mother to do to Rhaenys the night before his brother took the crown. But rumors travel fast, even from behind the thick walls of the Red Keep, and a raven had been sent directly to his room by the Lannister Lord, kind enough to explain to him in detail the depth of his damnation.

Thus Aemond knew it, he would die today, in the very chamber he'd mourned his eye, then his entire family in. He had tried to kill Lucerys, and his nephew wasn't known to miss.

Interrupting his mournful thoughts, a loud knock rang from behind the door, just before Ser Erryk's voice announced Lucerys Velaryon, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Kingdom.

Aemond got up, he wanted to die standing, not lying across a chair like his brother, or lying for everyone to see, like his sister. He would not kill himself, he wouldn't take the satisfaction his death would undoubtedly bring to his nephew, from him.

Lucerys walked slowly, almost carefully in the room, he was alone and seemingly unarmed, but Aemond didn't let it fool him, he wouldn't try to escape or fight back. His nephew looked straight at him, the fear his eyes bore in Lord Borros' hall, gone.

"Sit down, qybor, please," he asked. It didn't sound like an order, he would have never taken one from him, anyway.

"I will not, do be quick" Aemond answered sharply.

Lucerys gazed at him, looking puzzled. Then his eyes widened and he promptly added : "I'm not going to kill you !" He sounded offended by the mere thought of it.

"Then why are you here ?" Aemond's jaw was tense, every word was painful to him, and precisely chosen. He would not sound weak, but here he didn't feel like a dragon, he was a man, and a powerless one.

"Both of our families are dead, we are the only two Targaryen left. And you think I'm going to kill you ? Do you think me stupid ?"

Aemond almost answered but kept his wit to himself, it was not the time not the place. Lucerys went on.

"My mistake, of course you do.", he chuckled to himself. "We have a House to rebuild, qybor."

"Since when in the seven hells is there a 'we' ?" Aemond almost yelled.

A wave of ice rolled down his spine, he had forgotten himself.

"Since we are blood, since always, you fool. I took your eye, I did. And you took my family, by starting this war. We are equals !", Lucerys yelled right back.

Aemond fell silent, he was rooted in the ground, but almost felt like he was going to fall back.

He continued, "I will not have you die, not by my hands, not here ! This is your home, this will always be your home. And it was also mine !"

Lucerys came to a stop. He then took a deep breath and sat down on his uncle's bed. "If you wish to die so badly, go on, get down to the Dragon Pit and ask Vhagar to give her rider the same fate as the last. But know that I want you at my side, I don't have a Hand yet.

He then left the room without giving his uncle the time to answer. Aemond almost went to hold him back, but stopped himself.

Letting himself fall on the armchair by his window, he was struck by how quickly he had wanted to accept.

Prompt #655

“This is your home, and it will always be your home,”

[look-at-the-soul]

The Reward (Cillian Murphy x OC)

Summary: An oversight can change your life in a matter of seconds and it can lead you to lose a valuable member of your family. A lost dog in a new neighborhood. Endless hours of searching. A reward. It all lead them to find each other.

Cillian Murphy x OC

Parts: 4/7 more here

A/N: Scout is the star of this story, because I love dogs. A/N 2: This is my first Cillian Murphy fic, hope you like it! If you want me to tag you, just let me know :) your comments & feedback is appreciated ♥️

Notes: super blurry picture, wish we could have more casuals like this, so I’m adding another one.

“For what? To take a chance to being left at the altar one more time? Once was enough.” She tried to make it sound casual. 

She learned her lesson and moved on. Now, she only focused on her work, it was her whole life, her safe place. Safer than being close to a man again. 

“He was young and stupid.” Chad tried to reason with her. “Not everyone is a cheater.” 

“Marissa and Damien were exactly my age, and trust me, they both knew what they were doing.” She handed the approved menu to the chef, and started walking to her office. “The problem is that they couldn’t respect her best friend’s man and his girlfriend’s best friend.” 

Marissa, Debbie and Liv were best friends since high school, they did everything together shopping, sleep overs, travel, shared their clothes and shoes. But when Liv was about to get married, Marissa did everything in her power to share the groom as well. Correction, she stole the groom. They always had the perfect alibi, never raised suspicious. They were together for months before the wedding until that day, he left Liv waiting at the church. And Marissa was nowhere to be seen, so it wasn’t really hard to put the story together. 

Now, years later it didn’t hurt anymore, but Liv didn’t want to go through any of that again, so it was easier to close her heart and keep going with her life. 

That’s why she preferred to stay away from any celebration of love at her restaurant, it was a reminder of something she wouldn’t have. 

“Doesn’t matter now.” She told Chad. 

“Of course, it matters, when was the last time you had a date?” Chad pressed. 

“I have a date this weekend remember? Downtown to see the new packages for the food to go. There’s your date.” She winked at him. 

“I’m talking about a real date, kisses, fireworks, romance, sex.” He whispered the last part. 

That made Liv laugh out loud. 

“You deserve to be happy.” He added softly. 

Touched by his worried expression she assured him: “I’m happy.” 

“Forget that, you deserve to share your happiness with a good man, that’s all I want for you, doesn’t matter if he is a pirate or walks slow.” 

“I’ve only met two good men in my life, my dad which my mum got him off the market and you, like my favorite uncle and your married too, so both of you aren’t an option for me.” 

“One day he’s going to walk thru that door and I will know as soon as I see him, so don’t be surprised if I suddenly say it’s him!” 

***  Scout’s being missing for four days now and it was so hard and difficult to lie to Aidan about it. Cillian came up with the idea of Scout being on vacation with other dogs, saying he was stressed with the moving, fortunately for him, the kid believed him so he now only kept asking him if today was last day of Scout’s trip. 

He walked around the street one of his friends mentioned that they saw a dog matching Scout’s description and asked every person he came across with, showed them pictures and handled them a flyer. But nobody seemed to have seen Scout. 

It was as if he just disappeared. 

His sister Sile sent him a picture someone shared, it was awfully blurry, someone else tried to catch a similar dog but they couldn’t. 

Scout might at the other side of the city by now. 

He stopped at a café and got scones and coffee for breakfast, it was time to go back home. 

“Something?” Asked his mum right after he got inside. 

“Nothing, a couple of people apparently saw him but couldn’t catch him.” He offered her a coffee. “I’m hoping I will get a call anytime.” 

Aidan appeared still in his dinosaur pajamas. 

“Why aren’t you ready for school yet?” His son disappeared laughing as Cillian tried to chase him. 

“I miss Scout.” He stated while Cillian helped with his uniform. It broke his heart to hear that. 

“I miss him too.” He moved around to get his belongings. “Shoes. There you go.” 

“Can we visit Scout later? 

“Nope, he’s on vacation remember?” Please stop the questions, he thought.

“When we go on vacation we take him too.” 

“They only allow dogs at that beach, you would have to walk in fours, bark and lick yourself. You know, it might be good, you would be quiet.” He joked. 

Aidan burst out laughing. 

Cillian loved his innocence. 

And with that Aidan promised to make a draw after school for Scout to give it to him when he was done with his holiday.  The rest of the morning, Cillian and his mother kept getting everything ready at the house, started at the kitchen since it was one of the places where he spent more time, then he went to his basement to take a call with his agent for a new role, while he was on the phone, he started printing more flyers. Again, running out of ink. 

“I’m sorry man, they said they wanted someone else.” His agent said over the phone. 

“It’s alright, it wasn’t meant to be.” He admitted. 

“I told them you are really good with voices.” 

“Hey Martin, it’s fine, you will find another casting soon.” 

He wanted that role, yes, but you can’t really force something like that. Some roles are for you and some other aren’t, he knew that well. 

“Thank you for calling.” 

Cillian took one of the flyers in his hands. He just hoped this wouldn’t be one of those times when you get one bad news after another. 

Should he double the reward? 

Before he knew it, Aidan got back from school with his grandma. Scout would be barking at the door until they finally meet for licks and kisses. For now, it was only his son and his parents while they ate, he tried to stay positive, to keep his hopes up, he really did. He just didn’t know for how long he would be able to keep going like this.

“I have to do something ok? Be good to Momma and do your homework while I’m gone.” He asked Aidan. 

“Can we go?” Aidan asked staring at his dad, then his grandma. 

“It’s going to be boring, why don’t you entertain Momma with a movie?” He kissed the top of his head and thanked his mum for helping him. 

“Call immediately if you find him.” She asked giving Cillian a hug. 

“Will do.” He left with his dad, allowing him to drive, they decided to get out of the neighborhood, Scout might be anywhere. 

“Perhaps we should try outside the neighborhood?” His dad suggested.

“Probably.” Cillian agreed.

Cillian was so glad to had his family help with Aidan and the search for Scout.

“I haven’t seen that girl you were dating.” His dad said after driving in silence for a while.

Cillian shook his head. “It’s over now, it’s been months actually… she didn’t like kids and you know how I feel about that, always wanted a big family.” He admitted.

“That would be nice.”

“How did you know Momma was the one?”

“This will sound like a cliché, but you just know, a woman like her simply stands out, they do something casual and simple, look extraordinary.” His dad smiled remembering the first time he saw his wife. “And oh, you won’t be able to get her out of your mind.”

Cillian looked outside the window thinking he would like to experience something like that, but it was hard. He was picky, plus he had Aidan, he couldn’t get involved with someone who wouldn’t accept his son. Being honest with himself, he liked a smart woman, one who could understand his sense of humor, funny, kind, he wanted deep talks… Maybe he was just asking for too much.

They decided to keep searching by foot so they got out of the car, after a few minutes, they came across a man walking with seven or eight dogs attached to his waist, leashes tangled.

“Excuse me, have you seen a lost dog around?” He showed him a picture.

“No… I only walk the neighbor’s dogs, but if I see anything I will let you know.” He said taking the flyer. “Have you checked at the shelter? They take the lost dogs over there.”

Cillian got pale.

“Thank you.” 

He wanted to go home now, felt hopeless.

Was it time to give up? Let Scout go?

“Listen to me, Scout is fine.” His dad tried to reassure him. “Don’t lose hope.”

“What if he is hurt?”

“Don’t let your mind go that way son.” His dad patted him on the shoulders. “You just need some faith.”

Cillian was so tired when they go back to the house an hour and a half later. They heard laughs coming from the kitchen and judging by the smell of the house, it looked like Momma and Aidan were baking.

He was about to join them when his phone started ringing. 

Tag list: @alreadybroken-ts  @runnning-outof-time​

[cheesy-cakey]

note this is a hatter au from a wattpad book I wrote.

You Weren't there

Kalim X Reader Angst

We had graduated.

We got married.

He inherited his family's riches.

We had a son.

We were happy...

We WERE.

I gazed out the window of my quarters.

I was no longer a Hatter... I was now an Al-Asim.

The Hatter name had died out the moment I decided to be a part of Kalim's family. I still owned our land and property. But I had no use for it.

I thought that this was going be our happily ever after.

Holding the one I love close. Kalim embracing me and our son.

But I guess reality doesn't have a happy ending... Especially us Hatter's.

As I watched the scene out the window.

In the garden was Kalim... With his 2rd wife and daughter.

Yes, that's right. I may be Kalim's first wife... but that doesn't mean I'm the only one.

I watched as he held her hand while with the other he carried his daughter.

I moved away from the window and sat on the plush bed of my quarters.

"How could I be so stupid. How could I be so blind. why did I think... That out of all the people in the world. I would have a happy ending." I muttered to myself as I leaned back on my arms tears pricking out of my eyes.

I went back to the window watching them hold each other close. I traced my hand on the glass feeling the coolness of the material.

I kneeled on the floor hand on the window sill while the other was on the floor.

"If happy ever after did exist~" I sang as I wrapped my arms around myself.

"I would still be holding you like this~"

"All those fairy tales are full of sh*t"

"One more f*cking love song I'll be sick" I sobbed as I was never meant to have a happy ever after.

3rd POV

Little did Y/N know that someone came to visit.

Watching through the crack from the slightly opened door.

Ali Al-Asim watched as his mother broke down crying.

"Why... why of all people... why does it have to be mother that suffers?"

He walked away knowing that it's better to not disturb her like this... He knew seeing him would just remind her of the happy ending she could've had.

He returned to him quarters and sat in one of the chairs in his room.

"Mother... You shouldn't be suffering like this... You told me father loved you... You said he loved you more than the stars in the sky... then why... why does he treat you this way? why does he neglect you? weren't we happy? weren't you happy?" He leaned his head back as tears pricked out his eyes.

"I never get to see you smile anymore. The smile that could shine brighter than the sun. Your eyes became dull... no longer full of hope and happiness like the stars."

he slammed his first into the table Infront of him as tears fell from his face.

"WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A HAPPY EVER AFTER!?"

The 15 year old couldn't bear to see his mother like this...

He's seen her cry too many times...

-Time Skip-

It was Ali's 16th birthday.

Which means a big celebration...

But his mother as much as she wants to attend she couldn't bring herself to leave her room.

The Hatter that used to be full of life, laughing, singing, dancing. The Hatter that enjoyed parties and seeing her friends smile... lost her spark.

-At the celebration-

"Happy Birthday, Young Master, Ali!" The servants cheered.

"Happy birthday, My son!" Kalim exclaimed as he greeted his first born.

"Thank you, Father!" Ali exclaimed with a smile.

"You're 16 now, which school do you wanna attend, Ali!?" His father asked excitedly.

"I want to go to Night Raven College! That's where you went to right, Father?"

"Yes, I did! Me and your uncle Jamil went there together!"

"Then it's settled, NRC it is!"

"I could have the headmaster make you dorm head as well!"

"No, Father. I wish to become dorm head with my own skills." He stated.

"Haaaah? fine, if that is what my son wants. Now everyone! enjoy the party!"

he walked away as he went to meet other guests.

A lot of people were here. His uncles from NRC. His Friends. even his half sister.

But there was only one person Ali wanted to be here.

Ali stood up from his seat and sneaked away.

He went to the quarters of someone he held dear.

he knocked on the door and heard a come in.

"Good evening, mother" he said with a soft smile.

"Ah! Ali, Happy Birthday" She replied with a tired but loving smile.

she was sitting by the window with it being wide open allowing the wind to enter.

He went closer the his mother and kneeled beside her.

"How are you feeling?" Ali asked.

"I'm feeling very well. So how is your birthday?"

"Nevermind the birthday. I just want to stay here with you" he said as he buried his face into her dress resting his head on her lap.

The lady giggled at her son's statement, watching him with caring eyes.

"I have a present for you" She said as she brought out a box.

Ali raised his head.

"Mother... you didn't have to" he said as he received it.

"Oh, but I do. this is something I've been meaning to give you"

Ali opened the box to see a top hat, a golden silk snake wrapping around the hat with a single Jasmine flower.

"It used to be mine. Sometimes in the Hatter family we give it to the person we marry but sometimes we also keep it. But this time it's time to pass it on to the descendant. I redecorated it for you. do you like it?" The elegant lady smiled as she remembered her memories with the hat and proud to be able to hand it down.

Ali looked as the hat.

"I love it... thank you mother" He thanked as he lied down on her lap once again.

"I'm glad you do, my dear son" She placed a hand on his white hair exactly the same as his father's.

Sher stroked his head gently as the moon shone down on them through the window.

-Timeskip-

It was now time for Ali to go to Night Raven College. He said farewell to everyone and as he was about to get on the Ebony Carriage he looked up to a window to see his mother smiling at him. he smiled back and entered.

-at the dorm sorting-

Ali was up next to be sorted.

"State thy name"

"Ali Al-Asim"

"The shape of thy soul... I see you best improve in Scarabia."

He stepped away from the mirror and joined the other students that were sorted into Scarabia.

He will make his mother proud.

-Time skip-

It had been a week since he had arrived. And just like that he had became a dorm head not from money but from skill.

He was currently in potions taught by Professor Crewel.

His phone then suddenly rang.

"Excuse me, Professor. I need to take this call"

"Of course, pup. but next time I won't be allowing it."

Ali answered his phone and it was one of the servants.

He was analysing his potion while he answered.

"What is it? I told you not to call me around this time because I'm in class."

"Apologies, young master. But it's about Lady Y/N"

"Mother? what about her? does she miss me? tell her I'll visit this weekend."

"It's not that sir"

"what is it then?"

"she umm"

"spit it out"

"The lady has passed away"

Ali suddenly dropped the beaker shattering it to a million pieces.

"Al-Asim! bad pup! what are you doing!?"

Ali stood up knocking his seat over. He slammed his hand on his desk that still had the shattered glass and spilled potion. good thing that the potion doesn't give much effect since it wasn't finished.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN PASSED AWAY!?" He yelled as tears pricked from his eyes.

"Al-Asim?" his professor called out worried.

"I mean what I exactly said, young master. The lady passed away earlier this morning. when the servant went to serve her breakfast she didn't wake up. they tried waking her up then realized she wasn't moving. they called a physician... and he said the lady had passed away"

"no... you're lying"

"Ali Al-Asim, what's wrong? Get your hands off the desk your starting to bleed." Crewel said as he took the boys hand from the broken glass and started cleaning it.

"Mother... is she really dead?"

"yes, sir"

"wait... your mother?" his professor asked

"As in... Y/N? she's... no longer with us?" his eyes wide as saucers.

Ali fell on his knees tears spilling not showing any signs of stopping any time soon.

"Mother... no... no... no no no NO! SHE CAN'T BE GONE!" He sobbed.

"Ashengrotto, take him to the infirmary to clean his wound up. The rest of you dismissed. I need to speak with the head master."

"Yes, professor"

-time Skip-

currently Ali was in the head masters office.

"Al-Asim. I heard what had happened. I'll let you go home for as long as you need. I apologize for your loss. You can use the mirror to go home." Crowley said as he watched the boy sob.

he himself wanted to cry since one of the most lovable students he had, had passed away.

"Your mother... was an incredible woman. Not only as a student but as a friend to the rest. It's a shame she... had to leave us so early. I thought that maybe... I'd be dead by the time she leaves."

"Thank you, headmaster... I'll be... heading out now" Ali exited the room and went to the mirror and went home.

Once he had arrived he was greeted by the servants but he just walked right pass.

His sister also greeted him, but he continued walking.

soon he arrived at his mother's bedroom. He saw her... looking like she's sleeping soundly... knowing she's never waking up again.

He walked to her bed side. held her now cold hand and feel to his knees and sobbed uncontrollably

"Mother!... Why.... WHY DID YOU HAVE TO LEAVE! I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THE HAPPY ENDING YOU DESERVE! BUT WHAT!? YOU ENDED YOUR STORY WITH LONGING THAT WAS NEVER FULFILLED!? WHY!?" he cried... not leaving her side for the rest of the day.

During her funeral, all her friends from NRC came. Tears spilled everywhere as they found their dear friend no longer with them.

they approached Ali who just stood by her coffin.

"Sorry... for your loss... Ali"

He just kept silent.

For the long duration of her funeral... Not once did his father... the man his dear mother loved and longed for, show up.

This had made the boy even more upset. but that did not overpower the sorrow he had.

-Time Skip-

The funeral had long ended...

His mother was buried...

he returned to school but barely spoke.

"Al-Asim... pup. I suggest you go meet with Professor Yuu. You need it"

Ali merely nodded as he went to his magicless professor who taught about monsters and health.

"Ali... take a seat"

Ali sat down across him.

"You haven't been sleeping have you... you have bags under your eyes. You look pale. Ali"

He just sat there.

"I know... I know you're depressed... Your mother was my vice prefect back in our school days. she was a wonderful woman to be with... she laughed... she sang... she smiled... but you know what I love most about her?"

Ali looked up and looked at Yuu.

"She makes people around her smile as well. She wouldn't want you to act like this. Y/N, She too lost a parent in her younger days. But that didn't stop her from being happy... She always had joy in her eyes... and you know you have her E/C eyes as well"

"So please... Don't let this bring you down. Your mother... Be like her. someone who smiles, laughed and most of all makes others do the same. sure reality doesn't have a happy ending. But you're writing your own story so make sure it leads to one."

Ali thought about it. looks back down... looks at the mirror in the room and looked straight into his E/N coloured eyes.

"You're right, Professor. Even if mother is gone... I should make her proud" Ali stood up with smile.

Ali bowed.

"Thank you, Professor Yuu!"

"Just call me, Yuu."

Ali smiled and ran off back to his dorm and to his room.

Yuu on the other hand stood up and went to the window and looked at the sky.

"I wish... I could've held you one last time... Y/N... I loved you so much" Yuu said as he let the tears fall.

Ali pulled a box from under his bed and opened it...

It may not fit his outfit but it doesn't matter.

he stood up holding the object and went to a mirror.

He looked straight at it and placed the hat he was given on his head.

"I'll prove... that I can give us a happy ending, Mother"

and with that Ali changed... He changed for the better. all the old staff watched him... and it reminded them of someone who they once cherished in this school.

-Time Skip-

it's been 2 years since Y/N's passing. Ali Al-Asim was now 18 years old. A third year.

But what's interesting is. when his 1st year ended the mirror had announced something... He was transferred to a different dorm.

-Flashback-

Just as they were all about to leave.

"Wait... It seems someone's soul had reshaped into something new." the mirror had stated.

"What? but that's not possible" Crowley said in surprise.

"Ali Al-Asim... Step forward"

Ali hesitantly stepped up.

"Yes... it seems your soul had reshaped... though you are still suited to be a part of Scarabia... Your heart... Is perfect for the Ramshackle Dorm"

"Isn't that"

"Your mother's old dorm... well it seems like you're becoming just like your mother" Crowley smiled as he placed a hand on the boys shoulder.

-end of flashback-

And since then he became the dorm head of the Ramshackle. His hat suited his outfit. he was happy.

And right now the 18 year old was going to make a decision that'll change his life.

Currently standing Infront of his father, Kalim Al-Asim. wearing a somewhat butler outfit somewhat similar to that of what his mother wore back in her younger days as a Hatter.

"Father... I don't wish to be an Al-Asim anymore."

"What? could you repeat that?"

"I don't want to be an Asim."

"But son! you're my eldest! you're my successor!"

"And I don't want to be your successor!"

"why!?"

"I want to continue mother's legacy!" Ali yelled as he gripped his wrist behind his back while looking down.

"what?"

"I want to be a Hatter! I want to carry on the Hatter name! I want to do this for mother! it the least you could let me do"

"the least I could let you do?"

"Yes! The most you could do was probably be there for her!"

"Ali"

"You left her all alone! making her cry every night! every night for you!"

"She didn't get her happily ever after! Cause you weren't there there for her! you weren't there for us!HECK She would've been contented with just you being there even if you didn't love her anymore!"

"YOU DIDN'T EVEN COME TO HER FUNERAL!" Ali snapped.

"I know you are aware that You're naive, gullible, oblivious and all that. but please... just see it... the least you could do" Ali looked up and looked Kalim straight in the eyes.

Kalim staring back into E/C colored orbs that was exactly the same as his wife that had recently passed away.

He looked down and took a deep breathe

"Alright"

"Huh?"

"I'll... let you go..."

"Really?"

"yes... as you said... it's the least I could do for not even attending the funeral."

"Thank you... father" Ali smiled as he walked away.

this was a new start for Ali... Becoming just like his mother. Writing a happily ever after for them.

We can't say the same for Kalim though.

He sat at his chair.

His 2rd wife entered the room and sat beside him.

"What did he want?" she asked.

"To leave the family"

"what?"

"He... wanted to become a Hatter to continue Y/N's legacy."

"I see... don't worry I'm here... and besides I'm sure we can make a new heir."

"I'm not in the mood"

"But, dear~"

right then and there Kalim snapped.

"I SAID IM NOT IN THE MOOD!" He yelled.

"BECAUSE OF YOUR DAMN FAMILY THREATENING TO HURT MY SON AND MY BELOVED WIFE I WAS FORCED TO NEGLECT HER!"

"IF IT WASN'T FOR YOUR DAMN FAMILY I WOULD PROBABLY BE HOLDING HER RIGHT NOW WITH ANOTHER CHILD!"

"ALL BECAUSE YOU WANTED ME TO LOVE YOU! YOU'RE DELUSIONAL IF YOU THINK I WOULD!"

"What is it... WHAT IS IT DOES SHE HAVE THAT I DON'T!?"

"My heart... that's what it is... SHE WAS MY EVERYTHING! HER SMILE THAT WAS PRACTICALLY MY SUN! HER EYES THAT SHIMMERED LIKE THE STARS!"

"SHE DESERVES TO BE DEAD! SHE'S NOT FIT TO BE YOUR WIFE! SHE'S NOT FIT TO HAVE YOU! ME, ME, ME! IT WAS ME WHO SHOULD HAVE YOU! SHE'S HIDEOUS! SHE'S DUMB! SHE'S NAIVE! SO WHY WON'T YOU LOOK AT ME!"

"DON'T YOU DARE THAT ABOUT HER! FIRST OF ALL SHE'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN TO HAVE EVER EXISTED THAT EVEN VIL SAID SO! YOU WOULD NEVER BE AS BEAUTIFUL AS HER! SECOND SHE GRADUATED FROM NRC WITH TOP GRADES FITTING INTO THE TOP 50! SHE KNOWS MORE THAN YOU EVER WILL! AND THIRD OF ALL SHE'S NOT AS NAIVE AS YOU THINK! SHE EXPERIENCED THE CRUELTY OF THE WORLD TO THE POINT SHE WAS ALMOST BROKEN! BUT SHE JUST SMILED AND SAID THAT EVERYTHING WOULD BE JUST FINE! I BET YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT IF IT HAD HAPPENED TO YOU! FACE IT I'LL NEVER LOOK AT YOU THE SAME I DO WITH HER!"

"THAT'S WHY I KILLED HER SO YOU WOULD ONLY LOOK AT ME- MPH!" she clasped her mouth shut trembling from what came out.

"what? WHAT did you just say?"

"n-nothing!"

"WE HAD A DEAL! YOU WOULD LEAVE THEM ALONE IN EXCHANGE FOR ALL OF THIS!"

"I-I didn't mean to!"

"DIDN'T MEAN TO MY *SS! AS IF I'D BELIEVE THAT! JAMIL!"

Soon Jamil entered the room. in truth he was about to enter till he heard screaming and heard the entire thing.

"Yes, Kalim"

"Take her away. make her confess EVERYTHING that she had done. After that could you call Azul? I want to have a talk with him to deal with something."

"Yes, of course" Jamil left with the 2nd wife being taken away by guards.

"WAIT! KALIM PLEASE! I LOVE YOU! DON'T DO THIS TO ME!"

As they all left the room Kalim sat down and tears started running down his face.

"Why was I so stupid? thinking I could protect you without having to hurt anyone but as a result I ended up hurting you... then lost you. I should've dealt with them from the start. I should've just been there for you... now I not only lost you... but I lost our son too... haha! why am I so stupid?"

For the rest of the night Kalim just cried. knowing can never bring you back.

-END-

"isn't that an interesting timeline."

"Didn't know that there would be a bad ending to their story. I hope this timeline won't stick it would be so sad~" a voice said as she closed a book that's titled 'You Weren't there'

soon the book started to become grains of sand.

"oh? what is this?"

"The timeline is disintegrating"

"I guess that means that story won't be sticking around."She then pushed up her glasses as she looked back at the millions of books being written each having a pen that glows with inspiration and life."I wonder who's story would be finished next~ would the story disappear? or will it be part of the official collection?"

"Let's see what endings are in-store~ After all"

"I am the story keeper~"

[sailorwritesstuff]

Mirabel, come down.

Dolores finds Mirabel standing on the roof in the rain she never realized all the feeling she's been holding in. proofread for once and probably still has mistakes... pre-canon/slight spoilers but not really.

warnings: Su*cide mention/attempt, underage drinking, Mirabel It's really out here fighting the mental demons.

its song fic Saturday bitch.

You want the acclaim, the mother of mothers (it's not worth it, Achilles)

The rain poured down from the sky hitting her skin and soaking her new white dress. 'Pepa must not be having a good night.' She thought to herself as she raised her bottle to her mouth. This was a guilty pleasure of hers. climbing onto the roof while everyone else slept drinking her Uncle Felix's cheap beer and just thinking how much easier it would be to not exist. For hours she would sit on the roof of la Casita mulling over every little thing that anyone in the family had ever said that hurt her feelings. Was she being overdramatic? did she deserve to feel bad for herself after all she ruined her Abuela's perfect family? Maybe. But, hey, she was such a screw up that she fucked up simply touching a door. Not even a candle thought she was special.

Her mother's voice rang through her head as she took another sip "Mija, You don't need a gift to be special" bullshit. fuck you Julieta.

"Hey Casita... Do you hate me or something?" she asked out into the wind placing her bottle down beside her. No response. She clicked her tongue and stood up. "Is that it?" she laughed bitterly. "You and the stupid fucking candle hate me like everyone else? Is that why I'm not special?" she ran her fingers through her hair.

"God, not even a house likes me. No wonder my own sister wishes I was never born." She laughs bitterly to herself as an image of a sneering Isabela floated into her brain.

"your special Mija." She laughed, doing a small spin. "No gift required! I'm part of the great Madrigal family!! isn't that special? The only idiot with no power whatsoever."

More poignant than fame or the taste of another (don't listen, Achilles)

" I wish I could be someone else. be in a normal family. Have an Abuela who actually cares…" She picked up her drink and took another swig plopping back down to sit on the roof. "I could jump now… They wouldn't find me until morning." She chuckled not like they would feel anything.

She chucked the lid of her beer bottle as far as possible watching it disappear into the darkness.

But be real and just jump, you dense motherfucker (you're worth more, Achilles)

'Jump now you idiot. No one would hear the thud with all this rain.'

"Mirabel?" Dolores called out to her cousin, the worry clear in her voice. "What are you doing up there?"

Mirabel quickly hides her bottle from prying eyes.

"Nothing, Dolores, go back to bed." she sighed.

You will not be more than a rat in the gutter (so much more than a rat)

Dolores's eyebrows furrowed as she looked up at her cousin. Was something she did often? How had she missed this? Dolores heard everything… unless Mira was intentionally waiting until she went into her room which was soundproof.

"Mira, you're scaring me. It's raining. Mamá has been having nightmares. come down you could fall." She heard her cousin snort like the situation was humorous. "We can have some tea and talk. You can get sober and I won't say anything to Tia i promise"

You want my opinion, my opinion you've got (no one asked your opinion)

The night got silent. Even for Dolores all she could hear was Mirabel's shallow breathing and her heartbeat being drowned by her mother's rain. until she heard it, a dry sob form in Mirabel's throat. she was crying.

"Dolores... I'm so tired. I don't want to come down."

"Tired of what, Mira? we can help you."

"living. being here. I'm tired of being expected to forget everything. how tough Abuela is on me. how all of you acted like Im only ever in the way."

"What are you talking about? Abuela is tough on everyone."

"no!" She stood up suddenly wobbling, her leg had fallen asleep and Dolores looked terrified at the thought of her cousin falling over. "No you don't get it. God you will never understand what i feel like Dolores!" she spat her prima's name with such venom that she even shocked herself.

You asked for my counsel, I gave you my thoughts (no one asked for your thoughts)

'Jump stupid. she'll wake the whole house talking.'

"Then come down! we'll tell them that, then we'll all apologize. Look, I'm sorry, Mira!! I... I didn't know you felt like that. I knew you were struggling with not being special-" Dolores pleads her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

Mirabel snorted at that. "not special…"

Be done with this now and jump off the roof (be done with this now and get off the roof)

"Mirabel please! just let me talk to you on the ground! you'll fall!" Dolores didn't mean to but her voice began to raise.

"What if I want to fall?!" Mirabel challenged.

"You don't mean that." The older Madrigal frowned.

"how would you know?" Mirabel cackled like her Prima had just said the funniest thing she'd ever heard.

"because i know you…"

Can you hear me, Achilles? I'm talking to you

"no you don't. you just think you do."

"Mirabel, be serious-."

I'm talking to you. I'm talking to you

'Serious...' she stood up and took a step closer to the edge. 'No second thoughts.' Mirabel smiled taking one last sip of her beer before falling backwards off the roof. In the back of her brain she could hear Dolores's scream. But, she could care less as the wind carried her hair. she wished she had gotten the gift of flight so she could have felt this rush more often.

Mirabel passed out before she hit the ground and Casita and Dolores both reached for the falling star that was Mirabel

"Dolores, what's wrong why are you out in the rain?"

Julieta.

Achilles, come down Achilles, come down

"Im so sorry, Tia." her whole body shook as she held her Prima close.

listening to her breathing.

a sound she never wanted to hear stop.

[leossmoonn]

Second Chance

masterlist

pairing - carl gallagher x fem!reader

type - fluff, lil angst

note / request - “hi! can we get a carl x reader during like season 10. they were together in the past and they broke up, but hang out everyday. but carl still likes her so he tries getting her back.” this is so trash lmao, but enjoy!

summary - you and carl dated a while back, but now are just friends. he spends the day with you, hoping to win you back

warnings - language, underage drinking, suggestive content but no real smut

————

*gif isnt mine* 

“Hey, C-Bear!” You called out.

“‘Sup, Y/n/n!” Carl smiled at you. You ran up the stairs of his porch and gave him a tight hug.

“How was Florida?” Carl asked once you pulled back.

“Hot as shit, but fun. How was Chicago?” You asked a giggle.

“Same old,” he shrugged.

You looked at your best friend and smiled. “So, what’re we gonna do today? It is the last day of summer.”

“I was thinking of just hanging out here. It’s too hot to do anything,” Carl shrugged.

You nodded, “Sounds good.”

You two walked into Carl’s house. You saw Franny on the couch with Debbie.

“Hey, Debs. Hi, Fran-Fran!” You squealed and went over to Franny.

“Y/n!” Franny exclaimed.

“How have you been, squirt?” You asked the little girl, picking her up in your arms.

“Good,” she smiled widely. “Good,” you smiled.

Carl looked at you while talking to Franny, absolutely mesmerized.

You and Carl had dated the previous summer. You two had a good run. You lasted for 6 months before Carl had met a girl named Anne at his job. You noticed him slipping away slowly everyday. It broke your heart and you knew that you had to end it. Carl obviously didn’t realize he was falling in love with someone else, so you sat him down and told him you were breaking up with him. It hurt like a bitch for you, but you knew it was for the best so you wouldn’t end up getting more hurt in the end. You handled it maturely, telling him that you two could still be friends no matter what. You two were friends way before you dated, anyways. 

Carl handled it differently, though. He was angry at you for accusing him for falling in love with another girl. He cursed at you, stormed out of your car, and didn’t talk to you for 2 weeks. You missed him, but you were kind of thankful he left you alone. 

In those 2 weeks, you were able to rediscover your self worth. You managed to convince yourself that Carl was just like every other guy at your age; stupid. You knew you were hot shit and if he didn’t want you, then that was his loss. 

Even though you said this to yourself everyday, the hurt feelings didn’t stop. It took you a good 2 months to stop thinking about Carl and Anne together, him possibly cheating on you while he was on the job. You finally got over all the anxious thoughts and were happier now. You’d never admit it, but you were still in love with Carl, and you knew that he was the one, but the one that got away. 

Those 2 weeks for Carl were absolute hell. He missed you so much and started to pull away from Anne. Pulling away from Anne made him realize that you were right. That he was slowly falling in love with another woman, but he also realized that he loved you more. He took those 2 weeks to straighten himself up. He did pep-talks with himself, had his brothers help him out in what to do. They gave him hell for letting you go. Even they knew you were the one for him and reminded him of it everyday.  

Carl called you up after those two weeks and you agreed to try and be friends. It was hard for the first month, for both of you. You two were quiet and awkward when you hung out. You wouldn’t even hug him goodbye when you left his house, much less a high-five. But, it gradually got easier. You two saw each other more and fell into a comfortable rhythm, which consisted of you ignoring your feelings of love for him, and Carl acknowledging his feelings for you, always thinking of ways to get you back, but none of them working out. 

Now it was a year later and you two were back to being best friends like you were before you started dating. You had pushed the feelings you had for Carl away so much, it was barely there anymore. It was the opposite for Carl, he was still so deeply in love with you. So now that it was the last day of summer, he had planned to spend the whole day with you, try and woo you and get you back. 

“Are you hungry?” Carl asked, grabbing back your attention. 

You nodded. “Starving.”

“I think we have some cookies we can bake, right Debs?” Carl asked his sister. 

“I think so. We also have decorating icing, too,” Debbie said. 

“Great! What kind of cookies do you guys have?” You asked, going over to the kitchen.  “Just chocolate chip, I think. Maybe sugar cookies?” Debbie said. 

You hummed and looked in their fridge and found two rolls of chocolate chip and sugar cookies. 

“Found ‘em!” You exclaimed excitedly. 

Carl went into the kitchen with you, smiling at the happy expression you had on your face.

“Help me put them on a tray?” You asked. 

Carl nodded and went next to you. He took the sugar cookie roll and broke it into pieces. Debbie walked over to the kitchen, taking a seat, wanting to catch up with you.

“So, why did you guys do in Florida?” Debbie asked. 

“Went swimming, went to Universal Studios. We went to a lot of nice restaurants. I met a few cute guys there, too,” you smiled. 

“Ooh, really?” Debbie smirked. “Any that stuck?”

“This one kid named Josh. We played volleyball on the beach for a while. He told me he liked my swim suit,” you smirked. 

“Did you two hook up,” Debbie asked.  

Carl tensed at her words. He hoped you would say no. You weren’t like someone to jump into things like that so fast. Sure, you had a few boyfriends before Carl, but he knew that you took time in getting to know him. Plus, your first time was with him. 

“Nah. I’m pretty sure he had a girlfriend. There was a girl on the beach that kept glaring at me and hanging onto his arm. I even saw them kiss a few times,” you snorted. 

“Wow, he sounds like an ass,” Debbie said. 

“Yep. That’s why I rejected his kind offer to fuck,” you laughed.

“Atta girl,” Debbie gave you a high-five. 

“Yeah, I didn’t really feel like becoming the talk of the town or whoever those people lived,” you chuckled. 

"It’s good you said no,” Carl chimed in. 

“Oh, yeah, why? Besides the obvious,” you raised a brow. 

“Because it’s not you to hook up randomly,” Carl said. 

“Are you implying I’m a prude,” you chuckled. 

“No, no. I just... you waited until we dated to fuck, I-”

“Yeah, yeah,” you cut Carl off. You moved to put the cookies in the oven. Carl couldn't see it, but you were very flustered.

Him mentioning your romantic past brought up memories. These memories were the ones you didn’t mind remembering. They just made your legs weak heart swell. 

Carl was right, you did wait until you two were dating to have sex. You wanted it to be special and even though you two were just friends at the time, before you two were dating, you knew that sex with him would be special. And to your delight, it was. He was gentle, sweet, loving. He payed attention to you the whole time. It was one of the things you knew would live in your memory forever. 

“You waited?” Debbie asked. “Yeah,” you stood back up and shrugged. 

“Wow, I wish I had your self control,” Debbie snorted.

“It wasn't about self control. It was just knowing who was right for me,” you said. Your gaze fell on Carl as you said those words. 

He had a small on his face, to which you returned. Your heart fluttered at the sight, which made you avert your gaze immediately. Even though you didn’t mind the memories, you did mind the feelings they and him brought. As much as you hated to admit it, a part of you was still attracted to him. 

That part of you was the one you constantly had to push away. You had to remind yourself what he did. How he fell in love with another girl. How he let go someone good, kind, so loving and supportive. You knew if you let that other part of you invade your mind and feelings, you would be in his bed making out with him and possibly getting hurt, which was something you didn’t want. 

“How long do these have to bake?” Carl asked. 

“Like 15-20 minutes,” you said. He nodded and put his tray in the oven. 

“Wanna watch a movie?” Carl asked. 

“Sure,” you nodded. 

“I’m gonna go and meet Claudia. Watch Franny for me?” Debbie asked. 

“I’d love to!” You smiled. You loved Franny. She was such an easy and good kid to watch. She took care of herself, too, so all you had to do was make her food whenever she was hungry.

“Great, thank you. I’ll see you guys later!” Debbie smiled and left the house. 

“Franny, do you wanna watch a movie with us?” You asked the little girl. 

“Yeah!” She smiled. 

“Great! What movie do you want to watch?” You asked. 

Carl smiled at you as you talked to Franny. Seeing you play with Franny was one of the things that made him fall in love with you. Seeing a girl good with kids was attractive as hell. 

“She wants to watch Sleeping Beauty,” you said and walked over with Franny to the couch. 

“Alright. I’ll put in the DVD,” Carl said. 

“Thanks,” you smiled.

He smiled back at you and nodded. You sat on the couch, Franny sitting next to you. Carl walked back to the couch and groaned internally. He was planning on sitting next to you so you could lay your head on his shoulders whenever you go tired, which was something you did during every movie you two watched together. But now you couldn’t do that because Franny was sitting in the middle. 

“What’s wrong, C-Dog?” You noticed his annoyance. 

“Nothing. I’ve just watched this movie a billion times,” he sighed. 

“That's what you get for having a little child in the house,” you chuckled and turned your attention over to the movie. 

About 20 minutes in the movie, the oven beeped, singling that the cookies were done. 

“Franny, do you want to decorate cookies or watch the movie?” You asked while getting up. 

“I wanna watch the movie,” she said. 

“Alright, kid. Don’t cause any trouble in here. Aunt Y/n and Uncle Carl will be in the kitchen,” you said and patted her head. 

She giggled and you left to go to the kitchen with Carl. 

“You’re really good with her,” Carl complimented you. 

“Thank you. I have two little brothers, so I’ve learned a thing or two about kids. You just gotta treat them like adults, but also make sure they know they’re boundaries. Franny is such a good kid, though, she doesn’t need a lot of boundaries or rules,” you explained. 

Carl nodded. “Oh, yeah. How are Lucas and Lyle?”

“Trouble,” you chuckled. Carl laughed with you. “I bet not as much trouble as I was when I was little.”

“Hm, true,” you giggled, recalling memories of when you two were in elementary school. 

“You’ve shaped up good, though. Military school helped with that,” you complimented. 

“Thank you. You’ve always been good. Even when we broke up,” Carl remarked. 

You met his eyes. A frown was plastered on your lips. “Thank you. I try not to be sour and shit. I know it gets me nowhere.”

“Yeah, I learned that the hard way,” Carl sighed, referring two his 2-week temper tantrum. 

You gave him a kind smile. “It’s alright. I’m glad we stayed friends, though.”

Yeah, friends, Carl thought in dismay.

He put on a fake smile though. “Me, too.”

You went over to the cupboard and got out some decorative icing that you found. You put them on the kitchen counter and picked up a sugar cookie. 

“What’re you gonna put on yours?” You asked. 

“A penis,” Carl said. 

You rolled your eyes, but laughed. “I take back what I said about you shaping up.”

Carl laughed with you,  “Hey! Not fair. You asked me and I responded honestly.”

“True,” you giggled. You squirted some icing on Carl’s face, irrupting into a fit of laughter when it got all over the left side of his face. 

“And I take back what I said about you always being mature!” Carl exclaimed, squirting some icing on you. It landed on your collar bone. Carl eyed the bare skin, licking his lips, wishing he could lick it up. 

You noticed his stare. Your heart couldn’t help but race. You felt yourself start to get sweaty under your armpits. You averted your gaze and got a towel to wipe the icing off. Carl grabbed the towel out of your hands. 

“Here, let me,” Carl offered. “I was the one to make the mess.” You rolled his eyes. You knew this was one of his ways of trying to flatter you and kiss you. You let him, though. You would never admit it to anyone, but you liked when he did these things. Not so much because he was still pining over you, but it reminded you of how much of a caring boyfriend he was. 

You leaned against the counter while Carl wetted the towel. He gently wiped the icing of your collar bone. Your heart skipped a beat as his fingertips brushed lightly over your skin. His face was abnormally close to yours, too. He was crouched down and looked up to you every so often. It made your stomach flip. It reminded you of when he ate you out, looking up at you with his lips glistening. You averted your gaze, feeling warmth spread between your legs. 

Carl was taking an annoyingly long time. You sighed heavy, hoping he would be done soon because if not, you would just end up kissing him. To your releif, he backed away from you, throwing the towel in the sink. He got another towel to wipe his face off.  

Even though you looked relieved on the outside, your heart was begging for him to comeback and be close to again, to tease you. 

“Did you like that?” Carl asked, smirking at you. 

“No, you were very slow,” you lied. Carl frowned at you and looked away. You felt bad, but you didn’t say anything.

“Let’s finish the cookies so Franny can eat some,” you said. 

Carl nodded. You two decorate the cookies in silence. You put them on plates, bringing them into the living room. 

“Here, Franny,” you said and put one of the plates on the table. You sat back down, Carl following slowly after you. 

You took a few cookies, giving Franny two and keeping two for yourself. 

“Thank you,” Franny said. 

You gave her a sweet smile. “You are very welcome.”

Carl took a couple cookies and slumped back on the couch. The tension between you two was thick. It hadn't been like this for a while, but you knew to just let it subside until you felt ready to talk again. Luckily, the movie was still going, so you had an excuse to not converse. By the end of the movie, Franny had fallen asleep. Her head was on your lap and the rest of her body was on Carl’s. When the movie was done, Carl helped you carry Franny back up to Debbie’s room. You two tucked her in and went back downstairs. 

You went back into the kitchen, grabbing two beer bottles for Carl and you. 

“Thanks,” Carl said when you handed him a bottle. 

You hummed in reply and sat back down on the couch. You turned on the TV, switching to re-runs. Carl sat next to you, leaving lots of space in-between you two.  

“How is everyone else doing?” You asked. 

“Good. Lip and Tami have Freddy and Ian has Mickey,” Carl said. 

“Wow, everyone is shacked up, huh?” You asked. 

“Yeah, even Debbie. She gets mad money, too,” Carl chuckled. 

“It’s weird the way the world works,” you remarked, half paying attention to Golden Girls. “Have you met any girls this summer?” You asked, your stomach flipping thinking about his answer.

“A few, but I’m not really interesting in dating,” Carl shrugged. 

You turned to him, fully surprised. “Carl Gallagher, not interested in dating? I think the world is ending.”

Carl chuckled, “I’m just not interesting in dating the girls I met.” Carl scooted closer to you while saying those words, putting a hand on your thigh. 

Your heart pounded against your ribcage. Carl was getting closer and closer to you. You didn’t move, though. You liked his touch and being in his vicinity. 

“Who are you interested in dating?” You whispered. 

Carl’s eyes burned into yours. They drifted down to your lips and back up to your eyes. Your body shivered and butterflies shot down your whole body. You found yourself moving closer to him, putting your hand over his. 

“You,” Carl spoke. 

You looked into his eyes deeply. You could tell he meant what he said. The look on his face was almost enough for you to kiss him, but you pulled away. His hand slipped off your thigh. You stood up off the couch, putting on your shoes. 

“I should go. It’s late and my parents are probably wondering where I am,” you said, avoiding eye contact. 

“No, stay. Your parents know where you are and probably aren’t worried. You always stay over,” Carl protested. 

“I’m tired, anyways. Plus, Lucas and Lyle probably miss me,” you made up more excuses and went  to the front door. 

Carl ran to you and put his hand on your arm. 

“Stay, Y/n. I’m not letting you go this time,” Carl said. 

You turned to him, tears in your eyes. “I don’t love you anymore, Carl, not like that.”

“I know you’re lying. I’m not as dumb as people think, okay? I see it in your eyes. I notice you breathing heavily when I come close to you. I know you still love me. I still love you. I’m still in love with you,” he confessed. 

“Listen, Carl,” you sighed. “I know you want to make it up to me, I appreciate it, but I’m not letting myself get hurt again.”

“I know I hurt you, Y/n. I’m so sorry for what I did. I’m stupid as shit. It hurts me every fucking time I see you. It hurt me so much to see you cry because of me. I do want to make it up to you, but I also want you back. I need you, Y/n. Please, give me a chance. I need you so fucking bad,” Carl pleaded. His voice broke and tears shined in his eyes. 

You shook your head. “I said I don’t love you anymore! Let me go!” You shouted. You wanted so desperately to get out of the house because you knew if you stayed, you would end up kissing him. 

“No,” Carl said. With that, he pulled you into his arms and crashed his lips on yours. 

With Carl’s arms wrapped around you, holding you tight, and his soft lips on yours, you could’t help but finally give in. You melted into the kiss, putting your hands on the nape of his neck, playing with his hair. Carl slammed you against the wall, his fingertips digging into your sides. The kiss was fast, rough, passionate. 

You were so glad that you gave in. You missed this feeling more than you would ever admit.

Carl pulled away, putting his hand on your cheek. His thumb ran across your bottom lip. His eyes stared into yours. 

“Give me another chance. I promise I won’t hurt you again,” Carl promised. 

You sighed and nodded. You knew he had good intentions, and that he was the one for you. “You better not. Or I will beat you up.”

Carl smiled, pulling you into another deep kiss. 

————

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