#and just imagining her FINALLY accepting her feelings for noa

[cerromoreno]

couldn't have said it better myself

Noa is the one who falls first, but Mae falls harder. Noa is the first to realize his feelings and, no matter how strange, conflicted, or dangerous they may seem, he ends up accepting them easily and assuming the risks they entail. Mae, on the other hand, is capable of denying them above all else, of deceiving herself to the very end. Mae doesn’t even want to think about what that knot in her stomach means when they're together because it means facing a terrifying truth that could make her question her entire code of values. It means admitting that she has become a traitor, that she will have no place among her people, that they will treat her worse than a pariah, and that she will end up completely alone once again. So, it’s also important not to take her bad attitude too seriously because this girl is suffering internally more than anyone else.

[thesixthplaneteer]

Hi, for the VTM OC Ask Game, I would love to know the following for Harri and Godwynn: 6, 10, 16, 30! Thank you 🙏

Hello! thank you for the ask and sorry it took so long to respond <3

6. What was their relationship to their sire? Were they close in any way or mere strangers? Harri - He was embraced by Ta-Urt, a direct child of Set believing herself to be the goddess of fertility, childbirth, and black magic. She is actively worshipped as a goddess by the Cult of Taweret, a cult within the followers that heavily practices the Path of Ecstasy. Harrakhty was brought in after being able to sneak into her temple and made it as far as the treasure room. At first he was taken as a pet but his deep dive into devotion and acceptance of the cult tenants made Ta-Urt see some potential. She then groomed him for centuries. Convincing him he was Sobek reborn. They were incredibly close with Harri convincing himself he was the favorite of the Goddess and a very unhealthy matronly dynamic that would have made Sigmund Freud blush. She guided and shaped him into the very thing he is today. Godwynn - He was embraced soon after the final battle of the War of Roses. He was injured and in his recovery was unknowingly conversing with the man that would become his sire. Godwynn holds great respect for Walder and they were as close and any packmate and pack leader would be with the knightly fraternity of their mostly Ventrue Antitribue pack but it was very much a commander and soldier relationship. Godwynn preferred it like that. He looked up to Walder and aspired to be every bit of the warrior he was. The only time Godwynn recalls feeling sadness was the night Walder met final death.

10. What is their relationship to that childe if they do have one? Harri - Even as old as he is he has rarely sired with none making it to modern nights. He would find a promising aspirant in the cult and bring them by his side. They would be close, very close, as he guided them through the gates of enlightenment. However at some point he is disappointed by them or his wife decides she let it go on long enough, or they thought they would be able to replace the wife. Ambition seemed to always get in the way of him having a progeny that can last. In modern nights he embraces a ghoul he had for nearly a century. An enforcer/bodyguard type that he has taken strides with to try and make it work out. Godwynn - He has never sired, being far to hard on his ghouls and potential childer. He would build knight and squire type relationships and put them through all imaginable torments to prepare them to become a crusader.

16. How good are they at acting “alive”? Harri - He hangs around mortals enough he can act alive, however he himself is a walking masquerade breach but Obfuscate helps with that. He may be seen as eclectic or quirky but he can act alive. Godwynn - Terrible at it. He only started even using the blush of life in modern nights to appease his Bishop turned Prince. He will do the bare minimum to keep the masquerade, otherwise he makes no effort.

30. Do they have a clan that they do particularly like? Harri - The necromancer clans. Necromancy may hold some secret to bringing Set back so he has always been fond of the clans that now make up Hecata. With the miracles Noa helps him perform in modern nights, they are the top of his like list. Godwynn - Tremere, for all the wrong reasons. He likes the taste of warlock vitae the most and enjoys hunting them. He even developed counter thaumaturgy after a diablerie or two because he enjoys the smug looks faded form their face when they realize their greatest weapon is rendered null. He holds no particle hate for them, they're just fun to hunt. Outside of his own clan he doesn't care at all about the others.

[sasarahsunshine]

You want fluff?

Ok here’s fluff and smut:

Alpha Aaron comforting Omega Spencer because he’s self conscious about how he looks.

(This is another super old ask that’s been getting dusty in my inbox, so I figured it’s about time to dust it off and give it a proper answer that it deserves! Also all fluff, no smut sorry lol. Maybe I’ll do a follow-up! TW: body image issues, A/B/O, and hints at Aaron’s breeding kink lmao).

Spencer has always thought himself weak. Small. Too thin, his own mother pointed out often. Gangly and willowy, he heard Penelope say once. “Like a newborn foal,” Emily joked. Ungraceful, angular, boney.

He’s stared at himself in the mirror many mornings, trying to fix his hair, his clothes, his everything. His cheekbones made his cheeks look sunken in, his jaw was too sharp—like the rest of him. Hipbones and collarbone poking out. Clothes hung off him awkwardly, and he could never make his hair look like he wanted. Put hair products in it? No, that makes it look greasy and too straight. Too flat. It makes him look like a teachers assistant. Let it be natural and curly? No, then it looks messy and unwashed.

He hated how he looked. Weak and thin and not attractive in the slightest. Not a good choice for a mate. Not a good Omega. Good Omega’s had nice hips and strong arms for bearing pups, then being able to carry them.

Aaron deserved a good Omega. Not Spencer Reid. He’s not a good Omega. And he knows that as he watches other Omegas fawn over his Alpha. He sits still, hands wrapped tightly around his coffee cup, eyes locked on the two female Omega’s who are desperately vying for Aaron’s attention.

He’s expecting to see his Alpha take the bait. To see Aaron lean down and scent the females who are purposefully baring their necks, who are batting their eyes and spinning around to show off their assets. Beautiful bodies, wide hips, gorgeous features. They’ll make amazing mothers to his pups if he chose one or both.

(More under the cut)

Instead, he’s actually surprised to see his mate dismiss them both with a warning growl. One of them takes the hint and leaves with her metaphorical tail between her legs. The other presses herself against him, trying to wipe her scent on him, Spencer guesses, to entice him.

He’s expecting Aaron to accept her offer. She’s pushy and pretty. A good Omega.

But Aaron steps away and bares his fangs, one last warning for her to back off. Spencer can almost hear the snarl, even through the glass wall that separates him from his mate.

Finally the female takes the hint and makes a point to walk off as though he’s offender her, not the other way around.

Aaron walks straight into the conference room, closing the door behind him a little harder than necessary. Spencer flinches, watching his Alpha carefully. He can smell the frustration, the annoyance.

“Aaron?” His voice is soft as he tilts his head, releasing his own scent into the room.

Aaron visibly relaxes, the tension leaving his shoulders as his scent slowly goes back to normal, a small smile on his face. “Spencer,” he greets, walking over and wrapping his Omega up in his arms.

Which only confuses Spencer.

After a second, Aaron pulls away, brows knit together. “You’re tense. What’s wrong?”

Spencer purses his lips together, fingers tapping on the empty coffee cup he almost refuses to set down.

Aaron cups the Omega’s face between his hands, thumbs tracing over his cheekbones with care. “Omega,” he soothes, “tell me what’s on your mind.”

Spencer feels his lower lip wobble. “Those other Omegas,” he starts, pausing, hesitating.

Aaron sighs before kissing Spencer’s forehead, “I’m sorry, I tried to keep them from scenting me. I told them repeatedly that I wasn’t interested, that I was taken already. I had to snarl to get them to leave me alone. If you can smell them on me we should fix that as soon as possible,” he suggests, kissing his loves nose next, then going for his lips—but Spencer pulls away, leaving Aaron confused.

“Spencer?”

“Why are you with me?” Spencer asks, taking a step away to put distance between them, his hands now shaking as he tightens his grip on that damn coffee cup. “Why haven’t you picked a beautiful Omega to be yours? Why me? I’m not a good Omega, I won’t make good pups or, or, or be a good mother! I’m not attractive or pleasing to the eye or—“

He’s interrupted with strong arms wrapping around him, the scent of oak and spiced wine and a crackling fireplace enveloping his senses. He drops the cup and buries his face in his Alpha’s neck, inhaling that scent of warmth and safety. Of home.

“Oh, Spencer,” Aaron sighs, one hand going to the back of his loves head, his fingers threading through his hair. “I wish you could see yourself how I see you. I wish you could look in the mirror and see the most gorgeous Omega I’ve ever laid eyes on. I wish you could see you through my eyes,” he murmurs, placing a kiss on the top of Spencer’s head.

“I feel so lucky every day to have you,” he continues, feeling Spencer’s shoulders shaking a little. He tightens his hold on his Omega. “You’re so kind and thoughtful, selfless, intelligent. You’re sweet and silly. I love your rambles and your mind. I love your body. I love how you feel in my arms, how you feel under me or on top of me. I love being able to hold you. And I think you’d look absolutely beautiful if you were to be pregnant with my pups,” he adds quietly, whispering in his mate’s ear.

Spencer sniffles, tilting his head to glance at Aaron from the corner of his eye. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Aaron confirms with a kiss to his temple. “God, I love you so much. I’m so lucky to have you as my Omega.”

Spencer doesn’t look convinced, his eyes still watering with unshed tears. He glances away. “You could have any Omega you want,” he tries to say, but Aaron cuts him off, “I can. And I want you.”

Spencer shakes his head, burying his face back into his Alpha’s coat, hiding his shame and embarrassment. “I shouldn’t be what you want,” he mumbles into the fabric.

Aaron sighs, his expression sad. He sits down and pulls his Omega with him, encouraging Spencer to pull his legs up, almost folding him in order for Aaron to hold him in his lap. He keeps his grip on Spencer tight, arms wrapped all the way around him, his nose pressed into Spencer’s temple as he breathes in the scent of sugar and honey and peaches. The scent of Spencer.

“My Omega,” he rumbles, soothing, “I love you so very much. I courted you for years, and in all that time I only had eyes for you. I still only have eyes for you. I refuse to look at any other Omega when I have my soulmate in my arms.”

Spencer looks at Aaron, shocked. “Soulmate?”

“Yes, that’s the only way I can explain it. I can’t imagine my life without you. I want my future with you and you alone, my Omega. My Spencer. I want you to have my pups,” he drops his voice, nosing down to Spencer’s neck, “I want to raise them alongside you. I want have a home full of laughter and little feet.” He kisses the skin bared to him, right near the mark that he left on his mate during their first shared heat and rut.

Spencer whimpers, a few tears finally racing down his face.

“I want to watch you teach our pups everything you know. I want to see your bright hazel eyes in them. I want them to have your curly hair and your adorable nose. I want to watch them grow and learn and dance with you as their mother. And I want to lay in our nest every singe night with you in my arms.”

Spencer sniffles, smiling just a little. “Really?”

Aaron kisses the mark that claims Spencer as his, then up his jaw, his cheek, and finally his lips, slotting them together like pieces of a puzzle, perfect for each other.

“Really,” he breathes, their lips gliding together as he speaks. He can taste his love’s tears and uses a hand to wipe them away, kissing Spencer again. “Only you. The most beautiful Omega I’ve ever laid eyes on. I only want you.”

Spencer’s smile grows until he lets out a soft laugh, kissing his Alpha back. How can he argue when his Alpha sounds so sure, so confident in his love and attraction for him?

He pulls away a little, wiping at his own eyes with the back of his hand. “Okay. Okay, I believe you. I love you.”

Aaron smiles and kisses his nose, “Good. I love you too.”

————

Tagging: @bau-gremlin @ris-criminal-mind @tobias-hankel @ssa-noa @foxtrot91 @dumpsiteforfics @kuolonsyoja @multixfandomwriter @marvel-ous-m @thaddeusly @spencers-renaissance @reidology @physics-magic @brillianthijinx

Let me know if you want to be tagged in future A/B/O posts!!

[many-gay-magpies]

the way ive been trying to get to this All Day but i had errands and stuff to run. evil i think

truly jake's voice is so so pretty i could listen to him sing/talk for hours with no complaint

I HAVE MORE FEELINGS ABT BABY WEREWOLF SOLON. BABY HEESUNG ASKING HIS MOM WHEN HIS WOLD EARS ARE GONNA GROW IN BC SOLON HAS THEM. THE KIDS COLLECTIVELY TRYING TO TURN INTO WOLVES TO PLAY WITH SOLON ON THE FULL MOON AND THEIR MOTHERS HAVING TO GENTLY BREAK IT TO THEM THAT THEY CANNOT IN FACT DO THAT. FAST FORWARD TO DECELIS AND NOA'S HAVING A PARTICULARLY ROUGH DAY SO HE ASKS SOLON FOR "just one ride? like old times?" AND SOLON SIGHS AND SHIFTS AND LETS NOA CLAMBER ONTO HIS BACK AND TAKES OFF RUNNING WITH HIS LITTLE BROTHER'S FACE PRESSED INTO HIS FUR. YEAH. SOLON FINALLY OPENING UP TO SOOHA AND LETTING HER IN BC "you were always meant to be part of my pack, whether i like it or not, so we might as well be friends" (he's trying his best to express things) AND LETTING HER STROKE HIS FUR AS THE ULTIMATE SHOW OF TRUST. IM SO FEELINGS.

help imagine the sunshine city werewolves malfunctioning as they try to process the cuddle pile and when the decelis group asks what their gawking at they explain "well… we've never seen anyone but wolf packs pile like that" and jino chiming in like "okay…? so get in???" and the most awkward cuddle pile ever ensues after

NO YEAH HDFKSJDFHB THEYD BE LIKE "dont you want to join a real pack?" AND SOLON LIKE "… i have one??" AND THEM LIKE "no, a proper pack. whatever you've got now with those vampires doesn't compare" AND SOLON LIKE "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY BROTHERS??? SQUARE THE FUCK UP KHAN." and safe to say heli and enzy have to hold their respective brothers back

-vrvr anon

ahh the dreaded errands <//3 well in any case you're here now! and god yea i totally agree on jake's voice. its probably half the accent but SHHH

NO OMG BABY. BABY THOUGHTS. BABY HELI ASKING HIS MOM WHEN HIS WOLF EARS WILL COME IN/WHEN HE'LL BE ABLE TO TURN LIKE SOLON OMG IM CRYING. and all the boys just running around roughhousing like wolf cubs in a pack... they dont even give half a shit that theyre not PHYSICALLY able to turn into wolves, thats only a minor discrepancy—love for their brother transcends all physical barriers. NOA ASKING SOLON FOR A RIDE "LIKE OLD TIMES" BC HES FEELING DOWN AND SOLON PRETENDING TO BE GRUMPY ABOUT GIVING IN EVEN THOUGH HE WAS GONNA DO IT ANYWAY BC THATS HIS BABY BROTHER RIGHT THERE. AND THEN SOLON FINALLY OPENING UP TO SOOHA AND ACCEPTING HER AS PART OF THE PACK (WHILE ACTING CONSTIPATED ABOUT IT BECAUSE EMOTIONS ARE HARD)... LETTING PEOPLE TOUCH HIM IN HIS WOLF FORM BEING THE ULTIMATE SHOW OF TRUST FOR HIM... ACTUALLY IN TEARS. god now that ive been introduced to the concept i could talk about baby!/pre-orphanage!decelis boys forever probably

LMFAO AWKWARD DOUBLE-PACK CUDDLE PILE YES IM LIVING FOR IT. love the idea of the sunshine city wolves being like "huddles like that are usually a werewolf-only thing tho???" and the decelis squad just NOT getting the point theyre trying to make At All. like yeah??? and??? idk what youre trying to say buddy but its not clicking, either get in the mega cuddle pile or don't but don't just stand there staring at us. thats weird. and impolite

i feel like the whole "dont you wanna join a PROPER pack? get away from all those BLOOD-SUCKING HEATHENS?" talk happens BEFORE all the previous revelations so after the sunshine city vamps witness just how pack-like the vamps ARE khan is just like "...i confusedly retract my statement." HSJDBFJBF. but yeah no solon would TOTALLY try to wreck khan's shit for insinuating that his brothers arent a "worthy" pack for him, thats his FAMILY goddamnit, you insult the pack you get the smack. its like that one dark moon webcomic panel with heli and khan dragging away their respective younger brothers, shion and tahel, by the scruffs of their necks like squabbling cats, except reversed LMFAO.

(a semi-cursed, potentially sweet scenario i just thought up: maybe when solon's having a bad day or something his brothers cheer him up by discussing what they think they'd be like/look like if they COULD turn into wolves, and its all very sweet and wholesome, until some student walks by and hears the conversation out of context and just goes "...are yall furries?")

[showingthroughtome]

spit fire - chapter twenty

life is a game with no reset on the end

When she's finally frazzled out, needing to stretch her back and take a break from mindless studying, thinking that'll make her enjoy the day so much more, she leans back on the tree behind her and scans the area. She isn't in search of anything in particular and she's definitely not looking for what she finds.

read below - story page - guys, this is it! tell me what you think!

The sun is too bright on her hand as she watches herself write notes against the lined paper - it's almost reflecting off her as much as it is the white and it's blinding. It's hot as well, definitely the warmest it's been in 2017 so far. Noa opened the weather app on her phone that morning to see a beautiful 78, then decided simultaneously that instead of making notecards in her stuffy room, she'd go to the lawn on campus and soak up the day.

In her head, it was the perfect way to not think about the last couple of days - locked away in her room, seeped in confusion and regret and uncertainty. But as it usually goes, she starts studying and eventually her mind drifts to Harry. The What If’s and How Come’s start churning.

It's been three days since she has called him and only static is heard from his direction. Noa doesn't know her next move. Surely he'd call her back if he missed her like Zayn claimed. Or maybe he just didn't want to get his own hopes up again.

Because Noa isn't dumb. She's thought long and hard and she knows that Harry could be in one of two mindsets about this. He could either want her and miss her and care for her still but is too scared of Noa’s flakey ways. Or he could just be done. He could be chalking Noa up as not worth it and keeping his hands clean of her.

On the lawn, she pulls her mind out of these thoughts, blinking at her textbook and attempting to focus on the words. The letters on the page register in her mind as words but she isn't really connecting them together. A lot of useless copying occurs for the next half hour or so.

When she's finally frazzled out, needing to stretch her back and take a break from mindless studying, thinking that'll make her enjoy the day so much more, she leans back on the tree behind her and scans the area. She isn't in search of anything in particular and she's definitely not looking for what she finds.

A couple yards or so away, under the next closest tree, sits Harry - tank top, ratty skinny jeans wearing Harry. He's already looking at her, as if he is sitting there in wait of her finding him. And then when he smiles at her, she knows that's what he’s doing.

She shifts her eyes back to the books piled on her crossed legs, just so she can scrunch her eyes repeatedly and make sure she's actually awake before she goes to find him again. Moments later, he's still there. Simply sitting, nearly shining in the sun with his tan skin and black tattoos on full display.

For minutes maybe, Noa and Harry stare at each other. Because Noa isn't sure what happening or why he's there and Harry seems to be asking himself the same question.

Eventually, this gets too much for Noa and she breaks the silence with, “Well…”

It prompts Harry to his feet somehow, closing the distance and then sitting crisscross not even a foot in front of her, knee to knee almost.

“You called me.” He says straight away, sparing no time for anything other than the point of the conversation they were sure to have.

Shrugging, Noa responds, “And you didn't answer.”

“I missed it and then I thought if it wasn't an accident you'd call again.” The struggle behind his eyes - the contemplation and explanation - is all but tangible. Noa can see it plain as day, killing the loneliness she feels in all this. “It wasn't an accident though because both Zayn and Niall said you were looking for me at the house on Friday.”

She's shaking her head, because of course they did. They couldn't keep their mouths shut for Harry so how could they for her?

“Fuckers.” She grits through her teeth lightheartedly, resisting the seriousness Harry has approached her with.

“Why were you doing that, Noa?” Harry isn't going with her playfulness though. He's stern and curious. He's pleading for answers. “What do you want from me?”

Noa avoids his deep, leafy eyes as she shrugs again, “I don't know.”

“Yes you do.” Harry is insistent and moving that much closer, now their knees are touching. “I know you - I don't care what you think. And I know that ultimately, you know what you want.”

He even grazes a few fingers on the bit of thigh poking out from under the books - not suggestive or crossing a line, just comforting like he's so good at.

Noa doesn't react negatively to the touch but she takes pause at his words, because she isn't quite sure they have ever been true let alone at this moment.

“I think I just put on a good front.”

“No.” It's his turn to shake his head, certain of himself. But when Noa still doesn't agree, the concern is back in his questions. “Do you want me? Is that why you called?”

By now, isn't it obvious that she wants him? But does that mean that they should just go for it? Shouldn't they have a conversation first?

Noa is going to ask those questions, she really is, but Harry can't help himself from rushing out, “Because if it is, then I am yours. I have been yours for months and months and you just don't accept it.”

The proclamation Harry just made is easily covered by the slight scorn he shows in his words by the end of the sentence. Noa wants to focus on the I’m yours but instead can only feel the lump that rises in her throats as she snaps.

“It's scary, okay?” Her eyes that were flittering around the lawn now zero in on his. “It's so fucking scary to admit things to yourself. Don't you know that?”

“Yeah, I do. But there comes a time when you've just got to do it… You're so strong so will you just tell me how you feel.”

Noa's lips part to say anything, she's not sure what to be honest, though the only sound that comes out is a hesitant sigh. So, true to his nature, Harry straightens up and wonders, “Why were you looking for me?”

It is honestly such a relief to Noa in that moment that Harry is the way he is - kind of pushy and way more open to what's going on in his head. Before, she never envied that but now she wishes everything she felt could find its way out of her mouth.

Instead, all she can offer back is, “I just want to talk to you about things.”

“Okay. So, let's talk.” He nods with hope and peers at her as she thinks about what to touch on first. There are a few things that Responsible Noa knows need to be said but what to start with is tough for her to decide on. She figures she might as well go with the things that had them yelling at each other louder than they ever have before.

Exhaling, and in one go, she admits, “I'm sorry I got so mad at you about going to my mom.”

“I shouldn't have gone.”

“It was sweet of you… I'm just - I'm just a little emotionally inept if you can't tell.”

Harry does one of those genius half smirks and squints sarcastically. “Never.”

At that, she jokingly slaps his arm, laughing just a little at his joke, then, “I'm also sorry that everything got so messed up with Shawn and Nina.”

“No, I’m sorry.” His brows furrow and that smirk shifts to a frown - something like shame covering him as his eyes cower for the first time since he boldly found her on the lawn and started this conversation.

Noa doesn't agree with him taking all the blame or feeling guilt about it anymore. They can be sorry but he shouldn't look so torn up. So, this time, she pokes his thigh to get his attention and smiles reassuringly, “We're both sorry.”

“So sorry.” He nods, finding her hand that she hasn't completely moved away from him. When he locks a few fingers with hers, like young kids just learning to hold hands, she doesn't pull away and he suggests, “Let's start over?”

“As friends?”

“Is that what you want?” By the look on his face, it doesn't seem like that's what he wants at all. And Noa is certain about a few things but she's positive that just friends with Harry would never work for her.

But also, “I don't want sex with conversations anymore.”

“Well then, how about something more grown up? Maybe like… boyfriend?”

“Ew.” She's half joking as she recoils at the word while simultaneously meaning every connotation of it. As mentioned many times before, relationships just aren't her thing. They aren't in her skill set even if she does now wish they were.

“Come on, Noa.” Harry isn't offended by her childish reaction - he knows she is mostly saying it to deflect. It only seems to make him more adamant. His lips are pulling upward as he holds her hand tighter. “I could wear that title so well. I'd do anything to show you.”

Something about the way he's speaking, or maybe it's something about who he is himself, has Noa believing him. She grasps his hand back just barely, delicately, and bites her tiny smile down as she decides that the next time she walks off this lawn, she'll have Harry at her side, arms around him, feeling right again.

Then, the next words come out of Harry's mouth like they couldn't be contained. Quietly, he's saying, “I am in love with you, Noa. You’re aware of that, right?”

“Whoa.” Noa feels like a bucket of the coldest water has been dumped on her, but not even in a bad way. Guys never say those words to her and less than that does she want to hear them. Because yeah, after hearing Harry say them, she doesn't mind feeling so intensely. She can imagine growing addicted to the combination coming out of those lips.

Harry doesn't respond to that, how could he? He's said everything he could to Noa so now it's her turn.

“Yeah, I think so.” Her heart is racing as she answers his question - right now, somehow, she feels enveloped in this love radiating from him. His eyes and smile are shining bright with it. Taking a deep breath, before anything else, Noa has to ask him, “What if we hurt each other?”

Without dropping the grin, he slaps his empty hand to his thigh carelessly. “Then fuck, we suck and we'll break up and one of us will grow to hate the other but what if we don't? What if we just fucking love each other?”

Noa doesn't think to acknowledge his insinuation because his free hand is drifting up her arm, up to her neck, pulling them together so they're both now on their knees. They're closer than they have been in too long and Noa is aching to press her lips to his. Not wanting to rush anything, she warns with a joke, “If you hurt me, I get to bust the windows of your car like Beyoncé.”

Harry traces her jawline with the tip of his finger, not moving his eyes from hers. “I'll buy you a bat and teach you how to swing it myself but babe, you're not gonna need it.”

“You're too certain.” Noa snorts and lets her hands wander up his biceps, over his shoulders, to the nape of his neck. Her fingers slot between his curls and she swears she feels a momentary flash of faith in their future.

“Optimism feels good, you should try it.”

“Fuck off.” She smiles and tilts her head back.

Following right after, Harry gently pulls her back and pushes to connect them at the lips. It's just like their kisses always have been - open mouthed and wanting - but it's also more. With the precursor of love, there is a sweetness to their desperation for each other. The way Harry is unrelenting has Noa's head spinning and her knees would be weak if she were on her feet, she's sure of it.

They don't break apart for a while but when they do, Harry keeps in contact with her by a pressing of the forehead. Dazed, Noa keeps her eyes closed and whispers, “I've missed that so much.”

“Mmmm.” Is the only sound that Harry can come up with, causing Noa to feel even warmer in the sun. She thinks that it's about time to open her eyes, maybe move out of the lawn populated by fellow students who can clearly see them.

Opening her eyes, she finds Harry's to be shut and his lips parted just barely, moist with their kiss still.

“You awake?” She nudges, giddy with the natural high she got from him - possibly her favorite one yet.

He blinks his eyes open slowly. “Just taking it all in.”

He moves his arms around her, wrapping her in a hug so comfortable that Noa can't believe it's been months since they've been like this. She is easily pulled back into her favorite times with him - just tangled up limbs in his bed in his tiny little home, talking about nothing or sleeping the most peaceful of sleeps. This reminiscing makes her feel so safe and so brave. And for once, she feels sure of herself as she just mumbles out, “I love you too, Harry.”

Neither of them move, and Noa can't believe she's said it. Maybe he didn't hear it. But then he’s leaning out of the hug just enough to see her face and question, “Really?”

“I hate it sometimes but I really fucking do.” She finds herself meaning it with her whole heart - her whole Harry infested heart.

And Harry, who couldn't look any happier if he had just gotten drafted into the NBA, kisses her again. Shorter and simpler but just as sweet.

“I don't know how or why.” She tacks on mockingly, to lighten the mood as she always attempts.

Rolling his eyes, Harry stands to his feet and reaches a hand out for her, all while saying, “Whatever. You know I'm perfect.”

---

Noa and Harry are leaving her dorm room after spending the rest of the afternoon there… and night… and then the following morning. Sometimes Noa thinks Bethlyn can be annoying but in reality, the fact that she is always gone makes her a blessing of a roommate.

Noa tried to get to Harry’s apartment but patience is something he never really exemplified so they just rushed back to her room and used all that alone time to relearn each other in every sense of the word. Now, because Harry said she could choose what they do for the day, they're skipping classes to do something slightly more productive than lying in bed without any clothes on.

“You're literally kidding me.” Molly says as she and Farrah close their door behind them at the same time as Noa and Harry, sounding more annoyed than shocked at the site of the two - Harry’s arm thrown effortlessly over Noa’s shoulder.

“Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” Farrah is blinking her eyes, shocked enough for the both of them and grinning from ear to ear.

Noa can tell that this is possibly one of the greatest moments in young Farrah’s life, and as much as she loves a good squeal, she has plans to get on with. Smiling and wrapping an arm around Harry’s waist, she pulls him back and says, “Bye.”

Harry just laughs, full of joy over the girl’s reactions of him being around again. He does what Noa wants though and begins to walk away with her until Farrah calls, “Wait, so Hoa is back?”

While Noa and Harry cringe at the combination of their names equally, Molly shakes her head and suggests, “Norry?”

“I like that one better.” Farrah nods, eyebrows quirked for an answer.

The hallway grows silent as Noa looks up at Harry who is already looking down at her, giving her the opportunity to break the news explicitly to her best friends. For a minute, they just hold eye contact until slowly Harry cracks a smirk and Noa is nodding her head up and down more times that necessary.

Noa finds the girls just in time to see them give an approving smile in their own ways - Farrah’s wide like she’s about to burst and Molly’s small but present.

“Where are you guys going then?” Molly points to the small duffle bag thrown over Noa’s shoulder. “Make up sex in wild, exotic places?”

“Sadly, no.” Harry sighs and slumps his shoulders, to which Noa bumps his hip.

“Actually,” She unwraps from him and grabs his arm, pulling him towards the door once again, eager to go. “We’re going on a couples hike.”

The words bring another smile to her lips, remembering the last time they ventured down a trail together. And she guesses that this is just how things are going to be from now on. The two of them doing things the other likes just for the sake of it. Though, ultimately, she knows Harry likes hikes or maybe he just likes hikes with her. Either way, Noa is going to take advantage of it because if she has to sit through his conspiracy theories, he can smoke weed with her and enjoy the earth they were given.

Realizing all of that is making her feel completely content with the first day of her first real relationship, and then, Farrah yells something that reminds her that her life is going way better than she ever thought it would.

“Alright! Well, don't be late to practice, Captain!”

authors note: 

anyone feeling slightly emotional??? nope thats just me??? thats okay!!! 

so i wanna start off by saying that this isnt the end end end yet. there is still an epilogue but that epilogue will be shorter. think 1k or less. just to tie up any loose ends i know are flapping in the wind. and i guess thats when i should write a horrendously long authors note, thanking everyone of you guys for reading and then reflect on the story as a whole.....

but for now, i am going to reflect on harry and noa. they have been such a huge part of my last year. or year and a half really. i came up with them - without even know it was them - at a dumb basketball game that i didnt even want to go to. and then the whole ride home, i couldnt stop thinking of the cliche head cheerleader and basketball player trope..... wait, lauren, save the reflection of the whole for the epilogue authors note... 

so noa and harry.... they talked it out!! they shared their feelings!!! they even said that dreaded L word. i am that kind of writer who will probably end all of her full length fics with those words and im okay with it but it did feel special to me that noa got them out. harry too, but especially noa. i really feel like it was authentic even though it wasnt true to the character we met in chapter one. but then again, i personally feel like we have seen her grow and change and open her mind. at least, i hope we have. let me know if you think so too. and if not, let me know that too. because even though i love these guys and this story and may cry that its over in a week when i put the final words of the epilogue into the google doc, im still working on other things and want to get better. noa will always be special to me just like olivia (love you girl!) will always be! just... wow... its weird to end stories. but idk i am rambling and not even making sense now so ill see you guys next week with the very final bit of their story (but there will be drabbles and maybe some other small things in the future... dont you worry.... i plan on cute little babies coming into noa and harrys story at some point that have to be written about) 

okay!!!! i love you all so much! thanks for reading my stories and my long stream of thoughts! you rock!! please stay tuned for future lauren stuff!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!! xxxxxx

[chasingblue57]

we’re all [lost ...&... hurting]

notes | As promised, this is a tag to the whole Anna/Jeremy phone call :) Spoilers for the season finale (also, longest Code Black fic thus far!)

title | we’re all [lost ...&... hurting]

Noa knows she’s lived a relatively lucky life in so much as she’s only lost relatives who were mostly distant or appropriately old and so while those losses had been sad, none had ever really been a tragedy. At least not the way that they’ve been for some of the families she’s seen at Angels. She’s certainly lost a few patients which have been devastating, that have left her feeling hollowed out and miserable, but she knows it’s not the same.

That being said, while she can’t begin to fully comprehend how Anna’s feeling about the loss of her father, she can somewhat understand how hard being separated from Jeremy (in general and especially at a time like this), is for her. Just watching her mourn and feeling unable to help is heart-wrenching and frustrating, knowing that the comfort and support her patient needs is so close but still walls away. 

Noa just wants to be able to do something, to feel a little less helpless than she’s been feeling all night (more and more so, since Mario and Malaya and Elliot were sealed away). 

It isn’t until nearly half an hour later, when she jams her hands into her pockets, exhausted, that she realizes there might be something she can do.

Noa hesitates for a second, once she has her phone in her hand, torn at the thought of seeing Mario. The last thing they did was argue (albeit pretty passive aggressively) and she has absolutely no idea how he’s doing – a thought that hasn’t left her mind once in the hours that have passed since he and the others were put into quarantine. She’d like to think that it’s concern for her patient that wins out in the end, but the truth is definitely more complicated than that.

He doesn’t answer her call and the sound of his voicemail message (brief and brusque and achingly familiar) leaves a cold, heavy feeling writhing miserably around her intestines. She’s still standing off to the side, tucked in an alcove, trying not to contemplate what that might mean, when her phone starts to vibrate, the screen filling with his ridiculous profile picture.

This time she doesn’t hesitate at all, just swipes to accept, letting out a chest full of air when she sees him. He looks exhausted, a little dark around the eyes, but he’s breathing and seems to be upright and he’s wearing that weary, puzzled smile she only ever sees around 4 am when they’re working on a particularly weird case. It’s like a shock to the system, the best kind, when he pauses just a moment and then says, “Noa?”

Everything she wants to tell him (the apologies, the confessions, the favor that has facilitated her reason for calling) die on her tongue at the sound of his voice. He sounds perfectly fine, like any other early morning: a little tired but ready for another full shift if that’s what needs to happen.

“Hey Mario,” she breathes out again, grateful in ways she can’t begin to describe, even as she swallows down the majority of the words that are clamoring for attention at the back of her throat. “I need a favor if you’ve got a little time.” 

There’s a laugh somewhere, dancing darkly through his gaze (time is the one thing he has both in abundance and in a rapidly shortening supply; time is the great irony of waiting to potentially die), but it doesn’t make it farther than that, because Mario just answers, “Of course,” as if there’s no doubt in the world that he can make time for her.

They don’t say that there isn’t, not for him or for her but she knows it anyway. She hopes he does too.

Noa manages a smile at that, small but warm, and she ignores the way Mario’s attention tracks toward it as she explains what she’s thinking. He agrees again, just as immediately, and it leaves something impossibly big and bright in her chest, to know that they can still manage to be a team, working together to save people’s lives, even when they’re so figuratively far apart.

“Thank you,” is all she says when he agrees, immediately starting to  make her way back to the place she last saw Anna, curled in on herself where she’d sunk into a chair, unable to move since Guthrie and Campbell had told her what happened. The movement on Mario’s screen (and the slight uptick in his breathing) tells her that he’s doing the same. The doctor in Noa has to bite back her urge to comment on his vitals, to question, to try and make it clinical, because she knows that the rest of her just can’t.

All the same, when she first speaks to Anna, even she can’t miss how ragged and raw her voice sounds around the words “Anna, there’s someone who’d like to see you.”

Watching them actually get to talk is another kind of heartbreaking itself.

Noa would like to be able to say it’s because she knows there are no guarantees to anything Jeremy is promising, that it’s more likely than not his words of comfort are empty, no matter how much they want to believe them, but she knows that that’s only the smallest piece of it.

Mostly it’s knowing that Mario is on the other side of the cell phone, somewhere nearby, listening to the same desperate promises while facing the same uncertain future. Mostly it’s being jealous of the comfort Anna and Jeremy get to give each other, when she knows that she and Mario can’t do the same. Mostly it’s wanting desperately to just be honest, to be comforted, to have that certainty and faith.

She watches and tries to keep her cracking pieces put together, tries to focus on the good it’s going to do for both of them, even if that good only lasts the day. 

And then it all goes wrong and the familiar sounds of a patient in distress interrupt their conversation, followed by the even more familiar sound of Mario shouting out orders and stats as she reaches to take back the phone. The last thing she sees is his sleeve before his phone hits the ground and disconnects and she’s left with an even more terrified Anna. 

(She tries not to imagine the sound of those same alarms hooked to a different patient, tries not to think of how long its been since he was exposed, how exhausted he must be just from working, let alone being sick).

She stays with Anna until she gets control of her breathing, leaves only when she’s crying silently and another patient forces her to leave.

The text message comes halfway through checking said patient’s vitals and Noa silently tells protocol to fuck itself as she immediately fishes through her pocket as the vibration. He doesn’t seem to mind (is probably just as sick of being stuck as she is anyway), half asleep as she swipes at the screen and taps in her password. It’s a brief message, nothing more than “he’s stable” but the relief it brings sweeps over her like cold water, sharp and sudden as she types back “I’ll tell Anna” and then hesitates over her next words before following up simply with, “Thank you”.

The vitals check takes record time and Anna’s still crying when she finds her, but Noa’s pretty sure she catches the corners of a smile when she lets her know that Jeremy’s okay. The ‘for now’ catches at the back of both their thoughts, but neither says it: Anna just nods and swallows hard, leaving Noa to drift back to the charting she’s been ignoring most of the night. 

It’s another hour before she gets back a “Welcome”. It’s a good sign, she tells herself, grateful for the small reassurance that he’s still okay, still alive, still fighting.

(Noa doesn’t let herself really believe that Jeremy’s right, that there’s any chance that they’re going to be okay, but if he can keep fighting, she won’t give up yet either.)

[justjin-ah]

로티 리 ~ ♡ + 콜

[I need you to picture this-- a few moments, perhaps 15 minutes or so, after Tate interrupted an Ecoli. Cole went to a bathroom to calm himself down-- to throw some water on his face, and tell himself to get a grip. But, as upset as he was prior to Tate interrupting, unfortunately, he was only more so now. Because there was so much more he wanted to say to Eli. There were so many other things he needed to tell him, none of which he could say with Eli’s boyfriend standing right there. 

And maybe it was for the best. Maybe it was better that Cole didn’t get a chance to say those things. Because, despite his wishes, that one day he might be someone that deserves Eli Park-Sin, he knew it was selfish of himself to continue to hold on to Eli like that. Anyway, as far as Cole had seen, Eli seemed okay, right? Since their last fight? He didn’t see the same things in him as he did with any of the other big fights they’d had. Maybe Tate really was good for him, and Cole was just... standing in the way of Eli actually having a good relationship. 

It was a thought that hurt. To picture that someone else could make Eli smile-- or make him happy. And despite the fact that Cole still hoped one day they could be together, if someone else could make him happy now, why wouldn’t he let that happen? Why wouldn’t he just take a step back, and stop hurting Eli? Why wouldn’t he give him a chance to have a normal relationship? 

... Despite how much the thought of not being with Eli hurt him.

It was an idea he had to get used to. And maybe one day he could learn to be happy too-- no matter how far off that idea seemed. 

So, he had to dry his eyes. He had to pull himself together, because no way was he walking out of this bathroom crying in such a way. There were two people in this world that had ever seen him cry. And they were the only two people that ever would... or so he thought, of course. As soon as the last tear is dried, he’s leaving the bathroom. He didn’t realize that when he did, he’d be running into someone. Almost literally.]

Oh, sorry~. [A little pregnant bride has taken for a bathroom break. If it’s not morning sickness, it’s the little strawberry somehow pressing on a bladder bad enough for frequent bathroom breaks.]

S’fine. Sorry. [And Cole’s trying to skrrt out of her way, but his face still gives him away, because he’s still red and puffy.]

[And Loti’s too much of a sweetheart to not ask.] Cole? ... Is everything alright?

Yeah. I’m fine. 

You’ll have to forgive me for butting in, but you don’t seem fine. [She blinks.] You look like you’ve been crying.

You don’t have to butt in. [Like, he knows you hate him, Loti. He knows there’s no reason you should really care about whether or not he’s been crying.] I was just about to go home anyway. I’d say don’t worry about me, but I feel like I don’t have to say that to you, so... [He’s trying to skrrt around her again.]

[But she stops him.] You’re my husband’s best friend. If I want to butt in, I will.

[This one-- he just wants to avoid the subject of him crying.] ... Thank you for letting me be in your wedding.

Again, you’re Noa’s best friend... 

But I know how you feel about me. And it’s completely justified. The fact that you did it anyway, despite it all... Thanks.

You mean a lot to him. It was important to him that you got to share this day with him. I know that. I wouldn’t have kept him from having that. 

[Cole just huffs a laugh. You know, like, extra breath coming through the nose kinda laughing. He just hangs his head, and nods.] I’m glad he has you in his life. 

Thank you. I feel like I’m the lucky one. 

It’s not about luck. It’s about the person you help him be. 

I don’t think I helped with that. I think he’s always been good. 

Me too... But you help him feel like it’s true. He’s a better guy than I could’ve ever imagined. I feel like I’m the one who raised him. I helped him be a man, but you helped him be a good man. I’m thankful... that you loving him did everything that I couldn’t. Because... I don’t think I... could’ve helped with that. 

[Loti grimaces, but she can feel his sincerity in that statement. She nods.] Thank you for being there for him.

And... [He takes a breath in and out. He squeezes his eyes shut while he says this.] I’m sorry.

[Loti flutters her lashes a few times-- confused.] Sorry for what?

For... hurting your family. Your sister, and your... [Both his sentence, and his eyes trail off there.] I know I shouldn’t have done what I did. I know I caused a lot of damage. I know it came between you and Noa. But I just--... I should’ve just broken up with her when I realized I’d fallen for-- for... But I knew if I broke up with Joi, your parents wouldn’t... It was my only way to be close to him, and I-- I was being selfish. I’ve always been selfish, and it broke your family up. It’s all because of me. I-I’m sorry. 

[Loti stares at him for a minute, because she’s not sure how to respond to that.] What you did wasn’t right. Yes. But since August, Joi’s found someone who really, really loves her. If you hadn’t done what you did, she may have never found him. So, while I don’t think it was good, I think it worked out for the good. I’ve never seen her this happy. 

I’m glad... I’m glad she’s happy. She’s not a bad person. She deserves to be happy. 

[Loti pins her eyebrows at him for a moment. She tilts her head at him in contemplation, and Cole feels very much so under a microscope right now.] Why does it sound like you’re saying you don’t?

I am a bad person. I don’t.

What makes you say that? 

You hate me, Loti. I shouldn’t have to explain any of it to you. 

I don’t hate anyone. I don’t think it’s right to hate another person. Do I think you’ve done stupid things? Sure. But hate isn’t something I’d ever use to describe how I felt about anyone. 

[Cole does one watery-sounding chuckle.] I get why your dad calls you cheonsa. 

[Loti gives one of these to that.]

And anyway, Cole... You can’t be that bad of a person. Bad people don’t think badly of themselves. They don’t think there’s anything to change. But you wanna be better... right? [Cole drops his head again and nods.] ... And you wanna do it for him? 

[Cole’s silent for a couple of seconds, as he contemplates whether or not Loti’s actually looking for his real answer.] ... Yeah... I do.

If you say I make Noa believe he’s good, and he says I make him want to be good... then I guess you have your own Loti. 

[Cole shakes his head.] I wish I could have a relationship like you and Noa have.

[And for once, in all this time, it’s like a truth is finally hitting Loti.] ... You really do love him a lot, don’t you?

[It’s another moment where he’s not sure if Loti wants to hear the actual truth, or not.] ... More than anything. More than myself. 

[And listen-- she can relate. She can relate so hard. She sighs, and she speaks quietly to him, as if to be gentle with him.] He loves you too. [Because she’s his twin. She can recognize these things.] 

[But Cole, he just shakes his head again.] Not anymore.

[SHE IS HIS TWIN. SHE CAN RECOGNIZE THESE THINGS. Do you really think his damn twin buys this Elate thing? She doesn’t.] Make yourself see a better person in you, come back in a month, and prove yourself wrong. [She’s pursing her lips into a line at him.] Otherwise you’re just hurting him and yourself for no reason. 

[Cole doesn’t understand this. And it’s not like he and Loti have ever had a conversation like this before, ever, so of course it would confuse him now. Of course he wouldn’t expect to hear Loti being what seemed to be ‘accepting’ of any relationship he would have with Eli. Why should he expect to hear her say nice things about him? She’d never appeared to like him before. What was the difference?] I know you’re a nice person, but why are you being nice to me?

Because I know what it’s like to hurt because you regret hurting someone. And I know if you want to be a better person, and you’re doing it for him, there’s no way you don’t actually love him. So, despite what’s happened in the past-- if Joi’s moved on, I should too. And my husband loves you. If he can see something good in you, I should try to do it too. If that means understanding how much you love Eli first... then consider it done.

[And here she goes again, surprising him with her words. He’s shocked. He doesn’t know how to respond. He’s thankful. He’s glad to know that someone as nice as Loti can say she’ll try to see goodness in him. And, yet again, he’s grateful that Noa has someone like her in his life. That’s what he deserves. Someone so forgiving, and patient.] You accept it?

[She nods slowly.] I will try.

[And, guess what? There’s an object that is suddenly burning a hole through his pocket. And object that, perhaps, he was going to try to give away to it’s original owner earlier, but was interrupted. And maybe now he realizes it wasn’t a smart idea to try to give it in the first place. But, if he looks at it everyday he’s away, he’ll just torture himself. And, honestly, he doesn’t trust his mom not to ransack his room and get rid of a ton of shit, so-- it needs to be safe. And, he loves Noa, but he knows him well enough to know that he wouldn’t do what Cole wanted him to do with it. Maybe... Loti would? So, with a few blinks, he pulls the ring from his pocket, and he examines it for a moment, long enough for tears to shimmer at the corners of his eyes again. And then he pushes it towards Loti.] I need... someone to keep this safe... while I’m gone. 

[Yes, she recognizes it as the ring Eli wore for like two weeks. She furrows her eyebrows at him.] Me? 

Tell me if you don’t want to. Tell me if you won’t. But I just-- I want to know it’s being taken care of, but I don’t want to be staring at it every night for a month either. I feel like it’ll be... counter-productive. 

[Loti looks at it for a moment, tilting her head at the little ‘c’ ring. And then she puts a hand on it. She grasps it in her fingers while it’s still in Cole’s hand.] I’ll do it. 

... Really?

I’ll make sure to take care of it until you get back. Yes. 

[No, really. Truly the world’s biggest cheonsa.] ... Thank you, Loti. 

Of course. [Anything for the godfather of her child, right? lol.] And good luck... while you’re gone. I hope you find it helpful. 

[He slow nods one time.] Take care of Noa for me. 

[She gives him a small, slight smile.] Always.

[And now he’s returning that smile, and turning on his way, probably go to tell Noa he’s leaving, and to give him one more hug, and Loti’s going into a bathroom, because how did the poor, pregnant girl hold it for so long? Okay, the end. I’m emo.]

[rebornbluehaze-blog]

The Right Hand

Name: Eli Noa

Age: Late 30′s

Gender: Female

Birthplace: Alay Gaiden

Distinct Features: Eli was still a young woman, but her hard life outside of her home had changed her soft noble features. She was much harder than when she left home, calluses formed on her hands and feet with scars marking her once clean face. Her pale skin darkened with the sunlight, giving her a lightly tanned presence. Her eyes were no longer the soft green of her father’s lineage. Deep as the forest green there were with a fire behind them that could be seen at night, striking fear in her many enemies of old. Her years of travel wore away the excesses of her youth, leaving a thin muscular frame that spoke more of her skill than her words ever did. Though not as tall as her male companions, she still trained and learned well her martial arts to become a master swordsman. 

The Story So Far:

Karan’s nightmare haunted her for weeks. She couldn’t forget that woman’s scream, the pain from the ashes, the deep fear that creature instilled from his very presence. She would wake up constantly from the night terrors that continued to plague her sleep. Eli would try to calm her down, but nothing worked at first. Eventually, the dream’s hold on her lessened, then the Right Hand showed up in town. 

He looked to be an old man, nearing his retirement. He made his first trip to the town with little fanfare, but Karan took notice of him  anyway, her curiosity out weighing her caution. Nothing happened the first time he arrived. He spoke to only a few people, then left. He soon returned and then he made his way around the whole town. Karan never stopped to speak with him, her runs into town only ever being for the necessary materials. He tried to stop her once, but she kept moving. She couldn’t place it, but something was different about him. Karan wanted to stop, but she knew she had to get back to her mother. She pushed by two of the guards that tried to stop her, but the old man let her go. They let her pass without hesitation, a move that threw Karan off. She expected him to be forceful about the questioning. He looked liked he was with the others in town. Karan stopped for a moment to look back at him. Standing flanked by his guards in the middle of the road. He had an expression that betrayed nothing, yet Karan thought she saw something in it. A softness that couldn’t have been on a man that old with a career as he much have had. She turned around and made her way faster back home. She must tell her mother.

A few more days went by with the Right Hand still questioning the other townsfolk, but still he didn’t make question her. He always just let her go by. Karan grew even more suspicious with him. Then one day she didn’t see him. She gathered her things like normal, but that nagging thought stayed at the back of her mind. It wasn’t until she was almost home did she realize where he must have gone. 

She stopped on the final approach, seeing the well dressed man with a small entourage of guards. Eli stood on the steps leading into the main room of the house that sat on the top of the small hill, trees surrounding it. She wore her working clothes still clean and unused. Karan could feel the tension from the two. The guards were all poised to do something, but none of them knew what. The ones in control were the Right Hand and Eli. Their eyes locked with unwavering determination. It wasn’t until Karan decided to move that the tension seemed to easy.

“Move it or lose it,” she yelled as she pulled the small trundle cart full of food and raw materials. The guards jumped at her outburst and turned to face her, one even pullling at their swords. The Right Hand easily turned to face Karan and ordered his people to stand down, moving aside. Karan strutted through hauling the cart to the side of the house. She left it in the usual spot and walked back to the front, taking a place next to her mother. Eli remained motionless as Karan took her spot then spoke when he settled his people.

“Whay do you want Nerro?” Eli asked, more scorn than anything in her voice.

Right Hand Nerro faced Eli again and bowed slightly. “I have come seeking the blacksmith in these parts to request a few swords be made. I was lead to believe that he was the best smith in a long time to grace this part of the world. I see those rumors were somewhat wrong.”

“Only the ‘he’ part,” Karan blurted, defending her mother’s work. Eli put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“You have found a smith,” Eli said. “I don’t know about being the best. I work just as hard as everyone else, looking for no renown in return. I am just here to help.”

“That I do not doubt, especially from you Lady Noran.”

“Do not call me that Toral. I am not her any more. I am Eli Noa now. Nothing can ever change that back.”

He nodded his understanding and took a few steps forward. “As you wish. Still I am still here for a sword. Can you oblige me?”

“There are hundreds of smiths in Gaiden proper, why me?”

“The best, remember?” he said with a slight smile. “The rumors of your work are far more widespread than I think you know. Able to grant a brand new nearly perfect blade in less than a day, sharpened and all? That isn’t something that is spread without some merit.”

Eli still had her eyes locked, then she bowed her head. “I will see what I can do. Have your people relax and wait in the common room. Follow me to discuss the details.” Eli leaned in close to whisper her daughter. “Behave for a short while. Treat them with respect. They were only doing their jobs. Serve some drinks, this might take a while.”

“But I’m always great with guests,” Karan defended. Eli scoffed and turned away, guiding Nerro into the house. He stopped and bowed to Karan and examined her a bit too closely. He smiled again and followed Eli to the back.

The rest of the group followed in with a gesture from Karan. “Come on, I haven't got all day.”

They all piled into the room, just large enough to fit. Three of them took a seat in the chairs arranged around a small table, the other remained standing by the door. Helmets were shed and hair fell. The two women of the group started to look around and spoke quietly to themselves. The other two, men, sat or stood silently. She offered some drinks and something to eat. They accepted. The one by the door didn’t respond, but one of the women answered for him. “He is a strange one. Doesn’t speak much for no reason.”

“Likes to play the strong silent type that one,” the other woman said. 

“He’ll not say it, but he is just as famished as we are.”

Karan glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. The man gave an exasperated sigh. “Why do you keep telling people that? I’m just not a talker, unlike you two. Always going on about something or other. It’s all crap anyway.”

The dirty blonde woman who spoke before sat straighter. “That’s not true. We talk about lots’a important things.”

“Like what?”

“Like how you can’t seem to make any friends with that silent treatment you give everyone,” piped up the other one.

Karan laughed as the other man turned red and turned around. 

“See, thats exactly what we mean. No friends, ain’t that right uhh...”

“Karan Noa.”

The blonde woman punched the man next to her in the arm. “See, I told you she was the older ones kid. Its in the face plain as day.” He just rolled his eyes, seemingly unfazed by the banter.“

“So,” the other woman mused. “You’re the daughter of the smith woman.”

“Who happens to be the daughter of one a’the most powerful noble families of Alay Gaiden,” the first one finished. “How do you figure that one Lauria?”

The red haired woman looked thoughtful for a moment then shrugged. “I can’t even begin to imagine. Maybe our new friends here can enlighten us?” They both slowly turned their heads, all eyes, even the men’s, landing on Karan. She was caught off guard for a moment, but then she recovered. She had known about her heritage, but it was always something else. Nothing to be done with other than to talk about when she was younger.

“From what my mother says, it was because she needed to escape.”

“From what,” Lauria asked, a drink following the question.

“From that life. Mom was always an out going person and she said she was too cramped in that life to be able to do what she wanted.”

“You hear that Jen? Too cramped a life for a noblewoman. Ha!” 

“That is a new one to me. How ‘bout you Loran, Kyle?” They men looked to each other and shook their heads.

Karan felt the heat rise form inside her chest. How could they laugh at her mother? They didn’t know a single thing about her, but then again Karan had the same questions when she was younger. Wasn’t the life of a princess of noble perfect and free for them to choose? Eli never answered fully, as if the ideas of what nobility meant could only truly be understood by other nobles.

Karan struggled to remain calm. “I am sure my mother had other reasons, but she never went into much details. I never pried much.”

“Why not?” Jen asked. “She already told you that you were nobility. Haven’t you always wanted to know more about that? I always wished my mother to tell me I was a noble in hiding.”

“I... think I just understand her. Here we don’t do much, but we can be free. I think she can’t do those types of things back at the city.”

“Like have a daughter out of wedlock?”

Karan froze. The bluntness of the question knocking her thoughts off track. The man sitting, Loran, scowled at Jen. Telling her something that Karan didn’t catch. She was about to say something, but was cut off from a deep voice behind her. “Eli is a smart woman. She chose her path because she felt that it was right. That was true for her life as a noblewoman of Alay Gaiden, and I am sure that remained true afterwards. She is strong and I see that she raised her daughter like that as well. As evident of her continued efforts to trying to accommodate you two.”

The two women bowed their heads slightly, but a smile still perked their expressions. Karan turned and found that Nerro was alone, Eli having gone back to work. He was not as old as Karan first thought, but his grey hair still marked his wisdom. “Loran, Kyle. I want you two to head back into town. Procure us a few rooms at the inn. We will leave in the morning.”

“What will we be doing then, sir?” Lauria asked.

“You two will remain here with me until Ms. Noa finishes the orders. During that time,” he turned to face Karan, “I plan on seeing how well my lessons passed on to the next generation.”

Karan returned the dishes back to the kitchen and looked back at Nerro. He was standing cross-armed by the door eyeing Karan for her response. She smiled and walked to her room. Over her shoulder, she replied, “get ready old man. I’ll meet you at the training ground.” The door closed behind her.