#anyway if I can wield the power of making fetch happen for ANYTHING it's everyone please write insecure beta Vox in your A/B/O fics >:)

[prince-liest]

It's kind of a weird (not sure if good or bad or just neutral!) experience to realize that a lot of the personal headcanons I've written into my own writing have become well-known enough that they're treated as general fanon with a lot of people using them and not realizing that they, like, originated from a specific place rather than just being ambiently popular. Every once in a while I come across a fic where there's an AN that says something to the tune of, "Oh, I saw this popular headcanon that [insert something really specific from 666: Live On Air!] and wanted to[...]" without attributing it to me - or, most likely, even realizing that it came from me!

It's an interesting feeling! I think the times that actually bother me are when it's people that know they got the headcanon directly from me and choose not to credit me (or in one weird instance, credit me, then edit their stuff to bury the credit to be really hard to find for some reason - y'all, I do notice these things even when I don't comment on them).

I've been straight up plagiarized many times before. It's ranged from friends in RP groups stealing my characters because I wasn't using them often anymore, to more recently someone ripping out chunks of one of my Hazbin Hotel fics and rewriting it as their own. It's a uniquely horrible feeling, and I think it makes me sensitive to feeling uncredited as a result even when plagiarism isn't occuring. On the other hand, this is literally how headcanons evolve and I'm actually so fucking happy that specific things that I was outright nervous to post because I thought people would (and in a few cases, people did) react very poorly to them are now, like...fairly common fanon.

Anyway, I don't think it's wrong for people to carry forward headcanons to the point where they don't even know where they came from. I also think most likely some concepts became convergently popular when more than one person had the same thought! It's how fandoms work and I know for a fact I've done the same... but it does very much give me the warm and fuzzies when people that use my ideas do give a nod in my direction for where they got the inspiration! In return, I try to make a point to do the same.

[myclownjunction]

A loyal guard dog! Part II Karl Heisenberg x Reader

There was darkness and I swam into it as this darkness brought the memories of something that was tucked far away in THE DEPTHS OF MY mind...

!!!WARNING!!! SWEARING AND ANGST LIKE A LOT, BLOOD, GORE ETC, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

A few Years Ago

It was a shitty life filled with pain, agony, and training, the moment you were taken away from your family for their debts to this shitbag name Manole Moroes an excuse of a mafiozi, you were turned into his play-thing and you hated every single moment of it. Later as you grew up you were injected with something that was a gift from some asshole that was in alliance with Moroes, the change was painful, but you didn't get any painkillers, you were forced into transformation bones breaking, muscles changing it was a true word for AGONY... You hated this man with all your gut and when every single one was hiding from him, you knew his weak spot, he was a huge coward, he tried to get something from a man named Heisenberg and we went into the shittiest village I saw ever. I thought that people were sacrificing goats and other shit in here and probably worshiping some crazy-ass god or a goddess, how right I was I didn't know then, as we walked to the factory a man's voice boomed for them to enter, ohh it was a voice of authority. Walking through the factory we walked through the mazes guided by the voice and then as we entered the big space filled with all kinds of machinery, metals, scraps, and other stuff I saw a man with a rather huge for a person and obviously heavy hammer laying on his shoulder as if it was a feather, his body was well defined, his posture relaxed and his eyes hidden behind black lenses of glasses. My owner was absolutely scared but he acted tough because he had me around his finger as the discussion started I knew something already was off...

"Listen here Moroes, I will not give you this specific part and that's my last word, it's a period and I shall not even waste more of my breath on you and your whining!" he was absolutely in power as my senses picked up movement around us I growled making the man named Heisenberg raise his eyebrow and smirk. "Looks like you brought someone interesting in there!? How about this..." he paused letting his cigarillo and smiling flashing his sharp fangs in the process making my shit excuse of a boss scared shitless "Let's make a little match, fight for a prize, right? Your fella up there.." he pointed the hammer at me smiling knowingly and winking as I stood my stoic face I was not allowed to show emotions as he continued "...fights one of my Soldats and if you win I'll give you the part, but if you lose I decide what your fate shall be!" he sneered at the face of my shitboss who was absolutely the dumbest shit. He tried to laugh to show that he's not afraid of Heisenberg but he failed so miserably and Heisenberg felt it, he felt that he's more powerful as he laughed himself and then he called out to someone but then when this thing came to the view it was horrid like it came out of a horror novel, it walked closer as Heisenberg continued "This is my dearest friend one of my many creations Soldat Eins, the basic Soldat variant, with a left arm replaced by a drill, and look at this specimen isn't he amazing...for destroying pretty much anything and...anyone. Anyways you seem to be so self-assured that your kiddo might fight my death machine, go ahead! It's showtime!" he laughed as the said so Soldat came closer my owner was shitting bricks as I didn't move at all there was no command to attack, I felt him gulp and stand as Moroe pushed me to the thing and roared from fear "Fetch him for fuck's sake you incompetent MUTT!!" I snarled aiming at the Soldat, attacking and dodging with ease his attacks and slashing him up and down, 'it was a rotten damn dead man I was fighting with' I thought again as I aimed for the reactor on his chest, that seemed to anger him further as he was protecting it now with the drill, I was so deep into the fight as I didn't hear roars and snarls around me as I roared and slashed rather hard through his chest this game making me lose my patience I heard a deep chuckle belonging to this man Heisenberg "Damn she's a fighter ain't she can't believe that she can rip so easily through my machines but you wait for the grand finale!" he smiled looking at me getting nuts to destroy this Soldat and get over with it as a plan started to form in his genius engineering mind, he looked at Urias that was wielding a rather huge hammer in his hands he looked at him and nodded as Urias understood what is wanted from him he snarled at the other lycans to shut the hell up and jumped from the pile down where the fight was. "It's time to spice up the things, don't you think Moroes, I think changes are good things especially for shitnuts like you !" he laughed as the other lycans fought the man of Moroes he turned towards me being encircled by two opponents now I had enough...Letting out a guttural roar that shook the factory I howled and started changing my form becoming a bigger werewolf, making my human form disappear completely as I stood on my two paws I named at the Soldat tearing the reactor from his chest throwing it away from me towards Heisenberg he gets the reactor towards Moroes making him let out a pathetic scream of agony as it blew his torso away into sherds. As I felt being hit in my back with something metal I flew towards the scrap piles, hitting them and being buried under them as Urias let out a roar, I had ENOUGH...gathering all the anger I had, everything that had happened to me and that this shitbag was finally dead and his man probably I roared and blasted through the metal scrap aiming at surprised Urias hitting him flat into the wall making indentation and knocking him out as the other lycans didn't move but only snarled and barked moving away from me I aimed for the door running as fast as I could from this place as I felt this thing that pulled me away from my freedom...my collar. It was pulled back by unseen force making me choke on my breath and fly backward as I was pinned by either piece of metal and chains I tried to break free and roar and anguish and rage as I was taken away my only dream...to be free. The lycans were frantic as everyone flinched by a loud booming voice "Shut the hell up!! ALL OF YOU FUCKS!!" as I felt his scent and looked from my chained muzzle at this Heisenberg "Well doll, holy shit...you made me absolutely like you there...and the changing damn that was a hot thing to see, never seen a female werewolf before. Yeah, you'll be the perfect pup for my plan!" I snarled and tried to aim at him but the chains were stronger I heard him tsk at me "No pup that won't do, that really is not the language to talk to me!" he smiled flashing his fangs, and pointed his hammer towards the minced flesh and bones "This fuck right there owes me a lot, probably you will ask yourself pup 'What does it have to have with me!?', yeah you're right nothing, but I give you a free choice...You join me and my plan and I give you everything I can to make you happy, room, food, healing, care and you on the other hand have to be obedient and protect me and my factory and help occasionally if I think you're enough trustworthy! Or second way out you'll fight all the lycans of the village, maybe you'll win maybe you'll lose and you'll never be able to leave the village alive, Mother fucking Miranda will make you live even more miserable than this fuck over there! So what's your choice pup?" he removed his sunglasses his yellow eyes looming into mine as I was in few ranks lower than him I should obey even if I don't want...He had right I had no idea where I was nad he, on the other hand, had power and offer that I should reach for as I felt the chains let go a bit I raised to my feet looking at him and as his eyes squinted at me and he tilted his head...I took in a breath and bowed my head lowered my ears in form of submission I didn't look him in the eyes as it was a dogma not to look an alpha or higher up in the eye (if only not in combat). He smiled and said something that warmed my body from inside out "Good girl!" he smiled as tucked his glasses into his pocket his hammer discarded somewhere, he took a step and let out his hand out giving me a chance for me to sniff it, it was an act of showing his territory, his smell, it was mingled with motor oil, leather, cigarillos with a sweet taste, a cologne that was unique and something that I couldn't put my finger on I didn't recognize that his hand was on my muzzle as he smiled and let his had scratch behind m ears I lowered my posture allowing my leg to thump a bit it was so pleasant earning a chuckle from him. "That's it pup, well done such a good girl you are, so good for me!" he smiled as he pets my huge head and ears ruffling my mane  I felt the collar fall apart from my neck, he gave me my freedom that night, as I walked close behind him the lycans keeping their good distance, they knew if I can knock out Urias I would do worse to them, I followed Heisenberg since that day giving him vow to protect him with my everything.He made another collar that day for me and said if I only wanted to put it on I can wear it if not, not, I put it on and explained that I wanted it that way and I was used to it, he signed and decided to starts our journey from this point...

Slowly and agonizingly I stirred on the surface I was laying on it was rather soft and comforting the consciousness slipping back into me like water in a cup I felt my mouth dry as I tried to fill it with salvia  but to no avail, I heard a movement from beside and a voice "There's our sweet girl damn kid I thought I almost lost you there!"

To be continued...

[vivilove-jonsa]

Halloween prompt 😁: "we have to run, now!".

Hello, my dear!  Thank you for the prompt.  This turned out different than my original thoughts on this one but have a little Halloween Haunted Corn Maze Fluff.

(and just fyi for others, I afraid I won’t be able to do any more prompts for a bit after this one)

**

Halloween night.  What on earth had made her agree to this?

Pride.  

Oh yeah.

Look, it’s not like she doesn’t love her siblings.  She does.

But sometimes, they have a knack for making Sansa feel like an outsider in her own family.  It’s not intentional but a lot of the stuff she likes just doesn’t appeal to the others and vice versa.  

And one thing they all seem to love which Sansa does not is scary stuff.  Horror movies, haunted houses, Halloween stuff.  

Even Jon, who isn’t technically a sibling but gets treated like one by everyone else, has more in common with them than Sansa does, it seems.  

So, when she’d asked Arya what she was doing this Saturday night, not remembering that it was October 31st and therefore Halloween, she’d been told she was going to the corn maze.

“A corn maze?  Who’s going?”

“Me and Gendry are going to meet Robb and Jon who are taking Bran, Rickon and some friends there.”

“The boys are going too?”

Their little brothers are still underage so it wasn’t the usual Saturday night pub crawl that Sansa has occasionally joined the others in.  (Which she’s joined them for more frequently since breaking up with her boyfriend three months ago.)  

“Yeah.”

“Well, it sounds fun…”  

She’d let that linger, waiting to see if her sister would extend an invitation.  Her stomach had knotted up at the thoughts that the offer might not come but Arya hadn’t let her down, not exactly.

“Right.  Well, you’re welcome to come.  There’s a pumpkin patch or hayride if you want to wait for us there.”

“Why would I want to go on a hayride alone?  And who’s picking pumpkins on Halloween night?  Won’t all the pumpkins be picked?”  (Honestly, she’d be very sad if there were any pumpkins left behind and would want to take them with her.)

“But…Sans, it’s a haunted corn maze.  I don’t think it’ll be your thing.”  

Thus, Pride had had its say and insisted that of course she would enjoy going to a haunted corn maze on Halloween and how dare anyone suggest otherwise.

Alright, she’d looked wistfully at the little shed where they were selling popcorn, caramel apples and hot apple ciders upon their arrival.  She might have even sighed seeing the young couples wearing gloves with rosy cheeks climbing onto the haybales for their hayride.  But she’d marched determinedly up to the booth ahead of everyone else to buy her ticket first because Sansa Stark is not a fraidy cat.

Which has led to her current predicament.

“We have to run, now!” Rickon shouts as the chainsaw-wielding murderer gets closer.

Yes, part of her agrees. Her fight or flight instincts are kicking in with flight winning.  Every hair on her head is standing on end.  Why does a power tool get to have that level of impact on my psyche when I’ve never even seen that movie?!

But running doesn’t seem like the answer to her logical mind.  They’re all together, a pack.  That’s how they’d got past the zombies after their first wrong turn.  They’d been hemmed in until Jon had spied the exit path. They’d shuffled along as one with Sansa and Rickon’s friend Shireen doing their best to be as much in the middle of their group as possible.  (Clearly, the girl was scared and wanted to hold Sansa’s hand, okay?)  Anyway, they’d out-shuffled those zombies and been in the clear for five whole minutes before this Leatherface guy showed up.  

So, that is obviously the solution here.  They should stick together, not take off in the middle of a huge ass corn maze in the dark in three different directions.

Unfortunately, that’s precisely what Rickon and his friends do.  

“No, we don’t need to run! Kids, we’re…ugh!”

Robb shouts after them as well to no avail.  “Rickon Stark, if you don’t get your ass back here this second I am never taking you and your friends anywhere ever a-…shit.”  They now have three 12-years-olds to hunt down in the middle of a corn maze.  “Okay, Arya and Gendry take this path.  Bran, you come with me down that one.  Jon, you and Sansa look for them that way.”

Sansa tries not to grimace.  It’s not a grimace of distaste.  It’s a grimace of something else.  Based on the way Jon scowls, she knows she didn’t succeed in not grimacing.  Well, he was already scowling.  Scowling is kind of a go-to look for him in social settings.  (Don’t tell but it’s a surprisingly good look on him.)

“Fine.  Come on,” he mutters, leading the way with one of the three flashlights they’d brought between them.

It’s not that she dislikes Jon.  She hopes he doesn’t dislike her though they’ve never been as close as he is with the others. She’d like to be closer maybe.  In fact, she’s teetering pretty firmly in the opposite direction of dislike, has been for the past month or so since she’d got over her break up (nothing that serious anyway) and started spending more time with him and the others on Saturday nights.  

Yeah, Robb sniggers when she orders her daquiris instead of the ales they all drink but Jon doesn’t. He’s really pretty sweet about fetching drinks and often offers to give her a lift home.  He’s actually kind of funny when he loosens up a bit, too.  

But he’s Jon.  He’s known her since she was three.  Those little flutters she’s starting to notice around him are obviously the effect of the alcohol, right?

Except you’ve not had anything to drink tonight.  

So, why the grimace? Well, because she likes Jon and she’s already a little afraid of embarrassing herself out here which means it’s bound to happen.

Maybe I should’ve just rode the hayride alone.  I could’ve saved all the unloved pumpkins and stuffed them in the back of Robb’s SUV, too.    

They set off down one of the paths, the mowed down corn stalks and mud squishing beneath their boots while they’re surrounded on all sides.  She’s glad they’ve got a full moon.  It’s a blue moon.  They’re already rare but on Halloween?  That seems pretty special.  It’d feel romantic in other circumstances.

Like side by side on a hayride.  He might offer me his jacket and…

Ugh, would you stop? You’re not on a date with Jon.  

“Ow!  Will you watch it?!”

She’d been staring up at the moon and hadn’t realized Jon had come to a halt.  She’s run right into his back, her boots catching his own boot-covered ankles.  He’s more solid than you’d think just looking at him.  He also smells good…and she’s a clumsy dork.  

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”  He’s looking around, listening.

“What is…”  

She doesn’t get the rest of her sentence out because someone has grasped her arm.

Someone who isn’t Jon.

She’s screaming bloody murder and there’s maniacal laughter coming from the close-packed stalks that surround them.  Yes, they’d been told they might be lightly touched by performers during their ‘experience.’ They’d had to sign waivers that they agreed to that and that they wouldn’t physically retaliate.  Sansa is not remotely a violent person but, right now, she’s ready to knock the living daylights out of whoever grabbed her arm.

She’s pulled herself into the middle of the path, not that it’s that wide, and is hugging herself and shaking once the hand lets go of her.  

“Hey, it’s okay.  Let’s move this way,” Jon says, pulling her down the path away from whoever that was hiding back in the corn.  

He thinks he has to protect her, like she’s some little girl who can’t handle a scare.

She mutters she’s fine.  She is fine but also embarrassed.  And yeah, there’s the chainsaw in the distance again and this whole experience is making her jumpy.  It may be a bit obvious.  

“Why’d you come tonight?”

“Huh?”  She’d been walking along, lost in her thoughts.  She glances over at Jon and it clicks what he asked.  “I don’t know.  I like hanging out with everyone.”

“We like you hanging out with us but I didn’t think a haunted corn maze would be your thing.”

“It’s not.  I just thought…”  She sighs.  “I just didn’t want to be left behind.”

He nods thoughtfully. “It’s okay if you don’t enjoy stuff like this.”

“But everyone else does.”

“You don’t have to be everyone, Sansa.  You’re perfect the way you are.”

She raises her eyebrows, grinning at him.  “I’m perfect?”

“Don’t let that go to your head.” He starts grinning back.  His grins are even hotter than his scowls.  

“Thanks, Jon.”

“And I wouldn’t have left you behind.  I mean if…” He scrubs at his beard, looking a little embarrassed himself.  “I would’ve stuck with you outside the maze while everyone did this.”

“You would?!”  He would?!  

“Yeah.”

“I wouldn’t want to hold you back from having a good time with everyone else.”

“I’ve done corn mazes before.  You wouldn’t be holding me back from having a good time.  Not that I’m much company or…”

“GARRRRR!!!  MU-WAH-HAHA!!!”

A horrific looking clown comes out of the corn right behind them…carrying a huge freaking axe?!  

And we’re screaming again, she notes internally as she grasps Jon’s arm.

The thing is, he’s shouting, too.  “We need to run, now!”  

He half drags her along but she’s not complaining.  She’s too busy trying not to hyperventilate.  

They run until they run out of path.  They run until they’re both laughing at themselves and each other for running.  They run until they realize they’re surrounded by the warmth of glowing lights and cute carved pumpkins instead of corn with the smell of apple cider and popcorn in the air.  They’ve escaped the maze.

Rickon and his friends are all sitting together at one of the nearby tables, eating caramel apples and popcorn in huge bites.  Her little brother laughs when she attempts to scold him for running off, saying he figured everyone else could find their own way out.  “I mean, we found our way and we’re just kids.”  

“Should we go back in and look for the others?” Jon asks her.

“No, they can find their way out, can’t they?”

Surely, they can.  Besides, she’s got a few unloved pumpkins to save. Jon doesn’t say a peep.  Just helps her load them into the back of Robb’s SUV.

“I love toasted pumpkin seeds.”

“Me, too.”

And when her and Jon decide to go on the hayride after sharing some apple cider a short time later, Sansa decides she hopes it takes them a little longer to find their way out of the maze.  Especially when Jon drapes his jacket over her shoulders as they hold hands under the full blue moon.  

[clansayeed]

Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ― Chapter 4: The Feast

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

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

⥼ Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ⥽

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

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

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

⥼ Chapter Summary ⥽

Should she really be surprised that Valdas tricked her, kidnapped her, and now is forcing her to attend a dinner party? Well... that last bit isn't exactly a villain cliche, but Nadya learns all too quickly who the real villain truly is.

[READ IT ON AO3]

They aren’t exactly whispering but Nadya still feels like she’s intruding on something she shouldn’t.

“I’ll leave you two to get ready. He’ll want everything to be perfect and you know how he obsesses over the smallest detail.”

Valdas cups Isseya’s face, threads his fingers through the curls at her temples, and kisses her hairline. The sight of them — creased foreheads and the way crinkles rest just at the corners of their eyes in age and fear and in acknowledgment of all the lonely souls who have walked the paths of grief before them — burns behind Nadya’s eyelids against her will.

She looks away before she gets swept up; before she drowns in them.

“And remember, my love,” he rests their foreheads together, “she can help us. I know it. I’ve felt the power myself — he was right.”

Isseya flickers heavy-lidded eyes in Nadya’s direction. She feels the hairs at the back of her neck stand up; alert.

“That she can does not mean she will, Valdas.”

“Have faith.”

“In who — the fledgling child?”

“In me.”

Nadya looks back — quickly wishes she hadn’t. Every other time she’s seen the woman smile it’s been in some twisted form of malice. It’s been Isseya taking pleasure in someone else’s pain.

But that’s genuine hope she sees now. She’s felt that brief-but-meaningful lifted weight before and well enough to know it when she sees it.

Looking like that, Nadya understands how easy it must have been to fall in love with her.

Valdas barely spares a glance Nadya’s way — his nod curt and formal before he departs and closes the door behind him. She doesn’t even bother trying to run for freedom any more.

She just has to hope that the longer the night goes on the closer Kamilah is to finding her.

“What did he mean,” she asks; and finds it easy not to take it personally that Isseya refuses to look at her, “he said we had to ‘get ready,’ what did he mean by that?”

“What business is it of yours?”

“Stuff that usually involves me is my business.”

“Not when you have no choice in the matter.”

“Like you don’t?”

Nadya’s gut lurches at the sudden red-eyed glare she’s staring into. But she holds her ground — which is a lot more than to be said for the last time she and the Trinity vampire were alone together.

Unlike last time, though, it doesn’t last. The heated fury flitting away, smothered into embers.

“I… suppose such a case could be made, yes.”

She makes her way around the room and when she even gets close to the bed Nadya curls her knees up tighter to her chest on instinct. If Isseya sees it (if she gets any joy out of it, more likely) she says nothing. Just opens another door and flicks on the lights to an en suite.

This is your chance, but even her thoughts don’t hold a full heart in it. So Nadya stays put.

Her gaze falls on a nearby pillow — it’s just a pillow; as fluffed and embroidered and tasseled as Nadya’s failed weapon. But it triggers a memory. Or is it a dream?

“Who was the other woman?” she asks — though she isn’t holding her breath for an answer. “She looked familiar — someone else from the Ball?”

“What other woman? There’s no one else here.”

Because she would know, wouldn’t she? “She was in here before Valdas. Having someone watch me in my sleep is creepy, by the way!”

When Isseya returns she’s wielding an ornate hairbrush like someone would a kitchen knife and doesn’t that make Nadya press herself back further against the headboard. “Do you call me a liar?”

“N-No,” but… “but I remember someone was here.”

“Haven’t you had a hard time telling fantasy from the truth?” And she didn’t need to come at Nadya that hard but she does anyway. “She was in your head. Now — come here.”

Of course she doesn’t — which was the wrong decision to make and one Nadya doesn’t even get the opportunity to regret before she’s being shoved into a chair in front of the nearby vanity. “Hold still,” Isseya growls; and this time Nadya listens.

Everything she does is methodical; stiff and out of an obligation Nadya still doesn’t understand. But at the risk of being tossed around like a doll again she complies with every one of Isseya’s clipped commands. “Turn your head,” “remove your glasses,” “hold still — you fidget like a squirming hog.” And she isn’t gentle about her movements, either.

Though when the vampire steps back to observe the high-and-tight bun she’s somehow fashioned out of the impossible she does give a little “hmm” of self-congratulations.

“Strip,” comes next and that crosses so many lines Nadya doesn’t even know where to begin.

“No.”

“Was I asking?”

Which is how Nadya ends up in nothing but her underwear trying not-so-subtly to cover herself. Though Isseya apparently couldn’t care less; barely turns an eye to her that isn’t observing something only on the surface before she’s digging in the armoire in the corner.

Finally she pulls out a dress — beautiful and plum and way more skin than Nadya’s ever shown in her life and probably not something she can decline — and gives it a careless shove into Nadya’s hands. Nadya tries to grab it before the fabric hits the floor — by the looks of it such a thing might actually be a federal crime — and god forbid their fingers brush.

Isseya recoils as though burned. The suddenness of it has Nadya stumbling back. “Keep your distance. Now dress — quickly.”

Suspicious might be the understatement of the century. Though it sparks in Nadya a thought, one confirmed when she struggles to reach for the zipper at her back and the woman hesitates to help.

“Why are you scared to touch me?” she all but accuses, “I’m not the one of us who bites, remember.”

The very implication which Isseya takes a little too personally. “As if I would fear a thing like you.”

“Well whatever we’re doing there’s no way I’m doing it half dressed so either help me or fess up.”

She does help — eventually. Somehow she still manages to avoid skin contact, too. But when the dress is zipped properly there’s a shield once again between them; this one of rich velvet. Isseya’s fingertips rest underneath Nadya’s ribs light as a feather but make it impossible for her to pull away.

A glance in the vanity mirror tells her everything she needs to know. Epics and tragedies spun in the dark eyes watching Nadya’s reflection.

“He said… at this stage of your condition that… touch is the trigger.” Of course. Nadya nods.

“Just as he told me of the memory you conjured. How do you do it? How do you choose?”

Isseya’s own touch turns pressing; makes Nadya feel like she’s about to be pushed into the floor and lower still. “If I knew I would tell you.”

“Would you?” comes the snapped reply. This time Nadya doesn’t let it phase her. This time she knows what that forked tongue means; what it hides.

“I would, I mean it,” and she continues more for herself than for Isseya, because like she’s gonna let all of this happen and not get her two cents in; unlikely, “because this might surprise you, Isseya, but not everyone is as selfish as you two are. Some people do things even though they know they won’t be getting anything in return.”

Nadya actually watches the incredible amount of restraint it takes for the woman not to rip her throat out right there. She watches with her head held high and maybe a little bit of haughtiness — almost taunting her.

It doesn’t work.

Whatever Isseya is doing here — whatever she and Valdas both are doing here — it’s more important than two thousand years’ worth of pride.

“Wait here,” the vampire tells her; and she actually sounds a lot scarier in this weird state of calm more than she ever did with her fangs bared.

Enough to keep Nadya rooted to the spot while she goes about getting herself ready.

The moon is high in the sky by the time Valdas comes to fetch them. He knocks but doesn’t wait for an invitation to enter and he cleans up just as well in a tuxedo as he had in his old Roman fare — Nadya won’t deny it. He offers his arm to Isseya and she takes it in all of her splendor. Shiny and sleek and like the thing weighing her down is her own perfection — not the pain she feels every time she remembers she’s alive.

Her partner takes in every inch of her like it’s the very first time; like she’s the only thing in his entire world. Judging by the way he almost startles when he catches sight of Nadya behind her — that’s not too far from the truth.

“You look lovely, Nadya.” But Isseya preens under the implied compliment. Nadya just shrugs it off.

“Come, we’ve made him wait long enough.”

Nadya stops in the doorway. “Who?”

And it isn’t the first look of remorse the man gives her… but it’s the first one she actually believes.

“Come.”

No matter how much she wants to Nadya stops herself from punching the familiar bespectacled vampire who pulls her chair out for her.

She’s not a violent person, really she isn’t. But the same kind of feeling has her stomach in knots as it did back during Adrian’s trial; after all hadn’t Jameson betrayed Kamilah just as Nicole betrayed Adrian?

Jameson waits for her to sit. Nadya doesn’t feel like sitting.

“How could you do this to them?”

“If you’d be seated, Miss.”

“Screw that — answer me. How could you do this to Kamilah? She gave you a spot in her Clan.” Which has to mean something, doesn’t it?

Apparently not. “If you would be seated, Miss.”

Nadya makes her protest well known despite the fact that she does, in fact, sit. Jameson pushes her chair in maybe a little too tight before offering the same courtesy to the Trinity.

From what little she’s seen of the so-called scholar it’s not exactly unusual for him to be acting the way he is. Stiff, formal and adhering to rules of etiquette they probably stopped teaching around the same time as the invention of the light bulb. He’s the picture of politeness and it’s just plain unnerving.

The dining room is one of the places that had been roped off during the Ball. Nadya actually prefers it this way. It makes the castle feel a little less familiar and with all the awful memories she already has tied to this place… it’s probably for the best.

Rather than taking a seat himself, Jameson keeps busy with a decanted wine on a silver serving cart. Which leaves one place — the head of the long (long) table — and one guest unaccounted for.

“Where is Marcel?”

Valdas and Isseya exchange glances across the table centerpiece; a bouquet of blood-red orchids and deep purple roses covered in thorns. Night-blooming flowers, she recalls.

“It was decided that the young Lord not join us for this evening’s meal. This is all very distressing to you, of course, and he agreed it would not do well to make it worse.” Valdas answers.

“Wait — decided? Decided by who?”

“‘Whom,’” he corrects, but chooses not to answer.

Instead he waves two fingers in a summoning gesture even Nadya would be insulted by. “Jingyi, the wine if you would.”

Jingyi is apparently Jameson; even more apparent is his contempt for the name and, Nadya is quickly realizing, the vampires who would use it. It bleeds through his teeth clenched around his words “yes, my Lord,” but the Trinity don’t deem it worth even the smallest acknowledgment. Their attention is instead reserved for Nadya.

“Sweet reds, correct?”

Nadya hates to admit it but she’s glad for the distraction of Jameson’s suddenly very close proximity to her neck while he pours. “Sorry?”

Valdas nods to the contents of her glass. “You prefer sweet reds.”

“What’s with you and being creepy about my eating and drinking habits?”

“Live as long as we have and you learn to differentiate people by things other than their faces and their names.” Valdas takes his filled glass and gives it an idle sip. “For example; you are hardly the first Nadya in our lives. But you are Nadya of sweet red wines and terrible eyesight. That sets you apart.”

Isseya’s snort is, like the rest of her façade, perfectly maintained and somehow glittering. She looks to her lover in amusement. “As if the rest of her did not?”

“Your dinner conversation is as tactless as ever, beloved.”

“Well… yes, but that aside,” she turns to Nadya and raises her own glass in a toast either forced or mocking — it’s hard to tell, “he picked a Lambrusco especially for tonight, for you.”

And yeah, okay, any other time one or even two incredibly attractive and incredibly flirtatious people fixate on her with such intensity Nadya might find it in herself to be flattered. But she’s seen what they can do and how little they can feel doing it. That darkness—Valdas’ darkness—she still has trouble shaking.

So for now she’ll settle on feeling uncomfortable.

“Oh…” Quick, what do fancy people do with wine again? Nadya racks her brain hastily until a vision of Kamilah on their last date comes up in her mind’s eye. She swirls the contents slowly (and in doing so tries very hard not to make the literary parallels between red wine and—y’know—blood but ultimately fails) and brings the glass just shy of the tip of her nose.

“It’s very… wine.” Nadya… no…

So she chugs the entire glass on the first go to avoid saying anything else incredibly stupid.

Thank god Jameson doesn’t have to be asked to top her off.

Jameson who disappears through a set of doors and returns not moments later with a new cart bearing trays of small nibbles and bits. It’s almost getting difficult to play along — like she’s supposed to pretend she isn’t being held against her will, dressed up like Secretary Barbie, and still is refused any actual answers? But when a plate is set down in front of her Nadya’s stomach remembers she had declined (with big big regret) to eat at the cafe… so she pushes down any worries of this is probably poisoned they’re totally poisoning me and samples a bit of everything.

Scraping cutlery, chewing, swallowing; scraping cutlery, chewing, Jameson’s muffled footsteps on request, swallowing. Over and over again. What, are they saving the juicy gossip for their missing guest?

Their plates are cleared before Nadya finishes, which is just as well because now that it remembers what food tastes like her body is ready for more than snacks. This time the scholar’s cart bears four silver-domed platters that he places at the head of the table last.

Before Nadya can do a dramatic food network reveal Valdas startles her with a quick tilt of his head. Listening for something her human ears can’t quite hear. Whatever it is it sets the Trinity on edge; makes Isseya look about ready to crawl out of her own skin and Valdas tug at his collar and loosen his tie even though it can’t exactly choke him out.

Nadya slowly slinks her hand back from her cover almost comically.

The double doors at the other end of the room swing inward with dramatic gusto. The small breeze that comes with it pushes an unfamiliar and definitely unpleasant smell against her crinkling nose. Not even the centerpiece flowers or the aroma of the food so close can cover it up.

Her vampire companions stand with creaking chairs just in time for his grand (if trumpetless) entrance.

It’s not an active resistance to this the unmasked authority that keeps her seated. Nadya’s just not sure her legs would be able to hold her up right now. So sitting and not collapsing is probably more respectable, right? She’s rambling — worse than that she’s rambling in her own head.

What else is she supposed to do, though? All these months of crippling headaches and nightmares unending and the feeling of losing herself and filling up the space with a bunch of unknowns — nothing like this has ever happened. She’s seen faces, spoken names, held identities of her own that she could never be. And this is the first time she’s come face to face with one of them.

Nadya knows this man; she’s been him, been loved and Turned and banished and even killed by him. The things she’s seen… the things she’s done with those hands as her own both pale in moonlight and drenched dark near-black with blood how his fingertips look spread wide over the tanned slopes of Kamilah’s bare skin and the strength with which they’ve plunged into hundreds, no, thousands, no, hundreds of thousands of ribcages—

And he’s more than that, too. He’s the man who brought vampires to America, who built his Shadow Kingdom with a conviction Nadya feels like a knife in her gut.

He’s the man who Turned Kamilah, Adrian. The man who loved both of them before eternity did.

The worst part of it is that Gaius Augustine is beautiful. That’s just an objective fact. It’s what makes him so seductive. No wonder the world has fallen on bended knee to him. He looks like a god.

In a way, perhaps he is.

Jameson moves quickly — and with an anticipation that definitely wasn’t there before; something like eagerness — to pull out the high-backed chair but Gaius waves him off with a flippant hand. The same carelessness shown by Valdas but from this man Jameson accepts it without disdain.

There’s a reverence by which Gaius grasps the velvet backing of his chair. Deep in every fingertip; an appreciation Nadya empathizes with against her will. He knows what it’s like to not have such things; little things, insignificant things… or they were until he was entombed.

He looks good, uncomfortably good, for a guy who spent a hella long time starving in a black stone coffin.

He sweeps a crystal blue gaze over his dinner guests but doesn’t seem to register Nadya’s lack of respect. Actually she suspects he only backtracks to her because she’s on the verge of a panic attack and is conveniently the only one in the room with a heartbeat.

“Nadya,” croons a voice she recognizes instantly; her mysterious guide through the winding paths of the Musea Sanguis, “we finally meet — well… face to face.”

He smiles at her; it isn’t returned. Even if Nadya wanted to say something to him she’s not entirely certain she wouldn’t just turn off her filter and let him have it right there. Her mom would probably forgive such unladylike behavior in this one case.

Only her tongue is knotted up too tight for even a little peep.

Of course now would be the time I learn to shut up.

Gaius watches and waits, and when he finally accepts she’s zipped her lips he throws his head back in jovial laughter. The sound makes Isseya crumple the steel fork under her hand into a ball like tin foil.

He stops just as abruptly. “Is this really how we want to begin things? The choice is yours — and yours alone.”

No, it wasn’t, her mind quickly reminds her but Nadya hasn’t forgotten. She didn’t get to choose this awful, terrible thing in her head. Just like she didn’t get to choose to be here; the definition of kidnapping or nearly so. Nadya didn’t even get to choose her own dress! And frankly her thighs are really cold in here.

It’s in that moment that Nadya learns everything she needs to know about Gaius Augustine. He’s a beautiful face and honeyed words but hell will freeze over before he lets anyone forget he’s also death incarnate.

In a blink Gaius’ smile is gone. “Dolling her up was a waste, Valdemaras, if the time could have been better spent teaching her simple manners.”

Valdas fixates on a spot on the table. His head lowered in respect — and fear.

“My apologies, Augustine.”

The older vampire throws him a look of disdain. “Not that I did not anticipate it and prepare myself for the disappointment. You’ve always fallen just short of the mark — little Made-God.”

He seats himself; undoes the black button of his trimmed dinner jacket and relaxes into his chair like a king on a throne. She’s seen his throne — this is exactly how he would sit upon it. On either side of them the Trinity sink back into their chairs and Nadya realizes, now, the cruelty with which Gaius has devised their arrangement.

Isseya’s hand twitches and closes; hard enough for her blood to try and fill the gaps in her fist. She just wants to touch Valdas in comfort. And Gaius has made sure she cannot. In some strange way her heart breaks for them — or is breaking with them — or her heart is theirs and breaks as them — or…

This is really starting to make her head hurt.

Jameson resumes his duties with an obvious change in attitude. He fills Gaius’ glass with a different decanter — the contents of which are still a deep and rich red but she’s been living with vampires for a year now; Nadya knows what blood looks like. And the sight of it takes away all her appetite. Even as Jameson takes the covers off of their plates and reveals what looks like a delicious and expensive cut of steak… she can’t stop looking at the elder vampire’s cup.

“Marvelous,” Gaius compliments, “absolutely marvelous. Boundless are humanity’s shortcomings but they’ve always retained a passion for decorating what they eat. I suppose that may be the one thing left I have in common with them.”

He looks to Nadya with a smile — as if she’ll somehow understand, or agree with him. But she is decorated tonight. And she knows exactly what he eats.

“Don’t you agree?”

Nadya once told Kamilah that she was prone to doing stupid things when she was scared. Good to know that still holds true. “That what, you have something in common with humanity? That’s a hard no.”

Valdas’ knife scraaapes against the china plateware; his quick recovery is honestly impressive.

In a mockery of disappointment Gaius lets his head hang and as he does the waves of his dark brown hair fall in a shadow over his face. Nadya pushes her wine away so fast and so hard she nearly spills it all over the tablecloth.

Because she needs to be clear-headed for this; and she’s obviously already tipsy. How else is she supposed to explain it; he way his skin goes from vivacious and full to taut and decaying and grey; pulled back thin over the shape of his skull.

It makes Nadya think of the strange smell that preceded Gaius’ arrival. The smell of rot and death, she realizes, and can’t even bear the sight of her plate when she does.

And with everything else going weird and wrong in her life Nadya isn’t even surprised that when she looks back up Gaius once again looks perfect; not a hair out of place.

“Why are you so adamant on rejecting my hospitality? Surely you’ve realized this is all for your comfort.”

She chokes on her laugh. “All of what? The meal?”

“Of course. To serve purpose as both an apology for the… unfortunate terms of your arrival —”

“You mean my kidnapping.”

Gaius ignores her interruption; “— and to ease any discomfort you might have about me. I imagine Adrian hasn’t exactly been singing my praises.”

Petulantly Nadya leans against the back of her chair; slumping a little as she does with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Actually, kinda the opposite.”

Of course that grabs his attention, but she doesn’t expect the strange delight captured in his smile. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, given that he hasn’t mentioned you at all. And—before you ask—neither has Kamilah.”

The fork in his grasp bends and is made useless. But then Jameson is there with a replacement in hand and she doesn’t even get the satisfaction of Gaius being inconvenienced.

“I know you believe the course you stay now is, perhaps, the upper hand. But dear Nadya it takes much more than that to get under my skin.”

“Good to know.”

“Nadya.”

Is Valdas seriously trying that right now — does he really think that after what he’s done that’s an okay thing to be doing? Because no, it’s not, and she’ll be more than happy to stop whatever she’s doing that gave him that impression. “No.”

“If you would calm yourself —”

That’s it — Nadya snaps.

“‘Calm myself?’ You’ve gotta be joking. Because that’s a really good joke. Right up there with how you reached out to me, offered me help, and wedged a knife in my back with a psychic roofie.” She chokes on her voice, thick and wet, but to Nadya’s credit she’s gotten really good at keeping how badly she wants to sob inside and close to her chest.

“The things I’ve seen him do — the things I’ve lived through because of him? I told you, Valdas — I told you how this is making me feel. I… I confided in you. Told you things I haven’t even told my best friend, things like how I feel like I’m falling apart at the seams… how sick I feel because I shouldn’t know what killing someone feels like but I do—

“And now, after kidnapping me and bringing me to him —” she jabs her finger at Gaius who simply watches; silent, bemused, “— the man who has done more of those horrors than I can count — horrors I’ve been forced to live through… you think you have a right to tell me to be calm?”

She’s splotchy and flushed and can hear her pulse in her temples but nope no way Nadya regrets absolutely nothing. Even though were this any ordinary dinner party — or even ordinary adjacent — she’d be mortified enough to flee from the room crying.

Then Gaius is clapping; polite and reserved. Jameson goes to join but doesn’t get in even one before a glare from Isseya has him practically cowering where he stands.

“Brava signorina, brava,” and really, does nothing phase this guy, “it’s been far too long since I’ve had dinner and a show. It’s the little things you miss, really.”

“It wasn’t for you.” Nadya snaps with far less heat.

“No, no I see that it wasn’t. It is fascinating, though.”

“What is?”

“How you seem to attract the affections and loyalty of my progeny.”

It gives her whiplash. “Wait—seriously?” But Valdas doesn’t deny it. “So you’re the one who set him free.”

There’s no use in pretending this is going to be a conversation over a polite and decadent meal, so Gaius sets his utensils down and dabs at his mouth with his napkin. Nadya swears she isn’t hallucinating when she sees morbidity and decay for a hand where the cloth covers it.

“My my my, you’re more informed than I could have hoped for. And this regardless of your efforts to spite me, Valdemaras.”

“I know how entertained you are by the pursuit.”

“Is that what you call it?” Gaius nods; makes Valdas look so petty — so small, “Well I suppose one of us ought to succeed in the end. And even Nadya here knows such a thing is impossible for you.”

Don’t bring me into this she wants to say, but to what end? She already is in this. Way way deep in it. Drowning, practically.

So what’s the harm in diving deeper if she’s already going to die choking on water? Too far with the analogy, maybe.

“I know the Council locked you up because you were mad with power. Because so many people were dying and they knew you wouldn’t listen to reason.”

Nadya feels her confidence waiver at something as little as Gaius cocking a brow. “Oh please, do go on.”

“I know there’s a throne under Central Park that once belonged to you.”

“Once? Who sits there now, pray tell?”

“No one.”

“Then perhaps it is mine still.”

“I know you’ve killed more people than I think even you remember.”

Gaius hums. “Possibly. The ends more than justify the means.”

No they don’t. “And I know that everything you do—all the killing, Turning, plotting and kingdoms and thrones… it’s all for her.”

A hollow caricature of sentiment crosses his face and if Nadya were a bigger person (bolder, braver, any other b-word for that matter) she’d smack it right off him in a heartbeat.

“My Queen has —”

“No, I don’t mean Kamilah.” The name tumbles from her lips before she can hold it back.

“I meant your Maker… I meant Rheya.”

Nadya’s having dinner with the dead but only now is the room silent as the grave. Gaius’ expression is unreadable no matter how much she tries. Valdas can’t quite meet her in the eyes and Isseya, well she’s the opposite; like she’s looking at Nadya for the first time and with tears prickling in her eyes.

“Then it’s true…” She laughs in the way mourners are reminded of small fragments of their loved ones’ they’d forgotten. “It’s… you. You’re her.”

Her? Who her? “Indeed she is. And a far more advanced Bloodkeeper than the last I possessed.” Gaius drinks deeply from his glass like he wants her to marinate in his words; wants her to panic from them. “You’ve served me well, Jameson.”

And Jameson nods with a beaming smile. “Thank you, Master. Anything to see our good work done.”

Gaius thumbs a stray drop of blood from the corner of his lips and sucks it clean. “My turn, I think.” But when he stands this time he stands alone. “Shall I tell you what it is that I know, Nadya?”

She has a strong feeling she can’t exactly say no. That feeling would be correct.

“I know the forces that govern our supernatural world are never without a sense of irony. I know that you, the genuine Bloodkeeper, are more valuable than you realize. You call them visions; nightmares. We —” he gestures an arm wide to their vampire audience, “— would call them memories. The Bloodkeeper has been for as long as we have been. Back through the centuries, the millennia, all the way to my Goddess, the woman you name Rheya.

“The more I spread our kind across the world, the more memories there were for her to see. Too many for a mortal mind, though. The last one could not give me what I seek. So I knew when the time came… I could not risk losing her again. Her gift had to be… cultivated properly.”

Gaius leans forward against the table with palms spread wide. Pushing darkness; death out into the world and all of it in her direction. “I had my doubts about you, Nadya. I am not above admitting it was the incessant vehemence of my progeny that convinced me to pursue you; not a mere human dabbling in psychic parlor tricks but the real thing. But you’ve convinced me now; you are that which I am unable to deny.

“So few know of her; my Goddess of Blood and Fury, the First Vampire. Fewer still know the truth of my beginnings; that I am the last of the pure, her devoted one. But you do, Nadya, you do. And the joy that knowledge brings me… I dare say in my current state I am unable to express it justly.”

She’d like to tell him he’s expressing it just fine; perhaps a little too much even. Eyes wide, practically maniacal; the only way to widen his smile would be to take the cutlery to the corners of his mouth and tug.

But Gaius is like all beautiful things — the longer she looks the less perfection she takes in; the more flaws start to leap off the canvas of him and scream to her for attention.

His irises once a blue as bright as the sky now faded pale like a heralding storm, even the pupil gone grey — pearls perfectly fit into the eye sockets of his skull now a little too prominent, protruding a little too stark.

Teeth even and dazzling cracked, thin like eggshells and the same kind of not-quite-white. All the white he could ever need rather rests in thin wisps on the top of his head in clumps and disarrayed — torn out from decade after decade of endless isolation.

Nadya came here (however unwillingly, that didn’t matter now) for the truth. That truth now stands before her in all its repulsive glory and she doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for some unexpected shadow to pass it by. Gaius Augustine hasn’t aged well; not at all. He is a corpse; now as ugly on the outside as he is within. All that without even mentioning the smell of death her senses will no longer deny.

A breath catches in her throat. Nadya quickly covers her nose and mouth with the back of her hand; couldn’t give less of a care about subtlety or Gaius’ feelings on his condition. She can’t look away and Valdas’ stare is too heavy for her to deny; the weight of sympathy.

The Trinity, Jameson; they’ve been seeing Gaius as he really is this whole time. His masquerade; just another lie Nadya didn’t ask for.

His voice was a ruse, too. Because now his every word creaks of old stone lids prying themselves from their coffins. “You ought to be a little more cautious with the tales your expressions tell. A lesser man might take offense to such… distaste.”

If he expects Nadya to apologize for hurting his feelings he’d best be ready to live another couple thousand years before that happens. “What was it? A—A veil of some kind?”

“Of a sort — you learn quickly. But it was merely a glamour to ensure the evening was an amenable one.”

“For my peace of mind,” unconsciously Nadya plucks at a string; not a real one but one within her mind — everyone else has been digging around in there so she might as well join the party, “or for your vanity?”

Gaius’ decaying face can barely show a frown but some vibes just can’t be mistaken. “Cheeky.”

“So what do you want from me?” Nadya asks; with a calm even she didn’t expect. “You’ve spent all this time planning, plotting, torturing—sorry, cultivating—me… what memory was it all for, Gaius?”

He resumes his seat and smiles slow; satisfied. Maybe he thinks she’s being complacent… and maybe there’s a part of her that is.

“I need you to find something for me; an object of great importance.”

“Something tells me it’s not the teddy bear you lost when you were five… hundred.”

This time Gaius laughs a bit more reserved. He taps a withered finger to his lips in thought and Nadya pretends for her own sake that she doesn’t see a fingernail just fall off and onto his half-empty plate. “It is an object of mine; an amulet. And it was, at one time, my most cherished possession on this earth.”

All of his guests (willing and otherwise) watch the unconscious way Gaius trails his fingertip down his chin, his throat — to rest just shy of the last button done up on his crisp red dress shirt. They watch as he traces an idle and misshapen circle. Lost in the moment; in the memory.

So why does he need Nadya?

“When the time came for me to part with it I was reluctant. But it was for the best given the circumstances. For centuries come and gone I had conquered armies, laid waste to entire lands and cities — and yet even I am unable to bend nature to my whim.”

His words lull her in their own strange way like the low, rasping drag of a violin. The first time she feels a tickle at her nose Nadya brushes it aside — it’s an old castle, dust isn’t any surprise. But the second, the third? Nadya can’t help but drag her knuckles over her cheek.

She pulls her hand back and the skin is stained a smeared grey. Darker than Gaius’ pallor across the table. And it burns.

Ash.

Nadya remembers the nausea starting to churn in her belly all too well but that isn’t exactly a good thing. She almost jumps out of her skin when Jameson is suddenly at her side pouring a glass of water from a clear pitcher — didn’t even realize how parched she was until she snatches it forward and practically out of the scholar’s hands for long, deep drinks.

“Beautiful…” Gaius breathes; watching Nadya in awe — even when she chokes on the last gulp. “You can feel it, can’t you; you know exactly of what I speak.”

With anyone else — even Kamilah, even Valdas — she could at least try her best to avoid this awful feeling by keeping her hands to herself. But Gaius is all the way over there, and Nadya is all the way over here, and it doesn’t. matter. one. bit. She feels the influence of him — of his memories — reaching out to her from the other side of the room.

Nadya takes a burning breath and the answer finds itself somewhere between them.

“Vesuvius.”

Gaius confirms with a nod; “I could not risk my amulet falling prey to anything — even that which was beyond my control. So I entrusted it to my firstborn and tasked him with its protection.”

“Hold on — ‘him?’” This whole time Nadya’s been under the impression that Kamilah was the first person Gaius Turned. Or that’s what her visions—his memories—had made her assume.

But who was the only person she knew of that was older than Kamilah?

She looks to her right and Valdas nods without a word, chin resting on hands clasped in front of him.

“You?”

“My first mistake,” answers Gaius for him — contempt for the man beside him dripping foul between his teeth, “and regrettably not my last. As I had given it to mine, so too did Valdemaras give the amulet to his firstborn. And we all know how that ended.”

Neither of the Trinity will look at her; at Gaius either. No longer with their heads held high; like his disapproval of them is a real, tangible thing forcing their heads down, eyes down, and demands of them to feel nothing but shame.

Jameson refills her water slowly. Nadya drinks because if she does then she can’t open her big mouth.

“Thus the task falls unto you, my little Bloodkeeper, to remember where the cur misplaced my amulet.”

He says it like it’s so simple; like flipping through the pages of a book she ought to know well. But not only has Nadya never even heard of that metaphorical book — it’s in a whole other freakin’ language.

And she has a feeling Gaius isn’t the kind of guy to take excuses in stride. So — she stalls.

“And what are you going to give me in return?”

Gaius scoffs but easily grins around it. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me,” though judging by the state of decomposition on his ears… “I have something you want,” or at least that’s what you think, “so what do I get out of it?”

“You get to live.”

“Not good enough.”

Isseya’s lips twitch — the barest hint of amusement that Gaius misses in his incredulity.

“Is that so? Here I was under the impression mortals held their lives in higher value.”

“Well you’re not the first vampire to threaten me. Actually, that was Kamilah. Heck, you aren’t even in the top three. So I’ve gotten used to it. And besides…” Nadya pushes her glasses up her nose until it hurts. “If you kill me then you don’t get what you want anyway.”

In the silence that follows Nadya’s thoughts dissolve into a whirling chaos; desperate to think of her next move. She could demand that Gaius let her go — but that didn’t help her much. She could demand that and that she’s brought back to Manhattan, to Adrian and Kamilah, safe and sound. But the thought of him anywhere near them just makes her queasy. He kept them out of this — what would they think of her if she were the one to bring them in?

The longer she’s left to think the more incredulous Nadya’s ‘conditions’ become, though, so it’s almost a relief when Gaius inclines his head in a subtle nod.

Almost because he’s smiling and so far nothing—nothing—good happens when he smiles.

“I can see why my Queen has taken to you so.” Gaius says darkly, somehow darker than all the darkness he’s been hurling out already and it makes Nadya’s blood curdle in her veins. “She always preferred a certain recklessness in her mortals. Not to mention how surprisingly refreshing it is to meet such resistance for so long. But understand well — it never lasts.”

He raises a hand and Nadya’s body flinches on instinct, eyes squeezing shut waiting for a blow that doesn’t come.

Instead, Gaius snaps. “Get on with it.”

And she can’t move. She can’t move. Why can’t she move?

Fingertips brush feather-light at her temples.

Jameson.

One touch and Nadya can already feel the headache starting to build; storm clouds gathering on fast-forward in her head and everything is growing fuzzy at the edges of her eyes. The same kind of reaching, probing curiosity the psychic vampire had used back at Adrian’s trial but comparing the two is the difference between water and acid.

He’s killing her. Oh god he’s killing her. Burning her up from the inside out and without the mercy to let her even so much as scream while she’s forced to endure it.

Isseya on her left, Valdas on her right. A not-unfounded pity in their eyes watching but not making any move to help her as Nadya struggles, tenses her muscles until she’s shaking in her own skin but it’s all in vain — she still doesn’t move.

Help her, because it isn’t Nadya who owns her thoughts anymore; they belong to Jameson. Help her please help her help her helpher—

They don’t.

“I would have thought all of this —” Gaius’ voice blends into the pain; makes them synonymous with each other, “— would have explained things as they are, crystal clear. You are valuable to me as an object is valuable, Nadya. But objects do not dictate who owns them, nor make conditions upon their use. They are but objects; used as the owner sees fit.”

Behind her, Jameson’s whisper roars over the pain that can’t be anything other than her brain trying to punch its way from her skull.

“Remarkable — a vast improvement from when last I walked these paths…”

Get out get out getout!

“Valdemaras tells me she’s encountered these particular memories before. Does that make your task easier?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Then find what I need, and be quick about it.”

“If he isn’t cautious… she may burn out.” And even though Valdas sounds sympathetic she knows he’s anything but — this is all his fault. What she wouldn’t give to tell him to shove it. “Or the memory may be… incomplete.”

Nadya blinks, feels tears clinging to her lashes heavy and the warm trails they leave down her cheeks. But she can’t see. Not black or white, not the dining room or whatever Jameson digs for in her mind.

She just sees agony.

There’s a clap — the distinct sound of flesh on flesh. What might be a choked noise from where Isseya was sitting.

“Question me again, Valdemaras, and you will be mourning two-fold.”

“… Forgive me, my King.”

“If you earn it.”

“I feel it,” cries Jameson with glee, “I believe I’ve found the Amulet of Nero, Master. Strange… how she resists me still. As though she’s pulling the memory just out of reach.”

Nadya doesn’t have to see Gaius to feel the weight of his glare.

“Then dig deeper.”

Then she sees nothing; nothing at all.

[paradise-of-guilty-pleasures]

Shattered Reflections {13}

[Helsa RP- Fanfic]

Fandom: Frozen

Genre: Post-Frozen/ Canon Divergence

- Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance

Pairing(s): Hans/Elsa, Kristoff/Anna

Previous Chapter: 12. Homemade with Love

13. An Odd Request

Knock Knock Knock

Knocking at this hour was quite odd, it was too formal, Elsa and especially Olaf tended to head in unannounced. The only person who came by and actually knocked was the Doctor, but they'd already checked in not too long ago, so whoever was behind the door didn't customarily come visit. "May I come in? I wish to have a word with you." called a familiar voice.

Hans shifted a bit on the bed, still in mass amounts of pain, but doing his damnedest to get past that. "Please do, distract me from the stab wound." He remarked airily. And god did he need a distraction from that. Still, in his usual stubborn fashion, as his guest entered, he made an effort to push himself up into at the very least a sitting position, in spite of the pain. It felt weird to lay down and let people address him from the ceiling. It was awkward for everyone involved and he wanted none of it.

The door opened and in came a familiar well built man. It was the Captain of the guard. Bandaged and scratched up himself, but in far better shape than Hans. "'Evening, Prince Hans," he greeted with a nod, choosing to omit the 'good', knowing he was probably not having a good evening being bedridden and in pain.

"So it is, you can omit the 'prince' part too, Captain, if you must pick a title at least use the one I earned." Hans joked, holding his wound but offering a wry smile through the pain. "I'd say I owe you my life for fetching Elsa and the doctor last time, are we even now?" He joked gently. "Come on then, sit and have a chat. It'll be refreshing to talk to a working man again, like my crew. I'd suggest we get drinks, but the doctors disagree with that suggestion. Or they did for me, maybe you got lucky and missed that directive." Hans spoke with the Captain like they had been crew mates for years, and on equal terms. None of this prince or prisoner business, just working men in his book.

" You jest, and yet I truly think we are even," stated the Captain as he brought a chair to the bedside, the back of the chair facing Hans. "One of the reasons I've come to speak to you is indeed to thank you, for undertaking my responsibility of protecting the Queen, when I failed to do so in battle. I guess I made the right call saving you, after all." He half-jokingly quipped back, taking a seat in the chair backwards.

"I'm glad to hear it, if nothing else, a traitor makes for a good sword-stopper, may as well use that fact while I have it." He suggested dryly, gesturing to his wound. "I'm sure my reasons for what I did at the coronation never got back to you, I'd try to reassure you, but after the original traitorous events I'm afraid it wouldn't matter much to explain myself, I've rather a liar's reputation. I'm afraid that one I can't make even no matter how many scars I earn in the process, but I've nothing better to do but try, anyway. Here, if we're to gossip, I ought to know more than just your title?" He checked his hand for blood before offering it to shake. Holding his wound as much as he had it, it was worthwhile to check.

" I guess, a proper introduction is at hand," he agreed, accepting Hans' offer to shake. "Name's Kristofferson, Johannes Kristofferson. Friends call me Johan."He gave Hans a firm handshake. The Captain was a man many years Hans' senior (by a decade, at least), approaching middle age, but not quite old enough to be his father. He had a rather large bulbous nose, dark hair and sported a thick mustache.

"'Johannes'? Johan it is, I'm deeply sorry for the alternative nickname." Hans remarked, mingled amusement and apology on his face, as he knew that meant they could have shared a nickname. No doubt friends wouldn't call anyone in their country 'Hans' for a while without starting a fistfight. "Good to meet you properly, Captain. Her Majesty is planning to get some retraining for the guards, I'm expecting to be assisting in that-- mostly teaching your men to be careful with tricky bastards like me. I know enough thieves, fought enough pirates, and lied enough times I think we could get a few solid exercises going." He tried to keep a conversation running.

"Likewise," said the Captain, releasing the grip from their shake. " Even if it hurts my pride to say so, as Captain of the guard, it's become painfully obvious," he briefly lifted up his bandaged arm. "Pardon the pun-- that we are in dire need of retraining."

"Jokes aside, I do wish to speak of you about your involvement in the retraining process," He explained. "I heard you took charge during the attack, directing men in how better to do their job. I guess it's to be expected, from an Admiral after all. A man from the Isles, such as yourself, is better equipped for battle than anyone in Arendelle. It saddens me to say that Arendelle has been far too sheltered for years and we haven't exactly adapted with the times either. You on the other hand are quite experienced in tactic and technique." He momentarily paused. "I've spoken with the Queen and that's why Her Majesty as well as I myself believe you might be best fit, in overseeing the retraining yourself...Heck, you might even manage to teach an old dog like myself a new trick or two." He slightly chuckled, but turned serious again. "...Though that's not all I wish to discuss with you, I have a more... personal request, I wish for you to undertake as well."

"It comes with experience, as an admiral and a littlest brother, I've learned to hold my own in fights." He chuckled a little, though perhaps wryly. "A request of me? Gladly, Captain. Anything I could be useful for. What troubles you sir?" He wondered what the Captain could possibly want of him, but he would be more than glad to help, given the opportunity to.

"This might sound like an odd request coming from me, but I think it might be in Arendelle's best interests," He began with a deep breath. "I don't know if you already took note of what I'm about to tell you, but you do seem to be a perceptive lad, so I'm sure it didn't cross your keen eye undetected. Anyway, before I was overtaken by the enemy fighting alongside the Queen, I noticed something about Her Majesty's magic or at least how she was using it. She was mostly using her ice powers to shield rather than attack. I know she's cautious about using her magic aggressively, especially against and around people, yet considering what happened with Her Highness, it's completely understandable. What I'm getting at is that she doesn't have a way to defend herself if she refrains from using her magic. So what I ask of you, I say out both concern for Her Majesty's safety, as well as, the confidence I see she holds in you." He took a long glance over at the ice blade laying on top of the bureau. "I know it's our job to protect her, and I may be speaking out of line, but I never want to leave her alone and defenseless ever again. So I request you try to convince her to learn how to wield a weapon, teach her how to use a sword, as a preventive measure, so she'll have a way to protect herself without relying solely on her ice magic."

Hans blinked a bit, surprised by the rounds that conversation took. He paused to consider it. "You know she'd never draw blood if she could help it." He pointed out, but he was still clearly pondering the suggestion. "I'll see what I can convince her of. Perhaps if she can at least be convinced of a snow army or some other defender she can create, she might be protected. But I will try to convince her to take up a weapon. God knows, a man of the Isles is a good one to teach it, us with our refusal to give up anachronistic ways. We might need a guard presence during any training. I don't think you or I or anyone else wants to see me holding a sword at Her Majesty even with wooden blades for sparring. The Princess might decide to strangle me with her bare hands." That was only mostly a joke. "Well, I hope I can heal quickly. It seems I have a lot of work to do, yet. ...What blade do you think she should learn, then? It's a loaded question, but I want to know what you think." He nodded a little toward the blade on the bureau. His own sword was a bastard sword; not usually the weapon of a lady-- but certainly one that would kill well enough if need be. "I've seen her fight, she can be dangerous, but she'd never kill, I suspect if she gave a man so much as a paper cut she'd hold the scar as her own. As much as I agree that she should be protected, I can lead a horse to water, but even I cannot command it to drink."

"Yes, of course there’ll be a guard," The Captain nodded, before adding: "Though, I'd assume that you'd be using ice instead wood, should she accept, knowing she can disintegrate it at will." "Hm." He looked back at the sword."Rapier or Smallsword, perhaps." "I know," he sighed. "Her Majesty has a kind heart." The Captain looked back at Hans. "Thank you for at least hearing me out."

He nodded. "Of course. I'd say I'm a rather captive audience, even if I may or may not be a prisoner anymore." He laughed and shrugged a little, then cringed. "I'm not going much of anywhere with a stab wound." He shifted to lean back on the bed, visibly blinking back pain. "I'm not convinced she'd always remember that she can do that. Remember that time she couldn't unfreeze an entire kingdom? I doubt I'll ever forget it." He pointed out, a dry amused tone, but an expression that definitely didn't hold amusement on it. He still only felt shame about that. "Almost a shame, I'm better with bastard sword technique. 'Bastard for a bastard', as we joked in the isles, though none of us are. It's a better killing tool than a rapier, but it wouldn't suit her style." He seemed pensive, almost wistful a moment. "Perhaps a Sabre. I'm skilled with those and they're light and quick enough for a lady, if pressed. A good middle ground, enough metal behind it to disarm. Or, indeed, to dis-arm." He chuckled wryly. Lopping off an arm was one way to diminish a threat. "No promises, but I'll see what I can do. If nothing else, we'll work on some better defenses. If I must be Her Majesty's bodyguard as well as her fool, I'll do that, too." He didn't mind. He was simply whatever they told him to be. "Out of curiosity, what do you think of me? I imagine from an outsider's perspective, this must all be very strange to you. I won't take offense, use all the rude words you like." He laughed dryly.

The Captain nodded along as he listened. "What do I think of you? That's a bit of a conundrum. It really depends on when exactly you're asking, because right now my opinion of you is that you're a brave but foolish boy, that I believe is truly trying to make amends. If that weren't the case I definitely wouldn't have asked for your assistance. The Queen has a kind heart, but I don't think she'd give you a second chance, unless she saw something in you worth saving.

"If you are looking for rude words that would probably be my opinion of you after the eternal winter and when you first set foot back in Arendelle. Thought you were a real bastard to show your face again, after what you did. I was actually surprised you didn't choose to take a similar route like the Duke and enact your revenge.

" With that said, as 'an outsider', as you put it, I have a hard time wrapping my head around the whole debacle. Mostly because things didn't seem to add up, you seemed like a genuinely kind, caring, character throughout the eternal winter, helping Arendelle however you could, it was truly a shock to all of us to hear you turned traitor. Especially considering you went through all the trouble to climb the North Mountain to retrieve the Queen unharmed, and brought her down just to--" The Captain shook his head. "Anyway, I think that pretty much abridged what I think of you."

Hans smiled a little at being called a 'boy', amused and understanding. "A bastard with a bastard sword. One of several reasons I picked it." Hans joked wryly. "None of us are actually bastards, of course, by lineage, but it doesn't stop us joking." He rubbed his wound gently, trying to soothe the pain. "I didn't want to, if you want to know the story. I did it to give the ladies a villain for their story. True love's kiss wouldn't have worked, I'm no fool. So what, I'd have kissed Anna, nothing would have happened-- what then? Anna would have found a way to blame herself, died miserable, and where would the Queen be? Out on the fjord, ready to die? It wasn't a good choice, but easier for me to be the villain than the Queen." He shrugged, a bit of a sigh. "Bastard is a good descriptor for it, yes. But bastards can do good deeds too. Remember that-- and a good man can be a bastard just as easy if they've a mind to be. Good men are driven to it, lesser men simply walk."

" I remember you telling the Queen something like that in the Throne Room when you first arrived. I definitely doubted you then, but now it seems to make sense and I'm more inclined to believe that was really your reasoning." replied the Captain. " It's a lot easier for a good man to go bad than a bad man to turn good."

"On the contrary, I think." Hans mused. "It depends how good one is, I suppose. I know of many thieves. One married Her Majesty's cousin, small world as it is, two of my brothers worked with him. All three were bad, one turned out to be good because he met a girl. My brothers remain right bastards, but they'd still be there if my father wasn’t dying, and call my brother Eduard 'little fox' with affection. As they say, even evil men love their families. Or bits of them, at least. One of my brothers prefers the company of men, and the church calls him evil-- yet he's sweet through and through, helpful to those in a rough place, and would never bother somebody who doesn't want his company. Now, who is better, he or the brother in the clergy who says that brother and I are both damned for our sins?" Hans shrugged, unwilling to offer his own opinion. "Bad men have soft spots, no matter how bad. Good men who harden, though? I'd fight a thousand men alone rather than get in the way of a good man who steels for war. If her Majesty ever draws a sword to do battle willingly, by god's hand, run." That was not a joke. Hans knew the Queen wasn't violent, but if she ever decided to be? It would not be Arendelle changed, but the world.

"I guess you're right, there's a fine line between good and bad men. It's the way they lead their lives that makes all the difference." He responded. "May God have mercy on us all, if her Majesty ever lost her kind soul."

"Cheers to that, and God save us if we should make the wrong choice of who to side with in the chaos. I'm spoken for, I'm afraid." He nodded to his blade of ice. "Come heaven or hell, that's an Arendelle sword meant to hang at my hip. Either I use that, or I pray I never need a sword again. The Isles are curious about sword traditions, I think I'm beginning to truly understand them, now."

"Cheers!" The Captain played along. There was a brief moment of silence between the men. Just as the Captain was going to open his mouth to state he might not be the best company to entertain the Prince with words, the door suddenly swung open. Catching both men by surprise. The door swinging open was accompanied by the loud proud voice of a determined Feisty Princess: "Hans of the Southern Isles, I've got a bone to pick with you!"

[laceymorganwrites]

Beyond saving

Word Count: 5,132 Pairing: Ban x Reader

Warnings: swear words A/N: pls don´t hate, I´m not happy with this either(Banlaine is my otp, still I´ll continue writing Ban x Reader, cuz readerchan deserves love too, kay?)

700 years ago:

Y/N´s POV:

“You were in the human realm again, weren´t you?” mother scolded me again, I had disappointed her again. “I didn´t mean too...” I tried to excuse myself, but mother´s hard expression wasn´t changing in the least bit. Her eyebrow twitched as her hand stroke my cheek harshly, soon I could feel warm blood dripping like tears. But tears didn´t come these days, I never cried, I knew how much my mother hated it when I cried, or spoke, or called her my mother. “Don´t lie to me, you worm! Always crawling in the dirt, you should be ashamed of yourself. This isn´t how a goddess behaves!” Maybe I don´t wanna be a goddess, I thought, but didn´t dare say a word. “Get out of my sight! You should be lucky I even tolerate you here, if you ever go down to those lowlifes again, it will be the last time I promise you this.” she threatened, I always thought she was weak for not killing me, but in the end, she chose a destiny worse than death for me. I never wanted to be a goddess in the first place, I never believed in race, I just wanted everyone to live together happily. Maybe my fascination for the humans came from my mother all along, she always spoke so lowly of them, I was just curious if they were really that bad.

I looked up at the sky, laying in the grass, letting my thoughts slip. Why did I always think about my mother? Or Zeldris? About all of the things that held me back? I was free now, I could do everything and no one could stop me. I could finally live with the humans, fairies and giants. I should be happy, but then I remembered that my sister and her lover died because of me. All the bad things always happened because of me. If I never caught the two of them, none of this would´ve happened.

“Little sister! Your mother searches for you!” I called for Elizabeth. Mother told me she ran away from me, because I scared her. I never understood why she wanted to drive us apart so badly, my sister and I loved each other dearly. The nighttime wasn´t far and I knew that mother wanted to prevent Elizabeth staying out so late. I found her in a cave with a demon, kissing. To say I was shocked would be far fetched, I just didn´t know what was going on. “Elizabeth?” I asked, standing in the entrance of the cave. Elizabeth and her lover rapidly got away from each other and looked at me. “I´m sorry, I didn´t mean to interrupt you” I wanted to turn on my heel and risk getting beaten by mother for not getting my sister.”Wait, big sis, this is Meliodas, the demon prince. He´s just like us, he also wants us to live together peacefully” she smiled from one ear to another and I swear, I never saw her happier. I smiled back at her, I just had to, her happiness made me happy too, even though I didn´t deserve it, but I was selfish and ignorant, so I took it anyway. I remembered this night so clearly, we three talked since then and I felt like I belonged. But like everything, I had to destroy it.

These past 2,000 years I came around pretty well, I lived with the humans and the giants, I helped build villages and cured illnesses. I watched empires fall and times change, my life didn´t feel like a curse, rather like I finally had the chance to contribute to something bigger than me. I had enough time to atone for my sins, the sin of being born. I lived every day trying to be a better person than I was yesterday. Soon I came upon the fairy king´s forest and stopped for a moment to think about what I had done: I had started the holy war. All the deaths were my fault. And even though it was over and the demons locked away, I felt their energy, they would return, I was sure of it. But when would it happen? And how could I prevent it? My feet subconsciously dragged me into the forest and I was met with the true nature of humans. Or should I say hunters, predators? They chased the fairies and ripped out their wings, the sight was gruesome to put at least. I heard a little girl scream for her brother and ran to her, embracing her. “You need to get away from here, it´s dangerous. The humans have come to haunt you” I explained the situation. “I know! It´s all because Harlequin and Helbram left. They trusted the humans too much, I always told them it was too dangerous, but they wouldn´t listen!” she shouted, tears streaming down her face. I hugged her tighter, before I let go and unsheathed my sword. “I`ll take care of this, you stay hidden until I´m back, okay?” I ran into the forest and slaughtered the humans who came to hurt the fairies. Then I got back to the girl who got threatened by another human I oversaw. “Let go of her!” I yelled, wielding my sword and the next thing I heard was: “We got ourselves a nice pair of wings!”. It was followed by dirty laughter and a warm fluid flowing down my back. I stumbled over and fell to my knees, the pain was like something I never experienced before, it felt like my body was turn inside out and torn apart. I don´t know what was worse: hearing the bones crack or the weight loss. I didn´t notice my scream or anything else, I passed out from the pain. I woke up to the girl crying and laying in her lap. She had bandaged my back and treated the wounds. “Are you hurt…?” I whispered and tried to sit up, but I just fell over on my face. The girl heavily shook her head and I was ready to aid her, but then she helped me up and hugged me again. “How can you think of me in this situation? You almost died!” her voice cracked and she started crying. I chuckled, before patting her head and putting an arm around her shoulder. “I can´t die, my mum made sure of that, so don´t worry about me. Besides, I don´t deserve it...again: are you hurt, little girl?” I cradled her back and she nuzzled against my bandaged chest. She shook her head. I smiled. “Good, what a crazy day, eh? What´s your name?” I asked. “I´m Elaine” she smiled, she was a sweet girl. “Nice to meet you, Elaine, my name´s (Y/N)” I introduced myself. In the next years she nursed me back to health and I got to know her better, one day we talked about her brother. We were stargazing as she suddenly hugged me and said: “I´m so glad you´re here, now I´m not lonely anymore” she smiled and I wondered what she meant by that. “But...there are all the other fairies...” I noticed and she looked glum. “I´m the protector of this fountain, my brother used to be king of this forest. He was by my side all the time, but as the humans came, he vanished. He just left me all alone. But now you´re here, so that´s okay” she told me. “I think I saw a fairy with a giant girl on the way here, after all I lived with the giants for a while...maybe it was him?” I thought out loud. “Why would he be with a giant girl? That´s even more dangerous than the humans!” Elaine exclaimed worriedly. I shook my head. “Not all giants or humans are bad...same goes for all races” I thought about all the good things that have happened to me after mother and the other goddesses vanished. “i can´t picture demons being good people, they´re hardly people after all” I laughed out loud. “The princes of purgatory are actually pretty neat, I´ve only been there for a day, but it was a nice day” I reminisced and then an idea rushed through my head. “How about I search your brother?” I suggested and Elaine looked at me with big eyes. “You would do that?” I nodded and added: “Only for you”. Then I jumped down the tree and walked through the night. It was sunrise when I reached Britannia, the realm dominated by the humans. In the very outskirts I stumbled upon a bar, the boar hat. “You open?” I dashed in and was met with emptiness. “Yup! Might not look like it, but we´re always open!” a merry voice said, something about it sounded familiar. “What can I get you?” Meliodas stepped out of the kitchen and  we both stared at each other for an awkwardly long while. “Where are your wings?” he broke the everlasting silence. “That´s the first thing you´re asking? I thought you were dead all this time! What happened to you?” I almost yelled. “You might want to sit down” he said and we sat down at the counter. Meliodas sighed deeply and frowned, a second ago I could swear he flashed the biggest smile on earth. “All I remember is waking up to Elizabeth´s dead body, it wasn´t until a few years later that I realized we had been cursed. I saw Elizabeth, alive and well, only that she couldn´t remember me or anything else, and when she did, she died three days later in front of my eyes. This has happened 82 times now.” he explained and it took me a while to take all of the information in. I stood up and hugged him tightly. “I´m sorry...” this was all my fault, if I´d never been born, then I wouldn´t have been married off to and didn´t need to be saved by them. “I´m so so sorry, Meliodas, this is all my fault...” I wished I could comfort him better, just do anything. He shook his head. “No, it´s not. If things were different back then, it still would´ve turned out this way. The holy war was inevitable.” he stated and I abruptly pulled away. “I´m gonna make this right!” I vowed and searched for a way to break the curse, consulting the most powerful magic users, but it all seemed useless.

16 years ago

Elaine´s POV:

My brother had left me and now my best friend too. She said she was going to search for my brother, but hasn´t returned in a few hundred years. I was tired of being lonely, left alone and forgotten. I had enough of protecting the forest, nobody would ever find it anyway, let alone steal the fountain of youth. Nobody could be this stupid, except for this boy who tried it since six hours. At one point I grew tired of defending the fountain and let it go, let him get it, what did I care? But what I didn´t expect was that instead of stealing the fountain he was talking to me. I didn´t mind it and added to the conversation. I caught myself talking about (Y/N) and letting my feelings for her run free, I told him how she was the first one I thought of as a friend and how she was always so kind and nice to me. I told him how she lost her wings trying to protect me, I told him how pretty and funny she was, but I didn´t know the story behind her sad eyes. She had only told me about the goddess clan, her sister and her lover, and her marriage, but never about anything that happened after that. She told me everything that happened up to 3,000 years ago, there seemed to be a gap which she didn´t tell me about, but I never dared ask. It felt good to talk to a stranger, I could just talk about all the things I could never tell (Y/N) or Harlequin. I felt relieved and even laughed with Ban. I thought it was funny how despite of his personality as a thief, he didn´t lie. He had the same sadness behind the eyes as (Y/N) did, he reminded me of her in many ways. For example., how he always looked into the distance, trying to search for something long gone. He was funny too, just like her. Maybe this was why I trusted him. He sat down at the edge of the tree and stared off in the distance again and I went to the other side where to my surprise a girl in a dress climbed up. “Shit, this ain´t easy in a dress...I totally underestimated the weight of this...” she mumbled to herself, pulling the hood of her cloak back, which was when I ran to her and storm hugged her. “(Y/N)!” I cried out. “You´re back! Are you okay? What happened? Where have you been?” I rambled. I would´ve never thought she would come back, yet here she was, but something was off. She seemed different, she didn´t hide her sadness behind a smile anymore and she had dark under eye circles, over all she seemed lost and hopeless. I was worried sick,  hoped nothing bad had happened.  “One second, Elaine. I´ll explain everything, but before that, could you help me out of the corset, I can´t breathe” she told me in a straightforward manner. Now that I looked at her closer, I could see that she sweated heavily. I nodded and went behind her, carefully undoing her cloak and revealing the upper half of her body in pulling the upper half of her dress off. Then I undid the laces of the corset until she sighed relieved and put her dress back on. “You´re the best” she stated and smirked. I suddenly remembered that I told Ban that he had to meet (Y/N) and dragged her by the hands behind me. “You need to meet Ban, (Y/N)! He came here today and talked to me, he´s really nice! I bet you´ll love him!” I chirped and (Y/N) suddenly stopped and looked at me sincerely. “Don´t throw around that word like it´s nothing” she coldly stated and I gulped. “Sorry...I forgot...”. She told me how she never knew love and swore herself to never love. “Love is stupid. If you´re loved, you´re cursed, you´re the reason for everything one does, the reason for their hurt and pain. And if you love you´re stupid too, because you´re selfish, you just get hurt all over again. The worst thing that can happen to someone mortal is dying when someone loves them” (Y/N) told me again, we always talked about love and her negative view on it, which apparently has only strengthened in the past decades.

Ban´s POV:

So this was (Y/N), she talked like she´s been through a lot, like her heart had been broken. Whoever did it, I wouldn´t let that bastard live. Elaine didn´t lie, she was a radiant beauty, the way she swayed her hips when she walked, the way she raised an eyebrow when she saw me, completely ignoring me after that. “You let a human get up here? Are you stupid! He could´ve killed you!” she yelled at Elaine, who looked at me apologetically. “He´s nice! I swear!” she defended me, to which I chuckled. It wasn´t so bad up here, until now I´ve lived in the dirty streets of villages which would be forgotten. Elaine and (Y/N) sat down next to me and (Y/N) still mustered me suspiciously, pouting a bit, which looked insanely cute. “Do you wanna tell me where you´ve been?” Elaine asked (Y/N), smiling in high expectations, but (Y/N) declined. “Not now...” she sighed and looked up to the sunset. I suppressed the urge to pull (Y/N) in front of me and rest my chin in her neck, whispering how lucky I was to have her. But I didn´t, then why did I feel like I knew her? Right, because Elaine told me about her, about her story. I wanted her. When the sun set and it got dark, Elaine got sleepy and went to lay down in the soft grass. (Y/N) put her cloak around her, serving as a blanket, I smirked at that action. To my surprise (Y/N) sat down next to me again and pulled her legs against her chest, so she could rest her head on them. “So you´re the goddess without wings, eh?” I asked and she ´tch-ed´. “I can´t believe she told you...” she muttered. “I´m Ban” I tried to start a conversation, but she blocked me off. “Don´t care” she simply said and frowned, staring at the stars. “Ya know, this forest´s pretty cool” I tried again and finally I got a reaction from her. She turned to me and looked as if I just said the earth was flat. “This forest´s build on blood, do you think that´s cool?” she spat. I grinned. “Wanna tell me about it?” I proposed and she sighed. “I´m not here for your fucking education” she said and I chuckled, she´d make a hot teacher. “Then why are you here?” I asked, still smirking. (Y/N) tilted her head. “Could ask you the same thing” she dragged the words in a threatening way. “I like it here, besides I don´t have anywhere to return to...” I casually told her and her expression softened a bit. “Me neither, sorry, you probably don´t care, it´s just...it´s not that bad not belonging anywhere, you know, you´re free, you can do and be whatever you want, you can travel the whole world...and I think that´s awesome...” her eyes glistened, I bet she thought about all the adventures she had. “I don´t believe you don´t belong anywhere, after all you got Elaine...” I told her, trying to cheer her up. She sighed and shook her head. “I´m just holding her back, whatever, I didn´t come to you to talk about Elaine...why did you come here, who told you about this place?” she asked me and I clenched my jaw. “Maybe I´ll tell you someday, but not today...” I brushed her off and she nodded, smiling. Why was she smiling? She fell asleep on my shoulder that night and in this moment I didn´t want her anymore, I needed her.

(Y/N)´s POV:

I woke up in Ban´s arms the next morning, he was still asleep and Elaine was giggling. “It´s not what it looks like!” I shushed her and carefully crawled out of our cuddling position to get to Elaine. “Told ya, you´d like him!” she playfully punched my arm. I rolled my eyes, grinning. “I don´t, more importantly, I can´t...because if I do, it´ll be the worst thing that could happen...” I thought about what kind of feelings Ban had awoken in me yesterday and quickly pushed that thought away. You couldn´t fall in love that quickly, besides it wasn´t even love, was it? I was overthinking again, but it didn´t matter, Elaine had dibs. With that realization my mind could relax, nothing of romantic sort would ever happen between us and it was good this way. “Elaine, I´m going to tell you something I´ve never told anyone before. I´m going to tell you about the holy war and where I was these past decades...”

Elaine´s POV: (Y/N) took a deep breath and then started to tell her story I yearned to know. “I wish it would´ve been different, I wish I never was born, I wish many things and blamed myself for everything bad happening, but in the end, I can do nothing to change what already happened. You already know my little tales of friendship and my travels, but I never told you about the holy war. I´m sure your folk has already told you about the events of the holy war, every child knows it, in every race it´s depicted as something they have won, when in reality it was an unnecessary bloodbath with many innocent deaths, the truth is, nobody won, nobody gained anything from it. It all started with the wicked schemes of my mother” she chuckled and choked back a tear. “She married me off to Zeldris, but told our folk that he had kidnapped me, they attacked purgatory at night, slaughtering even innocent citizens. My sister, her lover and me never wanted the war to happen, while my mother searched for a way for it to happen. My sister and her lover came to get me that night and we came here, to this forest...where we were met with such a chaos, it seemed like every race was fighting each other, and when it was over, all races were separated and lived alone. I remember it clearly, walking through the chaos, trying to find my sister, and when I did, it was already too late. Her lover died too and so my mother bestowed me with a curse. But my sister and her lover were cursed too, so I searched for a solution these past decades, but I couldn´t find anything...they can never rest assured...” (Y/N) broke out in tears and cried loudly against my chest, I could do nothing but hold her, nothing I could say would make her hurt go away. Now I finally understood why she had the view of love she had, why she seemed to hate herself.

Ban´s POV:

“I started a goddamn war, Elaine, and I wasn´t even able to save my sister...and I have to live with that. That is my sin. This ignorance, this violent wish for peace, we should´ve known it was insolent and would bring only pain and death...it´s all my fault….and there´s not a single thing I can do to atone for my sins...” (Y/N) was on her knees, trembling, crying and Elaine frowned, she had a determined look on her face, like she was out to kill everyone who would make (Y/N) cry. (Y/N) shook her head. “It´s nice that you want to cheer me up, it´s just...I can´t do anything to change what happened...there´s nothing I can do anymore, so it´s actually fucking pointless to talk about it, it´s too late anyways...” she sighed and smiled immediately afterwards. “But thanks for caring, I just hate talking about it, you know?” then she wiped her tears away and laughed out loud. “Gross! I haven´t cried in 700 years” Elaine chimed in with the laughter and then pinched (Y/N)´s cheeks. “You´re cute when you cry” she stated. (Y/N) gasped. “You´re the cute one, you cutie!” she tickled Elaine, who then giggled. “Kya! Stop it! I´m regretting telling you my tickle spots!” she laughed and tickled (Y/N) back. “Oh it´s on! Elaine, not there!” (Y/N) burst into laughter as Elaine tickled her hips, she let herself fall onto the grass and couldn´t control her laughter. It sounded like the sweetest song I´ve ever heard. “So, I´m cute, you´re cute, what about Ban?” she cheekily asked, now things were getting interesting. “Nah, Ban´s hot” (Y/N) said casually, I was so gonna get her. Elaine stopped her tickling and chanted: “Ha! I knew it, I knew it!”. (Y/N) clasped her hand on her mouth and then stood up. “Please don´t tell him, Elaine...” she pleaded. “Why not? There´s no shame in being attracted to someone” the girl said. “But, I can´t be with him...he´s mortal...I can´t afford to fall for him” (Y/N) looked into the distance, somehow hearing her say that made me sad. “As if you aren´t already are” Elaine smiled at (Y/N) who blushed and muttered “Shut up...”. I faked a yawn and walked over to the two. “Mornin´ lovelies...” I chirped, winking at (Y/N) who just frowned and looked away. “Good morning, Ban!” Elaine greeted me with her smile. I smiled back at her. “I´m going to town...want anything?” (Y/N) said, leaving us alone. “You heard everything, didn´t you?” Elaine asked and I nodded. “Yup” I popped the p, Elaine squinted her eyes at me. “Don´t play with her, or break her heart...she might not seem like it, but she´s a very loving person. You´ll never know what love means until you were with her” she looked up to the sky and smiled. “What´s that supposed to mean? Besides, I´m not really interested in her that way...” I raised an eyebrow, dragging my words a bit. “She doesn´t love often, suppressing every emotion of that sort, especially towards mortals like you, it´s in her nature, a safety habit formed from her mother´s abuse...but when she does, she gives it her all, I couldn´t stand her having her heart broken...she´s so devoted, she´s not used to receiving, so she gives and gives and gives, she´ll eventually break on it...” Elaine looked sad. “You´re really worried about me breaking her heart, huh?” I put my hand on her shoulder. “She´s my best friend, she´s always been there for me, I couldn´t stand it if her heart were broken, I wouldn´t know what to do...I´d be utterly useless, but maybe I´d understand her better this way...” she thought out loud. “You´re a great friend, Elaine” I smiled at her. In the next few days I kept my distance, I could understand how painful it must´ve been not being able to love, because everyone you´d love would die in the end. But one day, as she went to town again, I couldn´t stand it any longer and went with her. There we sat down and I did something I never did before, I opened up about my past, I let her see a part of me which nobody ever saw before. “I heard about your sister, I had a sister too, ya know? But she died too, guess I just wanna say I´m sorry, kay?” I wasn´t good at comforting people. (Y/N) sighed and looked me in the eyes with an unreadable look. “Why are you telling me this?” she pleaded. “I wanna get to know you better, I never told anyone bout my sister before, but I feel like I could tell you. I dunno what it is about you, but whatever it is, it draws me in, and I can´t escape it...fuck...I know this sounds weird, cause we don´t know each other, but that´s the thing, I hate talking bout myself, but I wanna tell you everything which made me who I am today, I wanna laugh with you and just...enjoy your company I guess...I wanna get to know you like nobody ever knew you before...sorry that was weird...I´m an idiot” I rambled, why the fuck did I do this? (Y/N) stared at me for a while, before taking my hand into her own. “Yes you are...this will never work...you know why” she smiled, a sad smile, but a smile. “I´ll just take the fountain of youth” I said, I don´t know what´s gotten into me, but I didn´t want to have a quick thing with her anymore, I enjoyed the idea of us being together, forever, the last people on earth...”No! No, you won´t. I won´t let you, there´s nothing worse than to live forever, believe me. Don´t burden yourself with eternal life because of a girl who intrigues you” she grabbed my shoulders and looked me dead in the eye. “But I don´t wanna die, besides, no one´s destined to be alone forever” I spilled my secret like it was nothing. (Y/N) rested her head on my shoulder. “Yes, I am destined to be alone together, that´s the sole purpose of the curse, that´s why it´s called a curse. I have to wander alone with my thoughts, knowing just how badly I fucked up...because it´s what I deserve. And I chose to live with that. About the dying thing, there´s no need to worry, death is better than this” she chuckled. We headed back in silence, all words had been spoken.

(Y/N)´s POV: All my life I had done my best to ignore and avoid all feelings of love, and there he comes and just doesn´t care. It´s like a challenge from my mother, fall in love with him, I dare you. And I did, like I never did before, but that was a good thing, because I never felt this feeling before, I could easily tell myself that it wasn´t love. From afar I could see smoke rise up to the sky and the nearer we got to the forest, we could see the gruesome scene of the forest burning. “Demons...” I muttered and got  a hold of my sword as we ran towards the forest. “Shit!” I cursed, the smoke made my eyes burn and it was hard to see. We reached the top of the tree and I saw Elaine laying on the ground, blood leaving her small body. “Noooo! Elaine!” I sprinted towards her and held her fragile figure in my hands, uncontrollably crying over her dead body, I couldn´t believe how this could happen. It was fine in the morning, but now everything was in chaos. I got flashbacks from the holy war and looked around anxiously, but I couldn´t make out any demons. That was until Ban started spitting out blood and a hand was coming out of his chest, leaving a hole. I grabbed my sword, tried to keep my cool and not fall down on my trembling legs and then dashed onto the demon yelling and cut out all his hearts. As I was done, I looked around, I saw a dead Elaine and a dead Ban, and the fountain of youth...without thinking I ran to the fountain, grabbed it and let myself fall onto my knees next to Ban, pulling his body onto my knees, forcing the liquid down his throat. All I did after that was cry, until Ban´s eyes opened and he sat up, wiping away the tears with his fingers. “Thank you...” he whispered and then leaned in to kiss me, my stupid self dove right into the kiss and kissed him back like there was no tomorrow, even though there´d be nothing but tomorrows from now on. I took dominance over the kiss and abruptly pulled away, leaving Ban out of breath. “I´m sorry, I was selfish….I shouldn´t have done this...I took away your choice and dragged you down into my curse...I´m sorry, Elaine, I´m so sorry….what have I done?” I muttered, slowly but surely resolving in a panic attack. “The right thing” Elaine opened her eyes, hugged me and smiled. “You´ve saved me again, but who saves you?” she said. “I´m beyond saving” I told her. There we were, my one arm around Elaine, my other hand in Ban´s, his arm around my shoulder and watching the stars.

[tomeandflickcorner]

Umbrella Academy Recap 2x07

1x01 1x02 1x03 1x04 1x05 1x06 1x07 1x08 1x09 1x10

2x01 2x02 2x03 2x04 2x05 2x06

Well, last time, it was one step forward and two steps back for the Hargreeves Siblings.  Not only did they make contact with 1963 Reginald, who proved to be no help to them (no surprises there), but there were setbacks even for the individual subplots.  Ray now knows about Allison’s powers, but he’s still leery because he knows that he wouldn’t know it if Allison had used her powers on him.  Klaus was able to have a private conversation with Past Dave, only to find that his efforts of keeping him from being killed in the upcoming Vietnam War may have backfired as they resulted in Dave’s uncle forcing him to enlist ahead of schedule.  And while Vanya managed to convince Sissy to agree to run away together, Sissy’s husband, Carl, was spying on them and now knows they’re in love.  Oh, and poor Elliot was brutally tortured and killed by the Swedes, who are looking for Diego, whom they believe was directly responsible for the death of their brother.  And Number 5 made a deal with The Handler, which involved him agreeing to kill The Commission’s board of directors to ensure The Handler could take charge in exchange for the chance for him and his siblings to return to their own time, with both apocalypses being permanently removed from the timeline.  Yeah, a lot happened last episode.

Episode 7 begins with Number 5 traveling to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1982, which is the time and location of the board of directors meeting.  The meeting is taking place at some lodge, under the guise of the Midwest Soybean Society.  After getting directions to the correct ballroom from a lady at the reception desk, Number 5 has a hilarious ordeal with a faulty vending machine.  One that I’m sure anyone who has had their desired snack fail to dispense correctly can relate to.  In frustration, Number 5 smashes the vending machine’s glass covering.  However, he then choses to simply walk away from the damage.  Not sure why he didn’t just take the fudge nutter bar he was so determined to get, but maybe he felt it best to get away from the scene of the crime.  Number 5 then proceeds to the indicated ballroom, where the board of directors meeting is already underway, with AJ, the talking goldfish we last saw in 2x02, sitting at the head of the table.  Number 5 barges into the room, wielding a fire axe and proceeds to kill everyone in the room.  Rather gruesomely, I might add.  Yes, we don’t actually see any of the killing blows, but we do see one guy lying on the ground with his intestines hanging out.  Before long, everyone in the room is dead, apart from Number 5 and AJ.  AJ seems to realize The Handler put him up to this and tries to bargain with Number 5 to no avail.  But right before Number 5 could begin to attack AJ, the lady from the lodge’s reception desk appears out of nowhere, tackling Number 5.  She’s angry about the damage to the vending machine and intends to make him pay for it.  Which is fine and good, but still slightly confusing.  I mean, she does notice the multiple dead bodies lying around the room, right?  One would think dead bodies would outweigh a broken vending machine.  Anyway, Number 5 manages to knock her out.  But AJ took advantage of the distraction to try and make his getaway.  Of course, Number 5 manages to overtake him with his teleporting ability and smashes AJ’s glass jar head, which results in AJ flopping around on the floor.

Number 5 later meets up with The Handler, presenting her with AJ, who is now confined in a plastic baggie filled with water.  The Handler is visibly pleased to see AJ in this state.  However, Number 5 doesn’t share her excitement, stating he is not okay with the murders he’d committed, and he only went through with them for his family, and to save the world.  The Handler pretty much dismisses his misgivings over the deaths he’d caused and hands him a time traveling briefcase that will bring him and the other Hargreeves Siblings back to 2019.  However, as she turns to walk off, she tells Number 5 that he only has 90 minutes to use the time traveling briefcase.  Number 5 is aghast by this, as The Handler never mentioned there’d be a time limit.  And it will be quite difficult for him to successfully round up all the Hargreeves Siblings in only an hour and a half.  The Handler is not bothered by this, telling Number 5 that he’d better hurry.

We then cut to Klaus and Ben.  Klaus, knowing that Ben is wanting to possess his body again, is doing his best to prevent that by staying awake.  Ben points out that Klaus cannot possibly stay awake forever.  Sooner or later, he’s going to drift off, whether he likes it or not.  And I couldn’t help but giggle during this scene.  Every time Klaus’ eyelids drooped, when he opened his eyes again, Ben would be a little bit closer.  Something about this made me remember the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who.  Klaus begs Ben to give him a break, as he’s still upset over not being able to do anything to prevent Dave’s death, and he hates feeling this powerless.  To this, Ben retorts that he deals with that feeling every single day, and he hates having to watch Klaus make the same mistakes over and over again.  Upon hearing this, Klaus is reasonably remorseful towards his brother.  But not enough to allow Ben to possess him again.  He asks Ben why he’s so determined to take control of his body.  Ben explains that he wants to be able to actually speak with Jill, the young woman he fancies.  Upon hearing Ben’s reasons, Klaus finally relents and agrees to let Ben into the driver’s seat for a bit.  But only as long as Ben agrees to obey some ground rules.  For instance, no cutting Klaus’ hair and avoiding any dairy products.  (Guess Klaus is lactose intolerant?) Ben agrees to this, and so Klaus allows him to posses him.  Klaus-Ben then proceeds to relish in the ability to actually interact with the world around him.  Such as eating an orange and feeling dirt under his feet.  Finally, he is able to actually talk with and spend time with Jill.

Over at the farmhouse, Sissy and Vanya are biding their time, trying to make things appear normal so Carl doesn’t suspect their plans to run off together.  Of course, they don’t realize Carl already knows about them, so the scene has a tense overtone to it.  Sissy announces that she plans to take Harlan in for a checkup and asks Vanya if she’d like to come along.  Vanya agrees, suggesting that they swing by the park afterwards.  Clearly, this was their cover story to give them a chance to get a head start before Carl noticed they were missing.  However, Carl disrupts the plan, stating he wants Vanya to give him a ride over to Jim Garvey’s ranch.  Sissy tries to ague her case, stating Harlan likes it when Vanya goes along for his checkups, and her presence helps keep him calm, but Carl is insistent that Vanya goes with him.  Vanya assures Sissy that she’s okay with going with Carl to the ranch, nonverbally telling her that she’s fine with waiting a bit longer.  However, upon arriving at the ranch, Carl reveals to Vanya that he knows about her relationship with Sissy, stating that he will not allow such ‘unnaturalness’ to go on under his roof.  Vanya tells Carl that she’s not afraid of him.  In response to this, Carl threatens to send Harlan away to a facility “better equipped to handle his type.” Unless Vanya agrees to go away.  Vanya, out of a desire to protect Harlan and ensure Sissy won’t loose her son, agrees to leave the farmhouse.  Satisfied, Carl tells Vanya that he expects her to be gone by the time he returns home.

At the Chestnut household, Ray has received word that President Kennedy’s people reached out to their Civil Rights group.  It turns out their protest has gained their attention and they want to sit down and discuss things.  Allison voices her happiness over how things are looking up for Ray and his efforts, but says she’d prefer to sit this one out, stating that she doesn’t feel well.  You get the feeling that something is upsetting her, but she does her best to keep it to herself.  In the end, Ray heads off alone, promising to bring back some soup for her.  As he walks out, Allison tells him that she loves him, but Ray only responds with a smile.  Ray’s failure to say he loves her in return doesn’t improve Allison’s mood.

At Elliot’s apartment, Diego and Luther are gathered around Elliot’s body.  They agree that Elliot deserved better than this.  Diego wonders if the feds were responsible for Elliot’s death, but Luther points out that if the feds were involved, they would have taken Elliot away to question him.  Their attention is then drawn to the message the Swedes left behind, Oga for Oga.  Thinking that Oga is a person, Luther turns to the phone book to look her up, finding a listing for an Olga Foroga.  They proceed to call her up, and Diego threatens her.  But then Number 5 arrives on the scene and informs them that the message Oga for Oga isn’t a name, but a Swedish phrase that translates to ‘an eye for an eye.’  Therefore, it was the Swedes that killed Elliot.  Luther and Diego sheepishly claim they would have realized that eventually.  They then notice that Number 5 is still covered in blood, and Luther demands to know what Number 5 did.  It’s not clear if Number 5 told his brothers about what he had to do, but he does tell them he managed to make a deal to ensure they can all return to their own time, with both doomsdays being prevented.  They just have to find the others first.  Luther is tasked with fetching Allison, Diego is sent to find Klaus and Number 5 volunteers to get Vanya.  The three brothers then part ways, with Number 5 stating they’ll meet up at the alleyway where they first arrived in exactly 77 minutes.  Before they part, Diego questions what they’ll do about 1963 Reginald and President Kennedy.  In response, Number 5 reminds him that Elliot was killed because of them, and they are absolutely taking this chance to go home, before anything else happens.  Diego relents, but states he wants to say goodbye to Lila first.  In frustration, Number 5 informs Diego that Lila works for The Commission and was simply using Diego the whole time.  Diego is visibly upset, but makes it clear that he refuses to believe that Lila was using him.

At The Commission Headquarters, The Handler holds an emergency meeting.  She informs everyone that the entire board of directors were assassinated, and a full investigation is underway.  She goes on to say that she will be taking over as the head of The Commission, and the briefcase room will be temporarily closed as a safety precaution.  We see Lila is standing amongst the crowd, but she gives no indication how she feels about her adoptive mother taking control of The Commission.  After the emegency meeting, The Handler retreats to her new office and dumps AJ into a fish bowl.  She then proceeds to gloat a bit.  Lila, who is sitting nearby, asks if she really has to be there.  She’s clearly not sharing The Handler’s feeling of triumph over the successful coup. To try and get rid of Lila’s ‘bad attitude,’ The Handler gives her a badge that names her head of security.  Lila accepts the position, on the condition that she’s allowed to do things her own way.  The Handler agrees to this, stating Lila has earned this.

Luther approaches Allison, who is just coming back from the market.  He tells her that Number 5 found a way for them to return home.  Allison is stunned by the news, but is heartened by the notion that she might be able to see Claire again.  (Oh, good, she does remember her daughter.)  Of course, Luther admits he’s not sure what sort of world they’ll come back to.  Allison announces that she can’t handle losing people anymore.  She has doubts that Number 5 will get it right this time.  If he doesn’t, she might have to lose her brothers and sister all over again, and she can’t go through that again.  Luther does his best to console her, acknowledging that she’s right in saying it’s not fair that they can’t live normal lives.  However, he reminds her that they don’t belong in 1963, and they need to go back home.  At that moment, Ray returns home.  So Allison has to quickly fill Ray in, stating she and her siblings are going to have to return to 2019 that very day.  Ray is upset when he learns Allison will have to leave in 33 minutes, asking if there’s another way.  He clearly isn’t ready to say goodbye to her.  A tearful Allison asks Ray if he would go with her if she’d asked.  Ray ultimately decides he can’t leave the Civil Rights movement behind.  Even though Allison admits the fight is still going on in 2019, Ray knows his part of the fight is in 1963.  Which means that they have no choice than to part ways.  And they’re both grieving the fact that this is goodbye.  Allison offers to use her powers on Ray, to spare him from feeling sorrow over Allison’s imminent departure from his life.  Ray turns down the offer, stating he doesn’t want to forget Allison or the time they spent together.  And that he’d pick the year he spent with Allison over a lifetime with anyone else. They then kiss one last time.  But the moment is ruined when the Swedes show up at the door, posing as vacuum salesmen.  They quickly punch Allison in the throat, momentarily making her lose her voice so she can’t use her powers on them.  With Allison defenseless, they proceed to attack both her and Ray.  (And props to Ray, as he does put up a good fight.)  After a struggle, Allison manages to incapacitate the Swede attacking her by piercing his eye with a vaccuum attachment.  She then directs her attention on the Swede fighting with Ray and uses her powers on him, instructing him to kill his brother.  So the mind-controlled Swede turns on the other one.  When the deed is done, the last remaining Swede runs off, horrified over what he’d just done.

Meanwhile, Klaus-Ben is still spending time with Jill.  But things get complicated when Jill voices a desire to have sex.  Obviously, this is an issue, as Jill doesn’t realize that she’s actually talking to Ben and not Klaus.  So there’s an obvious dubious consent issue here.  Fortunately, Diego arrives to collect Klaus before anything could happen.  As Diego escorts Klaus-Ben away, Klaus-Ben reveals that he is actually Ben.  At first, Diego doesn’t believe him, thinking Klaus is simply high again.  Klaus-Ben offers to prove it, telling Diego to ask him something only Ben would know.  Deciding to play along, Diego asks Klaus-Ben what they reprogramed Allison’s Teddy Ruxpin to say when they were little.  (Wait, Allison had a Teddy Ruxpin?  Considering what Reginald was like, I wouldn’t think the Hargreeves Siblings were allowed to have toys.)  In response, Klaus-Ben responds with ‘Luther sniffs Dad’s underwear.’  This is enough to convince Diego that he really is talking to Ben.  And he has an emotional reaction to the knowledge that he’s speaking to his long-dead brother again.   Diego tells Ben to remain in Klaus’ body for a bit longer, as they need someone responsible in the driver’s seat for a while.  But Klaus-Ben asks if he can have ten more minutes before they leave to meet up with the others.  He obviously wants to see Jill one last time.  Diego, after a brief hesitation, states that there’s something he needs to do as well.  So he instructs Klaus-Ben to meet him in the alleyway in half an hour.  With that, Diego leaves.  But as soon as he does so, Ben starts to lose his control of Klaus’ body.  So Klaus-Ben has to hurry away to make it to the alleyway before Klaus can fully regain control.  As Klaus-Ben leaves the mansion, he is briefly held up by Keechie, who Klaus-Ben instructs to take over leadership of the cult.

Elsewhere, Vanya is driving back to the famhouse to pack her things and leave Sissy and Harlan behind, as Carl instructed.  And she is visibly upset over the situation.  En route to her destination, she passes by Number 5 on the road.  They both get out of their cars to talk.  Number 5 announces he was looking for her, stating that he found a way for them to return home and they only have half an hour to take it.  Vanya, however, hesitates, stating she can’t just leave her friends.  She insists on bringing them with her.  Number 5 tells her that’s not possible, as Vanya’s friends belong in this timeline, so they must stay where they are.  But Vanya is adamant, passionately stating that Sissy deserves better than being forced to pretend to be someone she’s not.  And Harlan can receive better, more understanding care in 2019 than he could get in the 1960s.  She goes on to say that a mother and her 8-year-old can hardly mess up the timeline, as they’re insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  Number 5 disagrees, stating nobody is insignificant.  He voices his sympathy to Vanya’s plight, but insists they cannot take the risk of bringing Sissy and Harlan with them.  This results in a real confrontation to occur between the two.  Vanya challenges Number 5, asking why he should be allowed to decide.  To this, Number 5 announces that if it wasn’t for him, they’d all be dead now, thanks to Vanya.  In seconds, Vanya and Number 5 are both staring each other down, with both of them activating their powers.  But this doesn’t really go anywhere, as Vanya backs down.  But she still asks Number 5 to allow her the time to say goodbye to Sissy, stating that if he won’t grant her that much then she simply won’t go back with them at all.  Without another world, Vanya turns to walk off, and Number 5 reluctantly agrees to Vanya’s terms, telling her to show up at the designated alley, and to not be late.

Still, when Vanya gets to the farmhouse, Sissy and Harlan are just coming back from the doctor’s office.  Despite what she’d told Number 5, Vanya is still planning on bringing them along.  Vanya tells Sissy that the time for them to leave is now, and they have to leave before Carl gets back.  Sissy is hesitant at first, believing that she owes Carl a final goodbye or something.  After all, he is still her husband.  But Vanya is insistent that she owes Carl nothing, telling her that he knows about them, and that he threated to send Harlan to an institution.  This is enough to convince Sissy to leave with Vanya right away.  But while Vanya escorts Harlan to the car, Sissy ducks back inside to retrieve he secret stash of cash.  However, Sissy then decides, rather foolishly, to leave a note behind for Carl anyway.  So they’re met with a police barricade.  One of the police officers, who Sissy identifies as her brother-in-law, accuses them of kidnapping Harlan.  Vanya ends up fighting back with her powers, which shocks Sissy.  When Vanya looks back at Sissy, as if to gauge her reaction to the revelation that she has powers, she is struck with the handle of a police-issued rifle and is knocked out, much to Sissy’s dismay.

As for Diego, he meets up with Lila while burying Elliot’s body.  Diego confronts Lila over how she’d lied to him over who she really was.  Lila states that everything else she told him was true, and that she only lied about her identity to protect him.  Diego isn’t mollified though.  He asks Lila if she has any idea how hard it is to trust people after spending an entire childhood being manipulated.  He then announces that, once he’s done burring Elliot, he’s going to go home and forget all about her.  Lila, when she realizes Elliot was killed by the Swedes, voices her sorrow over it, stating she liked Elliot and his crazy conspiracy theories.  She and Diego then share a drink in Elliot’s memory.  Only Diego realizes too late that Lila once again tricked him, as there was a sedative mixed into the drink.  Diego quickly loses consciousness.  He comes to later on, inside The Handler’s office, where Lila introduces him to The Handler.  And, to his confusion, Lila identifies Diego as her boyfriend.

The episode ends with Number 5, Luther and Klaus-Ben arriving at the alleyway, with Klaus’ body fully ejecting Ben the moment they arrive.  But because Allison was attacked by the Swedes, Diego was abducted by Lila and Vanya got held up and knocked out by the cops, they all failed to make it to the rendezvous spot in time.  Number 5 vents over how his siblings couldn’t handle the simple task of getting to the alleyway in time.  (Hopefully, he’ll feel bad about that statement when he realizes that Allison, Vanya and Diego weren’t late on purpose.)  When the time traveling briefcase activates, Number 5 is forced to throw it away, resulting in it entering the time vortex without them.  So the Hargeeeves Siblings have lost what might have been their only chance at returning to 2019 and resorting the timeline.

Closing thoughts/questions:

Yeah, I get why Number 5 and Luther were upset over how Allison, Diego and Vanya didn’t make it to the alleyway in time.  But it was still presumptuous of them to conclude that it was due to their own ineptitude or inability to follow directions.  Did it not occur to either of them that something happened to them?  

Come to think of it, why didn’t Luther stick around while Allison said goodbye to Ray?  At the very least, he could have waited outside while she had her final moment with him.  Instead, he up and heads off without her?  Because if he had stuck around, he might have been able to help her fight The Swedes.  And then they could have both made it on time.  (Sure, Diego and Vanya would have still been held up, but still.)

I wonder if Ben will be able to communicate with the other Hargreeves Siblings.  After all, Diego now knows Ben is around and can possess Klaus.  So, if he can get back to the others, he’s sure to tell them about it.

I really hope Sissy and Harlan will be able to get away.  Because they absolutely cannot remain with Carl after this.

My appreciation for Ray just keeps growing.  I feel so bad for him!  Because the love story he had going on with Allison was so beautiful.  It’s made even more lovely with him saying he wouldn’t change a thing about their time together, even though he knows it would never last.  It’s so wonderfully bittersweet!  At least Allison knows what a good, healthy relationship looks like now.

Clearly, Lila does care about Diego.  I wonder if that will be enough for her to turn against The Handler.  I just get the feeling that she’s no longer feeling loyal to her adoptive mother anymore.  So I wonder what she’s got up her sleeve. 

[feyreofthewildfire]

Wasteland - Nessian Fanfic

Hey lovelies!!

This is not an update to We’ll Go Together (woah), but a response to this post by @modernbookfae that got my wheels turning. Personally, when it comes to writing WGT I get most excited about writing from Nesta or Cassian’s point of view, so a Nessian centric story was not far behind that realization. 

Disclaimer: this fic got WAY out of hand. I'm a cat laser kind of writer, in which I don’t plot (at least not extensively) and instead word vomit all over a Google Doc. I somehow managed to shove one of my own OCs in here as well. I apologize for what you’re about to read.

Please enjoy anyway aha.

(Inspired by the song Wasteland by Against the Current) 

Candy coated lips You’re the sweetest kiss But a bad trip

Nesta burns.

Not with strength and fervor as she once had, but with passion and some sort of affection towards that damned overgrown bat. Her hands clench into fists as her chin threatens to fall, the parasitic and festering feelings that have been settling within her since she’d met the commander now the cause of her fall from grace.

Her heart is a fortress and he’s decided to lay siege—or she thought he had. Perhaps it had all been a game to him. He’d barreled through her defenses and instead of finding and cherishing her as she had desperately, fruitlessly hoped he would, he’d walked straight through the other side and left her there—heart wide open like a gaping wound, a ravaged wasteland of broken bits and pieces hidden behind walls erected even stronger than the ones before, giving the perfect illusion of constructed poise and grace.

It’s been two weeks and they have yet to speak. She’s retreated into the library, burying herself in books and characters that don’t exist, if only to rid herself of the reality she so feverishly despises, if only so that she doesn’t run into the blonde Third.

Nesta is almost ashamed of the way she avoids Morrigan—of the way she avoids everyone. But her dreams—no, her every waking moment, is haunted with the corpse of her father, with the sound of metal crunching through bone as she severs a sovereign’s neck, with the emptiness inside her where power once rumbled, with the sound of Cassian’s screams as Hybern destroys his wings.

It seems that every part of her is haunted.

Nesta knows that she is not needed in Velaris, not essential to the happenings. It’s only been a week since their return and she has yet to do anything. Elain no longer needs her, having found contentment in the garden she begins to grow behind the House. Feyre has become the queen of an empire, needing no one and nothing but her mate.

She supposes it could’ve been argued that Cassian needed her not so long ago, but she knows it’s not true anymore. He has his brothers and Mor.

So when Vassa asks her to leave with her to Scythia as Emissary after her curse had been broken, she leaves with the queen immediately, only remembering to send a letter to Rhysand at the last moment.

For the first time in a very long time, Nesta feels free.

She takes residence on the same ship as Vassa on the way back to the continent, though she’s given a wide berth when she deigns to go above deck during the day. She is not afraid to put her hair up, to show off the delicate points of her ears and the immortal beauty she’d been cursed with.  

When she truly feels alive is when the night comes.

Maybe it’s some remnant of her time spent in her youngest sister’s home or just the fact that it’s the only time she can speak to Vassa thanks to the queen’s busy schedule. The sound of waves over the sea calms her, the slight breeze caressing her face. Were it not for the scrutinizing stares, were it not for the mask she’s forced to wear, she’s certain she’d go above deck during the day.

Then they dock in Scythia and her fantasy, her adventure is over.

Nesta barely speaks within the walls of the Palais, all too aware of the wandering eyes and ears that poison every corridor and room of every castle she’s ever been. The joy she’d secretly found in the open sea is stifled in the dinners she’s forced to attend and small talk she’s forced to make.

Still, when she does change an opinion of an important advisor, she can’t help but feel important—she can’t help but feel needed. She is an emissary, after all. Her work is truly done in the homes of royalty, far away from the place she supposes she calls home now, if for no other reason than her sisters are there.

The only thing anchoring her back to that place is her sisters and the reports she sends to Rhysand. Letters come in every so often from all three, most commonly from Elain. The tales her sister weaves of the happenings in the House never fail to make Nesta smile, even if it’s only the smallest uptick of her lips. Elain is happy and cared for—more than what Nesta could’ve wished for not even two years ago.

Then she meets General Fionn.

He’s young, born of nobility and ancient traces of Autumn Court blood that gives him the smallest power over flame, carefully hidden away in fear of losing his position. His smiles are pretty and his words are smooth. It’s easy to banter with him, given the fact that he only laughs at her insults and poisonous words. It’s easy to find some sort of ally within him.

When she wakes up from a nightmare of Elain being tortured by Hybern, she asks him to train her.

If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it, simply nodding and agreeing. They have to run it by Vassa and Rhysand first, but the Queen and High Lord seem oddly nonchalant about the message their training sessions will broadcast to the world.

In three weeks she’s worked up into swordplay, her movements graceful and violent—strong and swift, laced with the High Fae elegance that had seeped into her veins from the Cauldron. Her immortal strength gives her the ability to knock Fionn over with nothing more than a shove, and she has to remind herself to hold back so that she doesn’t kill him on accident. While it would be interesting, it would be a shame to lose a friend and create a diplomatic disaster.

They move from swords to every weapon imaginable in the next two weeks and, occasionally, when they’re alone, she helps him with what little Autumn Court lingers in his blood. She’s by no means a qualified teacher, but he becomes surprisingly proficient at wielding the small bit of fire in his veins under her guiding hand.

When she pushes him against the wall in the armory and kisses him, she tells herself it’s because she feels something for him.

Their training sessions become more playful after that. Nesta has already learned how to use every weapon under the sun with decent proficiency, and they just spend hours sword fighting and sparring to pass the time.

She’s not sure when she begins to wear her hair down, or when her smiles become polite rather than serpentine, only that she’s convinced herself that she’s found home in a pair of human arms and distracting pet names.

When she pins him to the ground for the thousandth time, she doesn’t realize a smile’s bloomed on her face until Fionn’s eyes widen, a certain kind of reverence filling the blue orbs framed by thick lashes

So she kisses him again, unknowingly superimposing hazel over blue.

Then one of the other queens invades Scythia and he’s torn away to the western border.

He gifts her his favorite dagger and kisses her twice before leaving, bestowing upon her promises and promises of what they’ll do together once he gets back.

They send letters as fast as they can. Nesta has learned how to send letters through whatever magic allows such things to teleport long distances, though has to wait the three days it takes for his letters to get back to her through horseback. Scythia has the finest cavalry on the continent, and the messengers are well-trained and ride well, also giving them the fastest communications on the continent.

The gaping hole in her heart left by the commander across an ocean has begun to heal over, the wasteland behind the walls beginning to return to what it was once again. Every letter that arrives from Fionn and Elain gives her strength, gives her what she needs to rebuild herself and perhaps one day be able to look Cassian and Mor in the eye without wanting to hide away.

Perhaps she can find love outside of the small world she’s always found herself trapped within—her small world where love was nothing but a myth, a far-fetched tale told to the daughters that would be sold off like cattle one day.

Then the neighboring queen attacks the camp in the night and slaughters every soldier.

She doesn’t receive a condolence letter, she’s by no means his family or next of kin, but she thinks that perhaps receiving one would’ve helped with the grief, with the pain.

She doesn’t know if she was in love with Fionn or maybe just who he resembled, but the agony that ripples through her is enough to make her swear off soldiers, any man who walks into battle arms open and swords wielded, ready to greet Death as the old friend it is.

She shoves the training clothing to the back of her wardrobe and shoves the swords and daggers into a miscellaneous drawer, reverting back to braided updos and serpentine twists of her lips. It’s safer this way, she tells herself.

The walls around her heart reinforce once again.

Not a week later she’s convinced the last advisor to her side, gaining the support of the Queen’s entire court as she was sent to do. The next day Rhysand is standing in the courtyard, ready to winnow her back to the Night Court.

If he has something to say, she’s glad that he doesn’t say it. She’s wished all her farewells and her belongings have been packed up, ready to be sent back the moment she arrives in Velaris.

It’s only been three months, she knows this, and yet the place she’s supposed to call home is utterly unfamiliar.

Her heart has become a wasteland once again, torn to pieces by the man she’d chosen to give it to. Her words are more biting than before, her eyes more often narrowed then not. Every rise and fall of her chest reminds her of Fionn, of the merry laugh that always fell from his lips and the crisp apples he tasted of.

Then Cassian finds her.

He’d been off in Scythia helping with the incoming war, showing solidarity in the alliance formed between Prythian and a kingdom on the continent. He’d been her replacement after her job had been done, forcing neither of them to see the other.

She hadn’t even known he’d been arriving back, or she would’ve locked herself in her bedroom rather than sit in the exposed library.

“Hello, sweetheart.” The words drip with sarcasm, with an anger barely reined in. His place leaning against a bookshelf seems casual enough, though the crossing of his arms and clench of his jaw tells another story.

Her eyes flicker up towards him, finding that he looks exactly the same as she’d last seen him. His hair is pulled back and his Siphons gleam in the low light, a sword strapped to his back that makes her sick to her stomach.

“Commander.” Her voice is void of any emotion, the words monotone. Her hands clench around the book she’d been reading, the only sign of her distress.

He nods to the dagger strapped to her waist. “You know how to use that?”

She tenses, all the insults she wants to throw at him falling away. “It’s not mine.” She dismisses, standing from her place on the armchair and swiftly beginning to walk away, book clutched against her chest.

His eyes narrow, arm shooting out to block her path. The intricate sewing of the leathers nearly makes her sway where she stands. “Whose is it then?” He bites back, none of the careful, begrudged concern she’d come to expect in his eyes. There’s nothing but sheer will and fire in them.

She almost throws up at her own analogy.

“That is none of your concern.” Her voice raises for the first time. She will not fall apart in front of this good-for-nothing bastard. He had treated her as nothing, and she will do the same. She no longer owes him anything. She had been willing to die for him—willing to leave behind Elain. She’d laid her own body over his, looked Death in the eye and blinked.

He had made a proclamation about regrets, about having more time and yet when it had been given to him he hadn’t used it. He’d avoided her and fallen back into old habits as if the war hadn’t happened, as if she hadn’t been granted immortality and great power only to have the latter ripped away from her, as if he hadn’t had his wings shattered twice and expected death, gone running onto the battlefield arms wide open and a grin on his face.

“I heard some rumors about your time in Scythia,” He starts, unwilling to let her go, to leave her be. She doesn’t want to hear what he has to say. “I heard that you made friends with one of the generals there.”

Something inside her snaps.

“And why do you care?” The rise and fall of her chest quickens, “Why does it concern you? Why does my every move have to involve you, Cassian? I did my job. I followed every rule in the book and made a few of my own. Rhysand approved all my decisions. So why do you care?”

She’s not sure she’s ever said his name aloud, not without some insulting title following it. Her heel squeaks on the wooden flooring as she turns and struts away from him, careful to recollect the poise she’d lost in those moments.

A hand gently catches her wrist, the grip loose enough that she could rip herself away quite easily. But she doesn’t. She’s not sure why. A shaky breath falls from her lungs as she turns back to see Cassian once again, some sort of devastation laced in the strong planes of his face.

“I care about you, Nesta.” He answers her, an incredulity to his tone as if he can’t believe that she doesn’t already realize that little fact. “I care more about you than any of the shit that happens as a result of this war. I heard about what happened and I guess that was my shitty way of being concerned.”

She can only stare at him as if the answers to every question she’s ever asked lie in his features. There are so many things she wants to shout at him, so many things she wants to scream, and scream, and scream about. She wants to ask why he’d left her, why he’d avoided her and then sought her out once again like a child who’d had their forgotten toy taken away.

She’s so tired.

“I appreciate your concern, Commander.” The words are cold, formal, ones she’d spoken a million times in Scythia, usually followed by a contradicting retort.

But this is not a war room, and she does not owe the bastard anything. Not one single part of herself does she owe him.

When she walks away this time, he doesn’t stop her.

I Don’t Wanna Wake Up (Companion Fic)

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Chapter 7; Team Cap vs Team Ironman

And here we go guys, the epic climax of CIVIL WAR. The battle between two teams that we all chose last year to submit our loyalties to *where be my fellow Team CAP members?* Anyways there is some intense feels towards the end so just a little heads up it will get a little emotional but the humor at the beginning is still there esp. once we’re introduced to a certain friendly neighborhood hero. Enjoy my lovelies :)

______________________________________________________________

Steve came out from the airport runway garage in full Captain America suit shield and all and when he saw the chopper, he ran towards it only to see something attack to it and fry out its circuits.  In the sky Ironman slowly lowered his arm and flew down towards the ground with War Machine right by his side and as the two landed Tony said as his helmet came off and he turned to Rhodey.

“Wow, it’s so weird how you run into people at the airport, don’t you think that’s weird?”

“Definitely weird” said Rhodey.

“Hear me out Tony. That doctor, the psychiatrist, he’s behind all of this” said Steve.  Suddenly leaping over and landing skillfully was Black Panther.  As he stood up he told Steve.

“Captain”.

“Your highness”. From my position just a few feet away from the chopper on the south end hiding very well behind some packages and crates, I snarled lowly at Black Panther just itching to sink me fangs into him for what he did to me.  It was then I heard the conversation pick up again from Tony.

“Anyway, Ross gave me 36 hours to bring you in, that was 24 hours ago. Can you help a brother out?”

“You’re after the wrong guy” stated Steve.

“Your judgement is askew. Your old war buddy killed innocent people yesterday”.

“And there are five more super soldiers just like him. I can’t let the doctor find them first Tony, I can’t”.

“Steve,” it was then Natasha came out from behind Steve and she continued, “You know what’s about to happen. Do you really wanna punch your way out of this one?”  Silence rang out until Tony stated.

“Alright, I’ve run out of patience, Underoos!” Suddenly Steve’s shield was grabbed by some kind of webbing then Steve’s hands were bound by the same webbing and soon landing skillfully on top of one of the airport trucks wielding Steve’s shield was a kid around my height wearing some kind of red and blue spandex outfit with black wedding pattern around it. “Nice job kid”.

“Thanks. Well, I could’ve stuck the landing a little better. It’s…just the new suit…Well, it’s nothing, Mr. Stark it’s—it’s perfect, thank you”. The new guy stated then began to stammer.

“Yeah, we don’t really need to start a conversation”. Stated Tony.

“Okay. Cap—Captain. Big fan, I’m Spiderman”. The new guy saluted to Steve then introduced himself as Spiderman. Spiderman? Really?

“Yeah we’ll talk about it later just…”

“Hey everyone”. Spiderman said.

“Good job” Tony finished.

“You’ve been busy” stated Steve.

“And you’ve been a complete idiot. Dragging in Clint, rescuing Wanda from a place she doesn’t even want to leave, a safe place, I’m trying to keep—I’m trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart”. Tony said without losing his cool but Steve stated bluntly.

“You did that when you signed”.

“Alright we’re done. You’re gonna turn Barnes over, you’re gonna come with us, now, because it’s us! Or a squad of J-SOC guys with no compunction about being impolite! Come on”.  Silence once again rang out until Sam’s voice came through our com-links.  

‘We found it. Their quinjet’s in hanger five, north runway’. Steve then raised his hands in the air which gave Clint the signal to fire his arrow to free him from his bounds.  Steve let out a loud whistle and exclaimed.

“Fetch girl!” I rolled my eyes briefly for that being my signal but I launched from my position and tackled Spiderman in my wolf form baring my fangs at him.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, nice doggy good—good doggy. Uhh guys little help here!” When I felt he had enough, I got off him and grabbed Steve’s shield and trotted back to him and gave him his shield back. 

“Atta girl (y/n)” as an added bonus, I got a gently pet and ruffle on the head.

“So she plays fetch huh?” Scott said now standing beside Steve in his full Antman suit. I growled at him and he backed away.

“I wouldn’t go around saying that Scott, she hates being treated like a dog”.

“All right, there’s two on the parking deck, one of them’s Maximoff I’m gonna grab her. Rhodey, you wanna take Cap?” Tony stated as he and Rhodey began flying in the air.

“Got two in the terminal. Wilson and Barnes”.

“Barnes is mine!” T’Challa stated as he took off running towards the airport.   

Oh over my dead body will you get to him, besides I have a score to settle with you putty tat.  

I charged after the king and managed to get bring him down from behind. I snarled and threw him aside before standing in front of him blocking his path to get to Bucky-bear. My tail raised high in the air, fur ruffled madly, ears bent far back against my head and my fangs fully bared and snarling. 

“Move Raksha. I won’t ask a second time”. He sneered. But I stood my ground then the two of us launched at each other like missiles and I managed to lay a hard bite onto his arm drawing blood as pay back for him scarring my face back in Bucharest.  

T’Challa tried to scratch me across the face again but I released him just in time then I quickly phased into my human form and did a flying sidekick right into his chest knocking him down.

I had him pinned to the ground with my fangs extended outward showing him I meant business.

“You want Bucky, you’re gonna have to kill me first!” I snarled as my eyes phased to my wolf ones.  Suddenly I was distracted by one of Rhodey’s weapons that almost resembled my resonance howl.  

I let out a painful cry as the piercing echo hurt my sensitive ears and through that distraction, T’Challa kicked me off of him sending me skidding across the runway.

I glared up to see Rhodey take out one of his weaponry sticks that would send high voltages of electricity towards anything it touched and he said to me.

“I’m sorry (n/n) this won’t kill you but it ain’t gonna be a belly rub either”.  I lifted myself up just as he came towards me but before I could jump out of the way, Steve came out of nowhere and defended me with his shield.

“Go (y/n)! I can handle these two. Go help Sam and Bucky they need you!” I nodded and said.

“Just try not to blow anything up while I’m gone” I then took off running and saw a hole at the side of the building.   

I backed up a few feet then took a running start before leaping up into the air and gracefully jumped through the hole to hear the sound of crunching poles and shattering glass.    

As I ran through the terminal, I saw Spiderman kneeling on top of one of the directories and heard him say to Sam and Bucky.

“Guys look, I’d love to keep this up but I’ve only got one job here today and I gotta impress Mr. Stark, so, I’m really sorry”. But when he didn’t expect was to suddenly hear a wolf bark which suddenly sent him flying out of the airport screaming.

Next thing they know, both Sam and Bucky pinned down by the spider webs look up to see me standing in my wolf form wagging my tail in amusement.

“You couldn’t have come earlier Wolfie?” asked Bucky.  I tilted my head cutely like a puppy dog and hopped down from the bridge down to them and used my claws to free Bucky’s hand of the webbing before turning to Sam and lowering my fangs towards his chest.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! How come he gets your claws but I get your vicious teeth!?” I only eyed him telling him I could just leave him like this if I wanted to.

“Because she likes me better, right Wolfie” stated Bucky smugly as he rubbed my ear making me grunt lovingly and lean into his scratching.  I then gently freed Sam from the webbing using my teeth then phased back into my human form. 

“We don’t have much time, we gotta get to the chopper and fast”.  Then the three of us took off running outside the airport and met with the rest of the team. 

As we all ran towards the quinjet, an orange beam suddenly shot a few feet in front of us stopping us in our tracks and floating above us was Vision.

“Captain Rogers, I know you believe what you’re doing is right. But for the collective good, you must surrender now”. He stated just as all of Team Ironman soon stood in front of us blocking our path.  We all stood together as a pack when Sam asked Steve.

“What do we do Cap?” asked Sam.

“We fight” Steve answered.

It all began with a walk towards each other, then a trot until finally we all ran/flew towards each other full force until we all met with our opponents in battle. Everyone had someone to fight against or two members would team up to fight one person.  

I fought alongside Wanda to help get Spider man down to the ground and fight like a real man and not stay up in his web.  She used her powers to lift me up into the air and I quickly wrapped my legs around his neck and threw him down towards the runway. 

I then landed on top of him pinning him down but he quickly flipped over and kicked me in the gut and used his webs to get up on a terminal bridge.

“Did not see that coming from you but I gotta say that was awesome!”

“Were you expecting anything else?”

“Well to be honest I thought you’d stay in that wolf form of yours that Stark always said you’d prefer to fight in”.

“Well there’s a lot that Stark doesn’t tell you and it’s that I use my wolf form for when things are personal, right now you’re no more of a threat to me than a spider on the wall”.  I charged at him but he suddenly flipped in the air and used his webbing to capture both my hands.

I was suddenly dragged backwards and then kicked in the face and sent flying towards one of the trucks. I yelped out and landed on my arms and knees panting. 

“Luckily he told me your pride can sometimes be your downfall, good thing too huh?” My eyes phased gold in anger but I took a deep breath and stood back up and said to him.

“Tony tell you anything else?”

“That you were once good, but you sided with the wrong side. That makes you a Bad Wolf”.  I smirked then as another webbing came for my hand, I gripped the end of it and tugged on it hard sending Spiderman straight towards me.   

Once he got close enough, I kicked him in the face as payback before gripping him in a chokehold and he was now begging for mercy.

“Wait, wait, wait hold on a sec! You sure we can’t work this out together over a candlelit dinner? I mean we’re both animals in a way. We can come to an agreement right, Wolfie?”  I chuckled icily and said.

“You’re real cute but I don’t go interspecies, plus I don’t date those who threaten my pack”.  I then extended my claws out and clawed at his chest before leaping up and kicking him in both the back of the head and his back sending him to the ground. “And tell Stark that I’m done with him”.

If Stark had the nerve to call me by my Hydra name, then I officially don’t want any part of him anymore.  Hearing Spiderman say that Tony had called me that officially now broke my heart and I was now done with him.

I sighed deeply and took off running back towards and saw Wanda battling War Machine.  I let out a growl then phased into wolf form and let out a resonance howl to send him flying.  I turned to Wanda and she looked at me with sad eyes.

I tilted my head in confusion and she cupped my face in her hands and she said.

“You love and are willing to do anything to help Bucky, aren’t you?” I nodded then she said with a smile sadly with tears in her eyes.  “Then go with him”.  My ears and eyes perked up in shock. 

She wanted me to leave her behind and go with Bucky.  I whimpered and looked at her sadly telling her that even though I would die to defend Bucky, I wasn’t going to let her take the fall and let the government lock away the only family member I had left. 

I lost Big Grey, I couldn’t lose Mama Bear too.

“It’s okay, I’ll be fine. He needs you even more than I do. Go with him. Go! And know that I will always love and be with you Wolfie” Just as I phased into my human form to tell her no, she placed her hand on my back and soon red mystic energy began to lift me up into the air.

“No, Wanda! Wanda! No, no, no, Mama Bear!” I exclaimed as her hand that was holding mine slowly released me as I was too high for her and she began to take control full control as she then gently tossed me to where Bucky and Steve were at.  

I was then caught in two arms, one human and one metal and I could barely register Bucky’s voice as he was asking me if I was alright.  I just stared outwards in utter shock and sorrow.   

How could she?

“We gotta go. That guy’s probably in Siberia by now” Bucky said. 

“We gotta draw out the flyers, I’ll take Vision you and (y/n) get to the jet”.

‘No. You get to the jet! All three of you! The rest of us aren’t getting out of here’ Sam’s voice said through our comms.

‘As much as I hate to admit it…if we’re gonna win this one, some of us might have to lose it’. Clint’s voice said.

‘This isn’t the real fight Steve!’ Sam’s voice said again.  Steve and Bucky looked to each other and understood that they had to do what they had to do, with or without the rest of the team.

“Alright Sam, what’s the play?”

‘We need a diversion, something big!’

‘I got something kinda big. But I can’t hold it very long. On my signal, run like hell. And if I tear myself in half, don’t come back for me’ Scott’s voice said.

“He’s gonna tear himself in half?” questioned Bucky.

“You sure about this Scott?” Steve asked.

‘I do it all the time. I mean once, in a lab. And then I passed out’.  What shook me out of my shocked state was seeing a humungous Scott Lang grabbing Rhodey by the leg and I heard his gigantic, and boisterous laughing. 

“I guess that’s the signal” said Steve.

‘Way to go Tic-Tac!’ Sam exclaimed.  Bucky turned to me and he said to me.

“(Y/n), you okay? Can you move?” I looked to him and tried to focus back on the task at hand.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. We gotta go now!” The three of us soon took off running around the battle field and headed towards the quinjet.

As we got closer to Hanger five, a beam of light suddenly shot at the upper hanger of the building sending the tower down. I knew in my gut it was Vision but just before the debris covered the entrance, red mystic energy stopped it in its place and Wanda’s voice rang in my head.

‘Don’t stop Wolfie, keep going! I love you’.  A tear ran down my face as I thought back.

‘I love you too Mama Bear. And I’m sorry’.  But as we got closer, her red energy vanished almost as if she was being stopped and I immediately phased into my wolf form out of heartbreak and rage and I scooped up both Steve and Bucky onto my back and ran through the falling debris only to be stopped by Natasha.

I snarled loudly and bared my fangs at her as she only stared at us and said to Steve.

“You’re not gonna stop?”

“You know I can’t” said Steve.

“I’m gonna regret this,” she held out her arm towards me and I lowered my head daring her to shoot one of her electro-daggers at me but it went past me and I heard a groan behind me.  I turned to see it was Black Panther she had shot at, not me. “Go, get them on board (y/n)”.

I nodded in gratitude then I ran towards the quinjet and both super soldiers got off my back and we all ran up the ramp and Steve began to start it up. 

As we began the takeoff, Steve fired at the debris to clear a path for us to fly out of and once we had the room, Steve took us out and we began our flight to Siberia.  I soon took notice of Rhodey coming up towards and I said.

“Steve we got company”.

“Alright hang on”. He then began to press on the gas and soon we were out of range.

“What’s gonna happen to your friends?” Bucky asked. My eyes closed as I began to think about Wanda.  She had sacrificed her freedom for mine just like Pietro sacrificed his life for me.

“Whatever it is—I’ll deal with it” said Steve solemnly.

“I don’t know if I’m worth all this, Steve”. I turned to him as Steve said to him after a moment of silence.

“What you did all those years, wasn’t you. You didn’t have a choice”.

“I know….but I did it”.  Even though I was aware of what was being said between the two WW2 buddies, my mind kept drifting back to Wanda.  I should’ve held on tighter or stopped her when I could’ve. 

I failed Pietro’s wish and now because of me Wanda will lose her freedom and be locked away like some circus freak like I was before any of this happened.

I must’ve been so far out of it because I was sniffling and tears were pouring down my face like a waterfall as soft whimpers came out of my throat.  It was then I felt a hand gently stroke my hair and I froze in my spot.  A cold, metal hand gently took one of my hands and a cold thumb stroked across my knuckles with such tenderness it was almost unreal. 

I felt myself being brought into a black armored chest and a head rested on top of mine as the human hand kept gently petting me.  I soon relaxed and gripped onto Bucky as hard and as tightly as I could before I fell asleep due to exhaustion.

[k-renne]

III

Chapter III

Previously: I, II

a/n: angst!!! sorry guys

When you opened your eyes the next morning you felt something warm and heavy resting against you, oh right, Kylo. You suddenly felt hot, you were in a bed with a man and a very handsome one at that. You tried to wiggle free from his grasp only to still when you felt something, was that…

You almost jumped out of bed when you realized, as Kyo rolled over on his back and murmured something intelligible, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to the chest and rubbing his face against it almost…affectionately. If it weren’t for his sizeable bulge staring right at you this display could almost be considered, cute.

Later Kylo woke to the smell of something sweet, something cooking, along with a raging hard on. He rubbed his eyes and sat up as a pan sizzled in the background. He looked at the clock, he had to have slept ten hours, amazing as he hasn’t slept that long in years. Looking down he sighed, every damn morning. He took care of himself quickly before he would see you, washing his hands and throwing on a black robe.

“What are you doing in my kitchen?” He asks you. If you were closer, he’d wrap his arms around your waist and kiss your neck, but that’d be too much…inappropriate. He shouldn’t get too close to you because he knew he’d be tempted to do those things.

“Making breakfast.” You say as you flip a pancake.

“Impressive,” Kylo hums. He gets a few plates out and sets the table; beginning to make some freshly squeezed orange juice.

“Oh you have oranges! And hey, I can do that,” You offer. Oranges weren’t common in these parts this time of year, not unless you had connections.

“Shh, let me help. You shouldn’t be cooking as it is; you’re my guest. Besides, it’s faster this way.” He points out. Plus he felt too antsy just to watch you, hands itching to help. He was a man of action and he didn’t need to sit back while others did the work.

“Fine, fine,” You sigh.

Kylo and you fight over who gets to serve the plate, and with a gentle shove you win, smirking at him as you get his food. “I haven’t had pancakes since I was a boy,” Kylo remarks.

“Really? They’re so easy to make, why not?”

Kylo is silent to reply, not wanting to delve into his childhood. “I just wouldn’t think to make them that’s all,” He finally says. You decide not to probe him further, guessing it was a touchy subject. “These are delicious by the way, thank you Y/N,” Kylo compliments. You added bits of chocolate that melted in his mouth, he savored every bite. The fact that you had made a meal for him was absolutely precious.

“It’s the least I could do after you took care of me, I should be the one thanking you,”

Kylo’s face falls, “Don’t say that, it’s too generous. You should never have suffered that much, I could’ve prevented that.”

“You still probably saved my life Kylo, besides I can hardly remember anything it’s all a blur,” You lied. You would never forget that pain, but you didn’t want Kylo to feel guilty about that.

“Anyways, I’ve probably overstayed my welcome and I feel well enough to be on my way,” You stand up. Kylo wants to stop you, to ask for another day to spend with you but he knows you’re right. He couldn’t keep you away forever.

“Wait, I have a few things for you before you leave.” He fetches a basket full of various gifts, from protective charms to exotic fruits from his garden.

“Kylo, this is too much, I can’t accept this,” You’re taken aback by his generosity. Though men had given gifts in the past, in an obvious manner to gain your affection, it was never as genuine as this.

“Please take it, besides there’s some more protective charms in there and at least for my sake I’d like you to have them.”

“Okay,” You nod, taking the basket. “So I guess this is goodbye?”

“I’d much rather say see you later Y/N, I hope that you’d come by for a visit sometime.” He doesn’t want to say goodbye, not to you.  

You think you’d like to visit him and learn more about him. Plus, he lives in a nice part of the forest, right at the base of the mountainside and near a cool lake. You’d definitely come here, though you were worried that coming by yourself was dangerous and not for the reasons one would normally think.

“Why don’t we walk back together?” You suggest.

Kylo almost sighs in relief, “Yes, I’ll make sure you get back safely.” He leads you out the door with his hand on the small on your back. You walk back together in silence, Kylo tries many times to strike a conversation but can’t seem to find the right words. But he doesn’t mind being quiet with you, listening to your crunching steps against the forest floor.

Rey, one of your good friends has been searching for you as you had mysteriously disappeared. You had been gone for almost a week now and she was pretty worried, she couldn’t find you, and all she did find were traces of your blood. Though she hadn’t given up yet, you weren’t dead and she could feel it.

“Y/N,” She calls for you, seeing you through the trees. Who she doesn’t see is Kylo, not at first. She comes running towards you, only to stop when she sees the man besides you. “Kylo,” She says his name like a curse.

Kylo frowns deeply, it was his cousin; the one who had made a fool of him and who probably hated him. This was not good; he needed to leave. “Y/N, it seems like it’s my time to go, goodbye my dear,” He whispers to you. Before Rey can reach him and sock him in the nose, he’s gone.

“Dammit, I let him get away!”

“Rey, what are you doing?” You ask. You weren’t aware of their family history, and who Kylo truly was, nor were you aware that Rey was also a witch. “Y/N I thought you were dead, lets go inside I need to hear everything that happened.”

You prepare some tea for you and Rey, “So just why exactly were you with the Nightshade Witch, did he kidnap you?” She pipes in. Rey did not like seeing you in the hands of the enemy, and she was deeply worried for you. She particularly did not like how his hand was on you, how you were seemingly unaware of his probably malicious intentions. She shuddered even thinking about it, your parents had kept you in the dark for far too long.

“The Nightshade Witch? Kylo is the Nightshade witch?” You knew who the Nightshade Witch was; everyone in the village knew that name. But you didn’t understand how someone who had been so kind to you could be the man your family called a monster.

“You didn’t know, he must’ve cast some sort of spell on you,” Rey searched your face, looking for any signs.

Fear wracked your brain, you had been out for a while he could have done anything. “Hey Y/N, don’t panic I can help. I’m also a witch, except unlike Ren I practice light magic,” Rey soothes your worries. You weakly smile back, you were quickly getting sucked into the world that everyone had tried to keep you away from.

“But Rey, I don’t know…he saved me,” You doubted that he was the monster everyone made him out to be, but you also doubted that he was as nice as he seemed. Certainly he could wield powerful magic with those hands. There was also a darkness that seemed to follow him, and now upon reflection it was quite obvious.

“He probably did something for you,” She scoffs. Rey couldn’t believe that Ren had any good in him, despite what Leia said. Though, she couldn’t seem to find anything wrong with you.

“Please, let me explain,” You begin to tell her about Hux, and the old woman you met in the woods. You see Rey’s face turn pale.

“Y/N, this is much worse than I thought, I can’t believe you’re even alive,” Rey shakes her head.

“First, we’re going to get you some strong defenses-“

You interrupt her; placing the contents of the baskets on the table, “Kylo gave me a few things-“ It’s your turn to get cut off.

“Second, we’re throwing all of those away, and third I need you to stay far far away from Kylo,” She finished. “You may think he was kind to you but I promise it’s all for selfish reasons, and if you get close to him he will hurt you. His anger controls him,” Rey warns.

You think back to this morning, all those nights where he watched over you, eyes filled with concern. To think that you couldn’t see him again; made you feel very upset. But then again you still felt weak, you didn’t know if your body could stand that type of pain again. Maybe one day you’d visit him, to the behest of Rey, but for now you needed time to heal.

“Okay,” You nod, quickly grabbing one of Kylo’s gifts as her head is turned. It was a small black box with a black ribbon around it, you didn’t know what was inside but you at least wanted the box itself as a reminder of your friend.

After that day, it seemed as if the world was hell bent on keeping you away from Kylo. More of your friends and family would talk about him, speaking of some of the horrible curses that he’s put on people. You didn’t really believe it so much from your family because they were completely biased against witches, but when everyone else included Rey was saying the same things it was hard not to ignore their warnings.

Perhaps it was best if you just stayed away, and forget about him and hopefully he would do the same. That’s what you kept on telling yourself, and each day that passed made it easier to accept. Kylo Ren was dangerous and you needed to stay away from him, for your own sake.

Yet, one day you open the box, out of sheer curiosity. It’s a pin with a cube of flourite attached. Forgetting who it was from, you pin it to your dress, it was quite beautiful. Though something about the box was familiar.

Swamped by work and determined to get revenge, Kylo hadn’t noticed how much time had passed since the last time he saw you. It wasn’t until he stumbled upon some of your clothing that you left behind that he realized. Worry overcame him, were you okay? He hadn’t seen you in…weeks, how could he know. He was angry, you said you would visit and he had relied on that.

After saving your life, he’d think that you’d at least give him that request. Anger replaced worry, completely forgetting what happened with Rey. In his eyes you had no excuse for this, and it felt like you had used him. Mostly, he was hurt and offended. Did he disgust you? He needed to hear whatever excuse you’d give for such cruel treatment, putting on his robes he headed out the door.

Much to his chagrin, it just had to start pouring when he stepped out the door. Nonetheless he kept going, he couldn’t let a little rain stop him. Kylo sulked in his misery all the way over to your house, grumbling under his breath about how you lied to him. He had been so kind to you, taken great risks to save you, he wanted your attention and love, not this cold treatment. What happened to the sweet girl cooking for him? Maybe he had taken your kindness for granted.

Loud knocks on your door startled you, as you would never expect a visitor in this weather. You looked out the window, nervous to see Kylo standing there. He was completely soaked too, this did not look good. You could see him frowning from under his hood, you had a bad feeling about this.

You opened the door, not given much time to say hello before Kylo bursts in, dramatically taking his robe off and leaving it on the floor. “You! Where have you been?” He pointed a finger in accusation at you. “Fine, if you’re going to stare at me at least get me a towel.”

You’re taken aback, “Well that was rude,” You say to yourself, still grabbing him a towel anyways.

“Uh, would you like some tea?” You try and play host, to soothe his brazen anger. You knew why he was mad, but you didn’t know if he would accept your explanation.  

“Something herbal if you have it, no chamomile.” You already have some hot water ready, and make him your favorite orange spice blend.

“Careful it’s hot,” You say. Kylo only glowers at you, blowing before taking a sip. Of course, he burns his tongue. He blames you.

“So, just what has kept you from visiting me for this long?” Kylo presses.

You sigh and shake your head, “You’re dangerous,” You state. Kylo scoffs at you, dangerous? When he had done nothing but protect you, preposterous.

“I saved your life.” He snarled. This anger, it was something Rey warned you about. Kylo sees you visibly tense, hand gripping the couch cushion. Fear, you were afraid. You were afraid of him.

“I should leave,” Kylo admits defeat. You swear you can see his bottom lip quiver when speaks, and his eyes no longer look angry, they’ve turned teary. You want to say ‘stay’, but he’s gone before you can stop him.

Stay away from her, she’s right. You didn’t deserve her anyways, Kylo thought to himself. He wiped wetness from his face and it wasn’t the rain.

[andinewton]

Second Chances - Avengers Redemption Series - Part One - Chapter 15

Characters:  Loki, Maia Tomson (OFC), Sigyn, pretty much everyone from the MCU appears at some point, including some special appearances by members of the X-Men!

Pairings: Loki x Maia Tomson, Loki x Sigyn,

Warnings:  Smut, so much smut, violence, swearing; listen, it’s NSFW and 18+, just bear that in mind!

Word Count: 179105

Summary: Loki has been handed over to The Avengers to pay penance for his past crimes, underpowered and underwhelmed by his post he is assigned a new ‘guide to Midgard’ by his superiors and is more than a little surprised when a petite freckled, redhead is waiting in the conference room, not at all like the previous handlers he has been assigned, who quit after a very short time with the snarky god. Maia Tomson is a trained literature teacher and counsellor, maybe not someone you would have picked out to be a guide to the God of Mischief but her mentor, Charles Xavier, knows she likes a challenge, and when The Avengers ask him to recommend someone she is top of his list. Surprised by the assignment, Maia takes it on, promising to do her best, but was not counting on a mutual attraction with her charge.

Join Loki on a journey to discover that his heart is not as frozen as he believes it to be, an adventure spanning almost a millennia of love gained and lost and rediscovered in the most unlikely of places…

Master List

Chapter 15

Summary: Maia wakes and gives Loki an idea.

Maia blinked heavy lidded eyes open and was grateful for the low lighting. She had the funny metallic taste in the back of her throat, as she always got when she used her powers, and wasn't surprised to find herself in a hospital gown and bed. Whenever this had happened at Xavier's they had just put her into her own bed to sleep it off. She turned her head, hoping to find a call button nearby, but instead she found Loki, seated in a chair with his head rested on his arms on the bed, fast asleep. He looked innocent like this, without his eyes to show how much he knew and had seen. His dark lashes sat upon his pale skin in a stark contrast.

From past experience Maia knew it would be late. She hadn't expected Loki to be here and it was a nice surprise. She watched him for a moment, not wanting to disturb him, but knowing sooner or later a nurse would come check on her, and the sooner she could get out of here the better. She reached out and stroked his cheek then into his hair, softly at first then firmer as he only murmured in his sleep. 'Loki?' She whispered and he began to stir. He took a moment to remember where he was and when he did he sat up suddenly, but Maia's fingers were still in his hair and he couldn't go far. 'Sorry.' She detangled herself and he was able to straighten fully. ‘Quite alright. Have you been awake long?' He asked. 'Just a minute or two.' 'And how are you feeling?' He leaned on the bed on his elbows. 'Tired but okay. It's actually pretty normal for me.' She smiled apologetically. 'If I thought I'd ever need to do that I'd have warned you.' 'It was somewhat unexpected. Decidedly absent from your file.' He said pointedly with a teasing edge. 'It's not why I was hired.' She smiled slightly. ‘And why were you hired?' 'Because I have the patience of a saint?' She suggested and he laughed. 'I am very glad you are well.' He said, suddenly serious again. 'Should I call for a nurse?' 'If she'll bring food, sure.' 'You're hungry?' She nodded. 'What time is it?' 'Almost nine.' She gasped. 'Which day?' 'The same day.' He frowned at her reaction. 'That's actually, wow, I don't normally wake up that soon.' 'Ah, yes. Asgard to the rescue.’ He reached into his pocket and showed her a small bottle of turquoise liquid. 'Thor brought you an elixir from our healers to aid you in the replacement of the magical energy you used.' That touched her. He hadn't taken credit for it but she knew it had to be his doing. 'Thank you.' She smiled warmly. He shrugged. 'Thor is the one who brought it.' He reminded her nonchalantly. 'But I doubt he even knew who I was, and why would he? Thank you, Loki. I know you’d be the one who asked.' 'It was nothing.' He waved her thanks away as he put the bottle back in his pocket. 'But with a little guidance you could control that which lives inside you, instead of being at its whim. She shook her head. 'I've tried for years. It's all or nothing.' She remembered something that seemed like a dream and frowned at him. 'Did you eat my lunch?' He laughed. 'I did threaten to do so, if you did not wake. Would you like me to fetch it?' 'Please.' 'I shall arrange your lunch and a member of staff to come and check upon you.' He raised her hand and kissed it before going to the door. While he was gone Maia cleaned up in the bathroom and arranged the bed so she could sit up, making sure she was quick so the nurses couldn't complain about her being up unsupervised. She knew from experience she was fine and would be even better for eating. She was back under the covers when a nurse came in wheeling a blood pressure monitor. After all the tests came back within normal ranges she was told she could leave once they had taken some blood to test and she had eaten. She knew the bloods wouldn't show anything anyway, they never did. Loki came back with her lunch and while she ate he told her Stark had come to check on her. 'I bet he's delighted.' She commented between bites. 'Because he knows your secret?' Loki asked. He had also brought back drinks and his sat in his hand, as yet untouched. She nodded. 'What he knows barely scratches the surface as, I suspect, does what you know. He has already concocted a new name for you.' 'What do you mean?' She frowned. 'I mean, for whatever reason, Squirrel is no longer appropriate. You are now Cherry Bomb, I believe.' 'That's not what I meant but, Cherry Bomb?' She said in surprised disappointment. 'I assume as you are red and explosive.' He took the end of her hair between his fingers and let it trail through them. It was even softer than he imagined. 'God, that's worse than Squirrel.' She rubbed her forehead with her hand. 'I have to agree with him, it is appropriate. And rather than delighted he was concerned for your welfare.' 'Which means I have to thank him. Not that it's a big deal, really.' 'No, but he is likely to ask something in return.' 'I'll deal with it. What were we talking about before that? I feel like we didn't finish.' 'About your abilities?' He suggested. 'Yes, that was it. You said something about not knowing what I can do? What did you mean?' 'I mean you only know how to give it your all. With assistance you could learn to release it in more manageable quantities and therefore control it.' 'I have tried, with the best of the best. We could never figure out how I could control it.' She argued. 'It's like my body can't handle it and needs to reboot.' 'Which it will, with such a strong expulsion, but you have never been schooled by me.' 'I'm a mutant, Loki.' She laughed slightly. 'Whereas you're an Asgardian. That's two different things.' 'It really isn't.' He turned his hand over itself and called what power remained him, creating a miniature replica of them in Stark's car, Maia standing protectively over him. 'I have not said so yet, but thank you. I do not doubt that your actions saved me from whatever that thing had planned.' 'It felt...hot.' She said, carefully, then looked up at him. 'It was like being in a furnace.' Loki gave a raised eyebrow. The fact it held heat gave him an avenue to explore with regard to who may be responsible. 'Did you feel anything else from it?' She physically shivered at the memory and he automatically took her hand. 'Evil, threatening. It was like someone had harnessed sheer dread and despair.' He nodded, knowing the feeling all too well. 'When you unleashed your power, what I felt from you was not dissimilar to the magic I wield, which makes me think you too could harness it in such a way.' 'How can we though? Once I open up to them it's like they all just fall out in one go.' He thought for a moment. 'If I could access the full range of my power I could show you, however no amount of convincing will have them remove this.' He held up their joined hands. She sighed. She wasn't sure if it would work but he seemed to want to help. 'It's a shame there isn't somewhere secure we could use so you could remove it for a while.' Loki suddenly raised her hand and kissed her palm. 'You are a genius.' He said before he got to his feet. 'Do not leave without me.' He called as he left the room, leaving Maia wondering exactly what she had said.

Chapter 16