#attitude the next time him and Victoria see them (even though they were both at the search party) . from there on he doesn't mention Rachel

[panestates]

faceless / obscured face besties ! (2 of these characters loathe each other and one accidentally murdered the other)

[naturepointstheway]

The Mute and the Maine (Cats the musical fanfic, based on the late ‘80s/early 90s Zurich Misto)

The following piece of Tuggoffelees fiction was inspired by a post I saw of a gifset of Lindsay Chambers’ Mistoffelees who was completely mute, and was pretty much an outcast among the Jellicles. In said gifset (and recording of the performance), Lindsay’s Mistoffelees points to himself while snuggling next to Old Deuteronomy when Munkustrap says “Jellicle choice” implying some dark thoughts. In the recording itself, it also looks like one of the other cats swats Misto’s hand away and ruffles his chest a little, and I’m assuming it was Demeter, though it may have been some other cat, but I’ll stick with Demeter as she’s coupled with Munkustrap. I’ve also combined Zurich’s mute Misto with that little bit of impish side we see in later Mistos, like Jacob Brent’s in 1998, but really only shows around Tugger. Zurich!Misto can have a mischievous side to him, as a treat. (I think Lindsay Chambers played him a little more like that in later productions anyway--definitely wasn’t mute in his later Misto years.)

This fic turned into a BEAST at over 5500 words, so therefore, more under the keep reading!

After seeing how Mistoffelees had used his powerful abilities to bring back their beloved Old Deuteronomy, Tugger naturally had assumed then that the other tribe members would treat Misto better, that they would open up more to him, that they would accept him more as a part of the Jellicle family. Tugger had always felt that, more than any other cat, Mistoffelees ought to have always deserved all the acceptance he could get--even though he himself had grown up with him all his life, not caring that he was mute (though his purrs could be loud), and just accepting the small black cat as he was. If Mistoffelees’ bringing back Old Deuteronomy was enough for even Munkustrap to fully accept him as part of the family, then surely it would be enough for most--if not everyone--else.

For the next while, it appeared that, indeed, everyone had fully accepted Misto into the family--with Munkustrap’s attitude changing the most from before. Munkustrap had always been a very firm-speaking leader around everyone, including Tugger himself, but he had always been especially stern, even harsh, toward Mistoffelees.

But ever since that night, Munkustrap’s attitude toward Misto improved for the better, much to Tugger’s happiness. Munkustrap, along with Demeter, was always somewhere nearby, as if to make sure Mistoffelees was safe, and he would be quick to chide any other cats--including Tugger--for startling Misto with sudden loud noises or high-pitched screeching.

“Tell your fans to tone down the screeching when Misto’s around, Tugger,” Munkustrap chided him at one point when Etcetera had spotted Tugger and screeched in excitement, causing Misto nearby to start spinning around in stressed circles. “Especially Etcetera.” 

Tugger had doubted Etcetera would listen, and he was right: even after telling her a couple times, she still squealed at the sight of him even with Misto in the same room, causing the poor cat to stress stim again. Jemima wasn’t a screecher anyway, and Electra at least made sure she toned it down when needed, as did Victoria. He still showed off like the rockstar cat he was around them, but only if Misto and Etcetera weren’t in the same room together.

Speaking of Demeter, she was also never too far away either, and while Tugger chalked that up to it being mostly because she was Munk’s mate, he had a little inkling she was looking out for Misto too. If both Tugger and Munkustrap were apart from Misto, Demeter somehow magically appeared from around some corner to settle herself somewhere where she keep Misto company as he refined his magic. While Misto didn’t mind Munkustrap or Demeter hanging out nearby, it did not slip Tugger’s notice that whenever he was around, Misto’s magic always sparked brighter, happier, stronger, and his heart always skipped a beat or fluttered when they made eye contact, even for the briefest of a glance in the middle of a conjuring turn.

Nor did it slip Tugger’s notice that the moon had barely begun to reach its waning crescent phase before everyone, save for Munkustrap, Demeter, the kittens, and himself, began ignoring Mistoffelees again as they had before, the hype of his conjuring turns and magic now fading away as they focused on other things in their normal cat lives. It wasn’t like he didn’t expect things to eventually go back to normal (or as normal as one could after the trauma of Macavity’s attack), but still, it stung--really, really stung harder than he had thought, that most of the Jellicles eventually went back to ignoring Mistoffelees. All his hopes that finally, finally the others would fully accept Mistoffelees were mostly dashed--of course they only treated him nicely for a short while before moving on. Mistoffelees wasn’t impressing them anymore with giant feats of magic that wore him out so much he had slept from sunrise to sunset the next day (which had worried Tugger at the time), and because he couldn’t (or maybe he didn’t want to) speak, no one had the patience to get to try to know him better, learn how he communicated in other ways.

All his life, whenever he hadn’t been teasing or pushing Misto around, or off flirting with the other cats, Tugger had taken note of how the small cat would communicate. And communicate he could! His purr when content had a different timbre and tempo to when he was stressed. The way he would paw at his right ear when embarrassed, but at his left ear when plotting some impish scheme to hide the humans’ cutlery or make off with their balls of yarn when they weren’t looking (naturally, Tugger would join in when he could). Mistoffelees was not a touchy-feely type, which was fine by Tugger, who was not one for spontaneous cuddly sessions, not even with the humans (unless they were busy cooking or sewing or whatever). But he knew that if Misto sought him out for a nuzzle into his thick mane, it meant the other cat was deeply, deeply upset or distressed by something or other. Tugger would drop anything (and anyone) if it meant he could provide some comfort to Mistoffelees when the latter needed it. Nuzzly-mode Mistoffelees meant time to be there just for him, and let him have the physical comfort he needed. Except only a few times, back when they were full strangers and he had yet to learn anything about Mistoffelees’ communication style, Tugger never initiated any touching first, always letting Misto seek it on his own terms.

So it should have struck him as odd that from the time the Jellicle Moon had waned to its crescent phase, that there was nary a nuzzle, spin, or even any magical practice in sight. It wasn’t unusual for Misto to have a day where he just didn’t do any of that, but several days in a row?

His concern only increased when one morning, Demeter approached him, voice low in a near whisper as she asked to speak with him somewhere private. She didn’t even crack a smile when he joked didn’t she hate him, remembering her having swiped at him once or twice when he got a little too rowdy around her. But all ideas of light-hearted jokes and banter went out immediately when she immediately got to talking about something weighing on her about Mistoffelees--she only had to voice the first syllable of the magical cat’s name, and he was all ears, hanging on to her every word. When she made him swear to talk to Mistoffelees soon, Tugger’s promise was fierce in its sincerity. 

Demeter’s right. I need to be the one to talk to him.

***

A couple evenings later, Demeter’s words still somewhere in the background of his thoughts, Tugger found himself looking around the house for Mistoffelees; knowing him, he would likely turn up right behind him out of nowhere, or be in the last place he’d looked. He perked his ears, trying to listen for purring, though he knew even that wasn’t always reliable. After all, a shadow of a purr could lilt by the fireplace or a bedside or inside an empty box for hours after he had long left.

Therefore, he wasn’t surprised when he finally spotted Mistoffelees resting on the rug next to the roaring fireplace, the sky already having grown fully dark with stars poking their studded eyes out into the night.

I swear, I circled back here three times! And he was here all along!

“Of course you’re right there, Mistoffelees!” Tugger marvelled in a booming voice, making the cat flinch, glaring at Tugger for a moment. “I’m sure I looked for you here several times in the last, what, ten minutes?”

Mistoffelees tilted his head back a little, nose in the air, giving an air of aloofness.

“Don’t mind if I sit down with you by the fire too,” Tugger said as he helped himself to a comfortable spot on the rug next to Mistoffelees. “Way warmer in here than outside.”

Mistoffelees gave no indication of a reaction, just turning his attention back to the fireplace, front paws crossed over each other on the rug. His eyes drew half-closed, as though being sent to slumber by the crackling warmth of the fireplace. Tugger wondered how he had never noticed the way his fur seemed to glow a soft amber as the light from the flames caressed him. Or how the firelight made the edges of Mistoffelees’ ears appear framed by a border of pale light. The lazy way his ears turned this way and that, flickering every so often perhaps with some thought or reflection.

He couldn’t help but smile, warmth in his voice, when he spoke again, much quieter this time.

“Misto, there’s so much I love about you.”

Mistoffelees tilted his head, ears swiveling in his direction, side-eyeing him like he didn’t quite believe what Tugger was saying.

“Yeah, yeah, look at me, the great Rum Tum Tugger, getting all soppy.”

A rattle of quiet amusement interrupted Mistoffelees’ purring, turning his head to fully look at him.

“But y’know, apparently one song wasn’t enough so...time to get soppy. So shut up and listen.” Tugger tossed a wry look in Misto’s direction to show he was saying the last part lightly. “At least you don’t think I’m a terrible bore, like Munk does, right?”

Another rattle of amusement,, one of Mistoffelees’ front paws reaching to Tugger’s face.

“What’s so funny? Is it the terrible bore thing?”

Mistoffelees bapped Tugger on the nose, a pleased smirk on his face.

“I’m not a terrible bore, c’mon!”

Another bap on his nose, before Mistoffelees withdrew his paw.

“Thanks for the support, Misto,” Tugger remarked with an eyeroll. “Glad to know I’m a giant bore.”

The small black cat rolled over on his side, front paws patting thin air before him, a cheeky glint still in his green eyes. Tugger stretched out his body on the rug, crossing his front paws over each other.

“Sooo...here it goes. The soppiest Tugger you saw--thank god only you are here.” Tugger looked around quickly. “At least...I hope so.”

Mistoffelees rolled over so he was sitting in a similar fashion to Tugger, paws crossed, nose tilted a little up in the air, eyes not quite meeting Tugger’s. The classic aloof Misto act. Tugger fought not to roll his eyes again.

Everlasting, I love you so much, Misto.

He didn’t want to think how different his life would be without this ridiculous magical cat. It meant more to him beyond words that Tugger was the only cat Mistoffelees was so relaxed and most like himself around, at least in private.

“Okay, get ready, because I’m probably gonna be here all night.”

Mistoffelees relaxed even more on the rug, head lowering to rest on his crossed paws, eyes never leaving Tugger.

“I could go on about your magic, the way your fur sparkles sometimes, the conjuring turns, everything, but...that’s a big thing. There’s lots of the small things I love, you know?”

A soft purr from Mistoffelees in response, as though telling him he was listening.

“Small things, it’s the small things!”

C’mon, Tugger, you can think of something! Don’t just repeat the same thing again like a Pollicle!

“Like...you know, when I sniff and sneer at my food bowl because I don’t like whatever the humans gave me...only to come back a few hours later to find someone who looks, acts, and sounds just like a certain Mistoffelees having cleaned my bowl already. In fact, I think I see that very cat before me now.”

Mistoffelees sat up on all fours, looking around the room as though searching for that very cat Tugger spoke of. Who could that cat be? After a few seconds of pretending to search the room for this mystery feline, Mistoffelees resumed his relaxed position, front paws tucked under, looking like the very picture of innocence.

“I think I seem to recall that cat’s name now too,” Tugger continued in his declaration, “Something that sounds a lot like...Mistoffelees. Isn’t that odd?”

An ear quirked, as though Mistoffelees was agreeing just how odd that really was, considering each Jellicle cat had a name no other cat had or would ever have.

“As a matter of fact, I can tell you from experience that this cat, so named Mr Mistoffelees, has also, on occasion, swiped a pawful of a second helping from my bowl while I was eating it.”

Mistoffelees’ left ear twitched, twice.

He knows what he did, alright.

Tugger couldn’t help a little grin. “And of course you’re not sorry about it at all, are you?”

The purr-laughter rattled loud from Mistoffelees’ ribcage.

“Just as I thought.”

Tugger tried to come up with something else.

“Your purrs? They’re a whole conversation sometimes, y’know? You’re a mute, but damn are you able to say a lot without saying a word. You have a purr for every emotion--angry, haughty, overjoyed, content, upset, scared--yeah a purr for everything.”

He was sure that the short purr from Misto now was one of surprise, with a hint of doubt.

“All your purrs!” Tugger waved a paw dramatically in the air. “Other cats who can’t be bothered to learn how you communicate? Not worth your time.”

Yep, that was definitely an unsure purr again.

“Sure, okay, I’ve been an ass at times, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t bothered to learn how you communicate.” Tugger lowered himself to the ground, head on his own crossed paws. “And y’know, now you’ve shown what you’re capable of, I’ll say even the kittens keep asking me about you.”

Misto raised his head quickly off his paws, blinking at Tugger.

“Yeah, Jemima? Victoria? Electra? Even Etcetera.”

He saw the grimace on Misto’s face, turning his head to paw at his right ear.

“Yeah, I know, but I think she’ll be willing to keep it down. But if you don’t feel comfortable around her...”

He saw Misto relax again a little at that.

“I’d say even Munkustrap would be willing to learn, and Demeter.”

Misto’s ears perked up in surprise.

“Yeah, Demeter was a surprise, but...”

Tugger hesitated.

Should I tell Mistoffelees what Demeter told me now?

A quirk of Misto’s head to one side told Tugger plain as day he was waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“Um...” Tugger quickly shook himself off. “Well, she is interested in learning too.”

Misto narrowed his eyes at him, clearly not fooled by his hurried ending to his sentence.

“You know what else I love about you?” Tugger declared, changing the subject. “You never fail to be amused by me getting stuck in bureau drawers--even though you can easily magic me out of them, you always just have to sit and pretend not to know what to do before helping. It never gets old.”

Tugger was definitely not telling him he sometimes deliberately got himself stuck in a drawer just to cheer up Mistoffelees if the black cat was having a low mood sort of day. It did not amuse the humans, but it certainly amused Mistoffelees, and that, for him, was enough.

“I know you’re about to cause mischief when you chitter and twitch your ears and whiskers.”

Mistoffelees lifted his chin as though to tell Tugger “Yeah I know. Next?”

“Then you lick your paws in a pretense of innocence when our humans find a plate or fork missing, or how did that fish paste manage to be taken out of its packaging and into your bowl without opening it. But you can’t hide that twitching ear or whiskers from me.”

Mistoffelees’ tail drew high up in the air, tip flickering, a smug acknowledgement of his sneaky little magical adventures.

He knows he’s an imp and he isn’t sorry, and just wants to have fun. And he wanted to be the Jellicle choice?!

“I swear, you’re more mischievous when you know I’m having a bad day, and your magic is that much more dramatic...” he sneaked in a cheeky little amused purr. “...than usual.”

Mistoffelees rolled his eyes, swiping a paw at Tugger, who dodged out of the way, unable to hide his mischievous smile.

“And I’ve seen you prank our humans at night by closing your eyes and moving to sit in their path, and then open your eyes, giving them a fright.”

Mistoffelees slow blinked, twice, before closing his own eyes, and if it wasn’t for the glow of the fireplace, even Tugger would not have been able to see him.

“Sometimes, Mr Mistoffelees, you even prank me by doing it to me too!” Tugger quickly added, “And no, that doesn’t count. The fireplace is lit.”

Mistoffelees opened one eye, then the other, looking disappointed--or at least, pretending to be so, if his amused purr hadn’t given him away. 

“When you’re sleeping all curled up, sometimes your paws bat at your tail, and I swear every time that it’s the cutest thing I’ve seen.” Tugger shifted a little closer to the fireplace, and Mistoffelees did the same, lying back down on his belly next to him. “If it’s a really, really cold night, and the fire goes out, I’ll wake up to you just nuzzled all up in my mane, and then I can’t move.”

A hint of concern in Misto’s eyes, Tugger responding with a little assuring purr.

“...because I have the cutest magical cat sleeping on me, and I don’t want to disturb him. So I don’t move. And you know I don’t care for a cuddle--so that’s saying something.” Tugger paused for a moment. “Honestly? You’re the exception to my cuddle rule. I can’t say no to my Misto.”

The purring stopped a moment, and Mistoffelees’ expression lightened with hope, but an unsure one. He unsheathed a claw and pointed at Tugger, then at himself, then at his own heart.

“If you’re asking if I meant what I said with “my Misto”, yeah. I meant it. I mean, I mean it. Now, and forever.”

Mistoffelees batted at an ear with the same paw, claws sheathing and unsheathing. His face was turned away enough that Tugger couldn’t quite see what he was thinking, but it didn’t seem entirely happy either.

“I mean...”

Was that too much?

“I do mean it, but if that was too much for you to hear at once...”

Mistoffelees turned his eyes back on Tugger, with a little assuring purr.

“You’re okay that I said that?”

A little smile and nod, Mistoffelees tucking his front paws under his front again, looking toward the fireplace. To any other cat who hardly knew him, they would imagine he looked relaxed and content, eyes half-closed.

Only, Tugger knew better: the tell-tale flickering of the tip of his tail and twitching ears told him the other cat was not in an entirely happy mood. He batted at his ears, looking too tensed for a cat that would otherwise look relaxed to another feline who didn’t know him as well as Tugger. Which was virtually every other cat except Tugger, who suspected that even their humans knew Mistoffelees less well than he did.

He really didn’t want to dwell on that night of the Jellicle Ball again, and all that Macavity had done, but Tugger knew deep down he had to have this conversation with Mistoffelees. He didn’t want to do it, and he wouldn’t have had Demeter not insisted. Demeter, who obviously had a soft spot for Mistoffelees despite only having known him since the Jellicle Ball, was especially insistent on Tugger doing it as soon as he could, no matter how hard it was. She feared Mistoffelees would try to do something and she didn’t want to live with the regret of wishing she’d done something. When Tugger had suggested she talk to Mistoffelees, she had said “No, you know him better than any of us, than all of us, even Munkustrap. Please do this, most of all for yourself. You really don’t want that regret. You can’t have back who you love once they’re off this earth for good.”

He’d pointed to himself. To himself. Demeter’s words echoed again in his head. He was asking to be the Jellicle choice.

“To himself...”

Only when Mistoffelees looked at him with a questioning purr did Tugger realise he’d said that aloud. Well, it seemed he had no other choice but to carry on. He hoped he wouldn’t mess it up. He’d never had to do this before, ever, for anyone, not least of all, Mistoffelees.

How do I even start?

Outside, Tugger maintained the pose of an adult, but on the inside, every bit of his being was curling into a kitten crawl, trying to hide away in the warm past when he had never thought anyone he loved could think this way.

“What a night it was, wasn’t it?”

Another questioning, confused blink and purr.

“The Jellicle Ball we just had a little time ago.”

A flicker of reproach in Mistoffelees’ eyes before he pointed at himself, then at Tugger, and made a shoving motion before pointing back at himself again.

“What? What are you talking about?”

He cringed--that came out a little too sassy sounding.

A sharp hiss of frustration before Mistoffelees stood up on all paws, now seeming to mimic someone coming in with a loud entrance before shoving something out of his way.

Oh. OH.

He had thought he’d only pushed Mistoffelees aside gently on entrance, but it seemed it had been much harsher than he’d meant for it to be. Now he could recall the spinning cat in a cockroach costume, and how he had shoved him out of his way.

“Hey, you know I can be like that sometimes, right?”

Mistoffelees tensed again, arching his back a little, but no hairs were standing along his spine and his tail was still its normal size.

“I didn’t hurt you--”

Claws unsheathed, and the hairs were definitely standing on his back, but the deep hurt in Mistoffelees’ eyes gave Tugger pause.

Okay, Tugger, maybe you did hurt him.

“Are...are you hurt?” Tugger looked along Mistoffelees’ body, as though he might see some damning evidence on his fur or something.

A long, tense moment passed as Mistoffelees just stared at him, but then, his back straightened out again, his fur less spiky along his spine, and claws slowly sheathed again. But then a paw went out to Tugger, then back to himself, a claw poking out as he held it over his heart, lowering his ears and bowing his head, tail drawing between his back legs.

Tugger didn’t need mind-reading powers to know what that meant.

How was it that knowing he’d hurt Mistoffelees emotionally more painful than if it had just been physical? Tugger was the last cat anyone could accuse of being overly affectionate, but right now, all he wanted to do was pull Mistoffelees into a hug, tell him he won’t do it again now he understood how much it had hurt whenever Tugger had been mean toward him. In the past, Tugger had usually teased or shoved Mistoffelees in jest, and he’d assumed that Mistoffelees didn’t mind because he showed no overt demand for him to stop. But now...he might as well have shouted “stop that!” despite being mute. And Mistoffelees was well within his right to do so.

“Hey, look, I’m sorry. I didn’t--I wasn’t thinking. But, it doesn’t mean I don’t care at all. I like to think you know I care. You know, right?”

Mistoffelees settled back on the rug again, curling up his back legs, eyes fixed on the fireplace. Tugger was about to speak again when the flames began to take the shape of a small cat spinning in what was clearly his signature Conjuring Turn. His heart skipped a beat when other flames took shape of a Maine Coon, obviously Tugger himself, looking on with admiration. It lasted a few short seconds, but it told him all that he needed to know. Even Mistoffelees seemed to understand that Tugger wouldn’t have encouraged and believed in him wholly, and with song, if he hadn’t cared, let alone believed Mistoffelees could bring back Old Deuteronomy. 

Tugger swallowed, remembering the terror that was Macavity--he still haunted his dreams at night, not that he would ever tell anyone, except maybe Mistoffelees. The kittens, no doubt, were traumatised the worst on watching Macavity kidnap their beloved leader, before fighting and knocking out Munkustrap. That’s what Demeter had told him anyway, because of course the kittens wouldn’t confide in him--he was the handsomest tomcat in the tribe who wouldn’t care to listen to a scared kitten, apparently. Munkustrap was the one to go to if they needed a cuddle and reassuring words when scared, not Tugger.

He shook himself out of this train of thought, forcing himself back into the present, back into the same room as Mistoffelees, in front of a warm fireplace. Speaking of Mistoffelees...

“Macavity was terrifying that night--made my skin crawl. I still can’t believe he...did what he did--to Munkustrap, to Old Deuteronomy.” Tugger paused for a few seconds to compose himself. “And, Mistoffelees, few things terrify me more than him. I can think of two right now.” Tugger forced himself to take a deep breath, keeping a calm appearance before moving on. “You know what one of those are?”

Mistoffelees shook his head slightly.

“A world without Mistoffelees in it. Without you in it.” A shiver went through Tugger at the mere voicing of such a world. “That’s scarier to me than all the Macavities in the world. And not just because no one would have been able to bring Old Deuteronomy back.” Tugger picked at the rug with his front claws, sheathing and unsheathing and sheathing again. “It wouldn’t be the same without you around. Even if you agree with Munk I’m a terrible bore.”

He studied Misto’s expressions, trying to gauge what the other cat was feeling--but right now his face was unreadable, though his green eyes were fixed intent on him, hanging on to his every word.

“And we would have no magical Mister Mistoffelees, the original conjuring cat with his conjuring turns.” Tugger added, in an attempt to lighten the mood a little, “And who would get me unstuck from bureau drawers?” Tugger swept his tail around so it lay across his front paws. “Not Munkustrap I can tell you that much. He’d just roll his eyes and mutter “typical Tugger” and leave me to it.”

Mistoffelees stretched out his body on the floor, staring toward the fireplace now.

“But...”

I guess it’s now or never.

“The second scary thing? Knowing you believe the world would be better without you, knowing that you wished you were the Jellicle choice.”

The reaction from Misto was instantaneous: his whole body stiffened, claws digging into the rug, head still turned away, eyes staring more than ever at the fire. His tail whipped the rug a few times, nervous twitches and worried wags.

Here we go, Tugger. Don’t blow it.

“Demeter told me the other day she had seen you point at yourself when Munkustrap had explained to the kittens how Old Deuteronomy will make the Jellicle choice.”

Misto’s entire body was still tensed, not moving an inch, eyes staring into the fireplace.

“That’s...” Tugger tried and failed to find the words to say. Instead, he went to lay next to Mistoffelees, paws crossed before him. “Mistoffelees, have you...had you...”

Mistoffelees slowly turned an ear toward him, waiting for the question in its full form.

“Tell me you haven’t spent your whole life thinking this, Misto.”

Just voicing the idea of it broke his heart, wishing he could somehow shake sense into Mistoffelees, make him see that he deserved love, deserved to be here, deserved to show the world his magnificent magic and big heart. And then, another thought--one that made him dig his claws into the rug just to think about it.

“Did someone tell you this? That you...should be the choice?”

Tugger was relieved to see that the answer was a no.

“Good, because I would have given them a lot of hell. I sure wouldn’t be as diplomatic as Munk.” He paused, thinking back to when he had shown everyone in the junkyard what Mistoffelees could do with his magic, having faith all the way through that he could bring Old Deuteronomy back, even though neither had any idea if it would even work at all.

“When you brought back old Deuteronomy...did you believe it then? That you should be the...” he grimaced, steeling himself. “Jellicle choice?”

Mistoffelees pawed at the rug, ears flickering back and forth, along with the tip of his tail. It seemed to Tugger like he was torn between two answers, and it hit him how many things Mistoffelees must surely been longing to say in his brain but could not speak. 

“Yes, but also no?”

Mistoffelees whipped his head to look at Tugger with a little start, eyes round. A few seconds passed before he nodded at Tugger. But, eventually, slowly, there was a nod of confirmation, ears flattening a little too in some mire of emotions Tugger could only mostly guess at: sadness, regret, guilt perhaps. Maybe even a little bit of grief in there too.

“Complicated, huh?”

Mistoffelees looked at Tugger as if to say “What do you think?”

“Well, I for one am glad you’re still here--and, yeah, this is gonna sound uncharacteristically sappy coming from me, but a world without you and your magic would feel way lonelier.”

Mistoffelees tilted his head, questioning.

“I know what you’re thinking--I have Bombalurina, Etcetera, Electra, Plato...you name ‘em. But none of them are you. None of them could replace you.”

Mistoffelees looked down at his own paws.

“Even if you didn’t have your magic powers, no one else can be you. Seriously, sometimes it’s great to come back to this house and know you’ll be here somewhere--purring away here at the fireplace, practicing your conjuring turns on the rooftop, or annoying our humans with some mischief. No one else can be Mister Mistoffelees except Mister Mistoffelees himself.”

A long silence interrupted by the crackling of the fireplace passed, Tugger losing himself in his own world, perhaps the one he feared, the one where Mistoffelees didn’t exist. No conjouring turns, no mischievous cat nipping forks and helping him out of dresser drawers, no purring black ball of fluff next to the fireplace, no dancing on the rooftops, no-one to bring back their beloved Old Deuteronomy.

To think of a world without Mistoffelees...it hurt.

It hurt.

He must have lost himself in his thoughts more than he realised, as he nearly flinched when he felt a nuzzling under one of his front paws, looking down in time to see Mistoffelees lying down with his back pressed against Tugger’s belly, purring fiercely. He couldn’t help but stare down at Mistoffelees snuggling up against him, with no tension in him at all.

He never does that. Ever!

He hesitated to wrap his paw closer around Mistoffelees or curl his own body around him, lest he triggered the cat’s sensitivity to touch. Tugger never tried to touch Mistoffelees, only letting him come to him when he needed a little nuzzle or paw bap of encouragement.

But this. Snuggling with his back pressed up against him?

Well, that was a first, and it wasn’t like Mistoffelees was tense either--on the contrary. And his purring! Tugger would not be surprised if Mistoffelees��� purring could be heard on the roof right now. He ached to pull Mistoffelees to him, but kept his paw steady, knowing full well to ask first.

“Misto?” he whispered. “Is...is it okay if I hug you with my paw? And curl myself around you?”

One of Mistoffelees paws wriggled free enough to bap at his larger paw, pulling it down as though to confirm that yes, it was fine for Tugger to pull him into a cuddle. Consent granted, Tugger wrapped his free front paw around Mistoffelees, curling his body around him too, so they fit together like two spoons. It was a strange feeling, having Mistoffelees so close to him, snug and warm, and without feeling any tension in the other cat’s body.

Then, to Tugger’s utter surprise, he had the sensation of a small tongue licking his paw--was Misto grooming him? He had never groomed Tugger before! What a curious night this was turning out to be, not that Tugger was complaining. He’d privately always hoped that one day Mistoffelees would be comfortable enough to come to him for a close cuddle session, but he wasn’t expecting this either.

“Are...are you...?”

The grooming stopped quickly, and Misto tensed as though waiting for a rebuke.

“Don’t stop. I just--you’ve never groomed me before. It just took me by surprise, that’s all.”

Mistoffelees resumed a hesitant lick or two on Tugger’s paw, and regained confidence when assured it was okay. Tugger’s heart was sure to burst, and he wasn’t sure now whose purrs were louder: his, or Misto’s. Either way, combined, surely they could be heard on the roof above the fireplace now.

“I love you, Misto, more than you think you know or believe, and I’ll keep telling you this until you believe it. And even after you believe it, I’ll say it anyway.”

Misto’s response was a little headbutt against his paw.

“Aaand that’s enough of soppy Tugger for the night,” he declared, trying to sound as Tugger-ish as he could, but his eyes were starting to feel drowsy. It was so warm sitting by the fireplace, with Mistoffelees huddled up against him. And grooming him too! He’d never done that before! He knew this meant there was a significant shift in their relationship, and for the better, and Tugger wouldn’t have it any other way. Now the room was quiet again, except for the crackle of wood, whispers of flames, and their loud purring. He couldn’t keep his eyes open much longer, not with the deep feeling of drowsiness and warmth surrounding him. He bent down his head to very gently nuzzle Mistoffelees before resting his head back on the floor, eyes closed.

“Goodnight, Misto...”

END

[imaginingmanyfandoms]

the hunter | embry call | part two

<previous | next>

The pack, bless their hearts, were like kids in a candy shop. You, unfortunately, were the candy. They wanted to know everything about your life. All through dinner: a nice afternoon barbecue, they asked you so many questions. You didn't know if you'd talked this much your whole life.

The only one who ever gave you a break was Embry. He would let you ask him some questions of your own. That's how to two of you wound up walking up the beach, talking about the history of his pack. It was beautiful, and you knew you'd heard this story before. Your mom was obsessed with cultures, she loved to immerse herself in everyone's business. But, in a way that she was just excited, and wanted to learn.

"Does it hurt?" you asked.

"It used to," he said, "but I think it was more shock then anything. It's such a violent process."

"Hmm," you said. You'd learned so much already. "Maybe that's enough questions for one evening."

"They like you," Embry said.

"Even Paul?" you asked, making both you and Embry laugh together.

"If you can believe it," he said, "you impressed him twice in a row."

"Do you want to camp with me?" you asked, stopping at a big rock and pulling yourself up. "Right here on the beach, it's beautiful."

"You can probably sleep in my house," he said. You shook your head.

"No, I think I'll camp. But you're welcome to come," you said. You were looking out at a few lazy waves, and Embry joined you on the rock.

"Okay," he said, "I have a tent at my house."

You smiled, resting your chin on your knees. It had been a long day. A lot of new information to process. Embry just sat by you quietly, also enjoying the view. Being near him brought you peace. You didn't know if that was the soul connection or maybe you just liked him. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the regular monsters you met.

"Can we pretend we're not imprintees, or whatever?" you asked. "I'd rather see how things pan out naturally."

Embry smiled, "that sounds nice."

"Who knows what will happen," you said, putting your cheek on your knee so you could look at him. He closed one eye, and looked over at you. Face scrunched up and adorable. You smiled at him. You liked the way you felt when you were near him. It had been a long time since you'd been comfortable somewhere. "I want to help you catch Victoria."

"I figured," he said. Your attention was now on one another, you chewed the inside of your cheek as you studied him.

"Your friends like me," you said, he nodded. "What about you?"

"I think you're probably the coolest person I'll ever get the pleasure of knowing," he said. The clumsy charm came easily to this boy.

"You got that right." You reached over, and brushed a small bundle of hair off his forehead. As soon as you did it, you pulled away. "Sorry, not very slow of me."

"I said we'd let it play out," Embry said, a cocky smirk replaced his beautiful smile. "I never said we had to do that slowly."

You laughed. A sound he now cherished. Where you saw his beauty, he saw yours times ten. The scars on your arms just made you look like a badass. And the way the light reflected off your eyes was mesmerizing. Embry didn't know about the imprint, but he knew that he would've been fond of you no matter what.

Later that night, after you'd met everybody and you were so tired, you were looking for Embry around the remaining people. You almost considered taking him up on his offer to sleep in his house, but that was just laziness towards putting up a tent. It was a beautiful night though.

"Hey Paul," you said, flicking him in the ear as you stood behind him.

"That hurt, jerk." Paul held his ear between his finger and thumb. You blinked slowly at him.

"And you're the big tough guy around here?"

"One of these days, someone's not going to find your little attitude so cute," he said, crossing his arm.

"And I'll beat them up too," you joked. Paul laughed.

"You didn't beat me up, you won a duel."

"A duel? Which one of us is ancient again?" you asked, scanning the area again. Paul muttered 'whatever' and crossed his arms. "Have you seen Embry?"

"Ha," Paul laughed, "I'm surprised anyone was able to peel him off your side. I thought you guys got glued together or something."

"Wow, you know what? You're so funny," you said, flipping him off. He grabbed your hand. You swatted his hands until he let you go. "Don't touch me, you little nasty."

You said goodbye to him and walked over to thank Emily for inviting you to dinner. She offered you a couch to sleep on, and then made you promise to come back with Embry soon when you declined her offer. The backpack was loosely on your shoulder, and you started walking towards the beach. There didn't seem to be a better place to find Embry, and worst case you could sleep in a tree.

But he was there, tent set up and a little fire burning. He waved when you walked over, sneakers catching the sand uncomfortably.

"I would've helped you," you said, smiling at his handiwork.

"I know," he said, "but I bet you get tired of doing everything all the time."

"Now that, is a very sweet gesture." You looked to the water, the moonlight reflecting off the waves was so beautiful. You weren't used to people doing nice things for you. Honestly, you weren't used to people. "I have trouble letting people in."

"Are you saying you won't let me in?" he asked. His face was glowing in the light of the fire, and it somehow made him even more beautiful.

"No," you said. "I'm asking you not to let me push you away."

"I won't," he promised. And you believed him.

"I'm going to the Cullen house today," you said, grabbing your journal out of your bag.

You were sitting on Embry's bed. His closet and room became shared resources. And when he was gone for school, you'd set up a bit of a "home base" above his desk. You just liked that for once you could have all your thoughts organized.

And since his mom knew everything, you didn't have to hide it from her. But you still had to write it in a code that only you knew. Just in case someone who was not friendly found it. Didn't want to give them any leads, and no one in the world knew your cipher well enough to decode your messages.

Embry's mom was letting you stay at the house, even though on the nicer nights, you often chose to camp. Embry had been so worried about introducing you to his mom, but you had charmed her, the way you had charmed everyone else.

"You can stay here with Embry," she had said. "But I don't want any sex happening under my roof. Do you understand, Embry? I catch wind of it once, and you'll have to find another place to stay."

"Oh please, Embry wishes I would have sex with him," you joked. Embry was mortified, but you and his mom had started laughing.

"This is gunna be awesome. So fun and cool," Embry's voice had been monotonous. But he was happy that the two of you got along. It was important to him.

But that was a few days ago, and now Embry was looking at you as if trying to understand what you were talking about.

"Alone?"

"Yes, alone. They're less on guard when the wolves are at bay," you said. "I thought they should get a turn with my book. And that Alice, wow isn't she something else? I'd love to talk to her for just... five minutes."

"I don't think you should go there alone," he said, and you sighed. While you two had made a promise to take things slowly, the protective part of him was the side of him that crept to the surface before he could push it down. "I know, I'm sorry."

You smiled at him, and shuffled back on the bed until you were beside him, the two of you leaning against the wall. The window was open beside you, the fresh air and breeze trickled around you and filled your sense.

"The Cullens won't hurt me," you said. "Not only are they the good ones, but my blood tastes like vinegar to them."

"Gross," he said, sticking his tongue. He still didn't like it, and you were both aware of that.

"I need to talk to them," you said. "I've talked to Carlisle for like, ten minutes in his office. I need to know everything."

"I think you're just nosey," he said, smiling when you offered him a look of shock.

"How rude," you said, laughing and pushing him with your elbow.

"Well, it's true! What can they tell you that you don't already know?"

"I'm curious about the ecosystem here," you said. "It's delicate. Woven in past and future. It's beautiful."

"You're a weirdo, you know that?"

"Yeah maybe," you said, and then grinned. "But at least I don't turn into a dog."

Embry made a clicking sound with his tongue, shoved you back. The two of you were like two peas in a pod. He didn't have to keep secrets from you, or hide any part of who he was or how he felt. It was hilarious to the rest of the pack, they would often find you two practicing moves to use if you ever come across Victoria.

Destiny knew what it was doing when it paired you two. There was no problem when you were with him. It was easy, like it was second nature to be beside him.

"I have to go," you whispered, rolling your head to glance at him. "You can come, you know."

"I have to meet Sam soon," he said, reaching over to grab your hand. He brought it to his lips, planting a soft kiss on the knuckles. "You'll call me when you're leaving, yeah?"

"Sure," you said, smiling. "And if you can't answer because you don't have thumbs... I'll howl."

"You're an asshole," he said, squeezing your hand gently.

There was no clear direction to get the Cullens via the woods, but you figured it out. Trust your instincts, your mother always said, you'll know what to do. You always wondered if she had ignored her instincts when that vamp had you cornered. Did she ignore her instincts to save you?

There had been two dead that night. The vampire and your mother. It took awhile for you to recover from that. But the guilt never seemed to fade.

The Cullens house was huge, and made up of huge windows, on every side of the house. It was beautiful. It should've been in your nature to hate the Cullens, but they didn't kill people. Vampire hunting is about the biggest, baddest threats. Not the people who fought against their instincts.

Sometimes, you didn't even feel the need to kill a nomad. It wasn't about the fact that they were vampires, it was the gluttons. The ones who killed with no regard for human life. The ones who would take ten people from one town in a week.

Vampires like Victoria.

It seemed weird to knock. You knew that whoever was inside knew you were there. And they knew what you were. It's why, against Embry's wishes, you went totally unarmed. The only thing you had was your book, and the clothes on your back.

Carlisle opened the door, his typical polite smile on his face. "Hello, Y/N."

"Hey Carlisle," you said, grinning and tossing him the book. He caught it with ease. "Thought you might wanna look at all my field notes."

"Field notes?"

"Why does everyone always say that? Notes I took in the field," you laughed.

"Come in," he said, opening the door fully to you and opening the book at the same time.

"I figured, if you and pups can team up - then maybe another player in the game won't hurt."

"You want to join the fight?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Absolutely not," Edward said, sitting with Bella by the piano. "The last thing we need is someone else to be responsible for."

"Okay, well you won't be responsible for me so that solves that problem," you said. Edward concentrated in your direction, and you knew he was trying to read your mind. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. I've heard it stings."

Edward jolted back, feeling a pain similar to a bee sting right in the middle of his brain. "Like a moth to the flame," you said. Bella chuckled.

"She warned you," she said.

"You're too weak," Edward argued.

All day long you handle being insulted, or picked on. And it wouldn't get under your skin. But you were not weak.

"Yeah, why don't you come say that to my face," you said, crossing your arms.

As if trying to prove a point, Edward came up to you at top speeds. But it was all about timing, and you slipped out of his path just time, kicking behind you to knock his knee down. He tripped, and it sent him into the door, splintering the wood all around him.

"How'd that work out?" you asked. "Pretty good?"

"Stop!" Bella shouted, finally able to process what she was seeing. "That's impossible."

"That's supernatural baby," you said, winking at her and throwing up a finger gun. Edward growled, his jealousy and pride both wounded by your actions. "Will you relax, I'm kidding."

"Carlisle," Edward said, returning to Bella's side.

Carlisle had barely been paying attention, but instead was reading the book. "I think they'd be an asset," Carlisle said. "And don't you ever attack one of my guests again, Edward."

"And if you get bit? What if you die on the field? Think the wolves will forgive us for the death of an imprint?"

"An imprint?" Carlisle asked, looking up.

"Caught a peak in there?" you asked, tapping your forehead. "Yeah, Embry is my destiny or whatever. Hardly what we're talking about and he's not my keeper."

"And if you get bit?"

You rolled up your sleeves, the bite marks that healed in jagged lines almost glistened under the lights coming in the window. No one moved or said anything. They just stared at the marks.

"My plan is to stay in the treetops and trap the woods," you said. "I'm not an idiot. Two or more vampires surround me and I'm toast. But in the trees I can cover you, and stop any from fleeing into town, or elsewhere."

"The pack will be joining us for training tonight," Carlisle said. "I invite you to join us."

"Awesome," you said, grinning. "Vampire hunter and the vamps and the wolves. What a party!"

"She's a liability," Edward said.

"Oh my god, do you have anything nice to say ever?"

[eurosong]

Undo my ESC '21 (semi-final two)

Good afternoon folks, and welcome to the second part of Undo my ESC – my annual quest to make the year’s Eurovision better (at least, for me xD) by making a feasible change in each country – it could be something as small as altering a lyric or a staging detail, or as big as a different artist entirely winning the NF. Semi-final one was here so let's jump straight into SF2!

🇸🇲 San Marino: We're thrown into the deep end here with a fan fav that doesn't do at all for me. I'm one of maybe 5 people on the planet who prefers Freaky by far, I guess? I'm happy for Senhit to be getting so much love and for the diminutive serene republic to finally have a shot at a good result - but I'm not so keen on the way it's been done. There's a bit of cognitive dissonance for me because my favourite thing about Adrenalina is Flo Rida's rap, but I don't like the idea of bringing in famed American artists like "ringers" to elevate a song above one with "only" local talent. I would be so tempted to give the rap part to local artist IROL instead to spit some hot bars in Italian.

🇪🇪 Estonia: I had hope this year, I really did, for my era of absolutely adoring Estonia at ESC to be revived after 4 painful years. There were so many good songs at this year's Eesti Laul, like those of Ivo Linna, Egert, Gram of fun, Heleza - but ultimately, my huge favourite was, as expected, Jüri Pootsmann. Anyone who followed this blog back in 2016 knows how much I adore Jüri and was desperate to see him get a redemption arc at ESC itself. Magus melanhoolia was one of the best songs of the season for me and one of the best stagings. As much as I prefer '20 artists to get their shot in '21, problematic Uku with his toxic ex vibes song will have to step aside and let the Jüri renaissance happen here.

🇨🇿 Czechia: I really dig Benny Cristo - he has personality, presence and his own enjoyable style. At first I was kinda disappointed with Omaga because I was expecting something more in the vein of Kemama, with more pronounced Afrobeat influences. But it has grown on me a lot too. My change? Add more Czech than just one blink-and-you-miss-it line, mate! (Article continues below)

🇬🇷 Greece: I see this being talked up as potential televote top 3 and I just don't get it. Maybe it's the way the chorus rhymes dance with itself three times (and uses the term rockin' romance unironically); maybe it's the way that there are better 80s-inspired songs both in ESC and many fallen tributes in the NF season... it just leaves me cold. I actually preferred Supergirl and my change would be for Stefania to bring something with some actual Greek flair.

🇦🇹 Austria: I’ll echo what I said last year about Österreich – how did they go from Conchita to a guy who wished he wouldn’t have gay kids like this? I find both of this guy's songs insipid in different ways and I would invite Pænda back instead to avenge her getting robbed with the beautiful Limits. Or give a second shot at glory to the incredible Cesár!

🇵🇱 Poland: Unpopular opinion, but I absolutely love The Ride, and I feel bad for Alicja, but I much prefer it to Empires. What started as an ironic fondness for Rafał's cringy uncle vibes ended up being genuine appreciation - it's one of the few 80s-inspired songs that sound like they actually could have come out of that decade rather than like modern pastiches. And Raf actually does have an awkward charisma. My change - insert some Polish! Poland does so well with natural sounding bilingual efforts in JESC, they should bring it to the main contest too!

🇲🇩 Moldova: I was lowkey prepared to be disappointed by Moldova - I actually enjoyed Prison a lot and the news that they were going in a completely different direction didn't sit so well with me. And yet, I also love Sugar. Natalia's power! My changes: get rid of that weird scene with literally egg on her face - too on the nose for me. And incorporate a bit of the stellar Russian translation, Tuz bubi, because I'm always going to be advocating for more linguistic diversity xD

🇮🇸 Iceland: Daði Freyr can literally do no wrong with me. Whilst it doesn't have the same intense extra-fandom hype that Think about things did, I think I like Ten years even more. Nothing to change here.

🇷🇸 Serbia: It's no secret that Hurricane were far from my favourites at Beovizija 20, and that I find this a downgrade for Sanja compared to her powerful '16 song. And yet... Hasta la vista grew on me a lot, and so has Loco loco. It's something that is definitely scratching an itch at this year's ESC and the burst of anarchic energy it'll provide will be amazing. I am seriously tempted to change to the acoustic version, though, which has all the attitude of the original but is more beautiful for me and lets the girls' voices shine more.

🇬🇪 Georgia: Georgia keeps serving acquired tastes, and as a patron saint of marginal genres and I love them for that. This year, they've gone for something that even many fans of Tornike find hard to swallow - gone is the roaring rock of last year, replaced with a much more contemplative, soft effort that reminds me a little of Lou Reed. I enjoy both songs, but I can't deny preferring 2020. At the same time, I admire the chutzpah required to send something so different. I just wish there could be a moment to properly showcase T's powerhouse vocals.

🇦🇱 Albania: It was an odd Festival i këngës this year, outdoors in the freezing cold and without the orchestra that makes the songs soar so much more for me. Karma is a perfectly respectable winner, albeit one that lacks the immediacy and rawness of Shaj, Ktheju tokës and Mall. In my ideal alternate reälity, Arilena Ara would have been invited back. She'd bring a song as beautiful as Shaj - and not do a revamp into English that removes its edge this time.

🇵🇹 Portugal: 2015-2020 was a full on Portugal stan era for me. I want to believe that this year is an aberration and that in 2022, our lusitanian neighbours will produce the goods once again. Because ending a colossal streak of not sending songs that don't include Portuguese for this? I am baffled. I wanted the anthemic Joana do mar, produced beautifully by Luísa Sobral, or the timeless Contramão, which sounds like it escaped a Nouvelle Vague soundtrack. Saudade, Por um triz or a number of others would have been grand too.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria: I wasn't expecting much from Bulgaria - I really didn't and don't like TGS and the majority of songs in Victoria's NF-but-not-really aren't my cup of tea. I was happy she got her second chance, but resigned to not liking the song much that would get picked. And then, my fav, which was last in many community ratings, ended up being her pick. I adore GUIGO and believe it has the possibility to do very, very well at Rotterdam and be one of the 'moments' of the evening.

🇫🇮 Finland: CRIMINAL how YLE treated Aksel - it felt like he wasn't the defending champion, and that Erika Vikman had won the previous year. They also - I believe, deliberately - split his vote by making his just one of a number of ballads, so of course what stood out most were the two decidedly non-ballady songs. Finland only two years ago had a single-artist UMK. They could and should have brought it back for Aksel. I'd hope Hurt would win it, because that song is stunning.

🇱🇻 Latvia: I was, and am, delighted that Latvia stuck with Samanta Tina. The lady lives and breathes ESC, even wrote a university thesis about it, and if she tried so many times, finally won and then DIDN'T get to go to ESC, I would have gone to LTV headquarters personally to remonstrate. I really like both her songs. The moon is rising is poised, powerful and like nothing else this year. The only thing I'd change is adding some Latvian because it's a gorgeous language and we've been waiting for ages to hear it again.

🇨🇭 Switzerland: Gjon's song is once again not really my cup of tea, or tears - but I enjoy it better than last year's and I'm glad he's back. Highkey wish it did include Albanian or Romansch like confused commenters last year thought it did.

🇩🇰 Denmark: There is literally no excuse for Denmark's treatment of Ben & Tan. I'm not even a big fan of their music at all, out to not even allow them to compete in DMGP to defend their win with Iron heart? Even though there are songs that competed in DMGP that I prefer a lot, most notably Står lige her, I would probably have let them have a proper second chance.

And the automatic qualifiers voting in this semi -

🇫🇷 France: For me, France had an absolutely enthralling, sincere, perfectly Gallic entry that hit me so hard in the feels. And whilst I respect Voilà, no, that wasn't it. It was Pourvu qu'on m'aime, easily one of the best songs I heard all year inside NFs or out. I find Voilà a little too mannered and affected, whilst PQM is a shot straight from Juliette's heart into mine. In my dream, it'd have won CVQD and be receiving the same love that Voilà is right now.

🇪🇸 Spain: Whilst it is getting next to no love in the fandom and seems quite forgotten, I find Voy a quedarme one of the best songs sent from this country in several years - and I say that having preferred Memoria. I am proud of Blas and love that he had a hand in writing this song. My change? He said recently that the staging in Rotterdam won't be inspired by the poignant music video despite wanting it to be - I would incorporate elements from it in the live.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Frankly, I think almost all the Big 5+1 brought it this year, with the notable exception of Germany. Embers is the banger that I never thought was coming from James Newman, and it's been one of the biggest earworms of the season. I wouldn't change anything about it - I'd just ensure that the staging replicated the energy of the video as much as possible!

[marineduo]

No Time To Bleed

Heat x Wire / Soldershipping

Title Requested by @meduuse

Read on AO3

Things had gone sideways for the crew before, but Wire wasn’t sure they’d ever been in a position this bad. The marines had taken them by surprise. Separated them. Cornered them. It was one of the worst scenarios he could imagine, made worse by the blood steadily dripping from his side. His veil was ruined at this point too. Heat had torn it to shreds to help dress the wound, but it had still left him dizzy and lightheaded.

They really didn’t have time for this.

Wire could hear the marines outside the stone house they had barricaded themselves into. Not the best idea, but they hadn’t exactly had any other options. They had stopped, at least. Probably waiting for them to come out on their own. Well, they’d be waiting a long time.

Across the small space, Heat was busy scrubbing blood off of his hands, hair pulled back and brow furrowed. Despite the worry, he couldn’t deny it was a good look for him. Everything was a good look for him. He wasn’t about to deny that. Despite never having said anything to Heat before, he was at least smart enough to recognize when he’d fallen in love. Even if the other was unaware. Wire shifted a bit, pain shooting through him and reminding him of the wound steadily soaking what used to be his veil in blood.

They were going to die there, weren’t they. They were going to die, and Wire would have never gotten over himself enough to actually say anything.

Outside the marines sounded like they were getting antsy. He watched as Heat moved over to carefully glance through a small window, eyes narrowing. It seemed their already short time was running out, and all Wire could do was sit there and bleed out. Unless… No, that was a stupid idea.Though at this point he didn’t exactly have anything to lose.

“Heat?”

Heat turned from the window and approached, kneeling down next to him on the floor.

“Injury acting up again?”

“No, I… There’s something you need to know.” Wire swallowed hard. It shouldn’t be that difficult, but with how sluggish he felt everything became so much harder. “I should’ve earlier. No time left so…”

He trailed off as Heat stood, but stayed bent over enough to grab Wire’s face and pull him into a kiss. It was rough and messy and over far too quickly, leaving him more dazed than before.

“We’ll talk later.” Heat sounded so certain, straightening up and moving to the door. Wire rested his head against the wall, closing his eyes as the door slammed open.

He barely reacted to the chaotic sounds of fighting, his strength leaving him as he slipped into unconsciousness.

---

Wire never expected to wake up. He figured if the blood loss didn’t get him, the marines would. Instead he found himself in Haikei’s infirmary on the Victoria Punk. Heat sat in the corner, book in hand and bandages around his arm.

“Heat?”

He watched as the other put his book aside, expression softening as stood anf came closer.

“Good to see you up. How’re you feeling?”

“Better.” Wire tried to push himself up, but a pain in his side stopped him.

“Carefull,” Heat gently put a hand on his shoulder, “If you pull your stitches Haikei’ll have both our heads.”

“How’d we get out of that?”

“Captain and Killer showed up.”

Yeah, that would do it. No wonder the marines had jumped back into action so suddenly.

They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Wire prided himself in being slow to fear, but now he couldn’t help but feel an edge of discomfort as Heat looked at him. Like he was waiting for him. He knew what he was waiting for, but it didn’t make asking any easier.

“So… About before…” Wire paused, thinking back to the small house. To his shipwreck of an attempted confession, and the kiss. “How’d you know that’s what I was trying to say?”

“Not much else it could’ve been at a time like that. Besides, you weren’t exactly subtle.”

“Wait, hold on.” He tried to push himself up again but Heat pushed him back down, all but pinning him to the bed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Figured I’d let you make the first move. And when that was the best you could do I decided to finish the job.”

Wire laid back, face warming in embarrassment. He’d never been one for expressing himself before, but despite adding insult to injury he couldn’t bring himself to be upset about it. Even though neither had outright said it, the kiss was proof enough of Heat’s attitude towards the situation. Not to mention their current conversation.

“So what happens now?”

“What do you want to happen?”

“I’d appreciate another kiss, if it’s not too much trouble.” Wire asked with mock politeness, matching the other’s grin. “It was hard to enjoy through the blood loss.”

Heat leaned down, pressing his lip’s to Wire’s. It was softer this time. Slower, deeper, and… Wire made a face.

“Is your mouth always that slimy?”

“Side effect of breathing fire, remember?”

“Well, I suppose I’ll just have to get used to it.”

[priyankaraa]

How To Love Your Boss

Pairing: CEO!Tom Holland × PA!Reader

Warnings:Jealousy, A little violence, Tom being a bit of a douche in the beginning, Smutt (18+), Oral (Male receiving), Fluff

Summary:The reader is Tom's PA. He is in love for her but she thinks that all he wants is sex.

A/N: I got this idea because I have been reading alot of these type of books on Wattpad. Then I came up with something smutty and funny at the same time. Hope you'll enjoy and thanks for the follows and likes. Thanks so much for over one hundred followers.

The elevator dinged, the doors slid open and out came the World's most sexiest CEO - well at least he thought. You thought the exact opposite. His cocky, arrogant, asshole attitude took away from his good looks. To you he was nothing but a shallow guy that hooked up with countless girls, but you couldn't deny the tiniest attraction you had towards him. You were never going to let him get to you. All he wanted was to get in your pants, and you were better than that.

It was a usual Tuesday morning. You had a cup of steaming hot tea on your desk for Tom. His agenda for the day had been completed. He had a few meetings and then his hook up from the accounting department would be with him. As I have said before, it was a usual Tuesday. Okay, maybe not so usual.

It was around eleven, Tom cancelled half of his meetings because he was tired. He hardly slept thinking about you. He had tried so hard to get you. At first he wanted a good fuck, a one night stand but as time went on he found himself wanting you more the more your rejected him. Of course he wasn't at all accustomed to this thing called rejection. He was a famous actor and then he went on to taking over his father's company. Women usually threw themselves at his feet.

You had seen it too. There were women that used to drop by the office. They were indeed gorgeous. You thought they were better looking than you. They had plain, smooth skin with an hour glass figure. They had amazing hair that always set in the perfect curls. You were just you. Plain ol' simple Y/N.

These women came to see Tom. They would give him a quickie in his office. You pitied the cleaning staff. The women would often look at you with disgust and make hurtful comments about the way you looked. You didn't appreciate this, you didn't sign up for this when you signed the contract. You didn't sign under Tom. Although you are the same age, you started working here when he his father was still CEO. Tom wanted to get rid of you but his father only trusted you and once Tom saw you, he wanted you. Plus, your father is also a close friend of Doninic Holland.

Tom decided that he needed a break, not like he was doing much work. He just sat at his desk looking at security footage of you.

Creepy, I know.

You, on the other hand was extremely exhausted. Sincing Tom stayed in his office the whole day you decided to help a friend down at the accounting department. Adrian West. The both of you started working together. You'll instantly got along.

Tom hated Adrian. The fact that he always made you laugh made him even more upset. He saw you talk to him and hang out like friends would do. This made Tom jealous. He couldn't even get you to have a conversation with him that's not related to work. Tom tried hard so make you like him, even in a platonic way.

He would compliment you and try and hold back on the sexual innuendos. He would bring you coffee just the way you like it. He would give you longer breaks and sometimes half days off, sometimes he even took you for lunch. You appreciated it but still wasn't entirely sure about his intentions.

A part of you had feelings for Tom. He was good looking and when you look past his cocky, conceited side he is actually a great guy. You started seeing a whole new side of Tom. Not the side that the whole of London knew, a side that you wanted to call a friend or possibly even more.

"Miss Y/L/N, I'm going out for lunch. Would you like to join me?" He did have an effect on you when he addressed you by your last name. Not the reaction that had butterflies in your stomach, the type that makes your squeeze your thighs together.

You were going to say yes but then you saw Adrian exit the elevator. Your were on the last floor of the building. That was where Tom's office was situated.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need these documents to be printed out and these emails to be sent, among with a sign of gratitude. Then, you will need to arrange these files according to date." You flipped through the files and saw that the documents in them weren't dated, making your task almost impossible.

"How do I file them accordingly if there are no dates on the document?" You would much rather have lunch than work. You left home in the morning only having eaten an apple and a granola bar. At this point you were sure that you had no stomach lining.

"You can figure it out. Maybe ask around." Tom wasn't happy at all. Firstly, you are his PA. Secondly, he knew you hadn't eaten properly. Your father had phoned and told him to make sure you get a decent meal, and he was going to make sure you eat even if he had to feed you.

"I can't ask around. I have other things to do." You said sincerely. Tom stood next to your table, silently staring at Adrain with hatred. It was now more than just being your friend. He was stressing you out. Tom knew that you practically worked your ass off sincing he was watching you on the surveillance cameras like a creep.

"Listen, woman! I need these things done. Anyways, all you do is sit here and stare at the walls occasionally pleasing Holland." That was all it took for Tom to lunge at him, punching him hard in the jaw.

"Don't you ever insinuate such things. You have no right to speak to any woman like that. Another thing she's my PA not yours. She does more work than you will ever be capable of. And before I forget, YOU'RE FIRED!" It felt good to finally get that off his chest.

Adrian laid there on the floor in bewilderment, shocked as to what the hell just happened. He just lost his job because of you. You felt guilty and shocked. Tom just punched and fired a guy because he was stressing you out. It meant a lot to you.

Eventually Adrian picked his sorry ass off the floor and left. Tom made sure that he cleared his things and sent security for a personal escort out.

The plans Tom made for lunch were long forgotten. He sat at his desk looking over documents. You felt bad for cockblocking Tom sometimes and decided to show him your gratitude by giving him what he always wanted - you.

Tom proved that he is worth it, that he truly genuinely likes you. He had this whole game plan where he asks you out and the whole first date planned. He had changed alot for you and all you had to do was go along with it.

You just needed the right time to confess. You wanted to make sure everything was right so you decided to wait a few days. Tom didn't want to pressurize you so he waited. He knew that you felt something towards him and he wanted you to admit it.

You waited out the rest of the week. Tom even gave you Wednesday off. Once Friday came you were ready to tell Tom everything. You walked through those elevator doors and went straight into Tom's office.

He had just gotten off the phone with his mom. He told her everything about you and about his plans. His parents did like you. In their eyes, you were perfect for Tom. You were just what he needed to keep his cocky ass grounded.

You stood in front of him at the doorway, he tried to hide his knowing smirk. You smiled at him before crashing your lips on his. You can't deny how nervous you was. Tom wasted no time in kissing you back. His lips instantly moving against yours. It was complete bliss on both your sides. He sucked and nibbled on your bottom lip, shoving his tongue inside your mouth.

He pressed your back into the wall and continued kissing the shit out of you. His hands groped your hips, pulling you flush into him. He had the urge to feel energy inch of you, to memorise every curve, mark and flaw. To know all your sweet spots and the effect of kissing you in certain places.

His fingers clumsily fumbled with the buttons on your silk shirt. You came prepared for this moment. Yesterday evening, you made a trip to Victoria Secret with your best friend. You bought a sexy black lace set and wore it under your work clothes. You weren't exactly sure that this would happen but you prepared accordingly.

Once he had removed your shirt, his lips travelled down your neck, kissing and sucking every spot. There was no doubt that he had left marks everywhere. You threw your head back and moaned at the feeling of his warm tongue against your skin.

He pinched the underside of your thighs and you wrapped your legs around his waist, feeling his hard on. He carried you over and placed you in his desk, shoving out whatever was on his way. He didn't give a shit about the lap top and stuff. All those things can be replaced. His attention was solely on you and making you feel good.

He broke the kiss and placed his forehead against yours, allowing you both to breath. "Are you sure you want to do this?" His voice was filled with love and concern. Tom had never asked a girl if she was sure. Normally they would be drunk and desperate. They would be all over him and he wouldn't even think about double checking.

You nodded before your cupped his cheeks and kissed him softly and sweetly. He stood between your legs with his hands laying on your thighs. He rubbed gentle circles with his thumbs on your radiant skin. The kiss soon got more heated and your hands soon removed his shirt.

Your tongues were down each others throat while your hands roamed his chest, feeling ever ab and muscle. Tom's hands travelled up your skirt and brushed your your clit though the thin material that was your underwear. He could feel your dampness through the material.

"What's got you so wet, darling?" He pressed the pad of his finger against your clit and you whimpered at his touch. Your mouth hung open as you enjoyed the feeling on him pressing against your clit. "Use your words for me." He pulled away allowing you the chance to speak.

"You Tommy. I'm wet for you. Only you." Calling him Tommy made him reach a whole new level in hornyness. The growl that left his lips made you even more wet if that was possible.

His lips attacked you neck, tugging down your skirt and discarding it somewhere across the room. Your fingers traced every muscle on his chest and stomach. You trailed them down and touched his boner. You felt him shudder at the contact. You wasted no time. You quickly undid his belt and slid his pants down his legs.

The both of you were in nothing but your underwear out of breath and about to fuck. Your hair was messed up from having Tom's fingers in it, probably looked like a fucking bird nest. Tom lips were pink and swollen. His pupils were almost black and he had a few red scratch marks on his chest.

He placed his palms on either side of you on the table and stared into your e/c orbs. "I love you." He placed a sweet delicate peck on your lips. He was scared that maybe you would reject him knowing all that you do but you didn't. "I love you too."

You cupped his cheeks and kissed him. It was passionate at first but gradually got more heated. He unhooked your bra and slid it down your shoulders. He placed a kiss on the valley of your breast and gentle pulled a nipple into his mouth.

Your back arched as he flicked his tongue on the sensitive nipple, massaging the other one. He then did the same to the other one. He ripped of your thong. He literally ripped off the thong that you just bought yesterday but you didn't care.

He laid you down on the desk so that your head was towards him. He peeled of his boxer briefs and his long, hard member sprung out. He jerked himself a few times. You understood what he was doing so you reached and jerked him, putting him in your mouth. He thrusted his hips and his hand reached out. He played with your tits for a while before reached down and gently stroking your clit.

He tangled his long fingers your locks and bobbed your head, pushing him further down your throat. You moaned sending vibrations through his cock. It hit the back of your throat making you gag. You pulled away wiping your spit that was leaking down your chin with the back of his hand.

He pulled a condom over his dick, lining it with you leaning his head against your forehead. He eased into because of the wetness filling you up to the brim. Of course, you were a virgin. You never got around doing it with your ex and now you were glad you didn't. You were able to give yourself to Tom fully.

It hurt at first as tears lined your eyes. But over time, the pain turned into pleasure and you found myself moaning out in joy. You wrapped your legs around his waist as he pounded deeper into you.

He gripped your arms and pulled you into his chest so that he was hugging you. His body was warm and his body heat was radiating onto your body.

"You feel so fucking good." Tom moaned into your ear as he gently nibbled on the shell of your ear. His lips trailed down your neck, nipping and sucking on the delicate skin on your collar bone.

The air was steamy and filled with sex. Your bodies were one as he pounded into you, making you feel immense pleasure. Your body has never been loved like this before. Your senses were in overdrive; you couldn't make sense of what was happening. All you could think about was this feeling in the pit of you stomach.

You felt this knot come undone and your legs started to shake. You shut tight eyes tight enjoying the euphoric feeling wash over your entire body.

"Fuck... Cum for me, baby." You felt myself letting go at him command, releasing onto his cock. White spots clouded your vision and profanities rolled off your tongue effortlessly. Tom came after, moaning your name in his sexy husky voice.

You finally came down from the high and Tom pulled out, laying next to you on the table. Both of your chests were heaving, rising and falling with every breath you took.

When you caught my breath, yoi stood up and put your clothes back on. You gave into Tom and you thought that now he probably doesn't want to ever talk to you again. Now you felt stupid because you have done whatever those other girls have done. Only, you slept with your boss - the person thar signs your paychecks.

"Where are you going?" He asked as he grabbed onto your hand pulling you back into his toned chest.

"I'm leaving. You got what you wanted." You choked out, wiping your tears with the back of your hand.

"No, Y/N. I want you not only for sex. I want to wake up next to you; I want to always have you in my arms; and I want to make love to you every night and only you. What I'm trying to say is that I love you." He wiped your tears with his thumbs as he cradled your face with his hands. "Why are you still crying?"

Launching yourself into Toms arms, you wrapped your arms around his torso and buried your head in his chest.

"I love you too, Thomas." You said and he wrapped his arms you, tight enough to feel him. There was absolutely no space between the two of you'll and you was content.

You are content knowing that Tom is yours and only yours. And of course you're only his.

[morwenna-crows]

Seasons of War: American Cover + Two Chapter Preview

The American cover for Seasons Of War was released today. 

There’s also a two chapter preview, which I’ve put under the cut, because long.

1.

Red candles, maybe a dozen of them. Brick walls. Lot of rafters, lot of shadows, lots of big, empty patches of darkness. Wooden floor. She was in a cellar, a big one, upright against something metal. She could feel the struts digging into her back. Her arms were over her head, wrists bound with rope. Ankles tied, too. 

Her tongue tasted sour. They’d drugged her. Her mouth was dry. She licked her lips. Her head was dull. She shot a little magic through her system and her mind cleared instantly. 

She wondered if her make-up had been smudged. She hoped it hadn’t. It had taken ages to put on. Her shoes were gone. Good. They were awful. She was still in the dress, though, the one that was too small and too tight and not very practical. It did have one thing going for it, however – the amulet of dark metal, in the shape of a skull, that fitted against her hip like some cool- looking clasp. 

She raised her head slightly, gave her surroundings a closer inspection through the hair that hung over her face. Pedestals displayed occult paraphernalia in glass cases like this was some- one’s idea of a black magic museum, and good quality – though obviously plastic – skeletons, dressed in rags, hung from shackles along the walls. The ground was sticky against her bare feet. She was positioned in the exact centre of a pentagram painted on the floorboards. She was pretty sure the dark stains had been made by copious splashes of blood. 

“She’s awake,” someone said in the darkness ahead of her. “Hey, she’s awake. Get the others.” 

The sound of feet on wooden steps, and then yellow light flooded in from above. A large shadow flowed across the light and then the cellar door closed and she was left with the flickering red candles and whoever had spoken. 

He came forward, out of the darkness. Dressed in a red robe with the hood up. 

“What’s your name?” he asked. His voice was gentle. American. Warm. 

“Valkyrie,” she said. 

“Valerie?” 

“Valkyrie. With a K.” 

“That’s a nice name. Unusual. Is it Irish?” 

“Norwegian.” 

“Oh. My friend said you were from Ireland.” 

“I am. My name isn’t.” 

“Ah.” He stepped a bit closer. She could see the lower half of his face, his square jaw and his even white teeth. 

“You’re probably freaking out right now. I get that. I do. You wake up, you’re in a dark cellar, you see satanic stuff all around, you probably think you’re going to be horribly butchered in some ridiculous human-sacrifice ritual, yeah?” He pulled his hood down and his smile broadened. “Well, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.” 

“I know you,” said Valkyrie. 

“Do you?” 

“You’re that actor,” she said. “From that movie. You’re Jason Randal.” 

“You want an autograph?” 

“How about a selfie? If you could just hand me my phone...” 

He laughed. “Oh, I like you. That’s an impressive response. Usually, the girls we sacrifice are full of panicked questions at this stage, like they think they can make sense of what’s happening. Like they can’t bring themselves to believe that they’re about to be murdered.” 

“What was that movie you were in, with the guy from The Big Lebowski?” 

Jason tilted his head slightly. “I haven’t been in a film with—” 

“No, you know the one. You both play dead cops who are still, like, solving crimes and stuff? You’re not zombie cops, or ghost cops, but... what’s it called? I want to say RIP, but...” 

Jason’s smile faded. “RIPD,” he said. 

“Yes,” Valkyrie said. “That was a terrible movie. Why did you make that?” 

He scratched his jaw. “That was Ryan Reynolds. You’re thinking of Ryan Reynolds.” 

“That wasn’t you?” 

“No.” 

Valkyrie frowned. “Are you sure?” 

“I think I know what films I’ve been in.” 

“I could have sworn it was you.” 

“Well, it wasn’t.” 

“It’s a terrible movie.” 

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen it and I wasn’t in it.” 

“It’s bad.” 

“Then how about we stop talking about it?” 

“Are you ashamed of it because it’s so bad?” 

“I wasn’t in it.” 

Valkyrie looked at him. “Maybe if you had a better agent you’d get better movies.” 

Yellow light flooded the cellar and shadows moved, cast by the three people coming down the steps, all dressed in red robes. 

“Is the Master here?” Jason Randal asked them, annoyance pinching his words. 

“He’s on his way,” the woman in front said. Her name escaped 

Valkyrie, but these days she was always being cast as the girlfriend or the wife of the hero. A few years ago, however, she’d headlined a few movies herself. Not bad movies, either. The guy behind her, one of the stars of a dreadful sitcom Valkyrie had pretended to like, was the one who’d bought her the spiked drink in the crowded bar. She recognised the last person – an actor in a TV show she’d never watched who had a ridiculous name that she couldn’t remember. 

The woman had an amazing smile and incredible bone struc- ture and wonderful hair. It shone in the candlelight. “I take it Jason has explained what’s going to happen,” she said. 

“Don’t bother with this one,” Jason said, somewhat grumpily. “She’s not that bright.” 

Valkyrie ignored him. “I’m a huge fan,” she said. “Aw, thank you.” “That film where you were out for revenge on the men who’d killed your husband? That was brilliant.” 

“That’s really sweet of you to say so. I did a lot of my own stunts for that one.” 

“The fight scenes were excellent.” The woman smiled at the others. “Do we have to kill her? She has such great taste!” 

The others chuckled – all except Jason. He didn’t chuckle even a little bit. 

“We should do it now,” he said. The woman frowned at him. Victoria, that was her name. Victoria Leigh. “Before the Master gets here?” 

“It’s almost midnight. We’ll have to do it anyway, with or without him.” 

“The Master will not be pleased,” said the sitcom star. 

“Then the Master should be on time for the human sacrifice,” Jason snapped back. “The rest of us are all here, aren’t we? And we have careers. I have to be on set in two hours, and don’t you have an early call tomorrow?” 

“I do have an early call,” murmured the sitcom star. Victoria checked the slender gold watch on her slender pale wrist. “OK, fine, get everything ready to go. We’ll wait till the last second. If the Master arrives in time, excellent. If he doesn’t, we’ll do it ourselves on the stroke of midnight.” 

The others nodded and went off to fetch whatever they needed to fetch. Victoria stepped closer, though, brushing Valkyrie’s hair back off her face. 

“You’re a pretty one,” she said. “Not leading-lady beautiful, perhaps, but definitely girl-next-door pretty. And those shoulders! Good lord! Linebacker shoulders, that’s what we call them. I can see why Tadd picked you.” Her voice softened. “Was he respectful? I’ve warned him about this in the past.” 

“Pretty sure he was.” 

“Good. I’ve seen far too many girls being disrespected in my business and I’d hate to be a part of something that perpetuates this behaviour.” 

“Aren’t you lot going to murder me in a few minutes?” 

A little laugh. “I am aware of the contradiction.” 

“Good,” said Valkyrie. “Because I was worrying.” 

“I have to say... What’s your name?” 

“Valkyrie.” 

“Ah, from Norse mythology. Very nice. I have to say, Valkyrie, you’re surprisingly calm about this whole thing.” 

Valkyrie shrugged as much as she was able. “I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’ve been in worse situations.” 

“You have?” “It’s all worked out in the end.” “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t think that’s going to happen tonight.” 

“We’ll see.” “Indeed we will, Valkyrie. That’s a great attitude to have. We will indeed see. So tell me, what brings you out to LA? Aspiring actress?” 

“Actually, I’m thinking of getting into stuntwork. I like being physical, you know? Throwing people around, crashing through windows, falling off rooftops... That’s my kind of thing.” 

“Oh, I admire stunt people so much, I really do. I know this great little team down in Glendale. Such a shame you’re dying tonight – someone as athletic as you, you’d have fit in perfectly.” 

“Can I ask you something? This Master guy you’re waiting on – who is he?” 

“You sure you want to know? Well, why the hell not – you won’t be telling anyone, right? He’s a sorcerer. He’s magic.” 

“Like one of those street magicians?” 

Victoria’s laugh was as pretty as her eyes. “No, no, not like those street magicians. I mean he’s actually, really, genuinely magic. He can move things just by waving his hands. He clicks his fingers and he’s holding a ball of fire in his palm.” 

“No kidding?” 

“I swear it’s true.” 

“And why does he make you sacrifice people?” 

“Well, he gets his power from Satan, you see. He’s Satan’s emissary here on earth. All of us in our little group, we’re the ones who sacrifice the girls and, as a reward, Satan grants the Master the power to fulfil our wildest dreams.” 

“Golly,” said Valkyrie. 

“I know.” 

“And does it work? Do your wildest dreams come true?” 

Victoria made a seesawing motion with her hand. “It’s not an exact science. We get a lot of callbacks during pilot season, a lot of interest from casting agents and directors... but really Satan just opens the door. It’s up to us to walk through.” 

“Right, right,” said Valkyrie. “So Satan is real, then?” 

“Oh, yes.” 

“Wow. And that’s all he asks for? Human sacrifice?” 

“Yes. And a commission.” 

“A commission?” 

“That goes to the Master. For living expenses, you know.” 

“So the Master gets a cut of whatever you make? How big a cut?”

Victoria hesitated. “Forty per cent.” 

“Seriously?” 

“But it’s worth it. Tadd wouldn’t have got that sitcom if it wasn’t for the Master, and I’m on a shortlist for the role of a wartime correspondent. It’s based on a true story and the script has a lot of buzz around it right now.” 

“Good luck with that one. I hope you get it.” 

“Thank you.” The others came back. Tadd held a candelabra of seven long- stemmed, unlit black candles, and the other one, the actor whose ridiculous name Valkyrie couldn’t remember, carried a box of polished oak. Jason Randal opened the box, and took out a long, curved dagger. The corners of his mouth lifted when he looked at Valkyrie. 

“We still have two minutes,” Victoria said. 

“She needs to be dead at midnight,” Jason responded. “I know the rules.” 

“We should do it now, to be sure she dies.” 

“We’ll do it at eleven fifty-nine. So long as you stab her in the heart, she’ll be dead in seconds. Light the ceremonial candles.” 

The ridiculously named actor put the box down and came hurrying over, digging through his robes. He produced a silver Zippo, flicked it open and ran the flint wheel along his thigh. It sparked to a flame, and he put the flame to the seven black candles. Tadd held the candelabra aloft. 

“The candles,” he said, “are lit.” 

“The dagger,” Jason intoned, “is sharp.” “The time,” Victoria said, eyes on her watch, “is now.” 

2.

Jason grinned and raised the dagger and then the seven candles went out. 

“Oh,” said Tadd. “Sorry.” 

Jason glared. “Relight them.” The actor with the ridiculous name flicked the Zippo open again, ran it across his leg again, and lit the candles again. 

Sheepishly, Tadd held the candelabra aloft once more. “The candles are lit.” 

Then they went out again. “For God’s sake,” Jason muttered. 

“Are you standing in a draught or something?” Victoria asked. “Move over there, and don’t hold them up so high this time. Come on, we’re running out of time. Relight them.” 

The actor with the ridiculous name flicked the Zippo open. “I swear,” said Jason, “if you run that up your leg one more time, I am stabbing you instead of this girl. Do you understand? Just light the damn candles.” 

The actor narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to be a—” 

“Light the candles, Maverick!” said Jason and Victoria at the same time. 

Maverick. That was his name. Maverick Reels. What a silly name. Not that someone who’d called herself Valkyrie Cain could throw stones, but still. 

As Maverick fumbled with the Zippo, the cellar door opened and a man swept down the stairs. “Hail Satan!” he cried. 

“Hail Satan!” the others cried back. 

“Hail Satan,” Valkyrie added, just to be in with the cool kids. 

“Midnight is almost upon us!” said the Master, summoning fire into his hand and passing it over the candelabra, lighting each wick. “Why does this girl still live? Kill her! Deliver her soul to the Dark Lord!” 

“Voldemort?” Valkyrie asked, frowning. The Master pulled down his hood. He didn’t look like a Master. He looked like a mid-level office manager with a bad goatee. He peered at her. “Do I know you?” 

“Do you?” 

“I’ve seen you before.” 

“Have you?” 

“I’ve seen your photograph,” he said. 

“Where have you seen it?” 

“I’m trying to remember,” he said. 

“Think hard now.” 

“Stop talking.” 

“Maybe it wasn’t even me,” Valkyrie said. “Was it a photo taken in a burning city? Then it wasn’t me. It was a god who just looked like me.” 

His eyes widened. “Oh, no.” Valkyrie’s magic crackled, white lightning dancing around her wrists and ankles, burning through the ropes. 

Panicking, the Master grabbed the dagger from Jason just as one of the skeletons in rags stepped away from the wall and seized his wrist. 

“Let’s not do anything hasty,” Skulduggery said, and everyone in the little group of satanic worshippers screamed and leaped away as he punched the Master right on the hinge of his jaw. 

The Master’s knees buckled and he collapsed into Skulduggery’s arms, and Valkyrie broke free of the scaffolding holding her and followed the actors as they scrambled up the cellar steps. 

She caught Maverick just as the door crashed open, pulling him off the steps. He flailed madly and she ducked as he spun, then clocked him right on the chin. He stiffened and pitched backwards. Valkyrie left him there and ran after the others. 

She emerged from the cellar into an impressively big house – a movie star’s house. Lots of glass and exposed brick and open spaces. She followed the sounds of panic to the front door, where Jason and Victoria and Tadd were cursing each other as they tried to navigate the locks. 

They heard her coming. Tadd let out a roar and came charging. He was shorter than Valkyrie, and skinnier, and she stepped into him, stopping him with a shoulder. He staggered a little and her fingers curled into his hair and she smacked his face against the painting on the wall over and over until he fell down. 

Victoria ran into another room as Jason Randal dropped his robe and squared up to Valkyrie. He was big. He had muscles. He moved like he knew what he was doing, or he’d at least worked with fight choreographers – but when he threw the first punch it was stiff and awkward and badly judged, and it stopped a good hand’s length short of where it needed to land. He didn’t have a clue, and this wasn’t worth bruising her knuckles over, so Valkyrie blasted him with a little lightning that threw him back against the door. He fell in a crumpled, unconscious heap and she went after Victoria. She was standing in the huge living room holding a poker like a baseball bat. 

“This isn’t going to do me a whole lot of good, is it?” she asked after a moment. 

Valkyrie gave a shrug, and Victoria sighed, and put the poker down. 

“Was that an actual skeleton I saw downstairs, or was it some sort of special effect?” 

“It was a skeleton. He’s alive and he talks. His name’s Skulduggery.” 

“Of course it is,” Victoria said, and took a seat, wearily, on the couch. “So you’re a sorcerer, too, are you?” 

“Yep.” 

“You a Satanist also?” 

Valkyrie sat opposite, and crossed her legs. “That guy’s not a Satanist. None of us are Satanists. Magic has got nothing to do with religion. Those people you sacrificed? The devil didn’t collect their souls. Those people just died.” 

Victoria took a while before answering. “But then why did the Master tell us to do it?” 

“Well, seeing as how all this is about money, I’m guessing that in order to get the lot of you to really commit, the idiot you call Master made you kill a bunch of innocent people so you couldn’t change your minds and back out at a later date.” 

Victoria’s face slackened. “We didn’t have to kill those girls?” 

“Nope.” 

“But... but our careers... How did he—?” 

“There’s a trick sorcerers can do once they know the name you were born with. They can tell you to do stuff. Not big stuff, not life-changing stuff – he wouldn’t have been able to coax a whole lot of money out of you that way – but he could certainly have suggested to casting agents that it’d be a good idea to call you in for a second audition, things like that.” 

“Oh my God...” 

“Yep.” 

“What... what’s going to happen to me now?” 

“You’re going to jail.” 

“I should call my attorney.” 

“You won’t need an attorney,” said Valkyrie. “You’re going to one of our jails. All four of you will disappear. No one will know where you are.” 

“But my family... My fans...” 

“They’ll never see you again.” 

Victoria stared at her. “You can’t do that.” 

“By our estimation, you’ve murdered sixteen young women between the four of you. We might be wrong. You might have murdered more.” 

“But the Master told us we had to.” 

“Stop calling him Master. He’s just some low-level sorcerer who couldn’t be bothered doing the work of a real agent so he invented this Satanist thing to make some money out of you morons. And I don’t care what he told you. You had a choice. You could have chosen not to murder sixteen innocent young women. Obviously, that’s not the road you decided to go down.” 

Victoria sat forward, elbows on her knees, hands hidden by the voluminous sleeves of her robe, evidently processing what she could. “I can’t go to jail,” she said slowly. “I’m on a shortlist. That part could win me an Oscar.” She straightened up. She had a gun in her hand. “I’m really sorry.” 

Valkyrie raised an eyebrow, but otherwise didn’t react. 

“Sorcerers aren’t bulletproof, are they?” Victoria asked. 

“No, we’re not,” said Valkyrie. 

“I’m really sorry about this.” 

“Are you, though?” 

Victoria thumbed back the hammer. It made a pleasing little click. “I’m not the best shot in the world,” she said, “but I’m not bad, either. That revenge movie I was in? My firearms coach told me I was a natural. But, even if I were the worst shot in the world, I couldn’t miss from this range even if I wanted to.” 

“Oh, I bet you could if you tried.” 

“Will a gun kill your skeleton friend?” 

“Not that gun.” 

“Then I’ll just kill you.” 

Valkyrie tapped the amulet on her hip and the black suit spread outwards, covering her skin and her clothes, flowing down to her feet and to her fingertips before Victoria’s eyes could even finish widening. 

The gun went off. The bullet hit Valkyrie in the belly and she grunted, sitting forward slightly. She pulled the hood up as a second bullet struck her chest. Christ, that stung. Her fingers found the mask in the hood and she pulled it down and felt it turn solid over her face as Victoria stood and proceeded to empty the gun into her. Valkyrie wondered what the skull mask looked like today. 

Every time she pulled it down, it was slightly different than the time before. It was like Skulduggery’s façade in that way. Victoria’s final bullet hit Valkyrie in the forehead, making the mask reverberate. Valkyrie stood up. 

“I thought you said you weren’t bulletproof,” Victoria said quietly, the gun hanging uselessly by her side. 

“I’m not,” Valkyrie responded, brushing a squashed bullet from her chest. “The suit is. I was going to give you the option of leaving this house in cuffs, as opposed to unconscious, but...” 

“But I just tried to kill you?” 

Valkyrie shrugged, took the gun away from her. 

“Please,” Victoria said, “not the face.” 

“Sure,” Valkyrie said, and hit her in the face anyway. 

[saiilorstars]

Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 21: The Silver Monsoon

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

(Kaeya’s Face claim: Michelle Trachtenberg)

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chapter summary: The Doctor returns to the Silver Monsoon after years of its death, only to find Princess Kaeya's most prized possession.

The pronunciation of Kaeya is “kay-ah”!

// Story Masterlist //

"So you see, I have to write a creative story for this stupid class and I have nothing to write about," I finished telling the Doctor of my newest assignment for school to which he immediately offered his assistance to. I looked over and saw he was blankly staring at the console. "Doctor? Did you listen?"

He blinked, suddenly remembering I was here, and looked at me, "Oh, hello..."

I sighed, "Hello."

"Sorry, what was that?"

I sighed again, more irritated with his lack of attention after he was the one who asked me to explain. "Doctor, if you're not gonna listen then don't waste my time. I have this hard assignment and it's really pissing me off."

"Language," he pointed.

"No."

"Minerva?"

"Martian?"

"Okay," he waved it off, "What were you talking about?"

"No, I wanna know why you weren't listening. You've been doing that a lot lately. Please tell me, I'll keep it a secret."

Ever since we returned from the whole Lazarus event, the Doctor had seemed somewhat distant from Martha and I and pretty much everything else. It seemed like something, or someone, was occupying all his thoughts. And if it was the same culprit that occupied his mind since China, I had a pretty fair idea of who it was...

The Doctor leaned back on his seat, sighing deeply, "Kaeya."

What a shocker...

"What about her?" I did my best to act like it didn't bother me and since he was more oblivious than usual, it wasn't that hard to fool him.

"I've been having these dreams of her..."

"Oh...nice..." I looked away, not sure if it was right to feel jealous of a dead woman.

"I dreamt of the first time we met each other, in person..." he started smiling, getting lost in his thoughts once again.

"And?" I hit his arm, reminding him he had to continue if he was starting a new story.

"And...just the time we spent together..."

"Doctor, I don't mean to be nosy but, um..." I cleared my throat, turning to face him completely, "...were you and Kaeya...you know..." I swayed my head, "...together?"

"What? No! No..." he shook his head, "...Time Lords and the people of the Monsoon were prohibited from even seeing each other."

"Why's that?"

"I never knew. I suspected Kaeya did but she didn't want to tell me. All I knew was that Time Lords were supposed to detest the Monsoon kind. They had something they shouldn't have..."

"But that didn't stop you from seeing her, did it?"

"No," he smiled, probably thinking of her again, "She was much too wonderful to let go."

"Mhm," I nodded, forcing myself to calm down inside. For a pair that were not together, they sure sounded like it...

"But, anyways, what were you talking about? You're homework?" he looked down at the journal on my lap.

"Oh," I looked down at it as well, forgetting for a moment it was still there, "I have to write a creative story and my mind is blank."

"Minerva, you're a time traveler. I'm sure there's something you can think about."

"You'd think that, but...it doesn't. It doesn't feel like any of our recent trips is something to talk about to the humans."

"What do you want to talk about, then?"

"Something fantastic, something worth remembering, something..."

"The Monsoon," he whispered, still managing to cut me off.

"Huh?"

"Would you like to visit the Silver Monsoon with me?"

"As in...Kaeya's planet?" I raised an eyebrow, my stomach churning a little at that idea. Somehow, I don't think that would be good for me and my heart.

"Yeah, I haven't been there since the War, and I never gathered the courage to go back..."

And now I knew I had to say yes and accompany him there. Just like he accompanied me to Liv's gravestone and was there for me when I bid goodbye to her, I had to be there for him and watch him say goodbye to Kaeya. It was something he needed and deserved when it truly wasn't his fault she died. My jealousy could not get in the way of that.

"I understand if you don't want to come," he continued, trying to hide his clear disappointment of my silence.

"Of course I'll go," I took his hand, "You came with me to Liv's burial site, it's time I help you too."

"You want to go?" his eyes shined that spark of excitement they usually wore.

"Yes, and I promise you I will make a story of Kaeya and her people, dedicated to the people of the Monsoon."

"Really?"

"Yes, would you like that?"

"Yes!" he exclaimed, absolutely ecstatic about it, "You're truly wonderful!" he took me for a surprise hug, unable to see my shocked yet red face.

"Did I just walk into something?" Martha's voice pulled us apart, "Cause if I did..." I looked back and saw her smirking, probably thinking what would, and should, never happen.

"The Doctor offered me a place to write about," I said before she spoke anything that would compromise me.

"Oh..." her smirk fell and was replaced by a frown, "...boo."

"It's amazing!" the Doctor jumped from the chair and went to the console, "It used to be truly amazing! You should've seen it, Minerva, it was like Christmas all the time!" he rambled on as he made his rounds around the console, Martha moving beside me and both of us just nodding and listening, "There was snow everywhere! Ice lakes! Ice statues! Unfrozen lakes where the children would swim! Oh, they were excellent swimmers! They we're from the Monsoon! Of course they knew how to swim!"

"Is he going to breath anytime soon?" Martha whispered to me.

"Let's find out," I crossed my arms and listening on to the Martian.

"I loved the trees! They were covered with snow, what am I saying covered? They were made of snow! And they carried little ice spheres that you could actually eat! Imagine that, ice that you can eat!"

"Yeah, they're called Popsicles," Martha chuckled.

"These are better," he pointed violently, still smiling and laughing.

"Alright, so if this place is so wonderful, why haven't you taken us before?"

And then he stopped...

I walked over, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Because it's taken a lot of courage to return," he took my hand off his shoulder and held it in his own, "But he's finally doing it."

"What's so hard about going back?" Martha asked, eyeing our small moment, though no smirk as she saw this was a serious matter.

"I lost someone there," the Doctor answered quietly, lifting our interlocked hands and just staring at them as a source of distraction, "It's been one of the places I could never return to."

"And why are we going there suddenly?"

"Because I'm gonna write a story about it," I smiled, wanting to get one out of the Martian but failing miserably, "I'm gonna write about how beautiful it is, how accomplished the species was."

"Well, what are we waiting for, then?" Martha moved up to the console and hung onto it.

"You sure you want to go?" I asked the Doctor as he moved us to the console.

"You'll be there, right?" he questioned very quietly, I almost didn't hear him, "Every second?"

""You won't be able to get rid of me," I flashed him a grin.

"So when speak of this planet, the Monsoon, how come you use it in the past tense?" Martha asked, purposely keeping her gaze down, the small smirk playing on her lips.

"They, uh...they were killed," the Doctor replied, growing quiet once again.

"By what?"

"...by the hands of my people."

Martha gasped, her wide eyes looking at me for the same reaction but by my calmer attitude she learned that I already knew this, "How...how did that happen?"

"The Time War," he turned and leaned against the console, "Just one more of the species we brought down."

"Yeah, but it's not your fault," I reminded.

He smiled, still seemingly lost in thoughts, "They were good people. I never spoke to them, just Kaeya."

"And who was Kaeya?" Martha asked, becoming more curious.

"An old friend of mine..."

I glanced at Martha, letting her know with a look that Kaeya was probably more than just a "friend".

"Oh," she nodded.

It seemed that another woman had managed to steal his hearts...

~0~

I hopped onto mushy snow that plopped up to my ankles. Martha started shivering as soon as she stepped out, "It's so cold!"

"I think it's great!" I said, excitedly looking around.

"It's cold!"

"Zip up the jacket," the Doctor came out, "And you'll be fine."

She grumbled and did as told, "This places looks kind of...dead."

I noticed that while there was perfectly white snow covering the ground, most of the place was dim and gray. It looked like a snowstorm was headed this way...there was no Christmasy feeling. I started walking ahead, my shoes sploshing through the snow.

"It used to be beautiful," the Doctor remarked, he and Martha coming behind, "But that was a very long time ago."

"Is everyone gone, though?" Martha asked.

"I would suppose though, that was the story."

"But then you don't really know, huh?" That's why Martha was my best friend, she picked out what no one had noticed before.

"She's right," I turned back for them, "If all you ever heard was the story then maybe the people of the Monsoon managed to escape."

He sighed, not looking so hopeful, "They need the cold to survive. Their bodies need the coldest temperature around."

"Yeah, but this planet doesn't seem as cold."

"The people probably had a hand in that," he mumbled and walked ahead.

I sighed and watched after him, Martha stepping closer to me, "He doesn't look so good," she whispered.

"His hearts are breaking," I mumbled, going after him.

The Doctor had stopped at a cliff, and I almost slipped on the snow for leaning to close, "What's down there?"

He peered down, "It's mud."

"What kind? And why does it look like snow?"

"It's snow mud used for defensive tactics. These people had an army of some sort. They'd use the snow to cover up their scent."

I crinkled my nose at the smell, not at all agreeable, "It's disgusting!"

"Yeah, it smells horrible," Martha shook her head, "This doesn't seem like a very beautiful planet, honestly."

"This is hardly what the Silver Monsoon used to be, ma'am," an elderly man's voice spoke, making us turn and see the stranger across us.

The Doctor immediately pulled Martha and I behind him, as if the short man could actually hurt us. He was rather short, aged like a grandfather, and had ice blue eyes with gray hair that swiveled at the top. What really captivated my attention were the silver lines on his body. There were two swirly lines going across his cheeks and two more running up and down his arms.

"Who are you?" the Doctor demanded coldly, perhaps thinking the man was an intruder to Kaeya's home.

"My name is Mayar, and I am the last of my people to live on this planet," he declared, giving a small nod.

"You mean...this is your planet?" I blinked, trying to step around the Doctor but he kept forcing his arm in front of me.

"These are the marks of the Monsoon," he gestured to his silver marks.

"Who are you?" this time the Doctor's voice was a meek one, clearly shocked that not everyone had died like he believed.

"Mayar, one of very first Kings of the Silver Monsoon."

The Doctor looked stunned by the piece of information, his forceful arm barring me lowered down, "...you're Kaeya's grandfather."

Now it was Mayar's turn to be shocked, "You knew my granddaughter?"

"Knew her?" the Martian scoffed lightly, part of him seeming lost in thoughts, "I knew her straight to the core."

"Who are you?" Mayar questioned, "All of you?"

"I'm Minerva," I finally stepped around the Doctor, Martha doing the same on the other side, "That's the Doctor and Martha."

"Are you human? I don't believe humans have acquired space travel yet..."

I looked at the Doctor, wondering if he wanted to go with that lie or tell him who he really was.

"They're human," he gestured to Martha and I, "I'm...I'm a Time Lord."

You could tell he struggled to name himself, and the look Mayar was now giving him wasn't helpful, "And you dare step foot on my home after what you did?" Mayar stepped forwards.

"But he didn't do anything," I started to frown, who the hell did he think was?

"Yeah? His people put an end to my people, my family."

"You said it, his people. He didn't do anything except come and try to find your granddaughter."

"And if I picked up your words correctly, not all your people died," Martha joined in, "Or am I wrong?"

Seriously, love Martha right now.

"There were survivors," Maya conceded, looking solely at the Doctor, "If that eases your conscience a bit."

"Who survived?" the Doctor asked, his eyes glossy already, "How?"

"If you really knew Kaeya then you should know she wouldn't go down without a fight. She gave her life to save the little people we had left. But you know what, now that I think about it, I do believe you and Kaeya knew each other."

"You do?"

"Yes, my granddaughter spoke so good of the Time Lords she just had to have gotten all that silly affection for them from you. You filled her head with all the good your people did."

"I did't, I always told her the truth..."

"I wonder, do you ever wake up in the middle of the night to think how many people died because of your lousy war? Let me give you an estimate of my planet, a million. That includes children. My son died, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter died, and many more after. Tell me, how do you live with that?"

"With all due respect, SHUT UP!" I ordered, never feeling like harming an old man but this one was asking for it.

"How do you maintain a relationship with a man like that?" he moved on to me.

"Because you don't know him like we do," Martha spoke up now, probably feeling the same anger as I felt, "We listened to the story and you don't even give a chance."

"Amazing, you've got two women arguing on your behalf, how does that feel?" Mayar asked, bitterly smiling at the Doctor.

"Look, I swear to you I wanted to save Kaeya, I was looking for a place that she and the rest of you could live in," the Doctor paused, taking a shaky deep breath, "But I was too far away by the time I heard of her death, of the planet's death. But I still came back because I cared for her-"

"No, that's a lie!"

"It's not!"

"You and your people aren't capable of care! Of love!"

"But I was!" the Doctor shouted, actually making all three of us flinch, Mayar with wide eyes, "I knew Kaeya down to the core and she knew me! We didn't know why our species hated each other and we didn't care! We became the best of friends without a care. I showed her what you couldn't, I showed her pieces of the world!"

"Kaeya couldn't leave the planet," Mayar tried to form a comeback, but he was still faulty, "We needed the col-"

"I came, I brought her gifts from the galaxies and she loved them. And you know what? I loved seeing her study those objects. I made her happy, that's the one thing that actually does ease my conscience. Because while you and your family tried to restrain her from her true potential, I liberated her. I made her laugh when you made her cry, I made her curious when you made her world bland, I comforted her when you scared her. And when she died..." the Doctor paused, shaking his head while his hand went to his cover his eyes, "...it was the end of my motivation to keep going. I stopped the War, I ended my own kind because Kaeya died. So do not come and tell me that I am not capable of caring for her because you have no idea just how wrong you are!"

I blinked and a tear strolled down my cheek, my heart beginning to break with the realization of just how much he "cared" for her. That wasn't care...that was love. He loved Kaeya.

"Perhaps...I could be wrong," was all Mayar could say, "...perhaps," he turned around and walked away.

"Maybe we should go..." Martha began to suggest but the Doctor had already left on his own.

"Coming here was the worst idea ever," I mumbled, biting my lip.

"Hey, it's okay," Martha turned to me, "You can't cry for a dead woman."

"I told you I didn't want this because of a heartbreak...and it happened anyways," I sniffled.

"You can't let this bring you down."

"Tell me how am I supposed to feel then?" I rubbed my eyes before more tears emerged, "He didn't have to say it but we all know...we know he loved her."

"I can see how that would come about but-"

"I can't do this right now," I shook my head, collecting myself to go after the Doctor, "You go talk to Mayar, yeah? Find out more about this place?"

"Why?" she frowned, confused with the idea.

"I still have to write something and besides, maybe there's something we can use to make the Doctor feel better."

"And what are you going to do in the mean time?"

"I'm going to make the Doctor feel better," I forced my best smile.

"But you aren't..."

"I don't care because I want him to be okay. He's helped me with Olivia and now it's my turn. I won't let him blame himself for something he didn't do. Not ever," I walked past her, rubbing away the last of my tears before I would find the Doctor.

~0~

"Doctor?" I called, spotting him sitting at the edge of a cliff, "Hey! Martian!" I tried running but the snow slowed me down. After much struggle, I finally reached him and plopped down beside him, "Are you okay?" he nodded, looking down at the iced lake below the cliff, "Somehow, I think that's a lie."

"Well, could be because you're clever..."

I smiled, "That I am, Martian. So, last time you helped me so now I help you. Though I'd help you regardless..." I waited for him to say something but he never did. He kept staring at the iced lake, so lost and silent. This wasn't him at all. "...You know it's not your fault, right? The fall of this planet...you didn't do it. Kaeya died for other reasons, one of those for a noble cause, but none of it was your fault."

"I wish I knew who killed her," he cut me off, his teeth gritting with anger and pain. There was a raw, ferocious, anger that genuinely scared me for a bit. I'd seen him plenty mad before but never like that. "I want to know who put their hands on her and killed her..."

"I don't think you do..." I tried to say but he cut me off with a sharp 'I do'. "And then what? What would you do?" I challenged him. "Because we both know you wouldn't kill them."

"Yeah? How can you be so sure?" he glanced at me with a dark tinge in his eyes, "You know all the people I killed..."

"Because of Kaeya, yes, I do now," I reminded, "But I bet if you had the chance to make that decision again...you wouldn't."

He scoffed, "Right."

"I'm serious. I think that you were blinded by rage and pain, your friend had died...and you wanted to put an end for her. Perhaps in another scenario, given the proper thought about it...you'd make an alternate decision."

"Yeah? And why would I do that?" he rolled his eyes.

"Because it's what Kaeya would've liked for you to do."

He glanced at me again, taken aback by the words I chose, "...she never liked violence..."

"See?"

"She was the sweetest thing out there..." his gaze returned to the iced lake, "...incapable of hurting anyone. Her voice...it was so delicate, so soft...beautiful."

"Aha," I looked down, fiddling with my fingers. I wouldn't stop him from talking about her. I spoke hours of Olivia, telling him how crazy beautiful she was, all her personality traits...I'd allow for him to do the same about Kaeya. It would liberate him from his guilt, and hopefully make him feel a little better.

"She was beautiful, Minerva. When I met her, she was just...a goddess. I think she'd be like the Selene of your mythology."

"Oh, you mean Selena? Of the moon?"

He nodded, "Mhm, she was wonderful..."

"Hm, I can tell. Your smile seems to be kinda..." I gestured to his face, "...stuck," he caught himself in the middle of another grin and quickly stopped, but I could still see a remnant of it at the corner of his mouth, "How did you even meet? You said Kaeya couldn't leave the planet because it was cold so you came...how'd you do it?"

He sighed, glancing back at the iced lake. I wondered what was so damn interesting of a lake, "It all started when I was just a kid and saw her for the first time. It was my first year in the Academy and we had a trip to see a constellation nearby the Silver Monsoon. Everyone else didn't care about the planet that looked like the Earth Christmas I liked so much. I was at the window and I was looking down...and then I saw her. She stood on that lake right there," he pointed ahead, "And she looked up to our ship. I never forgot that face...such a pretty little face. She had these big icy, blue eyes, and she seemed so curious. I could tell she was wondering who I was...what the ship was...what were all those little kids, like her, doing in that ship looking down at her planet."

"But you didn't speak to her, then?" I questioned, looking at the lake, picturing that little girl right there. That's why it was so important to him, it was where they first met...

"No, we were never allowed down on the planet. We were forbidden to visit the planet, much less to make contact with its inhabitants. But we returned every year, and I was always on that ship...and she was always on that lake, staring up. Years passed, and it seemed like we were aging at the same time. And you know, it looked like she knew exactly when we would return because she was always there, standing, sitting, on that lake. All on her own. By the time I was a teenager," he glanced at me, eyeing me up and down, "Probably about your age."

"I doubt you were seventeen," I teased, "Well, I'm almost eighteen in a couple months...so eighteen?"

"No, but I was young."

"Hm, really?"

"Yes, really."

"Doctor, triple digits?"

"...no."

"I think you were!"

"Are you gonna let me continue?" He raised an eyebrow.

I raised my hands, surrendering, "Fine, fine, go ahead."

"Well, like I was saying, we both looked like we could be around the same age. But by that time, I grew tired of just getting a five minute glimpse of her and so I devised a plan."

"What kind of plan?"

He smirked, "The one where I snuck out of the ship and went down to the planet."

"And did it work?"

"...no."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head at his failure, "Oh no, and what happened?"

He sighed, "That was the last time I saw her...I was kicked out of the program for sneaking out."

I immediately stopped laughing, knowing that must have been pretty hard for him, "And...and then what happened?"

"They made more trips of course but I never got to see that glimpse of her until..." he began smiling, letting me know that the story hadn't ended so badly, "...I borrowed a TARDIS one day-"

"Borrowed?" I raised an eyebrow, "N-n-no, you told me you borrowed it and ran off with your granddaughter...never returning that box to this day. That's not borrowing."

"This was before I actually stole it," he corrected, shaking his head, "I was...what?" again, he eyed me, determining his next age comparison on me, "An adult? Maybe Olivia's age? Twenty?" I nodded, gesturing for him to continue, "I borrowed a TARDIS one day and took it to this planet, just a little after the students had finished their annual trip. And Minerva?"

"Yeah?"

"...she was right there," he pointed at the lake, his grin so wide it looked like his face would crack, "At first, I didn't see her...but then I turned around and there she was; standing beautifully across me."

I couldn't help the disappointment I felt within me. He seemed so lost in the thought of seeing her again, it made me wonder if he'd ever think of me like that. But I shook those thoughts away and focused on the most important thing here, he was smiling.

"She was so beautiful. She'd changed since the last time I saw her. She was taller, her hair was shorter, and she was dressed like a true princess. Silver and white. I'll never forget that. She was so beautiful," he re-emphasized it and I mouthed the word off to the side where he couldn't see how jealous I was turning.

"Did you talk or did you just stare?" I asked in a mutter, realizing a moment later that was probably rude. Minerva, you are not gonna let your jealousy get in the way of an important moment for the Doctor. He didn't deserve that. Neither did Kaeya.

"We talked," he nodded, oblivious to my feelings, "For the first time, we actually talked. I got to know her. Her name was Kaeya, princess of the Silver Monsoon."

"That's a weird name, you know."

"You're clever, you should know its meaning."

"It has a meaning?" I blinked, genuinely surprised at it.

"Every name's got a meaning. Look at yours, Minerva: the goddess of wisdom."

"Yeah, and what does Kaeya mean?"

"The monsoon flower," he smiled, "And she was a beautiful flower."

I rolled my eyes, "Got it. She was excessively beautiful. What did you talk about? I can't keep writing she was beautiful, you know."

He chuckled, "Yeah, sorry. She told me how shocked she was to see that great big ship over her planet for the first time. Said she'd been playing on the iced lake over there. And after we left, she asked her parents who we were and why we couldn't come down. But they didn't tell her anything. All they said was that she should hate us and stay away from us because we were bad people."

"Why would they think that?"

"I don't know. To this day, I don't know why the Silver Monsoon and Gallifrey detested each other."

"But that didn't stop Kaeya, did it?"

"She calculated the exact day and time we'd pass over her planet each year...and even after I was kicked out, she kept waiting...to see me. Of course, that never happened anymore until I borrowed the TARDIS."

"Bet she was really happen then..." I said, knowing the exact feeling she must have had. I had that same feeling when I decided to leave the box of wonders and him to finish my education. Just the thought of knowing I would actually be staying made my heart beat twice as fast.

"She seemed like it," he nodded, "And we then we started talking. I learned a lot about her, and you know what?"

"What?"

"She didn't live a very happy life."

"Well, apart from being forbidden to leave the planet I couldn't see why she wouldn't be happy."

He smiled, "But that never stopped her hope. While she couldn't leave, she set herself to know about the world. And so each time I came to visit her, I brought her a little gift from a planet, sometimes my own. She loved them all and she tried to study them down to its last detail. I loved seeing the look she gave each time I brought her something. It was...wonderful. Her favorite gifts were the ones from Earth I was able to get from Gallifrey. And then, when I finally left home, I traveled to all these places, always bringing her things from them. But her favorite was always Earth. She thought you were all fascinating."

"Hm, I can't help but feel like an experiment subject."

"You're not. She just liked you all. She tried learning everything she could of the humans. She knew your eating habits, your favorite leisure activities, your customs, beliefs. Heck, do you know she learned about the mythology you all invented? She loved the Roman mythology most of all; she said her favorite goddess was Venus cos she was immensely beautiful. And well, Kaeya didn't consider herself as such."

"Well," I grinned, "I would vouch for the goddess Minerva. She's a pretty cool lady."

"Good thing you're not biased," he remarked, nudging me and getting a laugh out.

"Just give me wisdom over beauty any day!"

"Oh, but you have both already."

I froze, glancing at him with semi-shocked eyes, "You think so?"

He shifted in his seat, giving me a quick glance with a faint smile, "Y-yeah. I told you that, remember?"

"Right..." I rubbed my arm, looking down as a blush went through my cheeks.

"Kaeya loved it all, though," he continued after a moment his gaze wondering to the lake again, "She was truly exceptional."

"Doctor, I know I asked you this before but now I ask you to answer with honesty. Did you love her?"

Silence.

"Doctor?"

Silence.

I took a long, deep breath, "Alright, I won't insist," even if it continued to gnaw at my head.

"I told her that one day I'd figure out how to bring her to other planets," he continued like the dire question hadn't been asked, and with no other option I listened, "I swore to her I'd whisk her away and show her the universe," and by the slow change of happy to glum on his face, I knew that's where the story ended, "And then the war started..."

"And she died."

"I'm sorry," I said with all honesty, "I understand what it's like to lose someone you care so much about."

"Then tell me, how can you ask me not to blame myself for Kaeya's death if you continuously blame yourself for Olivia's?"

I looked away, biting my tongue to keep myself from answering in a way I couldn't. That I cared for him deeply and just couldn't bear for him to blame himself. That I couldn't stand seeing him not smile and ramble on about the stars. I couldn't.

"I said it before, Minerva, your eyes and mine share a great pain. The only difference is that mine are old and horrible, while yours are young and filled with potential."

"Don't say that," I sighed, "We share the pain, that's that. But here's what I think about yours, Kaeya doesn't blame you. She wouldn't want you to burden yourself like this."

"You think so?"

"I know so," I assured, patting his hand, "And look at it this way, she's probably looking over Earth right now, making that visit she wanted for so long."

"I sure hope she is. She deserves at least that."

"C'mon," I let go of him and jumped to my feet, nearly slipping over the cliff, "Yikes, better be careful there."

"Where are we going?"

"You seem to just love that lake," I gestured to it with my head, "So let's go take a look. It'll be a walk down memory lane."

"Uh, no thanks," he shook his head.

"Oh c'mon!" I reached down and tried pulling him up, "Just a walk!"

"No, Minerva."

"Why not? Is it because that's yours and Kaeya's lake? Am I not allowed on it?"

"What? No! I'd love to take you to the lake!"

"Then!?"

He sighed, "I guess I just don't feel like I could step on it."

I let go and smiled sadly at him, "We can take baby steps then."

"Baby steps?" he looked up, looking offended at the term.

I placed a hand on my hip, tilting my head, "What? Big Time Lord can't take a baby step?"

"I can take an adult step!"

"Yeah, you're not classified as an adult in my book."

"What!?" he jumped to his feet, making me beam I finally got him up, "I'm far older than you are-"

"Yes, thank you for reminding me of that, gramps," I patted his cheek, earning a glare from the Martian, "So how about you take me down there?"

"Minerva, you need to take back that 'gramps' thing," he warned as I turned for the cliff, peering down to search for the perfect way to get down.

"Why? I'm seventeen and you're what? 903 years old?" I took a step forwards, nearly slipping again but caught by the martian, "Woah, sorry gramps."

"I'd rather you call me Martian!"

I beamed, gasping, "Really?"

"Yes. Because I'm not old!"

I grabbed his sleeve as I stepped forwards again, "Well, Martian, I can see a way down now. We'll just need to go-" my foot slipped and I went forwards, the Martian reaching to grab me but instead fell along with me.

We toppled down the cliff, the snow - although cold and wet - cushioning our tumble. I fell against the iced-lake, finding just how hard it actually was, enough to bruise my back I'll tell you that. Of course, it wasn't as bad before the Martian literally fell on me with a hard thud, making me yelp of pain.

"Minerva are you alright!?" he asked quickly, although his moves were much slower as he had also been hurt. He lifted his head and looked down at me, and suddenly my pain seemed like a petty thing with him so close to me.

Unlike the last time we found ourselves in this situation, before we landed on McDonnell's ship, I felt nervous. But this time...this time, I found myself smiling at the Martian right above me, "Hello..."

He smiled back, "...hello."

The ground beneath us, and everywhere around us, began shaking like an earthquake. It sounded like the cliff behind us was toppling down more snow, like an avalanche!

"Minerva, watch out!" the Doctor huddled me closer, reaching over and covering me.

A few minutes later, it finally stopped. He looked around, finally getting off me. I sat up and found the cliff had opened up a passageway across us. "That...that wasn't there a moment ago," I pointed, looking at it with wide eyes.

"No, no it wasn't, " he scrambled to his feet, running for it and stopping right at its entrance, "Looks like it hasn't been opened in centuries."

I slowly got up, nervous I'd slip on the ice. Actually, it wasn't even slippery! It felt like actual ground.

"I wonder where it leads to..." the Doctor continued, poking his head inside the passageway.

I trembled, now feeling the coldness of the planet as Martha had whined about earlier. Of course, she wasn't covered in snow and wet. I suddenly crinkled my nose at a fowl smell around us, on me, "Doctor, what is that smell?"

"That would be the snow mud currently covering us," he replied absently, still inspecting that passageway.

I nearly gagged as I smelled my arm, "Oh god, I need a shower."

"Yeah it'll take months for it to fully come off."

"Excuse me?" I asked, wide eyed, "Months?"

"What do you say, Minerva? Shall we take a look?" he turned around, ignoring my current state of denial.

I sighed, letting it go for the moment and made my way over, peering inside the darkness before us, "S-sure. You got a light or something?" And like hearing me, torches hung up on the wall lit up, allowing us to see the pathway clearly.

"I think we're good, don't you think?" the Doctor grinned, stepping inside.

"You think I could use one of those torches to dry myself? And possibly use it as a heater?" I asked, slowly following.

"Well, I don't think-" he stopped at the sound of his foot kicking something.

We looked down to see an old, dusty book on the ground. He picked it up, turning it over and seeing the title worn off by the time it had been here. He opened it up, skimming a few pages of it.

"Stop!" I exclaimed, putting a hand over the page he was currently on, "Look," I pointed, "Those are the Roman goddesses and Gods. Kaeya was fascinated by them, right?"

He nodded, "Very."

"So then...this was her book?"

"Possibly..."

"Well, did anyone else on this planet have a liking for Earth?"

"I don't know. Maybe...maybe not?"

I sighed, a shiver combined with it, "Well, I'm willing to bet it was hers. Maybe this whole cave thing is hers too," I gestured to it and walked a few steps ahead, "Maybe this was her sanctuary."

"Should we even be here then?"

"It opened for us, didn't it? She wants us here."

"But why?"

"Maybe she'd like her old friend to visit her. After so many years. Maybe it's me that shouldn't be here..." I started taking a step back at the sudden realization.

But I felt hands on my shoulders that stopped me, "I'd like her to meet my clever friend. She's pretty good."

I smiled, glancing back, "You think so?"

He shook off his coat and placed it around me, "I know so. You're very good."

I felt an instant heat from the coat, but most of all, I felt my face warming up at our closeness, "You're not so bad yourself," I tugged the coat closer, "And thanks."

"Now c'mon!" he pulled me ahead, running who knows where!

~0~

"I didn't know she had a whole bookcase of Earth books," I remarked as I went through what seemed the eighth bookshelf in this room.

The Doctor had found what appeared to be a library. It was old, it was cold, and it smelled like soggy, dirty socks. But there were bookshelves spread all around, chuck full of books...all about Earth.

"How did she even get these?" I looked over to the Doctor and saw him swaying his head, "I should've known. You brought them."

"I didn't think she'd actually keep all of them," was his defense statement, "But then again, she did say she had a whole library dedicated to Earth."

I plucked out a book that read Cinderella on the cover, "Maybe to meet the princesses? Cinderella, really?"

"She liked the gown because it was almost like hers."

"Cinderella sucks. I'm more of a Rapunzel fan."

He scoffed, "Figures," he looked over my hair.

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Ha, ha, so I'm a little bias."

"You know, Kaeya thought the Earth fairy tales were a bit boring. Ridiculous, actually. Complete fantasy..."

"Ridiculous?" I frowned, looking back at the row of classical fairy tales on the shelf, "But they're the most famous ones!"

"And a bit unlikely," he walked over, taking the book from me, "I mean, seriously, a wooden puppet whose nose grows big when they lie?"

"A 903 year old alien with a box that's bigger on the inside?" I countered, smirking, "I'll have you know these fairy tales are fantastic. Especially for the kids. I mean, c'mon, servant girl gets a fairy godmother, servant girl sneaks to the ball, servant girl meets Prince and loses her shoe at midnight...then the Prince finds her and they live happily ever after. Who thinks that's bland!?" he made a face and shrugged, placing the book back in its spot, "Okay fine, let me tell you a new one then: Human girl travels all her life, human girl meets Martian and he takes her to see galaxies. Isn't that such a cute fairy tale-oh wait - I'M LIVING IT!"

He smiled, "Point taken."

"Thank you," I nodded, turning away for another bookshelf, "I'm sure Kaeya can see that now."

"So...I'm a fairy tale?" he raised an eyebrow, the hint of a smirk growing at the corner of his mouth.

"Hold your horses there," I held a finger to him, "I said the whole thing in general is the fairy tale. Stop the ego from growing. You're not a fairy tale."

Yes he was...

"Really?" he pretended to pout.

"You're not!"

He was...

"But are you really sure?"

"Yes," I went along, stopping between a gap of two bookshelves. I passed a hand down the cold wall, feeling it somewhat...hollow?

"That's too bad..." he came over, "...because I think you're a fairy tale."

I glanced at him, stunned he had actually said that. That was the second complement I received in less than an hour, "Really?"

He blinked, "Um...yeah, because you're...you're very clever, and...and, and human."

"Oh...so I'm a fairy tale because you've never met a human so clever? What, we're highly unlikely? I'm ridiculous? We're all supposed to be stupid?" I leaned against the wall, watching him curiously work out that one. As much as I wanted to believe that was a compliment...it did sound like an insult in the end.

"No! That's not at all what I meant!"

"So what did you mean by that?"

"I just..." he swayed his head, sighing, "...see, you're clever and you're just..."

"Human," I nodded, "Yeah, I got it. Human and surprisingly smart," I rolled my eyes, "You know what, maybe this is where we part. I'll go find Martha and you can visit your dead girlfriend..." I started removing his coat, getting off the wall.

"No, no, please don't," he moved to stop me, trying to push my hands down as they fiercely worked to take off the damn coat, "Minerva, stop, you're overreacting." But I continued, and I guess frustrated him because he just stopped and pushed us back to the wall, "Are you gonna stop and let me explain?" he demanded seriously, enough seriousness to leave me still and just nod, "Thank you," he sighed, "Listen, you're sweet, you're insanely clever, and you don't take advantage of it. Most humans would. You said it yourself, with power comes chaos...especially with humans. You're not like that though," he smiled softly, "You'd never be. That's why you're a fairy tale, because another girl like you would be unlikely. You're one of a kind. So, why don't you keep that coat," he tugged it closer, enveloping me in its warmness, "And you accompany me to see an old friend. Yeah?"

I started smiling, blushing and nodding, "Okay..."

We both smiled, looking at each other for a moment until we felt another shaking. This time, it came from behind me and the Doctor quickly pulled me off to see the wall sliding open.

"Was Kaeya fond of puzzles?" I blinked, seeing the newest dark passageway ahead of us.

"It's a possibility..."

"There's no lights this time," I peered inside, "How are we supposed to get through?"

"Let's see," he walked ahead.

"Uh, Doctor, maybe you should be careful," I called, staying by the doorway.

"It's fine!"

"But it's dark!"

"Yeah but it's not like I'm going to-"

And he slammed into a wall...

I winced at the thud, hearing the groans a few seconds later, "Let me guess, there's a wall in front of you?"

"...that's..." he groaned again, "...a possibility."

I rolled my eyes and took slow, careful steps ahead, using the wall as a guide, "Where are you?"

"Over here," he called louder.

"If I crash into the wall you're as good as dead. And the possibility of regenerating is very slim."

He chuckled, "I'm holding out my hands, just reach out."

I nodded, though I realized he couldn't see it so I stopped. I held out one hand while the other remained on the wall, "I can't feel you!"

"Then get off the wall!"

"I'm not on the wall!"

"Yes, you are. Now let go."

I sighed and did as told, stepping forwards. I had to admit I felt a big relief when I touched a hand, "Oh thank god."

"See, nothing to worry about," he said, "Just don't move forwards."

"Let me guess, is there a big scratch on your head, Doctor?"

"...no."

I laughed, "Liar."

"Oh shut it, it really hurts."

"We'll deal with it later you big baby. Now tell me how we're going to go down the passageway."

He sighed and turned us for the wall, "Well..."

But the wall started moving away from us, leaving us to follow as it moved. The Doctor let go of my hand and went slightly ahead, the darkness fading as icy blue squares on the ground lit up. But just like that, the rock stopped moving.

"Doctor!" I called, feeling myself slip on one of the ice squares.

He quickly returned, catching me before I fell. And suddenly, the rock slid again. We looked at each other then the rock that kept moving. We let go of each other and the rock stopped moving.

"That's just weird," I pointed, "What? Did you and your girlfriend make it like this?"

"Minerva stop, I've never been in here," he said, taking my hand once more, watching how the rock moved again.

I pulled my hand away, making it stop, "Then what's going on?"

"It looks like some sort of security mechanism."

"What? The kind where you need to hold hands?"

"Maybe it was for her parents..."

"So what do we do?"

He glanced at me, then my hand, "Well, if we want to get ahead, you'll need to hold my hand."

I pretended to study him and his hand, "...I'll manage."

He smiled and reached for my hand, once again the rock moving. This time, we walked after it, neither of us saying a word. What could I say, really? At the end, the rock stopped sliding forwards and moved to the side, allowing us to see a room behind. We entered an ice room that was in a cylindrical shape, a small one at that.

"What is this place?" I asked, intrigued by the design, but not more than what was held in the center, "And what is that?"

There was a circular table, an ice table, in the center with a necklace propped up; a glass dome covered it.

"Welcome," a voice rang around the room, startling us.

"Kaeya?" the Doctor frowned, looking around frantically, bringing me as well until I pulled my hand away, "Where are you!? Are you here!?" I grew sad as I watched him desperately trying to find the girl, knowing he must miss her a lot.

"This is an interface," a hologram of a young woman appeared beside the table, "Here to help."

"Kaeya..." the Doctor whispered, stepping forwards, taking in the hologram's appearance which I assumed was the blessed princess.

She was beautiful, no doubt. I assumed the silver gown the Doctor had mentioned was the one she wore at the moment. It was an A-line dress that went down to her feet. It had a squared-neckline with angel sleeves, a ruched bodice, an over skirt covering the forepart of the underskirt, a small train of it behind. Her short, ashy brunette fell above her shoulders in soft curls, her icy blue eyes looking as lively as ever...even for a hologram. She was beautiful, and she didn't look a day over twenty-five.

I swallowed hard, finding myself to be an intruder in this room.

"She's just a hologram...she's not real," the Doctor said quietly, shaking his head. He turned around and it shocked me to see him actually walking for the exit. That was my job!

"Doctor!" I called, making him freeze, "And just where do you think you're going?"

"She's not real."

"Real or not, she wants you here."

He glanced back, looking between the hologram and I, "How do you know?"

"I don't," I shrugged, "But I say she does. Look at this place. It seems like no one's entered in centuries. Not even Mayar! And he was her grandfather. Why would it suddenly open for us? Why would it open for you?"

He turned completely, facing me but with a solemn look, "You think she wants me here?"

"Let's ask," I moved for the hologram, "Interface, what is the purpose of the room?"

"It holds the Silver Monsoon's most prized possession," she gestured to the necklace on the table, the dome moving up from it, "Responsibility of the princess of the Silver Monsoon, princess Kaeya. She swore to protect it at all costs."

"What does the necklace do?" I asked, looking back at the Doctor, offering my hand for comfort.

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Not what I asked but okay," I smiled as the Martian came forwards and took my hand, "What's the purpose of the necklace?"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"I know that...what is the necklace's purpose?"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Why does it keep saying that?" I glanced at the Doctor, confused.

He looked at the hologram and the necklace repeatedly, a minute later focusing solely on the necklace, "There's something familiar about it..."

I looked at the necklace, really focusing this time. It was baby blue and white...

It had a chain with three shapes hanging at the bottom, "Doctor, how many suns does the planet have?" I asked.

"None," he answered quietly. I glanced at him, surprised, "They only ever had the moon..."

"But there's two suns," I pointed at the necklace, "And the moon."

"I don't get it."

I frowned, staring harder at the necklace. There had to be an explanation for it, "Interface, what are the symbols' purpose?"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Yes, I get it-"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

I sighed, hoping to push my frustration down for the sake of the Martian beside me, "But-"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Oh my god, yes! But please stop saying that I get it. It belonged to..." I trailed off, finally getting it, "Oh...she made the necklace."

"She what?" the Doctor asked, looking at me weirdly.

I looked at him, "She made the necklace."

"How do you know?"

"Take a good look, Martian, and tell me what you see."

He did that...and nothing.

"Doctor?"

He shrugged.

"You are so oblivious! You're a stupid genius," I shook my head before leaning towards the necklace, "There's two suns, Doctor. And you said this planet has none," I glanced at him, seeing he was finally processing it as he leaned forwards, "So why put two?"

He let go of my hand and went for the necklace, tracing fingers on the suns, "Oh Kaeya...she did say she'd love to see them rising."

"And I'm guessing the moon is for her. It's you two together, how she wanted it."

"But...but why?"

I sighed, practically forcing myself to speak my next words, "She fell in love with you, Doctor."

He blinked with wide eyes, looking between the necklace and I, apparently hearing these words for the first time, "But I..."

"Take the necklace," I said quietly, rubbing my arm, though the fact I still wore his coat only made me feel worse. I shouldn't be here.

"I-I can't! Why'd you even think that?" he shook his head, stepping back.

"Why else would we be here?" I snapped, feeling guilty the second after; it wasn't his fault that he also made a human fall for him, he made Rose so why would I be an exception? How did Martha avoid it? "If this thing allowed us inside, it was for a reason. Plus, this thing," I pointed to the necklace, "Was made for you two. She's not here anymore but you are. The right thing would be for you to take it and put it somewhere you deem right."

He sighed, glancing at the holographic had remained quiet, and I swore it was almost watching us like it understood us, "I suppose...for Kaeya..."

"Yes," I moved for the necklace, reaching to take it when... "Ah!" I jerked my hand back, feeling my fingertips burn like before.

"Are you okay?" the Doctor quickly took my hand to inspect it.

"Yes, I..." I glanced at the necklace, finding a similarity between its material and the crystal at Lazarus' event, "...hey, is it the same crystal that Lazarus had?"

"Hm?" he looked at the necklace, taking it from its place and carefully touching it with a finger tip, "I think it is."

"Why doesn't it burn you?" I looked at his hands that could freely touch the necklace with jealousy.

"Maybe it's not supposed to be touched by humans..."

"Then how did Lazarus use it?"

"Gloves?"

"I'm telling you right now, I don't think Kaeya likes me," I looked at the hologram with narrow eyes, "She thinks I'm an intruder here."

"She doesn't. I know she would've loved to have met you."

"Lies," I scoffed, "I bet her spirit is right here and scowling at me."

"Spirit?" he scoffed now, "Ha!"

"You don't believe in the afterlife?"

"No...well...no."

"Well I do, and I believe Kaeya brought you here and I believe she doesn't like me," and I completely meant that.

The Doctor still seemed unconvinced, then...

"Hide it," the hologram spoke up, both the Doctor and I turning to it with shock. The hologram turned its head to the Doctor, "I will guide you until it is time."

"Excuse me?" the poor Martian blinked, stunned as I was the hologram was actually speaking like it understood us.

"I vowed to return one day and it is not me who has entered the sanctuary."

"But you died, Kaeya," he gritted his teeth, both angry and sad at the fact, "You can't return."

"I will return," she smiled, "But in the meantime, I will guide you on this journey."

"Guide..." I whispered, familiar words returning to me as I pondered, "...Guide. Moon guide...Moon spirit! Ha!" I exclaimed, startling the Doctor with my sudden excitement, "Remember the Face of Boe's words back on New Earth?" he stared but with no idea what I was saying. I sighed, coming beside him, "He said the moon spirit would guide you. She's it!" I pointed at the hologram, "I told you she'd be looking out for you wherever she was!"

"So...what?" he blinked.

I sighed again, smacking him upside the head, earning a big 'ow' from him, "You're meant to be here and take the necklace. She guided you here."

"But she's dead..." he whispered, his gaze falling to the ground.

I smiled sadly, "So? Just because she died doesn't mean she's gone. It's like my grandfather. I understand that he's dead. But I refuse to believe that he's really gone. I know that he's still looking out for my grandmother and I, and heck, even my mother. He's still taking care of us and Kaeya is doing the same for you."

He slowly nodded, looking up with watery eyes, "She's not gone?"

"She's right there," I pointed at the necklace, "And there," I pointed to his hearts.

He hugged me unexpectedly, but of course I didn't mind. I hugged right back, a hidden smile on my face. I glanced at the hologram, feeling slightly guilty that I enjoyed this hug in one of her favorite places.

But then she winked...

I looked at her oddly, shaking it off as the Doctor pulled back, "So, you'll take it?"

He nodded, "I'll honor her with it."

"Good," I looked around, finding nothing else to look at, "Should we get going then?"

He sighed and looked at the hologram, "Yeah, she's been disturbed enough."

"Thank you Kaeya..." I said quietly, feeling awkward.

She was dead and here I was trying to get her boyfriend. I wasn't exactly the best person right now...

But the hologram flashed a smile and held out her hand to her right, the ice wall sliding to the side, "Thank you."

"Doctor, how can she understand us if there's no more programming?"

"Kaeya's final orders, I suppose."

"Yeah but she acts weird..."

"She's just doing what she's programmed to do."

"But she winked at me!"

He laughed, pushing me for the new passageway, "Yeah, right."

"But she did!" I glanced back at the hologram, seeing her smile and wink again, "Look!" I turned him around but the damn thing reverted back to its blank state, "Do it again!"

She glanced at us, as if studying us, before uttering three words that would break a piece of my heart, "I loved you. I will find you one day."

I looked at her for a moment, never hating myself so much for being right, "Told you," I turned around and began walking for the passageway.

~0~

"There you are!" Martha greeted us with big hugs when we met her and Mayar in a cave. But then she caught the whiff of the snow mud and immediately backed away, pinching her nose,"What is that?"

"Snow mud," the Doctor replied, nodding, "Leaves a good scent for a couple of months."

"You mean you're both going to be smelling like that for MONTHS?"

"My reaction exactly," I nodded.

"We're used to it," the Doctor shrugged, "You'll be too."

"Okay..." she said, unconvinced as she returned to Mayar, "There's no perfume or anything?"

"No ma'am," he replied, quite amused. It seemed like he was in a much better mood now and of course it had to be because of Martha. She was wonderful like that!

"Yeah, we'll see about that," she shook her head.

"Where did you two go?" he asked us.

The Doctor and I glanced at each other, both having agreed before finding the two to keep Kaeya's sanctuary a secret. She had let us in for a reason and that means she didn't want anyone else to know about it.

"We went to the lake," I answered, "Lovely by the way."

"Ah," Mayar nodded, his hard look returning as he looked at the Doctor.

"You know your princess would disagree with how you're treating him," I said to Mayar, earning an equal harden look back. I felt bad for ruining Martha's work but I would not allow him to make the Doctor feel bad again.

"Minerva," the Doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, "It's alright-"

"No!" I shook his hand off, "It's not. Your princess, your granddaughter, Mayar, would be very disappointed in you."

"You don't know anything about her!" he snapped, stepping up.

"You wanna bet?" I laughed bitterly, stepping up as well.

"Minerva," the Doctor called from behind, reminding me of our agreement.

"I know she had a fascination for my planet, and do you know what was her favorite thing? The peace and harmony we had. And do you know why we had that? Because we were always together. But look at you, you're old, and bitter. You make yourself out to be the lonely victim and you blame the last person of the species that killed your family. But guess what? The fact is you're not alone, your people are still out there, living a good life. Why don't you go after them?"

"Because I don't have a family..." he answered me, barely above a whisper.

"Family isn't just those related by blood. It's having good friends who care about you just like a family would. So instead of blaming people for what happened to your planet, why don't you go and find your own people who thankfully survived because of Kaeya? The Doctor was not responsible for it and I'll be damned if I ever hear that again."

He took in my words, seeming to actually think about it. And I sure hoped he would.

Martha, seeing the tension rising to a brink, moved beside again, clearly breathing through her mouth, "Why don't we go look around instead? There was some drawings in the entrance of the cave that I'm sure you'd love to see, Minerva."

I glanced at the Doctor, seeing he was in no more spirit to be on this planet, "Why don't we go home instead? I think I got enough."

"You sure?"

I nodded, whispering, "Believe me. I got more than I bargained for."

She blinked, not getting. I mouthed 'talk later' then gestured for her to start walking.

~0~

Back in the TARDIS, I was able to write a story with what Martha was able to get from Mayar and from what I got from the Doctor, lots of Kaeya. Afterwards, Martha and I sat in the console, me telling her everything that had happened to the Doctor and I while on the Monsoon. I did burst into sobs a few times here and there but she was really good at comforting.

"So, Kaeya actually loved him?" Martha blinked, taking in the most important aspect of the story, the necklace not so much of her concern for some reason.

"She said she'd find him one day..." I whispered.

"But she's...dead!" Martha got quiet for a second as she thought then nodded, "Yeah, dead!"

"Well if you think about it, her body was never found..."

'Don't deduct, she's dead."

"I can't help it. If she's alive and she finds the Doctor...Martha," I teared up again, "They loved each other. It's going to be the repetition of Rose and this time, I won't be able to handle it."

It was true. When Rose was around, my feelings weren't the same and so as bothered as I was with her and the Doctor, I wasn't heartbroken. But if it were to happen now, where my feelings stand, I don't know what I'd do. Of course, I wouldn't stand between them, I couldn't. I'd let them be happy, because if the Doctor was happy then I would be to...for him.

"Minerva, I don't know what to say anymore," Martha sighed, looking completely lost for words now. That was a first, "But...are you okay?"

"Honestly Martha, I don't know," I shrugged, really not knowing how I felt about this, "I mean, on the one hand, I feel completely jealous and angry towards Kaeya but on the other hand, I understand her and I'm so sorry that she died."

"That seems normal. I probably would feel the same."

"Does it make me a bad person if I'm angry with a dead girl? Just because she happened to love the same man that I fell for?

She smiled softly, shaking her head, "No because that same person that's angry just finished up a story on the other girl. Plus, it's not like you'd kill her for it. It's natural to be jealous."

"Still, I can't help feel guilty for it."

"Don't be," she gestured to my notebook, "No more guilt. Because you're incredibly sweet and on another occasion, you two would have been good friends."

"I swear, if she ever did come back and the Doctor loved her and wanted to be with her, I wouldn't dare step between them. Ever. Because if she was the one that made the Doctor happy then I'd be happy too."

"See, it's that trait that makes you different from Rose," Martha pointed, leaving me perplexed onto how we moved onto Rose now.

"What? ...what?"

"You know my disdain for her, but apart from all that, I truly believed she was selfish. She treated you badly because she thought, she assumed, you liked the Doctor."

"She was just jealous..."

"But did she ever stop to wonder that maybe the reason why the Doctor was more...close..." she tried finding the right word but by the face she was making it was clear that she hadn't found it.

"We weren't close," I corrected quietly, remembering just how distant the Martian and I actually were in those days, "He didn't even know my name."

"'Close' wasn't the word I wanted but he interacted better with you," she paused for a moment, probably trying to think of better words but once again came up with nothing, "And I don't think Rose ever stopped to think that maybe he actually liked you back then."

"He did not," I informed flatly, knowing it was a fact.

"Yes, but maybe it was developing at that time," Martha clarified, "Maybe he didn't even know it. And hey, maybe you didn't even notice. But the biggest difference between you and Rose is that you would never be rude to Kaeya nor treat her the way Rose treated you because you shared the same affection for the Doctor. You would step back and allow the Doctor to be happy with whomever he chooses."

"I would, I really would step back," I whispered, looking down as I felt tears prick in my eyes, forcing themselves free.

"And that's what Rose didn't do," Martha said softly, offering a smile of comfort, "She was rude to you and she made it seem like it was your fault. She never stopped to wonder what the Doctor wanted. It was just what Rose wanted. That's pretty selfish of her."

"Thanks Martha," I hugged her, "You have no idea how much of good friend you are. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be completely lost with your feelings for the alien," she chuckled.

"Very," I agreed as I pulled back, "Martha, I'm so sorry for what I said after we left McDonnell's ship. I didn't mean to be rude to you and-"

She raised a hand, stopping my apology midway, "I get it, don't worry."

"But I'm really sorry," I insisted, "You have been nothing but kind to me and not to mention patient with this new dilemma in my life concerning my blood. I'm very sorry."

"Minerva, it's okay," she assured, "If I was mad, I wouldn't have gotten the Doctor to come and talk. I know what you were saying was out of the moment. It's fine."

"Oh Martha," I hugged her again, "You're such a good friend to me!"

"Hey, I'm just glad you're feeling better. After everything from the ship, you've been a little, um..." she made a face, possibly trying to be cautious of her words.

"Emotional, crazy, mess, wreck, yeah," I sighed, "I do feel a lot better, though. It was just the hype of the moment...but I'm better...progress..."

"It's not all better, though, huh?"

I shook my head, "It's too much, Martha. One day, I'm going to break."

"No you won't, because your friends are here for you."

"Thank you," I smiled.

""Minerva?" we heard the Doctor call, making us look over and see him by the corridor's threshold, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

By the look he wore it seemed he had found something interesting in the necklace. I glanced at Martha, smiling apologetically for leaving her.

"You know what," she stood up, "We were done anyways. Take my place," she gestured to the empty spot beside me before walking off.

The Doctor waited for her to be a good distance in the corridors before approaching me and taking out the necklace, "So I studied..." he took the seat Martha had left, "...and turns out it does need to be kept hidden."

"Why?"

"Remember that crystal with Lazarus?"

"Yeah..."

"It's made out of the same material. I think this necklace came from that crystal."

"And...what would that mean, exactly?"

"I don't know, the crystal changed Lazarus, remember? It unlocks, it heals, it makes certain genes dominant."

"Why would Kaeya make it into a necklace, then?" I frowned, so lost there were no coherent thoughts in my head.

"There's something more," he stared at the necklace, "Its registering large amounts of energy, like there's something living inside it."

"That's not possible," I shook my head.

"I don't mean actual life," he shrugged, his gaze still locked on it, "Maybe the energy is large enough to create life."

"You know, maybe it's registering spirit energy," I wiggled my fingers, getting a smile out of him, "You know? Like that paranormal stuff when they're hunting for ghosts. Like in the movies where the spirits look after things that should never fall in the wrong hands."

He raised an eyebrow, "...now you've gone too far. You've been watching too many movies."

"Just Scary Movie Two," I shrugged.

"No more," he pointed.

"Let's focus on the necklace, shall we?" I took it by the chains, avoiding the symbols which seemed to want to hurt me for some reason, "I suppose she made the necklace thinking in you," I looked at the two suns, understanding Kaeya's curiosity for them, "She really loved you..."

"Don't say that," he whispered, staring at the necklace sadly.

"It hurts, doesn't it? To lose someone you love." It didn't matter if it was love for your family or romantic love, love was love, and any time you lose someone it hurt millions. And I understood that perfectly with Liv and my grandfather.

"Please don't..."

"Why don't you accept that you love her?" I found myself asking the same question Martha had annoyed me with, now fully understanding the need to just know why one would refuse to accept feelings that were so clear.

"Because, I...no," he shook his head, looking as if it actually pained him to even think of the possibility.

"Doctor, it's alright to admit it. Sure, it could hurt because she's not with us anymore, but..." I stopped when he shook his head even harder, "...Doctor?"

"I'm so confused," he mumbled, shutting his eyes and leaning back on his seat.

I frowned at the way he looked, so pained and really...disdained. I just wanted to comfort him, maybe like Martha did to me, but I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to hug him, and all these things a friend couldn't say like how much I cared for him, how precious he was, and most of all, I couldn't kiss him til he was better.

"Minerva," he opened his eyes, opening his mouth to say something.

"Yes?"

But he closed his mouth and shook his head, "No, nothing."

"Doctor, you know you can talk to me about Kaeya whenever you want," even if it broke me inside, "Whenever you need a little reminder that it wasn't your fault, I'm here."

I managed to get a dim smile from him, "Thank you," he sat up, "And actually, I've yet to thank you for sticking up for me today. You looked so sure of what you were saying..."

"Because I am sure. I know it wasn't your fault. Mayar should be ashamed of how he treated you. Kaeya wouldn't have approved."

"Thank you," he said sincerely, "I'm just sorry I didn't get to show you the planet so you could write."

"Oh! That wasn't a problem, actually, cos looook," I picked up my journal beside me and waved it for him to see, "Guess what I just finished?"

"You wrote something?" he took it from me and opened it up.

"Star-Crossed, I call it," I watched him open the first page, "A tale of two people who became the best of friends despite of the differences of their people. Sounds a bit cliche but I changed it up. You're a Martian," I smirked as his face fell.

"I'm a...what?"

"Martian."

"You didn't."

"But I did," I nodded, my smirk threatening to turn into a big laugh.

"Minerva!"

"Kaeya remains of the monsoon and the moon."

"Why'd you make me a Martian?"

"Because I thought it'd be funny...and I knew it'd tick you off."

"Minerva!"

I started to laugh, "I'm really not sorry, though."

He sighed, so crossed yet not uttering another word for a minute or two as he skimmed a few pages, "Is that Martha?" he pointed at a paragraph that contained her name.

"Yes, it is. You can't expect me not to write in my best friend."

"I don't see a Minerva in here," and he skimmed more pages, "Why not?"

"Um...there was no purpose for one," I shrugged.

I did think of writing myself into the story but it actually pained me to write myself in a story where I still couldn't have the Doctor. Instead, I made Martha Kaeya's best friend, and the Doctor the one she loved...which she did.

"There's always a purpose for one," the Doctor mumbled as he continued his search for a name that would never pop up.

"Not in here there wasn't," I sighed, "But I think it turned out really well if you wanna give it a proof read before I turn it in."

"I'd love to," he handed back the journal.

"What?"

"Read it to me," he gestured, "The author should read her own work."

"Is my audience going to listen or cut me off at the end of each sentence?"

He raised a hand, making a promise, "I shall wait until the end to give my opinions."

"And constructive criticism? Because it'd be really useful. My writing grades aren't that hot right now, so...yeah?"

He nodded, "Til the end."

"Okay then, I hope Kaeya likes this. I know she thought Earth's fairy tales weren't good because they were unlikely. But, I believe I wrote her one that maybe she could dream up where she is. And in this story, she gets a happy ending."

He looked at me for a moment, making me question whether I had angered him or not, "You did that for her?" he asked quietly.

I nodded, "Yeah. She deserved a good ending and in this one she'll get it. Hopefully this is one fairy tale she'll like."

He smiled, "You did that for her...you're incredible."

I smiled, looking at my notebook to hide my blush, "Am I now..."

"Let's see, you listened to my ridiculous fantasy with a princess, went with me through a cave we had no idea what we'd find, but most of all made me see that I wasn't to blame for her death. And on top of that, you wrote a story about us. Yeah, you're incredible."

"You always say such things..."

"Because you always do such things."

"Well, thank you," I exhaled a bit shakily that I hoped he hadn't noticed, "So, shall I read?" he nodded, gesturing for me to begin, "Alright..."

But as I read, through the biggest smile I think I ever had, I felt his look on me the whole time.

And I hoped Kaeya would forgive me because I truly loved the attention I received from him and even if she were to pop around any time, things wouldn't change. I'd still enjoy his attention. But I promised myself one thing, and I intended to do so: if Kaeya was alive, and she returned, I would leave the TARDIS for good. Because under no circumstances would I be a third wheel again.

No more.

[momorabu]

Code Realize ~Wintertide Miracles~ Playthrough - Alternate Story - First Christmas Fran -

Warning: Spoilers. Image heavy post.

Please read Fran’s route on the original Code Realize’s playthrough before procceeding.

Sorry that this was yet another blog post that took a long time to be completed ><” Was planning on finishing this sooner but work and health problems recently made me tired and reluctant to write for a long time D: But my love for Fran had finally made me pull through, so enjoy!

In this alternate timeline, the story started off summarizing abit on the terrorist plan that was created by Isaac, Cardia’s father, and after the group had managed to stop the plan, Fran decided to leave the government and become a doctor. Cardia had managed to save her brother, Finis, and now both of them stayed at Wales, in this beautiful mansion.

The story changed over to Fran’s point of view, where he had opened a clinic for a few months already, and with his reputation growing, he gradually gets more and more patients every day. The patient he’s seeing today was a mafia boss, Darius, who may look tough on the outside but was suffering a backache. (His expression here is quite funny XD)

Shirley, his daughter asked him to take it easy, alongside with her bodyguard, Passy. (Though it’s definitely not a good thing to diss that your boss is getting on age, Passy =w=“)

Darius was the head of the Gordon family, and with the family selling affordable medicine to Van, he was able to keep his rates low for his customers and that was a big help to the residents since most of them were usually too poor to visit a doctor. Darius wondered why Van had decided to open a clinic in such a neighbourhood rather than heading back to Royal Society, but even though he could help the country by creating new medicine and saving those that suffer from incurable diseases, Van felt that it will be important for him to understand the things that he creates will bring upon the people in the end.

Shirley asked Fran on Cardia’s situation, to which Fran replied that Cardia was doing well, and Finis and her would come over for checkups from time to time. 

(It’s great that Cardia had actually made a female friend here on this alternate storyline ^^ Shirley looks pretty cute~)

(These characters are pretty interesting, I think more information regarding them are found on Finis’s Route in Code Realize ~Future Blessings~? Shall play that next time to figure it out~)

When the Gordon Family had left, Fran wondered what the rest of the gang was doing now. Lupin and Impey had left for France to look for someone, Van and Dora-chan had went off to search for other surviving vampires, and Saint would appear unexpectedly at times, with Fran only knew that he was affiliated with a secret society and was quite busy. Cardia and Finis had reunited and were now living peacefully in Wales. Thinking about them made Fran felt lonely as Cardia filled his mind again. (Awww~)

Even after the clinic had closed, Fran still needed to check his supplies, prepare his medicine for tomorrow’s examinations and working on his research for new medicine. When all his tasks were finally done, he sat down and looked through his mail and found a letter addressed to him from his mother. 

Fran initially lived in Switzerland but had left several years ago in order to follow his path on alchemy. But when he ended up being on the wanted list and was on the run, he wasn’t able to write to his parents and guessed that his circumstances back then. His mother had told Fran to think about settling down now that he’s a grown man, and Fran was thinking about writing his usual response when he wondered if it’s okay if he wrote about Cardia in his letter, and started writing. When he was done, he flustered as he realised that he was pretty much bragging about Cardia in his letter, but ultimately still decided to send it out since what he had written was true and Cardia was indeed important to him. 

(I do like Fran’s indoor outfit here, he looks even cuter when he blushed >/////<)

Later on, Fran found himself dreaming, a dream where he and Cardia had their last walk in London before Cardia heads back to Wales. He wondered whether Cardia and he would have a different future if he had said something different back then... But ultimately, he still encouraged her to be happy with Finis now that they are normal siblings, and that they should live together to make up for their lost time. 

(Cardia looked so adorable here and Fran was so dependable as always~ ^^)

Fran had noticed that Cardia had shown a lonely face, he assured her that she can always come back for checkups frequently so it’s not like they can’t see each other again. Cardia continued to look at Fran intensely as if she had wanted to say something, however, in the end, she decided not to say anything, and left for Wales. Actually, at that time, Fran had another desire in his heart, but he had pushed it away since he knew that it’s best for Cardia to be with her family. He pondered what if he did something different back then, and had the courage to ask her to stay, will things be different between then now...?

When Fran awoke, he found himself in Watson’s house. Apparently, Fran had decided to stay at Watson’s house the night before. Fran and Watson had met when Fran was helping the victims injured by the Nautilus bombings, and from then the two had became great colleagues and friends. Watson was worried about Fran’s health, telling him that it would be bad if the doctor himself had fainted with exhaustion while consulting a patient.

Even though Fran had felt fulfilled being a doctor and treating patients, he still experiences loneliness, to the point that he kept dreaming the above heartbreaking dream every night. (Wow... that sounds like Fran really misses Cardia very much ><”) Watson mentioned that he had heard Fran’s sleeptalk and he was repeating a single name multiple times, which led to Fran blurting out about Cardia. In the end, Fran had no choice but to let Watson know about his feelings about Cardia. He had regretted about missing the opportunity to speak openly before they parted ways, and wondered if a new path may appear before him if he had chose to say his thoughts back then. Watson suggested Fran go and meet Cardia instead rather than waiting for her to come back to London, which somehow seems to convince Fran.

When Fran was heading home later on, he met Leonhardt, who praised him that he’s like a real doctor now, and tried to convince him to come back to the Royal Alchemy. But Fran refused Leonhardt once again, saying that his mind was set on that he wanted to help people’s lives directly by treating them in the clinic, rather than staying in the lab. Leonhardt was satisfied with Fran’s answer and told him that he would be rooting for him ^^ He also told Fran that the government had managed to locate the Zicterium from the document they had retrieved from Twilight, and Queen Victoria had decided to seal it to prevent it being used as a weapon again. In the end, Fran asked for a small sample for Cardia, and requested for the rest of them to be destroyed.

(This is the first time I see Fran in such an outfit~ He really looks quite different in terms of aura when compared to his original outfit~ >////<)

On the way home, Fran came across the Tower Bridge, he remembered the day he had gone on his last walk with Cardia, and wondered what Cardia had tried to tell him on that day. He also wondered what happens if he had said the below to Cardia, but thought that he might have troubled her instead...

When Fran finally reached, he found a letter from his mother again, surprised to see a reply so soon. Turned out that Fran’s parents were glad to hear about Cardia, and had mistaken that Fran was dating her. They wanted to meet Cardia, and decided to come over to London during Christmas, asking Fran to plan accordingly. (Yikes! Here comes trouble~!)

The story then continued on in Cardia’s point of view. Fran had written to her and she was surprised that he was coming to visit them rather than them going over to London this time. Cardia’s impression of Fran was that he was the one who had helped her more than the others, since he was the only one who could examine her and Finis. Cardia remembered that Fran had reassured her countless times that she’s a normal girl, giving her strength with his words. She realised that Fran was an important person to her that even now, just thinking about him makes her heart throb. She thought about her last walk in London with Fran, and was actually expecting Fran to tell her to stay with him at that time. (Awww~ >////<) She had suspected the words were there, just waiting to come out on that day, and had thought that Fran had thought of her in a very special way too. But she also wondered what would happen, if she was the one who had told Fran that she didn’t want to leave on that day... would things be different now?

Now that Fran was arriving soon, Cardia made sure that she was dressed up and even wanted to put on the lipstick she had bought with Shirley last time. But Finis spotted her actions and started dissing her that she was smiling creepily at the mirror ^^; He had baked some cookies, ready to serve them together with some tea to Fran when he arrived. Cardia smiled, noticing that Finis’s attitude towards Fran was much better than the other guys since he was ready to chase the others like Saint or Impey when they come visiting. 

(Finis’s words of approval of Fran~ He’s indeed the most acceptable, or say, least craziest among the group XD)

(Finis looked quite cute now with his two buns on the head XDD)

Fran soon arrived and started looking around Cardia’s room, remarking that it’s cute and that it’s charmingly feminine, and his compliments made Cardia embarrassed. Fran noticed that Cardia was blushing, and wanted to take a look at her if she’s not feeling well. Cardia explained that she was just feeling restless and nervous since this was the first time she was showing Fran her room here and her reaction ended up making Fran felt abit restless too and started blushing.

(These two are both blushing which makes the situation awkwardly adorable~ >////<)

Realising the situation was too awkward at the moment, Cardia decided to leave the room, offering to call Finis. But Fran grabbed her arm to stop from heading out, since he wanted to talk to Cardia alone.

There was something important that Fran had wanted to tell Cardia that he needed to tell her in person, even though he felt that it might be really embarrassing. Asking Cardia to listen to him carefully, Fran asked her to become his significant other. (Fran finally confessed~! Yeah~~)

These words were what Cardia had been waiting for, though she wondered whether she is enough for him. However, Fran’s words later on crushed her fantasy, telling her that she doesn’t have to be his “real” significant other. She’s confused, wondered what had he meant by that. (Excuse me, Fran?!)

Fran noticed that Cardia looked confused and tried to explain in a hurry. Long story short, he needed Cardia to pretend to be his significant other. Cardia’s mood turned sour, demanding Fran to stay in the room while she left to get some tea. 

(Cardia was indeed quite pissed off if she had such thought OWO”)

When Cardia returned, Fran decided to give her a proper explanation, saying that he had written to his parents about her being a girl that he was interested in, but his parents had mistaken and thought that they were engaged, and had planned to come over during Christmas to visit. Thus, Fran needed Cardia’s help during Christmas to act as a couple together. Cardia still felt upset, but realised that she was upset about herself misunderstanding the situation from earlier on. TWT Though she knew that Fran was very troubled, she actually felt exremely opposed to it, and thus wanted a reason to reject this proposal.

(Yikes, I didn’t know which option I should choose honestly, so I just chose a random one seriously D:)

Cardia answered that she won’t be a very good actor and suggested getting Finis or Lupin to disguise and act as her instead, but Fran opposed to it frantically. He blushed as he admitted that he had written alot of details regarding her to his parents, like how adorable she was, the places they had been through together and...

(Seriously, that’s wayyyyy too much information out there, Fran =////=“)

(I know how embarrassing it is, Cardia XD)

With Fran begging like this, Cardia can’t bear to reject him in the end, though she had a special condition for accepting this proposal...

(I just love this part where Cardia played a joke on Fran, pretending to reject him to make him panic for a moment XD Look at Fran’s face of doom XDD)

The story changed to Fran’s point of view as it continues. Cardia had accepted his request, so all he had to do now was to make sure his clinic’s matter was well organised and explain the current situation to the rest of the gang, since Lupin and the others will be coming over to London to celebrate Christmas together. However, rather than Cardia arriving on the morning of Christmas, Finis and her had arrived at the train station, whom Fran had went to fetch.

(Cardia’s and Finis’s winter outfit are so beautiful and cute~ >////<)

Suddenly, a man appeared mysteriously before them, whom Finis identified him from Idea. The man reintroduced him as Hansel, asking Finis to remember his name since they’re friends. Hansel explained that he’s here to check up on them since “mother” was worried, but assured them everything’s fine. 

Finis was shocked when Hansel suddenly grabbed him, whining to put him down. Hansel reminded Finis that the latter had wanted to go somewhere in the south since the weather was cold here, though Finis had said that casually and didn’t really mean it. Hansel still wanted to keep his promise though and forcefully brought Finis away, leaving just Cardia and Fran to themselves.

(Both of them looks compatible here in the winter outfit~ ^^)

Fran proposed that they head back to the clinic to put away their luggage, and as he was about to head away, Cardia held onto his sleeve, reminding him to fulfil his condition. What follows was a short flashback to Cardia proposing her two conditions on helping Fran - (1) Fran was to act as her significant other and cares for her as well,  (2) Cardia wanted as much practice as possible with Fran before she met his parents, and came to London a few days earlier than Christmas for that. 

Since Fran had to fulfil his condition, he had to start their practice, by putting his arm around Cardia. The two of them head off, with Cardia being amazed to see snow for the first time in her life. 

(At this moment I actually get an option screen, when I’m in Fran’s POV?! This feels like I’m getting Cardia’s affection up rather than Fran, in an otome game =w=“)

Fran accidentally revealed his true thoughts, which made both Cardia and him blushed like crazy XDDD But Cardia thought he was acting when he said that actually. Fran wanted to tell Cardia that he didn’t want to act (since he wanted to be an actual significant other), but missed the chance to do so, since he was afraid of destroying Cardia’s happiness.  (*disappointed TWT*)

Anyway, they’ve completed their first mission of walking in London together as a couple. Their next mission on the next day was to tell their friends that they’re a couple~!

Turns out that Fran was the one who’s all embarrassed to tell them, but Cardia encouraged him, saying that if he can’t even tell his friends this, it’s going to be harder when facing his parents later on. 

When Cardia and Fran entered the mansion where the gang used to gather, they’re first greeted by Impey, who was glad to see his angel. But he made a weird face when he noticed something...

Fran had wanted to announce that Cardia and him were a couple as soon as they stepped in initially, but the others soon turned out and everyone was caught up in greetings and catching up... until Impey finally pointed out that Cardia and Fran were linking arms together XD

(Feels abit bad for Impey that his angel Cardia was snatched away~~~)

Now that Impey had brought it up, Fran finally had the chance to announce Cardia as his~ 

(I love this line of his so much XDDD)

The rest of the gang didn’t seems shocked and accept it easily, much to the dismay of Impey (I bet he wanted others to object to Fran and Cardia dating, but oh well....). Van remarked that it seems natural and normal to him that Fran and Cardia are together~ (Van gave his thumb of approval? XD) 

Fran and Cardia decided to explain everything in the end when the commotion had settled. Realising that Fran’s parents would be visiting on 24th December which was the same day the gang was having their party, Lupin “demanded” Fran to spend the entire day with his parents, and they would postpone the party to another day, even encouraging Cardia and Fran to have more “practice” and leave the preparations for the party to the rest of the gang. 

(Impey was glad that all of this was an act though he was crying about it earlier on ^^; You definitely thought that was real just now XD)

(I just realised this now and reading this made me a little sad...)

Even though both Fran and Cardia wanted to spend as much time as possible practising to be a couple and going on dates, Fran still had to run his clinic, and Cardia decided to help him out. The patient had noticed her and teased Fran, remarking that he’s married. 

(Fran’s explanation is so cute and definitely doesn’t stop the patient from continuing on teasing him XD)

They closed the clinic after the morning on December 23, and decided to spend the afternoon walking around the town as a couple. Along the way, they stopped by a cafe for a tea break, but the couple menu offered to them was full of dishes’ names that were embarrassing for one to say it out loud ^^;

(What follows was pretty much the humiliation of Fran X3, since you can select from three different dishes for him to order >/////< Yep, I’ve selected all of them just to listen to him saying it XD)

Cardia felt embarrassed to the point that she looked away from him, to which he complained that he’s the one who felt more embarrassed since he was the one who ordered it XD Cardia wondered if they looked like a real couple seeing that the waiter offered them the couple’s menu when they entered the cafe, to which Fran mummered whether it would be wrong if they’re a real couple. (Sounds like he wanted them to be an actual couple rather than for act, same like Cardia, but no one is taking another step in confirming their relationship TWT) 

Fran later proposed that they shall try to do everything couples do, and brought her to this beautiful place...

There was an ice rink available there, and thus Fran decided to teach Cardia how to ice skate. Cardia can’t help but feel abit pissed on how good Fran at ice-skating since she had thought of him as one who isn’t so athletic. Fran smiled and answered that since he had been skating pretty much his entire life in his hometown, he’s proud of his skating skills when compared to Lupin or Van. 

(It’s refreshing to see that Fran had his childish / boyish side as well~ ^////^)

Just then, Fran pulled Cardia away from the fence that she was holding on, making her all flustered and holding tightly to his hand, while being aware of the close distance between them. When Fran suggested whether he should let go of her arm so she could try to skate on her own, Cardia told him not to let go of her, and he replied that he won’t let go of her anymore. (In a different sense, but awww~ this part is sweet~ >////<)

Even though Cardia cherished these moments she had with Fran, she can’t help but think that Fran was doing all these with her as part of their practices and them being a couple was just temporary. Finally, on December 24, Christmas Eve, it was planned that they would welcome Fran’s parents who would arrive by train in the evening. Cardia felt that it would be hard to let go of Fran when the act comes to an end, wondering whether she would be able to refrain herself from making any sad expressions. 

They went for a walk together, talking about how they’ve felt these few days that they’ve been through together. Cardia had noticed that Fran seems to let himself free to the point that she felt that he wasn’t even acting when he looked at her with such gentle expression, leading her to be deceived that they were really a couple. 

When they arrived at the train station, Fran asked Cardia to come closer to him since he’s afraid that she would get a cold, and wrapped his arms around her. Even though Cardia tried to create a conversation with him, she found herself unable to do so and end up crying instead. 

(This part was so heart-breaking at that moment T////T) 

In reply to Fran, Cardia finally decided to let out her true feelings, she had fun for the past few days, but felt painful too, knowing that all of this would come to an end, and revealed that she didn’t want them being a couple to be a lie. She told Fran that she would keep a good act until the very end even though she’s sad, to which Fran replied that she’s very strong, even stronger than him. He told Cardia that he didn’t want both of them to be liars, nor he wanted to live with any more regrets in his life, and thus proposed a way for them to turn their lie into the truth.

(I’ve been waiting for this moment since the start of the route T////T You guys took way too long to get together! T////T )

Seeing that Cardia might now believe his words and thought that he was saying all this as part of their act, he decided to turn his feelings into actions... by kissing Cardia on the lips.

With that, Cardia believed him and both of them became a couple at last~ ^////^ Cardia was interested to know what Fran’s parents were like, since they could be her family one day. (Wow, the pace is moving towards marriage now?! O////O) Fran laughed and replied that they’re very normal, and that they loved Fran very much. (Sounds like Fran really did grew up in a loving family ^^)

When Fran’s parents arrived, Fran greeted them warmly and introduced Cardia to them, which they were curious to know since Fran had written so much about her in the letter XD

(Cardia’s reply when Fran’s parents asked her to take good care of him is just too adorable >/////<)

What Cardia and Fran would have to worry will be to explain their relationship status to their friends later on, and she looked forward to the near future where Fran’s family will become part of her family too, with Fran vowing that he will cherish every moment that they spend together, and their future was just beginning.

Final Thoughts / Ramblings:

And~ it’s the end~ Welp, I actually felt this was short (it seems even shorter than the last FD) since it feels like their sweet moments were about to start but it ended T////T Fran’s route sure likes to feed me bitter and sweet moments T/////T Overall I still enjoyed them very much since it’s “Fran”, but a part of me sure do craves for more sweet moments with him since even after two fan discs of Fran’s moment, I didn’t felt it was enough >/////< Fran is really such a great character for me that he seriously jumped up to my top favourites of guys after so many years of otome-gaming ^/////^

I realised that there was still the triangle date but I shall not play that part yet until I’m done with another character’s route~ You guys might know whose route I’m going for next in the main game seeing how I’ve put up the banner on the blog, so see you guys on the next route~!

[sassyshoulderangel319]

Patch Up - A Jason Todd One-Shot

I talked to @jason-redhood​ about this one a while ago and just got it finished. Thank you so much, my friend! You’re awesome!

Warnings: violence, mentions of graphic violence and some blood but nothing terribly gory

JT/RH tag list: @welovegroot​ @jason-todd-squad​

“You are such an idiot.”

Not the best first thing to hear after waking up from being unconscious. I grunted. “Good morning to you too, Jason,” I mumbled.

“Y’know, we take pretty bad beatings in this life, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get that royally thrashed,” Jason remarked. I peeled my eyes open to see a pair of blue eyes looking at me, a green ring around the pupils.

“Got jumped,” I mumbled.

Jason helped me sit up. “You look like death reheated.”

“I feel like death reheated.” I rubbed my temple. Flecks of red-brown flaked off. Dried blood. “What happened?”

Jason made a face. “Well...”

---

Two Days Ago...

---

I hung on to Jason’s elbow loosely, looking around the crowded room with idle curiosity. I could vaguely hear him introducing our aliases to important people in the room. “Good evening. My name is Maxwell and this is my girlfriend Victoria...” Truth be told I wasn’t paying much attention to him.

I was a simple girl from a simple world. I had incredible powers, but I grew up completely ordinary. The secrets of the upper class world of the rich and powerful were intriguing to me.

Even if the excess was a bit disgusting.

Jason tugged my hand. “Darling,” he said, trying to get my attention.

“Yeah, babe?” I replied.

“This is Thomas Owen, one of the kings of the pharmaceutical industry.”

I thanked past-me for deciding this formal event required over-the-elbow satin gloves, because they hid the fact that my knuckles went white around Jason’s elbow as my grip tightened fairly well. I put on the most false, forced smile I’d ever made. Nothing frustrated me more than jerks like this making bank on the suffering of others. “A pleasure to meet you. I’m Victoria.”

“Thomas. I assure you, the pleasure is mine,” the man said, beaming at me genuinely. He was in his fifties with quick eyes and salt-and-pepper hair.

Jason edged slightly into Thomas’ line-of-sight, cutting me off from his view. “My mother worked in pharmaceuticals for most of her career,” Jason said to Thomas.

I tuned out again. I knew exactly why Jason stepped between me and the older man. That man’s salacious grin was enough to make anyone protective of whoever the grin’s target was. Jason knew untoward behavior when he saw it. I’d never been brave enough to ask whether he knew from personal experience or just training with Batman. My best guess was possibly a little of both, but Jason had never been anything but respectful toward me. And every other woman I’d ever seen him interact with---superhero or not.

Maybe he just always assumed every woman he met could probably kick his butt.

A safe assumption, in my opinion.

Jason and Thomas spoke for a few more minutes while I observed the rest of the party. The person we were looking for would be heavily guarded---but if they were smart, the guards were dressed to blend in almost perfectly with the crowd.

That being said, targets of ours were never as smart as they could be. The guards were blatantly obvious. Men in tuxedoes---who most definitely didn’t pull them off as well as Jason did---standing around the perimeter.

Wires in full view, hands folded in front of them. It was like they really wanted to be seen and noticed. Maybe it was a power play. A display of intimidation.

It wasn’t working.

“Darling, would you care to dance?” Jason asked as the music turned from idle talking soundtrack to acceptable dance tune.

I smiled at him. “Of course, my love,” I said.

Jason and I shared a look that held a gag of irritation. Pretending to be dating was almost awkward after everything our relationship had been through.

We started to waltz around the dancefloor. Jason was remarkably elegant. Much better than I expected of a man of his stature and attitude. He held me so close our chests were touching. His head was bent low near mine. “Six o’clock. Wearing the grey bowtie.” He spun me under his arm slow enough that I caught sight of the target. “There’re too many people here. It’d be unwise to take out the target with this many eyes,” he whispered, lips blocked by my falling hair.

“I agree. We could take on the security guards but not the whole crowd,” I replied quietly, barely moving my lips like a ventriloquist.

“Wait till morning?” he asked.

“Good idea.”

He pulled back enough to look at my face. He gave me a grin---the kind that an outsider would think was lovestruck but I knew was just intensely good acting---and leaned down. I tilted up on my tiptoes to meet him and we shared a quick kiss.

Not long after that, we went to our room in the hotel, a few floors above the party. Jason was kind enough to let me shower and change first before he did the same. We’d agreed beforehand that sharing the bed for one night wasn’t going to kill us and we could be mature about it. So I was curled up on my side, back to the bathroom, when Jason returned.

“Starbeam?”

“Hmm?” I replied, his voice jolting me out of my reverie. I twisted to face him.

“Are we set on the plan for tomorrow morning?” He perched on the edge of the bed and glanced at me over his shoulder.

“Yup.” I nodded.

“One more question.”

“Shoot.”

“Do you mind if I sleep without a shirt on? They always get too twisted up.”

You are a mature and professional superhero. You are on a mission. Don’t be weird about it, I thought sharply. I shook my head. “I don’t care,” I said, forcing myself not to care.

I heard him strip off his shirt. “Thanks. G’night.”

“Night.”

He bedded down next to me. We weren’t forced to be close to each other by any means---it was a king-sized bed---but once he was under the covers I could feel his body heat. Holy cannoli the man was a space heater. I thought about removing my pajamas just so I wouldn’t overheat.

But I didn’t. I’d be fine.

I rolled so my back was to him again. I wasn’t terribly tired, all things considered, but I knew I’d need adequate rest to take down our target in the morning without being exhausted. Part of the vigilante lifestyle was perpetual exhaustion but sometimes I could mitigate just how badly I wanted to pass out at any given time.

Normally if I wasn’t tired, I wouldn’t go to sleep, but the background fatigue that accompanied my life lulled me to sleep pretty quickly.

If I dreamt, I don’t remember what I dreamt about. It was one of those nights where I blinked and it was morning.

Except morning came abruptly.

CRASH! The door was kicked open, the frame around the lock splintering.

Jason and I sat up and leapt out of the bed on pure instinct. Jason reached for his gun and I started to drum up my energy for my powers.

Before I could even begin to use my telekinesis for anything, one of the intruders---who, like the other four, was wearing all black with a ski mask over their head---shot me with something.

Electricity coursed through my body.

A taser.

A smart move. Overloading my body and mind with energy so I couldn’t focus on my powers or even move my muscles. Part of me was surprised that they didn’t just shoot me with proper bullets though.

I heard Jason shout---but couldn’t make out the words---as the one who shot me approached with a baton. It was wider and shorter than Nightwing’s escrima sticks but I knew what blunt force bludgeoning damage would be like from sparring with Nightwing.

Jason took on the other four on his own while I twitched on the floor, helpless, as the baton struck me again and again. I was aware of the pain, but incapable of doing anything about it. I couldn’t even scream. I got hit hard enough---several times---to split open my skin, blood warming my skin where it oozed from the cuts.

The grunts and flesh-on-flesh sounds from Jason’s fight got louder---and then softer.

Another strike of the baton made my vision blur.

I coughed weakly, not even sure how I was supposed to cry out for Jason. I couldn’t use his name---but did I dare call him Hood? I doubted there was a chance our cover was still intact; but could I risk that?

Heck, could I even move my mouth enough to cry out for him? The electricity was still making me twitch uncontrollably as I was struck.

“He---help!” I managed to gag out, not very loud.

I heard Jason’s grunt as one of the three he was facing went down.

The one with the baton raised it again. I squeezed my eyes shut.

But the blow never came.

Opening my eyes again---vision still blurry---I saw Jason, still missing his shirt, throwing the baton-wielder to the ground.

I blinked blearily, slowly regaining control of my muscles. They shook as I tried to get up.

“Star---Starbeam!” Jason shouted.

My vision swarmed with dots and everything went black.

---

Today...

---

I made a face. “Oh yeah. That sucked,” I muttered, trying to sit up.

Jason put his hand on my shoulder, holding my in place. “Oh no you don’t. You’re staying down. You took a bad beating.”

“But I---”

“Starbeam,” he interrupted, a serious expression on his face. Outside of The Work™, it was rare to see Jason quite so serious. He had a sarcastic, playful, nerdy sort of personality when he wasn’t bashing heads in and blowing brains out. “We’re in a safehouse. It’s okay. Just stay down.”

I groaned. The pain sweeping over me was acute.

Jason leaned over and pulled a washcloth out of a bowl, ringing it out in said bowl before dabbing the cloth over my head wounds. He was remarkably gentle, even though his hands were rough and callused when his skin brushed mine. I sighed, eyes fluttering closed, and leaned into his soft touch, searching for the comfort it provided.

“This is gonna hurt. I’m gonna reapply your bandages,” he warned.

“Mm,” I mumbled.

He disinfected the wounds he’d cleaned off, making me hiss in pain as it stung, but once the bandages were on, it wasn’t so bad.

“Jay?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. You’re the best,” I said.

He smiled---but there was a sarcasm to it.

“Nuh-uh,” I put in before he could say anything. “No self-loathing or insecurity allowed when I’m complimenting you, ya hear?” I sounded like an exhausted but enthusiastic friend. That was good, right?

He chuckled. “Okay, okay. I hear.” He set his hand on top of my head. I cringed away as he pressed against a bruise.

I reached up with a bruised, bandaged hand and grabbed his wrist. “Don’t,” I said. “There’s a sore there.”

“Oh. Sorry,” he replied, not removing his hand from my grip.

Impulsively and not entirely thinking straight, I brought his hand to my mouth and pressed my lips to his knuckles---which were just as bloody as mine. “Thank you, Jay.”

He gave me a soft smile. “You’re welcome,” he said. Leaning forward, he placed a careful kiss on my forehead. “Get some rest.” His whisper brushed my skin. “I’ll be right here. You’re safe with me, Death Reheated.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Shut up,” I retorted half-heartedly, eyes fluttering closed.

Jason held my hand as I drifted back off, finding my relief from the pain in sleep.

[krystabel02]

Complicated: Raphael x OC x Spencer Reid - Chapter 1

Authors Note: This is the first story I’m actually posting that I created on my own. I hope you all enjoy this.

Masterlist

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

It's dark. Everywhere she looked and turned, there was nothing but darkness. Then out of nowhere, a particular turtle appeared in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere. The same turtle Angel fell in love with months ago, the same one who stole her heart, and inevitably, the same one who shattered it. She felt her blood run cold, her heart seemingly skipping a beat. There was nothing Angel could say or do. All she could do was stare at the turtle in front of her. The turtle glared at Angel before pulling out his sai. He made his way over to Angel. She wanted to move, but she couldn't. Once he was close enough, the turtle held the sai up, bringing it down to stab her.

Angel sat up in her bed, panting. Her body covered in sweat, and her heart racing. She couldn't do anything but sit there as the silent tears ran down her face. Eventually, Angel let her head fall into her hands as she cried.

Every night it was the same nightmare. Time and time again, Angel had continued to experience this over and over. It mentally drained her and made her feel as though she was hopeless. Angel quickly shook those thoughts out of her head.

No. Not again.

It had been six months since Angel and Raphael broke up, and six months since she left. Of course, a couple of weeks after she left, she received repeated phone calls and text from Raphael. It was so severe that Angel had to change her number to get Raph to stop. Angel wrapped her arms around herself as she took a deep breath. Looking over at the time, she decided to go ahead and get ready for work. Angel made her way into her bathroom to shower and get herself prepared for the day.

After making sure the water was the perfect temperature, she stripped her clothes off and stepped into the shower. Angel stood under the water for a good five minutes, letting the warm water run down her body as she closed her eyes. A shower was what Angel needed, especially after the nightmare she had. She almost didn't realize how long she was in the shower, but once she did,  Angel had stepped out and dried herself off. Wrapping the towel around her, Angel makes her way back to her room and pulled out a pair of black pants and a black tee, as well as a black belt and a couple of socks.

Angel stepped out to her living room towards her coffee table. She bends down, grabbing a gun holster and hooking it to her belt where she could easily and quickly draw her gun, after grabbing her credentials and badge. Clipping the badge to her shirt, Angel couldn't help but let her mind think about the nightmare she had. What did it mean, and more importantly, why was she still thinking of Raph. It's been six months since they broke up, and Angel should be over him. He certainly was over her. It brought painful memories whenever Angel thought about how he left her for his ex-girlfriend. Angel didn't want to even imagine what they were doing right now. In her heart, she knew it would break her, and there was no time for that. She had her new life now, a new job, a new place. Yet, with all this change, Angel had also built a wall around her heart. She didn't want, no, she wouldn't be able to handle it if it was broken again. Angel shook her head gently before she a cup of coffee and walked out the door. Making sure her door was locked, Angel makes her way out of the apartment complex towards her car.

It took about 30 minutes, but Angel eventually arrived at the FBI headquarters in Quantico. Stepping out of the car, Angel takes a deep breath and closing her eyes, she enjoys the beautiful weather outside. After a couple moments, she makes her way into the building towards the elevator, pressing the button for the 6th floor. It took a few minutes, but eventually, the doors to the elevator open and Angel makes her way out of the elevator. She walked into the bullpen of the Behavioral Analysis Unit.

There, sitting at his desk, was Spencer Reid. Spencer was the first agent she informally met on her first day, and she was lying if she didn't mention he was the most intriguing. Unlike most guys who have a very macho attitude, Spencer was the complete opposite. He was socially-awkward and often stuttered, but he was absolutely brilliant. A genius in straightforward terms.

Spencer had three Ph.D.'s in mathematics, chemistry, and engineering, as well as two BA in psychology and sociology. What's more impressive was he has an IQ of 187, eidetic memory and can read 20,000 words per minute. If Angel hadn't seen this with her own eyes, she would have never believed it. Despite Spencer being socially-awkward, the two had actually become close friends. They both connected through their love of books, Doctor Who, and of course, coffee. During the time they have known each other, they've gone on multiple coffee dates where all the conversation was about was the most recent book they've read or the latest Doctor Who episode.

Spencer looked up from his file and smiled at Angel. It was apparent he had developed a bit of a crush on her. How could anyone not? She was clearly gorgeous, but she also was smart, kind, courageous. The list went on and on. While Spencer really liked Angel, he knew she wasn't ready for a relationship right now. They didn't talk much about her ex-boyfriend, but enough to see that she wasn't available to date anyone at the moment. It didn't matter, Spencer was willing to wait for her.

"Angel, hey. Did you see the new episode last night?" Spencer asked as he stood from his desk, walking over towards Angel.

Angel smiled, letting a small laugh escape her lips before shaking her head. "Unfortunately, no. I was on the phone with my parents last night and ended up missing it." Angel said, laughing as she put her bag down next to her desk and her coffee cup on top of the coaster sitting in the top right corner of her desk.

Spencer faked a gasp, his left hand going up to his chest as he let out a laugh. "Angel, how dare you. You have disgraced the name of Doctor Who." He joked before letting out another laugh, leaning against a desk opposite of Angel before noticing that she looked tired, and almost as if she was crying. "Angel, is everything alright? You look like you've been crying recently." Spencer asked, his voice immediately lowering, his eyes full of concern.

Angel mentally cursed to herself. Of course, Spencer would notice. She works with profilers who see every little thing about behaviors. Angel sighed, biting the bottom of her lip. Of course, she had told Spencer about the nightmare and described it, but it still wasn't easy to admit it. ".....I had the same nightmare again last night," Angel eventually admitted as she looked up at Spencer, her eyes casting so many emotions. Pain. Sadness. Anger, a little bit. Angel hated that she still thought of Raph, especially after seven months.

Spencer sighed as he walked over, gently pulling her into a hug. A gesture he'd done so many times, it felt natural. All he wanted to do was protect her. But how can one possibly protect someone from nightmares? It was impossible. He may not be able to stop them, but he can at least bring some comfort to the woman he was in love with. "I'm sorry, Angel. Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe a Doctor Who session with popcorn and your favorite candy?" Spencer asked before pulling away, looking her in her deep brown eyes.

Angel looked Spencer in the eyes before letting a sigh out, then she smiled at him. "A Doctor Who session sounds amazing, Spence," Angel said as she pulled away, grabbing her coffee and taking a sip.

Spencer and Angel eventually sat down at their appropriate desks, filling out paperwork as the rest of their team made their way in. Not even five minutes after their Unit Chief showed up, Emily walked out of her office, holding up a file and motioning to the briefing room. "Guys, we've got a case. Meet in the briefing room." Emily said in a firm tone as she walked towards the room. 

Spencer and Angel both nodded before standing up and making their way as well. They took their usual seats next to each other at a round table with a screen in front, showing the crime scene photos. One by one, the team filed in. First, Rossi, then JJ, Lewis, Simmons, Alvez, and Garcia. 

Garcia takes her usual place standing next to the screen with her remote in hand. "All right, my furry friends, pack your bags because you are headed to the Big Apple. NYPD is reporting 3 bodies of female victims, ages 20-25, and brunettes. The bodies were all found in alleyways next to garbage bins. They had no clothes on, and there were multiple stab wounds to the chest and genital areas, however no signs of sexual assault. Our first victim is Victoria Duncan, a 22-year old college student. She had just moved to New York about 6 months ago but was reported missing three weeks ago when she didn't show up for her psychology class for a few days straight. Professors say she was a great kid who wouldn't miss school unless there was a reason. Next, we have 20-year old Madeline Nelson. She worked as a waitress at a local diner, and she was reported missing about a week after Victoria when she didn't show up for her shift at work. One of her co-workers went to her apartment only to find she wasn't there, and that's when she called police. Our latest victim is 24-year old Jessie Malcolm. She worked at an insurance company, a typical 9-5 job. She was reported missing last week after she also missed her shift at work. Police say there are no obvious ways their paths would have crossed. They all lived in different parts of the city, hung out at different places, even had different banks. There's no sign that any of the ladies even knew each other." Garcia said as she showed all the victim's pictures of their face, bodies after death as well as the dumpsites. 

No matter how many dead bodies Angel has seen, they always managed to creep her out to some sense of the word. Though, she never let it bother her. Angel looked over the crime scene photos of the bodies, looking for any signs of restraints. "Garcia, is there anyone who's gone missing recently that fits the description of our victims?" Spencer asked as he looked up, leaning back in his chair slightly. 

Garcia shook her head softly before responding to Spencer, "Not yet, but I will double-check and let you know."

Emily nodded before looking to the team. "Alright, if this unsub has a schedule, we've got a few days before he finds his next victim. Wheels up in 30." The team nodded in unison before standing up, grabbing their files, and heading to their desks to grab their go-bag and equipment.

Angel couldn't help but let her mind wander. New York City. The same place she left seven months ago, and the same place that her first love lived at. She prayed to whatever god was up there that she didn't run into Raphael. With her bad luck, though, She probably would.

No matter. It doesn't matter if Angel does see Raph again, she's going for her job, and that's that. Whether she was ready or not, she knew she needed to prepare herself to see him again if the time comes. 

[melodiouswhite]

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde rewritten - Ch. 18

18. The end of the year, pt.01

Hyde arrived home in the early morning hours. As soon as the back door closed behind him, he stripped out of his coat, hat and boots and stretched himself.

“Ah, what a wonderful night!”, he sighed in enjoyment.

Jekyll snorted inside his head. “You started a brawl in the bar, nobbled several men and bruised the poor toffer you were engaging with. Then you came back here as if nothing happened.”

Hyde giggled: “Oh, that was fun! Did you see the faces of the other blokes in the bar, when I flung that one guy against a wall?”

“The one twice your size? Yes, I saw. And their faces, when you broke into evil laughter.”

“Comedy gold!”

“For you, it certainly was. I just found it embarrassing.”

“Come on, look at the bright side! The barman was so anxious to get rid of me that I didn't even have to pay for the drinks!”

Jekyll chuckled in his head. “Well, I'm afraid to ruin the rest of the night for you.”

Hyde blinked. “How?”, he wanted to know.

“You're grounded for a week, unless we go to our appointments with Lady Summers. Just until some grass has grown over the incident.”

“You're so mean to me!”, the brunette whined and pouted at the Doctor's reflection.

“Now, don't sulk. I bought you sweets. They should last you for a week”, Jekyll consoled him.

Hyde's mood brightened immediately.

Jekyll had a light headache in the morning, but it was nothing he couldn't handle (luckily Hyde hadn't drunk too much the night before). It was nothing compared to the massive hangovers he usually woke up with. He could have kissed his alter ego for taking it easy on their first night out. He didn't express that, even though he was pretty sure that Hyde knew it anyway.

He spent the morning with his servants, laughing and telling them amusing stories out of Lady Summers' household (that is, as much as his contract with her allowed – one of the paragraphs had been about mutual discretion after all).

In the afternoon he went to his appointment with Lady Summers, under the guise of being invited over for tea.

“Ah, hello!”, the Prussian noblewoman greeted the doctor, when her butler lead him into the greenhouse. Utterson and Lanyon were here too.

“Hello, you three”, Jekyll replied cheerfully. “It's a wonderful day, isn't it?”

They nodded.

“Indeed it is”, Lady Summers agreed with a smile, “You're in a good mood, I see.”

“Oh, certainly!”, Jekyll confirmed. “Hyde took it easy last night, so I woke up with a light headache instead of a full-grown hangover. For me that is a reason to be in a good mood!”

The others chuckled in amusement.

Lanyon smiled. “And I could sleep peacefully for the last few nights. Looks like I'll be able to reopen my surgery next year.”

“And I don't have to hide my feelings anymore”, Utterson laughed.

The blond felt his heart beat higher and grinned like an idiot.

Neither do I, he replied in his head.

“Please don't get all lovey-dovey on me again!”, Hyde groaned. “You were all mushy during Christmas tiding, now it's time to tone it down.”

Oh shut up, Jekyll retorted, You can't deny that you enjoyed the attention Gabriel gives to you!

Hyde grumbled something that sounded like denial.

“How about you, Milady?”, Jekyll asked curiously.

She grinned: “Well, it's the 30th December and I still haven't received an invitation to the new year celebration in Buckingham Palace. That is a good reason for me to be in a good mood.”

Jekyll laughed: “I'm surprised. Aren't those celebrations mandatory for all courtiers?”

“Usually they would be”, the Countess confirmed, “But the royal family knows me and I know them. They know and respect my desire to celebrate Christmas and New Year at home in the circle of my servants.”

That's very kind of them, Jekyll marvelled.

“It is”, Lady Summers agreed with a smile. “But like I said, Her Majesty and Their Highnesses know and like me. You would be surprised at how nice and normal people they are in private. They only invite me, when they want to spice up their parties a little bit. After all, there is nothing quite like chattering with someone who knows all the gossip and more and whether it's true or not. Especially Queen Victoria loves a good laugh.”

The gentlemen trio burst into laughter.

They all could well imagine how that went. By now they all had discovered, that the tiny Lady was known for snide remarks towards the members of her class.

“You're having questions, Dr. Jekyll”, she suddenly spoke up.

That wasn't a question.

He nodded. “Don't worry, Milady, it's nothing too private”, he assured her.

“I know. Go on, fire away!”

“Why do you hold your sessions in your greenhouse?”, he wanted to know first.

“I discovered that the plants have a soothing influence on my clients. It's prettier and healthier than those nasty arsenic wallpapers. As for those of my clients who are allergic to pollen, I receive them in my parlour.”

“So you don't use wallpapers?”

“No. I hate the patterns, I hate the poisonous ingredients and I hate the attitude of the producers, that all the poisonous metals aren't dangerous in wallpaper. They're wrong. I know that, because I tested it on rats. People don't understand, why I don't plaster my house with colourful wallpapers, but at least the paint on the walls doesn't make me sick. Besides, my furniture and décor beautify my interior just fine.”

Jekyll couldn't argue with that.

Once again Lady Summers was wiser than the rest.

“One last question”, he said, “Why did you become a therapist?”

Suddenly she looked uncharacteristically unsure.

“I'm afraid that's a question I have no satisfactory answer to”, she told him hesitantly.

Jekyll nodded, even though he was disappointed. By now he knew better than to pry.

“I have a question!”, Hyde suddenly piped up and Jekyll withheld a groan.

Lady Summers lifted an eyebrow. “What is it, Mr. Hyde?”

“I will never get used to how she can talk to both of them”, Lanyon muttered, but Jekyll ignored him.

“Your first name is Luise, right? What does the F. W. in your name stand for?”

The Prussian grimaced. “It stands for Friederike Wilhelmine. I was named after my grandfather. I have more given names – eight in total – but I don't want to give all of my names and abbreviating all of them would just look ridiculous on my brass sign. Even my maiden name was insanely long. Only my personal certificates contain my full name. I prefer to just be Lady Summers, or Luise to my family and close friends.”

With that, Hyde was satisfied, much to Jekyll's relief.

And he wasn't surprised. Lady Summers was an aristocrat. Having at least four given names was normal among the high nobility and it often said a lot about the family the name carrier was from. No wonder the Lady didn't want to talk about it.

“And what about you? What are you three going to do tomorrow? Who will you celebrate New Year with?”, she inquired curiously.

The three gentlemen looked at each other and smiled.

“We're going to celebrate together”, Lanyon informed her.

The Prussian nodded. “That's wonderful.”

Then she turned to Jekyll: “Let's talk about something else. I heard your servants threw you a big welcome home party?”

“Yes, Milady. And it was wonderful. I believe I shall take a page out of your book.”

She tilted her head curiously. “How so?”

“I think that I'm going to interact with my servants a little more.”

The blonde woman beamed at him. “Splendid! I love being a good influence! Having loyal and discreet servants is worth its weight in gold. Don't forget that, Dr. Jekyll.”

Jekyll went home in as good a mood as he had come. He was certainly looking forward to New Year's celebration.

How will this year's end will be? Now that everything has changed, he wondered.

“I don't know”, Hyde answered, “But it's going to be awesome, I can feel it!”

The blond chuckled.

“Hey, Jekyll.”

“Hm?”

“I know that I'm grounded and shit, but couldn't you make a teeny-weeny exception for New Year?”

“No, Hyde. If you want to see the fireworks, you can observe them in your ghost form.”

“But Jekyyyyyyll”, Hyde whined.

The older man snorted. “No. But I will go up to the roof balcony with you, I promise.”

“Do you think Utterson would come along?”

Jekyll sighed: “I wish. But Gabriel is acrophobic, so we can forget about that.”

Hyde sighed in disappointment.

That made Jekyll smirk. “Could it be, that you're growing fond of him?”, he teased.

Hyde sneered. “Don't be stupid. I'm not fond of people. His company is just entertaining and – stop laughing!”, he snapped, when his creator began to snicker.

Jekyll couldn't remember the last time he had felt so smug. But it certainly felt psychologically rewarding.

“Sure, Mr. Hyde. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Hyde glared harder and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a profanity.

The Doctor frowned and warned: “Edward Hyde, don't give me reason to expand your house arrest to a month.”

Hyde's reflection flushed with anger. “I hate you so much right now.”

Jekyll's expression softened. “Hey now. Don't be upset. I will let you out for a bit, when we're on the roof. No one will get hurt and you will get to see the fireworks with your own eyes. How does that sound?”

His alter ego calmed down considerably.

Jekyll's house was relatively empty on the 31st December. He had given most of his servants the day off to spend New Year with their families. Only Poole and those of his staff who had no family were still here today.

Lanyon and Utterson would come in the evening and until then, he would stay in his lab with Hyde.

“Hey there”, he said to the mirror as soon as he entered the lab.

His reflection morphed into Hyde.

“Why, good morning”, the brunette greeted sardonically. “Have you been yearning for me, my dear soulmate?”

“Don't flatter yourself”, Jekyll scoffed, even though both knew he was lying.

He looked around the lab. It was messy. And since it was the last day of the old year, this was the perfect opportunity to tidy up. So he went to work.

After about ten minutes, Hyde complained: “Goddammit, Jekyll! It's so boring to watch you tidy up!”

“Well, you can come out and help me”, the Doctor retorted.

“I'm not moving a single finger for you.”

“Lazy bone”, Jekyll muttered and put the clean vials into their respective cabinets.

After half an hour he skimmed over his lab and nodded in satisfaction.

Everything was nice and clean.

Why did I not do this sooner?

“Because you were gone for over a month?”, Hyde supplied.

The blond sighed and sat on the cot in the corner. Then he gestured to the spot next to him.

“Come here and sit with me”, he requested and the brunette stepped out of the mirror.

Jekyll hadn't seen him in such a corporeal form outside of his control in quite a while. He couldn't help but relish in the sight.

Hyde started, when his other self put an arm around him and pushed him down onto his lap.

“Jekyll, what are you-?”

But he relaxed right away, when the blond began to run his fingers through his hair.

Jekyll smiled fondly, when Hyde closed his eyes and began to purr and lean into his large hand.

He can be so adorable …

“You're rather affectionate today”, the smaller man stated.

“I suppose I am”, Jekyll confirmed.

“Why is that so?” It sounded a tad suspicious.

The taller man raised an eyebrow. “Can I not be affectionate without reason?”

“Not towards me.”

The Doctor sighed: “I can't honestly answer that question without starting an argument. And that's not what I want.”

“Is it not?”, Hyde queried.

“No. I don't want to go into the new year with unsettled arguments.”

Hyde cracked a bilious green eye open. “Now I'm all the more curious.”

“Can you guess, what my resolution for next year is?”

The younger man smirked: “What, to get into your lawyer's inexpressibles*?”

Jekyll chuckled: “That too, but it's not what I mean.”

“Oh? What is it then? Don't leave me hanging!”

“I wish to earn your forgiveness.”

Hyde's eyes flew open and he stared up to him incredulously. “Is that supposed to be an apology?!”

“No. Not yet, at least – I know that an apology won't cut it. I want to make up for my treatment of you. However, I will not be taken advantage of”, the older man cleared up.

The latter was added, just in case. Hyde was highly intelligent and had no qualms with taking advantage of others, if he got the chance.

The young man's eyes filled with suppressed anger and a hint of anguish.

Gabriel was right … he furrows his eyebrows just the way I do.

“I can't forgive you. Not like this.”

“I know”, Jekyll replied sadly.

Of course it was too soon, just like the Lady had said.

But maybe someday …

Maybe someday things would be better.

Suddenly Hyde glowered up at him. “Oi! Did I allow you to stop running your fingers through my hair?”, he snarled.

Jekyll chuckled: “Of course not. Do forgive me, my other half.”

And continued to stroke the long, café brown hair under his hand, silently envying the young man for having such beautiful, rich hair.

Hyde purred again, then slowly dozed off.

He's such a cat sometimes …

---

(*inexpressibles - a very prudish [very Victorian] term for pants. There was a period in the Victorian Era, when saying ‘pants’ or ‘trousers’ was an uncouth thing to say. I’m not sure, if that was still the case in the 1880s, but I thought it was hilarious.

A/N: I wanted to add a sequence, where Lady Summers tells the gentlemen about Chinese traditions and demonstrates her Chinese skills. But then I realised, that it didn’t fit into the dialogue, so I deleted it)

[sieben9]

“hyperion heights” impressions

{Quick request to anyone reading: I’m watching OUaT for the first time, and I want to avoid spoilers. So, if you want to discuss something spoilery, I’d be grateful if you could start a new post for that. Thank you!}

::plays “New Season” from Galavant::

…look, I’ve got the thing stuck in my head, and I thought I’d share.

I liked the episode? I think? There’s a lot of set-up and not a whole bunch of plot, but I think I like the things that were set up. And the characters definitely got off to a strong start (with one little problem I’ll get to later), so that’s always a plus for me.

More under the cut.

OK, so the flashback was a good, solid foundation for further conflict. Henry and Cinderella had some solid chemistry, and the twist to her particular version of this tale was one I did not see coming.

murderous Disney princess in a poofy dress on a motorcycle is definitely a Look™

I have to say, getting in a traffic collision with your future partner is... actually very on-brand for every single part of Henry’s family. Glad to see you’re keeping traditions alive, pal. (And yes, that explicitly includes Regina, who found her first girlfriend through breaking and entering.)

And it’s ...let’s say “nice” to see that Lady Tremaine, in whatever universe we see her, still continues to be The Worst. More on that below, but I found it interesting that one mainstay of OUaT seems to be that no, she’s horrible to all her children and not just her stepdaughter. It’s just different kinds of terribleness. I’m also wondering if Cinderella just has the one step-sister in this version (I know for a fact that there are some out there where that’s the case) or if it’s a plot point. And if there really is only one sister, the next question is: where is she? Did something horrible happen? And if so, was it the result of her mother’s terribleness or (part of) the cause? So many questions, so little time~

…can you tell I’m loving this bit? I mean, I hate her guts, but she intrigues me, which is always great. (Me? Latching on to a villain? What a strange thing to happen.)

The closing shot for the flashback plotline is very promising, with Henry deciding that no, home can wait, the strange lady who punched him in the face and almost framed him for murder needs help, first. …you know, I can’t even tell which part of his family he gets it from, because they are all completely bananas.

you grew up great, buddy

Also, just as a closing question: does he have a magic motorcycle? Is that why it doesn’t need fuelling up in however long it’s been since he left Storybrooke? Just asking.

I mentioned my one problem with the modern-day cast at the top, and I’ll just get right into it: my biggest problem at this point is not comparing everyone’s “roles” to the original cast configuration. Like, “Roni” doing Snow’s job (even if her temper is very different from Mary Margaret’s). Henry isn’t Emma, even if he’s the “new guy in town”, and Lucy isn’t Henry, even if she clearly inherited his “little shit” genes. (I love her so much, but how her mother manages her on her own, I will never know. Victoria Belfrey sure as hell isn’t Regina, because Regina would never treat any child of hers this way, thank you very much. In fact, I wonder if she and Cora went to the same school for being a terrible mom together. That’s the level of “I do not like this person” I’m on.

Still, the Hyperion Heights people seem like a good bunch, and I look forward to seeing more of them.

Henry is a lovable fuck-up who thinks he made up the entirety of the show so far and managed to squeeze it all into one book. My guy. I know what the transfer rate from TV to prose is. You could never fit that in one volume.

at least not that one. that’s... what? 600 pages, tops?

And is it just me or did his particular role in the curse take a fucking dark turn? Because it’s bad enough to separate everyone from their loved ones, but giving the guy fake memories of his wife and child burning to death in a house fire? Just… wow. Please let the poor man remember soon because this will be haunting me until then.

Speaking of things that will haunt me…

They didn’t recognise each other and I was not prepared for the complete gut-punch that was. They were sitting there, looking at each other, and they didn’t know. Guh! (And yes, I am 100% convinced that Roni is, in fact, Roni and not Regina, because she might have kept up the pretence for a good enough reason, but she’d never have kept that good a poker face; I also doubt she would have given her son and his not-quite-date strong liquor at before 4pm)

Special mention goes to Henry’s line of “imagine if I were to walk in here and say that I’m your son”, because yeah, imagine you doing that. To anyone. What a crazy thing, right? (

And while I’m on the topic of Roni…

I love her so much. Everything about her. Her attitude, the way she moves, the Looks™ she gives people, her voice… Yeah, I may not be entirely objective on the topic, why do you ask. I am also looking forward immensely to seeing her butt heads with Belfrey. Because of reasons.

this scene is 95% of the reasons

I also wrote in my notes “so the villain this season is gentrification?” and honestly, I don’t think I was that far off. There’s definitely a strong theme of class in this set-up, and I hope the writers carry that through at least a little.

A quick rundown of the other characters, while I’m at it:

I like Jacinda well enough, although her main character trait at the moment seems to be “really, really stressed out”. Which is fair. She’s a single mom with Belfrey as her only family connection. Her scene with Henry in the bar and with Lucy at the well was extremely adorable, though, so I’m optimistic as for future developments. (And Cinderella bought her some goodwill because she was determined and vulnerable and scared and generally amazing in all the right ways. I liked that version of her, and it’s been established that your cursed self hardly puts your best traits on display.) I definitely smiled when she made that wish at the well.

Good on you, not giving up hope. (And I immensely appreciated the way it was set parallel to Henry finally writing that first sentence of his.)

I’m… not 100% sure who her roommate is meant to be, which is going to irk me until I am, but I can live with a little mystery in my life *g*

I have no idea what Weaver’s deal is, but I really hope he isn’t awake this one time around.

please take that man’s head out of the water

Rumple as a police officer is… uh, a special kind of hilarious. A really terrible one, too. And now he’s partnered up with not-Hook, which, to coin a phrase, I’m sure they’ll all laugh themselves sick about some day. I’m interested in seeing what his connection with not-Alice is. Both in the modern-day plot and in the flashbacks, because there’s usually some kind of interplay between the two storylines.

Rogers is… not on screen that much. He seems nice. Which is already a better opinion than I had of uncursed!Hook, and that is a crying shame because they’re all bound to wake up at some point. Still, I’m holding out hope. People have said good things about Hook in this season.

Apart from all that, there’s also an implied mystery in this season that I really like, and it’s “who, exactly, cast the curse?”

I mean, it’s clear that the show is setting up Lady Tremaine as the Big Bad, but 1) I’m not new here, I know how much these writers love their villain fake-outs, and 2) I get the feeling that her whole “magic can be taken away blah blah” speech might be meant to give a hint that it’s not, in fact, her.

god, I hate her so much already; it’s delightful

Which leaves the question of “OK, then who?” and I… have a few thoughts. Which I will keep to myself until at least three episodes in because I doubt that we’ve met all parties involved at this point.

In short: on strength of its characters alone, I am cautiously excited for this new season. Bring it on!

And, because it didn’t fit anywhere else:

The keychain made it through!

[killerxqween]

Waking Up In Vegas- Ben Hardy x Reader One-Shot

Summary: It’s you’re 21st birthday and to celebrate, you, you’re boyfriend Ben, and you’re closest friends all go to Las Vegas to celebrate. You know that this trip is going to be a wild ride full of surprises, but you were not prepared for the surprises you would wake up to the day after your birthday. 

Warnings: FILTHY SMUT (wrap up before you shack up!), CUTE ASS FLUFF THAT’LL MAKE YOUR HEART MELT, VERY LONG FIC BUT SO MUCH ADORABLE CONTENT

I haven't edited this lol so sorry if there is any spelling errors, etc...This was a long one guys! I hope you guys enjoy this one! It’s everything from fluffy to funny to incredibly filthy. This idea came to me right now, with the help of a bunch of friends of course! I’ll be tagging them at the end of this, so make sure to give them a follow if you don't already. Make sure to follow me for more one-shots, fits, and posts about Queen, BoRhap cast, and other rock and roll artists! Besitos, my lovelies ❤️ -Dani 👑

Twenty-one. Holy shit. You’ve been alive for twenty-one years now.

Celebrating your 21st birthday has always been a major milestone, and now it was your turn. You finally get to drink without worrying about being underage, you get to go to clubs, and of course you get to go to casinos. And that’s exactly how you would be spending the next week; in clubs, casinos, and bars, drinking and partying until you fell to the floor. Yes, you would be going to the booziest of boozy places; you were going to Las Vegas with your boyfriend of 2 years, Ben Hardy and your best friends. 

But it’s not like you hadn’t drank and partied before. You were just celebrating that you could now drink in your home country. Since your wonderful boyfriend was from the UK, that meant that you spent most of your time there with him, drinking and partying the weekends away. But now, you would be doing that in Vegas, and you were really excited for what the week would hold. Especially after Ben told you that he had a very big surprise for you. 

---------After arriving in Vegas---------

You and your group of friends were in the lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, waiting to get to your rooms as quick as possible so you could start your birthday adventures. 

You were holding Ben’s hand while both of you looked around, until one of your best friend’s (and practically Ben’s other lover) Joe Mazzello walked up to you both. 

“Guys this place is so cool, I’m actually shocked I never stayed here before! It’s quite fitting actually, that we’re staying in this place. There’s no one more hard rock then us.” Joe said excitedly. He really did look like an excited puppy sometimes. You saw Ben visibly cringe at Joe’s final comment, though and you laughed lightly. 

“That was the cheesiest and stupidest thing I've ever heard, Joe.” Ben said.

“You just hate me ‘cuz you can’t be me” Joe sassed back, with mock attitude and flipped his non-existent hair over his shoulder while walking away. 

“Awwww Ben look, you just made your boyfriend mad” you said, mocking him even more. You adored Ben and Joe’s relationship, they truly were the perfect definition of best friends. You were so glad to consider them all best friends. 

Soon enough the rooms were ready. You knew that everyone had went all out for your birthday, but you didn't know that they had rented out the most expensive suite in the hotel, the Penthouse Real World Suite. 

Everyone walked into the room before you. First, Rami and Lucy, then Gwil followed by Joe, then Allen and your childhood best friend Victoria, your boyfriend Ben, and finally you, with guidance from Ben since he had put a blindfold on you. 

You walked in slowly while Ben held your hand and guided you in the direction towards the room. 

“Ben I swear, if I bump into anything, I’m suing.”

“Babe, never in a million years would I let you get hurt.” he replied sweetly. You smiled and heard Joe scoff mockingly towards you two, playing along with the ‘jealous boyfriend’ role that he had taken upon himself of playing. Everyone in the room laughed at Joe’s reaction, making you and Ben smile, even if you couldn’t see him. 

“alright, love. Im going to take your blindfold off in 3... 2...”

Everyone shouts “ONE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Y/N)!!!” 

You look around and tears prickled at the rim of your eyes. The suite had been decorated with banners congratulating you, table decor that said happy birthday, and much more. These people had went out of their way to give you an amazing birthday and you couldn’t be happier. 

Gwilym saw your tears start to fall before anyone else, since Ben had went around thanking everyone for coming and for helping. Gwil came over to you and gave you a heartwarming hug. 

“Ben went out of his way for your birthday. He got all of us and some staff to come and decorate while you and Victoria were at the lounge. He really loves you, we all do. Happy birthday, kiddo.” Gwil gave you a small peck on your forehead. He truly was one of the sweetest men you had ever met in your life.

“Thank you Gwilly, this means so much. You all mean so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you all. I love you guys” You said as tears fell while giving Gwil another embrace. 

Ben finally came up to you and smiled at Gwil while mouthing a “thank you” to him. Ben wrapped his arms around you and you took in his scent. He really was the love of your life. 

“I hope you like it, baby. This is only the beginning, but I worked really hard to make sure everyth-”

You cut him off with a passionate kiss on the lips. He kissed back and wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you close. Your hands were around his neck, bringing his head closer to your own. He was like a drug, and you could never stop taking him in. You adored this man with a burning passion. You worshiped him. 

Everyone ‘awed’ at you both, admiring how adorable you both were. Even Joe couldn't help but smile at how happy his best friend was, no matter how much the messed with him. You both pulled apart and you snuggled into his chest.

You looked at everyone and said “Thank you everyone for coming, really. I couldn’t be anymore thankful than I am right now. This means so much you guys. I love you all.” Everyone cheered and shouted “I love you’s” back.

You let go of Ben so he could go speak to the boys while Lucy approached you. 

“Hey girl. Everyone is going to go to their rooms to start unpacking and getting ready for tonight. You better go and start getting dressed. I’ll help you too, I want you to look perfect, being the birthday girl and all.” Lucy said with a beautiful smile on her face.

You hugged Lucy and thanked her. “What would I do without you, Luce?”

“Probably perish. Now get your butt into your room and start getting ready for a week’s worth of festivities!!!”

-----THAT NIGHT (WEDNESDAY)-----

You all went to the casino and ordered a shit ton of drinks. You all got extremely wasted while gambling. You also hit a jackpot, call it birthday luck or whatever the sort, but you were so happy.

-----THURSDAY NIGHT-----

You and Lucy went to see Magic Mike Live. You were both flustered by the amount of good-looking men giving you a show but, no one compared to Ben in your eyes. He was perfect.

Afterwards, you all went around Vegas, looking for places to go and see and for places that seemed intriguing. Joe had found a place that sold giant burgers and forced everyone to go in there. You didn’t mind though, you were happy. 

-----FRIDAY NIGHT-----

You all went to the Wet Republic Pool Party at MGM Grand. It was extremely crowded but fun. You all got wasted again and swam around like there was no tomorrow. 

That night you also went to see Lady Gaga in concert during her Enigma show. You and Ben sang along to LoveGame while making out for most of the concert while everyone else was dancing to the music and singing along.

-----SATURDAY NIGHT, YOUR BIRTHDAY (shit gets good now)-----

It was finally the weekend, and as great as the the rest of the week had been, you were excited about tonight. 

Ben had gotten everyone VIP Passes into XS Las Vegas, a very exclusive nightclub that was very difficult to get into. 

When it wast time to leave, you checked your appearance in the mirror one more time. 

You had put on a black chain backless dress that was very low-cut. It accentuated every curve and every nook on your body, making you feel sexy. You had put on a diamond choker to match and some silver heels. You knew that your outfit would drive Ben crazy, and you were excited. 

“Girl you look amazing as always” Said Vicky, she had always been there for you since you were little girls.

“Thanks Vic, you look gorgeous too.” You said back 

Ben was already waiting in the car with Gwilym and Joe because Allen had taken  a shower later than everyone else, while Rami and Lucy had went to go get ready together. But the moans you heard from their room said otherwise. 

Once you finally left the hotel and got to the car, the driver opened the door for you. The door opened to reveal a very dapper looking Ben, wearing a sheer shirt, similar to the one he wore to the Bohemian Rhapsody Premiere, except in a instead of it being a solid black color, it had patterns on it, bringing more attention to your boyfriend’s rock hard abs. You gulped, and Ben just examined your body from head to toe and smirked.  

(for Ben’s outfit: https://goo.gl/images/DqDYD8 )

(for your outfit: https://goo.gl/images/4nyRhf )

---at the club---

Once you got to the club, the driver opened the door and Ben took your hand to help you out of the car. You and the gang all went to the VIP entrance and got in fairly quickly. 

And from that point on, that night had become the craziest night of your life. 

The minute everyone stepped foot in the club, they all disappeared to different places in the room. Gwil and Allen went to the bar, Rami and Lucy went to a corner of the room to have some more ‘privacy’, and Joe decided to embody Disco Deaky by going straight onto the dance floor. 

Ben took your head and lead you to the private booth that had been reserved for your group. You sat with him and he ordered you both drinks. As you sat there, Ben looked into your eyes, sending love from his soul to yours. 

“How are you enjoying your birthday so far, love?” He asked. There was love in his eyes, but they were mixed with something a bit darker.  

“It’s been incredible Ben! It’s been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I'm so happy you did this all for me. I love you.” You said sincerely. He smiled and brought you in for a kiss. 

As the kiss progressed though, you felt his emotions change from one of love to one of hunger. He added more intensity into the kiss, making it feel more passionate and more lustful. Soon after he pushed his tongue into your mouth.You both fought for dominance in a war of passion and love that resided in your mouth. He won of course, and explored your mouth with his tongue. You felt yourself get warmer. That feeling was like a snake that traveled from the top until it came down to your core. 

You felt yourself get wetter under Ben’s touch. His kiss was a spell that you couldn’t break. His lips detached from yours and attacked your neck, leaving sweet kisses and marks. You sighed, enjoying the feeling of being close to him. Soon, his fingers slowly moved from your waist down to your thighs. He moved his hands up you thighs slowly, making sure you were comfortable. You said nothing, but instead put a kiss to his lips as a confirmation. 

He moved his hand stealthily towards your core, moving his hand under the dress. He pushed the lacy thong you wore to the side and slid his fingers into your core. You felt his fingers move up and down each of your folds, until he rested his pointer finger on your clit. He moved his finger in such a way so you could feel every pleasurable sensation. You moaned softly, since you were in a club and you didn’t want people to see what you two were up to. Soon after, he used both his pointer and middle finger to rub you. He moved his fingers around at a pleasurable pace, making you moan even more. Then he moved those fingers down, and pushed his fingers into you. He pumped them in and out and a slow pace first, then moving to a quicker pace. He added his ring finger shortly after, and you gasped. Ben then attached his lips to yours, in order to keep you quiet. 

While the booth you were in was private, it was kind of thrilling knowing that your boyfriend was finger fucking you in a public place. But you were also slightly paranoid that someone would walk in on you both. 

“Fuck Ben.. y-you need to stop. Someone could walk in” You said, still moaning due to him pumping his fingers in and out of you. 

But instead of stopping, he used his other hand to rub your clit once again. This made you moan even louder. 

“Let someone walk in, let them see how fucking hot you are under my touch” he whispered in your ear, growling the words at the end of his sentence. This just made you moan more. 

“You’re so wet, babe” He said in your ear again. He kissed you roughly, getting aroused by your reactions to his touch. 

But suddenly, he stopped and pulled his fingers away. And now you were confused, and slightly angry because you were just about to reach your high. 

“Why the fuck did you-” 

“Hello, I’m sorry about the delay, there was a mixup with drink orders. Here are your shots of tequila and your Margaritas” The waiter said, interrupting you. You understood why Ben had stopped, but it also made you giggle a bit considering what he said earlier. 

“That’s why I stopped.” Ben said, taking a sip of the margarita. You laughed even more. 

“Why is that funny?” Ben asked.

“What happened to ‘let them walk in on me finger fucking you’?” You asked laughing more. 

“Heat of the moment I guess. But keep laughing at me and I won’t give you something to to look forward to later.” That sentence immediately made you stop laughing. You smirked instead and said “sorry, baby”, giving Ben a chaste kiss. 

You both downed all the alcohol on the table and thats when you fucked up. You wouldn't remember most of the events following the drinks you took.

Gwilym, Joe, and Allen came to the table arguing loudly about who was the best member of Queen. You and Ben left to go to the dance floor. You grinded on him to the beat of the music, as he grabbed your waist and pulled you close. Eventually, you did find Rami and Lucy, who were making out in the middle of the dance floor. They soon left to join the table. Vicky was chatting up a guy she met. 

Even more drinks later, you felt the need to go to the bathroom. You stumbled into the stalls and did your business. You walked out, still completely shit-faced, and washed your hands. You stared into the mirror and laughed at yourself due to how bad your makeup had smudged. But you stopped laughing when you heard the bathroom door open. 

There, in the women’s bathroom, stood your boyfriend Ben Hardy, accompanied by a drunk Joe Mazzello and Gwilym Lee. Ben stumbled into the bathroom, giggling along with the other two boys. 

Be walked right up to you and gave you a kiss on the lips. You kissed him back and laughed. The boys that stood behind Ben laughed as well, knowing something that you didn't. 

“B-ben... what the f-uck are you doin’” you asked, slurring and messing up your words. 

Ben giggles some more. “(Y/N) I-I FUCKING LOVE YOU AND I W-WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.” He yelled loudly into the bathroom. You covered your ears and yelled “ow!” Ben stopped yelling and replied with “sorry, baby”.

“Anyways.. what was I saying? Oh r-right.... (y/n), I fuckin’ love you and I want to be with you forever, baby. I was gonna do this t-tomorrow but I couldn’t wait so... (y/f/n)... Will you m-marry me-e?” Ben asked, getting down on one knee, but almost failing to do so from how drunk he was. 

Yes, you’re boyfriend just asked you to marry him in the middle of the bathroom while being completely wasted. And how did you reply? 

You started ugly crying “oh-oh my god Ben yes I will baby I lo-love you so much” you said, stumbling towards him to hug him. You saw Joe and Gwil clap sloppily, Joe slightly leaning on Gwil because he was about to pass out.

“WAIT!” He said, putting his hand out to stop you from coming closer. 

“What is it?” You asked, afraid that his drunk ass might be joking.

“I forgot to give you your ring” He said, in an obvious tone, rolling his eyes dramatically. Ben shoved his fingers into his pockets looking around for a ring. 

And the ring he gave you was the best ring drunk you could ever receive. 

He gave you a ring pop with a blue candy diamond in the center. 

You squealed after he put it on you and hugged him. Then you gasped loudly, coming up with a wonderful idea. 

“Ben! Why don’t we get married right now!!!”

“OH MY GOD YES”

So you, Ben, and Joe left the club at 2 in the morning, got in a cab, and went to the nearest chapel go get you and Ben married. Joe had decided to tag along because he wanted to be best man. So you bought a $5 wedding veil from the chapel gift shop and got married. 

-----SUNDAY/The Next Day-----

You woke up naked with your head pounding, unaware of where you were. You looked around and your eyes widened.

You were in your suite at Hard Rock but there were balloons that said “Congratulations Newlyweds!”, “Bride and Groom”, and other phrases related to the subject. There was a veil that had the $5 price tag still stuck to it, a bouquet of roses scattered on the floor that looked like they were in desperate need of water, and of course, the half eaten ring pop on your ring finger which had lint and other small particles stuck to it. 

You frantically looked for your phone to see if you could confirm your suspicions, and when you found it, you opened your phone to see 34 unread messages. The older ones were from your friends congratulating you on your engagement. The newer ones were congratulating you on your marriage to Ben. Then there was a whole essay from a drunk Joe, congratulating you both but also saying he was mad you stole his boyfriend. You sucked in a breath and widened your eyes.

“oh my god, I got married on my birthday in Vegas” you whispered.

You turned your head to look at Ben, who was deep asleep and also naked. He was snoring lightly and looked so peaceful.

“Ben is my husband.” you said, still in shock.

You opened your phone and checked your picture gallery. You had over 20 videos, all filmed by either Joe or Gwilym, from your engagement in the bathroom to your wedding at the chapel. You watched each one and cringed at how drunk everyone was.

You really did get engaged and married. 

You didn’t mind the idea of getting married to Ben though, you just hate that it was while drunk in Vegas.

Soon Ben started waking up, slightly stirring around until he fully turned his body towards you and opened your eyes. 

“Hello beautiful, my head hurts.” He said, looking like the Greek God that he is. He then saw the worry in your face and asked what was wrong. He ten saw he was naked and asked “Did we fuck last night?” You laughed.

“Yeah, babe that wasn’t the only thing we did last night.” You said with shock still present in your voice.

“What did we kill someone? Did we have a little Bonnie and Clyde moment?” He asked and smirked while leaning up to kiss you. 

“Ben, look around.” You said seriously this time. 

He looked around at the balloons, veil, bouquet, and ring. Apparently he was somehow still drunk because he still didn't understand. He looked at you in confusion.

“Oh my god, Ben we got engaged and we got married last night” you said, showing him the video of him proposing in the bathroom. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Then you scrolled to the next video, showing him the one of you in the chapel. His jaw dropped even further and you laughed. 

“Oh my god. Yo-you’re my wife?” He asked with a tone of fear.

“Yeah I am, is being married to me that bad?” You said with a laugh. He didn’t laugh though, instead he ran a hand through his hair then down his face, signaling that he was stressed. 

“Babe, I know that this is stupid but I didn't think it was that ba-” 

“It’s not bad babe, its just...” He sighed again. You were afraid that maybe he didn’t want to take the next step into marriage with you, and was mad that you both did while intoxicated. 

“I guess I just have to say it. (Y/N), I was going to ask for your hand in marriage during you Birthday celebration, in fact, I was going to do it today during our date. But the fact that we already were engaged and are now married put my whole plan out of the loop” Ben said, disappointed since his plan has been ruined. You on the other hand, were happy. He was going to ask you to marry him, today in fact. 

You kissed him deeply. “Ben, baby. Don’t let our stupid actions get in the way of your plans. I love you. I would get engaged to you and marry you a million times. We can still get married and get engaged, we just do it properly this time, and not while drunk.” You said laughing. 

“You’re right” He said as he got up. “But my big birthday surprise for you was going to be over dinner. But that plan has been spoiled, and so has the surprise. So I'm going to say this right here, right now.”

Ben got out a little black jewelry box from his coat pocket and got down on one knee while still naked. 

“(Y/N), I love you. From the minute I saw you I loved you. I don’t know where I would be without your love and support. You make my grey skies a vibrant blue. You are the brightest star in my sky. I love you to the moon and back and I always will. That is why I was so fussy about getting married. Because you deserve the best. So I know this setting isn't perfect but, I feel the timing is perfect so” Ben opened the box to reveal the most beautiful ring. 

“Will you (y/f/n), make me the happiest man alive and be my wife...even though you technically already are my wife?”

You felt tears sting your eyes. 

“Yes” you said wholeheartedly.

Ben put the ring on your finger and kissed you passionately. His hands cupped your cheek while yours wrapped around his muscular back. Soon the kiss became needier, hungrier. 

His tongue swirled around with yours, reminding you of last night’s very lustful agenda which was one of the few things that you could remember clearly. The thought of it got you hot and bothered. His hands moved from your face down to your waist, where he started gripping roughly with his hands, making you moan into the kiss. He then brought his hands down to your bare ass and gave it a squeeze. He then started kissing your neck, this time leaving actual marks and bruises compared to the ones from last night. You sighed and moaned, letting yourself expose your neck more so he could have more access. 

Hands still on your ass, Ben pushed you even closer to him, your bodies molding together like clay. His head started moving down from your neck to your collarbone, then down to your breasts. He started kissing around the beautiful mounds of flesh until he took a nipple into his mouth and started sucking and biting. You moaned louder this time at the action, which made him grab the other nipple and he started pinching and squeezing. 

“I love you, wife” He said against your breast. 

“I love you too, husband” you breathlessly replied back. He got back up, gave you a kiss and started pushing you back towards the bed. Once your legs made contact with the bed frame, he lightly pushed you back so you were laying on your back. 

“Let me show you how much I love you” He whispered lovingly into your ear, leaving a small kiss on your earlobe, then on your cheek, then on your forehead, on your nose, and on your lips.

He moved his head down, kissing your body as he went. He kissed your collarbone, the valley between your breasts, your stomach and then your hip bones. Once he was almost face to face with your center, he kissed your thighs and bit lightly as he got closer. He then moved his mouth a kissed your soaking center. He moved his tongue strategically through your folds, feeling every beautiful sensation. He swirled his tongue around your center, making you moan. Your breathing was jagged and your lips were parted as he flicked your clit around with his tongue. You moaned an even more pornographic sound when he started sucking and lightly biting the little ball of nerves. 

You felt like you were on cloud nine, he held your waist in such a delicate manner, as if you were a flower that was about to fall apart in his hands. He used the other hand to pump his fingers into you; starting with one, then two, then three fingers, and that’s when you felt the rush. You spread your legs as wide as you could, one hand gripping his hair, while the other was intertwined with the hand on your waist. You grinded into his touch to get more friction. 

“oh Ben, fuck” you moaned at the feeling. 

Ben hummed a bit to add even more vibrations and thats when you felt your orgasm washing over you. He pumped his fingers even more to help you. You arched your back as he kept eating you out like you were his holy feast and felt your orgasm hit. You moaned his name loudly and your body started to spasm. Ben kept his arm around you to help you stop spasming and brought his lips up to yours. 

He kissed you with a love and desire, and you tasted yourself on his tongue, making you want him more. 

“I'm so happy that you’re my wife right now. I love you so much. I can’t wait to get remarried” Ben said. You smiled at him and give him a light peck.

“I love you too, you’re my one and only, Ben.” You whispered lightly to him. 

“Let me make love to you then” he whispered in your ear.

“You already are” You said to him. He kissed you with passion and forcefulness and started to position himself at your entrance. He started teasing you with his dick, and you just whined. 

“If you keep being impatient then we’re going to have to play a different game” He said seductively. Usually you were one to love Ben’s ‘games’, but right now you just wanted him. 

“Ben please, I need you, love” you said desperately. His eyes changed from one of mischief and lust to one of love just from hearing that sentence. So he carefully pushed himself into you, making sure to not hurt you in any way. 

“Is this alright” He said in his beautiful English accent that you adore.

“Yes, its more than alright” you replied back. Slowly, he started pulling out and pushing back in. He kept doing this until he kept up a good thrusting rhythm. 

“Fuck” Ben groaned making you moan.

He kept doing that until he lifted your leg and put it on his shoulder to get deeper into you.

“Oh fuck baby, thats so good” you moaned loudly. Ben kept thrusting in that position, getting quicker while groaning in the process. 

You felt your second orgasm of the day wash over you, and you felt it come closer when Ben started rubbing your clit with his fingers. 

“I-I’m so close babe” you said, moaning breathlessly. You were a sweaty, hot mess but you enjoyed every second. You soon hit your orgasm, arching your back and grabbing the bed sheets in the process. 

Ben kept going and soon hit his orgasm shortly after you. He moaned your named while riding out his high and kept thrusting until he felt he had come back down to earth. 

He slowly pulled out of you and laid down next to you.He wrapped his arm around your body so carefully, so he wouldn't hurt you. He kissed your lips and said “sweet dreams, my love”.

“goodnight, darling.”

-----two months later-----

You had been feeling a bit under the weather but you were excited.  Today you would be going shopping for your wedding dress. 

You and Ben had decided to get married in 5-6 months since no ceremony had to be held because you were both technically married already. So you both had decided to have a little ceremony with a friend as the wedding minister instead of having a full ceremony at a church. The big event that you were both planning was the wedding party. 

You, Lucy, and Vicky walked into a little bridal shop in London, looking around at each dress. You knew you wanted something extravagant and you were excited to try them on.

Once you had found ones you liked with the help of Mindy and Alice, the wedding planner and the bridal shop employee, you grabbed your size in the dresses and went to try them on.

“Luce, Vic, come help me!” You said to the girls who were drinking champagne. 

“What’s up?” Lucy asked. 

“Can you help me tie the dress, its really difficult for me to do it by myself.” You said. 

“Sure” Lucy said, trying to tie the dress but it didn't work. 

“Honey, I think its too tight for you.”

“That’s weird since its my size. All the dresses I've tried on are in my size and they don't fit. Maybe the sizes run small?”

“No, our sizes usually fit true to size, miss. No offense but maybe, you’ve gained weight?” Alice said.

“No, I've been working out and eating more healthier than ever just for this.I really don’t know why the hell it doesn't fit if it’s my size.” You said truthfully.

Alice looked down, feeling guilty for commenting, while Mindy’s eyes lit up and she smirked. 

“(y/n), have you thought about the fact that you may not be the only one wearing that dress?” Mindy said while smirking.

“What does that mean” You sighed, annoyed that things weren’t working out. 

“Maybe... you’re pregnant?” She asked trying to be as polite as possible. Lucy widened her eyes, Vicky smiled brightly and you choked on the water you were drinking. 

That would explain the illness, you’re dictates for alcoholic beverages, and you’re cravings lately. It would also explain why you haven’t had your period yet. 

“I’m gonna run to the shop to get something, ill be back soon” you said, frantically trying to go and see if you are pregnant or not.

---One Hour Later---

“Oh my god I'm pregnant” you say freaking out. You knew Ben would freak out, but hopefully in a good way. He had always said he wanted a family of his own. And now its happening. 

---3 months later---

You were sitting with your now official husband, Ben, at your wedding party. You’re bump had grown and you were happy to show it. 

You had told Ben about the pregnancy the night you found out over dinner. He was over the moon and the next day he invited everyone over to share the news. The first question that was asked was 

“When did that happen” by of course, none other then Joe Mazzello.

Ben simply replied with “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, pal”.

Now you were sitting there, eating cake with the love of your life and your unborn daughter. You were going to name her Meaddows Mercury, in honor of Roger Taylor for being there not only for Ben, but for you too during everything from the start of your relationship to your pregnancy. Roger had also mentioned it.

He had said “You should name your baby after me” as a joke. But Ben took it seriously and decided to do it in honor of one of his best friends and hero’s. Of course Mercury was in honor of Freddie and Queen, because without him and them, he wouldn’t be where he is today. And you were fine with the name because you love Queen a lot, too. 

Ben wrapped his arm around your shoulders and placed his arm protectively on your baby bump. 

“My two girls” He said into your ear and sighed in content. He rested his head on top of yours and you smiled. Everything was perfect.

“I love you husband”

“I love you wife”

The End 

@hystericallyqueen @har-rison-s @okqueenie

[chrysaliseuro2019]

Monopoli 2

Next day we started off the day with Alessandro again as we had extended for one more night and had to pay him. He is a very pleasant guy. Still at uni, very smart, laid back, great English and a handsome boy. Obviously also appreciates the finer things in life given his restaurant recommendations which he was pretty passionate about.

Our plan for the day was to head to Polignano a Mare. Post breakfast Liz was feeling tired so wanted to grab another hour’s sleep. Good opportunity for me to check out the cathedral which she had seen the previous night. I also tried on the shoes we had seen the previous day, this time with my orthotics but wrong size. Shame because they were on sale and very reasonably priced. And looked good😥.

The cathedral was very interesting and pretty stunning if you like your grandiose marble columns. And I do. There were also very good paintings and a number of different chapels each of which had a story which was well described in English in the short, paper guide.

The site has been continuously occupied for at least 4000 years with huts built on it in the Bronze Age. A pagan temple was located on the site and in 256AD a Christian church was built in its place so changing religious approach accommodated.

Construction commenced on the original church on this site in 1107 but they did not have wood for roof beams. In 1117 a raft arrived in the harbour carrying a Byzantine icon of the Madonna with child (which really stands out as you wander around the church it is really lovely). Beams from the raft were used to construct the roof of the church. Some of these beams are preserved and can be seen in the appropriately named “Chapel of the Beams”. Wiki describes the events of 1117 as a miracle. Unsure if that is in the biblical or fortuitous sense. Apparently the church also took over 300 years to build. Funds must have been tight. In 1742 the old Romanesque church which was unsafe was demolished and the current baroque church built.

It was now midday and the church was closing with just a few visitors left. I managed to hang on for another 7/8 minutes and was the last to leave. Pretty soon after, Liz called and we headed for Polignano.

Polignano had been recommended both by the Maitre de we liked in Vieste and Alessandro so we were determined to go there. It might even be a loose possibility to spend a night at it if it scrubs up really well. We certainly wondered if we should have headed there and spent one less night in Monopoli. Alessandro said we must visit the Pescaria restaurant which serves various varieties of seafood, in rolls etc. He said it was so successful that they had opened up a second one in Milan. His advice was -just look for the crowds lined up outside and you will know you are there.

Just a short 20 minute drive or so to Polignano. We parked up close to town. Took our bathers as mid thirties but felt like 40 and town right by the sea. Walked past the Roman ruins to get into town and immediately saw a small cove which was the town beach. It was very crowded and really a mousetrap with say 250-300 people on it and many in the water surrounded by cliffs. We weren’t tempted to go in. We did do a “Where’s (the) Wally” photo with me trying to blend into the throng.

We just stood and watched this hubbub for a while. Young macho guys and girls jumping and diving into the water from the surrounding rocks and generally everyone trying to tone up their tans. Noise was pretty loud too. A fun place.

We retreated into town looking for the Pescaria and it was easy to find. A queue outside and in. We had to have lunch and could not go past this place given its local fame. The wait was probably 50 minutes+. Thirty mins to get into the place and order and another 20 to collect it. There were tables and chairs inside and out but it was mayhem and we had seen some benches under trees on the main drag and took our lunch to there. I had a prawn roll which Liz also shared a bit of and she had a slider with prawns. Both excellent and it would be great to be able to get that in Melbourne. The whole experience of queuing, anticipating and the general boisterousness of the place was worth seeing and food good too.

PS - we were amused that waiters came out with trays of food yelling out the number of each order. This right amidst the bedlam of people eating and waiting to be served and conversing (as Italians do - loudly) the old electronic approach where they give you a token which then beeps when food is ready would have been better.

Off for a walk around the old town and as ever in this part of the world a number of narrow streets and picturesque buildings. We dropped into a few shops along the way though no acquisions. Our general feeling - good place to visit for a short while but we pulled the right string with Monopoli. Damned a little with faint praise and definitely worth a visit but wouldn’t stay there.

Now around 4.30 and we headed for home but looking out for a beach. Still very hot. We found one just outside Monopoli again a small, perhaps tiny, cove. We both soon had a swim to cool off. Liz throwing in a relaxed and lazy 200 metres or so of enviably stylish and relaxed freestyle and general floating. Stepping out of the water loose as a goose.

Me, 20 metres of a tad more frenetic doggie paddling after which it was time for a stroll around the nearby cliffs. These were a bit more like those volcanic areas of Victoria by the beach with very sharp rocks which were the result of volcanoes 14 billion years ago.

Any way after 20 minutes or so I returned to find Liz chortling away. An Italian mother with two twins aged about 2 was trying to control these two little tikes who it would be fair to say did not want to be controlled and at age 2 in true Italian style had attitude. Curly black locks they were gorgeous with full moon round faces. Mama was struggling to cope. She was determined to let them stick their toes in the water but not much more as she clearly thought they might drown. This meant she stood in their way if they tried to get too far in ie more than a metre from the sand which was about 6 inches in depth. This though meant that they needed other mischief to create. They would run up and throw sand on their towels which also set mum off. Of course if she ran up and admonished whoever did it the other one would head for the water which meant she had to belt down and guard them and the whole scene repeated itself endlessly with the only constant a frazzled mum and mischievous kids.

It was hilarious and the central culprit of the twins was “Angelo”. We never discovered the other one’s name as mum never used it so he became Angelo 2. All we heard was “Oh Angelo, Angelo”. As a little cameo couple of hours we could not have had much better value. Lovely little beach, great temperature, sandy cove, Angelo and brother in top mischievous form and their behaviour contrasting totally with the little Asian boy who was with Grandma. He was as tranquil as could be and was allowed to go in the water close to the rocks and play and then stood up very calmly on a rock in the sea as grandma changed him ready to leave. Great fun and a minor study in different behaviours plus the gorgeous Angelo twins. Time for us to head home.

Post showers the evening started again at the city square for a quiet drink and people watch and then we looked around for a restaurant in one of the back streets away from the crowd. We had seen a couple on our lost wandering of town. Of course weren’t really sure where they were and could not find one that suited. Either too boisterous or cafe rather than restaurant.

Back we went to the centre of town and then headed in the general direction of one of Alessandro’s recommended pizza places. The one we could not get into a couple of nights earlier (Chine). In truth we didn’t expect to be successful this time either. Well we were lucky. A table outside was free with about a 10 minute wait. No prob. I ducked back to the car which was parked nearby to collect something and by the time I returned Liz was seated. We ordered Napoletana style pizza with olives, anchovies, capers, mozz and some spicy salami. No prob but we then had at least a 45 minute wait. When it rolled up it was worth the wait. Fantastic ingredients, really tasty crunchy crust and something I have never had before - Anchovies served in a tin which we added ourselves to the pizza.

We both agreed that it was arguably the best pizza we had ever eaten. Well done Alessandro again.

It had been yet again a big and varied day.

[wildroseofarran]

Three Stories || Lawrina, RoJ, Quintane, & Luke

MJ: MJ placed his head in Rohan's lap. His long, exaggerated yawn said more than a whine possibly could.

Rohan: Hands immediately went to MJ's hair. "My, my, my, what did the gods place on my lap this day?" he asked with a grin. "A tired vampire?"

MJ: "I'm bored. Teach me a new spell, beautiful witch."

Rohan: "Ah, a bored vampire! What would you like to learn? Something useful or something fun?"

MJ: "Teach me...how to turn water into wine," he grinned.

Rohan: Rohan chuckled. "Red or white?"

MJ: "What's your favorite?"

Rohan: "White."

MJ: "What kinda white? That uh...chardonnay?"

Rohan: "I do enjoy chardonnay, but I prefer pinot grigio. It's smoother."

MJ: "I don't really know any of that. So, let's try em all."

Rohan: "In that case, we're going to the nearest vineyard. Going to need to pick up some grapes."

MJ: "What. You're supposed t'be the vineyard!" he laughed.

Rohan: "I'm not as good at poofing up things as Xavier is!"

MJ: "I got a trick for ya. I gotta practice on someone anyway."

Rohan: "Oh?" Rohan ducked his head to kiss his vampire. "What trick?"

MJ: "Yeah, it-" MJ smiled into the kiss, seemed dazed for a heartbeat. "Uh, yeah. Do we have wine any - of course we have wine."

Time to get up.

"C'mon."

Rohan: "We're lousy with wine. We just can't steal Christine's, she'll hang us by our thumbs in the garden."

One more kiss and he would let MJ get up.

MJ: "Xavier has a shit ton. I know he does!"

Rohan: "And you're right. He has the most ridiculously huge wine cellar in North America."

MJ: "Well let's go down there n'steal some."

Rohan: "Borrow, puiule, borrow." He took MJ's hand and led him down to the basement.

MJ: "Yeah, sure. That word." His hand was given attention during their descent. Each pad of his fingers given their own little kiss.

Rohan: Rohan smiled at all the affection, taking the first opportunity to pull MJ into another kiss.

"Any particular kind of wine you want to borrow?"

MJ: "Nah. I don't care. Hey, c'mere." Those lips required more of his attention.

Rohan: He was only too happy to oblige, wrapping his arms around MJ's waist to keep him close. "You come here," he whispered against his vampire's lips, wine temporarily forgotten as he let himself get lost in this beautiful man.

MJ: Arms were made comfortable around Ronan's neck. The wine also forgotten by the man sighing into their kiss.

"You're so beautiful," he purred.

Rohan: Rohan hummed in response, kisses migrating to MJ's neck. "I'm no match for you, puiule."

MJ: "Don't be ridiculous." Oh, his neck. He was still sensitive enough to shiver, massaging the back of his neck.

Rohan: He smiled against his vampire's skin, nipping and kissing and nuzzling more, hoping to elicit more shivers. Maybe even one of those soft moans he loved so much.

MJ: Moans which were given freely. Both hands grasped softly at his hair, tugging and combing as a means to keep himself busy.

Rohan: There it is, Rohan thought to himself. He loved those sounds. Those gorgeous, sweet little sounds.

"Beautiful," he murmured, tugging MJ's shirt aside to feast on that lovely spot where MJ's neck met his shoulder. "I have half a mind to take you back to the bedroom."

MJ: "What if I take you in my mouth right here and now?" One hand to the back of his neck, the other reached to cup him. "Lemme have this."

Rohan: Rohan's answering chuckle tapered a soft, barely-there growl at the touch. "Is that what my vampire wants?" he asked, pressing into MJ's hand. "Because there's a very comfortable looking chair right over there we could make use of."

MJ: The growl would have caught his breath in his chest had he been able. What an unexpected sound from the witch. He felt compelled to fall to his knees, but he was right; there was a chair better suited for their activities. Rohan would be carried to it.

"What now, sir?"

Rohan: It was rare, but every time MJ called him 'sir', a special kind of warmth pooled in Rohan's belly. It was almost enough to make him growl again. Almost.

He kissed MJ again as he was taken to the chair, settling in comfortably and taking that beautiful face in his hands, holding him in place for more kisses. "Now, my vampire can take what he wants," he whispered.

MJ: "I gotta undress ya." He kissed him again. "Ya gonna let me, sir?" It hadn't taken long to figure out what that word did to the witch. He used it at every appropriate opportunity for their mutual pleasure. Never around company, of course. It was their own private fetish.

Rohan: This time he couldn't quite manage to keep in the growl, quiet as it was. It, too, would be something kept private between them, something they only indulged when they were in their little bubble.

"Of course I am, puiule." Another kiss, two. "Go as quickly or as slowly as you want."

MJ: "Tell me why ya call me that." Tell me while I undo your belt, your button and zipper. Let me hear your voice while I expose you to the cellar air, kiss and swallow you whole.

Rohan: "It's a Romanian term of endearment." Though Rohan's voice was soft and laced with affection as he watched MJ, his eyes were a different story. They were no less affectionate, no less soft, but they were alight with lust and anticipation. At least until the feeling of MJ's mouth around him closed them.

"It means baby, but simply calling you baby just wouldn't feel the same." His voice was breathier now. "Puiule holds more meaning." Puiule felt closer to his heart.

MJ: Puiule. He'd have to memorize other words for Rohan as a gift. Just thoughts while he sucked down and tickled scrotum. He worshipped this man as he believed he deserved. It was all just spontaneous lust...but something more. He knew Rohan loved him. He knew Victoria would never allow their romance to flourish.

His movements began to slow.

"D'ya wanna fuck me?"

Rohan: MJ's ministrations were rewarded with soft moans and jerky little movements of Rohan's hips as he slipped deeper and deeper into his blissful state. His vampire felt so good around him, so perfect. Rohan could spend hours with him like this and be completely content.

He was thinking about saying as much when he felt something...shift. It was subtle, but it was there.

He opened his eyes, instinctively caressing MJ's cheek with his thumb. "Only if it's what you want as well."

MJ: "I just want ya t'take me."

Rohan: Rohan sat up, bringing MJ in for a lingering kiss. "Let's go back up to the bedroom."

MJ: "Kay. One sec." He was still going to grab one of Rohan's favorites before they returned where they had began.

Rohan: He smiled as MJ grabbed the wine. Even in the heat of the moment, his vampire still thought of him.

Once he'd gotten himself at least halfway decent, he took MJ's hand and led him back up to the room and into their private little bubble, pulling MJ back into his arms the first chance he got.

………………………………………………………..

Q: Q Traxler turned once again to check on the man behind him. His blazer was undone and draped over Luke Graham's shoulders.

"You alright?"

Luke: Luke smiled, Q's gesture seeming to pull him out of his reverie. His mind felt like it was a thousand miles away.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just distracted."

Q: "We don't have to do this tonight if you don't want, babe."

Luke: "No, I do. I need a distraction from my distractions. They're all work related."

Q: "Which work? You're running yourself thin, you know. You sure you want a house party?"

Luke: "Law firm. Been mentally calculating how much of Ryder's workload I'm going to get once he goes on his honeymoon in a couple months." He stopped long enough to tug Q down for a kiss. "I'm sure. It's exactly what I need."

Q: Down he went, plenty content to give as many kisses as Luke required. "Then I'll give you what you need and then some when we get home," he winked. "Just keep Stacey at arm's length. She's a chatty Kathy."

Luke: That earned Q another smile, and another kiss. "Looking forward to it like you wouldn't believe."

"Pfft, don't have to tell me twice. Her two favorite questions to ask me are 'are you rich yet?' and 'are you sure you're gay?'."

Q: "She has an agenda against anything not straight. Hides it behind a sweet smile and "I swear I don't care" attitude."

Luke: "Makes her the worst kind of person. You know she's scared of Stella?" he added with a grin.

Q: "Is she really?" he laughed. "And you don't mind meeting my friend Tane?"

Luke: Luke nodded. "Yep. Stella can and has beaten people up in the past for giving me and Pete shit for liking men. It's a treat to watch."

"No, not at all. June said he's really tall and nice."

Q: "And handsome, and gay, and mature, and can hold his own, and his hugs are the best you'll ever get. Next to mine."

Luke: "He's gay and he has to work near Stacey? I should send the poor guy a condolence card." He chuckled. "They'd have to be pretty amazing to beat yours. You're my sexy teddy bear, remember?"

Q: That word won't belong to me after you meet him. I promise."

Luke: Another stop, another kiss. "We'll see about that, sugar."

……………………………………………………………………………………….

Lawrence: Lawrence Atlas checked his watch for the third time in less than five minutes. He paced towards the tea kettle and back to his account book on the dining table. A page flipped. Back to the kettle. Watch, book, kettle, repeat.

"How long is it until we see the results?" He already knew the answer, but he just wanted to hear it again.

Gina: Lawrence's pacing was making her nervous, but she knew she'd be even more nervous if she got up to pace with him. Better to just stay put and jiggle her leg.

"Just a couple minutes," said Gina. "Are you sure you don't want tea? You keep looking at the kettle."

Lawrence: "I do but I don't know if I want - I prefer coffee. Can you even drink that if you're - probably not. Right?"

Gina: Yes, good, something to do with her hands. "I'll make you coffee." She was already getting up before she'd finished the sentence.

"I can, just very small amounts." 200 milligrams if she remembered correctly. "So herbal tea for me. Chamomile I think."

Lawrence: "Gina." He took her hands and squeezed them. "Is this what you want? If the test comes out positive, are you ready for that?"

Gina: She took a deep breath. She'd been asking herself that very question since she realized she'd missed her period and there were two facts she knew for certain.

"I'm terrified, but...yes." Her voice softened to a whisper. "I think I am. What about you?"

Lawrence: "I...If you - if you're willing to be with me, despite what I am and how I - I came to be... Of course I'm ready."

Gina: Gina brought a hand to his cheek. "Who you are is Lawrence. My Lawrence, who I love. That's what matters to me. I couldn't even imagine being here right now or doing this without you."

Lawrence: "So..." After nearly an hour without, his smile returned. "We're gonna have a baby? Wait - Are we having a baby?" he laughed. "Check the stick-thing."

Gina: Seeing Lawrence smile made Gina relax enough to smile back. Hearing him say that just...

"Oh, lordy. Let's check the pee stick." She walked back over to the table and picked it up, taking a deep breath before looking down at the little screen.

".....Lawrence...."

Lawrence: Well, that was that. "What shall we name him or her? What if we have twins or triplets? Gotta think of multiple names. Colors for the -" the room. "What are...we gonna do with...the room?"

Gina: His questions just washed over her for a moment. She stared at the little window, vision going blurry with tears as she read the word 'pregnant' over and over. It was right there, written in plain English.

"It's going to be our baby's room," she whispered, finally looking up. Her eyes were swimming and her smile was as radiant as the sun. "Our baby. We're having a baby. Lawrence, we're having a baby!"

Lawrence: The more she said it, the brighter Lawrence's expression became. Each equaled a hundred kisses. His heart had flown to the heavens.

"A baby!" he laughed. "Oh my god!" His sweet fiancée was lifted into his arms, brought into his lap as he sat. "Can I do that? Will that - I should get into the habit of not picking you up."

Gina: Although she was now openly weeping, Gina's laugh as she was picked up was pure joy. She hugged her arms tight around Lawrence's neck, still reading the word on the test over and over just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. This was real. They were going to have a baby.

"We'll be okay on it for a while," she sniffled, smiling wide as she kissed him. "When I start showing it might not be a good idea but for now..." She took one of his hands and placed it on her abdomen, holding it there as she twined their fingers. Their baby was in there, probably no bigger than a grain of rice.

Lawrence: "That's ours," he whispered, fascinated by what he couldn't see and yet to feel. "Is that...alright to say and feel right now? I know this is your ordeal and...I don't want to overstep by - I don't know what I'm trying to say."

Gina: She nodded immediately, not feeling or showing an ounce of hesitation. "Ours. Always ours, never just mine, okay? Always ours. Our ordeal, our weird cravings, our pregnancy, our baby grain of rice."

Lawrence: "You already have names in mind, don't you? We need to - I'd like for us to be married before the baby is born. Do you want the baby in the photo? You showing, I mean."

Gina: "A few might've popped into my head," she chuckled, resting her forehead against his.

"I'd like that, too." She'd imagined it more times than she could even count. "And I'd love for the baby to be in the photo. It could be something simple and lovely. Down at the beach maybe, or at the inn."

Lawrence: "So, a beach wedding six months from now, and we also reveal the sex at the reception?" he grinned.

Gina: "To everyone else. I want us to know as soon as possible." She grinned back. "Our little secret."

Lawrence: "Really? You don't want it to be a surprise until then?"

Gina: Gina shook her head. "I want to know right away. Too impatient to wait."

Lawrence: "Then we gotta think of names quick!" he laughed.

Gina: "What are you thinking? Tell me the first names that pop into your head."

Lawrence: "I like...the name Brogan...Brenna...Loreto. I've always liked the name Juna." However long was "always". "What about you?"

Gina: "Brenna," she repeated softly. "I like that. It's very sweet. I've always liked Camilla. Kelly, for a boy. Noelle. Sam."

Lawrence: "Kelly for a boy? That's one of those names like Ashley or Lindsay?"

Gina: "Yep," she said with a nod. "My dad's brother's name is Kelly. He's my favorite uncle."

Lawrence: "Kelly Lawson? Has a nice ring to it, like a lawyer." As did Mason Atlas in his opinion, but he wouldn't say that. "What are we going to do with...her room?"

Gina: "Close, he's an investment banker," she chuckled. "His favorite thing is to meet people who think he's a woman when they hear his name and see their faces when they realize he's a man."

Gina leaned against him. "I want it to be the baby's room. But I don't want the baby to feel like he or she is living in her shadow, but I also don't want to just...push her aside."

Lawrence: "I think we can honor both children. I don't see anything wrong with our baby playing with her toys, or wearing old shoes. It doesn't - it'll be fine, as long as you're alright with it."

Gina: "I don't see anything wrong with it either. Those things should be used. Maybe if the baby uses them, they'll feel less sad." Not that the things themselves would feel sad, although this was the same woman who named (and bonded with) all her kitchen appliances and her car.

Lawrence: Gentle kisses were peppered from ear to ear and to her lips. He wanted her to feel loved and appreciated more now than ever with such a delicate subject.

"Our baby will know about her."

Gina: Gina smiled softly, letting his love wash over her. There would be some sadness and fear and maybe some grief as her pregnancy progressed, but right now there was only joy. Joy and love.

"Thank you," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tight. "I love you so much."

……………………………………………………………

Q: Q balanced three cocktails with ease as he waded through the familiar faces towards where he had left Tane Lukela and Luke Graham. He knew Stacey would be on the hunt; he knew she would find a way to learn who was dating or fucking or trying to fuck whom.

Two couples passed agonizingly slow, women versus men, forced him to wait. He took the moment to tilt his head up to the setting sun and quietly bake.

Tane/Luke: Luke liked to think he was perfectly equipped to handle Stacey. His poker face was second to none, his suspicion of her general person was always at its peak, and he was just cold and hostile enough to deter her and still somehow manage to be polite. She wouldn't get so much as the damn time from him.

But Tane Lukela? Yeah, Luke was in no way equipped to handle him.

He'd been flustered from the moment Q had introduced them and it only got worse when his pretend boyfriend had gone to fetch them drinks. He felt like he was bright red and radiating heat as he explained what he did for a living.

"Ah, so you're one of the good guys," Tane was saying.

"Yea-yep." Luke nodded. "One of the good guys. Only represent the good people. No bad ones."

Q: Q smiled at the mere sight of them. He loved their natural contrast. Already he wanted to see more...so much more. A friendship was all he hoped for, but given the tint of Luke's cheeks, pleasantries only scratched the surface here.

"Are you that intuitive to know which are honest and which are playing you?"

Drinks were passed around, and a wide flirtatious smile was given to both. Step one into easing them into his scheme.

Tane/Luke: Oh, thank god. Alcohol and Q. Maybe now he could make himself calm down.

Luke took the drink gratefully, forcing himself to sip slowly. Being drunk wouldn't do him any favors right now. "With some people, but others require some looking into." Fuck, don't smile at him like that. There was nowhere they could sneak to for a kiss which, unbeknownst to him, was Tane's exact thought.

Tane returned Q's smile before turning to shifting his attention to Luke again. He was so cute with his blush he was trying to pretend wasn't there. "Looking into?"

"Yeah, we um..." Luke cleared his throat. "We have a P.I. on retainer."

"Seriously? How often do you use them?"

"A couple times a month at least, when there's a case that gets ugly."

Q: "More than the usual scandal, I hope? Can't be the same old same old in Raleigh. Too much military around." He was just going to play off their exchanged glances and that obvious look in Tane's eyes. Best he could do for both of them, he believed, was to play as casually as possible.

"So, we're going back to Hawaii for Tane's birthday. Yours being in September, you know, you should come with us."

Tane/Luke: "Never is." He took another sip. He was already starting to feel a little more composed. "People always find new ways to screw each other over, which would be impressive if it weren't such a pain to deal with."

Luke's face lit. "Hawaii?"

Tane nodded. "Yep, Honolulu. Ever been?"

"Never. I've always wanted to though."

"Then you should absolutely come with us. We're taking Logan, too, hopefully."

The offer got more tempting. "When's your birthday?"

"July 30th."

Q: "If I had it my way, we'd be there until your birthday, but as it is, it'll be for four days. What I /really/ want to do is hop around. Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand. I want a whole month dedicated to it, and then a whole month dedicated to the best places on Earth to snowboard."

Tane/Luke: "A month and a half would be nice, but four days in Hawaii is better than four days pretty much anywhere else."

Tane smiled at that, which made Luke's blush just a little darker. He was definitely flustered. "Exactly. Knew we'd get along."

Just drink, Luke told himself. Drink and try to act like a person. "If you want to snowboard, definitely go to Colorado," he said to Q. "And Canada."

The thought of all that snow and cold made Tane shudder. "You go to Canada, I'll stick to showing you around my homeland and adopted homeland."

Luke blinked. "You're Australian?"

Q: "I'll take Colorado. I was thinking more like Sweden, but you know, I should have something to compare it to. Oh and, you are coming with. No excuses."

Tane/Luke: Tane nodded at Luke and shook his head at Q. "I'll freeze to death and go broke buying dad sweaters!"

Q: "You'll be fine! You'll have us to warm you up." He winked at Luke.

Tane/Luke: Luke? Oh Luke wasn't here anymore. A tomato with blond hair had taken his place. "I take it you're not a fan of the cold?" he asked, voice sounding squeaky and nervous to his own ears.

"Not one bit. I grew up in Hawaii and Australia, dealing with snow is not in my wheelhouse. If I go, I'm going to spend the entire trip inside by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate."

Q: "You'd hate Chicago. Especially in winter. It's just an excuse to wear your best clothes and an even better excuse to strip the one you're with."

Tane/Luke: Tane tried not to smile too much when Luke choked on his drink and coughed at Q's little comment. "My step-dad worked in Chicago when he was younger and he told me his eyelashes got frost on them when he was waiting for the bus in the winter. Fuck that. I'll stick to the warmth."

Q: "I going to have to show you Chicago. If you wanna hide that's fine. Maybe you'd prefer March. Everything becomes green."

Tane: "I'll go anywhere in the spring and summer. Colorado, Canada, Chicago, anywhere. The sun is my friend."

Q: "Then it stinks and you can feel the pollution aging your skin."

Tane: "You can go to the beach and swim and have barbecues and bonfires."

Q: "Getting half-naked and sweaty, dropping wet after a swim."

Q looked Luke over and grinned from ear-to-ear. "Am I being too much, baby?"

Tane/Luke: Tane couldn't help but chuckle when, rather than answer, Luke returned to his lovely crimson shade and downed some more of his drink.

"That looks like a yes," he said, taking a drink himself.

Luke cleared his throat, trying to save face a little. But there were two handsome men smiling at him and flustering him and god, he couldn't get it together. "I'm fine. Totally fine."

Q: Q just smiled on patiently. "Would you be totally fine if I kissed you right here and now?"

Luke: "Not with our current audience." And he didn't mean Tane. There were four judgy people just in his line of sight.

Q: "What if weeee were to excuse ourselves from the party in a few minutes?"

Tane/Luke: Luke blinked. Glanced to Tane. Tane put two and two together. Luke blinked again.

"Seriously?" he asked, feeling the sudden need to look around for Stacey and make sure she couldn't hear. So much for his poker face.

Q: Q's tone remained as calm as ever, though with flecks of lighthearted libidinous still present. "Only if you want to, if everyone is comfortable. We don't have to do anything you don't want, baby."

Tane/Luke: There was a certain deer-in-headlights look in Luke's eyes that tugged at Tane. Something was making him nervous, and it wasn't the notion of taking a private moment with Q.

"She won't bother you," he heard himself say as he caught Stacey's voice somewhere in the crowd. His own had gone reassuring and gentle. "Her attention can be focused elsewhere."

Q: "We all arrived as friends, and we're all leaving as friends. That's all she has to know." She had made mountains out of less material, but that wasn't something Q cared about in the least.

Tane/Luke: "And if he tries to say something or stick her nose where it doesn't belong, we'll have Charmaine's little sister Mira say something mean to her." He pointed toward the other side of the room. "She's right over there flirting with that Jason Bourne look-a-like."

That got a smile out of Luke.

Q: The escort laughed. "Yeah. We'll use Mira. Super effective and devastating attack." He wanted to touch Luke, to give him the usual assurance as he would in private.

Tane/Luke: Tane smiled. He could see Luke start to relax, even if it was only a little. "She takes after her Uncle Glenn. She's a third his size but she's just as scary in that really quiet way." The perfect deterrent against Stacey and her big mouth.

"She is scary," Luke said, chuckling softly. It was one of the things he liked best about her. "I'm okay, really."

Q: Stacey, at least in this moment, seemed harmless as she chased her child around the yard yelling, "I'm going to get you!" She wasn't all bad, just a gossip. A really fucking annoying gossip, but her faults were few.

"Smells like the crab boil is almost done. Ever had that before? You know, grab and potato and corn on the cob in one pot?" He grinned at both. "Maybe Tane, but not you."

Luke: Luke grinned back. "I did grow up here, remember? If it has a shell and it came out of the ocean, I've had it cooked a thousand different ways."

Q: "But you're my posh lawyer. There's not a dirty bone in you."

Luke: Now there was a laugh. "Before I was a posh lawyer I was a squeamish kid who used to hide in his brother's lap when fishing with our dad so I wouldn't see the fish guts."

Q: "That's so adorable and also makes my point," he laughed.

Luke: "There are no fish guts today though," Luke chuckled. "I'm fine as long as I can't see or smell them."

Q: "But you're cracking into their hand! They needed those for eating! You're a monster," he teased. He figured Luke was one squeamish moment away from being one of those vegan people.

Tane/Luke: Hearing Tane chuckle made Luke smile even more. "They're chilling out in crab heaven, they're totally fine!"

Q: "You can justify your eating their insides. You're more devious than I imagined!"

Luke: "Oh, yeah. The most devious, posh family lawyer in all North Carolina."

Q: "And you're mine."

Luke: And there went that blush again, this time accompanied by a ridiculous smile that Luke tried to hide by ducking his head.

Q: "What's that? You're hiding from me?"

He stepped closer, but not to touch him with his mouth. That would be too much for their setting. Instead, he whispered in his ear how much he wanted him, how much he wanted to kiss every inch of blush.

He looked into Tane's eyes and winked.

Tane/Luke: "Not from you," he managed, smile obvious even in his voice. He was hiding from everyone else, not wanting to draw any attention to their little corner of the party.

Of course, there was no telling how Luke was going to be able to avoid that with all the lovely, swoon-worthy things Q was whispering to him. He wished with every fiber of his being that they were in an invisibility bubble so he could snuggle into his pretend boyfriend's arms and kiss him.

Tane chuckled silently over Luke's shoulder. "You're flustering him," he mouthed to Q.

Q: Oh, I know, Q thought. I bet you could fluster him just as easily.

Ignorance was bliss, thanks to an elegant past lover, no idea that he possessed an innate preternatural talent. The very same power which could have inflicted Tane Lukela since night one.

"Do you really want to stick around for under seasoned food, or do you want to feign a headache and have us walk you home?"

Tane/Luke: "I thought there was no such thing as under-seasoned in the south," Tane mused, eying the food table suspiciously.

"You'd be surprised." Luke cleared his throat, finally lifting his face. It was very much red. "It's tempting. I could feed us properly seasoned food. Got some mahi at the market I was planning to grill."

Q: "Now that sounds like a party I want to be a part of." An extrovert though he was, time spent with Luke was spent as though paid. His happiness and satisfaction were still very much a priority. He wanted Tane to be a part of Luke's life.

"You do that, and maybe...maybe I'll put on a show for you...both."

Tane/Luke: Tane quickly nodded in agreement. "You had me at mahi. Not enough places around here serve it." Plus, he was curious to see what Luke was like when he was in an environment he felt confident and secure in.

Luke's brows shot up in surprise. "Is that code for a strip tease in my living room?"

Q: "Is that something Mr. Graham would like from me?"

Luke: Ordinarily yes, but Q had said 'both' so...

"....Perhaps. Perhaps."

Q: "What are the conditions required for a yes?"

Luke: "No conditions, just...mulling."

Q: "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, baby."

Luke: Luke nodded. "I know," he said, smiling softly.

Q: "Tane has been a surprise I've been debating for you for a while now." He smiled to Big T, gentle and, as the bouncer would probably recognize, loving. His attention returned to the lawyer, fingers brushed over his hand as he took his glass from him.

"I'll get refills."

Tane/Luke: Of course Tane recognized that smile. It was one of the many, many things he loved about Q, and he would always give one back in kind when he was gifted with it.

Meanwhile, the look of flustered embarrassment on Luke's face had been replaced by one of, well, surprise.

Tane was a surprise? For him? Did Tane know he was a surprise? Even if he didn't, he seemed perfectly fine with it. He was still smiling and friendly. That was probably a good sign, right?

He nodded at Q while the conga line of questions danced through his head. "Okay. Thank you." He turned to Tane. "So...you're...."

"Your surprise," Tane said softly, smiling at Luke in his gentle, soothing way. He hadn't known beforehand but as Luke surmised, he was perfectly fine with it. "Is that okay?"

You're giant and gorgeous. Of course it's okay. "I--yes."

Q: Q took his sweet time in the kitchen, watching them every once in a while from the open window. They were unique. The contrasts between them didn't negate either man. He wouldn't always be what Luke Graham needed. Someday he would have to move on. Tane Lukela was the only man he could think of worthy of his company. He knew he would treat him preciously, like the gift he was. Watching them, it was already apparent that his assumption had been accurate.

Small talk redirected his attention. He allowed it, and allowed himself to relax.

Tane/Luke: Even though he was starting to relax, what remained of Luke's nerves still made Tane smile. He'd never met a lawyer this soft and cute before, and yet he couldn't help but think that not everyone got to see this side of Luke, or even knew it existed. He struck Tane as a very private person and that just tugged at him in some kind of way.

"What Q said still holds up, you know. Surprise or not. You don't have to do anything you don't want to or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable."

Luke nodded again. He hadn't needed it, but the reassurance was still nice. And appreciated. "Thanks for that."

"No need to thank me. It's a given, always will be. For me and for Q." Another smile. "He cares about you a lot, and I can tell you care for him."

A warm tingle settled in Luke's chest. "I do."

Q: Q slowly began to make his way back. Every sectioned crowd was given a greeting and his input. Those outside by the giant pot were assisted in cutting up a new batch of potatoes with his pocket knife. A beer was chugged with the most heavy drinking competitive. Finally, he made his way over.

"What did I miss?"

Tane/Luke: This time around, Luke wasn't nearly as anxious for Q to return as he had been the last time. Which wasn't to say he wasn't keeping an eye out for him, waiting for his warm, comforting presence to make itself known again. Still, it was a good testament to Tane's powers of distraction and innate ability to set people at ease.

He even managed to make Luke laugh. He was still patting himself on the back for it when Q came back to them. "Not much. I was just telling Luke about how my brother Derek scarred me for life literally and metaphorically with the frisbee."

Q: "Oh, that story. You're going to have to get over it, Big T. I'm going to throw one at you every day until you chill. That's what's going to happen."

Tane: "I already did!" he chuckled. "When I played with you and Logan. I even caught it a couple times."

Q: "You still flinched."

Tane/Luke: "But I still caught it!"

Luke couldn't help but smile. He just couldn't imagine this giant man flinching,

Q: "I'll show you later, Luke. It's fucking adorable and yet you want to make it worse and do it again."

Tane/Luke: Tane gasped in sheer, dramatic betrayal and Luke lost his battle with his giggle.

"It is not!" said Tane. "I am not adorable when I'm ducking from rogue frisbees."

Q: "Luke will be the judge of that later," he nodded.

Tane: "Luke is gonna be Logan today because I will hide behind him if you throw the frisbee hard on purpose just to make me flinch."

Q: "Luke will know that getting out of the way is good for you."

Luke: "Luke also has a healthy fear of getting hit in the face," Luke chuckled. "But I will simultaneously protect and help provide exposure therapy."

Q: "You're going to protect him? Tell me how. I want it all."

Luke: "I may be a ref now but once upon a time on my college team I played goal keeper. I'm very good at blocking foreign objects coming at me."

Q: "Are you going to reach the top of his head? Maybe if he ducked. He does that often." Oh, he was grinning from ear-to-ear.

Tane: Tane was squinting at Q. "You're enjoying this far too much." He was definitely going to have to do something about that later.

Q: "What are you going to do about it?" Tell me in front of Luke.

Tane/Luke: A smiled tugged at the corner of Tane's mouth. "Not entirely sure buuuuut…..that ass of yours is very bite-able."

Luke inhaled sharply.

Q: Q smiled knowingly, breathed slowly. "What do you think, Luke? Any truth to that?"

Luke: You would think by now Luke would've relaxed and gotten his blushes under control, but that wasn't the case.

His face was still very much red as he gave a jerky nod. "Mhmm." He didn't trust himself to speak.

Q: "What's the matter, baby?" Q tilted his head, completely innocent.

Luke: He just smiled and shook his head. "Nothin'." Ah ha, he found his voice! "Nothin' at all."

Q: "What's good, then?"

Luke: "Ah, well...Tane's suggestion has merit. A lot of merit."

Q: "Want a demonstration?"

Luke: He gave a slow nod. Not hesitant, just slow.

Q: "Want to go home?" A question asked to both men.

Tane/Luke: Another nod from Luke, along with a smile from Tane. "Let's go have ourselves some seasoned food."

Q: "You know the way to my house." His keys were given to Luke. "Going to say goodbye to our host and explain how so very ill you are, and we need to take care of you."

Luke: "I do," Luke said as he took the keys. If his smile got any bigger his face was going to start to hurt. If anyone believed he was really feeling sick, it would be a miracle. "Just gonna have to stop by my house to grab the food so I can feed you both."

Q: "Take Tane with you. I'll meet you there."

Tane: "You sure?" Tane asked.

Q: "He won't bite unless you want him to."

Tane: He laughed. "I meant about walking all the way back."

Q: "I'll be fine. Promise."

Tane: "All right." Since he couldn't give Q the kiss he wanted to give him in their current setting, he simply gave him a smile that promised one soon. "Come on, Luke, let's go get the food."

………………………………………

MJ: The expensive bottle of wine had almost fallen to the floor, rescued in the last possible second. The vampire exhaled and set it safely aside.

"Are ya sure ya wanna?" The idea had been planted by no other, but it had been a heat of the moment suggestion.

Rohan: Rohan inhaled sharply the moment the bottle slipped out of MJ's hands, exhaling in the same fashion and chuckling as it was caught. They'd narrowly escaped a lecture from Xavier about the carpet.

He smiled at his vampire. "I'm sure. Are you?"

MJ: "I...It's - I'm dead, Ro. I don't...understand. Xavier tried t'explain that I - I dunno what m'sayin'."

Rohan: "You are but you're not." MJ was given a gentle kiss. "It's all right if you change your mind, either now or during. We'll start slow and if you want to stop, we'll stop."

MJ: That sounded reasonable. Of course. Solutions were quicker from the witch than with himself. Answers which saved everyone. And those kisses.

"I wanna be...naked with ya."

Rohan: You like the kisses? Have another, beautiful vampire. "As you wish, puiule," he whispered, locking the door and leading MJ over to the bed.

"Want me to do the honors?"

MJ: "So long as I get t'undress ya." So satisfying it was to peel away his clothes like an ugly second skin for something so appealing.

Rohan: His smile radiated with affection for the man before him. "I would never dream of refusing you."

Rohan stepped within his vampire's reach, taking the liberty of removing his shoes before allowing those lovely cool hands to roam everywhere they wished.

MJ: This was a favorite ritual of his. To slide his hands underneath Rohan's shirt, allowing him to siphon his chill before removing the barrier altogether.

"Ro..."

Rohan: Rohan hummed softly at that initial difference in temperate, smile slowly growing as MJ's evened out with his own. He lifted his arms obligingly so his vampire could remove his shirt and stole another kiss before asking, "Yes?"

MJ: "Do you ever think 'bout anyone else?"

Rohan: "In the same way I think about you?" Rohan shook his head as he kissed MJ's shoulder. "No."

MJ: "Not...ever?" He cupped his face and leaned away enough to study his expression.

Rohan: MJ would find nothing but sincerity, and perhaps a bit of curiosity. "Not since the day I met you."

MJ: "The day I came in here all bloody n'crazy?"

Rohan: He nodded. "That day."

MJ: "But..." I was a catastrophe. "Are we... What are we?"

Rohan: A thumb caressed MJ's jaw. "I suppose you could say we're dating or simply....together. Together has a nice ring to it. But what do you want us to be?"

MJ: He leaned into his hand and quietly debated. He knew his instinct.

"Like...a... Ya know like...when ya smoke, or drink, orgasm or pop a pill. That high like... it's not all perfect, but, life ain't shit anymore? S'what it's like with ya. I wanna keep it, but I know the high goes away."

Rohan: "Eventually, perhaps." The perhaps was very important in this scenario. Even if MJ wasn't ready for something permanent or didn't want to label whatever was between them, Rohan wasn't planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

"But not now. Not for a long time," he whispered, nuzzling his beautiful vampire's cheek.

MJ: "N'ya still wanna..." Those kisses were distracting, simple though they were. "...Ya still wanna...have sex with me? Real sex?"

Rohan: Rohan nodded. "I do, but still only if that's what you want too."

MJ: "N'ya don't see it as...as..."

Rohan: He shook his head. "I don't."

MJ: "Then...finish undressin' me. Please."

Rohan: MJ was given a soft smile and one of those kisses he loved so much as Rohan pulled him close. He wanted every bit of his vampire in reach while he eased his shirt off, while he undid his jeans, while he lavished every inch of exposed skin with affection.

Rohan was going to take his time and take great care with the precious man in his arms. He wanted tonight to be as pleasurable for MJ as possible.

MJ: Bare skin, pale, dusted with the occasional dark freckle. A mole over his rib.

He wanted to give Rohan similar treatment, but he wanted to wait. He wanted to be completely nude before offering the same to his witch. It felt... submissive.

Rohan: Every one of those freckles was given loving, lingering attention, as was that sweet little mole. As was all of MJ.

Rohan's lips followed MJ's jeans as he slid them down the vampire's legs, and once they had been tossed away, the process was repeated with MJ's boxers until at last there was nothing between him and all that lovely skin. He would slowly work his way back up MJ's body, pausing briefly at his groin to press a soft kiss just above the base of his shaft.

MJ: No one had ever made him feel so feminine. No one had been given the opportunity. Not even Peter Graham, the man he believed to be his and his alone.

What an inappropriate time to think about the man that had broken his heart.

Rohan was suddenly held around his shoulders, face nuzzled into his neck.

Rohan: The sudden movement took Rohan by surprise. For half a second he expected and prepared for MJ to tell him to stop, that it was too much and that he'd changed his mind. But then his vampire was simply holding him.

"It's all right, puiule," he murmured, arms immediately coming up to hold MJ close, to offer reassurance and comfort and affection. "I've got you. It's just you and me. I've got you."

MJ: "M'alright," he muttered. "Don't need t'talk t'me like that. M'not gonna break." Not yet, anyway. Not by this.

Rohan: Rohan nodded and kissed MJ's shoulder, hands rubbing over his back for both the pleasure of feeling his skin and to reassure.

MJ: "Ya feel so warm," he marveled at the differences in their skin. "Aren't ya hot all the time?"

Rohan: He chuckled softly. "Only in the summer. All other times I'm comfortable, even when it's cold. I have that thick Romanian blood."

MJ: "Show off." What would Rohan do with fangs teased against his throat, with the obvious arousal against his thigh? How would he feel to the deliberate breaths against his skin...

Rohan: How would he feel in the face of so many signs of MJ's attraction and arousal?

Absolutely divine.

Rohan gave an appreciative little hum, hold tightening around MJ so he could feel more of him. That beautiful face required kisses, as did that shoulder. And that perfectly sculpted ass? Well that needed a loving squeeze.

MJ: Rohan must have known that such a hold made him feel secure, protected from that which was within. It would do nothing against Victoria, he assumed. He was mistaken. The stronger he felt, the less control she could wield.

"Tighter."

Rohan: If MJ wanted to be held tighter then Rohan would practically fuse them together. He'd lower him to the bed and all but wrap around him as he covered him with kisses.

MJ: No one. Not one man or woman had ever - he must have repeated that thought a hundred times.

He hadn't given Peter a chance to.

"Just...um... If we, uh, do this...are ya gonna be rough, or...?"

Rohan: Rohan shook his head. "No, puiule. If we do, it's going to be nice and easy. I want you to be comfortable."

MJ: "How do you want me. Like this on my back?"

Rohan: "For now, yes." They could change positions later if MJ preferred or needed it. They had all the time in the world and Rohan intended to use it all. MJ deserved for his first time being with someone like this to be special, for the person he chose to be gentle and thorough and put his pleasure and comfort above all else and Rohan was immensely honored to be that person.

"I'm going to prep you first. We'll go slow, I promise."

MJ: "Ya -Ya don't gotta - Ya ain't gotta be gentle. I mean...m'not gonna cry. Not much can hurt me, so..." A tough front, unwarranted bravery in the face of sex. He wondered...if Peter would be this caring. He wondered if Fletcher Goodman had been careful with him.

Rohan deserved better.

"Are ya sure ya want me? Are ya sure - Why me? I'm trash."

Rohan: "I'm sure, puiule," Rohan murmured, pulling MJ into a kiss and pouring himself into it. It was far more eloquent than anything he could ever say.

You're the farthest thing from trash there is. You're good. You're beautiful. You mean the world to me and I want you so much.

MJ: Naked and vulnerable, MJ involuntarily mewled into their kiss. Safe, he chanted. He was safe here. This man loved him. This man...

He kissed his jaw and fiddled with the witch's hair.

"If we're a thing, are - Ya won't...ever...cheat, will ya? Just be honest. I can take it." He couldn't.

Rohan: That was the sweetest sound he'd ever heard his vampire make and it made every single fiber of Rohan's being clench with feeling.

He nuzzled MJ's cheek, kissed it. "Never. I'm yours, MJ. Only yours."

MJ: He'd told Peter to move on, so it hadn't been cheating.

No, he'd come back. Peter had every opportunity to tell him. He hadn't. He lied.

He deserved it for having Victoria inside him.

When had his eyes glazed pink with tears he couldn't say. He didn't realize.

"Promise?"

Rohan: More kisses were placed on MJ's lips, his face, his hair. It broke Rohan's heart to see him cry.

"On my life."

MJ: MJ covered his face when he realized what had happened. A soft growl of frustration followed.

"Sorry." Man the fuck up.

Rohan: "Don't apologize." So many more kisses, for distraction and affection and everything in between.

MJ: "You're too sweet," he grumbled.

Rohan: He smiled against MJ's skin. "No such thing when it comes to you."

MJ: "See! There ya go again!"

Rohan: Rohan would simply continue to smile and lavish affection on MJ every which way he possibly could.

MJ: "Stooooop," he whined, laughing a moment later.

Rohan: Ah, there it was! That lovely laugh he didn't get to hear nearly enough of.

He finally lifted his head, smile triumphant. "Stop? As you wish! My kisses will be locked away!"

MJ: "Good." No, no not good at all. Now it was his turn to lovingly assault his beautiful witch with kisses from his face to his neck to his shoulder.

Rohan: MJ would be immediately rewarded with soft, appreciative hums as Rohan melted into the affection. He'd never get his fill of those lips and those kisses. They were just too perfect, and the only way he could think to communicate that was sneaking in some more affection of his own. MJ's chest was right there, after all. It would be positively criminal not to love on it.

………………………………..

MJ/Lawrence: MJ held his arms around Rohan's head and breathed him in. His shampoo, his natural scent, the subtlety of the wine cellar.

Lawrence looked over the list for what felt like the hundredth time. Things they would need. Things they would want. When they would need to see the doctor, and the pros and cons of leaving his home with Mason Atlas.

Rohan/Gina: Whatever MJ did, if he was within easy reach he was going to be held tight and lavished with all the love Rohan could possibly give him.

Gina watched Lawrence stare at his paper, imagining she could see the wheels turning in his head. It was a good long time before she said, "If you look at that list any harder you're going to burn a hole in it."

Lawrence: "Hmm?" He managed to tear his eyes away to look at her.

Gina: She smiled. "Where are you?"

Lawrence: "Finances, months ahead of us." He tapped his pen over the last of his tasks. Possibly moving out of Cameron.

"I don't want you to have to see him."

Gina: "I haven't in months." She didn't have to ask who Lawrence meant. "Something tells me I'm a subject he avoids like the plague. Maybe even more so now."

Lawrence: "Mason doesn't hate you."

Gina: Gina gave him a disbelieving look.

Lawrence: "He has no reason to. You didn't influence Callum. With you or not that man doesn't care about me."

Gina: She reached for Lawrence's hand and held it to her cheek. "That's his loss. You're wonderful. Possibly the most wonderful human being ever."

Lawrence: Her fiancé smiled. "You're just putting a daisy chain on the truth."

Gina: "No daisy chains. Just the truth." She kissed his palm. "What else is on your list?"

Lawrence: "I need to rethink and...or...expand my career. I want to be on the right foot for this."

Gina: Gina smiled. He really was the most wonderful man she'd ever met.

"You already are. Tell me what you're thinking. Your career has to be a source of happiness. Or it should be anyway."

Lawrence: "Notary is Mason's job, his life, a source of satisfaction. It's not difficult to maintain, but I'm not also a contract demon. I love...domestic work."

Gina: She considered for a moment. "Could I run something by you? If it's too weird you can absolutely say no."

Lawrence: He gestured for her to continue, sitting back in his chair.

Gina: "What if you worked at the inn? Supervising the cleaning staff?"

Lawrence: "Is that - Is that something you actually want?"

Gina: "I've been thinking about it for a while. I just didn't know if you would like the idea or think it was too weird but....I would love it if we ran the inn together. It's going to be our inn now. Not just mine."

Lawrence: "I don't want you to feel obligated or compelled to share with me. I don't want to take away your independence. This is yours and I don't want you to write me in any documentation."

Gina: "I don't and you aren't. I own a business and a home and a car, my independence is well established." She leaned over to kiss him. "I'm offering because I want to."

Lawrence: "So... you want me to be the housekeeping manager? And who is right now?"

Gina: "Would you be interested? Mary-Beth Carter is right now, but she gave notice nearly two weeks ago since she got a new job in Kitty Hawk."

Lawrence: "She moved? Where has my mind been..."

Gina: "Not properly. She's been moving slowly over the past few weeks instead of doing it all at once."

Lawrence: He resisted the urge to ask if she needed assistance. With a child on the way, such good will would have to take a backseat. To an extent.

"...Alright. Yes, then. But if and when you're done with me, say so."

Gina: "Yay!" Gina gave him another kiss and squeezed him tight. "I could never be done with a man who attacks a dirty oven with the white-hot passion of a thousand suns."

Lawrence: To that he actually laughed. "To think I found a woman with as much passion for cleaning as I have."

Gina: "It's so satisfying!" she chuckled. "And dinner's more fun when we have dance parties with the kitchen clean up afterward."

Lawrence: "We're an 80’s movie about coming of age."

Gina: "We are. All we need is ridiculous hair and denim jackets."

Lawrence: "I'll have you know denim jackets are cool."

Gina: She chuckled again. "Sweetie, you might be the only person who can pull one off."

Lawrence: "And men with long hair, with tassels on the sleeves."

Gina: "You could pull of those too. And aviator sunglasses and saying 'bitchin' every other sentence."

Lawrence: "What kind of image have you made of me?"

Gina: "It's forming as we speak," she laughed. "We should have 80's themed costumes for Halloween."

Lawrence: "What will you be?"

Gina: "Madonna."

Lawrence: "Pointy breasts and everything?"

Gina: She laughed. "Yep! Although by that point it'll be a little difficult to pull it off."

Lawrence: "A pregnant Madonna. You'll be fine!"

Gina: "That's one word for it," she said with another laugh. "You know, I bet there really is a maternity size Madonna costume that exists."

Lawrence: "You could be a victim from the Alien films, too."

Gina: "Ooh, I could! Or Ripley!"

Lawrence: "The best part of being pregnant is going to be Halloween, isn't it?" he laughed.

Gina: Gina grinned. "Absolutely. I get to eat all the chocolate I want!"

Lawrence: "How..." He shouldn't be shy about the subject, but he was. "...How many complications did you experience the first time?"

Gina: It was understandable, considering her history. She squeezed his hand. "None with my actual pregnancy. I had anemia but so did my mama when she was pregnant with me."

Lawrence: "Anemia. What - What does that entail while pregnant?"

Gina: "It basically means I'm not producing enough healthy red blood cells for me and the baby, so my doctor had me take iron tablets and vitamin B12."

Lawrence: Nodding, the pad and pen were take once more to write what she said.

Gina: "Oh, also folic acid and ginger since I had pretty severe morning sickness which was partially what caused the anemia."

Lawrence: "I'll look into pregnant friendly foods with the highest iron content. Probably dark leafy greens."

Gina: She smiled. "Yep, that's what I ate. All I wanted was spinach salad with strawberries. And lobster rolls."

Lawrence: "You can have lobster?"

Gina: "Yep, in moderation."

Lawrence: "I feel...like being alive for a lifetime could have come in handy at this time."

Gina: "Pregnancy is a weird and complicated topic. Even people who have been alive for a lifetime have plenty to learn."

Lawrence: "Is that...Does that bother you any?"

Gina: Gina shook her head. "Not one bit. There was a lot I didn't learn before that I'm excited to learn with you. Not just about pregnancy but raising a baby, too."

Lawrence: "And...what about other things? Things like what I am and behind the veil?"

Gina: She shook her head again. "What you are has never bothered me, the things beyond the veil don't bother me. All that matters to me is that we're together and we love each other and that we communicate. I always want us to be able to communicate."

Lawrence: "I understand that you were taken aback by my big reveal, but you don't miss what I was? Is this," his face to which he gestured, "actually alright?"

Gina: Her face softened as she smiled. "This," she said, lifting a hand to his face, "is absolutely beautiful. You look different but you're still you. You still /feel/ like you. My Lawrence."

Lawrence: Lawrence softly blinked, stunned by her positivity and acceptance. This woman gave more than his own - no. He didn't want that thought like a plague rotting his future. If he did, he knew he'd also think of her own, wherever her soulmate was.

"I'm robbing someone of you."

Gina: "I really don't think you are. Call it a gut feeling."

Lawrence: "You're just saying that, Ginnie."

Gina: "If I didn't believe it, maybe. But I do believe it. I don't think I have a supposed soulmate out there. I believe you're it for me. You're the love of my life, the father of our child, and soon my husband."

Lawrence: "I wish I had your kind of belief. It's beautiful, like faith."

Gina: She smiled, kissing his knuckles. "Maybe one day you'll have it, too. Babies bring faith and belief."

Lawrence: "I'm going to be a father," he mused. Smile slowly returned to light his features. "I want to forget - forget why I exist and give myself a new reason. You."

Gina: "Yeah, you are." More kisses were given to his hand and then his face. She was so very grateful he existed. "Not just me anymore, sweetheart." She placed his hand over her belly again. "Don't forget little name-to-come."

……………………………………………

Q: Q felt his pocket for the second time as he wound the sidewalk leading up to the apartments. He hadn't expected to see his Tracker under his personal carport. They had real chemistry, and his expectations for their budding relationship was high. High enough to offer his own body for their mutual pleasure. Who knew? Maybe Tane would realize he would never find true love with a prostitute. He would have to wait and see.

Tane/Luke: The trip to his house and then to Q's wasn't nearly as awkward as Luke had (briefly) been afraid it was going to be. They made small talk, Luke gave Tane a tour of the first floor of Pete's house, he introduced him to Midas. All with only a couple of moments of silence. Definitely something to be proud of.

When Q entered his apartment, he'd find Tane dutifully playing sous chef while Luke prepped their meal. Luke was blushing something fierce and Tane had a distinctly amused look on his face that Q was sure to recognize as the one he wore when saying random and scandalous things to make someone laugh.

Q: Q had quietly shut the door behind himself. Not wanting to surprise, but wanting to have a better study of the two without their notice. This was Tane and Luke without his influence, and he liked what he saw.

"Whatever he said, it's probably true."

Tane: Tane looked over when he heard Q's voice, grin still in place. "It is. I'm telling him about that really really drunk lady at that bachelorette party who hit on both of us, Stacey, some random girl, and then the boss. Remember, she was yelling everything she wanted us to do and thought she was whispering?"

Q: "Ah, yeah. I've never seen her since. I think she's too embarrassed to ever show her face again."

Luke: "I would be too," Luke muttered, trying to compose himself. "I'd probably never leave my house again."

Q: "Don't say shit like that. I will come up with horrific ways to embarrass you in public. I'll fall to my knees and kiss your ass."

Luke: "I'll spontaneously combust. You wouldn't make me spontaneously combust."

Q: "I will if the spirit grabs me," he grinned.

Luke: Have a puppy dog look.

Q: He would have it, and he would dare kiss those lips in front of Tane. Soft, slow, deliberate. What would Tane think? feel?

"Just like that," he purred. "The spirit grabbed me."

Tane/Luke: The spirit had made Luke's entire face and probably his body go bright red and immediately burrow into the crook of Q's neck to hide. From the embarrassment? From Tane? Who knew.

But if Luke was worried about Tane, he needn't have been. The reaction to that kiss had to be one of the sweetest, most intimate things he'd ever witnessed, and he felt strangely...moved by it.

Q: Arms wound their way around Luke's shoulders, swaying him in an effort to coax a laugh or smile. He turned them just so to lay eyes on the bouncer, locking eyes with an interest in his thoughts and compulsions.

Tane/Luke: Q succeeded. It wasn't a laugh, but Q would definitely be able to feel a smile against his skin.

Tane was looking on with a soft smile, one that just got softer when he met Q's gaze. What he was seeing there was a lot of trust from Luke. Trust that he would be able to hide against Q, that Q would hold him and make him feel safe. It was beautiful to see. So much so that a part of him wondered what it would be like to experience it for himself.

But he and Luke weren't there yet. Developing that trust took time and they'd only just met.

Q: Trust was part of his job. It had been since his first hundred dollars. Trust to be clean, appropriate, skilled, the perfect pseudo boyfriend. But Luke was more than a client. He had been since before the checks stopped flowing. He didn't know what to call them.

"So," he whispered, "dinner, yeah? You're teaching him how to be a proper chef?"

Luke: Luke nodded. It was so tempting to just stay snuggled against Q; it was by far his favorite place to be.

"Yeah. He's a decent chef already."

Q: "Is he now?" he chuckled. "He sure fooled me."

Tane: "Hey," said Tane. "I'm an excellent sous chef and part time chef."

Q: "What have you ever made me besides breakfast?"

Tane: "Shrimp, in many ways. Sometimes with rice."

Q: "Your Hawaiian is showing."

Luke: Ah, what was that? A giggle from a certain lawyer who had yet to emerge from hiding?

Q: Oh, that noise. He wanted more of it. He would take it by loving force, tickling at his ribs without mercy.

"What was that noise? Did that come outta here?"

Tane/Luke: Luke was helpless to stop the flood of giggles caused by such a loving assault, or to keep from squirming in a half-hearted effort to get away.

Just like Tane was helpless to stop the smile from splitting his face in half. It was official. Luke Graham was the most adorable lawyer in the world.

Q: Once Luke seemed too exhausted to resist, he was lifted into his arms by his ass. He loved hearing this man laugh. He loved being the cause just as much.

"No room on the counter for you. Guess you're trapped in my arms."

Tane/Luke: Luke all but wrapped himself around Q, nuzzling in even further as Tane's expression went all soft and melty again.

It wasn't just trust that Luke had with Q; it was complete trust. Luke could relax and be vulnerable and maybe even forget Tane was there because he knew Q wouldn't drop him.

"Guess I am," Luke said happily.

Q: Luke would hear a soft chuckle in his ear, followed by a trail of kisses down his neck. Precious man. He needed to be protected for when he'd no longer be around. Hence Tane Lukela.

Time to give the neglected Tane some attention.

"What stage are you guys on? Need help, Big T?"

Tane: Tane tore his mind away from the sweetness that was Luke and smiled at Q.

"We're nearing the end. Need to get a grill pan going and marinate the fish."

Q: "You'll be the first to use any of that stuff. You know what I eat on the daily."

Tane: "Yes I do. You and Logan are on the same level cooking wise."

The grill pan was placed on the stove before he went to grab the fish from the fridge.

Q: "I beg to differ. She can actually bake. I make smoothies."

Tane: "That's still amazing to me. We both watched her make a full fledged baked Alaska and burn pasta in the same day."

Q: "She's quite the catch." Just like the man in his arms. He deserved another kiss and sweet nothings whispered in his ear.

Tane/Luke: "Yes she is." He looked over in time to see the affectionate exchange and it made him smile once more.

Luke had braved enough to return Q's kisses, albeit in a much more demure way than he usually would. There was a big part of him that wanted to say screw food and just stay right where he was, but that would be rude.

Q: "So, before...you agreed with something Big T said. Do you remember what that was?"

Luke: Luke's blush returned as he nodded.

Q: "Why don't you tell me."

Luke: He would, but he'd whisper it very softly, so only Q would be able to hear.

"That your ass is biteable."

Q: "Do you want to see that?"

Luke: A moment. A pause. And another nod.

Q: Eyes never left the man in his arms. "T, you want to show Luke what it's like to bite my ass?"

Tane: Tane could practically sense Luke burrowing again without even having to turn around.

"You know," he began, tone light and gentle, "I really think I would."

Q: "Might want to turn the stove down, then."

Luke was gently tossed onto the touch, and the man he enjoyed calling boyfriend turned back to the kitchen and placed his hands on the fridge.

"All yours," he purred.

Tane/Luke: The sudden absence of Q's warmth left Luke feeling cold enough to want to protest, and had it not been for the anticipation of what he was about to see, he would have. As it was, he'd keep himself warm and give himself a hiding place using one of the couch pillows, because apparently Tane's presence was enough to make him as shy as when he...nope. He'd never been this shy. Ever. This was a first for him, one of many he suspected would come today.

Tane chuckled and turned the pan all the way to low. "Just like that, huh? No ceremony or anything. Right to the point." Have a chaste kiss to your shoulder.

Q: Q knew what Tane was going to do. At least he assumed, going off of every other time he'd played the same game with him before. What he knew for certain was Tane's lips against him, clothed or unclothed, was both soothing and arousing. He could calm his mind and divert his thoughts, but instead allowed himself to bask in the attention and his own selfish erection. This was what Luke wanted to see, after all.

"Slow," was his command. "Give baby a show." Much like his own, trailing his hands to the top of the fridge, allowing full access to his ass.

Tane: Oh, Tane could do slow. Tane loved slow. It gave him time to lavish and explore at his leisure, and now it would also offer Luke a very special show.

Starting at the back of his neck, Tane kissed his way down Q's body, letting his hands trail ahead of his lips and stopping when he hit the small of his bartender's back. Only then did Tane lift up Q's shirt, finally kissing bare skin as he slooooowly inched his pants just far down enough to expose that beautiful ass of his.

Q: His ass so exposed for Luke's viewing pleasure was exactly what he had expected. This had to be a positive experience for his favorite lawyer. He wanted him to enjoy every moan of pleasure and approval. Bare skin needed to be admired by both men. His shirt was tossed aside, offering a better view of his lithe willing body. Sun kissed skin warm and inviting. Almost everywhere. The subject matter at heart was still very much pale.

Tane/Luke: Luke wasn't sure how he was feeling about all this--there was a lot going on in his head at the moment--but so far...this was a very positive experience. He didn't feel weird or jealous seeing Tane with Q, like he was afraid he would, but there was still a lot of shyness and vulnerability he had to work through. No matter how enjoyable it was to experience, he simply wasn't used to being in an intimate situation like with anyone other than Q. Sure he'd had his share of boyfriends but Q was different.

A fact that was obvious to Tane, who was making sure not to move too suddenly or look at Luke directly for fear of embarrassing him further or making him feel uncomfortable. He wasn't only being gentle with Q; he was being gentle with Luke now, too. This would be a show, but it would be a gentle, loving show.

As gentle and loving as the series of open-mouthed kisses and teasing nips he placed all over that beautiful pale skin, watching Luke's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Q: Q remained as still as he could, allowing his approval to show with soft hums and dips and turns of his head. If he focused, he wouldn't have to submit to arousal.

"What do you want to see now, Luke?"

Tane/Luke: Ah, but they hadn't gotten to their main event yet. The thing that had piqued Luke's curiosity and landed them here.

Before Luke could try to respond, Tane gave him a wink and gave a playful little bite to Q's ass.

Q: "Ahn!" Nails lightly scraped over the stainless steel fridge. A laugh quickly followed. "Goddammit. Ya got me."

Tane: "Oh yes I did," Tane chuckled warmly, pressing a kiss to the same spot to soothe. "Lulled you and your ass into a false sense of security."

Q: "Neither of you will gain access to this temple." Another little something for Luke.

Tane: "Promises, promises." Another playful bite and Q's pants were set to rights.

Q: And it was back to their cooking, playing it smooth for Luke's sake.

"How was that?" he asked the man on the couch.

Tane/Luke: Luke would've responded, but he was busy blushing and trying to gather himself.

Surely the look in his eyes would answer for him; it had been a very pleasant sight.

Q: "I think we broke him," he whispered.

Tane: Tane smiled to himself. "Maybe just a little. Better go kiss him back to life."

Q: Then his spoon was set aside. He joined him on the couch and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

Luke: Luke immediately leaned into Q. "Hi," he murmured softly.

Q: "Are you alright, baby?"

Luke: He nodded, offered Q a shy little smile. "Better than."

Q: "Good." A kiss to his cheek, his temple, and his hand.

Luke: The smile got brighter. "We should go to the beach. Get some sun."

Q: "Today? Tomorrow?"

Luke: "Soon. I know all the good beaches without any tourists. Completely private."

Q: "So you're saying a nude beach," he grinned.

Luke: "Not officially but yes," Luke chuckled.

Q: "Is...Tane invited?"

Luke: He glanced over to where Tane had resumed dinner prep and nodded. "Yes. He is."

Q: "So you're alright with Tane?" he quietly asked.

Luke: Another nod. "Yeah, I think I am," he said just as softly. He's a lot like you."

Q: "Twice the fun," he smiled.

Luke: "And twice the handsome. I might swoon."

Q: "Swoon, will you?" He kissed his neck again. "What a romantic notion."

Luke: "Yep, maybe more than once." He hummed softly at the kiss, nuzzling him. His blush had started to fade in the face of such lovely affection.

"What can I say, you bring out the romantic in me."

Q: "You understand why I want Tane here?" The apartment was small. He expected the bouncer to hear every word. That was somewhat the point. What was more critical was Luke's understanding.

Tane/Luke: Tane did, but he didn't plan to interrupt unless he was spoken to directly. This was a moment Luke needed to have with Q.

And to that end, Luke tried to speak as softly as possible. "Kind of?"

Q: "I won't always be in Edenton," he continued on just as gently. "I want you to have another friend. And...maybe more."

Luke: "What do you mean you won't always be in Edenton?" Was Q leaving?

Q: "Someday I am going to move. I love this place," and he paused, allowing Luke to fill in the blank, "but it's not my forever home."

Luke: His gaze fell to his lap. That sounded too much like he was never going to see Q again and Luke didn't like it. He didn't even live in Edenton full time himself but something about 'it's not my forever home' sounded too much like....

Q: "Baby? Talk to me." That silence was much too long.

Luke: Luke shook his head. "It's nothing." He didn't want to think about Dana. That was for nights at his condo when he was alone and couldn't sleep.

Q: The very thought which had Q pressing his forehead against his neck, breathing him in.

"Why are you here?"

Luke: He reached for Q's hand, suddenly in need of the comfort it provided. "To spend time with you," he whispered. "To get to know Tane. To have dinner."

Q: Q took his hand and kissed each finger.

"Is knowing Tane like you do me going to make you happy?"

Luke: He smiled and leaned against Q. "Time will tell, but I hope so."

Q: "Good. Mind if I kiss you?"

Luke: "I don't mind one bit."

Q:  Now for another question.

"Will you mind?" he asked the man in the kitchen.

Tane: The man in the kitchen simply smiled and shook his head. "Not one bit," he echoed.

Q: A temptation crept into his chest like every sexual inkling. Would he mind kissing Luke? He bit his lip and considered, but thought better of it. Instead turning back to his favorite lawyer for his lips.

Tane/Luke: Tane wouldn't mind at all, but it was probably too soon. They'd have to ease Luke into it, help him feel comfortable and safe.

And nothing could do that better than Q's kisses.

Luke hummed softly, melting against his pretend boyfriend, aware of Tane's presence but feeling at ease.

Q: Easing Luke probably didn't mean placing his hand between his legs. It probably didn't mean squeezing, gently biting his throat, humming against his skin knowing what it would do to him.

Luke: It probably didn't, but that didn't mean Luke wouldn't react to the touch.

His breath caught in his throat as his thighs closed around Q's hand. He wouldn't let the moan building in his chest escape.

Q: "Do you want me to stop?" he whispered.

Luke: Luke shook his head.

Q: Then he would continue to squeeze.

"Tell me when to stop." He would unzip him if allowed, though his hand would not dip on the other side just yet. He wanted to gauge his reaction. Luke's security was his number one concern.

Tane/Luke: Tane had stopped mid-chop to watch the scene unfolding on the couch, eyes alight with quiet but very focused interest. He could tell Luke was holding back some, which wasn't a surprise at all, but what he wasn't holding back? Now that was a beautiful sight to behold.

Luke was clinging to Q, hiding his face against the bartender's neck. His lower half was starting to give jerky little movements, clearly aching for more but again, holding himself back.

Q: Squeeze after squeeze without relief. He wanted to torture, just enough to coax a beautiful sound from his companion. Give me something more, his fingers commanded, his lips plead, nuzzling in order to capture that perfect mouth.

Tane/Luke: It was the kiss that did him in. He never could resist those wonderful lips, much less control his reaction to them. Especially not when they were paired with those fingers.

The softest, sweetest little whimper finally managed to escape him, making him hide more at the same moment Tane felt a shock of lust go straight to his groin.

Q: Q's smile would have hurt had he allowed it in full. He had suspected such gentle and submissive noises from this man. Opposite of his brawny and hirsute body. Now there was a witness, a willing audience. Despite his assumption, it had not prepared his body for its reaction.

That cock belonged in his mouth. He asked permission in his ear, and kissed it.

Tane/Luke: Permission was given with another soft whimper. His body's need was successfully trumping his shyness, although not entirely. Absent Q's neck, Luke would be hiding his face in the couch pillow again.

Meanwhile, Tane had given up on cooking entirely in favor of watching the two men on the couch. His hands were itching to touch but he didn't dare approach. This situation was still so new and fragile.

Q: Slowly, with the same attentiveness as Tane, Q dropped to his knees. No sudden movements. His shirt was raised. Open mouth kisses and tongue across and around his navel.

Luke: Luke clung to the pillow like a man clinging to a life preserver. Behind it, his face was bright red and his breathing was quickening. It was just now hitting him that Q wouldn't be the only person seeing...well. A tiny part of his brain wondered what Tane would think. Of him, of this situation, of his reactions. What if he didn't like--

The potential litany of 'what if's' was cut off by Q's wandering mouth.

Luke's breath hitched, hips moving in an attempt to follow the affection. More. He wanted more.

Q: His gaze quickly turned to Tane, questioning his appeal. His crotch was studied and admired.

Flesh was softly bitten. Nudity was the logic in which to follow. But first, "Luke. Look at me. Tell me if this is okay."

Tane/Luke: The appeal and Tane's response to it was written all over his face and reflected in his eyes and his stance. All of his attention was on Luke and on the erection nestled against the soft looking blond hair on his abdomen. He wanted to touch so badly. Would Q be able to tell? Would Luke?

It took a few long seconds, but eventually the pillow lowered just enough for Luke to be able to peer over the top. He could feel Tane's gaze even without meeting it.

He nodded. "It's okay," he whispered.

Q: Wasn't he just beautiful, Tane? That golden hair and sun kissed skin from his weekends of soccer. His shyness, his masculinity, his femininity. He was just so fuckable.

The approval given, he smiled, kissed his stomach one more. "I'm going to undress you now. Want to undress me? Take my shirt off."

Tane/Luke: Absolutely beautiful, and all the more so because he strongly suspected Luke had no idea.

Luke whimpered softly again, burrowing his face against the pillow once more. Just for a little while though. The thought of being able to feel Q's bare skin against his was too appealing to pass up.

Very carefully, the pillow was set aside and the hem of Q's shirt grabbed. Up and over his head it went.

Q: Good. That's exactly what he wanted to see. He raised his arms and chuckled, allowing Luke to keep the garment if he wanted to.

"You're so fucking edible," he teased, nipping softly at his stomach (again) before giving the same treatment.

Luke: Oh, he was keeping it. It was soft and smelled like Q and that was even more comforting than having a pillow to hide his face with.

Ah ha, Q finally managed to get a teeny little smile from Luke! "Edible?" he asked quietly, feeling all warm and glowy and squirmy inside when Q gave more affection to his stomach.

Q: "Mhm. I'm gonna just eat you up, Mr. Graham." Starting with those lips. His tongue offered only a heartbeat into their touch.

Luke: There was a soft chuckle that turned into a soft, dreamy sigh at the kiss. If Q's shirt was a comfort, then his kisses were where Luke felt most at ease, most relaxed, most free to be himself and enjoy.

He let go of Q's shirt in favor of clinging to the man himself, wrapping his arms around his pretend boyfriend's neck to bring him closer.

"Promise?" Luke whispered.

Q: Those needy arms did things to him. This man had been one of his favorite clients. He would become a fond memory when the time came.

Those warm arms were kissed, followed again by his lips.

"I promise I'll eat you nice and slow."

Luke: Shy, embarrassed Luke seemed to be dissipating with every new kiss, allowing more and more of smiley, loving, needy Luke to shine through who hummed into every kiss and made a tiny noise of protest if Q's lips moved away for any reason.

"And you'll give me all the kisses?"

Q: "Every single kiss you want from me."

It was time to remove every article of clothing between them. His pacing was no longer slow and mindful. He felt confident in himself and Luke to move forward, to relax and trust Luke's response to Tane's gaze.

Tane/Luke: "I want a million," he said, smiling so brightly Tane felt his heart clench across the room.

He felt like he was walking a fine line between appreciating the sight of Q rapidly undressing Luke and making him uncomfortable, but from the looks of things he was successfully staying on the appreciation side. He might've even taken a step or two closer.

It was all he could do to keep himself from heading directly to the couch to see if that chest hair was as soft as it looked.

For Luke's part, he was helping Q undress him and returning the favor, resuming his clinging the moment they were both completely bare. And that lovely neck? Well it had gone far too long without some affection. As had those shoulders. And that chest.

Q: Q closed his eyes and allowed Luke to seduce him. His body was warm with life and appropriately turgid. He leaned closer to whisper his proposal.

"Do you want to make love to me? Do you want to watch Tane's hands on me?"

Tane/Luke: The proposal may have been whispered, but Luke's reaction was more akin to it having been shouted. They'd only switched roles once or twice before, and it had never been in a situation quite like this.

Still, the idea of loving on Q and watching someone else do the same.....it had an appeal that made his heart race.

He looked from Q to Tane's stunned face and nodded very slowly.

Q: Q didn't want to put Luke in a position so vulnerable as to be the submissive in Tane's presence. It was a choice he made, but one Luke could refuse if he wanted, which was why it had been a question. He was mindful of those wide eyes and what they were truly saying.

"Yes to both?" He wanted his answer clear.

Luke: It was a consideration Luke would be immensely grateful for later on. The fact that Q gave his comfort such priority and took such care with his trust made Luke treasure him that much more. No one had ever had a better boyfriend, real or pretend.

Another nod. "Yes to both."

Q: One more kiss, one more gentle, loving, slow kiss before turning around, exposed, to Tane Lukela.

"He wants your hands on me."

Tane/Luke: That one kiss was all it took to have Luke practically melting in Q's arms, and have Tane's heart melting along with him.

He gave a single nod before shutting off the stove and washing his hands. When he approached, he did so slowly, waiting for Luke's go ahead before closing the rest of the distance.

Q: Q watched his approach and wanted to laugh. He was so damn cautious. As cute as it was, he could bet it was appreciated by the beautiful nude man beside him.

"I think you're too clothed, but that's my opinion," he grinned.

Tane/Luke: It absolutely was; as was Q's opinion on Tane's current state. Appreciated and shared.

Tane chuckled softly. "Is it now? Then I better do something about that." Starting with his shirt. It was pulled up and over his head, tossed onto the coffee table. "Naked enough yet, gorgeous?"

Q: "You tell him when to stop, Luke. I sure enjoy the fucking view." Goddamn eye candy is what Big T was.

Tane/Luke: Eye candy was right. Luke didn't think people who looked like Tane existed in real life, yet here they were.

All it took was a glance to Tane's belt and off it came.

Tane was hyper-focused on this tiny blond lawyer, you see. Everywhere those eyes went was exposed to his view.

Shoes and socks followed the belt, then his jeans....and then his boxer briefs.

Q: Q leaned back and watched their silent exchange, marveled at their living Adonis and proceeded to touch himself with gusto. In that moment, life was completely and utterly perfect.

………………………………………………………………………

Rohan: To an onlooker, it would be astounding that Rohan managed to move so much while moving so little. MJ was being explored to both their hearts' content all without being denied the safety and comfort of Rohan's embrace.

He wanted his vampire to be delirious with pleasure, to feel nothing but a warm glow as Rohan made love to him. And this was most certainly making love.

While his lips delivered an onslaught of kisses, his hands eased and explored. Rohan wanted MJ to get accustomed to not only his touch, but being touched in all those lovely intimate places he had yet to explore and learn. The length of him was traced with feather light strokes, his sac cupped with the gentlest pressure.

MJ: The warmth of those hands was almost too much for his pale cold skin. The intimate fondling caused shivers up his spine and into his lungs. Another first.

"You're wearin' too much," he purred.

Rohan: "By all means," he whispered, peppering kisses along MJ's chest. "Feel free to rid me of all this cumbersome fabric."

MJ: With pleasure, he thought. Sitting up, he began with the belt, ripping one of the belt loops and sending it flying across the room. His short trimmed nails lightly raked over his hip. He continued with the jeans, wishing he could breathe life and celebrate being with this man the way he deserved.

"D'ya...love me?"

Rohan: Rohan laughed softly as his belt went flying, watching to make sure it didn't hit (and break) anything valuable.

The laugh was short-lived, however, soon replaced with a fond smile and appreciative hum. He adored those cool hands and the man they belonged to. Surely MJ would be able to see it in his eyes. And if he couldn't, Rohan's kisses and murmured endearments should show him.

"Yes, puiule," he whispered against his vampire's lips. "I love you." If his declaration halted things in their tracks so be it. MJ needed to hear the words.

MJ: His vampire - his? - stared up at the witch with blank expression. The expectation had been succeeded by truth. Had he breath to lose it would have vacated.

"I... You..."

Rohan: He smiled, kissed him again. "I love you, MJ." Another kiss. "I love you."

MJ: "Thanks." The realization of his reply caused a headache like cringe. "Not that. The fuck would I say that - I...I...love ya, too."

Rohan: That just made his smile grow more. It was such an MJ response, and that made his heart just as happy as the 'I love you, too'.

Rohan held MJ close, hands briefly abandoned his vampire's groin to hold him properly and drown him in kisses. This was a beautiful moment; it had to be savored. "I love you so much," he whispered.

MJ: "Alright, alright," he laughed. "Don't make it all mushy. We...We got love. So, back t'sex, right?" Oh no. Sex with...romance? Love? More emotional and tender than any night before.

"I shoulda asked after ya fucked me."

Rohan: Rohan gave him one more kiss, just to make really sure his vampire knew how much he was loved.

"Whether I said it aloud first or not, the sex would've been emotional. You would've been able to feel my love even if you didn't hear it."

MJ: "S'why I asked," he said softly. "Just had a feelin'. You're too sweet t'me, old man."

Rohan: "I'm exactly as sweet as I'm meant to be. And you, are very intuitive." Maybe just one more kiss.

"Do you still want to...?" It was fine if he didn't. There had been a lot of emotional intensity today.

MJ: One more? They would have many. "Yeah. Yeah, of course." Of course he said. What the fuck are you doing, his mind exclaimed.

Rohan: If MJ wanted many, there would be many, along with all the loving touches Rohan's two hands were capable of.

"Are you sure? We don't have to. I know it's a lot."

MJ: "If ya keep sayin' that I'll never go through with it," he laughed.

Rohan: "Nothing wrong with that, puiule," he said with a soft smile, letting his hands roam below MJ's waist again. "Promise me you'll tell me if you want me to stop or slow down." He kissed his vampire's shoulder. "Your comfort is the most important thing." A kiss to his chest as his hand gently cupped MJ's sac. "Your comfort and your pleasure."

MJ: MJ swallowed and licked his lips. Somehow he'd forgotten what that felt like. He placed his hand over Rohan's wrist. Closer. Harder.

"I'm fine. Keep doin' that."

Rohan: Rohan obligingly increased the pressure, massaging more firmly, occasionally stroking MJ's length from base to tip and back down to his scrotum.

MJ: Blood had to be willed between his legs. The act nearly took him from the scene, but the witch's lips fueled him. Softly, he hummed.

Rohan: Rohan smiled against his vampire's lips, giving him an approving and gentle squeeze.

"That's it, puiule. You're doing so well." His lips began to migrate lower. "So beautiful."

MJ: That feminine sensation again. He shivered, brought his hands to Rohan's hair and squeezed. So lucky, he thought. So unworthy. Tonight, this moment, this was for Rohan. Giving in to his nature was an indulgence.

"What d'ya wanna do t'me?"

Rohan: "Love you," Rohan said simply, kissing just below MJ's navel. Tonight his vampire was going to be positively worshipped and thoroughly pleasured.

A soft, open-mouthed kiss was placed on the tip of MJ's cock. "All of you."

MJ: Oh. More familiar. Not quite sensational, but the mere idea of Rohan's mouth against him was enough for the butterflies to flap their wings.

"Love ya, too. I wanna taste ya. Let me taste ya."

Rohan: "Of course you can," he purred, nuzzling and kissing MJ's scrotum. "Where do you want to taste, puiule?"

MJ: "Sit on my face, Ro. We can have each other."

Rohan: "Mmm, I like the sound of that." He liked it very much.

He leaned up to give MJ a proper kiss before straddling him and adjusting positions, making sure MJ was comfortable before continuing his exploration and letting his vampire explore.

MJ: His mind wandered to the first time he had ever kissed someone. To the warmth of their lips. The sloppy urgency. The fumbling hands which followed. None of which felt present tonight. Every move Rohan ever made was deliberate. He was beautiful and mature. Even now, with his body for the taking. He was brought into his mouth, tasted and played with, with two uncertain hands.

Rohan: MJ was immediately rewarded with a soft moan. It didn't matter how uncertain his hands were; Rohan loved their touch, loved his vampire's mouth's attention. And he wasn't shy about making his pleasure or his approval known, and he definitely wasn't shy about lavishing every single inch of MJ's groin with affection.

He kissed and tasted his cock and his sac and his thighs, lips gentle and thorough. "Beautiful," Rohan murmured to himself, pressing a kiss to MJ's abdomen as he petted over his entrance.

MJ: Fuck. This was Rohan Delca. He might as well be a prince, or an angel. The man was meant to be worshipped. He was so elegant and intelligent and yet somehow tolerant and patient - didn't he grow tired of being so wholesome? Somehow this man loved him. He would never deserve him.

Which was motivation in his attempt to offer himself as one of the druid's best experiences. He kissed every available inch of perfect skin and massaged firm muscle.

Oh. His legs spread submissively. More touches, please. Invade me at your will. Love me with your fingers and mouth.

Rohan: That was precisely what Rohan intended to do. The word 'beautiful' played on a loop over and over in his head as he reached for the lube and generously coated one finger, never ceasing his lavish kisses and warm little nuzzles against MJ's cock.

He petted over his vampire's entrance again with his now prepped finger, circling it slowly, getting it nice and wet before he even thought of breaching it, however slightly. At first, of course. He wanted MJ to get used to the touch and the feeling of being penetrated before he took things further. He'd work slowly and carefully, letting MJ control the pace while making sure every moment of the process was as pleasurable as possible.