#audrey won't allow it

[unproduciblesmackdown]

distracted a bit during the matt baume howard ashman video by more [lsoh inherent irreconciliability in an effort to nail down an audrey ii metaphor vs audrey ii's figurative core is Literal] thoughts b/c of that "personal preference for the stage musical ending b/c if not then murder is okay" like That's Right. the murders are okay

[maxwellhauskaffee]

Spamton’s Personality and Complex Morality

Incoming autistic tl;dr ramble post while drunk concerning Spamton being woobified to the point of lacking any semblance to the original character.  

For some reason, many people forget or ignore Spamton's more of an “asshole victim” or “evil victim” by the time Kris and the gang met him. It’s interesting how frequent this is too. 

Of course, Spamton is not a woobie. He's not some innocent man caught in circumstance through no action or fault of his own. Neither is he someone who does things for "teh evulz". Spamton's more layered and complex than that imo, even with the limited information.

With that in mind, my interpretation of Spamton's entire being and arc through time has been inspired by several fictional characters I love. Those characters are: Kevin Lomax, Walter White, Seymour Krelborn, and Shou Tucker.

( I swear to god all of them wearing glasses and having themes associated with green was not initially intentional in my selection lmao. )

Currently, there's little to go on concerning Spamton's prior lore and who he was as a person through his actions. All we know is he was determined. He was anxious and desperate concerning the circumstances of this life. Of the lack of success in what it is an addison's meant to do. Those traits are expressed to varying degrees with each referenced character throughout all of Spamton's eras.

Kevin Lomax is a successful small-town lawyer whose innate pride makes it easy for John Milton, Kevin's future benefactor from NY, to exploit through tempting offers. Walter White's a brilliant and prideful chemist humbled by and chained to a more moderate and financially troubled life until given the choice to rejoin his former company or go his own way making meth. Seymour Krelborn's a meek, socially neglected / abused, and impoverished florist longing for a better life whose dreams turn to greed with the influence of Audrey ii. Shou Tucker’s a timid and desperate man who succumbs to harming those he loves to feed into his desperation and pride.

My take on Spamton encompasses all these traits into one little white fluffball. He's neurotic. Forever fearful of his misfortune and how others perceive him. This even extends to his big shot era where, despite his success, Spamton's aware of his incompetence and that the admiration's surface level is thanks to his benefactor. This is a trait and aspect of his arc he shares with Seymour in the 1986 LSoH film. He's a failure at what he does before his benefactor similar to Shou. No matter his attempts, he just can't cut it on his own. Like Walter, Spamton lives in obscurity compared to his peers with financial troubles far beyond his capacity to properly cope. And like Kevin, and later Seymour to some extent, when Spamton does obtain success through his benefactor, he pushes people away and causes strife through his hyper-focus on work and maintaining success.

All four men share aspects of greed and pride alongside Spamton. Kevin is successful on his own. Yet his wife Mary Ann, ironically a car salesman, and Milton both feed into his pride unintentionally ( via Mary Ann ) and intentionally ( via Milton ). Kevin, wanting more and knowing his capacity as a lawyer, accepts. While in NY, Kevin excuses his actions to explain and justify the consequences of them to continue the upward climb. It goes so far at the expense of his wife's life, though entirely unintentional on Kevin's part. Walter's similar, so I won't get into his arc.

Seymour's interesting in that he's also woobified by fans when in reality, he's a greedy and envious person, even if it's subtle. Greed allows Seymour to reluctantly excuse his actions to gain fame. His greed, envy of Orin, and resentment of Mushnik motivate Seymour to do horrible things. And of course, Shou needs little to no explanation. Greed tied with desperation fueled his actions...

I think Spamton's aspects of greed, envy, and pride were more subtle like Seymour's in the beginning. His personality and desperation more akin to Shou's. And honestly, a pinch of pride is good concerning self-esteem, determination, and motivation. It's when it's detrimental to one's self and others that it becomes a disorder.

Once Spamton gains a benefactor and becomes a big shot, his pride and greed metastasize to that of Kevin and Walter.

The other interesting thing of note is Seymour and Kevin both had benefactors giving them free will concerning choice laced with temptation.

Both Seymour and Kevin blame their benefactors for their inevitable misfortunes. When this happens, both benefactors correctly state they, Seymour and Kevin respectfully, made their choices with either clear knowledge of what could happen or knew their prior action's consequences and ignored them anyways.

"You blamin' me for Mary Ann? Oh I hope you're kidding… Mary Ann - you could've saved her any time you liked. All she wanted was love. ... Stop deluding yourself! I told you to take care of your wife! What did I say? 'The world would understand.' Didn't I say that? What did you do? 'You know what scares me, John? I leave the case, she gets better, and then I hate her for it.' Remember?" - John Milton

I think something similar occurred with Spamton and his benefactor. Despite his complaints and awareness of restrained free will, he still had some level of it. Even if he was controlled in a manner akin to Seymour, Spamton chose things that caused him and others harm along with his success. During this time, he also began rubbing his success in the faces of colleagues and friends who doubted or mocked him. Eventually, it got to the point that it caused his closest loved one, Blue, to disengage.

I think Spamton, despite the limited lore, has the potential for rich complexity concerning his more sour traits as a person. Like both games, there are many realities and routes. What you do decides what innate traits grow.

Spamton, to me, is in all paths of the game, corrupt on some level. None of them show a reality in which he is, by all accounts, a good man. And this is to not dismiss the reality that he is a victim of society, best explained here. We don't know much about his big shot era beyond him becoming a bit pompous. But... Wouldn't the best addison be that? A braggart of their wares and a confidence man? But he's also a culprit of his own demise while being potentially exploited by other entities.

With this in mind, Spamton best mirrors Seymour in the totality of his arc.

Both Spamton and Seymour are pathetic men by societal standards. While Seymour has a talent as a self-taught botanist of sorts, he's relegated to a basement at a struggling florist shop. His meekness and apathy are mirrored by his living conditions.

Spamton's similar in a different way. Unlike Seymour, he's determined, but like Seymour, is likely too meek and neurotic to be effective in his goals. Spamton can't keep a clear head nor direct himself convincingly.

Both men are forced into societal roles with limited choice. Seymour by Mushnik is pushed around and then later so by Audrey ii. Spamton, despite his passion to be a salesman, is seemingly limited to that alone based on what he is, an addison. It is likely taboo for an addison to have any passion outside of that. In one of my fics, Spamton was a mailman before attempting to work in sales and admits to loving that job.

Seymour and Spamton have benefactors. Seymour's is Audrey ii. Spamton's the person on the phone.

Both operate under the commands, suggestions, and temptations their benefactors provide. And both find success with their benefactors.

Seymour clearly loses aspects of free will with his due to his meekness and their relationship. I imagine Spamton, on some level, endured something similar. Especially with his theme being the loss of autonomy the more he pursues it.

Both are seen as tools by society and exploited as such; living in poverty in some regard with Spamton becoming homeless.

I think what makes Spamton woobie fodder is the state we find him in. The fact that by all accounts, he did what he was expected to do as an addison. That when he needed help the most, he was neglected and worse still, everyone knew and did nothing.

His friends and colleagues knew where he was as they show up at the end of the battle. They did nothing for years.

And it's this I think that blinds people to the fact that Spamton knowingly sold harmful and useless wares at his shop. That he tried convincing Kris to commit to his delusional murder-suicide pact so they'd both be free. That, in the Snowgrave run, he takes over Cyber City like a virus to the harm of its citizens. That the thorn ring "might sting" instead of "it literally takes away your life" when selling to Kris for Noelle to use.

At the end of the day as a said before, Spamton's more akin to an "asshole victim" than a full-on woobie. But maybe we can get the best of both. He can be the "asshole woobie".

Thanks for coming to my autistic Ted Talk.

[cherish--these--times]

Do not fret my fellow Siegfried x Audrey fans out there. If anything, the episode proved that Siegfried had forgotten other women even existed ever since he realised things were serious between Audrey and Gerald. These two things coincided, let's not forget. It also proves that he hates for his reputation as being habile with the ladies to be questioned or for Tristan to have one over him so he has to overcompensate. And lastly it made a point of showing us what really matters to him at the end. Not the book and therefore the potential romance with this woman, but the nurturance and care for his family. Hence why he dropped the damned thing and instead chose to go to the pub. Look at her face of disapproval when Siegfried first declined to go for a pint.

It's also very deliberate on the writers' part to have Audrey ask about said book, only for him to instantly dismiss it as a tedious read.

To me, it's obvious that it was about showing what a true pair bond looks like. Showing Audrey dutifully listening to Siegfried's concerns, offering advice which he immediately finds enlightening and useful? And both of them listening in on Richard's conversation over the phone with matching looks of fondness on their face? What was it that Carmody said? Ah yes:

"Humans generally thrive in pair bonds".

It is not as overt as what we are used to seeing certainly, but that's what makes this show so delicious. It's all in the little things. The nuances and the unsaid which define human relationships. It's closer to life. In fact, Siegfried phrased it perfectly to Carmody:

"There is a pace at which these things are done. A subtlety."

Also, an episode called Pair Bond and this is how these two are framed in the shot?? HELLO!!

I think the context is also important to remember. She's his employee. It would have been considered outrageously scandalous within the local community, I assume, for a gentleman and his housekeeper to have a romantic relationship. I think Siegfried knows precisely what gem he has under his roof, and also that the last thing he wants is to bring shame and potential ruin on such a pious, saintly woman. He won't allow himself to go there.

It will take something even more Earth-shattering than her potential departure for him to finally acknowledge that he fancies the pants off of her. With the implicit fallout that he will inevitably have to face. I can't wait.

[tumblingxelian]

Personally, Chloe's been surrounded more by enablers but I won't deny that it can be its own form of abuse. They're just often a loaded words and I can't always tell how they're being used all the time.

Hope that came out right.

An enabler is "a person who encourages or enables negative or self-destructive behavior in another." Even if we only treat Andre as an Enabler, its still a form of abuse, just more round about.

& that is before we get into that he:

Shows he both can and will reign Chloe in when she negatively effects him.

Taught her to use bribery rather than to identify the thing she did wrong & apologize.

Explicitly teaches her to engage in corrupt & abusive conduct which makes everyone hate her.

Raised her to imitate her mother which is again super creepy.

Gets extremely possessive and seems to rely on her to be an emotional crutch or substitute for what he doesn't get from Audrey, which is multiple levels of yikes.

As well as seems to have largely left her to be raised by staff when he's not giving her the worst lessons or using her as a living prop.

Keeps her in the human equivalent of a fish tank with zero privacy or personality present.

Along with allowing and enabling his wife's verbal and emotional abuse, as well as negligence towards Chloe even while showing he can and will argue against her if she upsets him.

Andre fucking sucks.

[gracies-baby]

gracie abrams x pregnant reader??

Pregnancy

(Gracie Abrams x Reader)

——————————————————————————

"Gracie? I'm hungry" Y/n whispers to her girlfriend, slowly waking her up from her sleep.

"Mmm.. we should still have some ice cream downstairs" The brunette mumbles, still half asleep as she gently rubs her girlfriends back, trying to lull her back to sleep.

"We don't have chocolate though. We need chocolate" Y/n replies with a pout before Gracie slowly opens her eyes to see her girlfriend staring at her with pleading eyes.

"Babe, it's 2 in the morning" Gracie tells her girlfriend with exhaustion clear on her face.

"It's okay, I don't need it. Let's just go back to sleep" Y/n replies as she lays back down, pulling the blanket back over herself. Gracie looks at her for a few seconds before sighing and getting out of bed and putting her shoes on.

"No, you don't have to" Y/n tells her, trying to pull her back to bed.

"I want to. You deserve it" The brunette smiles at her, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek before grabbing her keys.

"But I want you to come back to bed. It's so cold without you" Y/n pouts before slowly getting out of bed to put her shoes on.

"No, baby go back to bed. I won't be long. 20 minutes max" Gracie tells her but Y/n just gets up and walks outside to the car causing the brunette to sigh and get in the driver's seat.

"Y/n, you didn't have to come. You could've gone back to bed; I really wouldn't have taken long" Gracie tells her girlfriend, putting a hand on her thigh as she drives.

"You're going out to buy me ice cream at 2 in the morning. I'm not gonna make you do that by yourself. I also don't want to go back to sleep without you" Y/n replies with a grin causing Gracie to smile at her girlfriend. A few minutes later, they pull into the supermarkets car park before getting out of the car.

"Do we need anything else?" Gracie asks after grabbing the chocolate ice cream out of the freezer.

"Uhh, I think we're out of pickles. And chocolate" Y/n replies before they grab the other two items before paying and going back to the car and dribing back home. They arrive back home before Gracie grabs a bowl, putting a few spoonful's of the ice cream in it before taking it up to her girlfriend who's laying in bed.

"Here you go" Gracie hands the bowl to her before getting in bed next to her, pulling the blankets over both of them.

"Do you want some?" Y/n asks, holding out a spoonful of ice cream for her girlfriend. The brunette eats the ice cream off the spoon before allowing her girlfriend to finish it before Y/n lays her head on her girlfriends chest, falling asleep. Gracie smiles softly at her girlfriend before rubbing her stomach and falling asleep.

--

"When do you think we should your fans?" Y/n asks interrupting her girlfriend who was singing to her stomach as they lay in bed.

"I dunno. The internet can be kinda cruel sometimes. I don't want them to ruin this for us" The brunette replies with a frown.

"Gracie, nothing could ruin this. Besides, your fans are so sweet, and they love us. I don't think they would be very negative about this" Y/n replies, running her hand through her girlfriends' short hair.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's do it now" Gracie takes out her phone before opening Instagram and finding a photo that Audrey had taken of them a few days earlier. The two of them were laying on the couch with Gracie's hand on Y/n's stomach while the brunette pressed a soft kiss to it. She writes a caption for the post before making it public. Gracie smiles at her girlfriend before pressing a soft kiss to her lips, waiting for the comments to roll in. The two of them pull away after a few moments before pulling out the brunette's phone, looking at the comments on the Instagram post.

"Looks like everyone's excited for us. Not as excited as Audrey was, but still excited" Y/n giggles at her girlfriends' words.

"Speaking of Audrey, have you asked her to be Ivy's godmother yet?" Y/n asks, pulling Gracie down on the bed so she can rest her head on her chest.

"Yeah, she was really excited about it. She yapped my ear off for like an hour" Gracie replies, rubbing Y/n's stomach.

"Well, no one deserves it more than she does" Y/n mumbles, smiling at her girlfriend, causing the brunette to agree in reply.

[rudnitskaia]

Rocky and Mau could possibly have two kids.

First one is their son Niccolò, who was born in the middle of 1930. After the shootout in Casa di Rondine in November of 1929 Maura and Augusto survive and manage to flee from St. Louis to some backwoods. And soon Mau finds out she expects a child, but she can't contact Rocky, because this was extremely dangerous in their situation. The threat of the New York's crime syndicate that pursued the Venza family since 1926 vanishes in early 1931, since the syndicate was practically exterminated both by rival gangs and law enforcement authorities. This allows Maura to go to find Rocky. If he's still alive and has no other partner by that point, she'd find him through Calvin and they'd start to live together. Otherwise, if Rocky's alive, but has a new life and a new partner/family, Mau won't interrupt - she'd ask Calvin not to tell Rocky about her, and Rocky most probably never knows Niccolò exists, while Mau stays a solo mom. Technically, in both cases Rocky and Maura would still be married by that point, but if Rocky is with someone else in 1931 and Mau decides not to interfere in his life, she would be considered dead/MIA after a while and Rocky could easily claim and achieve the annulment of their spontaneous marriage. Mau usually calls Nic nocciolino mio (my little nut), and it's easy to think she actually named her kid like that because he was a little bean with hazelnut fur (or hair in human version). But the real reason why she called her son Niccolò is because she's an awful punster and his dad is a violinist, and she desperately wanted to joke that the mix would be Niccolò Punganini. Thankfully, the boy will never know the origins of his name. x')) And I also assume that if Mau stayed a solo mother, Nic would've carried the Venza surname, not Rickaby. Nic took more after Maura in his appearance, but his physique is more like Rocky's. He's a smart and lively kiddo, who will grow into a vibrant young man. His highest dream is to become an aviator (pun intended) and to see the world, and one day he'd pave his way to civil aviation, achieving both of his dreams.

The second kid of Rocky and Mau is their daughter Lily, who was born in the end of 1932. As I stated above, the birth of Lily happens only in case Rocky manages both to stay alive and stay single until 1931. Lily was conceived in even hungrier years of the Great Depression, and therefore was born prematurely and had a huge chance of not surviving. Lily's name was also undoubtfully predestined by it. When Rocky saw her for the first time, so weak and small, he was a crying mess, constantly repeating something like "these little fingers", "these little ears" etc., and the sound of this word, "little", was so similar to the name "Lily" that it was decided to keep it. Was her appearance also a result of it or rather her genetics, is a mystery unsolved, since her granddad Augusto is rather short. She's small and short (i prefer to call that elegantly petite :D), and even when she grows up, her older brother could effortlessly put both of his elbows onto her head and would often badger her with jokes about her height (not in an evil way, just in a sibling way). Her facial features are more like Rocky's, but smoothed with Maura's subtlety, and I honestly think that in her human form she'd very much look like Audrey Hepburn. She definitely joins the beatniks movement in her young age and will find herself in journalism, starting simply from stenography. One day she could also possibly meet a nice young man, who happens to be the son of her dad's old acquaintance, Mordecai Heller, and her life journey will continue with a loving and caring partner who holds her hand.

[redtippedfox]

I wanted ask how would a corrupted reformed Chloe act around young and future ladybug and cat noir? Basically what if Chloe character development not only but became fully reformed after both Andre and her got professional help. Would she just have sibling relationship with Marinette or like Zoe some fan theories have suggested she has own romantic feelings for marinette and wants either cat blanc to share or wants marinette become her bride instead?

Chloe isn't corrupted in this story, and Future Chloe isn't in this story. Future Chloe hasn't been in Paris in years she moved away once she graduated high school to get proper therapy and stay away from Monarch.

Though she's not in this story she gets a happy ending where she lives in New York and gets proper therapy after being manipulated by Hawkmoth/Shadowmoth. She's currently staying with Zoe's dad who offered her a place to stay since Andre and Audrey disowned her after Zoe moved to Paris permanently(aka they wanted to replace Chloe with Zoe but Zoe won't allow that and cuts them off). Zoe and her are close, but she won't go back to Paris until Monarch is defeated.

[panthera-tigris-venenata]

AK Girlies

In order: Lonnie, Jane and Audrey

I fixed their hair, no need to thank me.

Audrey bleaches her hair btw.

She's dissociating so hard it's not even funny. She tries so hard to be perfect; she spends hours at her looks every day. For that effortless beauty, y'know.

But it goes for behaviour too. She tries very hard to be nice even when she'd like to scream.

Jane is genuinely nice. She's just a sweetheart.

A bit shy, yes, and has a complex about being fey.

But she is fey, and visibly so: no matter how hard she tries, her hair won't hide her ears.

But also, she deserves fun earrings.

Oh, Dizzy could make fun earrings for her later! That'd be so cute!

Lonnie likes fun looks too. I've just decided she likes graphic eyeliner. That's more or less the only make up she does.

But don't let her looks fool you, she's one of the two most dangerous people on Auradon Prep prior to the VKs arrival. The other being her brother.

The two of them are also Ben's official bodyguards: way to keep bull-headed youth from having time to ask too many questions by yours trully, King Beast.

They are not allowed to work together tho. That'd result in a coup also.

(Ben is incredibly embarassed about this.)

Lonnie is fine with it, she likes Ben and she adores teasing him when he gets to/back from dates.

[princess-of-the-corner]

https://www.tumblr.com/princess-of-the-corner/773508900019388416/not-try-and-make-audrey-a-sympathetic-figure-but?source=share

Oooh I had something on this for what I called character cinnamon, IE, not sugar that makes them too sweet or spice too sexy, or salt IE too evil, but adds depth and complexity to a character.

Anyway in regards to Audrey, I usually lean on her either being a lesbian or entirely asexual and aromatic suffering under comphet and entirely unaware of it. Concoting the idea that the reasons he didn't like any of the men hitting on her is because they simply weren't up to her standard.

Because if she just didn't like them when everyone else did maybe there is something wrong with her and she can't allow that.

She internalized the idea that a male romantic partner and children were things she needed to do due to pervasive cultural pressures that got exaggerated by her position as a public figure. IE, constant "Are you getting married soon" BS from the press.

So she tried with Andre who did pull that suit off well on a purely aesthetic level and is a friend even if he had always wanted more. So she tries and it sucks, she hates it, all of it and she's fucking miserable being pregnant and the whole experience is, she won't use the word traumatizing but it certainly wasn't good for her view on these things.

Because of her well ingrained complex, the issue is obviously with Andre and the kid, so she tries again with Zoe and this also fails. Now she has two kids, a husband and an ex and she can't stand either man and the kids are just this walking reminder of a now joint 18 month experience she found utterly horrific and they expect her to be something she honestly can't be.

Audrey's more suited for wine aunt than she is a mother and she at least can see this much, but she is exceptional, she has to be she's worked too hard not to be. Yet she's no closer to knowing what's wrong or missing and if she can't figure out the problem in herself then it must be an external issue, something she can critique and corral into shape until things finally 'work' the way they are meant to.

It doesn't work and at some point she stops trying.

Basically, regardless of how powerful Audrey's personality is, regardless of her wealth she is still a woman growing up in a very sexist society and possibly queer and entirely unaware of it. Dealing with being pa public figure with expectations in that scenario; who is used to regarding all problems as something to either dismiss or attack. But she cannot figure out what's wrong and so is projecting that increasing sense of alienation and anger at things not working inside herself outward. Its not helping, but at least its not festering inside her anymore.

This, I should stress doesn't make Audrey good by any stretch.

She's a grown ass adult with issues in this situation to be sure, but taking said issues out on others isn't OK anymore than Gabriel's terrorism is OK because he's sad hi wife died. But it does give a degree of context to her specific disdain for her role as mother and family that could in one way or another be potentially addressed. Likely not in a way that ends in a happy family hug, but could at least lead to something semi functional and not abusive like canon.

But it'd require Audrey becoming very aware of some sides of herself that she so far is entirely unaware of at a minimum and that's hard.

Honestly I like all of this it-

There's a handful of characters I do think are.... I won't say 'past reformation' because I'm a soft bitch who thinks anyone can change. But it's.

While there's reasons that are on some level sympathetic to how they got here, they also are fully aware of what they're doing and how bad it is. They're not forced by a bigger power, or under the belief that they're doing what's needed, or so desperate for love/safety/etc. that they jump through hoops to justify things.

This is someone who had several options, and chose the worst one. Because it was easiest, because it would harm someone they hate, because otherwise they'd have to give up what they have.

[nicolettecallednikki]

Something silly I wrote last year and found in my drafts. It's incomplete and kind of pointless, but as I relate to the version of events I have in my head, I felt somewhat compelled.

Monaco Grand Prix, June 28th

He had gotten beyond wasted in Monaco last year when they'd fought about something, something stupid, and the videos of him obliterated had only made her more mad. Charles and Charlotte had fought too, and the girls had gone off together, had a sleepover and didn't answer their phones. This year, Isa couldn't make it, but he'd fucked up again and was spotted out with a Brazilian model, a friend of Kika's. That was the end of it, for Isa.

The Monaco curse was real, he surmised grimly.

Blanca's Wedding, July 9th

It took him a minute to place the familiar melody, but he recognized it from that movie Isa and his sister liked so much, the Audrey Hepburn one.

"Lando," he smacked his friend who sat next to him, "Lando do me a favor."

"Get your own drink," the younger man pulled a face, but Carlos shook his head.

"Go ask her to dance," he said, "She likes this song, it'll make her happy."

"Ask who to dance?" Lando questioned, before following Carlos' glance, "Oh."

"It's Breakfast at Tiffany's," he said, remembering the title of the movie.

"You go ask her," he nudged his shoulder, "I'm sure she'd rather dance with you, mate."

"I don't think so," he shrugged, but across the room Isa was chewing on her lip and he was standing before he could stop himself.

"Would you like to?" he extended a hand to her, and she accepted it with a small smile.

"What will your date think?" she questioned.

"Lando?" Carlos cocked an eyebrow playfully. Like this, he could talk to her, "He'll be okay."

"You didn't bring anyone?" she asked, but he shook his head sharply, "It wouldn't have been right, after I asked you to be here."

She snuck a glance at him. God he was gorgeous, but that had never been their problem.

"I'm glad you came," he said softly.

"I came for Blanca," she replied resolutely. Her other friends had thought she was crazy, but she really did come for her, and not for him.

"Thank you for being so graceful with the media," he slurred his words slightly, "I know I don’t deserve it."

She'd entered through a side entrance at both the church and the reception, so that no one would spot her coming in and distract from the bride.

"It's not for the public to know," she gave another small smile, "I didn't date you for that reason, and I won't use it against you, now."

"I'm glad you came tonight," he said. He'd said it a number of times to her already that evening.

"I'm happy to be here," she emphasized, "For Blanca."

Isa was a strong girl, but there was only so much she could take. She'd thought she was going to marry this man, and now that they're broken up she's putting an end to that dream, but his constant closeness to her, his hand ghosting over her arm as if he can't help himself, the way he leans in a little too close when he wants to speak. She'd planned on avoiding him all night. Not to make a scene or anything- just to steer clear of him. It should've been easy, she knew other people here, but it was like a magnet kept pulling them together and she wasn't sure how much longer she could resist the pull.

"I thought it was going to be us next," he slurred his words. Caco tried to drag him away from her, but drunk or not, he stood his ground.

"Me too," she replied honestly, "but life doesn't always work out the way you expect it."

"I'm sorry about Monaco," he said, avoiding the actual root of the issue, "It'll never happen again, you have to believe me."

"Carlos," she said it almost like a reprimand, chastising, before sighing, "Think of your sisters. If someone did that to Ana or Blanca, would you want them to still marry him?"

She knew she'd gotten him then. Although he was a little more than a year younger than Blanca, he was very protective over both his sisters, and would never allow them to be with someone that disrespected them as he had.

His face fell as he realized her point. He'd truly planned on marrying her, and it hadn't occurred to him that there'd be a scenario where they didn't end up together. Sometimes on the road, traveling all the time, at these sorts of parties- things happen. Everyone involved in F1 knows, things happen, but it didn't mean he didn't- doesn't still- love her.

Singapore Grand Prix, September 17th

Caco tapped his cousin, a phone clutched against his chest, "It's Isa."

"Why'd she call you?" he furrowed his brow.

"She wasn't sure if you wanted to talk to her," he replied with a shrug. Carlos' jaw ticked and he took the phone, moving away from the group for some privacy.

"Isabel?" he said, "Everything good?"

"I just wanted to say congratulations," her voice was lower than usual, which is saying something for his normally soft spoken ex, "That was genius strategy, with the DRS."

"You're just happy it got Lando P2," he teased. She'd always gotten along well with his former teammate, more so than Charles, even.

"That, too," he imagined she cracked a smile, "Well, that's all I wanted to say. I'm sure you have to get back to the celebration. Drink water- it's hot there."

Trust Isa to be looking after him, even now.

"I will," he promised, "And thank you- for calling. It means a lot."

"Of course," she said. There was a pause and he could tell she had more to say, so he prompted her, "What is it?"

"They're calling her your lucky charm," her voice cracked and he felt a clutch in his chest. He hated that he was still making her cry.

"Isa," he sighed, "They say all kinds of things."

"Do you believe it?" she questioned.

"I thought you said we make our own luck," he countered. She had said that- every time he'd called her his lucky charm, in the past.

"Well, you have been great since summer break," she insisted.

"Isa," he sighed again, "How did I win?"

"Qualifying well, driving smart, and giving Lando DRS," she summarized.

"There," he made an agreeable sort of grunt, "So if anyone is the lucky charm, it is Lando, okay?"

He always knew what to say- a Smooth Operator indeed, "Fair enough. Anyway, I didn't call for all this- you should be celebrating."

"Have a drink for me, huh?" he asked.

"I doubt you'll need my help," she laughed, "Congratulations again, and to Lando, too. You finally did it. P1-P2, like you always said."

"I'll tell him you say hello," he assured her.

"Do that," she smiled, "Bye Carlos."

"Good bye," he returned, waiting for her to hang up first, in case she had anything to add. He felt he had to treat her especially carefully now with this whole Rebecca business, because he didn't want to hurt her after she'd been such a good sport about everything.

When he got back to the group Rebecca pulled his arm over her shoulder, leaning into his chest. A minute ago that would've been fine, but now he was conscious of every phone, and therefore camera, that was pointed his way. When Lando called him over, he was glad for the excuse to step away.

Austin Grand Prix, October 22nd

The rumors were admittedly silly, but they were gaining traction. Even other drivers on the grid were joking with him and Esteban, asking which one of them were the baby daddy. Half out of courtesy, half because he was glad to have an excuse to talk to her again, Carlos called Isa.

He made sure to call at a time he thought she'd be by her phone, but not with her friends, Lord knows what those women thought about him, and he was hurt when the call went straight to voicemail.

Does she think it is true? he thought to himself, What other reason would she have to ignore my call?

He was relieved when a few minutes later she called him back, and when he picked up he heard music in the background, so he assumed she'd walked away from a group, knowing as he did that this conversation was best kept private.

"I hear congratulations are in order," she said icily, and he gnawed his lip, disappointed.

"Isa," he struggled to keep his voice even, "Isa, you know it isn't true. I wouldn't- I could never do that to you."

"I should know you couldn't?" she repeated, her tone unchanged, "Really, Carlos, that's your argument?"

His heart clenched, "Okay, then this- would I abandon a child? Even if it meant losing you?"

She was quiet and he knew she knew he had a point there. He wasn't a bad man, he'd made one- albeit gigantic- mistake, but overall she knew his heart was in the right place.

"I didn't think it was true," she said honestly, because she hadn't, not really, but it hurt to hear the rumors again. She had thought by stepping away from him she'd be out of that particular spotlight, but it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Are you sure?" he smiled despite the situation, and she confirmed, "Your father would have your head if it were true. No, forget your father- your mother."

"You're right about that," he chuckled, "You should've heard the phone call I got when this all started."

"I believe it," she wasn't so cold now, "Thank you for calling, anyway, I appreciate it."

"Of course," he said, "I owe you at least that."

"You don't owe me anything," she told him, and she meant it, too, "You've been a wonderful ex boyfriend, Carlos."

"Better than I was a boyfriend?" he asked and was met with a sharp intake of breath. He regretted the question immediately.

After a moment of careful consideration, she spoke quietly, "You were a great boyfriend, and I hope, one day, to call you a great friend. For now, I have to go, though. Thank you again for calling."

"I'm sorry, Isa," he said, "That was stu-"

The phone clicked.

Las Vegas Grand Prix, November 19th

After the disastrous race, Caco pulled him aside for some more good news- to let him know that Rebecca was pissed.

"What happened?" he asked. As far as he'd known she and Alex were enjoying themselves. His mother and sisters weren't as taken with the Scot as they'd been with Isa, but Charles' new girlfriend was forming an alliance with the older girl. Even that, though, was compared to the friendship Isa had had with Cha.

"She was standing next to me when Lando crashed in lap four," his cousin explained, "And she saw Isa texted me."

"Why would Isa text you?" his head shot up.

"Relax, Primo," he said, "She was asking about Lando, that's all."

"She was watching?" he questioned, and Caco shrugged, "She watches a lot of races, I'm sure."

"Oh, you're sure?" Carlos' eyebrows raised, "Why, does she text you a lot?"

"Only when it looks like there's a bad crash," Caco answered honestly, and he saw a flash of something in his cousin's eye that was not good.

"Did she text you after my crash?" he asked, and Caco frowned. Carlos had always been a bit of a sore loser, yes, but not a sore winner. He had Rebecca, why should he ask about Isa?

"To be fair," Caco pursed his lips slightly, "I don't think she watches Free Practice. And you were fine right away, anyway."

Carlos' nostrils flared, but he didn't respond. After a moment, he took a breath and said, "I'd better go find Rebecca."

[dani-luminae]

Stars on Earth AU:

What if Jim had allowed Lia to remain in Auradon when he was banished?

Lia is almost instantly adopted by Ariel and Eric, and raised in Seaside as Melody's sister.

She knows she's adopted, but the circumstances of exactly why her father isn't able to care for her are not yet known. She knows he was a skilled navigator and assumes he was a sailor, so she has learned all about sailing and navigation hoping to find him one day.

Freer and with more willingness to test out what she can do, Lia's Etherial powers emerge at a younger age, initially just as a transformation into a mermaid when she really, really wanted to see the Sea Kingdom at the age of nine. Ariel and Eric were understandably startled but not necessarily panicked and eventually, Lia and Melody were allowed to spend a summer at sea when they were 13, visiting the Seven Seas as mermaids under the care of King Triton and their six aunts.

Lia and Ben first met officially when they were both seven years old. They made fast friends as Lia was already proficient with telescopes and star maps, and talked a lot about the stars and all the far-off places they wanted to see someday. Despite Seaside's distance from Auradon City, Lia visited Ben as many times as she could, and was thrilled to be accepted at Auradon Prep in the same class as he was.

Despite how Queen Leah was trying to push Audrey into a position of Ben's girlfriend, Ben was never as sincerely interested in Audrey the same that he was Lia. Audrey saw this and accepted it quickly. Though she and Lia were never best friends on their own, they were polite enough, could make idle chatter together at boring events, and Lia knows enough about Queen Leah's attitude to hate her.

Ben and Lia shared their first kiss on Ben's fifteenth birthday, just after they'd started at Auradon Prep together. The announcement that they were officially dating was... certainly talked about in most of Auradon's nobility, as Lia initially seemed like a poor fit for Ben. However, there was no arguing that Ben and Lia were a sweet and affectionate couple with few conflicts.

One of those minor conflicts was Ben's proclamation. Lia knew beforehand that he was planning something big, something never seen before - but the news of Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos's invitations came as a surprise. Though wary of these unknown and possibly hostile teens who would become her classmates, Lia still assisted in ensuring that the prep was prepared for their arrival, securing their dorms, school supplies, and other things like that. She's known for her unerring kindness for a reason, after all, and she won't let her own personal feelings get in the way.

She has no personal reason to dislike Mal, Evie, Jay, or Carlos. Audrey's a bit sharp (especially with the "the Evil Queen has no status here, and neither do you" comment) to Lia's surprise, but overall the arrival goes well. Lia remains cordial and helpful to them throughout the next day, though the Isle kids blow her off, and she speaks up for them in front of Chad and Audrey.

A reason to dislike them doesn't come until the day after that, with the tourney game. Lia didn't get to meet Ben earlier that morning so she has no idea what's happened until she arrives to the tourney game, performing with the cheer squad and celebrating Auradon Knights victory, until Ben grabs the microphone.

"Give me an M!"

"M!"

"Give me an A!"

"A!"

"Give me an L!"

"L!"

"What's that spell?" (Lia knew exactly what that spelled, and she was thoroughly puzzled by Ben's behavior.)

"I love you, Mal! Did I mention that?"

Lia excused herself from the cheer squad and walked off the field. She was followed by Audrey, the rest of the cheerleaders, and several of the tourney team.

There was no AK in the school who would say that they disliked Lia. She was kind, determinedly so, to all her classmates regardless of who their parents were. She was always willing to help out when she could, even if there was a risk of getting dirty, despite being a princess. She enjoyed sparring with the ROAR team (was too busy to learn about or challenge the "no girls" rule) and no one could remember the last time she had acted anything other than composed, sweet, and perfectly princess-like.

Until she broke down sobbing in the girls' locker room. The cheer team tried to comfort her as best they can, and then word got around the school. Ben had dropped his girlfriend without a word of warning to profess love to one of the Isle kids, and this had actually hurt Princess Lia's feelings. The couple had never even had a fight before.

Just like that, all the meager progress that Mal thought she'd made in the school was gone. Her classmates kept their distance, suddenly aloof - even those of her who had previously been asking for makeovers and magic tricks. Mesmerized under the love spell, Ben didn't even acknowledge this treatment - all he cared about was Mal.

Audrey suddenly appointed herself as Lia's bodyguard, going everywhere with her and being the one to send scathing glares at Mal or Ben if they passed each other in the halls. Lia half-heartedly protested these glares. She didn't want Mal treated so badly for any of this, and she definitely didn't want most of the school leaping on her hurt feelings as an excuse to be cold towards the Isle kids. As for Ben... she didn't know what she thought about him. She'd tried to talk to him twice and, each time, it was like he'd never even heard her words.

Then, one day, Mal dropped a pile of sketchbook and pencils right outside the door to the art classroom. She huffed, knelt down to pick them up, and found herself joined by an unlikely princess.

"Where's your guard dog?" Mal sneered.

Lia looked bored. "I have no clue what you're talking about," she said, picking up three colored pencils and a pad of watercolor paper.

Mal scowled. "Oh, come off it. Pretty pink princess sheds a few tears and suddenly the entire school's acting like I personally cursed you."

"I never said that," Lia said coolly, handing the supplies back to Mal. "I can't control how they act. I wish I knew how to help."

Disgustingly calm, composed, perfect. All the other Auradonians had a flaw - Ben was gullible, Jane was self-conscious, Audrey had a mean streak, Chad was a jerk, Doug was obsessed with a girl who couldn't care less for him, Lonnie was naive. Melody had chosen not to engage with the Isle kids from the moment they'd stepped into the school. But Mal still had no idea what Lia's shortcoming was - aside from some hurt feelings - and that frustrated her so much.

And it was something else. Lia had turquoise woven into her long locs, and every time she passed Mal in the hall, out of the corner of her eye, Mal thought she saw someone else. An old enemy, from the island - in fact, a cousin of Lia's. A daughter of Ursula.

Uma.

But Mal didn't have much time to sulk on it right now. She had to race off to find Evie and as her to help her get ready... for a date.

She had no idea what changed when Ben ducked below the waters of the Enchanted Lake. He's gone long enough she tries to find him, and he rescues her from the lake, and he still gives her the wishing stone, but all that talk about love has stopped.

That night, there was a knock on the door to Lia and Melody's dorm, and Lia opened it to find Ben.

"I have so much I have to apologize for," he said, and there was a clarity in his eyes that she hadn't seen for a while.

Mal's love spell washed away in the lake, and Lia is glad for that, but now there's the question: why did Mal slip him a spell in the first place? Ben thinks it's a crush, but Lia's not so sure. Mal doesn't even look like she likes him in the slightest, even when she was right next to him.

Whatever the case, Ben already asked Mal to the Coronation. It wouldn't look good to change that now.

Family Day arrives, and everyone sees that Ben and Lia are back together. They refuse to talk about the reason for their break and when badgered, Ben passes off the tourney game show as an over-exuberant attempt to foster better friendship with the Isle kids, which is met with much skepticism and much shock from the Isle kids.

And then Queen Leah makes a scene, made worse by Chad. Lia tries to argue when he accuses Mal of "stealing another girl's boyfriend" but truthfully... doesn't try as hard as she could. This is, unfortunately, just one battle she doesn't have the strength to handle at this moment. It still ends in disaster - Lia knows that she couldn't have helped that at all - and is, at the end of it, the only person involved who doesn't turn her back on Ben.

Later, Audrey and Melody kind of corner Lia to ask why. Ben hurt her so much when he pulled that whole "over-exuberant attempt to foster friendship," so what does she owe him to stay by his side?

Lia doesn't answer them. She's not fully sure herself, but it was not the right moment to take a step back from Ben. Not like she wanted to anyway. He knew from the moment that the proclamation was announced that not a lot of people would like this, and she would be at his side no matter what.

Coronation Day comes. Mal will be in the carriage with Ben, so Lia is content to wait for him at the hall, with her parents and Melody. When Mal gets the wand, Lia is held back by her parents from trying to help. She's proud of the four when they choose to be good, but of course, it doesn't last long before Maleficent arrives.

Lia's parents don't have to hold her back, because she's very scared of Maleficent - like every child in Auradon is. But genuine panic sets in when Maleficent immobilizes them all - except for Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Lia for some reason - and Lia knows that she can't just stand back. She helps the four against the dragon, unveiling her powers with a few harmless lights that distract the dragon, but Lia has never used her powers to harm anyone and doesn't intend to start now. It is Lia's blinding lights that keep the dragon at bay long enough for Mal to complete her spell, shrinking Maleficent to the size of the love in her heart.

"You cast a love spell on Ben so you could get close to the wand," Lia said.

Mal looked like she might argue. But she paused, and her expression softened. Auradon had come so close to disaster, but Lia was the only one who had really been hurt in their scheme. "Guilty. And... I'm sorry."

Ever-gracious, Lia inclined her head and said, "I accept your apology."

The wand was returned to the Fairy Godmother, Maleficent's spells revoked, and Ben embraced Lia as if she were a lifeline he could never let go of.

For now, it seemed, all was wonderful as always in the kingdom of Auradon. A new king, a new era, with a brighter future ahead than ever before.

[queenofcats17]

The Ink Demonth 31

This is the last day! And the theme is, rather fittingly, "The End".

=============================================

The Ink Demon had never been read fairytales when he'd been young. He'd never heard a story end with "and they all lived happily ever after". And even if he had... would he have seen himself in the plucky protagonists triumphing against the forces of evil? Or would he have seen himself in the shadowy monsters that had to be defeated for the end to truly be happy?

A part of the Ink Demon had always assumed that whatever his end would be, if it ever actually arrived, it would not be a happy one. The monster didn't deserve a happily ever after.

And yet, here he was, forging a new life with a sister he never thought he would have and friends he had once tormented. The situation was still less than ideal but... they were all slowly healing. No longer was he treated as the monster in the story. Many were still wary of him due to their past experiences, which he didn't blame them for, but they no longer ran at his approach.

He was included in planned activities, extended invitations to spend time with others, and generally treated as a member of the growing community inside the inky pocket dimension. It felt... strange. After spending so long being feared and hated, he wasn't used to people genuinely wanting to be around him. For as strange as it was, though... It did feel good. For the first time in his life, he was wanted. He was liked.

"Did you hear the story Heidi's been spreading around?" Audrey remarked to him one day as they were hanging out in the cafeteria.

Instinctively, the Ink Demon tensed. "I don't believe I have."

"It's really sweet," Audrey said, unable to hide her smile. "She made up a fairytale about you."

The Ink Demon frowned, tilting his head to the side. "A fairytale?" He repeated.

"Yeah." Audrey's smile widened. "It's about a scary monster who is eventually revealed to just be scary and ends up finding people who love him as he is."

The Ink Demon rolled his eyes, or did his best to. "A predictably saccharine retelling of my circumstances."

"I thought it was cute!" Audrey protested. "I might even want to make it into a children's book!"

"...If you do that, do not let it resemble me in any way," the Ink Demon said flatly. He refused to let anyone outside of the studio be privy to his vulnerabilities. It pained him that the people in the studio were even aware of them in the first place.

"Don't worry, I won't," Audrey assured him, gently reaching over to nudge his shoulder. "But I would love to have you work on the book with me."

The Ink Demon's frown deepened. "Why me? Surely Henry would be a better candidate."

"For the art, yes," Audrey conceded. "But... it's your story. I want to tell it in a way you're comfortable with." She smiled softly, patting the Ink Demon's shoulder.

The Ink Demon hesitated, his gaze flicking away from her. "I... would not be opposed to that," he said after a moment of pause.

Audrey visibly brightened. "I'm looking forward to working on it with you!"

The Ink Demon allowed himself a smile of his own. "...I am as well."

A story of his own...

One with a happy ending...

Maybe dreams did come true.

[magicwhiskers29]

I can't believe I haven't talked about this before, but augh, I've been rotating stuff about the Beast at Ichor Mountain and Audrey in the brain -- namely how I think you can draw some interesting parallels between the King of Hearts and Audrey.

Firstly, to get it out of the way, the nomenclature Audrey Redheart. Who is the beast at Ichor Mountain? The names clearly link our two suspects, and I think it's interesting that Audrey is one of notably few characters to actually have a given surname, in this game. Miriam doesn't. The Bard doesn't. Heck, none of Hala's family do, because they don't need a surname to remind you they're all related. (Iirc, Audrey may actually be the only Wandersong character with a surname!) So why Audrey?

Why Audrey, the character who gets referred to by her epithet, the Hero, more than her name anyway?

Because it's important, of course. For one, it gives Audrey a stronger sense of identity, specifically of the identity Audrey worries people won't care about her for. Audrey tells us her own surname, clearly indicating that she thinks important you know exactly who she is. But also, and more importantly for what I want to talk about, what it means.

It identifies red as Audrey's colour, suggesting a sense of strength. And I don't specifically mean physically -- rather, because it's paired with "heart", I'd interpret it to be implying strong emotions which, yeah, tracks. Audrey is angry throughout the game just as much as she's smug or entitled. I think it's even that anger that defines her more, because the haughty attitude is an act to play up being the Hero, whereas her anger at the Bard and Miriam for interfering comes from a very genuine place of fear.

Contrast this to the King of Hearts, who's established to be represented by pink, along with a lot of the rest of Ichor Mountain. Or, namely, the outside of Ichor Mountain and the core. At the heart of the mountain is the Overseer's palace, pink like him. And he was initially kind, the kind of happy-go-lucky guy we see the Heart Fairy to be, presumably. A very different kind of strong emotion. So he's the heart of the mountain. Okay, then he must be the "Beast at Ichor Mountain", right?

I think the phrasing of this act's name is interesting. It's not the Beast of Ichor Mountain, or the Beast on Ichor Mountain, but the Beast at Ichor Mountain. It's incidental. The beast isn't necessarily a native; they're just there, the beast who's found themself haunting the mountain named after the blood of the gods.

So I'll ask again. Who is the Beast at Ichor Mountain?

Well, it's Audrey. The King of Hearts is scary. He chases you down, fights against you, snarls at you, and enacts horror movie tropes on you, but we know what he's supposed to be like because we meet the Heart Fairy -- the next Overseer of Hearts. And we see this in the King of Hearts when the Bard sings to him, and it works, somehow it works, to start calming him down. The Bard, ever the bleeding heart, does what they do best, and offers the King of Hearts their heart and soul in the form of a song, and it works!

Until Audrey cuts him down. Audrey, who's decided to devote herself to a mission that has to go against what her heart says, because we know her motivation for ending the world, and it's not because she believes in the cause, cuts down the King of Hearts in the middle of a mutual display of unconditional love and compassion. Audrey, who sat there at the heart of mountain finally confessing that she's being Eya's champion to end the world and finally escape being Audrey Redheart, a nobody, and promised right there to give compassion a chance and face her struggles rather than clinging to more than just a self-sabotaging, but a world-ending lifeline, kills the King of Hearts.

Audrey only allows herself to be vulnerable without her sword. She needs it to feel important and powerful, and only allows herself to feel things about her mission, and process things about herself, when she can't just go slicing through hoards of monsters to earn some surface-level adoration and praise from people she never stops to make an actual connection with. So when she gets it back... She can't return to being Audrey Redheart, someone who maybe could have fitted in on Ichor Mountain had she listened to the Bard and continued to follow their example. She has to be the Hero, even if that's the hero who becomes the beast at the mountain.

And because this is Wandersong, let's do a little musical analysis.

04:46-05:10, specifically. Why? This is the mash-up of the Heart and Hero motifs. Overpoweringly, we can hear the Hero motif blaring on guitars in the foreground, but also the sure and steady Heart motif from the Heart Fairy's theme in the background. The Hero motif is stronger because Audrey is clinging to it, absolutely, but also because two people are using it. And they always have been.

The Hero motif is first used in the prologue to be just that, a theme for the Hero. But then the Bard reclaims it in Chapter 2 for "I wanna be the Hero", and also "I'm going with you". These are the times the player is going to first notice it, because it's shown to them so clearly! It's only associated with the Hero, and Audrey, again later on, because it's a concept, not a person. It's a concept any character can cling to, and unlike the Bard, it's Audrey's whole identity. It becomes her motif by force.

So in this piece where it's used, it's Audrey, or more accurately, the Hero, vs the King of Hearts. And the music already shows us who will win. We've discussed which motif is played stronger.

So who is the Beast at Ichor Mountain? She's the one who takes her sword in hand and tries to slice her way through the heart of Ichor Mountain.

[lostonehero]

What remains after tomorrow

Secrets secrets

"Dad?" Trevor shuffled into the kitchen where a large spread of various meat dishes were laid out. He tries to call out again when a spoonful of something is shoved into his mouth. He blushes an electric blue, and his eyes light up as his tails wag. "What was that?!"

Valerie chuckles. "Adorable just like your father."

"Mom, don't tease my little brat." Jonny turns around and sighs. "You look like shit."

Trevor looks away, clearly embarrassed. However, he is purring. "I just finished with Marius, it didn't excatly..... I don't know what the next steps will be until he truly wakes up."

Jonny nods. "Alright, well you're eating something, then you're going to find your other siblings. Also, find your great aunt Audrey. She's actually using her android body."

Trevor furrows his brows. "It's only been a week?"

Valerie smiles, ruffling his hair. "It has, but I'm glad one of them is finally using the bodies I built them."

"Ok, I understand that, but what's with the food?" Trevor hums. "Not that I'm complaining, but these are all traditional dishes."

"I made so your aunts are capable of eating in their android bodies, but I also promised Izzy some traditional homecooked food." Valerie smiles. "It's been too long since I've wanted to impress someone."

"I'm just happy it ain't Carmillia." Jonny smiles, watching Trevor take a plate and hop on a counter to start eating. "Also, word of warning, your grandfather has been given free range and is about. Give him a chance or do whatever you wish. We've already talked, and he did his time." He motions to his mother, who nods.

"He's a changed man." Valerie smiles and hums, returning to a simmering pot. "He's also quite well trained. He's earned this peace and second chance."

Trevor pauses. "Are you sure?"

Jonny nods. "We have more to discuss, but you brats are allowed to bother him without my permission. Our history ain't something you lot have to worry about."

"Can he eat?" Trevor again motions to the large amount of food.

"He's made of nanobots, he cannot eat or sleep." Valerie pauses and sighs. "He does have an android body giving him these abilities. However, he refuses to use it more than my sisters. The nankbots are to prevent him from going back into his machine. I'm the only one who can deactivate them to allow him back inside this." She shows off a small box clipped to her hip it's incredibly advanced. "Built it myself, most powerful computer to hold everything he is and will be. Indestructible as well, thanks to a few favors from the gods. Billy ain't going nowhere."

"Can i..." Trevor stops as a glares from Valerie shuts him up.

"It ain't something you will play with." Valerie growls. "Billy ain't a toy no more. He's earned back his personhood."

"Yes, Grams." Trevor swallows his final bite. His gaze turns to a man he may only see once before.

Jonny gives a look, stopping trevor from saying anything. "Henry."

Henry pauses and shifts on his feet, clearly uncomfortable spotting Trevor. "Hello Jonny."

"My brat won't touch you without permission." Jonny raised a brow.

"Y-Yes." Trevor puts his empty plate to the side.

Henry shakes his head. "Not why I'm here." He sighs. "You were the last to see Freya and Selene. They weren't in the med bay by the reinforced room, neither were Lyfrassir nor Byron."

Trevor furrowed his brows. "No, that's not right it hasn't even been that long. Marius was asleep in the reinforced room. Lyf and the twins were there after I explained things. I warned them about Marius and took my leave."

Henry scratches his beard and frowns. "Aurora's feed corrupted in that entire area since you originally went into that room." He taps his foot against the floor. "Should the room be sealed off again?"

"Not unless someone else sealed it off. It can only be opened from the inside, Alex designed it themselves." Trevor hops off the counter. "It would be easier to figure out where the twins went than opening that box."

"Cameras would be useless if they are both upset and we're fucked if they're purposely separated." Henry's tail lashed behind him.

"Aurora, has anything been destroyed?" Jonny's voice cuts through.

"All my systems are in perfect working order except my cameras! You fuckers are slacking." Aurora chirps.

"Noted." Jonny sighs. "Alright, you two, we are going to this manually. Follow me, and we'll check the main spots where my brats would be."

"Why would that matter?" Henry raised a brow his fox ears folded against his head.

Trevor matches the confused expression. "Yeah, dad, why would that matter?"

Jonny rolled his eyes and put on his goggles. "Just fucking follow me."

Valerie snorts. "Have fun, and tell them there's food."

......

"I do not understand what this is supposed to accomplish."

"I don't know how we got stuck here."

"We aren't stuck."

"We are stuck."

An annoyed growl and the twins are pulled closer into the mess of napping bodies.

"We are stuck."

"Told you."

Billy listened to them get quiet, then more snores added to the pile. Even Audrey fell asleep. He didn't sleep. He wanted them to hate him to hurt him. It's what he deserved after all. Yet they took him and brought him here and just cuddled up next to him like everything was fine. He couldn't move. Was that the point of this? To trap him? It's a poor trap. This was confusing, and he just wanted to go back to being a tool.

.....

"Dad, are you sure you know where the twins went?" Trevor rubs his arm.

Jonny goes to speak, but a vine shoots out, pulling him back, and his nails are screeching as they are dragged against the metal.

Henry stares and whips his head around. All he can make put as the lights are destroyed is glowing eyes and ruined metal from roots. The glow vanishes as the lights flicker back on, and they are gone.

"I believe we must find the others to stop Tim from losing himself again." Aurora breaks the eerie silence.

"R-right." Henry swallows.

"Do you know where they are?" Trevor blinks at the ruined hallway.

"In the lounge in sector three taking a nap, I believe. Your siblings were carrying your grandfather." Aurora pauses. "I shall try to find where Tim has taken Jonny."

Trevor furrowed his brows. "Now I'm even more confused."

"Let's just find them." Herny shakes his head shifting to his true beast form and lowered himself for Trevor to climb on. He sprints down the halls.

.......

Jonny hung from the ceiling in the gardens. Trees of every kind were overgrown. Flowers bloomed all over, and the smell was overwhelming, making him dizzy. Tim didn't revert from his knowledge he can't use his roots and bines in that mindset. "Tim! What the fuck are you doing?"

There was a low growl. "Wrong. It's wrong. Vanished. They don't just vanish."

Bertie groans he was strung up next to Jonny, and looking over, he could make out Ashes, Nastya, and TS who was not pretending.

"It's no use." Ashes sighs. "He's been like this for over an hour. He keeps going on and on about his siblings, and I didn't even know he had them."

"I Want To Get Down." TS says with an actual frown. "I Do Not Like Seeing My Friend Upset Old Chap."

Bertie sighs. "Tim has five older siblings, but to be honest, I don't know what triggered this outburst. We were just talking to the other Moon War soldiers that ended up here when he started to get upset about his siblings going missing. To my knowledge, they didn't make it to the moon. None of them did, and his mother went missing around the same time. Actually, all five and his mom vanished before we were drafted, and with the war, nothing was really resolved. Maybe the uniforms triggered him, but I'm really not sure it's like a switch went off."

"Really?" Ashes hums. "That does sound like a fun mystery to solve since we aren't doing the death and destruction for the moment."

"Tim!" Jonny shouts again. He growls, and his language switches to New Texas, and his accent is thick. "Bring us the fuck down and you'll be lucky if I ever think about sharing a room in the near future."

Tim growls a noise humans can not produce and pulls himself up. "The fabric of reality has been rewritten, and I am the only one to see the horrors that have been put in motion. Which I can not weap the loss of something to never have happened and to see what has been stolen."

Jonny blinks, staring at Tim. "Tim, please let us down. We can help."

"You can not fix a reality that has been broken through the crack that the God Killer created. We must face this new horrid reality." Tim grits his teeth. "To what has been rewritten cannot be undone."

"Tim." Jonny pleads.

Tim returns to the ground, growing more plants screaming and crying in his new wave of madness.

.......

Valerie wiped the blood from her nose and sighed. "This food is going to go to waste." She turns and sighs. "Aurora, I'll give you a copy of Billy's port if you can make sure the kids don't find Tim. I can handle this mess."

Aurora chirps. "What has caused this, and make sure Nastya will never find it."

"I unfortunately did not keep an eye on Carmillia, and she has most likely stolen a ship and gone among the stars. Through a crack in reality, I created as the God Killer she has changed the past. Which means I now have memories from the reality untouched and the one changed, and I fear Tim has the same." Valerie pulls her hair back to tie up. "Everyone else will act as if nothing has changed, and it's not their fault."

"The last has changed, and what does this mean for us?" Aurora appears as a hologram. Nastya doesn't even know about to face Valerie.

"Be prepared for more residents if they choose to stay. I'll have the secondary port installed once I calm down Tim. Are you sure you're ok being infected with something organic?" Valerie smiles softly. "There isn't a way back once it begins, and I make no garuentees that he will be reciprocal to any advances."

Aurora smiles softly. "Your sisters already gave me a warning about that. I don't care whatever it becomes. I just... everything has become so hollow with Nastya. I just pretend. She still thinks of herself as the victim in all of this. She's still trying to isolate Jonny to make him like before." She looks away. "Yes, she rebuilt me from my black box, so I do owe her no matter how much it disgusts me. I don't even know why I liked her in the first place."

"There is a chance with the organic infection. You'll be able to heal yourself." Valerie hums. "But you'll be able to feel pain like you've never had before."

"I am willing to risk that." Aurora chirps her form glitches and vanishes. "What's the point of eternity if you can't try something new? Besides, I already closed off all entrances to the garden until you come by. Our terms remain the same."

"As always." Valerie chuckles. "Lead the kids here. I want them to eat."

"Will do, Madame Hunter." Aurora beeps happily.

.......

"Bring my son and his friends down, Timothy." Valerie doesn't flinch as a vine darts out slashing her face. "This tantrum isn't needed."

"Reality has unwind, and the cracks will destroy -" Tim is cut off by a shot cutting his own cheek.

"Darling reality is fine. It's happened before, and it will happen again." Valerie tilts her head. "I should have kept a better eye on Carmillia, but I got distracted."

"You... you know?" Tim climbs down from one of the many new trees.

"I do." Valerie sighs, hearing a few crashes as the ones hung from the ceiling are released. "Reality isn't unraveling. We're still us."

"Why?" Tim looked beaten as the madness was leaving him, and he had pure exhaustion on his features.

"Well, I can only assume humans are much worse than what I've been told and seen." Valerie pulls Tim into a hug, and he collapsed into her sobbing violently. "It's not your fault. What happened to you isn't your fault. No matter what blood you have on your hands, nobody should have gone through what you went through."

Tim holds onto Valerie like his life depended on it as he cried.

Valerie gives a soft smile as her son finds them. "Come on, big guy, your husband is here to pick up the pieces."

Tim was speaking english, and both Jonny and Valerie could make out something about wanting his mom and that he wanted his sisters.

Jonny sighs and wordlessly helps Tim to the ground, where he sits down with his mom and lets Tim cry until he passes out or he relaxes. Neither of them could ever tell when he sleeps.

TS comes out from the trees. "Ashes and Nastya Have Left Seeing Miss Valerie Has This Under Control. I Would Like To Stay."

Valerie nods. "Just be quiet as he rests, and Bernard, I know you're here too."

Bertie comes out of the brush and takes a seat next to them. "Of course he wants his mother. You sound like her.... I mean, you have similar accents." He sighs. "She wasn't from Britain like us."

"You two grew up together?" Jonny paused. "Thought you guys met in school."

"No, we were neighbors. I was adopted because my moms well two women can't have kids together." Bertie smiles softly. "Abigail, uh Abby, Tim's mother always helped out and took me in when my parents had to work or had to travel. We were basically attached at the hip."

Valerie nods. "His mother had the right idea. I know humans aren't as social as New Texans, but it's never good to be alone."

"What do you mean? I know humans are considered incredibly social. How are you different?" Bertie leans back and relaxes. He knew that Tim liked white noise no matter what it was.

Jonny shifted, so he was no longer sitting on his tail. "It's so commonplace for us that it's hard to say what is and isn't normal for other species. Humans can swim, and that's considered a fun pastime. I will sink in any sort of liquid. My body is made to be able to swim in sand."

"So what happens if you guys are isolated? For us, it can hurt, but we can last with enough training." Bertie sighs.

"It Is A War Crime To Purposely Subject A New Texan To Forced Isolation." TS says quietly. "Nasty Still Thinks That Is Made Up. I Do Not Like Nastya."

Jonny blinks, staring at TS. "When did you learn that?"

"Miss Valerie Gave Me Commands To Read If I Wanted. I Can Want Things Now." TS smiles. "When Miss Valerie Found Me I Changed. I Do Not Understand How Or Why. I Cannot Pretend Like Before. I Became More Real."

"Well, I'm glad I found you." Valerie hums softly. "I look forward to seeing you guys properly perform."

Jonny smiles softly. "It has been awhile, and I'm not against it. I have some new material I want to perform."

"I Want To Help." TS smiles wider than Jonny thought it capable of.

"Of course you'll help." Jonny looks over to Bertie. "What about you? You're technically one of us at this point."

"Tim was always more musically inclined than I was." Bertie smiles softly. "It wouldn't hurt to learn. How do you get your voice that low?"

Jonny raised a brow. "It's just my voice."

"Right." Bertie hums. "So why have so many kids?"

"A series of mistakes I don't ever regret." Jonny shrugs. "Do you want kids?"

"I can't have them now." Bertie crossed his arms. "No, not really. Never really wanted them. I wouldn't be happy settling down even before the war. I knew I didn't want them. I'm more of a fun uncle type of guy. What are New Texans hardwired to have kids?"

Jonny rolled his eyes. "No, that's fucking stupid." He pauses. "I do get it. Having kids isn't for everyone, and it's respectable that you realized that you weren't cut out for it."

"Thanks. Growing up, I was always lectured that I would change my mind, and well, I didn't." Bertie quirks his lips to a small smile. "Glad I don't have that risk anymore."

"Things were different, but Jonny is the best thing to happy to me at that time." Valerie grins. "TS, what about you?"

TS grins. "I Have Adopted Jonny's Children."

Jonny scowls. "TS they are my brats."

"Our Brats." TS cheers.

Jonny rubs his face. "Can everyone here stop trying to take my children away from me? They're my fucking brats. I had them myself. Ma, you don't count you're their grandmother."

Valerie chuckles softly. "Timothy is their step dad."

"Hes my husband he holds no part in any of their creation." Jonny huffs. "My kids are mine, not any of yours. Also, Mae is still freaked out by you, TS, so please stop trying to be friends with her."

"We Are Bonding." TS claps happily. "It's Jolly Good Fun."

"It's not. Every time you have your bonding time, she ends up in bed between me and Tim. It's making my other brats worried." Jonny sighs.

"It's normal for your kids to still sleep with you? They're adults." Bertie furrows his brows confused.

"Jonny, before you say anything, once human children grow up into teens than adults, that level of closeness is unnatural for them. Their children find partners or friends to confine in. It's expected for children to outgrow their parents and create their own networks." Valerie frowns. "It's quite a lonely idea."

"We don't just abandon each other." Jonny looks away. "Most towns in New Texas grow from a few families, and the kids leave and either bring back a loved one or they keep in close contact traveling between towns or territory."

Bertie raised his brow now, concerned. "Aren't you worried about inbreeding?"

"We physically can't." Jonny looks concerned. "We will literally get sick if we try. I think thats the most fucked up thing I found out when I started to travel with Carmillia."

Bertie paused. "That's.... That's really cool."

"It's just genetics. Ain't nothing special about that." Jonny rolls his eyes and sighs.

"Did you at the time let your kids meet their other parents?" Bertie pauses. "You don't have to answer. That shit can be touchy. My mom threw me out like I was trash to stay with her husband, who ended up killing her."

Jonny shakes his head. "It wasn't anything like that. I made sure they knew. Each of them went off to talk to them."

"And?" Valerie raised her brow.

"And nothing, I never pressed, and they never said." Jonny looks away. "It ain't my business to know. I'm just there for them no matter what."

"You're a good father, Jonny." Bertie smiles softly. "You're nothing like the man I knew back in the barracks."

Jonny frowns. "I ain't good at anything. My brats like me and I don't deserve it."

Valerie shakes her head before Bertie can argue.

"I Would Like A Story." TS speaks up.

"A story?" Jonny hums. "What kind of story?"

"One With A Happy Ending." TS seems to vibrate with excitement from the small genuine smile Jonny gave it.

Jonny proceeds to tell a story when Thomas and Mae were just born.

Tim only alerts everyone that he is awake by sitting up startling everyone, and Jonny stops his story. He is quiet as he gets up and walks away.

Valerie shakes her head. "Let him be. If he wanted any of us, he would have stayed."

......

Henry growls as he stops, and Trevor hops off him, confused. "Why are we stopped?"

Henry shifts back. "Aurora is sending us in circles. I can track the twin's scent half dead, and you keep blocking off passages, sending us in circles."

"I am doing no such thing." Aurora chirps. "I am a large ship made to fit two cities of people inside, child."

Henry growls low and dangerous but stops when Trevor holds his hand out.

"Did Grams, or dad tell you to delay us?" Trevor crossed his arms. "It has to be one of them. There is no use in lying. Dad taught us better."

Aurora is silent.

Henry looks over to Trevor. "How could you figure that?"

"Aurora would know where the twins are always due to the distortion they cause her cameras. It's easy enough for her to create a maze to put us in a circle to keep us away from them. I'm think Grams doesn't want us all involved." Trevor rubs his chest and frowns. "We aren't children. We can handle ourselves." He stares up at one of Aurora's cameras. "Why are you trapping us?"

Henry's fox ears fold against his head as he steps back, clearly uncomfortable and slightly scared. "She.... Aurora has a reason."

Trevor's ears twitched as he heard the fear in Henry's voice. "W-wait...." He rubs his face and sits on the floor. His three tails seem to buzz with shame.

Henry kept his distance shifting on his feet, still nervous, but he stared at Trevor.

Trevor pulls his knees up and rest his head on them he keeps his face covered. "Sorry."

Henry flinched. "W-What?"

"Mmh, sorry." Trevor sighs. "We all have dad's temper, I'm sorry for lashing out." He covered his face with his hands.

Henry rubbed his arm. "Why... why did you lead us in circles?"

Aurora is silent as heels are heard coming down the hall.

"Henry!" The twins smile and wave.

Henry raised a brow. "Why didn't you lead them in circles?"

Trevor looks over. "Why do you two look like a mess?"

"Don't ask them questions you don't want answered." Henry pinched his brow.

"Rude."

"Your siblings trapped us in a nap pile."

"Why?" Trevor got back on his feet.

Mae pops out from the ceiling, causing many yelps in shock. "To be fair, we were comforting gramps, and they got caught in the crossfire."

Trevor stares at his sister with a raised brow.

"Mmh, not really important, but what got you so pissy?" Mae jumps down in front of Henry and Trevor.

"Aurora was leading us in circles." Henry thinned his lips. "Is that normal?"

"Is what normal?" Trevor raised a brow.

"I couldn't smell her. How does she just appear?" Henry blinks as Mae giggles.

"Man, you guys suck at this. It's just climbing. Anyhow." Mae elbows Trevor. "Why were you looking for us? Did dad do something stupid?"

"No, uh, Tim went a bit mad again." Trevor sighs. "But dad and grams probably took care of it." He pauses. "Wait, why were you comforting gramps?"

"You missed a chess game with dad against gramps." Mae hums, cracking her back. "You missed a lot."

Trevor growls. "I fucking hate you."

Mae winks. "Anyway, where are you two going?" She points to the twins.

"You don't need to know."

"We are fine on our own."

"Nope." Mae clicks her tongue.

"No?" The twins blinks staring at her.

"Clearly, you two manged to wiggle out for an alternate motive. I may not know much about Xeon, but I know for a fact that you two forced yourself awake and left to do something about something that's bothering the both of you." Mae yawns. "Pretty rude, too. Woke me up from a pretty nice nap."

Henry frowns. "How could you tell?"

The twins huffs, looking annoyed. "Papa locked us out from helping dad."

"We can't die."

"It's not fair. We just got them back."

Henry blinks, staring at Mae. "Never mind, how did you get them to talk?"

"She's mastered dad's disappointed look." Trevor snickers.

"Fuck off." Mae slaps the back of Trevor's head. "And you two." She points at the twins who stiffen. "Suck it up."

"Excuse me?!"

"You have no-"

Mae glares, causing the two to click their mouths shut. "You two ain't special. Shit sucks get over it. They are literally still on the ship. You both are also on. Fucking stop complaining and wait. Do something productive, eat your feelings, fucking cause havoc. Festering on this and trying to get into something we both know you both can't won't do shit." She cracks her neck and marches forward, causing the twins to attempt to flee, but she grabs both of them by their tails. "Aint worth shit if you can't fucking listen to reason."

Trevor watches Mae drag the twins off and holds his hand out, stopping Henry. "Don't if you value your life. It's not often Mae is the responsible one, but when she is, she scares me." He frowns. "She takes the most from dad, and that isn't always a good thing, but right now, interfering won't do either of us good."

"N-Noted." Henry looks confused when Trevor grabs his hand. "What are you doing?"

"Everyone else is napping. Come on, we might as well join them. Unless you have other plans for the next two hours." Trevor hums leading Henry forward.

"I don't." Henry gives a soft smile. "I suppose a nap wouldn't hurt."

......

"What are you doing?" Misery hums perching on a cactus looking over Brian, who was in his true creature form rolling in the sand.

A puff of black smoke Brian is sitting up looking uncomfortable. "My back is itchy, and it's not a great feeling. I apologize that you shouldn't bother. It's a normal issue."

"You are still my mate even if you can't remember." Misery chuckles and remobes her gloves to show heavily scarred hands and extends massive claws. "I could lend a hand."

Brian looks away. "It's not fair to you. That is the case. Why did it stick even after I was killed?"

"Now that is a good question." Misery puts her gloves in her pocket and retracts her claws as she hops down. "I've never been able to figure out why, but Xeon's biology accounts for time travel, so mentally I had no idea why I didn't break a second time, but my biology knew better. It's quite odd havent found another species with that ability in their genetics."

Brians tails twitch. "I wonder why that is adapted in your species." His ears pin against his head. "You probably hate seeing me like this."

"I don't." Misery smiles softly. "So what if you're different? Just like Lyfrassir and Byron, I have this chance to learn more about this new you. Although you still make the same faces when you're upset."

Brian's tails begin to wag. "I do?" His ears perk up. "Could you tell me how I was?"

Misery giggles, grabbing Brian's hand. She pulls him close to her. "That's cheating, and you know that."

Brian could feel his cheeks heat up. "How is that cheating? You're describing a stranger." He pulls her back, and they move in an odd dance together.

"He's you. You just haven't remembered that yet." Misery is dipped, and she spreads her wings out. "Although I rather hear about what you've been up to. I've been doing what I always do, and that is record the history I witness."

Brian leans closer he can feel Misery's warm breath. "Well, it seems we're at an impass."

"Oh, are we?" Misery leans closer then suddenly pulls Brian down, and she stands spinning him, and he falls into the sand. She walks over and stands over him.

Brain looks up with stars in his eyes. "I think a compromise."

"Oh?"

"I would like to finish our dance."

Misery's face lights up a bright purple, and she sighs with a small smile. She holds her hand out for Brian to take. "You offered me a dance the first time we met."

"So I did." Brian takes Misery's hand and pulls himself up to stand.

"Although I think it might have been a mistranslation."

"I hated this form. I hated having to talk. I never thought I would have a reason to use this form besides medicine. I knew when I saw you I wanted to try dancing." Brian pulls back his hair, not realizing he remembers something.

Misery's blush grows deeper. "You wanted to dance with me?"

"I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to understand you. I understood in the moment our eyes connected that I wanted to try something new if it meant I could hear you speak to me alone. I never understood the desire to be selfish until you offered me your hand." Brian smiles softly and holds Misery's hand.

Misery gently squeezes back.

Brian curses, letting go to scratch his back. "For fucks sake this itching is infernal." In a puff of black smoke he was back in his creature form rolling in the sand.

Misery chuckles, crossing her arms. She speaks xeon, which Brian doesn't understand before she holds out her hand. She switches back to common. "Come on, you big baby, let me help."

.......

Jonny blinks, staring at the scene. He went back to the kitchen to make sure his brats ate all the food his mom and him made. "Mae what the fuck are you doing?"

Mae jumps. "Dad!"

Jonny pinched his brow. "And girls."

"Hello." The twins say together.

"Mae again what the fuck are you doing?" Jonny sighs.

Mae hums, thinning her lips. "Would you believe me if I said testing the limit if what the twins can eat?"

Jonny stares at his daughter.

Mae nods. "Yeah, I wasn't expecting you back here."

"One I raised you better than that think of a better lie." Jonny has a small smile as the twins giggle. "Two, that's clearly the food I made with your grandmother."

"Mae told us to eat our feelings."

"Papa didn't let us help with dad."

"This isn't productive."

"We wanted to force the container open."

"I told them that was a stupid fucking plan." Mae huffs crossing her arms.

Jonny nods. "You're right."

"I am?" Mae blinks.

"She is?" The twins tilt their head.

Jonny chuckles with a relaxed smile. "Yes, Mae, you're right."

The twins look at each other frustrated.

"Why? We can help!"

"They can't kill us. We can't even kill ourselves."

Mae bites her lip as her dad holds her shoulder.

Jonny sighs. "And that's your problem."

"What?" Both twins say at once.

"Your father's would never forgive themselves if they hurt you even on accident. Immortality be damned. You both are their everything. I know I don't remember, but I know I've hurt my children before I had them due to time travel, but it still hurts, and I can't forgive myself for that. You can't account for everything as a parent, but you do your best to make sure your children will never hurt like you have."

The twins begin to look upset and guilty.

"Dad, that isn't...." Mae frowns. "You weren't in your right mind."

"Hammerhead, don't make excuses for my actions." Jonny gently headbutts his daughter from the side. "I know i'm not a good person, and that hasn't changed. However, I will do whatever in my power to make sure all of you never get hurt like I was."

Mae frowns and hugs her father's arm.

The twins give each other a look.

"We didn't...."

"We just want them back."

"We didn't want to hurt them."

"We just just want our dads back."

Jonny nods. "And they will be back. It's the waiting part that sucks."

The twins nod.

"Alright, enough of that. Mae, where's the rest of you, brats?" Jonny headbutts her again from the side.

"Napping or they're awake. I dunno been here a bit with the twins." Mae pauses. "Seriously, are you both ok being referred to as that?"

"Only dad can tell us apart."

"It's much easier for us. We really don't enjoy being separated."

"Also, the name badge thing we tried, and it's more annoying than just being referred to together."

"Demoids also aren't big on names. Henry only recently got used to using names."

"I mean, of course, Demoids have names, but its also only useful to them when they aren't in their true creature forms and interacting with other species."

"Henry told us Brian hated his name and never liked hearing it used except from Misery. Although he is still having memory issues, who knows if he'll go back to that."

"We like our names, but it is really annoying when we are mistaken for each other."

"We also like matching, so just refer to us as twins or girls, or whatever. We aren't picky."

"Good to know." Mae gives a soft huh.

"Again it would of been a fucking disaster if you and Thomas were identical." Jonny pinched his brow. "And we both know you refuse to grow your hair out or get as many piercings as him, so don't even argue."

Mae nods and has a small smile but doesn't let her dad go. "I won't argue that, but I have been tempted to use a cloak to fuck with Laz."

The twins giggle softly.

"Tommy ain't the only one who can mimic voices." Mae hums softly.

"Yeah, yeah, come on time for you to eat as well." Jonny smiles. "I know you didn't, so don't even try lying, little girl."

The twins giggle some more.

Mae huffs. "Great, you two find this amusing."

[ipkkndlovescenes]

IPKKND/Teri Meri/12th Anniversary

❤️Dance of Souls

If you love someone enough, you can make them invincible. Your feelings for them are so strong they work as a magical shield, protecting them from all harm and pain. ~ Linda Kage ~

She stood there, defeated momentarily by the challenges of her life. It had nothing to do with this dance or this challenge; it was Shyam and his menacing ways to torture her physically and mentally. The whole world in front of her was unknown to those wounds she was hiding behind those closed eyes. But her tears left one heart wounded as always on the poolside who could never bear his soul to bring peace in her. She couldn't be defeated by anyone in this world but him, and right now, that was his challenge, far more important than anything. Her tears were drawn to his like a moth to a flame.

The music thumped into the room with a thunder of claps, and she turned to the neon lights flashing upon the one who stood there to join her in this quest. Eyes met, and he moved closer to distract her with his raging challenge...

"This is your last performance, Khushi, won't you finish it? 

A teasing smile to see the effect of his words. She gave him a sharp look as if she remembered why she was there in the first place.

“Amid the darkness, love becomes the guiding light.” – Unknown

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn.

Arnav held on to her hand, not letting her go with determination and anger, and she responded, turning her face,

 "Teri meri,meri teri kahani...

He made her twirl into his arms, making her lean on him... .

."ek ladka aur ek ladki ki yeh kahani hai nai do lafzoon mein yeh bayan na ho paye"..

Khushi followed, and a small smile spread across his face...

Everyone opened their mouths, yet he was careless of what, why, who, etc. All he had in his mind was that if he were to fall in love, he would. And if, as a result, he would appear to be stupid, disillusioned, and of poor judgment, he will. And he would be damned if he cared what other people think. he would rather be considered all these things than not love. If he loved her and stood alone as her protector on a horse, he would ride that horse with his head held high. This was his spirit. He was unbreakable. He was Arnav Singh Raizada with a brain, and no one could defeat him in this ride...

Holding her hand, he pulled her closer, and the rest became history.

“Hold me as if I were the most fragile object a feather touch could break. Dance with me with the same animal craving, with the same desire you would make love to me.”― Tatjana Ostojic

While dancing, he relished that delicious feeling of freedom, the delirium of being with her, and his heart being born again. It’s like he's being made with new feelings, the ones he was deprived of all this time. ASR smiled when their eyes met, and she lost herself in him. Like always, he was protecting her from the world.

Not the ways he danced turned them on: She and her happiness were all he could think of as his dancing skills got the better of him. Amidst all, he lost himself in her, and every eye witnessed their love tonight.

She glanced back every time with surprise and saw the exterior of a man she knew torn and discarded, a little she knew and thought he was the prince charming she always dreamed of.

How they looked at each other and cruelly forgotten was a beautiful symbol of how much they both needed to satisfy their yearning hearts. He protected this intense, precious bond they shared that was more than desire, tenderness, adoration, and love.

“May I never tire of expressing myself

may I find contentment in listening to you

may there be no constraints on time

and may we be bound together as a single knot

you, time, and I.”

― Sanu Sharma

This time, there was nothing gentle about their kiss of hands. It's all the passion and wet kisses of curious hands flowing with their moves and hearts. Unsure what she was doing, she emulated his actions, allowing her body to tangle with his. It brought a growl from his heart that made her shiver when he threw her in the air, keeping all her weight on him, letting her hair sprawl over him. Then this kiss became hungrier and deeper, almost violent, as his hands began moving, caressing her everywhere.

He kneaded her back, urging her flush against his skin, then let his fingers slide over her arms and her sides before his hands suddenly clasped her waist. He lifted, twirled, pulled, and made her believe he was her prince charming...

ASR was this colossal mystery she wanted to take time-solving. He had danger written all over him, and there was a risk of getting burned, but she wanted to play in the fire tonight. Why? She had no idea. And neither hadn't he.

One of his hands ran up her neck and through her hair, the other supporting my waist. He kept his promise and never let her fall again. She was held up by a dizzying suspension, feeling like she could sprout wings and fly. Time stood still, and the only thing she could think about was his breath over her, his eyes bored into hers, his hands holding hers, and nothing more. She was safe and protected in his arms as always.

Hardly aware of the little mewls of need and pleasure slipping from her heart, Khushi withstood that as long as she could and then followed his hands to caress his face and pulled her head back so that he could cover her body with his. She could trust him with closed eyes.

Much to his relief, she gave in to his silent request and held onto him again and again, his breath demanding and hungry as he touched her with his lips many times tonight. All he was doing was following his heart for the woman who enticed him in his days and allured him in his nights. She was unaware of her bewitching him in myriad unknown ways.

So consumed by his desires and touches was she that Khushi was only vaguely aware of it when ASR clasped her by the waist and turned her toward him. So, when the thunder of clap suddenly broke their little private moment, she was somewhat surprised to find herself so close to him. She saw amusement flicker across his face as he took in her startled expression, as he was mending his ways, but she was dwelling in another world tonight.

Khushi's instinct was to cover herself with her saree and walk away from him. She wanted to avoid his intense gaze, but she looked back as always and remained still. The doubts, the raging uncertainties, the million questions, the pain and many sufferings he caused her...her eyes sought to find an answer in him; Arnav understood her hesitation and why she was pulling herself back. He knew he had much to redeem, and there was only one way: by apologising and seeking forgiveness. He was attritional; as he looked at her with eyes of no mask, just a tinge of genuine and sincere apology ...Tonight, he found his heartbeat again along with her.

Teri Meri Kahani...

“I’ve become your heartbeat, making you mine

Upon every kiss of passion, our souls shine” ― Munia Khan

PART 2 [ Read Here ]

[gracies-baby]

this account is the reason i am on tumblr fr. could you do one where audrey and abby are plotting to get gracie and y/n together but theyre already together and audrey and abby either see them kissing or bump into them on a date or something

Monopoly

(Gracie Abrams x Reader)

I’m so sorry this took so long 😭

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"What're you smiling at?" Audrey teases her friend when she sees her smiling at her phone.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter" Gracie replies as she puts her phone down to face her best friend.

"Nothing wouldn't happen to be coming over today, would she? Me and Abby decided we should talk to her. We know you're never gonna make the first move so we're just gonna have to convince Y/n to like jump on you or something" Audrey smirks as she watches her roommates face turn red.

"Ew Audrey! What the fuck?!" The brunette groans as she walks to the kitchen.

"Don't act like you wouldn't love that!" Audrey teases before walking back to her room.

--

"Hey!" Gracie exclaims as she answers the door to see Abby and Y/n on the other side. She steps aside to let the other two girls in. Abby greets her cousin before walking to the kitchen to find something to eat, leaving the other two girls alone.

"Hi, I missed you" Y/n smiles as she quickly leans up to press a quick peck against the brunette's lips.

"I definitely missed you more. Audrey thinks I've got a crush on you by the way. She won't stop bugging me about it" Gracie replies as she looks around to make sure neither of the other two could hear them.

"Well, is she wrong? Abby thinks I've got a crush on you too. She keeps telling me stories about you as a kid by the way. Did you really rip the heads off all her dolls?" Y/n asks as she walks further into the apartment to sit on the couch.

"She was being a bitch. I wouldn't have done it if she didn't deserve it" Gracie replies, wrapping her arm around her girlfriend's shoulders, allowing Y/n to rest her head on her shoulder.

"You seem like you were a mean kid. I don't think we would've gotten along" Y/n jokes as Gracie scoffs jokingly.

"I wasn't mean! Abby was just annoying. She would always cheat at games. One time, we got into a big fight over monopoly and my mom said we weren't allowed to play anymore. We haven't played it since then"

"She still cheats at games. We should play monopoly tonight. I wanna see you being competitive" Y/n replies as she moves away from the brunette, seeing Audrey walk in.

"Gracie's always competitive. The other day, she threw my phone across the room because I beat her at Scrabble" Audrey tells her as she sits on the chair next to the couch.

"You definitely cheated. I would've won if you hadn't cheated" Gracie grumbles as she turns her eyes to the TV.

"Gracie, not everyone cheats at games. Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are" Y/n replies causing the brunette to jokingly glare at her before Abby walks in.

"Yeah, she kinda sucks at games honestly. She only thinks she's good because she always beat Henry and August but that's only because they suck even more" Abby teases as she takes a seat next to Y/n on the couch.

"Fine, lets play monopoly then. I'm gonna kick all your asses" Gracie grumbles as they all go to sit at the table.

--

"You need to pay!" Gracie yells at her cousin when she lands on her property.

"No I don't! You didn't even pay for the property! You just took the card" Abby yells back as she covers her money, making sure the brunette can't steal it.

"Y/n, tell her I paid for it!" The brunette asks the banker only to be interrupted by her cousin.

"Of course she's gonna side with you! You're her favorite!"

"Guys maybe we should stop playing-" Y/n tries to say only to be interrupted.

"I am not her favorite! You're her best friend and roommate! She would only side with me because I'm right" Gracie yells at her cousin before storming off to her room.

"That was.. intense" Y/n says as she begins packing up the game.

"Well, Gracie did tell you we weren't allowed to play. Now you know why" Abby replies before getting an idea.

"You should go follow her. Me and Audrey can finish packing up"

"Are you sure? It's just a game. I think she'll be okay"

"Just go. You would definitely cheer her up" Y/n agrees before walking to her girlfriend's room and closing the door behind her.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry, we shouldn't have played" Y/n tells her girlfriend as she takes a seat next to her on her bed before leaning her head on her shoulder.

"It's not your fault. Now you know why I broke her dolls" Gracie replies as she lays down on the bed, bringing Y/n with her and allowing her to rest her head on her chest.

"By the way, you're definitely my favorite. I love Abby but she's got nothing on you" Gracie smiles before leaning down to connect their lips. Y/n sighs into the kiss before Gracie moves to lay on top of her girlfriend so she can deepen the kiss. Just when she's about to take the other girls shirt off, the door opens causing them to jump away.

"Don't you two know how to knock?!" Gracie exclaims while Y/n lays on the bed in shock.

"How were we supposed to know you two were sucking face in here?! When did this start?!" Audrey replies with a big smile on her face.

"Around 3 months" Gracie tells them while Abby and Audrey begin to glare at the other two girls.

"So this whole time we've been trying to get you two together, you already were? Why didn't you tell us!" Abby asks.

"It's just been kinda fun sneaking around. Besides, you two would always leave us alone for hours trying to get us to confess and the alone time was kinda nice" Y/n speaks up for the first time since the other two girls walked in.

"Do you know how much I was panicking when you came home the other night with a hickey? I thought you were with some random girl! It would've completely ruined my plans" Abby tells her roommate while Y/n grins at her sheepishly.

"I'm so happy you two are together but if you ever have sex anywhere other than one of your beds, you're both getting kicked out 'cause we don't wanna deal with that" Audrey tells the both while Gracie and Y/n both look away with guilty looks on their faces.

"What the fucks wrong with you guys?!"