#bordering on fluff i daresay

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Event: Falling For Fall Hosted by: @violettduchess & @lorei-writes Prompt: Falling leaves & Harvest (Angst + Fluff) Previous prompt: Rain. Foraging. Moon. Gold. Gossamer. Cinnamon Characters: Sariel Noir & Luke Randolph & Prince OC [Vernard Mürrisch]

Words : 820 A/N: I spent time thinking about how to write different fanfictions for each one of them and my head ached... so I said why not mix the two prompts together and get it over with? By that I finished all the #Fallingforfallcc prompts yippee!!

[🥮𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐜̧𝐚𝐝𝐞🍁]

The fall feast was in full swing, the palace gardens ablaze with the colours of the season. Guests milled about, the long tables groaning under a bounty of harvest-themed delicacies: roasted squash, spiced apple cider, and intricate pastries crafted from the season's bounty. Yet, Prince Vernard stood apart, a solitary figure at the edge of the celebration, his usual melancholic air amplified by the festive cheer.

Then, Sariel glided up behind him, his presence as quiet as the falling leaves drifting to the ground. "Prince Vernard," he began, his voice a low, smooth hiss, "I must commend you on your diligence these past few weeks."

Vernard's response was a mere shrug, a dismissive gesture that belied the turmoil within. "I merely…existed," he muttered, his voice raspy, almost apologetic. He hadn't truly played a significant role in the recent events – accompanying Clavis and Chevalier to the border was a matter of duty, not impact; his involvement with Jin and Licht's inspections was trivial, reduced to playful interactions with children.

"You ensured Prince Nokto's timely return from his late-night escapade," Sariel continued, undeterred, "and you spared a great deal of trouble by preventing the usual morning chaos. Also, your assistance in helping Prince Yves select the sweets was… quite insightful. And, I daresay, it spared a few brawls between the other princes," he added with a hint of amusement, gesturing towards the lively scrum surrounding the dessert table where Jin, Leon, Licht, and Luke were battling over the last of the cinnamon buns crumble.

Vernard's lips curved into a cynical smirk. "My intervention with Nokto was simply a means to quell my own insomnia. A distraction, if you will." He spoke of the prince's midnight adventures with a detached cynicism, as if Nokto's time was merely a commodity he'd used to his advantage. "Yves," he continued, "forced me to taste his…creations. As if I could even perceive the sweetness in them. My tongue is numb to sugar, yet I cannot refuse him, you know." His voice was flat, a stark contrast to the warm tones of the fall day.

Sariel's perceptive gaze pierced through Vernard's facade. "And the party that Prince Leon hosted? Did you find it…enlightening?" Vernard's hand instinctively rose to scratch his disabled right ear, a tell-tale sign of evasion. Sariel didn't need a response. He knew the story. He subtly alluded to the incident that had poisoned the atmosphere for Vernard that night, the cruel jabs from nobles who despised him for his mother’s shameful past and his own desperate struggle to find a life outside the gilded cage of the court. The more he associated with the princes, the further he seemed to drift from his goal of escaping their world.

Sariel's voice grew firm, interrupting Vernard's silent, agonizing thoughts. "What you aspire to, Prince Vernard, may not be obtainable. The princes, particularly those closest to you, will not allow you to simply walk away. You have become a vital thread in the tapestry of this court and your absence would unravel far more than you might imagine. They rely on you."

And just like that, Sariel departed, leaving Vernard to the echoes of his own regrets and the weight of his uncertain future. The silence was shattered by a different voice, a hearty, almost boisterous one. Luke materialized beside him, holding aloft a piece of the very dessert that had caused such a commotion. "Managed to snag this one from the brutes," he announced, grinning. "Yves's work, ain't it? Said it was specially selected by you."

Luke, a giant of a young man with a heart of honey, continued, "Thanks for steer'in' me clear of Sariel's snooze-fest the other day. And for tippin' me off to that sweet bakery with the killer honey cakes. Man, were those things good."

Vernard, a flicker of warmth in his usually cold eyes, took the dessert with a slight struggle, and promptly ate it. "No problem, Luke," he muttered, his sigh echoing the bittersweet flavor of the fall season. But even as he chewed, the sweetness remained elusive, a pale imitation of the joy he could never quite grasp. "What was Sariel on about?" Luke questioned, his brow creasing.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Vernard responded, his voice a gentle shield for Luke.

"Right then. Well, I've had my fill of this shindig. Fancy a stroll?" Luke, ever the escape artist, suggested with a playful glint in his eyes.

A genuine smile touched Vernard's lips for the first time that day. "I'd like that," he answered, and they slipped away from the boisterous feast, two figures walking into the golden glow of the setting sun, their steps light and free, leaving the weight of court intrigue and royal duty behind. The falling leaves whispered secrets only they could hear, and the scent of autumn lingered in the air, promising a brief moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives.

Fin ❤️✨

[comfy-whumpee]

Polycule 1

I don’t know what else to call this arc. Polyamory comf makes me happy.

Taglist: @lonesome--hunter, @iaminamoodymoodtoday, @wildfaewhump, @ishouldblogmore, @lektricwhump, @that-one-thespian, @raigash, @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi, @rosesareviolentlyread, @castielamigos-whump-side-blog

“Oh shit! Oh shit, yeah, I’m right there.”

Addison grabbed her jacket and her keys and jogged from the house to her bike. A kick and a twist, and she was roaring off down the road. It was a ten-minute ride to Nic’s – and – Nic and Ellis’s place. For the first time, Ellis was there.

She pulled up and dismounted. She was almost nervous. Nic had told her a lot about Ellis since they’d met four months ago, and because of the whole situation with the guilt-tripping parents, she’d kind of become their confidante. Nic was ninety-five-percent sunshine, and Iz had no problem being there when it rained. Nic needed to vent, and that wasn’t hard to listen to. They needed hugs, and those were a pleasure to give.

And now, Iz was being invited to meet the man himself, and be a friend he sorely needed.

She knocked on the door. Nic opened it with a smile, and made Iz wait a second before stepping back. “He’s already met Felicity, and it went okay. He agreed to meet someone else.”

Iz nodded, resolving not to screw this up.

Nic then turned back to the house, “Hey, honey. My friend is here. You ready?”

There was no audible answer, but Nic smiled and tilted their head, inviting her in. Addison stepped into the room, and looked immediately to the right, where the living room proper was half-screened by a coat rack. Visible through the gaps were pale folded hands and knees.

Nic went over first. Iz followed more slowly, sensing the tension in the air despite Nic’s casual attitude.

She sat down on the floor by the stairs, taking off her boots and jacket. She smiled at Ellis, and fuck, he was even prettier in person, but she didn’t hold his gaze. Instead, she leaned back to look at the room as if she hadn’t seen it before. “Oh, the succulent,” she remarked, seeing the little plant on the desk with its flower.

“Yeah, it bloomed!” Nic agreed, picking up the pot to show her. They were on the sofa, still acting casual. “Its name is Colin, I decided.”

“Isn’t that your brother’s name?”

In the edge of her vision, she saw Ellis shake his head, even as Nic said, “No, that’s Calvin. I wouldn’t name something this cute after that lil shit.”

Iz laughed quietly. “Do you have siblings, Ellis?”

Maybe the question was too sudden, because he looked up at her in alarm. He hadn’t expected to be included. Light brown eyes went wide, but she noticed that he didn’t open his mouth to speak. He shook his head.

“Ah, lucky. I have twin baby sisters. I love them a lot, don’t get me wrong, but Daisy especially is a drama queen. She’s always got beef with someone at her college and I’m so done with it. Last time I spoke to her she was up in arms about this presentation they’re doing, and how she was totally doing all the work because her group mates are too busy partying, and I know she’s exaggerating because she’s out almost every night.”

Ellis was still paying attention, but he looked nonplussed.

“Nothing compared to Calvin, though. Have you met him? I’m guessing so.”

Yes and no questions seemed to land easily enough. Ellis nodded.

“Like him?”

He glanced at Nic, who covered their eyes with a hand and gave him a thumbs up with the other. The ghost of something resembling a smile crossed his face, and he shook his head.

Iz grinned. “You get me. I’m glad they have someone else who stands up for them.”

“Um,” Nic interjected, “I stand up for myself, thank you very much.”

“Sure, whatever. Do y’all want to watch a film? I brought Captain Marvel, you seen it?”

This time, her gaze was on Ellis. Nic smiled, impressed, but of course Iz remembered learning about his love of space and superheroes. And he’d been gone while it came out, so...

She smiled in triumph when he shook his head. “I think you’ll like it. You too, Nic.” She got up, noticing but not reacting to the way Ellis tensed, and crossed to the sofa to put the disc into the computer. Nic sat down, and waved her to their other side, by the window, as the loading screen came up.

“Do you wanna join us up here, Ellis?” they asked. “You’re allowed.”

A cold chill passed over Iz at the words. Nic had explained a little bit of the way Ellis had been held captive, and the degrading shit he was forced to do, but hearing Nic gently, achingly counteract it, for something so simple, made her heart clench.

She stayed very still as Ellis slowly unfolded himself and his weight settled on the other end of the sofa.

“You can have touch or no touch, if you have a preference today.”

Another pause, and then the shuffling of someone snuggling close. Iz glanced over to see Nic’s arms around his shoulders, his around their waist, face half-buried in their shoulder. The way he must have hugged the bastard who kept him. Nic’s expression was a smile, with sadness buried deep in their eyes. This hurt. It hurt them, and it wasn’t right, and there weren’t enough knives in the world for that guy and what he’d done to them both.

Don’t get angry. Ellis would be terrified of anger. She had to be safe. She would be safe.

Iz took a quick calming breath, and set the movie to play.

[natthebattygeologist]

A Brush with a Cursed Lily

Royal Court AU

King’s Advisor!Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader

A/N: So here it is, a second part to A Kiss From a Rose. I’m sorry for the wait however I got very busy with work and my university projects. I do so hope you enjoy this. It’s written slightly differently to part 1 as this is all from the Reader’s POV.

I just want to thank @cockslut-padalecki for allowing me to write part 1 as part of the #notmyninth writing challenge and I hope that this angsty follow up does A Kiss From a Rose proud.

Word Count: 2208

Warnings: Angst, angst, more angst, some light fluff, swearing, implied smut, grief, mentions of loss.

Reader’s POV

I ran around chasing after the little squirt who was currently avoiding his bath-time before tripping up and landing square on my backside in a patch of tall Calla Lilies. They were a stunning shade of deep violet and brought back the memories of 6 summers ago. The day I was married off to my best-friend, Steve Rogers, Lord of Rosebury-upon-Sale. I chuckled to myself as my husband rounded the corner of the orangery with our son, covered in mud head to toe, a huge smile plastered on his face. The last few years had been trying at times, and unbearable in others but somehow, we managed to make it through.

“Frolicking in the flowers are we, my petal?” A deep laugh resonated from Steve’s chest as he took in the sight of me, dishevelled and dirtied from my tumble.

“Yes, it’s a rather delightful hobby I have found. Quite the thrilling end to chasing our little gremlin child. Now if you would be so inclined as to help your pregnant wife out of the flower bed, I would greatly appreciate it.”

“Come now love, you know I love to see you in a fluster, but I suppose it would do the baby no good leaving you there.”

I took the hand he so graciously offered me and took our muddied little boy from his father’s hold.

“Now honestly Charlie, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Prince as muddy and dirty as you are right now, you little rascal. Let’s get you cleaned up and fed, then maybe we can go and visit Uncle James before bedtime.”

----------------- 4 Years Earlier----------------

The King summoned us back to court, and what was meant to be a joyous visit quickly became a permanent stay. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a bleary-eyed Prince and an equally as troubled Princess. The King was dying and had called upon his advisor to help prepare for Bucky’s transition into power. To anyone else nothing would’ve seemed amiss, except it was.

When James’ back was turned, I had witnessed Princess Maia acting rather strangely, gathering bouquets of foxglove and trimmings of deadly nightshade. I was almost certain of her intentions but feared my own safety and so kept it to myself, until one night where I couldn’t bear the burden this knowledge held over me any longer.

“Steve, my love, I have something troubling my mind.” My voice came out a hushed and broken whisper.

“What worries you so my petal? I know it hasn’t been easy for you being back, and having to pretend to like Maia, I assure you that I am always here to listen to you and love you.”

“Well, you see, I think I know why the King is sick. On several occasions I have witnessed the Princess with my own eyes gathering bouquets of foxglove and cuttings from the nightshade bush down by the lily patch. I worry that she is poisoning the King, taking advantage of both his and James’ compromised states to hold a sway over decisions that will likely see our kingdom lost to that of her own father.”

I spoke confidently now, having been an integral part of the court for all my childhood. Steve knew better than to question my knowledge of how things ran. He also knew that I would be one of the first to notice if anything was awry, be that with the account books or even the numbers of armed men stationed at each watchtower. After the death of his wife the King only had James as an heir, and so, he vowed that in case any ill befall him I would also be trained, so that if required, I could become a successful Queen someday.

“Steve, I do believe wholeheartedly that this is all a set-up and that we have been blindly infiltrated by our enemy. Things aren’t adding up. The number of guards stationed at The Keep has been halved in sized since the King has fallen ill. It leaves the West of the kingdom in a precarious position. One where an attack could easily happen and be kept quiet. I don’t like the look of it, any of it, and something needs to be done before we are conquered, you are killed, and me resigned to a life of slavery and servitude at the hands of the despicable Wyvern family.” My voice broke and a sob tore through me at the thought of losing everything I have left to the family that has already taken so much from me, starting with my mother shortly after I was born.

“Hush my petal. Tears will do nothing to fix this. The King is aware of the situation, however in our absence the Prince has changed, and he has become blinded by his love for ‘his lily’, though I daresay snake would be the better term for that venomous bitch.” A scoff escaped Steve’s lips before he continued. “The reason the King summoned us is because he has seen what fate has befallen James. He has made his bed, albeit a rather uncomfortable bed, and now he will have to lie in it. The King wishes for you to become Queen after his passing. He wants to stop the plans of Maia’s family before their tendrils of poison can run further into our kingdom than they already have. You my love can bring all this to an end, and I believe you would be able to unite the Kingdoms in a peaceful treaty that could last.”

I curled up into Steve’s side placing a chaste kiss to his lips. He returned it with a hunger and passion before carding his fingers through my hair and tracing them along my jaw.

“Please my petal, let me chase away your worries, after all, if you are to be Queen, we shall need to work on producing some heirs.”

A smirk befell his lips before he ducked his head, nipping at my neck, knowing full well that I would cave to his carnal desires.

--------------- Present Day -------------

After having cleaned up the mucky Prince, Steve and I walked with him through the gardens as evening began to draw in. Fireflies filled the air as we made the trek to the rose garden. As a child it had been mine and Bucky’s favourite place to hide, and on more than one occasion hugs and kisses had been exchanged.

Today this garden holds a whole new meaning as at its centre, beneath a beautiful weeping willow, lay James’ grave.

------------- 3 Years Earlier ------------

Before the King’s passing, he ordered his kings-guard to imprison and execute the Princess for treason against the throne. She was hung at The Keep as a warning to her family that they were next. Their years of planning and scheming had come to an abrupt and distasteful end.

What the Wyverns deemed as an unlawful murder incited a full war between our Kingdoms, it saw both Steve and Bucky fighting on the front lines with me at the helm, as Queen. Soon I had treaties signed with other Kingdoms aligning us for generations to come, until the only one stood against the alliance was the Kingdom of the Serpents. The battle of Roseknappe in the Western borders was the bloodiest battle of all. By this time, I was no longer part of frontline action as I was holed up in the castle under the watchful protection of my elite Queens-guard. When news got out that I was with child the Wyverns stopped at nothing to try and kill me or at the least cause me harm enough for my body to rid itself of the heir I now lovingly grew inside of me. But they needn’t have worried.

When I was around 5 months along tragedy struck our kingdom. The arrival of my husband looking grey in pallor, with sunken eyes and covered in injuries was the first sign that something was very wrong. When the two had left to fight they rode off, side by side, settling any grievances they had over the arranged marriages and uniting to fight to save the Kingdom and keep me on the throne. Steve’s return signalled the end of an era and feelings in my gut that had been dormant for years surfaced in cry of grief so great that it silenced the birdsong for days. Although James was not King, he was still a beloved Prince. My first love and the person who would forever hold a piece of my heart.

In my grief-stricken state I had fallen and managed to land with the sharp riser of the marble stairs squarely in my abdomen. The shock I was in meant that I hadn’t noticed the blood that began pooling nor do I remember what happened over the next few weeks as the doctors and healers frantically worked to keep me alive.

“Steve? Steve? Where’s James? I…. I want to see him. I…” I was interrupted by Steve coming over and pulling me tight to his chest.

“Praise to the Old Gods, my petal, are you okay? Are you in any pain?” worry had seeped into his tone and what looked to be a pang of guilt crossed his normally stoic face. “My love, how much do you remember of the last three weeks?”

A confused expression befell my features before Steve decided to continue.

“Oh, my sweet love, James... James isn’t coming back. The fight at Roseknappe, he saved my life by taking the arrow that was meant to pierce my heart, he sacrificed himself because he wanted me to be able to return to you, so I could love you the way he was never allowed to. So that I could raise a family and keep our Kingdom strong. He died in my arms after begging me to pass you on this letter that he wrote, almost as if he knew he wouldn’t make it back from this war.”

Fresh tears began to fall as Steve handed me the bloodied paper.

My dearest Rose,

How I wish things had been different, and that it was I that got to hold you in my arms at the end of the aisle. I begged my father to change his mind, but he wouldn’t budge. I will never forgive myself for the horrid things I said to you when father made you queen. I was poisoned by the words of a traitor and knowing now I hurt the one true love of my life is the reason why I will fight so hard to save you.

If you are reading this it means I am gone my sweet girl. I know that you will grieve me but please, for my sake as much as your own, I want you to love Steve as wholly as you once loved me. I beg of you to take care of yourself and to keep me close as you grow through the years. I am sorry I will not be there to see my little nieces and nephews, but I know that you and Steve will be the most wonderful parents.

That day in the rose garden, after your first dance in front of the court, when I kissed you. I wanted to tell you then just how much I loved you, but I couldn’t do it. It’s almost as if in my heart I knew you would never truly be mine.

I love you my Rose and I will see you in the next life,

Your Prince,

Bucky

xx

4 months later after grieving the loss of the Prince, the Kingdom was celebrating, not just a victory of war and a long lasting treaty of peace, but the birth of their future King.

Prince Charlie James Buchanan Rogers, heir to the throne of Rosehall and Duke of Snowblossom Grove.

----------- Present Day ----------

“…… and that is the story of how your brave Uncle James battled the terrifying Wyverns to protect your mummy.”

I could hear Steve talking with Charlie as I sat on the bench staring blankly at the grave, wishing with every ounce of strength that I could, hoping to gain just one more moment with my soulmate.

“Come Charlie, let’s get you into bed, then tomorrow we can go riding and Papa can show you the waterfall where him and Uncle James decided to scare me into thinking that your Papa had drowned. Really, they just wanted mummy to go swimming with them, but they knew I wouldn’t go unless there was an emergency.”

After settling Charlie into bed, I took a stroll around the halls before heading to my shared chambers. Laying on the bed next to Steve he protectively wrapped his arms around me, as if he could shield me from the pain the world would throw at me.

“I love you Steven Grant Rogers. It may have taken me a while but, I have always cared for you, and I vow to you now that I will love you until my dying breath.”

“I know my petal, as I will love you, and Charlie, and this little one that we have yet to meet, until mine.”

Taglist: (My Humble Peeps)

@missyredbean

[his-pair-of-spare-glasses]

All for you - Ignoct Secret Santa

Dear @recipeh-for-disaster, it’s your Secret Santa here! First of all I wish you a very merry Ignoctmas with much love and neverending ships~ <3

I initially wanted to draw something for you, but from the sketch emerged a story and in the end a story it became. I tried for fluff, it went a bit angsty, but I still I hope you are going to enjoy this little sequence from your personal @ignoctsecretsanta 2017!

You can read it either under the cut or on Ao3!

Title: All for you Rating: General Warnings: / Summary: Before leaving for Altissia Noctis and Ignis talk in the Regalia.

All for you

It was later that day when the Regalia parked before the hill that was leading up to the cliff of Cape Caem and its beacon. The sky was lighting up in vibrant colours, reflecting in the glistening mass of water that spread out at its feet. Gladio jumped out of the car before it had even stopped. He claimed that he just couldn’t sit in that tight space for a second longer, as Ignis reprimanded him to keep his recklessness to a minimum. They couldn’t have His Highness’ sworn shield scuffed before even having made use of it. Iris giggled at their conversation as Prompto helped her get out of the car, while Noctis still pretended to be asleep.

“Oh, come on Noct, wake up! We’re here!” Prompto pinched Noctis’ cheek, only to have his hand slapped away in lazy annoyance by the Crown Prince. “Ouch! Cut it out man!” The blond rubbed his hand with a pout. Gladio rolled his eyes and gently shoved his sister aside to get to the car. “Hey, your Highness. Time to get your princely butt out of there. And I’m sure you don’t want me to help.”

No reaction.

How often had they already experienced situations like this? It should have felt normal by now, but after that long ride everyone’s nerves were a little on edge. Ignis heaved a sigh. Gladio was just about to rip Noctis out of the leather seat when Ignis firmly called out to him.

“It is alright Gladio. I will take care of His Highness. May I ask you in return to already get our luggage to the shed?” The bulky man rolled his eyes theatrically and started picking up things from the trunk instead. “Prompto, I was talking to both of you.” The blond boy, who had started chatting with Iris jerked around his head and let out a sound in protest. Ignis gave him an irritated look. Why did he always have to remind people of what they should be doing and what not? Babbling something about Ignis being no fun, Prompto joined Gladio and both of them started walking up the hill, arms packed with bags and food supplies.

Ignis slid off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Just a few steps away Iris chuckled. “They’ve got it tough on you, huh Iggy?” He let out another sigh before putting his glasses back on. “I think it is mainly due to the travel. They are not much different from usual, but the long driving hours didn’t leave my nerves spared either, I’m afraid.”

“Yeah. Gladdy can get really mopey. I’m really impressed how you always keep being so relaxed.”

“It takes some years of training but I daresay I got the hang of it.” Ignis gave her a smile. “Now then, I will take care of His Highness now. Would you please be so kind to show Gladio and Prompto around? And make sure they put away our luggage decently?”

“Sure! Leave it to me.” Iris waved at him as she chased after the other two, who already had walked up half way.

“Well…” Ignis stretched both of his leather gloved hands with a creak of the fabric and turned around. What he saw made him instantly wish for Prompto’s camera. Noctis was sitting on his usual seat in the Regalia, the one behind the driver. If it was not him driving he was always sitting behind the driver and questioning this was of no use. His head had a slight tilt to the shoulder and his eyes were closed behind his fringe, chest slowly lifting under an even breath. The light of the setting sun painted him in hues of pinks and golds, making him look like a gracious and mystical statuette. Noctis was the core of Ignis’ life and his life looked nothing less than beautiful in this moment. The way the sun reflected on his pale skin and in his pitch-black hair, making it sparkle in colours of the sweet berry wine they had served at the Prince’s coming of age festivities. The way the wind made it sway. The way his lips curved softly under his slender nose. The way he always managed to prop up his chin one hand while asleep.

Ignis had to remind himself to breathe.

“Highness?”

The chamberlain carefully approached the royal car in silence. He was trying to wake the Prince in a much more affective way than then the other two men had tried before. That much he wanted to offer him. But Noctis didn’t move. Of course he wouldn’t. Ignis smiled and huffed out another silent sigh before he bent over from the vacant seat.

“Noct?”

Noctis’ long lashed eyes fluttered open and revealed the most beautiful and deep blue eyes. Ignis felt as if he was being looked at by the night sky itself, gemmed with thousands of tiny golden stars.

“Are they… gone?” The words came out lazily and in a husky voice. Ignis turned his head around quickly, only to confirm that their remaining companions were nowhere to be seen.

“I believe Iris is so kind to keep both Prompto and Gladio busy for a while”, he answered when he strode over to open the door of the Regalia for his prince. Just as the chamberlain was about to pull the handle Noctis let his own hand drop from under his chin and onto Ignis’ leathered knuckles. Ignis could feel the pale and slender fingers tighten their grip just the slightest bit and so he stopped in motion, looking at the man who was sitting right in front of him. Noctis had lowered his head and his night sky eyes were locked onto something invisible at the tip of his shoes. Ignis pulled his brows together in a worried frown.

“Is… something the matter, Noct?”, he asked gingerly. Ignis could make out that Noctis was biting his lip through the black strands of hair that were falling into his face. The grip on his leather gloves tightened. A soft sigh escaped from Ignis’ lips. He stepped closer to the car and set his free hand on top of Noctis’. He had been like that as long as Ignis could remember. Never much of a talkative person. When they had been to the Moogle Carnival in Altissia at the age of eight and ten with the King and his Shield, Noctis would not say a word about what he had wanted to see or where he had wanted to go. But the little tugs on Ignis’ shirt, the soft pulls on his arm and the almost unnoticeable squeezes of those tiny hands had spoken to the bespectacled boy just as any other language would have. And they still used to.

“Noct”, he whispered and knelt down on the side of the car to be able to take better look at his face than only through his bangs. “Look, I am aware that there is something troubling your mind and I assume that it has to do with our departure to Altissia being close? But I’m afraid you might have to tell me once in a while.”

Noctis turned away his face and Ignis could have sworn that it was not only the sunlight that had tinted his cheeks that moment. His hand was yet gripped tighter. “Please?” The black figure in front of him shivered just a bit but put him off as he wanted to offer him his jacket. The prince inhaled deeply and hesitated just a moment.

“Uhm. Can I… Would you mind if…”

Ignis tilted his head in worried anticipation. “Yes?”

Noctis let out a frustrated sound. “Specs, can you just… sit down here for a moment? With me?” He almost tripped over the words as he awkwardly gestured to the vacant leather seat next to him, his face still turned away from his most trusted adviser and friend.

Ignis inclined his head, not taking his eyes away from Noctis’ slumped figure in front of him. “But of course.” He gently squeezed the slender hand between his own before he rounded the Regalia again and sat down on the seat Gladio usually occupied. Their shoulders and knees barely touched but he could feel the familiar warmth of their bodies radiating against each other under the slowly cooling evening sky. Noctis’ eyes were still glued to his feet, his jaw clenched. Ignis wasn’t sure if he should speak up but after some silent moments had passed the prince still didn’t show any inclination to either speak or move. This was really unusual. It had to be something important then because they always talked about everything. With a concerned look on his face Ignis reached out and softly placed his hand on Noctis’ shoulder. The younger man unexpectedly winced and yanked his head in his direction. Ignis carefully withdrew his hand again and shot him a sorrowful look. Two blue spheres wide with panic were directed at him.

“Noct, I ah…” He had to turn away his gaze to not lose his composure. He cleared his throat. “Apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude.” Confused by the mismatch of what Noctis had asked of him before and how he had behaved just now Ignis felt like he might best take his leave. He didn’t want to make the prince uncomfortable by his presence or anything he did. This was not the point in this. Ignis wanted to make him feel at ease. “I should be starting the preparations for dinner. Please make sure to join us whenever you’re ready, Your Highness.” He was just turning his legs towards the backseat door, when Noctis abruptly grabbed his wrist.

“Ignis, don’t…!” His voice was urgent and Ignis could feel his hand was trembling. “Please Ignis, don’t leave me…”

The panic was all too visible on Noctis’ face and Ignis inhaled a sharp breath. It made him uneasy to see him like this. “I was only about to take a look at our accommodations, Your Highness”, he assured with a soft voice as he turned himself towards the prince again.

“That’s not what I meant!” Noctis’ other hand grabbed the button border of Ignis’ shirt. “And cut out the formalities, dammit!” His black hair rustled in movement as he heavily shook his head and flung himself fully into the arms of his adviser, burying his face in his chest. Ignis froze in place, startled by the sudden and unexpected movement towards him.

“Noct, I—“

“No Specs, don’t! Don’t say anything!” Noctis’ voice was nothing more than a muffled sob, the warmth of his breath against Ignis’ neck. The chamberlain carefully lowered his arms and gently wrapped them around his Prince’s shoulders, pulling him closer in a gentle hug.

“Well… I suggest that you let it out then?” He let his hand softly move over his upper back in circular motion.

After a moment Noctis slid both of his arms behind Ignis’ back and clenched them around his waist, wriggling his face only deeper in his broad shoulder before he started to speak in a low and broken voice.

“I can’t do this. Specs I… I just can’t do this.” Noctis let out a strangled gasp.

“Ssh, it’s quite alright. I can imagine the whole situation to be very overwhelming.”

“No, Ignis no! Believe me, you have no idea. All this—this whole mess we’ve been going through? Being sent away from Insomnia only to have it completely wrecked the next day out of the blue? Only to get to know that this was a lost game all along, that my… That my father knew of all this. That he sent me away, didn’t even give me a chance to fight by his side. That I will never even get the chance to ask him why. It makes me feel so worthless. I… I could have protected him, I wouldn’t… Maybe I…” His breath hitched. “Maybe I wouldn’t have lost him. Gods…”

Ignis stilled his circling hand and brought it up to caress Noctis hair at the back of his head. The prince was dry sobbing and trembling under his touch.

“And now… Now we’re setting off for Altissia, where I will have to marry Luna. Luna! Because of some political issues I didn’t even get the chance to know about before. I never wanted that! And I never wanted Luna to! She… I… I wished for her to be happy, to live a happy life and to marry in love. Not something like… this. Not someone like me. I will never… I will never make her happy. And I know it will never make me happy.”

Noctis’ hands shifted and his fingers dug into the thin fabric of Ignis’ shirt, right under his jacket. Ignis felt a faint sting on several spots on his back but he didn’t mind.

“Look, Noct.” He swallowed and gently ruffled the black hair. “The wedding is something neither of you expected so it is only natural to feel unsure about it. Maybe reluctant even.” Just the way he himself had felt when he had first heard of the engagement. Ignis had wanted to fight the words of his King, yet he knew that it was beyond his range and capabilities. Even if it had been crystal clear that he would never be that close to the Crown Prince of Lucis the way he wanted to, it felt as if the wedding was ripping him away and throw him into an entirely different dimension. It had taken time to sink in and time to process until Ignis had been able to accept the fact. He knew that he would never have Noct but he was determined to stand by him, make him as happy as he in his position possibly could and cherish the time they were allowed together. Noctis Lucis Caelum was his life and he wanted this life to always be at its best. He would fully devote himself, all too well knowing that he eventually would have to let him go. Ignis minutely shook his head. The thoughts had been wandering off and he had to force himself back out of his memories and away from the urge to just run off with the man in his arms.

“What I mean is, that you certainly will grow accustomed to it in time. And I am sure happiness comes with that time.” It was not what his heart wanted him to tell but what his head needed him to.

Suddenly Noctis pulled at the back of Ignis’ shirt, having the latter lose his balance. Ignis had to free his hand from the dark locks to keep himself upright. Black eyebrows were tilted upwards in despair and framed the pair of night sky eyes, rimmed with tears. The pale skin on his cheeks looked flushed – Ignis couldn’t tell if it was due to agitation or the lighting. It made his heart throb painfully in his chest.

“No. No…” Noctis’ voice was merely a whisper. “You… you don’t understand. Don’t you see? As soon as I choose her… as soon as I marry Luna, I…” He bit his lip and swallowed hard. “As soon as I’m with her, I will lose you.”

Ignis was completely put off his stride. He blinked fast and readjusted his glasses. His mind was spinning. “Ah, I… I’m afraid I really don’t quite understand.”

Noctis let go of his adviser’s shirt and locked his hands on the lapel of his leathern blazer instead. He took a shaky breath. “When I’m with Luna, this means we’re married.”

“Yes?”

“And, when we’re married, we’re supposed to share the same bed.”

Ignis nodded slowly. “Yes? I still don’t see what this has to—“

“And this means I will be no longer staying close to you, dammit Ignis!”

Oh… Ignis’ green eyes widened in understanding. From the day they had left Insomnia they had been sleeping side by side. No, not merely side by side. Since Noctis had started to experience those severe headache attacks, he had adopted the habit of falling asleep in Ignis’ arms, just the way he had when they had still been children and Ignis had to shield his Prince from another nightmare. Ignis had never questioned it. He had been comfortable with Noctis’ warmth against his own and had allowed himself to indulge in the moment. It always had felt like he was protecting him. Naturally they would have ended up side by side, curled into another when they slept in hotels too.

Ignis sat up straight again, laying down his hand on Noctis’ shoulder and squeezing it just a little. How come he hadn’t realised that he was apparently not the only one, for whom this had had a special meaning on their journey? Only one of so many things… He forced a smile onto his lips and looked straight into Noctis’ eyes. He had to deescalate this and calm him down or this was going to end in a disaster. He could not let this happen, by all means. He was his steadiness.

“Now, now. I’m inclined to think that this would not change anything in our… relation. You will have to bear with me I fear, married or not. I am your adviser after all and I won’t be going anywhere.” It’s all for Noct, always for Noct. Ignis repeated this countless times in his head, hoping to convince himself at some point.

“My adviser?” Noctis huffed out a panicked laugh. “Do you mean all of this means nothing to you? Are you trying to tell me all of your caring was part of your job, right from the beginning?”

Although his mind kept telling him to stay composed, Ignis’ heart was now drowning that inner voice. He answered in a firm and sincere tone. “Noct, I swear to the Gods that nothing else in the world has ever meant more to me. I…” He hesitated a moment but continued anyways. He couldn’t silence himself any longer. “I want you to know that you are the only thing that matters to me and that this… circumstance is most unrelated to my job.”

Ignis could have cursed himself for saying this aloud but now it was done and part of him was glad that he did. When he locked his green and affectionate eyes with the royal blue he had to fight back tears himself.

“But… but this means…” Noctis stammered around, softening the grip on Ignis’ blazer, tears glistening in his eyes. He slowly shook his head to let this sink in.

“Why wouldn’t you tell me?” Ignis only pursed his lips.

“Six, Ignis! You’ve been there for me all along and I could talk to you about everything. I am… scared when you’re not around. I feel helpless and alone and… I can never make it without you by my side! Please, don’t make me do this! I want to stay with you, the way it has always been. I need you! Ignis, I lo—“

Ignis stopped Noctis from talking any further by quickly pressing his gloved palm on his lips. He closed his eyes and inclined his head, a defeated but darling smile adorning his face. “Some things are not meant to be said out aloud”, Ignis reprimanded him gently. “Some things are meant to be kept in your heart and never to be let out. As giving them words and names dissolves the moment’s magic.”

When he lifted his head again a single tear rolled down his cheek.

“I only wish I could do more for you, Noct”, he whispered and closed the distance between them to press a firm kiss onto the palm that was separating their lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Now look at that. Telling us stuff about how he’ll take care of our princess, and there they still are. I thought Iggy was more reliable”, Gladio snorted. He had come back to the Regalia with Prompto and Iris to check on what took both of them so long. And because Prompto was whining about being hungry.

Iris chuckled. “I think they’re kind of cute together. Any chance you could still call off the wedding?”

“We’d have to ask Lady Lunafreya about that. Maybe she’ll just say yes if we show her a picture”, Prompto grinned and pulled out his camera.

“His Highness will get sulky, if you take that one.”

“Naaaw, come on, don’t be that way! I love the lighting! And besiiides, we don’t have to tell them at all”, the blond giggled and snapped away to his hearts content.

The photo Prompto took that day would turn out to be Noctis’ favourite picture a few years later. A picture he decided to take with him in the inner pocket of his vest, close to his heart. It was just both of them, him and Ignis, fast asleep and cuddled together on the backseat of the unmarred and shiny Regalia. Ignis had protectively flung his arms around the smaller man’s body, one hand around his waist, the other in his hair. Noctis had both of his hands crossed over Ignis’ broad shoulders, his head buried in the crook of his neck. The whole scene was painted in warm tones, as the sun sent her last rays of light before the night fell and she had a long time preparing for a new dawn.

The dawn he would now bring. It was all for Ignis. Always Ignis.

[sevralships]

“Just Because You Can” Part 3 of 7, Chapters 9-11

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7 FIN]

The Pines triplets, Mabel, Dipper, and Jolene, have always been best friends. But lately, there’s been some distance growing between the Mystery Kids, due in part to the forbidden feelings with which they are each struggling. How will they manage to see eye to eye, when torn between wanting each other and craving adventure?

(This is a new AU that I’ve been calling Jolene AU, devised by myself and @handleonthescandal​ after one of us asked the question “What if Mabel and Dipper were triplets but with another sister?”. Although this AU is similar, it is not connected to Double Dippin’ AU, and Jolene is in no way connected to Tyrone.)

Shoutout to @sirwaddlesesquire for being the trustiest squire and an insightful, helpful, and supportive beta.

Mostly SFW, mostly angst with some action/adventure and a little bit of fluff, tw incest

Fic under the cut, enjoy!

Chapter 9: Operation Tessie

Friday had felt like it would never end, so great was Dipper’s anticipation for Operation Tessie. But finally, as he knew it would, the day had come. He and Jo had risen early, eaten breakfast, grabbed the packs they had prepared the night before, and backed the Chariot out of the driveway before the sun (or the rest of their family) had stirred from their rest. Dipper had lost the race to the car, as usual, because despite his significantly longer legs, Jolene had the advantage of being a cheater. That meant he had been the one sitting behind the wheel as the sky lightened to a milky hue.

In contrast to their daily drive to school, they hadn’t played any music on the drive. There was something sacred about the pale quiet morning that neither of them wanted to disturb. Jo had sat in the passenger seat, turning the waterproof camera they’d pooled cash for last year absentmindedly in her lap. They had spoken little, both silently prepping for the adventure ahead.

The sun was high in the sky now, shining bright and hot on the woods. Dipper was grateful for the shade of the trees, but still found sweat wetting the back and underarms of his tee shirt. They’d parked the station wagon on the little gravel lot by the trailhead for Cave Rock. Cave Rock was a large natural rock formation on the southeastern shore of Lake Tahoe. The hike to the top was short, easy, and popular. The trips had done it with dad once years ago, and in a photo album somewhere, was a picture of the three of them grinning wide photo-ready smiles with the tableau of the lake behind them. Dipper smiled inwardly to himself thinking of it. He’d stood in the middle of his two sisters, as he customarily did for pictures, wearing the electric blue Monstermon tee shirt that had been brand new and treasured at the time. He still had it in the back of his tee shirt drawer, though it was much to small and worn thin, the decal faded and cracked, in some places peeled off completely. Mabel had been on his right, an explosion of gleeful little girliness. She’d insisted on wearing a cotton candy pink tutu over her jeans, and their parents had allowed it, already knowing better than to stand between Mabel and her overzealous fashion choices. Her hair was pulled into pigtails on either side of her head and she was smiling that signature huge Mabel smile, showing off her uneven pre-braces teeth, eyes directed mischievously at the bunny ears she held poised over Dipper’s head. Jo had stood to Dipper’s left, her shorts revealing scabby knees and bandaids on her shins, battle scars from climbing the knotted branches of the Dogwood tree in their backyard. Her auburn hair, worn longer then than it was now, was fluffing out of a single french braid Mabel had done for her in the car. Jolene wasn’t looking at the camera, though. Although she had a smile obediently plastered on her face, her head was turned so that the photo captured her profile. Her right arm was looped loosely around her brother’s waist, but her left hand shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun, casting a shadow over her face as she looked out of the picture’s borders into the distance, impatient to go back to exploring.

They weren’t doing the hike to the summit of Cave Rock today, though. They had come in the entrance of that trail, but instead of following the white blazes that marked the ascent to the top, they had broken away to make their way toward the water. It was tough going some of the way, when game trails petered off and they had to bushwhack their way through underbrush and tread carefully on uneven ground. They had worn their swimsuits underneath their clothes, in case the need to go in the water should arise, and as the day got hotter and hotter the prospect of swimming was sounding more and more appealing to Dipper. It’s early enough in the season that the water will be really cold, Dipper noted, Cold sounds pretty damn good right now.

“Are we theeeeere yet?” Jo whined sarcastically, although Dip could hear a tinge of very real impatience in her voice.

“If my estimate’s correct, we oughta get down to water level in the next ten minutes or so,” Dipper replied. He squinted through the trees at the unmistakable glint of the sun on the water’s surface.

“Sir, yes, sir,” Jo said with a stiff salute, “If that’s what your calculations deduced I daresay that hypothesis is sound.”

“Ya know, if you didn’t want an answer, you could have tried not asking me every three minutes,” Dipper pointed out.

“But Bro-tective,” Jo said with a falsely sweet smile, “Your hypotheses are always so exciting.”

Dipper rolled his eyes but smiled. Jo was totally in her element. She never shone as brilliantly as when she was in her hiking boots, traipsing through the woods, hot on the trail of one mystery or other. Like a plant, she wilted indoors but flourished and brightened in the presence of sun and fresh air. She was moving at a brisk pace, taking in her surroundings happily, her focus never wavering from Tessie awaiting them somewhere ahead. She walked ahead of Dipper and the life jacket attached to her pack swung a little from side to side with each step, in unison with her short, springy ponytail. It was all Dipper could do to train his eyes on the orange life jacket and try to keep them from gravitating down to her round bottom.

Jo asked how long it would be twice more before they reached the rocky shoreline. It was common lore that Tessie lived in a subterranean cave beneath Cave Rock and they’d agreed to start their search with that. The leaves and soil gave way to pebbles and flat fragmented stretches of stone underfoot.

“Fiiiinally!” Jo exclaimed, spreading her arms and giving one grateful spin before picking up the pace and rushing ahead.

“Wait, Jo-jo!” Dipper called, speeding up to follow her, “Let’s review the plan.”

Jolene gave a prolonged groan, but stopped and turned to face him. She crossed her arms impatiently and pinned him with an unrelenting green gaze. God, her eyes are amazing out here, the sight of them always struck Dipper when they were out amongst the trees like this, “Fine, fine,” she said, “Tell me the plan again.”

“I don’t like your tone, young lady,” Dipper said, in his spot-on impersonation of dad.

“Ew, no,” Jo said, covering her ears, “Uncle! Uncle!  I’ll listen to the plan. Just please don’t do the dad voice, it’s so skeevyyy!”

Dipper grinned at her dismay and retrieved the typed out plan from the pocket of his swim trunks. He unfolded it and said, “Let’s see… m’kay, we already completed steps 1A through 3C,” he nibbled his lip in lieu of a pen, “Whiiiich brings us to 4A.”

“...which is?” Jo prompted in a bored tone.

“ ‘Upon reaching the shoreline,’ ” Dipper read, “ ‘Assess the presence of any cave openings or irregularities at the base of Cave Rock.’ ”

“No, duh,” Jo grumbled, turning on her heel to do just that.

“It goes on to state the following,” Dipper continued, “ ‘4B1, In the case of no openings or irregularities apparent, fan out in either direction to assess the nearby shore.’ or ‘4B2, In the case of apparent openings and/or irregularities, screen for evidence of preternatural presence (i.e. shed scales, ectoplasm, tracks, or other byproducts of the extra-ordinary).’ ”

“Cool beans, boss,” Jo said, shooting Dip finger-guns, “Or, in layman’s terms, look around for weird stuff.”

Dipper gave a long-suffering sigh, “Yes. Look around for weird stuff.” A companionable silence fell between the two of them as they moved forward, taking in their surroundings carefully in search of ‘weird stuff’.

Chapter 10: Operation Tessie, Cont’d

Jolene’s body thrummed with the purpose of adventure. She could practically smell Tessie nearby. The banks near the base of Cave Rock were stony and precarious, so, though her mind pushed her to leap into action, she had to proceed with care. Dipper moved along the base of the rock face in one direction while Jo took the other. The anticipation and promise of something, anything, hung too heavy in the air to leave room for errant conversation. She moved along, keeping her eyes peeled for any ‘opening and/or irregularity’.

“Jo-jo! Over here!” Dipper called behind her. He was about twenty feet away but she was beside him in an instant. Before she could ask or he could explain, she saw what he’d seen. There was a small inlet of the lake, no more than six feet across. It looked unremarkable enough, but it was worth further investigation. Jo dropped her pack on the ground and set about unlacing her boots. Dipper stared at her, “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing, brainiac?” she asked, without looking up, peeling off a sock and stuffing it into her shoe, “I’m going swimming.”

“4B2, Jo, we’re looking for evidence of the preternatural,” Dipper reminded her, sounding miffed.

To hell with 4B2, I ain’t gettin’ any younger here, the voice of adventure complained in Jo’s head, “Yeah, that’s what I’m doin’, Dip-man,” she said, trying to appease him, as she shucked the sock from her other foot and stood in her bare feet on the pebbles, cool in the shade of Cave Rock.

“C’mon, Jo,” Dipper said, his voice taking on some of its old squeakiness as Jolene undid her fly and wiggled out of her jeans, “Can’t you just follow the plan we agreed on?”

“Dipper, Jesus, I already told you I am!” Jo said as she pulled her sweaty tee shirt off over her head. The muscles in her brother’s jaw were tight, his gaze darkening now that she stood in front of him in just her teal one-piece bathing suit, “I’m looking for ‘evidence of the preternatural’ down there, in the ‘opening or irregularity’!” I love him, but I’m not letting his reticent bullshit stand between me and Tessie, Jo thought fiercely, as she nudged Dipper out of her way, and jumped unceremoniously into the water.

“Jo!” Dipper called uselessly as his sister’s head disappeared under the water with a splash, “...your life jacket.” He said, effectively to himself, for all the good it did.

Jo kept her eyes open, true to her word that she was looking for evidence. The water was cold, but no colder than she’d expected. She was pleasantly surprised that the water was deeper in the inlet that it had appeared. It had only looked about seven feet deep, but it was never easy to tell with naturally occurring bodies of water like this one. In fact, it was much deeper than that, at least fifteen feet. And beautiful. It was another world. The rocky basin of the lake was worn smooth from thousands of years of gentle currents, and slick and lush everywhere with dark green aquatic vegetation. The muffling effect of water pressure was a welcome otherworldly silence in her ears. The sunlight penetrated the surface and filtered through the lazy waves in slowly-rippling lines of green-blue.

Jo propelled herself forward with one smooth breaststroke and had to resist the instinct to gasp at the sight before her. There was a roughly round opening in the bedrock in front of her. The top of the opening was mere inches below the surface of the water. Desperate to see more before her breath ran out, Jo kicked her legs and pushed herself forward with her arms until she was at the mouth of the opening. It was just under four feet across at its widest part and dark within. Jolene’s heart was racing, wishing with all her heart she could breathe underwater, not wanting to waste time surfacing, knowing Dipper would waste more of her time with his stupid plan. But she could hold her breath no longer.

In the time Jolene had been submerged, Dipper had irritably stripped off his clothes and was securing his life jacket on. Jo’s head broke the surface, gulping deep breaths of air. Before Dipper could get a word in, Jo’s eyes found his. Oh no, he thought, seeing the familiar light of chaotic zeal in her eyes. It was the look his sister got whenever she was on the brink of adventure, when she was feeling alive in the face of danger. She gave him a slightly crazed grin, and said simply, “Cave!”

“Jo, you need your life jack--”

“Did you hear me, Dip-man?!” Jo cut him off, “I found a cave!”

“Okay, but--”

“No, Dip!” She snapped, scrambling out of the water and unfastening her pack, “Fuck the life jacket! I need a flashlight and the camera!”

Dipper wanted to insist, he wanted to yell at her, to convince her, but his voice died in his throat at the sight of her. Her bathing suit was soaked, and clung to every inch of her body. He could see the small nubs of her nipples, hardening under her suit as the air cooled against her. She bent over to rifle through the contents of her pack, and he was presented with the sight of the wet fabric snug against her rear. He swallowed hard as his gaze followed the cleft of her ass down between her legs, where it became a cleft of an entirely different nature. He could clearly see the shape of her lips and watched, transfixed, as a drop of water gathered and fell from them, distantly aware of his stiffening erection.

Jo had only one thing on her mind and it was getting into that cave. She retrieved the underwater flashlight and the camera in no time and turned back to the water without giving Dipper a second glance. “Oh, fuck it,” she heard him mumble behind her and a splash a second later. She looked over her shoulder to see his head emerging from the water, shaking the water from his hair like a dog. He had ditched his life jacket next to hers.

“Good of you to join me,” she teased, “The cave’s right in front of us, and the mouth is big enough for us to fit through.” She took a deep breath and dove back under without further explanation. Dipper cursed to himself again before following her lead.

She had switched on the flashlight and he instantly saw the cave she had been describing. He swam forward until he was beside her, studying the slippery walls of the cave entrance. His eyes widened at the sight of something by his right shin. He bent fluidly in the water to retrieve it and held it up for Jo to see with him. Sure enough, it was exactly what he’d thought. A scale. It was about an inch or two larger than the palm of his hand, and unmistakable. It was hard to tell the color underwater, but it shone with an indifferent iridescence. He slipped it into the pocket of his suit and Jo smiled at him, keeping her lips shut, and offered a fist bump.

As he reciprocated, a rush of murky-smelling water came from within the cave, and Jolene and Dipper retreated in opposite directions, each laying their back against the stone to either side of the cave. With the suddenness of a train flashing by in a subway station, something large and dark flew out of the hole in the rock. Tessie! Jo and Dipper exchanged a millisecond-long look of disbelief before each kicking off of the stone and swimming to catch up with the object of their search.

With the beam of the flashlight directed at her and her trajectory leading her into the better lit openness of the lake, the creature looked to be about thirty feet in length. Description of her had varied anywhere from snake to seal to dolphin. Dipper had not gotten a good look at her head, but her body was most like that of a salamander. Long, supple, and soft with four webbed feet and a tail. She moved by a combination of wriggling like a snake and paddling like a salamander. She moved at a neat pace, but it was not hard to keep up with her. She was a beautiful black, shining cobalt and green like the plumage of a Grackle.

Dipper had been so taken with the sight of her, that he had stopped watching for Jolene. He looked around now, panic-stricken. In his mind suddenly vivid fears were bursting like flashbulbs, of bubbles streaming from Jo’s drowning mouth, of her soft body dashed against the rocks. A flash of pale skin alerted him to her location and he swore at her loudly in his head. She was just beside Tessie’s head, flashlight tucked between her body and her elbow, holding the camera up and desperately snapping pictures. Instinct to protect his sister overwhelmed instinct to protect himself and Dipper cried out for her, water rushing immediately into his mouth and lungs.

Jo didn’t hear him and didn’t realize at first what happened, but Tessie’s ears, more sensitive than theirs to the vibrations in her waters, whirled around at once, her fleshy tail colliding with Dipper’s side and flinging him through the water.

Jo’s thirst for proof was intoxicating, maddening, clouding her senses. Tessie was right there. But this wasn’t just about Tessie, it was about all the past adventures she had missed, all the future adventures that victory could open the door to. Tessie twisted again in the water and presented Jolene with a perfect composition, revealing her entire form, the details of her face and color of her scales revealed by a shaft of watery light. Jo mashed the button on the camera without ceasing until Tessie had swam swiftly away.

With Tessie’s retreat, sense began to return to Jolene. Her lungs were on fire, screaming for air. And a rush of shameful adrenaline shot through her when her mind landed on Dipper, and she swam as hard as she could in the direction Tessie had thrown him.

Chapter 11: Homeward

Despite the success of their journey, Jo and Dipper did not speak much on the ride home. A shamefaced Jolene had offered to drive and Dipper had shrugged silently and climbed into the passenger seat. It was uncomfortable sitting in their wet bathing suits, but neither of them complained. It didn’t matter.

Dipper fumed quietly as Jo drove. This shit is exactly why we need a plan, he repeated to himself for the hundredth time, we cannot do things that way. They had been lucky this time. When Tessie had struck him, she had pushed him back into the inlet where they’d jumped in. Fortunately, he hadn’t been too out of it to recognize his surroundings and had managed to crawl out of the lake, hacking up the water in his lungs and trying to get his bearings. Jo did not follow for a few minutes, and Dipper had spent those minutes in a complete panic. Before his breathing had even returned to its normal rhythm, an anxiety attack was upon him. He was convinced that Jo was dead, that she’d died on his watch, that he’d led her to a watery grave.

I knew, he had chastised himself, I saw the signs. She was acting crazy, stupid, she was going to get herself killed. A toxic self-loathing bubbled in his chest. When she came out of the water, he should have stopped her. Should have made her see, should have forced her to see reason. But you were too busy checking her out, you sicko. The sight of her wet bathing suit snug against her skin was vivid in his mind and it doused him in shame. You were too busy ogling your sister to protect her. Not fucking cool, man. That is your only and most important job.

When she had popped out of the water, gasping for air and calling his name, his anxiety had transformed instantly into anger. It’s not my fault, he realized, the situation coming clear in his mind, it’s her fault. She put us both in harm’s way! A thought had popped into his head, suddenly, uninvited, of Mabel at home. They’d left that morning while she’d been asleep, hadn’t said goodbye, and with the reckless dangerous bullshit that Jo just pulled, it’s a miracle we’re both going home. Anger and guilt and sadness tore at the inside of his ribs, at the thought of Mabel up all night, worrying why her two best friends hadn’t come home, hadn’t called, hadn’t even hugged her goodbye or said where they were going.

Jo’s impulsiveness had gotten them in trouble plenty of times before. And it was bad enough that Jo had almost gotten him killed, could have gotten herself killed, but she would’ve broken Mabel’s heart, without even caring. That, Dip couldn’t forgive.

You’re such a piece of shit. You’re such a piece of shit. You’re such a piece of shit. The mantra in Jolene’s head had hardly let up since Tessie had swam away. In an oxygen-deprived frenzy, she had scoured the area for her brother’s inert form before admitting she couldn’t help him if she let herself drown. When she’d come up for air, she’d found him sitting on the stony bank with a stormy look on his face. Dipper didn’t anger easily, but when he did, he made no effort to hide it. They’d dressed and hiked back to the car without saying more than ten words to each other, and even less since they’d been on the road.

A sharp, sorry feeling gnawed at Jo’s insides. She had gotten so caught up in Tessie, in the proximity of victory, in the thrill of the chase, she’d practically forgotten Dipper was there. She’d felt so invincible, she’d forgotten that she wasn’t. She’d forgotten that he wasn’t either. You are such an unbelievable piece of shit, she told herself again. Yes, they’d both wanted this, but she had acted like an idiot. I should maybe have paid a little more attention to the plan.

“Learn to follow a plan,” Dipper said, as if he’d read her mind, his voice dangerously quiet, “Learn to follow a plan, or this is the last adventure I go on with you.”

“Okay,” Jo said, her voice whistling out of her pathetically.

“I’m serious,” Dipper said, leaning his head against the headrest and shutting his eyes, “No more ditching a plan the minute you find a clue. No more unnecessary risk.” he sighed, “It seems like I can’t keep you from trying to get yourself killed, but you’re not going to get us both killed.” She saw him grimace out the corner of her eye, “I’m not doing that to Mabes.”

Jolene had thought she felt bad before, but those words hit her like a truck. You’re a reeeeeal piece of shit, Jolene Pines, the voice in her head insisted, You love your sister enough to watch her change and jack off to her, but not enough to consider how much you could be breaking her heart. Way to fucking go. The tears were rolling silently down her cheeks before she even realized they were in her eyes, “I’m sorry, Dipper,” she said softly.

“Just don’t pull this shit again,” he said simply. They were both quiet for a moment, stewing in their private guilt, before Dipper asked tentatively, “Did you… did you get a good shot?”

Jo shook her head, “I’m not sure. I think so, but I, uh, I haven’t looked.”

Dipper reached into the backseat and fumbled around for the camera. He turned it on and used the preview feature to flip through the photos Jo had taken, “Wow,” he said softly.

“Wow good or wow bad?”

“Wow good, Jo,” Dipper said, a hint of excitement rising in his voice, “Wow very fucking good.”

A few minutes later, Jo pulled the Mystery Machine into their driveway. Her heart twinged with relief at being home, and guilt that she was almost the reason they didn’t make it home. Too exhausted and excited to worry about it, they left their packs in the backseat and went inside with only the camera. No sooner than they opened the door than they were greeted by the smell of food cooking and Mabel’s voice, “Jo-jo? Dip? Is that you guys?”

“Yeah,” Dipper called, with a somewhat bashful smile, “It’s us, c’mere!”

Mabel came tearing into the room from the kitchen, the smell of some feast clinging to her and making their stomachs grumble. As if she wasn’t irresistible enough, Dipper thought, breathing the aroma in deep, such a welcome change from the murky lake smell that clung to himself and Jo. She explained that she was making dinner for all of them. Mom and dad had gone out (something they’d been doing a lot, trying to ‘rekindle the spark’ or something) and she figured they’d have worked up at appetite with all that mystery-hunting. Both Dipper and Jo felt the guilt clamp down a little harder on their hearts, imagining Mabel waiting at home with a full supper getting cold on the table, laid out for siblings that weren’t coming back.

However, they pushed the feeling aside and mustered the appropriate enthusiasm to show her the best photos of Tessie and the scale they’d swiped from the entrance to her cave. Mabel bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet and hugged them and congratulated them, assuring them that they were ‘totes gonna win’. After a few minutes of jubilation, Dipper and Jo excused themselves to get cleaned up before the food was ready.

Mabel walked back into the kitchen and let her excited facade fall. She covered her face with her hands and took deep steadying breaths, trying with all her might not to cry. They match, she told herself brokenly, They come in all sunburned and exhausted and stinky and I’m here like a dumb housewife, putting dinner on the table. But why would they care about that? She sniffled, taking her hands from her face to stir one of the pots on the stove, Why would they want this when they could have someone brave and smart like them? They’d both glowed with the same weary pride as they showed her the proof they’d brought back, and there was only room for two in that pool of light. Whatever it was that had happened to the two of them out there in Tahoe today was just another thing between them of which she could never be a part.

Continue to Part 4