#but I would simply die if I couldn’t keep my hair a rainbow of colours

[general-gt]

I’d be so annoying as a borrower because I’m constantly dying my hair different colours and if anyone thinks being 4 inches tall would stop me, think again.

[thesunicarusfellfor]

My beloved! I do not know if you watched the recent lore stream ( if you haven't please! Watch it before answering my ask! ) I was wondering if you could do something with eret and foolish where instead of foolish dying it's the reader? And the reader is on her last life after she died from badboyhalo? Just some angst ( please I wanna cry out my feelings after this stream omg- and plus your my favorite writer so yea :p)

Have an amazing day! <3

-Moosh

BELOVED! EEEEEEE I'VE BEEN WANTING TO WRITE ERET FOR SOOOOO LOOOOONG YOU HAVE NO IDEA. I'm just going to make it an Eret x Reader because I don't know Foolish's character too well if that's okay?

(ALso, you will make me cry from all these compliments, please ;^;)

I actually am adding onto this because I want to make a hybrid reader for once, hope you don't mind! ^^

SPOILERS FOR THE RED BANQUET AND MULTIPLE PRONOUNS USED FOR ERET

My Monarch (C!Eret x GN!Butterfly Hyrbid!Reader)

You giggled softly, your beautiful paper-thin wings flitting behind you as you hopped around Eret's room while he got his newly tailored red cloak chained together, "My goodness, monarch, you're going to waste up all your energy before the party even begins!" He laughed at your reddened cheeks while he put his crown on top of his neatly styled hair, putting his sunglasses on shortly after, "How do I look?"

"Like a true queen!" You chirped, adjusting your outfit in the mirror beside your lover before frowning and taking the glasses away from her, "Ah, ah, nope. If I'm having my wings out of my cloak, you aren't wearing your sunglasses, darling, we've been over this."

The royal huffed and gave a small pout but didn't argue much on the matter, as they did, in fact, practically beg you to keep your wings out for display for the banquet. With a small chuckle, they reached over and picked up your crown that was decorated with rainbows of jewels, placing it on your styled (h/l) (h/c) hair, being mindful of your antennae, "There... There's my monarch."

You blushed slightly at the nickname and gave a small giggle as you took his hand, "Come on, let's get going, Bad will get impatient if we're late." Eret gave a nod with a smile, leading you towards the door and out of his castle.

The two of you were happily chatting with each other as you travelled to the stairway that led underground, happily saying hellos to your 'mama' Puffy, who gave you typical motherly affection, ie: smooshing your cheeks as she gave you a light headbutt while calling you every motherly compliment in the book, and anyone else that was also invited to the Banquet. When you arrived, you took a sharp breath as you saw the room filled with red vines crawling and writhing everywhere, it sickened you... But, this was about Bad apologizing, and you supposed that you could put your discomfort off to the side for just a little bit.

Eret, being the gentleman she was, pulled out your chair for you and gestured for you to sit down, smiling softly as you gave her a kiss on the cheek and sat down in the chair. She pushed you in and sat in the chair to your left, Puffy on your right, gently taking your hand once she was tucked into the table.

You were so anxious that you could barely focus on the speech Bad was giving, until your ears and antennae picked up the sound and scent of running lava which successfully shook you out of your thoughts, but before you could mention anything to Eret, you heard a chuckle.

"Now, prepare to die."

There was a chorus of gasps that tore from everyone's mouths as the sound of lava got louder. You lifted your head from staring at the red soup in the bowl in front of you and looked around in horror as you saw lava blocking the exits. You felt Eret tighten their grip on your hand, but by then your heart was already racing in fear and your wings were shifting around nervously.

"Oh my god!"

"We've been walled in!"

"After all that?!"

Bad tossed his empty glass bottle to the side, causing it to shatter on the ground below and get greedily grabbed at by the red vines, "Well uh, that's right."

"Bad, what about turning over this leaf?!" Captain Puffy snapped, slamming her mostly empty bottle of water down on the table as she stood up.

The nine-foot-tall demon seemed to nonchalantly brush off her outburst and shook his head lamely, "No, the leaf is staying the way it is." He sat up properly in his chair and rested his elbows on the warped wooden table to hold his chin in his hands.

"Is... There any way out?" You asked aloud, quickly spinning around, looking for any gap that you could possibly fly through. Eret quickly wrapped his arm around you, his white eyes wide with slight hints of fear that he was used to hiding with his glasses.

"No! There's literally no way out!" Fundy cried out, restlessly shuffling and running around, trying to find anything everyone could use to escape.

HBomb gave a small shriek of pain as he burned his hand on the lava, "It is real lava! It is real lava!" He gasped out as Puffy quickly made him shove his hand into the bowl of beat soup. Bad calmly walked over and gave him a glimmering gold apple with a sickly sweet smile.

"You should try not to die yet, HBomb." He chuckled softly as he returned to his seat once the man eagerly bit into the potion soaked fruit, desperate to get rid of the burning sensation.

Puffy took a few deep breaths and held out her arms, trying to get everyone to stop freaking out completely, "We're fine, we're fine, we're fine! I- I didn't trust you, Bad, I didn't trust you at all. I didn't trust Antfrost. I knew! I knew something was up, it's unfortunate to say I can't trust either one of you... Because... I planned this..."

She eagerly ripped off the red silken table cloth to reveal a chest buried in the table, spilling drinks and soup everywhere for the vines to eagerly writhe towards, "Oh?! What?!" Bad gasped, his mouth parting in shock... Before it fell bad into a devious smile as Puffy gave a cry of confusion, finding the chest completely empty, "Oh? Were you... Looking for this, perchance?"

Bad equipped diamond enchanted armour and held up an enchanted diamond sword that glimmered in the light of the lava, Ant, Ponk... And Hannah... Doing the same, "Sorry Puffy. I had to do it..." Hannah Rose walked over and sat in the empty seat on Bad's left.

"Do... What, Hannah? Why?!" The Ram hybrid whispered in horror.

"I had to tell them." She responded simply, blinking a few times as her eyes went from a forest coloured green to redder than the colour of the egg's vines slithering around your ankles, "The egg..."

Biting back a sob, you looked at Hannah, "You were with them the whole time...?"

Sam stood completely still, looking at the girl sadly, "You... Told them, Hannah?" The warden murmured.

"I had to." She glanced at Bad with a small grin before looking back at her former friends, including you, "It was the only way."

"I'm sorry," Bad started, sounding almost completely genuine, if it wasn't for the crooked smile he was wearing, "I'm sorry Sam, I'm sorry Puffy. But, time to get on to the main event!"

The creeper hybrid held up his hand, pointing one finger to the ceiling to silently tell the Eggpire to hold on for just a moment, "Well... That is, tragic, that you told them about our plans for the armour, but..." You could tell Sam grinned behind his mask as his green eyes gave a few sparks of smugness, "Something, you should know. I had another plan. Because I didn't trust you."

"...What do you mean 'another plan'?" Bad pointed his loaded crossbow at the warden, eyes narrowing into a glare.

"Well," He pulled a remote out of his pocket and scanned it in mock curiosity, "I think, that we all can agree, that this has gone on long enough now. I'm tired of all this fighting. So I say we just blow the egg up. For good, this time, with an amount of TNT that it can't survive... So I hid a trap..."

'Of course... The creeper hybrid is using TNT...' You thought with a small smile, trying to distract yourself from the heartstopping fear overwhelming your body at the moment as Bad stuttered in surprise.

"A trap?! Wait, what do you mean!?" the demon growled as Sam got up and walked slightly closer to the egg, digging his thumb into the button on the remote he held.

"We did something even you couldn't prepare for!" Puffy shouted as TNT began to rain out of a small gap in the ceiling.

Eret, worrying for your safety and how the sounds or smell of gunpowder would affect your hypersensitive senses, pulled you close and she wrapped you in her cloak. You desperately grasped at the fabric of her red dress as she covered your ears in an attempt to make the loud booms easier for your insect senses to handle.

By the time it stopped and Eret let you go, there were shocked gasps and the egg... Had... Turned to crying obsidian? "You guys-" Bad had to take a breath through his maniacal laughter to wipe a tear, "You really thought you could defeat the egg? With TNT? After Quackity tried that, we took proper... Preparations. And we made it so that we wouldn't have to worry about TNT anymore, thank you very much!"

"I think you mean precautions..." You murmured quietly, curling in on yourself and hiding behind Eret slightly when you saw soulless white eyes glare in your directions.

"Shut up, (Y/n)." He huffed, and Eret had to physically stop Puffy from storming over and fighting the man in diamond armour with her bare hands, "Now, would you all please kindly make your way over here... We can begin the summary executions."

Shock flooded through your veins at how eagerly Bad hopped out of his chair them walked over to where the Egg, the crying obsidian fading away, and standing on a platform. There was a chorus of shocked cries and just cries in general as Bad waved his crossbow around, "What about the speeches man?!" Fundy growled, glaring at Bad as he tried to get you all to leave the table.

"Oh, that was all just to lull you into a false sense of security!" He responded with another crooked smile and a 'duh' tone, "You see, the egg needs something, and it's gonna get it from each of you. See, in order for the egg to hatch, it needs energy, and it gets that energy from people dying near it! And that's the role that you guys are gonna fill! We are gonna kill you one by one..."

"You're a monster..." Eret mumbled under their breath, holding your hand tightly, able to feel your racing heart from the pulse in your wrist. This had gone on long enough, sure, destroying everything on the server was one thing, but threatening not only their life, not only their friends' lives, but their lover's life as well! You only had two more before you were gone from this world forever... And by whatever gods were listening, they swore that they were going to protect those final two, even at the risk of their own life.

Bad turned his head, his twisted smile faltering slightly, "What was that, Eret? What did you say?" He leaned closer mockingly, to see if Eret really had the guts to repeat what was just said.

"You're an absolute monster," Eret repeated with a slight growl to his voice this time, taking a step closer to the corrupted man as a threat and also effectively blocking you from Bad's gaze, "How could you? We all trusted you, Bad."

"Trust?!" Ant spoke up for the first time that night, grinning almost like a Cheshire cat, "Okay, Eret... Keep talking. Keep talking about trust."

Sucking a breath through your gritted teeth, you cringed as Ant retorted with a verbal dagger, one he knew would hurt Eret deeply, and hurt her it did, "That was a long time ago!" You snapped immediately, stepping forwards to defend her which definitely caught everyone off guard. You were NOT about to let some egg puppets trash talk your lover, "She's changed!"

"You know what..." Bad hummed, almost comically tapping his finger to his lip before pointing at Eret, "I think, Eret, you would be a perfect person... To sacrifice first!"

Giving a cry of horror, you felt the red vines react to Bad's words and grab you and Eret, successfully yanking you away from each other despite your cries and struggles of protests. The large vines picked Eret up and brought them to the execution platform that Bad was standing on. The entire time, you were trying to run over to grab them, but the vines kept creating a wall and pushing you back, "No! No, no, no!" You screamed desperately, trying to reach out to the crown-wearing lover that was now being held on the platform by the very vines that were holding you back.

"Does anyone have anything?!" Foolish cried, quickly patting his pockets and looking around for anything, anything at all, to use as a weapon.

"I- We have no weapons!"

"No one has anything?! We literally can't do anything about this!"

Bad only chuckled, seeming to find amusement in everyone's distress, "Excellent, excellent, I really appreciate you guys following the directive and not bringing any weapons. That's very courteous of you." He turned towards Eret with his readied crossbow, gleefully ignoring your cries.

"We trusted you!" You yelled, throwing a useless punch at the wall of vines that blocked your way again, everyone roaring at the Eggpire in agreement with your statement.

"Well that was your first mistake," He chided in almost a playful manner, "Did you really think we were just going to stop trying to spread the egg's influence over the server, just because a couple people got mad at the vines? Like, come on. That's been the objective all along. It's been to hatch the egg. The egg wants power, and it's gonna get it."

His finger lightly began tapping at the trigger of his crossbow that had the bolt pointing to your lover's head, which caused a sob to escape past your lips as you finally had enough and finally flew into the air, expertly weaving past the red vines that tried to grab you out of the air. Quickly, you swooped down and reached out for Eret, but you felt something fly past your ear... Then suddenly, the king gave a cry of his own and you felt your flying balance get thrown off, causing you to begin to plummet towards the ground.

The horrified shrieks of your lover, mother figure and your friends rang through your ears as you quickly plummeted towards the earth as a result of gravity, only to be suddenly halted in mid-air which caused your crown to fall to the ground, completely wrapped in vines that clearly didn't care how badly they were bending your wings. You whined in pain at the tight grip, and looked over at your beloved butterfly features, only to give a sob of pain as you saw a large tear had sliced through your right (f/c) wing... "You... You bastard..." You hissed at the demon who came over and reloaded another bolt into his crossbow.

"You know, I think I like your energy more than your lover's." He cupped your chin in an almost loving fashion, causing Eret to immediately lash out and begin barking insults as well as threats. Unfortunately, her violence was ignored as the vines picked her up again, "Your unwavering loyalty, your love, your fierceness despite how fragile you are..."

"Get your hands away from them!" Puffy yelled, she and Foolish going to run to help you, but they were blocked off by the vines in the same way you once were, "For fucks sake Bad! Leave my child alone! They were just defending Eret, you know, their lover?!"

Bad only hummed as the vines lamely tossed Eret to the crowd of people, but thankfully he was caught by Foolish and Sam instead of hitting the ground but his crown hit the ground close to yours, breaking most of the rainbow coloured gems off, "I'm quite aware of their relationship, thank you, Puffy." He stepped back and the vines threw you to the ground on the execution platform, causing you to bounce off the nether bricks harshly before finally rolling into the centre.

Your head was spinning and your sight was blurry, but you still managed to hear the screams of terror from your friends, the begging from Puffy for Bad to leave you alone, and the sobs leaving Eret's throat as they cried out for you, "Monarch... (Y/N)!" They screamed, trying to run to you as well, but unsurprisingly they were held back as well.

It... was funny... You wanted to go to this party so badly... You begged Eret to come to this party, you spent weeks picking out your outfit... You were so excited...

And now here you were... Flightless and beyond concussed...

About to die...

"I love you..." You managed to whisper to Eret before Ant rose his enchanted sword... Then quickly lowering it, piercing through your chest...

"(Y/N)! NO!"

(Y/n) (L/n) was slain by Antfrost. Lives 1/3

[bakugoshrimp]

Heavy Hearts & Endless Starts

Where Bakugo and y/n have a huge fight and the aftermath of it.

Pairing: Bakugo x female!y/n (both are aged up and pro-heroes)

Word Count: 1.3k

A/N: So uhh this is my first time writing something in years, and my first time ever actually getting the guts to publish it online. As a result, constructive criticism is welcome, but please be kind about it! Totally didn’t write this bc I don’t wanna study for my midterm tmrw

You thought it was just a normal fight. You were both stressed from the recent influx of villains and both had a lot on your plate. The pressure built up inside until you just couldn't handle it, and apparently neither could he. Bakugo had stormed out hours ago, muttering how he "couldn't deal with all this bullshit", and just left. 

Hours you remained, simmering in your anger and worry and stress. It wasn't until when you woke up at dawn the next day in an empty bed and the unpleasant feeling of guilt rolling in your gut. 

Getting dressed, you headed for the Ground Zero Agency, but the #2 Hero was nowhere to be found. 

With a worse feeling in your stomach now, you headed to your own agency, hoping to find a villain to fight along the way that might help you release all this pressure inside.

It wasn't until midnight when Bakugo trudged in, boots muddy and still in his hero suit, a dead look in his eyes as he tiredly locked the front door, and began shucking off his wet boots, gloves, and other accessories. 

You were curled up on the loveseat, half asleep and already dressed in a comfortable oversized sweater that you had stolen from your boyfriend, a mug of hot chocolate warming up your cold hands as you waited for him to come home. 

"Katsuki?" you ask hesitantly, "Are you okay?" 

The only reply you got was the faltering of his hands, before they resumed their work of removing his suit. 

You decided to leave it alone; hoping that the next day, things would be better. 

"Good night." you murmured, brushing past him and heading to your shared room, your tears already falling as you tucked yourself into your bed. 

Confrontation was never your strong suit; it was always Katsuki who loved confrontation. But the loud temperamental hero was uncharacteristically quiet, and it was all your fault. 

A week passed by, and nothing changed other than the tension between you two. Everyday was the same: you'd wake up in an empty cold bed, your boyfriend already heading off to work hours before dawn, leaving you to your thoughts as you head to your own agency. Coming home was the same, he'd come uncharacteristically quiet and you would head to bed feeling more hopeless and guilty. 

It wasn't until news had come rushing in: the famous #2 hero of Japan. Ground Zero, was suspended of his hero duties and nearly arrested for nearly killing 15 petty villains, all of them under life support and in critical condition. 

That's when you truly realized the extent of your mistake, and what you had to do to fix it.

"Where are you taking me?" His gruff voice never failed to pull at your heartstrings, despite not avoiding you for a week. 

You were leading him by the hand, a blindfold on his eyes. 

You had managed to ambush him when he came home early from his suspension, and kidnapped managed to convince him to come with you. 

You suddenly stopped walking, causing Bakugo to walk right into you. 

"HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOIN-" Bakugo's rough voice barked, so at odds with the quietness of the scenery. 

"Sorry," you smiled, suddenly nervous and jittery. "You can take your blindfold off now." 

The sight that met his eyes almost took his breath away, despite it's familiarity. They were at a cliff, much similar to the one he took you years ago, the forest below a rainbow of colours, and the air crisp and cold in the fall weather. 

The sight that truly left him breathless, was the woman in front of him, smiling at him nervously with an apology in her eyes.

His heart constricted painfully in his chest as he remembered the harsh words thrown that night, but he couldn't bring himself to look away, mesmerized in her eyes. Despite all that's happened, he's still as smitten with her, and the week apart had hurt him more than it hurt her, her words playing in his mind like a broken record. 

 Your lips moved, forming words that he couldn't quite catch as his mind replayed everything that they were and everything that had happened. You looked at him expectantly, causing him to snap back into reality. 

 "....Huh?" was the only thing that came out of his mouth, his mind forming a blank as he tried to remember what you had just said. 

You nervously tucked your hair behind your ear and looked down at your feet. "I said Let it all out. The pain, the anger, everything. Just let it out." You said a bit clearer, looking up at him. 

He smiled faintly with nostalgia, remembering when he did the same exact thing to you and said the same exact words, years ago. 

You had screamed and cried and, when your voice went hoarse, you just whispered everything you had held in for years. You whispered the rest of the pain out. 

So he turned to the edge of the cliff, looked at the sunset, and yelled. His voice was ripped out of him, cracking. He roared his pain, his frustrations, and his hurt out. 

Too soon, he was done. He didn't feel done, but he was. He had no more to say, the knot in his chest loosening, letting him breathe properly for the first time in a week since that fight. 

Turning back to you, he found you on your knees, shoulders shaking from the force of your silent sobs. 

"I'm sorry." It was like a dam had broken inside of you, the waves of regret, worry, and sadness just washing over you. "I'm so sorry. It's my fault I didn't mean it I'm sorry I really didn't mean it 'Suki I'm such a goddamn dumbass I didn't mean it at all I'm so sorry-"

His quiet laughs interrupted you as he sat down next to you, bringing his arm around you, and tucking your head onto his warm chest. 

"Yeah, yeah you are. You're the biggest dumbass, but you're my dumbass." He said, your hair slightly tickling his nose as he bent down to gently kiss it. "I love you too, and we'll figure it out together." 

The vibrations of his chest had calmed your blubbering down to a peaceful quietness as you both simply enjoyed each other's presence and the comfort of relief of each other, the previous building tension gone completely. 

It wasn't until long after the sun had set and the moon had risen did you both decide to go back to the car to go home. 

Rising from your position, you stretched and straightened, looking over at the man next to you. 

Seconds later he caught you staring, his red eyes filled with amusement. You refused to blush, instead opting to waggle your brows at him. "Race you to the car?" 

"Oh you're f***ing on. On my mark-" 

But you were already running, giggling as you ran ahead. "LAST ONE OUT WILL HAVE TO DO THE DISHES" you called out from behind you. 

"WHY YOU LITTLE-" is all you heard before the telltale sounds of his explosions, clearly using his quirk to his advantage, and within seconds was ahead of you. 

All you got was a glimpse of his smirk and his trademark "DIE" as he zoomed past you. 

By the time you had reached the car, you were panting and sweaty, a smug Bakugo already in the driver's seat, waiting for you. 

"You cheated!" You accused crossly as you hopped into the toasty car. 

"Oi, it's not cheating when you head a head start, dumbass." He said, a sly smile thrown your way, his ruby red eyes twinkling in amusement. 

You couldn't keep the smile spreading across your face even if you tried as you hmphed and looked away. 

I think everything will be just fine

So uuhh Yeahh >_<. Thoughts?

[fantasyfan]

Coming Out: Nico di Angelo Oneshot

Summary: Nico summons Bianca to talk to her, and ends up spilling a lot more than he intended to. Characters: Nico and Bianca di Angelo, Hades Slightly angsty

(I apologize in advance if I get any Italian wrong, or put the words in the wrong place. I only used two words, but Google Translate was used for both of them.)  There also might be some italics missing, since I copy pasted from Google Docs, so apologies and if you think an italic is needed, reply to the post or smthn and I’ll add it. 

Without further ado, here it is!

12-year-old Nico sat on his bed, head in his hands. The Labyrinth was gone, and the battle was over, gone and over like all the praise he received. 

For once, Nico had been a part of the camp; he’d sat around the campfire, eaten and laughed, having fun. 

But all it took was a week for the excitement to die down, and the other campers became wary of him.

He was only 12, for Gods’ sake! Why were they so scared? Sure, he was a son of Hades, but Percy was a son of Poseidon (and older than himself, Nico might add), yet they all gushed over him.

This annoyed Nico to no end, so eventually, he found his way to his father’s palace, back to his old room. The one Hades had offered him after he ran away from Camp Half-Blood. 

The room was hardly touched. Nico had only spent a few days here before running off, trying to find a way to bring his sister back. 

Of course he’d been convinced to let her rest at peace. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to talk to her.

“Bianca,” he greeted softly, reaching out to touch her before drawing his hand back, reminding himself he couldn’t. 

“Nico,” Bianca smiled, brushing ghostly lips over his forehead. “Mio fratello.”

Nico closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, trying to imagine that Bianca was really here with him, in a physical body instead of a ghostly one.

Sighing, he sat back down on the bed. Bianca was here, able to talk to him at least. He couldn’t resurrect her, so speaking to her was the next best option. 

His mind subconsciously piece things together and he had a horrible thought. Panic shot through him as he jumped up and tried to grab Bianca by her shoulders, hands falling right through her image.

Gritting his teeth, Nico crammed his hands into his pockets and instead fixed Bianca with the most serious gaze he could muster.

“Are you going to reincarnate?” Though they were hidden from sight, deep in his jean pockets, Nico’s hands were clenched tightly into fists, knuckles white. In his head, he said a prayer to the Gods who screwed up his life so badly, hoping with all his might that his sister would say no. 

“Oh Nico,” Bianca began, looking at him regretfully, eyes filled with sadness. 

That was all the answer he needed. Trying to control his panic and the tears threatening to form, Nico clenched his hands even tighter. Nails cut into skin, and the son of Hades could feel blood seeping out from underneath his fingers. Even worse than that was the fact that even Nico himself could feel the absolute fear radiating off him. 

If Bianca reincarnated, then he would fully, truly, lose her. She was his only family, and Nico felt tears pricking his eyes at the thought of being completely alone.

“Don’t.” It was all he said, biting his lip to try and keep the tears from escaping.

Bianca stared at him in surprise, and Nico realized what he just said probably sounded like to his sister. 

Reminding himself that no matter what he wanted, it was his sister’s (regretfully ended, now ghost) life, and he couldn’t guilt her into staying in Elysium forever, just so he could be happy.

“Don’t answer my question,” Nico whispered, voice cracking. 

It was what he meant, when he said ‘Don’t’ but certainly not what he wanted. “Don’t tell me, Bianca. Not now, and not before you go.” 

Breathing sharply, his nails were now digging even deeper into the wounds they had inflicted. The pain was the tipping point for the tears that had been gathering in his eyes, and he began to cry, biting his tongue in a fruitless attempt to hold them back.

Gasping as he unclenched his fists, Nico drew his hands out of his pockets. There were four cuts on his right palm, each around the size of a fingernail. Identical wounds were on his left hand, and Nico bit his lip, watching as blood slowly seeped out, crimson red against his pale skin.

“Nico!” Bianca frowned, biting her lip in concern as she reached out for his injuries before realizing she couldn’t help.

That gesture hurt even more than his palms, and Nico clenched his teeth to keep his silent tears at that volume.

Trying to still his desperately shaking hands, Nico pulled open the nightstand drawer. Inside were squares of ambrosia and bottles of nectar that Hades had put for him, and Nico silently thanked his father. 

Pouring the golden liquid over his hands, Nico could feel cuts slowly closing, and the physical pain was soon gone with the injuries. 

Emotional hurt was harder to fix, and usually couldn’t be resolved with Gods’ food. That didn’t mean Nico wouldn’t try though, so he lifted the bottle to his mouth and took careful sips of the golden liquid. 

Pulling some ambrosia out as well, he slowly ate it, restricting himself so he didn’t accidentally burn up from consuming too much of the Gods’ food.

By the time Nico was done, the yellow square was gone, as was about half the bottle of nectar. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he looked back at his sister, who had patiently waited while her brother silently sobbed while taking swigs of nectar and bites of ambrosia. 

She was sitting on the bed next to him, handout of pure spite and anger, he cursed that Bianca was able to touch the bed but not him.

Using the (now) healed palm of his hand to brush away stray tears, Nico cleared his throat. 

“Bianca, since um, you’re not, uh, not,” his voice cracked and he stumbled over his words, but Nico forged on. “Since you’re not going to be here much longer, I figured I might as well make the most out of this time.” 

Before Bianca could say something to comfort him, Nico blurted it out. “I’m gay.” 

A ghost of a smile appeared on his sister’s face, and she reached out as if to touch his face, cup it with her hands like she used to.

“It’s okay, mio fratello.” She moved closer to him, and Nico could swear he felt her breath by his ear. “I am too,” Bianca breathed. 

Nico managed to somehow choke on nothing, beginning to gasp and wheeze as he clawed at his throat. Vigorously coughing, he stared at his sister in shock as he pounded his chest, trying to get air in.

Bianca nearly burst out in raucous laughter, but with a lot of struggling, she managed to keep it to a few quiet giggles. 

When he was finally able to speak, Nico simply choked out, “You are?” before blushing so hard he looked like he was still choking. 

“Yes, Nico, I am.” Binaca smiled, though looked slightly concerned at his reddening face and so pointed to the bottle of nectar on the drawer. 

Nico took a sip of the drink, letting the cool liquid run down his tortured throat, which hurt like hell from his (concerningly long) coughing fit.

Bianca snarkily pointed to the closet while her brother drank, smirking. “Do you want to try this the proper way?” she asked, batting her eyelashes innocently.

Nico rolled his eyes but complied, chuckling as he slipped into the closet. He stayed there for a good minute before bursting out, wearing a colourful pride shirt with many accessories.

“I’m gay, Gods dammit!” he screeched, looking like a rainbow in the cemetery, with his messy black hair and pale skin. 

Bianca burst out laughing at the thought, proudly watching her brother as ghostly tears (Ghosts can cry. Who knew?) threatened to trickle down her cheeks.

“I’m not going to ask where you got those things,” she smiled, pretending to brush an unruly curl from his forehead. The two of them ignored the fact that the hair stayed right where it was when her hand passed straight through it.

“Nico, go show Hades. Tell him.” Nico’s eyes widened and his mouth hung open like a fish’s. Bianca smiled again, her brother’s facial features hilarious. “Nico, I’m serious though. Come on, before your courage wanes.” 

“Why should I tell him?” Nico asked, scoffing as he turned away. The two had been chatting for a few minutes about all the troubles of being gay when Bianca ruined the mood by demanding he tell their father.

“Nico.” His sister’s voice forced him to look at her, straight into translucent eyes. “I’m not your only family. When I’m gone, you still have Hades.” She chose not to add the part about how Camp Half-Blood could be his family too, if he let them get closer. One step at a time.

“Hades,” Nico snarled, putting as much venom as he could in the name, “killed our mother. Hades put us in this situation.”

He knew that neither of those were true, but said them anyway; truthfully, he was just scared, finding excuses so he wouldn’t have to tell his father.

“Nico,” Bianca sighed quietly. Eyebrows raising for a second as she began to fade, Bianca quickly understood what was happening.“You’ve summoned me for far too long already, I have to go.” Nico let out a strangled sound, restraining himself from reaching out to try and keep her here with him, because he knew it would be useless. 

“It was lovely talking to you again, and I’m sure that Father will say the same when you tell him.” Nico’s lips thinned and he frowned, and Bianca knew that look well. “Please, for me, mio fratello?” She asked, voice barely audible as she faded away, back in Elysium.

Nico could never resist it when his sister spoke in Italian. It would only be used when she was expressing extreme admiration or happiness, which was why he absolutely melted when Bianca called him ‘mio fratello.’ 

That was also why he was tugging on a jacket to cover his pride shirt, buttons, pins, and bracelets as he went to find Hades.

Besides, what kind of brother would he be if he didn’t grant his sister’s last, true, dying wish? Nico felt like Bianca had been waiting for him to summon her one last time before choosing to be reborn. To let them have one more conversation before she was truly gone.

Pushing that thought away, Nico wandered the halls of Hades’ vast palace, looking in every room for the God himself.

“Father?” Nico finally picked the right room, opening the door to find Hades in a chair, reading a book.

“Yes?” He didn’t even bother to look up from whatever he was reading, and that slightly deflated Nico’s already waning confidence. 

“I have something to tell you.” Anxiously shifting from foot to foot in the doorway, Nico awaited his father’s response. 

Eyebrows raising by a fraction, Hades raised a hand, beckoning his son into the room. Nervously shuffling in, Nico stood a good meter away from the God of the Underworld, afraid. 

Not that the distance would do much since, well, Hades was the God of the Underworld.

“Do continue,” his father drawled, idly flipping a page as he spoke. 

“It’s kind of a serious confession,” Nico mumbled, almost visibly shaking from having to restrain himself from turning tail and running, as well as the feeling of absolute terror bubbling in his stomach.

Still not bothering to look up, Hades rolled two fingers, gesturing for him to continue.

“I’m...g-ga-” Nico stuttered, already feeling his face heat up. It took him a good minute to compose himself and finish his short sentence, during which Hades hardly blinked an eye at the awkwardness. “I’m gay,” he finally managed to choked out, voice barely above a whisper.

Immediately, Nico began to panic. His dad was the literal God of the Underworld, so even if he died, then he could still be sent to the Fields of Punishment. Afterall, who cared about the small Italian boy enough to argue with a God?

Bianca cares, he reminded himself. But she’s dead, you idiot! She’s a ghost, and going to be reborn soon. If you go to the Field of Punishment, what will she be able to do?

Panic overwhelmed him, and Nico was on the verge of hyperventilating. Until his father spoke and somehow calmed every nerve in his body.

“Okay.” That was it. One syllable to assure Nico that everything was alright. His breathing slowed, but he wasn’t so easily convinced that Hades was okay with him being gay.

“Father, I don’t think you heard me properly. Perhaps you were distracted with reading? I said I was gay.” Unzipping his jacket, Nico let it fall to the floor and made wild gestures at his clothes and accessories. 

“Nico, I heard you fine. What’s your confession?” Hades’ eyes flicked up but he hardly seemed surprised at the rainbow wear, going back to read his book right after looking.

“I…” Nico stared in disbelief. Was Hades just dismissing his coming out as if it were a regular occurrence? Dismissing the fact that he was gay as though it hadn’t been something that Nico had fought tooth and nail to keep secret?

“Nico?” The God prompted, flipping another page.

“That’s it. That was the confession,” Nico whispered. “I’m gay. That’s the confession.” For the first time in their (admittedly short) conversation, Hades properly looked up from his book, frowning at Nico. 

“That’s your confession?”

The boy silently nodded, looking at his feet. “Well, I...I thought you’d be mad or something.” 

“Mad at the fact you’re gay.” Hades (somehow) looked Nico in the eyes (even though he was staring at the floor as though it were the most interesting thing in the world) for confirmation, and he nodded again.

Sighing, Hades closed his book and stood, gently placing a hand on his son’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m not and won’t be mad.” 

“Really?” NIco gasped, looking up at him with shining eyes.

“Of course,” Hades scoffed. “There’s no way you can be more gay than Apollo, and he’s been my nephew for thousands of years.” He paused for a second before summoning a chair. “That reminds me. You are long overdue for a Greek Mythology review if you think that I, a Greek God, would have a problem with a gay son.”

[sleepless-in-starbucks]

You and Me, We Don’t Make Sense (But No One Does)

Ao3

Summary: Roman loved the idea of romance, and everything that was attached to it. Romance itself, on the other hand... well, it wasn’t really his thing And, despite what anyone else might say, that was alright. Warnings: Kind of aphobia (of the aromantic kind), self-doubt (specifically of one’s romantic orientation) Pairings: QPR Royality Notes: Inspired by this post from @notveryglittery

    Roman loved the idea of romance.

    It was, after all, an extremely alluring concept. Buying great bouquets for those you love? Date nights tailored to your combined interests, spent just with each other? Grand tales of just what romantic love could overcome? Soft and sweet kisses filled with adoration? Roman loved all of it and more.

    Roman, however, didn’t care much for actual romance.

    It was to his benefit he wasn’t even certain what romantic love was, aside from what other people told him. It wasn’t like he necessarily had anything against romantic relationships, they just… never seemed right for him.

    The result of this collision of his love of concept but dislike of execution often resulted in his being almost excessively affectionate with his friends (of which he had many- he disliked romantic relationships, not people), family, and even strangers at times. Though he really should stop interacting with strangers like that. In his experience, a lot of them got the wrong impression.

    For an example, Roman had to look little farther than less than an hour ago. He had been buying flowers for his partner, Patton (they were cupioromantic, which had made them and Roman even more of a perfect match than they naturally were- though unfamiliar with romance itself, they were both very well-versed in the language of it) when he noticed two women giggling and clearly talking about him from a little ways across the shop. From what he could tell of their conversation, the giggling was nervous as they tried to convince the other to go talk to him.

    Roman was, in all honesty, flattered. He considered himself to be exceptionally pretty (a point wholeheartedly supported by Patton), and moments like these reminded him that he was not the only person with that opinion. He smiled smugly as he finished making his selection, waiting to see if the women would figure themselves out or not.

    It wasn’t until he had finished making his purchase that one of them did approach him. She tapped his shoulder lightly, and Roman smiled, putting on his handsomest grin before he turned towards her.

    “May I help you?” He asked her politely. At Roman’s attention, her cheeks coloured slightly, and Roman couldn’t help but feel proud that, yes, he still had it.

    She awkwardly gestured towards the bouquet of red gaillardias and blue freesias. “For someone special?”

    “They are.” Roman admitted easily. “Though if I gave them to you, I would still be telling the truth.”

    The woman giggled a bit, flushing even more. “You sure are a charmer.”

    “It helps that you are so charming yourself, ma’dam.”

    She smiled at that, looking down in a poor attempt to hide her ever-rising blush. “Hey, listen… I was wondering… if you’d like to maybe… go out sometime…?”

    Roman kept his own smile up, tone still light as he answered, “Apologies, for as delightful as that sounds, I do not date. I’m certain any man would be lucky to have you, however.”

    Normally, that was where it ended- the woman (or man or enby) would be a bit abashed at being turned down, but they’d still be smiling, and hopefully feeling very confident in themselves after Roman complimented them, saying thank you and wishing him a good day as they headed off. Roman would go on with his day as well, feeling happy himself at getting the chance to make someone’s day at least a little better.

    But this woman seemed as if she was looking to be an exception. “You don’t date?” She asked, sounding confused. “Are you… are you married?”

    “I am not.” Roman said (though he did hope one day his answer to that question would be ‘yes’).

    “Then… why don’t you date?”

    Roman forced himself to keep his smile up. Conversation rarely veered in this direction, but when it did, it was… uncomfortable. So few people actually knew what he meant when he said he was bellusromantic, and explaining it always seemed to take longer than it should. “Not my thing.” He settled on, knowing it sounded lame but not in the mood to truly get into it. “Now, if you do excuse me, I have somewhere to be. Have a good day.”

    He made his way to the door as quickly as he could without looking suspicious- uncomfortable questions aside, he didn’t want the woman to think he was fleeing her or something similar- ignoring the fact that he was almost certain the woman was watching him as he left. He was halfway across the shop when he heard the woman’s friend come over to her, their conversation quiet but just loud enough that Roman could hear it-

    “So, did you get his number?”

    “No… he said he… doesn’t date.”

    “That’s… weird.”

    “He was weird. He was being so romantic, too… it doesn’t make sense.”

    Luckily, for Roman’s sake, he had reached the door by then, and was out into the world, the women’s voices and conversation out of his hearing. The words he had caught, however, stuck in his mind, bouncing around in his head as he headed for his car.

    He wasn’t weird or nonsensical! Liking romance but not wanting to be romantic with anyone was normal, and real, and perfectly sensical, and he knew that because that’s who he was, and how he had felt for as long as he could remember, and there was a name and a flag for it and everything! Some random lady’s opinion didn't change that!

    So why did Roman have to spend five minutes just sitting in his car before he drove home, holding the wheel and lightly hitting his head against it as her words echoed in his head?

    ~~

    “Patton, sweetest, darling, dearest, I’m home!” Roman called out as he closed the door behind him, trying to infuse his voice with all the enthusiasm he had had before the interaction in the flower shop.

    Almost immediately, Patton was there, with bright colours from the entire rainbow and then some smeared across their hands, arms, and face, their apron even more colourful. They were smiling just as brightly, and despite his preoccupations, Roman’s heart would always lift at that smile.

    “You’re home!” Patton said excitedly, eagerly rushing up to Roman but stopping just an inch from him. They smiled sheepishly, raising their painted hands. “Guess I shouldn’t touch you, huh?”

    Roman smiled. “My clothes- and cheeks- are washable.”

    Patton let out a happy squeak, immediately squishing Roman’s cheeks between their hands and kissing him. “I missed you.” Patton said in between a second kiss. “Missed your sweetness and prettiness and handsomeness and loveliness and-”

    “Shhh, love bug, or I’m going to die before you get to see my surprise.” Roman whined, leaning his forehead against Patton’s, trying to keep them from kissing him again and completely stealing his voice.

    “There is no greater surprise than that of waking up every morning to find you once more beside me.” Patton said, hands slipping away from Roman’s cheeks to loop around his back instead, holding him close. “I am certain a vision such as yourself should have vanished by now.”

    Roman’s cheeks quickly turned a shade of red bright enough to rival the dash of red Patton had smeared on their cheeks. “For an angel, dearheart, you are being very impish.”

    “That’s. Because. I. Love. You!” Patton said, covering Roman’s face in kisses to punctuate every word. They giggled when Roman made a strangled noise at the affection, clearly satisfied at having broken their partner.

    “Take your surprise before I melt into a puddle.” Roman managed to say after a moment, pulling back slightly from Patton and moving the hand he had hidden behind his back in front of him to reveal the bouquet to Patton.

    Patton’s eyes lit up at the sight of the flowers, shining so radiantly Roman was surprised the glare didn’t catch on their glasses. They gratefully accepted the flowers, smelling them before looking up at Roman once more, still smiling. “They’re so pretty!” They commented excitedly.

    “Just like you, sweetheart.” Roman said easily, relaxedly, watching as Patton’s cheeks blushed red immediately.

    “Now look at who’s making who melt.” Patton accused, holding the flowers up in a useless attempt to hide their blush.

    “I am simply telling you the truth.” Roman defended, grinning as he pulled the flowers down and returned the favor of covering Patton’s face in kisses (though he was careful to not kiss the still drying paint).

    Patton giggled, allowing themself to be drowned in Roman’s affections for a moment before they pulled back. “I need to put these in water.” They said hastily, quickly rushing off towards the kitchen to avoid Roman grabbing their wrist and stopping them for more kisses.

    He still followed them however, coming to a stop in the kitchen doorway and leaning against it as he watched Patton bustle about, pulling out a nice vase and filling it with water before working to free the flowers of their plastic sheath. He sighed as he crossed his arms, happy to watch Patton work. Their golden hair had been pulled into a ponytail, to avoid getting paint in it, but it was still stained with blues and pinks. They slid about the kitchen in mismatched kitten socks as they cheerily completed their task.

    It was all simple things that he noticed, Roman supposed, noticing how Patton’s hair was put up or how they moved or the fact that the back of their right arm had clearly been purposefully smeared with a gradient of colours from purple to pink that blended into lines of grey-purple-white-pink beside it. But he liked the simple things. He loved noticing them. He loved noticing everything about Patton.

    The vase full, Patton moved it to their table, Roman switching from the kitchen doorway to the one that separated kitchen and dining room, once more leaning on it as he watched Patton place the vase and drop the flowers in. Immediately after dropping them, Patton pulled two back out- one gaillardia and one freesia. Roman smiled as they immediately went to work at tucking them behind their ears.

    Roman had seen that coming- he always picked brightly coloured flowers for a reason. Patton loved the colours, would slowly pick through the entire bouquet, decorating their hair with one of each flower until there were no more and Roman was out to buy more. It was his favorite part about buying flowers for Patton- the sweetness and closeness of the traditionally romantic gesture was just an extra benefit-

    He was weird. He was being so romantic, too… it doesn’t make sense.

    Roman closed his eyes, grimacing at the memory as he pressed his head against the doorway. He really hoped that mental link wouldn’t last long. Because it was stupid, really, completely stupid, stupid stupid stupid.

    He looked at Patton again. Patton. His partner. His beautiful lovely gorgeous amazing partner, who he loved with more than all of his heart, who he loved to kiss and hold and shower in affection, who he had a perfectly sensical relationship with regardless of the fact that it was filled with romantic actions but no actual romance because romantic attraction was for suckers anyways-

    “Honey?”

    Roman blinked, surprised to suddenly find that Patton was in front of him, frowning softly and watching Roman with concern. He plastered on a smile. “Yes, sweet pea?”

    Patton tilted their head to the side, raising one hand to cup Roman’s cheek. “You’re distracted. Something’s wrong.” Patton commented. “What’s wrong, darling?”

    Roman’s smile softened at Patton’s worry, and he placed his hands on Patton’s shoulders reassuringly. “I’m alright, sunshine. Nothing’s wrong.”

    “You’re lying.” Patton said, frown deepening. “Something happened while you were out. Did someone say something to you?”

    Roman chuckled drily. “You’re too good at guessing games.”

    “What did they say?” Patton pressed, ignoring the weak joke.

    “Nothing important.”

    “It’s bothering you. It’s important.”

    “Just something stupid- an offhanded comment, nothing more, it’s really not anything to worry about, love-”

    Patton’s second hand came up to cup Roman’s other cheek, shutting him up and forcing his attention on Patton. “Tell me.” Patton begged. “Please, baby, tell me.”

    Roman tried to resist for a moment, really not wanting to burden Patton with anything, but his partner was very convincing, especially when they were using not only puppy eyes but worried puppy eyes on him, and soon enough he gave in with a sigh and, “Just a side comment at the flower shop- was just paying a woman some compliments when I had to tell her I don’t date- she called it- me- weird, said it didn’t make sense… it’s not like I haven’t heard it before, I just-”

    “I’m going to fight her.”

    “Dearest-”

    “I’m going to fight her so hard she won’t even-” Patton glared at the ground, their face looking adorably angry, before they looked back at Roman, expression now a mix of anger (directed elsewhere) and sympathy (directed just at Roman). “I’m so sorry, honey, you shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”

    “It’s nothing, really, Patton, I can deal with it-”

    “But you shouldn’t have to!” Patton exclaimed vehemently. “You were just trying to be nice and she was being rude and wrong. You’re not weird, you’re beautiful and kind and sweet and fun and absolutely lovely.”

    Roman smiled softly. “Thank you-”

    “And of course we don’t make sense!” Patton continued, on a roll and unwilling to stop. “No couples make sense! People say they do, but they don’t! Romance is weird! Relationships are weird! People are weird! None of us make sense! At all! It’s stupid to expect us to! It’s stupid that you had to deal with today, and that you’ll probably have to deal with it later!”

    Patton pushed themself even closer to Roman, pressing their forehead against his as they stared into his eyes. “What we have is beautiful and rich and wonderful and unique, and I love it and I love you and I wouldn’t ever trade it for something as boring as something that ‘makes sense.’”

    Roman’s smile grew at that, completely genuine, and he pressed his eyes closed for a moment to chase away the few tears that were trying to escape. “I love you.”

    Patton smiled as they tilted their head, moving so they could pull Roman into a sweet kiss. Roman’s arms moved so that he could embrace Patton while they kissed, and Patton willingly obliged him by stepping forward so that they were almost completely pressed up against him.

    Eventually, Patton pulled away, still smiley. “You’ve got paint all over your face, you know.” They said, already starting to giggle. “Makes you look adorable.”

    “You’re adorable too.” Roman returned. “But you don’t need the paint for that.”

    Patton laughed at that, a light and soft and pretty sound that made Roman want to kiss them forever. He knew he couldn’t get away with forever, to his greatest disappointment, but he did manage to get in another full minute of just covering Patton’s face in little kisses, fast little pecks that only made Patton laugh and blush more, both which were factors that only increased Roman’s need to kiss them.

    Finally, however, Patton pushed Roman away, still grinning even as they lightly scolded, “That’s enough out of you. We’re not going to get anything done if I let you keep kissing me forever.”

    “Oh, who cares about doing things?” Roman asked teasingly, trying to steal another kiss only to have Patton dodge him. “I’d be happy to kiss you til I couldn’t.”

    “I know you would.” Patton said, moving their hands to hold Roman’s arms as they leaned even further backwards. “Which is why I really have to be the one to stop this or we’ll be here until you fall over and I’m left to nurse you back to health.”

    “That sounds wonderful to me.”

    Patton shook their head. “You’re reckless in the pursuit of love.” They said.

    “No, I’m not.” Roman argued. “I am reckless in the pursuit of you. You just happen to be my love, and my heart, and my sunshine, and my whole entire world-”

    “This is what I mean by unique!” Patton said happily. “Sometimes love is the universe falling for the sun.”

    Roman blushed. “Oh, that’s not fair.”

    “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.” Patton told him. “I can try and make it up to you, though.”

    “Hmm? How so?”

    “With food and entertainment and cuddles and if you’re very lucky I might even give you kissing rights back.”

    “I like the sound of that.” Roman admitted. “What are we watching?”

    Patton hummed. “Up to you. We could watch Moana, or some Masterchef Junior if you’re looking for something quicker.”

    “I like the sound of both.” Roman admitted, smiling at Patton. “Can I have both?”

    Patton smiled back. “Yes, but only because you’re so charming.”

    “I’ll take it.” Roman said. “What’re we eating?”

    “I was going to make pasta-”

    “Too long.” Roman cut him off with a whine. “Wanna get to cuddling.”

    Patton chuckled. “Snacks, then?”

    Roman nodded. “Yes, but only if we get them together so I don’t have to let go of you.”

    “You’re clingy.” Patton joked, but they still held onto Roman’s hand as they made their way back into the kitchen, quickly pulling a bag of chips out of the pantry and some sodas out of the fridge. “This good?”

    “If it means we can be wrapped around each other like we’ll never let go on the couch sooner, than yes.”

    Patton just laughed again and allowed Roman to tug them both over to the couch. He flopped onto it first, beckoning for Patton to follow, whining when Patton put Moana into the Blu-Ray first and set down the snacks before coming to sit down as well.

    Of course, they weren’t sitting long, Roman wrapping around them and pulling them over so that they could properly cuddle stretched out over the couch. He kicked at the blanket spread over the back of the couch, pulling it over so that it landed mostly over them. He nestled his head into the crook of Patton’s neck as Patton turned the movie on, dropping the remote and leaving it to play as they leaned back, getting closer to Roman.

    Soon enough, Patton turned their head to look at Roman’s face, smiling when they found Roman already looking at them, himself smiling softly and fondly.

    “Hey, Patton?” Roman asked, quietly.

    “Yes?”

    “You know I love you more than I have ever loved anything or anyone, right? No romo though.”

    Patton chuckled lightly, managing to bend their head just enough to press a kiss to the side of Roman’s mouth. “I know. And it’s okay. I love you just as much… and then some.”

    “Cheater.”

    “Oh, hush. I’m your cheater, and you know you love me.”

    Roman grinned. “Yes I do. And you know what?”

    He bent his head so he could return a similar kiss on the edge of Patton’s lips. “Loving you? It’s the most sensible thing in the world.”

[saberdeity]

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞 ⇾ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞

pairings ⇾ bucky barnes x genderneutral reader

summary ⇾ takes place during infinity war, reader has powers but doesn't understand the full extent, they stay in Wakanda with Bucky where a relationship blossoms 

 warnings ⇾ mentions of violence, battles, SPOILERS FOR INFINITY WAR.

a/n ⇾ this is the first part of a 2 part series! Thank you for requesting the idea anon and I really hope you don’t mind that I’ve written this in two parts! I really hope you like it 💗

*not my gif, full credit goes to the owner*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanos, the name everyone dreaded to hear after the pain and sadness he caused when wiping out half the universe. He craved destruction, he thought genocide was a small price to pay for civilisation. He thought he was the world’s saviour, the titan who could restore peace and harmony to the universe but in reality he was doing the exact opposite. Instead he caused pain and suffering, making things worse than they already were.

Being a part of the Avengers wasn’t so easy, especially when they decided to have one of the biggest fights where you were forced to choose between your two best friends.

You fought with Steve, no matter what happened you knew Bucky didn’t do what the media were saying he did, Steve was sure of it. You fought with him, becoming a fugitive and using every power you could to help him. That’s how you met Bucky.

After the events of the Sokovia Accords and the fight between Tony and Steve, you were a fugitive, you couldn’t return home nor could you stay anywhere else so you went with Steve and Bucky to Wakanda.

Wakanda was beautiful. The city was beaming with sound and colour, the people happy and friendly around you. King Tchala was more than welcoming, he quickly became a friend even though he fought against you. He knew he needed to make up for the mistake he made, blaming Bucky for his father’s death and he offered him every ounce of help he could which all of you were grateful for.

Soon, Steve left and it was just you and Bucky, well just you for a while. Bucky went back into Cryofreeze, he couldn’t trust his own mind, he thought it would be safer for him and everyone else until Shuri found a way to either calm the triggers of Hydra or take them away completely. It was pretty lonely for a while but you became pretty close with Shuri, helping her in any way possible to figure out how to get the trigger words out of Bucky’s tormented mind.

When Bucky came out of Cryo things were still pretty hard for him but you were there every step of the way to help him through it. You were there for every nightmare, every bad day, every good day and to keep him company. You’d always had a connection with Bucky, you’d always gotten on like a house on fire and throughout this time it only strengthened the connection between the two of you. When he first asked you out you were shocked but you struggled to hide the excitement you felt when he did. He took you on a few dates, Tchala helped him to organise little dinners and long walks around the most beautiful parts of Wakanda: things were amazing. Bucky asked you to be his girlfriend and there was no way on any universe you were going to say no, you were falling head over heels for him and there was nothing that could stop you.

Bucky was doing good, he spent most days with you in the little mud hut in a little place not fair from the main city within Wakanda and it was beautiful. You spent every day helping him with memories and chores around the place, making sure the goats were fed and things were tidy. It was peaceful and calm, the perfect place to be.

You and Bucky both knew something bad was coming when Tchala came down to the hut himself with a shiny, new, powerful arm for Bucky. You both got ready for the battle ahead, Tchala explained the situation, how Thanos wanted to destroy half the universe after he could his hands on all six infinity stones. Your job was to not let that happen.

You hoped to Steve again in better circumstances so Bucky could tell him how far he’s come and the progress that he’s fought so hard to make but there wasn’t anytime. Thanos’ armies were on their way and approaching fast. The lead up to battle was always the worst, Shuri was sure she could take the stone out of vision without killing him but she was going to need a lot of time and we didn’t know how much time we could give her.

When you stood next to Bucky looking out at the unsettling amount of battleships and armies ready to plague the lands of Wakanda with blood and death; you couldn’t help but let the anxiety rise within you. Your heart began to race and your palms began to sweat at the thought of death. You weren’t afraid to die personally but all your friends, the love of your life and the people you trust the most were going into this battle which created the fear of experiencing loss and grief. You turned to Bucky, studying his features for a little while, the way his hair fell just above his shoulders, how his eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked straight ahead and the way his eyes sparkled a bright blue against the gazing sun. You took everything in and did your best to burn it into your memory so that you wouldn’t ever forget him if either you died or if the worse happened to him.

“Be careful” He whispered to you, only just about loud enough for you to hear as you turned your head to smile at him.

“You too baby” You smile in return, quickly both of your focusses shifting back onto the fight ahead.

Everyone prepared for battle, our faces coldy staring at the killing machines being held back by the bright blue ray shield surrounding the whole country whilst we assumed our positions ready to face the armies of Thanos. When Tchala gave the instruction to open the shield on his command you pushed any anxieties or bad thoughts to the back of your mind, summoning your powers as everyone began running towards where the opening of the shield will be.

You ran as fast as your legs would take you easily sprinting past the warriors of wakanda as Tchala instructed the commanders to open the section 17 of the ray shield. The monsters came flooding in, Steve and Tchala jumping quite literally into battle as you landed the first blow to your target, pulling the animal apart with your powers before moving onto the next. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see you were largely outnumbered, the animals bred for a single purpose outnumbering you by the thousands. The monsters came flying at you multiple at a time as you did your best to fight them off using a mixture of your powers and hand to hand combat Bucky and Steve had taught you.

The monsters numbers only kept increasing, it seemed like you took one down another three followed, You did everything you could but it was starting to become a little overwhelming, not only just for you but for everyone else on the battlefield also. There were simply too many enemies replacing the ones already taken down.

“We can’t hold them much longer” You said over COMS before being taken down by a group of them. You kicked, punched, slashed and used your powers to push them off you but more joined and it was no use. Until, an axe came flying through the air, lightning currents following in pursuit of it as the enemies were killed and no longer surrounded you. You pushed yourself up onto your elbows, letting out a stiffened groan as you looked to the rainbow bifrost burning a hole into the surface soon revealing a new, handsome looking Thor with what looked like a raccoon on his back and a tree stood just beside him. You smiled widely, reinforcements had arrived and things were looking up.

“You guys are so screwed now!” Banner shouted excitedly from the hulk buster suit. You chuckled to yourself briefly distracted from the fight but a cry from one of the monsters hurtling towards you brought you back into reality.

You returned to fighting doing everything you could to take down as many as the blood hungry animals that came to you. It was exhausting, battle always was. You occasionally looked over Bucky’s way making sure he was okay, little did you know he was doing the same thing for you.

You scanned the battle field looking for anyone who could potentially need your help whilst continuing to fight off the ones you could. You spotted Nat and Okeye entering the path of a Thresher. You panicked beginning to run in their direction to stop the Thresher from shredding them when Wanda flew down from the tower, landing directly in front of them, eyes glowing a bright red as the red strings of power flow from her hands to stop the machine dead in its tracks; destroying it in the process.

“Why was she up there all this time?” Okoye asks as you chuckle softly almost instantly being attacked again.

You moved on, now fighting side by side with Bucky and taking down all the enemies that threatened to get near him. Vision was now unguarded and shuri was exposed meaning  that there was no line of defence left for the stone.

“Guys we’ve got a vision situation here” Sam says throw COMS doing his best to get to vision but the enemies were still flowing through the hole in the protective shield.

“Somebody get to vision!” Steve shouts tirelessly through COMS.

You sprint through the battlefield, punching, kicking and taking everything down in your way preventing you from getting to vision and to the stone. Bruce had already gotten there in the hopes to stop the enemy and you only could run as fast as your legs would take you.

Bruce had been side tracked meaning Vision was still alone with Corvus Glaive, vision was weak from the interfacing Shuri had been attempting leaving him even more vulnerable. You arrived with Vision, tackling Corvus to the ground and throwing him away from the both of you as you stood back up.

“Get outta here” You say waving your hand for him to go before Corvus begins to attack you. You blocked his staff with your arms, using all the strength you had to push back, you land a few good blows, earning him a large cut to his cheek. Steve joins as you both begin to fight him, using the gaps in one anothers fight patterns to defend yourselves. You were thrown against a tree, groaning in pain when the hard, rough exterior of the tree scraped down your back, winding you as Steve struggled also. He did all he could but it wasn’t going to be enough, you tried our best to push yourself up in time but Vision had beaten you to the saviour role, pushing his own blade through Corvus’ chest killing him instantly. You let out a sigh of relief, finally managing to push yourself up as you walked over to the two of them.

“I thought she told you to go” Steve says, his chest heaving up and down as he tried to catch his breath.

“We don’t trade lives Captain” Vision replies looking between the two of you as you nodded slightly.

Shortly after the others joined you. Bucky instantly made his way over to you to check you over, making sure you were okay. You reassured him you were fine, smiling softly to him.

“He’s here” Vision announces as your heart drops and anxiety increases.

“Everyone on my position, we have incoming.” Steve states through COMS.

A dust like cloud filled with blue, black and purple colours appears just above the ground before Thanos steps through.

“Cap that’s him” Bruce confirms

“Eyes up, stay sharp.” Steve says, getting ready with his shield to fight even with the little odds stacked against us.

Bruce reached Thanos first, jumping at him but Thanos uses the space stone to his advantage forcing Bruce to be submerged in the stone wall of the cliff behind him. Before Steve can even reach Thanos he is thrown aside with ease. Tchala is next, he leaps into the air high with his claws extended ready to land a blow but Thanos catches him by his throat, punching him into the ground violently. Sam also tries but once again Thanos uses another stone to stop him from coming anywhere near him to injure him, sending him pummeling to the ground.

Vision and Wanda needed time to destroy the stone, you were planning on doing everything you could to buy them some time. You lunged at Thanos, landing a few blows to chest and face as you slipped through his legs, attacking his back at the point with knives that did very little but it was giving Wanda enough time to destroy the stone. You went to jump at him again, unfortunately you were caught within range of a stone meaning you were flung away from him and to the ground.

Rhodey began open firing at Thanos but it was of no use, the iron suit crushed around as he hit the ground with a harsh thud. Bucky then tries his luck, firing his gun at every possible spot but was flung away but yet another stone. Okoye and Nat try also but both were sent flying away from him. Vines of bark wrap around his purple limbs holding him down for a few seconds before the vines from Groot are crushed and Thanos is once again free.

Wanda had almost finished destroying the stone, the hurt in her cries evident as she continues to destroy the one she loves. Thanos was dangerously close to her, she used every ounce of power to hold him back and continue to destroy the stone. The yellow stone in Vision's mind begins to crack. Visions face overcome with an expression of peace as the yellow crystal fragments completely. A pulse of yellow energy explodes from him, shuddering the trees around you for many meters.

“I understand my child, better than anyone” Thanos speaks to Wanda

“You could never” Wanda snarls.

“Today I lost more than you can know. But now is no time to mourn. Now is not time at all” Thanos says reaching forward, he clenches the gauntlet, using the emerald green time stone. The yellow energy starts to appear in reverse, time reversing as an alive Vision comes back.

“No!” Wanda shouts as she lunges for Vision but is thrown away with no effort at all.

Thanos lifts Vision by his throat, no remorse or guilt plastered on his face and he digs the fingers of his right hand around the stone, digging the stone from his head. The stone is released from Visions mind, his body goes limp and colourless. Thanos tosses him aside like he was a piece of litter. He raises his gauntlet placing the stone in the last empty spot. The surge of energy is extremely powerful, his torso is wreathed with iridescent static as a cry leaves his throat trying to contain the power he was given.

Thanos drops to one knee trying to maintain control of the power of the infinity stones when Thor lands in front of him burying his ake deep into his chest.

“I told you, You’d die for that” Thor snarls, nothing but anger and hate laced through his voice.

Thor takes hold of Thanos’ head, burying stormbreaker even further into his chest, staring angrily into his eyes as Thanos lets out a cry of pain.

“You should have.. You…. You should have gone for the head” Thanos says, suddenly regaining strength as he raises the gauntlet once, this time snapping his fingers.

“NO!” Thor shouts in despair.

“What’d you do? WHAT”D YOU DO?” Thor says angrily to Thanos. He merely takes no notice of him, as he uses the Space Stone, teleporting away, leaving the stormbreaker behind on the dusty wakandan ground.

“Where’d he go? Thor… where’d he go” Stve says, trembling slightly as he clings to his left side.

“Y/n? Steve?” Your head snaps towards Bucky, his voice full of confusion and panic as he stumbles over, dropping his gun. He turns to dust, his body no longer there leaving nothing but a pile of ash on the floor. You run over, collapsing onto the floor taking a pile of the ash into your hand as it begins to evaporate disbelievingly.

“No, this cannot be happening, he can’t be gone.. Please no come back Bucky please” You whisper searching through the ash for something, hope maybe but there was none to be found. He was gone.

Many others around you begin to fall to dust, disappearing into the abyss as you all watch in disbelief. Steve, Thor, Rhodey, Nat, Bruce, Rocket and you were the only ones left standing. Steve moves to Visions, lifeless body collapsing next to him. You stayed where Bucky once was, your heart aching in your chest as tears rolled down your cheeks. You couldn’t believe nor did you want to believe he was gone.

“What is this? What the hell is happening?” Rhodey asks just as confused as everyone else.

“Oh god!” Was all Steve managed to say as he breathlessly sat with his hand on Vision's corpse.

𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

Taglist: 

@devilsbaby-doll​

@katexrichardson​

@babymango-writes​

[shibalen]

Hiii! could i request a bnha romantic matchup?(jewellerybox, musicbox) Any pronouns, you can call me Gigi, i’m 5’0, and pansexual.

i’m an ENFP, an aries, chaotic good/neutral. i’m very energetic, weird, disorganized, loud, honest, loyal, optimistic, creative, calm, empathetic, emotional, dramatic, active, airhead and aloof, indecisive, talkative, patient, moody. even though i’m vey energetic and talkative i’m pretty calm and can be quiet and bring my energy to a lower level to match other people’s around me.

i like collecting stuffed animals and random objects, i’m pretty competitive and aggressive, i also love competitive games especially just dance and mario kart, speaking of being aggressive i love physical fights(mainly play fights), i ask a lot of questions and kinda doze off a lot, i like to bake and i’m pretty good at it but i’m terrible at cooking, i’m sorta an airhead and out of touch with reality quite often i also get distracted quite easily, i can never tell when someone likes me even if it’s painfuly obvious, i love physical affection weather i’m giving or receiving like cuddles and hugs🥰, in general i’m quite a physical person when it comes to anything i love getting in there and doing things so i can’t stand sitting around and doing nothing unless i’m playing a video game, I really like preforming, loud noises, rain, sunsets, rainbows, music, food and sleep. i love animals especially little ones like frogs, snails, ducks, rabbits and cats, i love thunderstorms, and im really good at comforting and calming down people if they’re really stressed, sad or angry. i love romance stories or just casually seeing two people out on the street in love it just makes me happy. my sister is really hot headed and doesn’t like to admit she’s wrong so i’m used to dealing with her attitude and anger, but my parents and brother are pretty easy going and calmer so i’m also used to that, i hate spiders and the dark. i’ve been told i’m the cinnamon roll and crackhead of my friendgroup and great at giving advice although i suck at giving myself advice. i’m quite chaotic, clumsy, and random and i tend to do dangerous things with out thinking them through. i also love gymnastics, climbing things and obstacle courses. i like sunsets and going on walks or just being outside during them. i also love going on fun “adventures” with people. my cousins and i would make up new games to play all the time. i love snow and sledding but i hate the cold so i’m always bundled up. i procrastinate way too much and usually forget things. i get along with most people and i’m pretty open minded. i usually say what’s on my mind even oft it’s not appropriate for the moment, i’m fairly honest to people, and i love theatre even though i’m not the best singer at least my acting and dancing are decent. also thank you in advance 💛🐌

♡︎ matchup for anon

hi! this was a toughie but i finally came to the best decision (◡ ω ◡) put it under the cut because the request itself is already quite long. i hope you enjoy!!

bnha: i match you with . . .

ochako uraraka !!

• there are a lot of points to make but the biggest of them all is that how comfortable you would make each other feel. you have several similar traits such as bubbliness(?), honesty and positivity. in addition, with Ochako there's an endless stream of compliments, little favours and soft touches that assure you you're never alone.

• asdfghjk that was the first bullet and i'm already in love

• i think there is something very special about having a s/o that reacts to things the same way you do. it creates a bond without neither of you having to exchange long conversations. usually these are during moments of happiness or excitement that the two of you just click.

• the trust between you and Ocha is simply otherworldly. you're so open with each other, able to talk about almost anything and knowing you have someone who supports you regardless of anything.

• i am convinced she was crushing on you, her best friend, for the longest time. everything about you and what you did was mesmerising. Ocha stopped counting how many times she caught herself in a daze, staring at you with warm cheeks (´･ᴗ･`)

• you were so oblivious to her feelings though she wanted to cry. luckily there was Mina who called together a whole operation featuring most of class 1-A to get you two together!

• they worked so hard to get you alone or hint Ochako's feelings for you. it was almost comical how badly they failed each time though . . . when she was bummed out about the series of failures sitting by herself you asked her what was wrong.

• obviously she was too embarrassed to tell you but you began worrying that it was something much worse.

• "Ocha, you can tell me anything but i understand if you don't want to. i'll give you some space if that helps you feel better."

• The next second she leaped up, grabbing her hand in yours. "no, Gigi! it's not that."

• "i love you, Ochako. i will keep all of your secrets."

• "wait. . . you love me? like 'in love with me'?"

• "well. . . yeah"

• and so you ended up accidentally confessing instead ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Ochako almost faint and had to lie down but all's well that ends well.

• your energy and dramatic acts never fail to make her laugh. it's so infectious i swear both of you end up rolling on the floor and clutching your stomachs in laughter over something stupid.

• just because you're literally the most wholesome couple in existence doesn't mean you'll have any mercy on the other in any competition though.

• playing mario kart? banana peels and shells, this is war and we die like Daichi (oops wrong fandom—) on a brisky jog? y'all run a marathon just to win. though you probably simultaneously end up getting distracted by a cat or a rainbow aww

• if you can't take care of yourself Ochako sure will. she'll give you her best advice and remind you of your deadlines. she's not below taking away your cuddling rights either, don't test her >:(

• Ochako is the softest person to cuddle with! after an exhausting day of working of assignments she holds to close to her while you're both bundled in a blanket and snacking.

• whether you're chatting or watching a movie she usually ends up making you cute little hairdo, like piggytails or just putting colourful hairclips in your hair.

• your dates include sport dates which means just doing anything active like going climbing or long walks, going to theatres (usually nearby ones to support the local associations), chill movie nights which may or may not turn into tickle fights, and late night adventures ♡︎

♫︎ music box

— Gimmie Love by Joji

— Crush by Tessa Violet

— Bubble Tea by dark cat

— Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles

— we fell in love in october by girl in ocober

𑁍 jewellery box

— favourite memory with you

when both of you forgot the key to your dorm rooms so you slept on the common roo sofa for the night. it was before you got together so Ochako had to pretend she wasn't super nervous about the whole thing. then you thought she was cold and inviteed her to sleep on the same sofa so you could cuddle. surprisingly, Ochako did relax as you talked. it was the moment she became determined to confess to you.

— favourite activity to do together

going on small adventures together is enough to fill her to the brim with joy. it can be something as simple as going grocery shopping or running errands, really. with you she feels like anything can happen, that even the daily life can be full of small, wonderful things.

— favourite place to kiss you

it's not really a kiss but i'm telling you she can't stop blowing little raspberries on your arms. it starts out with cute kisses but eventually she can't resist herself. if you're alone in your room it might just escalate into a tickle fight.

— favourite nicknames for you

'Mochgi'. wait, don't go yet i can explain! you were eating mochi together when she asked you to pass her some more. she wanted to say "can you give me some more mochi, Gigi?" but it came out as "can go give me some more mochgi?" because her mouth was full. it became a thing for you to laugh about but actually Ochako kind of likes it now because it suits you.

— favourite thing about you

your open-minded approach to the world and your empathy. all Ochako ever wants to do is help people and make them smile—you seem to do so naturally without even trying. admittedly, she wishes she could be the same and deeply admires those traits in you. you have to remind her that she's perfect the way she is. in return she will likely refuse to let go of you for the rest of the day.

♡︎ runner up: Katsuki Bakugo (istg i was this close to matching you with him but i couldn't get the concept of Ochako and you out of my head)

i think i'm gonna have to give up on trying to schedule my writing because i fail each time. this took forever but thank you fpr being patient! happy new year and stay safe ♡︎

[twistednuns]

April 2020

Let's get started this month with my list of quarantine activities. You know what is so beautiful about this whole situation? I have relearned how to play. I got my urge to be creative back. I'll follow any urge and interest because why not? It's not unlike how a child would spend their day. I have so many new projects and even though I feel like I don't really accomplish anything these days I actually do so much. My balcony is lush and green, the first seedlings have sprouted and found their way towards the light. Like a little garden. I am cooking and baking almost every day, trying new and exciting recipes. I draw and make collages, I got a new carving knife and I love sitting in the afternoon sun on the balcony, making a mess, working on my little wooden bird. I found happiness. Stillness. I'm good at being on my own. There is no pressure - only freedom. I'm so scared this feeling will go away again as soon as I have to go back to work.

Mushrooms.

An iridescent nail polish called Mermaid Fantasy. The 90s are back.

Cherry-flavoured diet coke (man, I LOVE artificial cherry flavour). Peppermint tea with milk.

Finding out that I have the same sun sign (Taurus), moon sign (Gemini) and ascendant (Virgo) as Sophia!

Losing my feeling for time. Only knowing what day it is when I take my vitamins in the morning (the weekdays are printed on the lids). Daylight saving is a bitch as well.

Eliot kissing Charlton in the very last episode of The Magicians. I'm so hot for Hale Appleman.

The BA test kitchen staff filming videos of themselves working from home.

Gerstaecker (resin!) and Amazon (raised bed planter!) orders getting way out of hand. But hey. I won't be able to spend my money on plane tickets so I gotta have the right supplies for some fun stay-at-home projects.

Sunset hour = rainbow hour because of the crystals I finally hung up over the balcony door.

The forest. I feel so at ease there. The colours, the light, the smell, the quietude. I have one right behind my house, I should really take a walk there more often. Walking on the soft, almost bouncy forest floor makes such a difference. I usually walk on asphalt all day - hard, cold, unforgiving. I cut some twigs with budding green leaves for my kitchen. And I spotted a cat in an alley - I actually turned around on my bike just to watch it more closely.

The word nohow - is that the opposite of somehow?

All those birdies visiting my balcony (now that there are interesting nesting materials and seeds to be stolen). I love how snatchily they keep turning their heads, it looks a little bit like a laggy glitch in a computer game.

Duolingo's story feature! You read and listen to little short stories (or longer ones - yesterday I read The Tell-Tale Heart in Spanish) and answer questions. So much more fun than those boring translations. So far I've only seen this feature in the English-Spanish course.

Smelling of honey after roasting a batch of homemade granola.

Thai curry. I still know how to make it. It's been a while.

"And Ally loved contradictions." Lena Dunham's novel Verified Strangers - she publishes a chapter every weekday on Vogue.com and the readers get to decide how the story goes on. She says a romance novel is the best way to distract people from the horrible reality these days.

Listening to Marienova's community podcast before falling asleep.

Watching Studio Ghibli movies for the first time ever. I LOVE them all so much, believe the hype! Super magical. I think Spirited Away might be my favourite so far but man, Howl's Moving Castle? Princess Mononoke? I really can't decide. I absolutely adore the tiny creatures the keep featuring like the soot sprites (Susuwatari) or the tree spirits (Kodama). Oh, and half way into Spirited Away I realised that Yubaba's German voice is Nina Hagen!!!

A really lovely letter from Lena.

Deciding to go out. Sitting down at the edge of a field, enjoying the late afternoon glow shortly before sunset. I make an effort to leave the house every day now during quarantine and it has been so good for me. The morning walk to Neuried, having breakfast in the sunshine, my visits to the forest. I love reconnecting with nature. It's such a big difference compared to my usual ways around the city - subway, asphalt, traffic.

An Easter walk through the forest with Adrian. Human contact! Gasp!

Wearing make-up for the first time in weeks. I love how it makes me look but perhaps I could start wearing it less when all this is over.

Applying my favourite Garnier sun oil on my arms just because of the smell. It reminds me of summer, the beach, time with friends.

An evening walk: almost stumbling over toads three times on a forest path / meeting a friendly black and white cat in front of one of my favourite houses / seeing the plushy toy penguins lined up on a shelf in the supermarket window. Walking past back gardens. A party, people in a whirlpool. Chalk graffiti on a lamp post. Venus shining bright.

The Virtual Orchestra makes me cry.

Playing a magical online escape game with Frank.

A break from FOMO. This phase we're going through is such a gift for me but I know I'm in a very privileged position.

Easter Monday was extremely cold but I really wanted to go to the forest so I went anyway. I love being alone in there, avoiding people whenever possible, taking the small, unbeaten paths. It was windy. I hugged a few trees and when I put my ear onto the trunk I could hear deep moaning noises because the wind made the crowns sway and the wood had to adjust. Eerie. I had never heard that before or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention.

Regularly thanking past me for being so clever and considerate, for thinking of everything and preparing accordingly. I love my new hands-on approach, it really serves me well.

Learning about Japanese pavement markings (oudanhodou ari) since I had always wondered what those diamond-shaped markings on the road meant.

Using a leaf care spray on my house plants. So shiny!

Talking to my neighbors. Learning that they're calling the big red cat that keeps walking through our backyard Garfield (I have a different name for him). They also saved me when my apartment door fell shut and gave me a ladder so I could break into my own flat by climbing on the balcony. Oh and Franky gave me his power drill because I needed to drill a hole in the balcony ceiling. More plant hangers! A project for next week: Makramee! I both hate drilling (scary, messy, have I mentioned scary?!) and love it (because it makes me feel like a feminist badass).

The smell of sunflower seed bread and sticky walnut cinnamon buns in the whole apartment.

Love in times of Corona. I'm so happy to be alone right now. I've stopped searching. I am enough.

Working with warm yeast dough.

That day I went to the forest with Manu. He arrived in my backyard and simply said Let's Romeo and Juliet this! (Doch still, was schimmert durch das Fenster dort? Es ist der Ost, und Julia die Sonne!) because he didn't want to come inside. We also tried the Rapunzel-method when I let my hair down to make him climb up the balcony but that obviously didn't work. On our way to the forest we found a plant garage sale and I couldn't resist, I took three pots and donated some money. Manu said that it was one of those moments when I get shiny eyes because I'm so happy or joyful. When we sat down in the nest made from branches a lady approached us after a while and asked us to help her friend who had fallen down. Those things only happen when Manu is with me, I swear.

Peeling a melon in one go without breaking the peel.

The mason bee makes its nest from flower petals.

Buttermilk.

Louise Bourgeois getting her fears under control.

[allyinthekeyofx]

In my field of paper flowers 6/7

Chapter one here

Chapter two here

Chapter three here

Chapter four here

Chapter five here

CHAPTER SIX

Finally, after so many years, so many denials from the both of us, we talked.

I lost track of how much time passed, but we walked hand in hand as the sun rose high in the sky and talked in a way we hadn’t talked in years. Maybe more than we’d ever talked in fact.

The countryside that surrounds the house is beautiful in its simplicity. Endless fields filled with grasses that made no sound as we made our journey. I chose the house for us because of that remote simplicity. At a time when we both still running, the surrounding landscape meant that we could see; from any direction we could see for mile upon mile.

It seemed at the time to be the safest way to be. To ensure we could always see the danger that we were convinced was always so damn close.

But over the years I have come to appreciate that endless horizon for so many other reasons. When it storms I can sit on the porch and watch the lightening and when the storm passes I’ve watched rainbows paint the sky with light and colour. At night I can literally count the stars. No streetlamps to mar the inky blackness that surrounds that little house like a comforting cloak. The darkness soothes my soul. 

Because I’ve seen enough stark brightness to last me a lifetime.

It’s a house that holds no secrets, exposed as it is on the very edge of nature and I think that being there saved me in my darkest days.

And Scully of course.

Always there was Scully.

Because even when she wasn’t there with me, my past life with her clung to that house and continued to hold me up.

The memories of her were everywhere, giving me a reason to be. 

And I owe her so much.

But slowly, I’m beginning to realise that maybe, just maybe, the weight of responsibility isn’t mine alone.

That she made her own choices. That for all the years I have shouldered a blame that has slowly eaten me alive, I was actually doing this woman a great disservice. Because in doing so, I was only acknowledging my own regrets, my own pain. Never hers. By trying to protect her I have trivialised everything she chose to sacrifice to be with me. Her family, her career, her health, her future. She chose. I didn’t ever force her to choose. It just felt that way to me. But I was wrong. So very wrong.

There have been no angry words. No recriminations. Just an understanding that has taken so many years to finally articulate but which needs to be spoken.

If we are to survive, if we are to move forwards; because if last night taught me anything it is simply that I realise now that I’ve stagnated within myself for far too long.

And so we talked. Finally we talked, finding it was surprisingly easy to open doors we had thought were closed forever.

We stopped walking after a while and just sat; Scully in front of me, our arms crossed together against her chest, her head is resting lightly against my shoulder and even though my back is starting to protest, I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be right now. Apollo is sat by her feet, keeping guard against marauding rabbits. 

And it feels good. 

It feels kind of like family.

But there is one thing we haven’t yet spoken about.

William

She hasn’t asked me about him or about my reluctance to finally answer the need inside me that has lived every single day for almost fifteen years. I think maybe it’s too painful for her, that she is afraid of what my response will be. Especially today when we have laid each other bare. Truths spoken finally without boundaries, without candour and I can’t help but wonder if we had been able to have this day five years ago, if everything would be different now.

But then again, I know that back then, the hurt was just too big. That the words wouldn’t have been heard by either of us and I think that sometimes, the pain has to be allowed to burn before it can finally be extinguished. But at the same time I’m also afraid that some hurt just keeps on burning. That no matter what what we do, it will never fully leave us, licking insidiously from the inside out, until eventually we are destroyed in increments, piece by painful piece.

I have no idea what the time is; my watch is back at the house and after Scully had used her phone to call Skinner’s office to leave a message that we needed to take a day away from work, that we wouldn’t be coming in today, she had placed her phone next to mine on the counter.  We knew Skinner would understand. Anyone else who needed us would just have to wait.

And as we sit there, I can almost hear the essence that is Scully;  not sure where her heartbeat ends and mine begins, the years have simply fallen away and finally, everything seems right somehow, exactly as it should be. 

Except for one final truth that needs to be heard. But no matter how much I try to find a place to start, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make her understand.

But for the both of us, I have to try.

I tighten my arms around her. And inexplicably, she knows, knows before I can even form the words.

“Why are you so afraid Mulder?”

She twists her body slightly, so that, as awkward it is for her, she is able to tilt her head to look at me. Even locked in the confines of my arms as I hang on to her, she is able to look at me. I loosen my grip on her just enough to free her movement and by doing so, she is able to reach up and place her hand against my neck. I shake my head, unable to meet her eyes.

“Mulder?”

“I......because....”

 The words catch in my throat but Scully just remains there, not pushing, just waiting, until finally, my voice barely above a whisper; 

“I’m afraid I won’t love him.”

She is silent for a moment. If she is hurt by my admission, she hides it well.

“Why? Why would you ever think that?”

I still can’t bring myself to look at her.

“Three days. I knew him for three days Scully and it was never enough....and then when I was gone wanting and needing you both so badly, wanting more than anything to just come home to you...and I was coming home Scully, I promise you I was coming home to you both...”

The words die in my throat as I remember how I so very nearly made it; so very nearly was able to stop running and go back to them, armed with at least some idea as to how to keep us safe..

“The things they did to me in that prison Scully....and I couldn’t...I just couldn’t...”

I am a guilty man. I deserve the harshest punishment for my crimes.

I swallow, closing my eyes briefly against the memories.

Of endless nights on cold concrete floors. Curled up, wracked with pain and regret and guilt, I had refused to think of my son; refused to allow the precious memory of him to be somehow tainted by that place of fear and terror and hopelessness;  pretending he hadn’t happened at all had been the only way to survive, to stop myself losing my mind completely. And in doing so, somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten how it felt to hold him in my arms. To feel his gentle warmth, to breath him in. To love him.

“I wanted so much to love him Scully” I whisper “but I forgot how to...”

I finally look at her

“What if I can’t remember?”

I feel my eyes begin to burn, sudden tears that come from deep inside of me threatening to escape their confines, even as I try in vain to blink them back, they are burning their way down my face. Scalding hot tears that sear my skin and mingle with over a decade of shame.

And Scully is crying too. As she scrambles to her knees and reaches out for me. Pulling me towards her with fierce intensity as she finally understands. Her fingers clutch at my hair, twisting it painfully as she forces me to look at her.

“You didn’t ever stop loving him Mulder, can’t you see?.... You just stopped allowing yourself to.”

Concluded chapter seven

[idornaseminary]

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Mel and Enzo

The two days that passed after the incident were among the bleakest Mel had ever experienced in her six years at Idorna. Classes were cancelled, and a black aura had settled across the castle. She was sure she had never seen the halls so deserted. Most people were distraught, not wanting to leave their rooms.

Mel was also distraught, but she was dealing with it much differently. She couldn’t just sit in her room and...mourn, or whatever it was they were expected to be doing. She tried that, curled up on the magnificent four-poster in her dorm room, the night of the Quidditch Game. She’d been sitting there for only twenty minutes and a wave of dread had surged in her chest. She’d spent the rest of the evening pacing the halls. She’d wandered until it felt like her legs were going to fall off, so that the time between pulling the covers over her and sleeping felt like a blink.

But still, that horrible voice haunted her dreams. She couldn’t get it out of her head, the way the bodies had just flung themselves onto the pitch.

It felt stupid. She hadn’t even known any of the students who’d jumped. She thought of Beatrice, no doubt worried sick over the health of her roommate, and even of Enzo, who was holed up in the infirmary with some serious injuries of his own. Both of them were worse off than her, and yet…

She sighed, settling onto the lip of a large window on the first floor. The halls were mostly deserted, save for a few restless souls like herself. She was only there for a moment before she pushed off, coming to a decision. She’d put her restless energy to use, seeing as she was on the first floor anyway.

The infirmary was at high capacity. Mel paused at the doorway, watching the shimmering protection bubbles around each of the beds. She spotted black curls at the far end and strode purposefully towards it.

“Knock knock,” she said, rapping her knuckles against the metal frame of the bed. “Want some company?”

Enzo peered over, watching Mel. She always had an air of ease about her; not much had changed in the last five years. Still, like most of the others, she looked tired. The one good thing about being forced the infirmary was the fact that he was also forced to get lots of sleep. If he couldn’t do it on his own, they induced it.

“Seems I’m quite popular these days,” Enzo muttered back, head still against his pillow, hair wet from the quick shower Dr. Evans allowed him after nearly two full days.

She settled onto the edge of the bed, trying to take up as little space as possible. It had been two days, so most of his injuries were healing pretty nicely, but there were still some nasty scrapes and bruises on his face. She frowned, looking him over.

“God, I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like shit. Are they treating you okay here? Do I need to have any intimidating chats with Evans?”

Enzo grinned and shook his head, snorting slightly at her proposal. “Believe me, if I could get away with hexing her to keep away from me, I would.”

He sighed, chewing his bottom lip which hadn’t quite healed yet. “Did anyone you know get hurt?”

She shook her head. “I mean, not besides you. No one...jumped, if that’s what you mean.” It felt like she’d uttered the foulest curse imaginable, given her surroundings. The silence that followed it was brief, but it was thick and tangible enough to propel her to scooch just a bit closer and stare at him, speaking again in a guarded murmur.

“Enzo...what the hell happened?”

“Been asking myself that for the past forty-eight hours,” he replied, feeling her press closer to him. “It doesn’t feel real.”

He watched Dr. Evans and the mediwizards scurry around the infirmary, tending to the wounded. If anyone was going to die, they would have been dead by now. Still, it was strange that those who jumped were still unconscious, He overheard a conversation a few students were having earlier. They said that the fallen’s vitals were normal; it was as if they were simply in a coma.

“The Gladur,” he muttered. “I heard it was black.”   

“What?” A shiver rippled through her, at the same time that her heartbeat kicked into overdrive. In all her time at Idorna, she’d seen a rainbow of colours from the leaves of the Gladur, typically matching whatever general mood the island’s inhabitants were feeling, but black? It was unheard of. She searched back in her mind, trying to remember if she’d looked out a window lately, but she was drawing a blank.

“Since when?” she asked, her voice thin. “Who told you that?”

“The students who work in the infirmary talk more than they should,” Enzo murmured, thinking of Calix, the one who rambled and, of course, tended to him often. “They said the leaves are slowly turning black from the middle of the Gladur outwards. Have any idea what that is supposed to mean?”

Dread mounted in her chest as he spoke. The visual of the forest slowly turning black from the inside out, like it was rotting, made her feel sick with fear.

“That’s fucking terrifying,” she said, almost laughing at how absurd the whole thing was. “I have no sweet clue.” She pondered it a moment, then an idea struck her. Professor Owa wasn’t an expert on the Gladur by any means, but she definitely knew more than most. Mel recalled how cagey she’d acted when she asked her about it before, but maybe in the wake of everything that had happened, she’d change her tune.

“I might see what Owa can tell me,” she said finally, picking absently at her nails. “I can’t just sit around and mope. I might as well put my restless energy towards

something.”

“Might be a good idea,” he said, trying to keep his voice low. He knew Owa, but only had classes with her in his first and second year. She did spend much of her time near the Gladur.

He recalled Beatrice’s meeting with him earlier that day, how she seemed hellbent on figuring out what was happening, as well. Maybe with the lot of them working as a unit, they might come up with something.

“There is a girl I know, Beatrice. Gestona, as well,” he said, shifting up a bit on his bed. “Her friend was one of the fallen. She’s trying to decipher what the voice was… you heard it, too, yes?”

“Ugh, I wish I hadn’t. I’ve been having nightmares about that damn voice since it happened.” She shuddered. “But yeah, I know Beatrice. I’d be happy to find out what she discovers. This whole thing is too awful for words.”

She thought of Liara, locked up in her office since the incident. A small, vindictive part of her almost added, At least some of us are doing something about it, but she bit it down. It wasn’t fair. Liara had a good heart. This was probably eating her alive.

Mel stood, shaking out her hair and giving Enzo a determined smile. “Well, that’s my plan of action then. I’ll keep you posted?”

Enzo simply nodded at her, but before she could leave, he reached out, grabbing ahold of her wrist. “Melanie, just... be careful. Whatever we are dealing with is dangerous. Don’t get too close to what we don’t understand yet.”

She smiled at him, stretching out her fingers to brush them against his own wrist. Something about the way he used her full name like that had always given her a fluttery feeling in her chest. Even now.

“I understand, Enzo. You too. Feel better.”

She squeezed his hand before turning and leaving, making a beeline for the front doors. When she stepped outside, the autumn air bit into her cheeks. From the top of the steps, she could see a few layers of the Gladur laid out before her, but it looked normal to her.

Normal, that is, until she got closer. All she was able to make out in an otherwise crimson tree was a single leaf, black as night, as though it had been dipped in tar.

[cbmagique]

Pokemon Adventurers chapter 45 outtakes

Some more outtakes from Pokémon Adventurers that were supposed to go with chapter 45 but I couldn’t find a good way to fit them in/couldn’t decide which version was best and so now they’re just outtakes. Now here for your reading pleasure if you are by any chance suffering the ridiculously long wait for chapter 46.

The training yard was usually quiet at night since after dinner training was a rare occurrence. So when Ray stepped out of the Pokémon Centre he was surprised to find Violet outside sitting with her legs crossed on a concrete post. At her feet a purple star-shaped Pokémon lay on the grass, twisting and turning its upper body. The red gem blinked up towards the sky.

  “Hey,” he greeted casually, prompting her to look up.

  “Curious about Starmie,” she said.

  He stared at her in surprise for a good ten seconds. “Um… I guess, yeah, that’s true. What I was actually going to ask was what was keeping you up tonight but I am curious about your star.”

  Violet tensed. “Sorry,” she muttered, lowering her head so that her hair shielded her face like a curtain. “Forget myself sometimes.”

  “It’s honestly no big deal,” Ray said confusedly. “I mean, you were right and I could have come out here to see your Starmie - is that right? - but that’s not really the reason I came.”

  “Your Pokémon already worked hard today, let them rest all night.”

  An awkward paused occurred, which saw Ray staring at her again. She blushed.

  “This is a training yard…”

  Ray blinked. “Oh, right!” he said, realising the obvious. “Really, you think so?”

  Violet nodded.

  “Well, I suppose you are the more experienced trainer so I’ll take that as advice but I really need my Pokémon to be stronger. I don’t want to waste a minute.”

  Violet tucked her hair behind her ear so she could give him a questioning look that urged him to go on.

  “Our limits are too low right now. At the Battle Tent my Pokémon didn’t really compare to some of the other trainers’ and that was really eye-opening for me. Right now we’re not prepared for anything and that’s not acceptable, given that…” he hesitated, “given that we have a lot to lose if we can’t defeat some of the opponents we have to face.”

  “Sounds tough,” she said empathetically.

  Suddenly there was a squeak from the swing set. It startled Ray a bit so he turned around, anticipating that he would see someone there to put his mind at ease but the swing that was currently swinging was empty. The hairs all over his body stood on end at the spooky sight. Just as he was rationalising that it was just the wind, the swing went faster. Faster and faster and faster it went until it was going so high and so fast that it flipped over itself. The chain coiled around the top bar until it was too short to swing anymore, at which point a dark, mysterious object flung out of the swing seat and collided with a tree. It spun around the trunk like a sash whirling around the bark. Then it popped out. The ghostly creature, with free floating hands and a great big grin, laughed uproariously.

  “W-w-what is that?!” Ray squeaked.

  Violet giggled. “Just Haunter, that’s all.”

  “Haunter… huh…” Ray muttered stiffly. “Is it… is it okay if I look them up in the Pokédex?”

  Violet cocked her head to the side, reining herself in. “Yes but why do you feel you have to ask?”

  Ray shrugged as he took out his Pokédex. “Well, I’m just not sure whether or not it’s rude to go to the machine instead of actually asking the trainer.”

  She smiled at the innocence of his answer. “It’s fine. Nobody minds the Pokédex. Everyone knows that it’s one of the best resources a trainer has.”

  “If you say so,” Ray conceded, capturing Haunter on his device.

  “Haunter, the gas Pokémon. It lurks in darkness where nothing is visible while stalking its prey. If it beckons, do not approach. Its touch causes endless shuddering and anyone licked by its gaseous tongue will grow steadily weaker until they die.”

  “Oh my god,” Ray gasped, staring at Haunter with a wide-eyed, terrified look like he was afraid to even blink in its presence. The Haunter chuckled and stretched its tongue out to an impossible length, wiggling it in Ray’s face as he tried to back away from it. He tripped on his heel and ended up flat on his back.

  “Stop that!” Violet chastised. Haunter pulled its tongue back a bit and glared at her like she was spoiling everything. “Don’t worry, Ray. He won’t hurt you seriously, nothing to fear here. On the other hand, perhaps don’t discount that information since a wild Haunter might certainly try something like that on you.”

  “G-g-good to kn-know,” Ray stammered, still terrified. “But still, don’t you worry about yourself with a Pokémon like that?”

  She shook her head. “With a trained Haunter, not really like that. Shuddering and paralysis are the result of moves a Haunter might use. Quite safe to touch, actually.”

  Violet held out her hand and Haunter shook it amiably. Then he began to swing around her as if there was an invisible, intangible rope between his hand and his body. Ray stood up, a bit relieved that the Pokémon wasn’t as dangerous as the ‘dex made it out to be but still took a few steps back to be well out of its range. At least now he felt he could take his eyes off it for a second and glanced at Starmie, still lying on the ground and blinking up at the sky. If the Pokédex was okay for Haunter, Violet probably wouldn’t mind if he checked it.

  “Starmie, the mysterious Pokémon. The red core has been known to glow in all colours of the rainbow and can receive and transmit enigmatic radio signals. The signals can cause headaches in people who approach it. Due to its luminous nature, it is known as ‘the gem of the sea’.”

  “That sounds like an amazing Pokémon,” Ray breathed. “I can see why you didn’t bring them to lunch. I wouldn’t keep these two out in front of people.”

  “The recall information has nothing to do with why I didn’t bring them to lunch. Just eat differently, that’s all.”

  “Eat differently?”

  Violet nodded. “Haunter is one of a few Pokémon that feed on intangible things, like dreams and feelings. And Starmie is a filter feeder, so it can’t eat out of water.”

  Ray looked down, brow furrowed. “Man, it’s hard.”

  Violet gave him a questioning look but he didn’t look up to see it, even as he continued: “Every time I meet a new Pokémon there turns out to be a completely different way to care for it. I’m already beginning to wonder how I’m going to take care of six. Maybe I ought to stick with the four I have.”

  “Things like that can be off-putting,” Violet nodded, “but in my experience, the bonds you make are worth all of the work it takes. And maybe eventually you’ll start to consider caring for them as part of all the fun you’re having, ne?”

  She looked straight at Ray with a smile. Meanwhile, Haunter spun too wide and flung himself into a climbing wall, leaving one hand behind with Violet. Ray tried to stifle a huge laugh behind his knuckles but he couldn’t hold it in. The climbing wall cackled along with him and Violet joined in.

  “See? Great, right?”

  Ray nodded, unable to speak past his sniggers.

  “Whatever is it you’re worried about, simply training isn’t the straight answer you’re looking for. Think of your Pokémon as your family. Keep their backs and they’ll keep yours.”

  Ray’s laughter died down gasp by gasp as the profundity of that dawned on him. It took him back to the previous tournament (was it the previous year already? He had no idea) and how Violet’s statement had already been illustrated by his team and by his failure to do right by them. The team and the family could be one and the same; how could he have almost forgotten that again?

  “Something wrong?”

  Ray looked up. Violet was watching him with a concerned expression. “It’s nothing, just… you made me think about something that I hadn’t thought about in regards to this.”

  “A failure?”

  He hesitated, wondering how Violet could be so perceptive. “Yeah. I failed some people close to me and it cost us a competition. We couldn’t even salvage the championship in the long run but after all was said and done it didn’t even feel like the most important thing.”

  “Yet you still regret it.”

  “Of course I do. If I had been more reasonable, more observant, more responsible, then maybe we could have gone further. It still feels like my fault.”

  “The past is unchangeable now,” Violet said wisely. “Best you can do is turn those regrets into something you’re proud of. Let your Pokémon help you become the person you wish you had been so that when you do meet your friends again you can proudly say ‘I’ve definitely learned from my mistakes’ and you won’t even feel bad about it anymore.”

  Ray grinned. “Thanks, Violet. I wish I’d had someone like you around. Although, if you’re not training, what are doing out here at this time?”

  “Doing it for my Pokémon. They like the darkness, so I’m letting them enjoy the night.”

  That got Ray to think. He let Zubat loose in the air. It shrieked, irritated by the artificial lights from the Pokémon Centre and the training yard but it flapped hard until it was flying about very high in the sky, almost invisible against the dark sky. Yet it wasn’t going anywhere. It seemed content to just fly around the boundary of the Pokémon Centre, occasionally dipping over the empty plot behind it. Ray sighed with good feeling and followed Violet’s example; he found somewhere to sit and observe his Pokémon doing what made it happy.

 The training yard was usually quiet at night since after dinner training was a rare occurrence. So when Hilary stepped out of the Pokémon Centre she was surprised to find Violet outside sitting with her legs crossed on a concrete post. At her feet a purple star-shaped Pokémon lay on the grass, twisting and turning its upper body. The red gem blinked up towards the sky.

  “Oh, Violet, you’re still out,” Hilary remarked, prompting a Violet to look up. “Are you doing training as well?”

  Violet stared at her, puzzled. “Not put off by what happened this morning?”

  “What? No, not at all. You seem to have powers, that’s all.”

  “That’s okay with you?”

  Hilary looked at Violet sympathetically. “Do you think it shouldn’t be?” she asked, coming to sit on the post next to her. Violet didn’t answer. “We don’t really know each other that well, so I don’t know why you’d think that, but Mari already told us all about psychics and it’s not a big deal to me at all. In fact, I was even wondering if I would get to meet one.”

  Violet’s confused look deepened and she uncrossed her legs to face Hilary.

  “It’s kinda cool and I was hoping we could become friends and then maybe you could tell me what it’s like to have real psychic powers and have big adventures and I could tell you about… oh, I don’t know actually. All I do at home is go to school and do homework and hang around with my friends while they play beyblades.” She paused to take in Violet’s expression. “Sorry, I got a bit rambly there, didn’t I?”

  Violet responded with a small smile and a giggle. She opened her mouth but suddenly there was a squeak from the swing set. Hilary jumped with a squeal and turned around. She hoped she would see someone there to put her mind at ease but the swing that was currently swinging was empty. The hairs all over her body stood on end at the spooky sight. Just as she started rationalising that it was just the wind, the swing went faster. Faster and faster and faster it went until it was going so high and so fast that it flipped over itself. The chain coiled around the top bar until it was too short to swing anymore, at which point a dark, mysterious object flung out of the swing seat and collided with a tree. It spun around the trunk like a sash whirling around the bark. Then it popped out. The ghostly creature, with free floating hands and a great big grin, laughed uproariously.

  “W-w-what is that?!” Hilary squeaked.

  Violet chuckled. “Just Haunter, that’s all.”

  “Haunter… huh…” Hilary muttered stiffly. “Is it… is it okay if I look it up in the Pokédex?”

  Violet cocked her head to the side. “Yes but why do you feel you have to ask?”

  “Well, I’m just not sure whether or not it’s rude to go to the machine instead of actually asking the trainer,” Hilary explained as she took out her Pokédex.

  “It’s fine. Nobody minds the Pokédex. Everyone knows that it’s one of the best resources a trainer has.”

  “Alright then,” Hilary conceded, capturing Haunter on her device.

  “Haunter, the gas Pokémon. It lurks in darkness where nothing is visible while stalking its prey. If it beckons, do not approach. Its touch causes endless shuddering and anyone licked by its gaseous tongue will grow steadily weaker until they die.”

  “Oh my god,” she gasped, staring at Haunter with a wide-eyed, terrified look like she was afraid to even blink in its presence. The Haunter chuckled and stretched its tongue out to an impossible length, wiggling it in Hilary’s face. She shrieked and jumped off her seat to crouch behind Violet.

  “Stop that!” Violet chastised. Haunter pulled its tongue back a bit and glared at her like she was spoiling everything. “Don’t worry. He won’t hurt you seriously, nothing to fear here. On the other hand, perhaps don’t discount that information since a wild Haunter might certainly try something like that on you.”

  “G-g-good to kn-know,” Hilary stammered, still terrified. “But still, doesn’t travelling with a Pokémon like that worry you at all? You’re not afraid that it might turn on you or even hurt you by accident?”

  She shook her head. “With a trained Haunter, not really like that. Shuddering and paralysis are the result of moves a Haunter might use. Quite safe to touch, actually.”

  Violet held out her hand and Haunter shook it amiably. Then he began to swing around her as if there was an invisible, intangible rope between his hand and his body. Hilary stood up, a bit relieved that the Pokémon wasn’t as dangerous as the ‘dex made it out to be but still took a few steps back to be well out of its range. At least now she felt she could take her eyes off it for a second and glanced at Starmie, still lying on the ground and blinking up at the sky. If the Pokédex was okay for Haunter, Violet probably wouldn’t mind if she checked it.

  “Starmie, the mysterious Pokémon. The red core has been known to glow in all colours of the rainbow and can receive and transmit enigmatic radio signals. The signals can cause headaches in people who approach it. Due to its luminous nature, it is known as ‘the gem of the sea’.”

  “That sounds like an amazing Pokémon,” Hilary breathed in awe. “I can see why you didn’t bring them to lunch. I wouldn’t keep them out in front of people.”

  “The recall information has nothing to do with why I didn’t bring them to lunch. Just eat differently, that’s all.”

  “Eat differently?”

  Violet nodded. “Haunter is one of a few Pokémon that feed on intangible things, like dreams and feelings. And Starmie is a filter feeder, so it can’t eat out of water.”

  “Wow. It’s amazing just how different Pokémon can be. How do you keep up with all of your Pokémon? I only have three and I still struggle to remember how to take care of them properly.”

  “It’s hard,” Violet agreed, “but in my experience, the bonds you make are worth all of the work it takes. And maybe eventually you’ll start to consider caring for them as part of all the fun you’re having, ne?”

  She looked straight at Hilary with a smile. Meanwhile, Haunter spun too wide and flung himself into a climbing wall, leaving one hand behind with Violet. Hilary laughed, trying to muffle the sound with her hand. The climbing wall cackled along with her and Violet joined in.

  “See? Great, right?”

  Hilary nodded, unable to speak past her sniggers.

  “Whatever is it you’re worried about, simply training isn’t the straight answer you’re looking for. Think of your Pokémon as your family. Keep their backs and they’ll keep yours.”

  “Huh?” Hilary gasped, patting her chest to help get her breath back. “Training?”

  “Mentioned it at the beginning,” Violet reminded her. “What are you training for?”

  “Oh… ah… it’s a variety of things,” Hilary replied evasively.

  “Such as?”

  She sighed. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Then…” Violet hesitated. “May I See?”

  Hilary blinked at her. “You mean like… with your psychic powers?”

  Hilary’s reaction really baffled her. She looked at Violet with bright eyes, like she was expecting something good to happen. Most people baulked at the idea of having their mind probed. “You trust me?”

  “Well, we’re not close friends yet but you seem so nice and I saw you being so kind to Frieda and that other little girl at the Battle Tent so, yes, I guess I can say that I do trust you.”

  Hilary took her previous seat on the post beside Violet and faced her completely. “Do your thing.”

  “Okay, start off by relaxing,” Violet instructed, turning herself to mirror Hilary. Hilary took a deep slow breath while Violet closed her eyes. She didn’t particularly need to, it just felt right. “You can help me and prevent me accidentally seeing things you don’t want to me to know by thinking of what you want me to See.”

  Hilary took that to heart so easily and all of a sudden Violet felt like she was wearing another skin. She was running, in a park, above the trees high buildings formed a dense city and right in front of her there was someone, someone they’d been looking for—she and the people running beside her. Oddly, there was nothing in her mind about Pokémon. Absolutely nothing. Not even an inkling of a notion that Pokémon might even exist while the group spoke about teams and championships. Then a Porygon Z appeared.

  Things happened in short detailed scenes like that, following one after the other chronologically. Despite being choppy a familiar story unfolded magnificently before her. Violet would have thought it fictional if she wasn’t reading it out of Hilary’s memories and when the story abruptly ended at the Battle Tent she came back to the outside world feeling unsatisfied. The journey had barely begun.

  “Wow… already some adventure,” Violet said, and then nodded. “You’re afraid—scared that you cannot succeed, no faith in yourself while in this unfamiliar territory. You’re from another world.”

  She and Hilary locked gazes. It was remarkable that someone with a form so unalien could be extraterrestrial. Hilary’s eyes sparkled.

  “Yes, you’re right! It’s so weird hearing it from someone else. But…” Hilary’s voice softened anxiously, “what can I do about it?”

  Violet hummed thoughtfully. “All I can really advise is that you should keep trusting your friends and believe them. You’re capable. Trust your Pokémon too. Even though they can’t speak to you their strength will help you grow into the person you want to be.”

  Hilary looked down at her hands on her knees.

  “Unconvinced?”

  “I don’t know. Can you… sorry to ask this of you straight away, but can you tell the future as well?”

  “You want me to read your future?” Violet asked, surprised.

  “I just thought that maybe I’d have a better idea of what I’m going to do if I know what I’m going to do, aside from searching for that stupid Porygon Z.”

  Reading the future was a much more common request than reading the past. Violet shrugged and agreed. Hilary had a blissful start to a great journey with her Pokémon so far and, despite some mishaps that had frightened her, a good trainer didn’t really have much to fear from such things. Violet placed her hands over Hilary’s and this time she was the one to take a deep breath. The future was so much more difficult than the past. She squeezed her eyes shut and reached for the Wheel of Time…

  A shockingly lurid and chaotic vision struck her, leaving her with an instant headache. She felt like she was falling headfirst through a storm. Pain assaulted her in every form: stinging, aching, anguish, burning and more. The storm roared and screamed and cried in her ears. Visions of monsters whirled before her, their teeth, their eyes, their claws and their tails, so fast that she wasn’t sure what she was looking at. At the same time, several less ferocious monsters whirled with them. Those ones were unnervingly human-like. A suffocating force pressed against her chest. The storm cut her skin with icy wind. How could someone like Hilary have a future like this? Was there nothing more? She looked up, searching.

  The storm suddenly broke and golden light shone down, warming the air. The most brilliant rainbow Violet had ever seen glowed around the light and the pressure lifted, giving her the chance to breathe in a sweet-tasting lungful of air. The screams faded, replaced by bubbling sounds like voices laughing and cheering. The storm continued to recede, letting the light tease out the grass and the flowers. Slowly, warmly, two others grasped each of her hands.

  “Violet?”

  She was momentarily blinded by the return to the present. She blinked furiously for several seconds. She was staring at her own hands. Hilary held them tightly. She looked up. Hilary’s eyebrows were slanted in worry and fear.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, voiced hitching like she was holding back a sob. Violet nodded. “It’s a bad future, isn’t it?”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “It seemed like you were having a nightmare.”

  Violet broke eye contact and pulled her hands away gently. “Hilary… your future is actually really good.” She smiled broadly, hoping Hilary would believe it. Hilary eyed her doubtfully. “Might be hard – harder than anything ever, even harder than things I’ve already seen in my own life – but in the end, your future is bright. Really, really bright. Going to be something great, Hilary, I Saw it.”

  Hilary’s shoulders finally relaxed and she gave a small smile of relief. “Okay, if you say so. Sorry I put you through that, I shouldn’t have asked.”

  “Don’t be. I agreed. Reading the future is hard, that’s all.”

  Hilary’s face turned sceptical for a second. “Still, I made you push yourself.”

  “Don’t worry about it. After a good night’s sleep I’ll be in fighting form again. My Pokémon aren’t even worried, see?”

  Indeed, Starmie was still twisting and blinking at the sky while Haunter had possessed the jungle gym and was quite taken with anything than spun.

  “Alright… I can’t really do anything to return the favour, though. I learned how to read palm lines in a book once, maybe I could do that,” Hilary offered.

  Violet chuckled. “In case you haven’t noticed, I can read the future for real.”

  Hilary turned away guiltily but she was smiling. “Haha, that’s true. But in that case I can’t…” she trailed off, taking a long time to think. “This might not be good enough, but would you be around in a couple of days. I’m going to compete in a Contest and I’d like you to be there.”

  “Aren’t Contest’s public events?” Violet smirked, raising an eyebrow.

  Hilary blushed. “I know that!” she huffed defensively. “But I just want to know if you’ll be there, you know, as my friend. And I want to show you… I want to see if I can show you how great I can be.”

  Violet stared at Hilary’s determined expression in surprise. Then she smiled. “Sure.”

 The day of the Contest rolled around quietly and calmly like every other morning in Verdanturf Town. Just as the sun broke over the trees Hilary sat up in bed. All the nerves under her skin tingled so that there was no way that she could even think of lying down again. She had to get up and start moving around, even if she had nowhere to go to as of yet.

  Over the past three days the quiet, deserted Pokémon Centre had suddenly become crowded and lively. In fact, the whole town had gained a sudden influx. When asked almost all of them mentioned a “special showcase” at the Contest Hall. It had piqued Hilary’s interest but after finding out how much it would cost for a ticket, she quickly dashed the possibility of seeing it, to her disappointment.

   Still, she realised she had a whole day ahead of her before her own performance began. The thought sent all of her innards jumping in her belly. She couldn’t stay like this until the evening; the nerves would definitely ruin her. Just as she swung her legs over the side of her bed muttering frantically over what to do, Mari piped up behind her: “Well, what do you want to do?”

  Hilary squeaked and leaped to her feet as she turned. Mari lay across her bed, swinging her legs and beaming brightly at Hilary. “Mornin’.”

  “Don’t scare me like that!” Hilary whined. She sighed. “I forgot you were a morning person.”

  “If you’re bored before the Contest, try the Battle Tent again?” Mari suggested. “Good battles are a good way of unwinding stress.”

  “I don’t know… if they get hurt my Pokémon might not be able to perform their best this evening. And I know they will be hurt because I’m not very good. That place is brutal!”

  “Fine, have it that way,” Mari pouted, dropping her chin on the mattress. “Just go by myself then.”

  “You’re being melodramatic! I’m pretty sure wherever you go the boys are going to end up following. I’m going to take a walk.”

  With that, she turned on her heel to gather up her clothes and left the room without looking back to see Mari’s expression.