#but he wouldn't because he's a soft bean that loves his famILY

[darlingofvalyria]

❝I have these two great friends called Birth and Control.❞

part 06 | it's called a love bug, lovebug

chapter summary:

[ Sunday dinners are actually made for confessions. As Alicent braves it with a wine and a blush, you brave it too. With a boy and a view. ]

[ 2,963 ] [ series masterlist ] |best friend's brother!aemond targaryen x f!reader, ft. cregan stark x f!reader & aemond targaryen x alys rivers,

contains— angst - hurt/minimal comfort(?) - no kings, no martyrs, no betas.

a/n— alexa play it's all coming back to me now by celine dion. it might read a little stilted, i struggled a bit with this chapter as i wrote it in different times. ps. i didn't translate aemond's valyrian with intention. hope it still works? comment, reblog & like at will, mwa ♡

You had never heard of a more reverbrating sound than Helaena's smack to a poor, traumatised Daeron. "You toe licking, armpit looking, ugly garbage can!" Healeana shrieked, promptly dragging her youngest brother further away as you and Aemond scurried deeper into the safety of the darkness and shame, folded defensively onto one another, laughing your asses off.

"Oh my god," you exhale. "I am never going leaving this maze. I am going to live here, eating brambles and shit, and die here. Leave me now and prevail, Aemond. I will be fine. I'll haunt you in two to three business days."

Aemond chuckles from below you, unseen from your gaze, the mesmerised adoration he held as he can still feel his lips tingling from your desperation, still feel the curves of your body, the soft skin— he clears his throat, holding you steady by your hips before moving around until he's hovering over you as you adjusted your dress, eyes fluttering his with pressed lips trying not to laugh.

"I have a feeling dinner is ready."

"I also have a feeling your mother and grandfather knew exactly what we were doing minutes before and I fear I'd rather die here than face that."

He laughs, offering his hand and you take it regardless. "Then my mother would be glad. She didn't exactly feel the new bliss of couples between us."

You scoff. "Only because you treated me like you were cosplaying a Frost Giant." At his raised eyebrow and choked, surprised laugh, you blush. "Oh, get off with it. Your sister really likes the idea of Jotun!Loki and I am not one to kinkshame."

He strangles a laugh, peeling stray twigs from your hair. "I wouldn't dare assume. Let's go eat."

You tighten your hold on his hand, worry crescent on your forehead that Aemond straightens. "And talk?" As good as that felt, as perfect as puzzles sliding in together, you were past the age where burrowing it deep with the good parts and ignoring the pressing talks that need to be addressed.

And Aemond deserved better than that at least.

"Okay." He nods, swallowing. "Later, please."

"Okay." You try and reassure him with a smile and that seems to appease him, if a little.

Once Aegon had made five jokes concerning Daeron's loud rant— he was promptly shut up by his sister smacking him in the back of the head as soon as their mother was fretting in the kitchen and their grandfather's phone pinging for his attention, spoon on his mouth that might have been a medical nightmare — dinner went smoothly.

Daeron had successfully refused to look at your general direction, or his brother, or both since you sat together, churlish in giggles, in chatter and light arguments. Aemond kept taking the nicely marinated baby potatoes on his plate to yours once you finished up your own, and exchanged it with shuffling green beans to his plate because he loves them— it's nice.

It's more than nice. It's everything you could hope for when you think about dinner with your boyfriend's family. It's a softened thought that brews to yearning. You want this. You want be sat next to Aemond like this again, making jokes, piling food onto each other's plate, ribbing with his brother until he blushed then standing up against him when it got too far— seeing the smile he sends your way, endearing, loving, and for a moment, for this one realised moment built on lies and chuckle-fuckery ease, you let yourself indulge.

You joke about spoon feeding him dessert and blush as he envelops his soft lips over the spoon, Daeron and Aegon mimicking gags while Alicent is blushing, unable to stop a girlish giggle, a sound so surprised to her own person that she hiccups.

You are with him and you give yourself strength to break his heart.

Dinner finishes off with a lazy flick, Alicent and his father descending into business talks that usually included Aemond and though you tell him you can go hang out with Helaena— Daeron and Aegon deciding on playing The Last of Us in the game room because Aegon said he needed a good cry but also to shoot things — Aemond who had taken your hand sometime ago and has been brushing his thumb over your knuckles in a soothing gesture, implores you with a look.

You swallow and give a nod, trying for another smile that fails, noticing the moment Aemond sees it fail, his brow curling, lips pursing but doesn't say anything.

As he moves to lead, he pauses, turning back to you. "Where—?"

"Your room?"

Just as he nods, Alicent's soft and embarrassed, "Keep the door open, please," pulls you both to a blushing stop.

Otto— and Helaena rifling through ice cream in the kitchen — crow simultaneous, "Alicent," and "Mom!" as Alicent raises both her hands, the wine in her right sloshing. Though she is pink-cheeked, she maintains eye contact with her son while Aemond is struggling.

"I know you're old and smart enough, young man, and you are such a lovely girl," Alicent says to you, "and I would no doubt adore the grandchildren you will provide me—"

"Oh my gods," you stifle your giggles as Aemond makes a discordant sound in the back of his throat, like a cat hacking a saw. Otto is laughing into his wine while Helaena is making gagging noises in the background.

"— but I hope to have them when Aemond's at least graduated, so that he can provide well for you." Alicent nods, blinking. You can tell that the wine is catching up to her. "He's a good boy so I'm sure he'll do right by you. But I at least want you both to be married, of course, I would prefer if Aegon or Helaena got married first but—"

"— and that's my cue to stage left, folks," Helaena says, making a face as she grabs the entire tub of cookies and cream. "If anyone needs me, I'm in my room trying to find a husband so my baby brother can get married, gods forbid he carries on with bastards from his beautiful girlfriend— whomst, by the way, is my best friend, dunno how we're forgetting my credit in all of this."

Aemond shakes his head. "They're not sleeping here, mom, and providing you grandchildren is not in my agenda." He tugs your hand, smirking as he pulls you close only to whisper playfully, "Not tonight at least."

You shiver, laughing under your breath. "I dunno if you know this, but I have these two great friends called Birth and Control."

He breaks into a laugh and that, at least, eases the tension until you round up in his room, trying to give Helaena a meaningful look but you don't think she understands it with how she salutes you with her spoon, winking audaciously.

"Here." Aemond flicks the light on and his childhood bedroom brings a smile to your face. It's cerebral, the faint blue of his textured wallpaper, the perfectly lined books, even the framed achievements. But there's also the Oasis poster, the little figurines that you know is part of some Old Valyrian battle replica he collected when he was younger, even his old fencing gear and an exact photo of it alongside his club master, his grandfather, and family friend, Criston Cole.

"It's been a while since I've been here," you tease lightly. "It's kind of funny of your mom to think I'd be the first hot girl to christen your childhood bed."

He hums, turning away as he closes the door. When he turns back, he's rolled back his bottom lip between his teeth as he looks at you with sincerity.

"It wouldn't be much of a competition to beat. You were the first hot girl I'd ever got inside my room."

"Ahh. Right. Teasing you before your growth spurt was the highlight of my week."

Aemond let out an aggressive sigh as you laugh. "I was a senior in high school when I met you, riña, this is getting ridiculous. Borderline paedophilic since I had you moaning an hour ago."

You heave, slapping his arm. "Okay, stop, you made it weird now. Gross. Eugh."

"Promise you'll stop now?"

"Fine, I promise."

An awkwardness settles before Aemond nods at the double French doors. "Wanna talk on the patio? You've always liked my room's view than Lae's."

"Yeah," you grin.  "'Cos you got the only view of the lake."

"You can barely see it with the trees. And this darkness." Reason out all he wants, but he opens the door for you, and the cool air is crisp and nice against your warm skin.

You hold out on the ledge, squinting your eyes so you can see peeks of luminous bounce of the calm lake between dark sways of forest. Once in a while, it glitters and glimmers, making itself known.

"It isn't fully true though."

"What is?" Aemond fixes his elbows, warmth pressed against yours as he stares at a fixed point of nowhere. But you can feel his tension, feel his questions he's trying to be patient to keep in. You're glad for it. Grateful. Because it gives you enough courage to confess.

"I hung out in your room because I liked hanging out with you," you admit. "Teasing you was the highlight of my day."

"Gee. Thanks."

"I was more surprised you kept letting me hang out with you when I did nothing but annoy you."

"Why do you think that is, ñuha riña?" he asks softly.

"Because you're sweet?"

The way he's looking at you... it makes you breatheless. Especially when he moves to turn fully toward you, taking you by your elbows, and you close your eyes when he leans in expecting his mouth on you, your heart dancing in the palm of his hand because it feels so, so easy to trust Aemond with it, instead he presses his lips underneath your eye, nuzzling against your nose. It shatters and remakes your heart, making you hold onto his shirt for some semblance of comfort.

"Because I've always liked you," he whispers against your skin as if it's his best kept secret. "Because I'm weak when it comes to you. Because you," he breathes against your mouth, taking your bottom lip between his teeth and giving it a tug, "make it easy to want you."

A weak laugh escapes your lips and his mouth follows the sound as if he wants to swallow it, but you press a palm to his chest. He growls.

"Easy there, tiger, that didn't sound much like a compliment."

He pulls back, holding your face. "Sorry, shit, I didn't mean— I'm not good at this. I meant... you're unattainable. Not just as Helaena's best friend but... you're cool, you're fucking gorgeous and incredibly hilarious."

"Ñuha jorrāelagon." He breathes care into the word. The word is lost on me and I force my brain to pocket it like a love letter so I can search it up. "I never thought I could be here, touching you like this." Without warning, he moulds his lips to yours in a harsh, deep kiss. It's quick but it leaves you breathless, his voice coming up ragged. "Kiss you like this. It feels like I'm in a dream and I'm struggling to let go of it. So a while ago... after..."

You nod, pressing your forehead against his, unable to look at him in the eye. You focus on touching him, your hands sliding down, making him shiver when you go underneath his shirt, skating his side until you warm your cool fingers with his spine.

"That's the thing, Aemy," you whisper. "In your head, by your words, I'm always a version to you."

 He calls your name, leaning back and you're forced to see the confusion on his face.

"Helaena's best friend. Past that, an unattainable crush. Now a fake girlfriend. Someone you use to get Alys' attention, and who better than the unattainable crush? It's a pedestal, Aemy."

"It's not like that, that was a bad, convoluted—"

"But it's the truth, it's how I feel. And though that sucks, I understand." You take his hands as you step back and he's frowning harder, the lines deepen and his jaw is tight. "I knew what I was getting into, you know? But things change because I've changed."

 "It's Cregan, isn't it?" he snarls, tugging his hands away.

"Oh, you jealous idiot, it's you! We've gone over this, you incredible dumbass!"

"Me? How the hell is this about—"

"— because I love you!" you shout. Then stop, inhale. Blink. Aemond copies it. It's almost hilarious. "Or I know I can be."

He works his jaw, turning away. "I don't understand."

"Okay, here it is." You inhale. "Just listen and breathe for a second, okay? Okay? Don't turn away from me." You pull him back by his chin, smiling faintly at the pout you form. "Say you understand."

He sighs, taking your hand. "Yes, I understand."

"I can't compete with someone you've loved for so long," you start softly, staring at your conjoined hands wondering if this is the last time you'll get to hold him like this. "Without you showing you can love me for more than that. I can't compete with your own ideal happy ending if I'm not part of it. I won't. I refuse." Your smile is wry, it's heartbreak and it's strings. You wish you had the energy to scream, to act like a brat and demand his heart, his promises in gold-ink and pink-veined hue. It's what your heart wants.

But you're of big age. You've seen love in its spaces, how it takes root in people, how it affects the world around you.

And you know you cannot love him if he does not make the effort to love you in the same way.

Your heart is in your throat but the words come out anyway. "Because I love you, Aemy. And I know I can fight for you. I can fight for what we have. I can wake up tomorrow and choose to love you with the same degree, if not fiercer, if I could. And I could do that again and again. That's how love works. You have to wake up tomorrow, see me, and choose to love me all over again."

You smile gently, sadly. "I can't allow myself to be loved in halves. I've done that before, I'm not doing it again. Not even for you."

You bring yourself on your tip toes— damn tall, beautiful rat bastard — and brush your lips on the corner of his. His eye closed. "I'm not going to pressure you for an answer. Alys was... Alys is a big part of what you know is love, and I respect that. I understand that it'll be hard, but I need to know if you're willing to let go of it for me. Because I can promise you I can love you. But I won't. Not without assurance that you can try for me."

"What are you asking me?" he asks softly, straightening. There's a hard line going into his body, like a dutiful student given an assignment.

"I'm asking you to think if you can see past the little statue you've made of me. See me breathing. Alive, just like this." You press a hand to his face and retrieve it back before he can hold it. He shots you a look of betrayal. "I'm going home with Hel. You know how to message me, okay? Bye, dōna zaldrīzes."sweet dragon.

His eye flick upward, shock and heartbreak and confusion moulds and twists into such a beautiful blue, mouth agape trying to find words he can't find— and you smile wryly, turning away and leaving.

You get to Helaena's door quick, knocking soon after.

"Hmph!"

 "You're either getting choked by a robber or masturbating, and really Hel, I need you to make two grunts to tell me the former so I can bust down the door because I don't want to see you bust a—"

The door swings wide, Helaena's face in a comical irritation.

"That is so fucked up, I hope you know— hey, hey." Her irritation sweeps into a frown as you fail to contain your watery eyes. "What happened? What's wrong? What did Aemond do? Oh, that little twerp—"

"— it's not him, it's not him, chill, I just wanna go home, yeah? Get our cakes and go, please?"

Hel's frown deepens, eyes darting back to Aemond's door.

"Please, Helaena," you beg. "I'll tell you when we get home. I'll make us special drinks."

She takes your hand, determination wound tight with concern. "Sure thing, babe. Let's go."

When you make your hasty departure to her grandfather of all of them, Alicent already in bed and the other boys still in the gaming room, cakes in hand, you tow over Helaena's baby blue buggy— she leans over at you with a hand on the ignition, whispering as if she was afraid, "You— are you meeting Cregan tonight? After, I mean." Her eyes widen. "I'm not judging, I'd never—"

"No, no, I understand. You'd never judge me for that, I know. But no. Just you and me tonight."

She smiles softly. It's not like Aemond's but they don't look that apart that it still stings. "Love you."

"Love you too, lovebug."

Loving Helaena isn't hard.

Just as you know loving Aemond wouldn't be, despite it all. But it isn't you that has issues that needs handling, and you've put everything in his court now.

And yet you can't deny your hope.

TAGGED: @snowprincesa1 @gemini-mama @fan-goddess @snh96 @valeskafics @opheliaas-stuff @tempo-rary-fix @fantasticpeaceharmony @diannnnsss @iamavailablesstuff @spinachtz @at-a-rax-ia @bespinnn @tsujifreya @moonlightfoxx @kemillyfreitas @joyouart @bananzaa @honey-on-mars @alexa4040 @cinnamonbambii @wintrr13 @wxb-slingrr @astroswift @queenofshinigamis @helaenaluvr @kaetastic @jxdgodfrey @laniii-on-your-left @watercolorskyy @microwaveallthedemons @kazuyatokue @herfantastyworldd @averyyreads @urmomsgirlfriend1 @bellstwd @jiminie-08 @ttkttt @nockerin @backyardfolklore @random-ocity @hc-geralt-23 @vendettasblog @cicaspair418 @malynn @anehkael @schadenfreude-and-sarcasm @honey132

[xsweetcatastrophe]

You Broke Me First

Part 23

we're re-using pictures and idc

Zoe and Cillian made their way back to the house - it was about 7am by the time they got back. As they made their way through the yard and towards the back door, they could see John and Jen in the kitchen, decorating it for Sophie for when she came downstairs for breakfast.

"Hey you two!" Jen said as Zoe and Cillian entered. "Early morning walk?"

"Yea, he's never been on east coast beaches so I had to take him and show him that it's not all like what Jersey shore on MTV shows" Zoe said, taking off her hoodie.

Cillian raised his eyebrow. "yea, because I'm their target audience, clearly," He said, pulling a laugh out of everyone in the room.

"Everything looks great, Jen! i had no idea you were planning this, I wouldn't of ditched you guys and helped if I knew," Zoe said apologetically.

"it's okay! It's really not too much," Jen said, wiping her brow.

Before Zoe could reply, they heard a soft pitter-patter of tiny feet coming down the stairs. They all stood behind the island and waited for Sophie. In true toddler fashion, the steps on the stairs were very slow.. but as soon as those little feet hit the bottom step, the sound grew faster and faster, indicated she was running towards the kitchen.

"I'M TREE YEARS OLD!!!" Sophie mispronounced, running into the kitchen. She was in feetie pajamas, hair a mess, but the biggest smile on her face.

Jen ran to her and scooped her up. "Happy Birthday my baby!! I love you so much!" She said in between showering her with kisses. John followed her, taking Sophie from her arms. "Where did my baby go? Who's this big girl?!?"

"It's me daddy!!" John laughed. "I love you Sophie Bean. Happy Birthday my girl," John said, squeezing her.

Zoe and Cillian stayed behind the island, watching the small family in front of them. Zoe could feel tears in her eyes. Jen and John were the best parents, always showering Sophie with hugs and kisses, it's no doubt Sophie felt loved. Isn't that how it should be? Zoe felt that from her dad, but never from her mom. She vowed that if she ever became a mom, she'd do everything right. As she got older and older, the idea of her having kids started fading away, and as much as Zoe didn't want to admit it - she was scared. She wanted to have a family. And her fear was that time was running out.

Zoe's racing mind was interrupted when she felt an arm wrap around her waist as Cillian pulled her into his side. It's like he could sense she was getting emotional. He gave her a squeeze and kissed her on the side of her head.

"ZoZo I'm tree and look at the unicorns!!" Sophie said as she was finally set down by her parents. Zoe quick wiped her eyes and picked Zoe up.

"Only the best for the birthday girl! Happy birthday bestie" She said, kissing her cheeks. Sophie laughed and then - as to everyone's shock - held out her arms to Cillian.

"Keeyan It's my birthday!!" She said, leaning towards him with her arms outstretched.

Without missing a beat, Cillian took her from Zoe and Sophie wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a hug.

"I know! And someone's having a party today I think," Cillian said, laughing at everyone's faces. It's not like Sophie to warm up to strangers so fast, especially having them hold her a mere 12 hours after meeting them.

"That's why there's unicorns, I'm having a unicorn party," Sophie said, very seriously.

"Oh thank you for pointing that out. I was confused," Cillian said back, very seriously.

"How come I didn't get a hug," Zoe said, acting hurt. She was half joking.. and half not.

"Group hug" Sophie said, holding out one arm to her, other arm still around Cillian.

"Yea, get over here," Cillian said, taking his free hand and pulling Zoe into her.

Never in a million years Zoe would have imagined this.

"Who's ready for some breakfast??" Jen said. "Soph, I got some unicorn pancakes for you, some scrambly eggs, some strawberries, some chocolate milk all with your name on it" She continued as she made her way to the stove.

"okay" Sophie said, finally being put down onto the ground. She walked to her spot at the table and pulled out her chair, not without John following her and help her.

"I'm gonna head out and grab the food we ordered. Cillian, you up for a ride? I could use the extra hands," John asked.

"Absolutely, let me just go get changed," Cillian said, nodding. He looked at Zoe then made his way upstairs. Zoe hung behind, looking at John.

"Don't scare him off, please" Zoe said, pleading with John.

"Scare him off? I'm the most normal one in this family," John laughed, putting on his sneakers.

"This is true, If Ma didn't scare him off the man might be fearless," Zoe mumbled.

After about 5 minutes Cillian came downstairs, changed into blue jeans, a white T-shirt and boots. He had his sunglasses and wallet in his hands. "I'm all set whenever you are," He said to John.

John nodded and they both made their way out the front door. After the door closed, Zoe turned to Jen at the stove, flipping pancakes.

"Should I be worried?" Zoe asked.

"It's John." Jen said in a monotone voice. "He's no threat I assure you"

"Did you tell him about.. the arrangement we have?"

"Zoe Parker, are you asking me if I lied to my precious angel husband?" Jen said, acting shocked.

"Yes." Zoe said, blinking.

"I did, but only because I know he would tell his buddies that his sister-in-law is sleeping with Tommy Shelby, and I don't want that to get around if it isn't genuine," Jen said, turning back to her pancakes.

Yea. It wasn't genuine... was it?

--

"Figured you needed a break from that damn female Parker gene," John said to CIllian as he made his way to the main road.

"Haha, you guys aren't bad, trust me. I have 2 sisters, it's nothing I haven't seen, Cillian replied.

"I also wanted to talk to you," John said. "It's nothing bad," he quickly followed up.

"All good, Cillian said, acting cool as a cucumber. Inside, he could feel his heart beat a little faster. Was he about to be interrogated right now?

"I assume Zoe told you about her mom... and her dad," John said, trying to pick his words carefully.

Cillian nodded.

"So you know how close she was with her dad. She puts him on a pedestal. and I get it - he was a great man. Jen and I have known each other since grade school and started dating freshman year of high school, so I've been around. He was great, but he... he wasn't perfect. He saw... a lot of things as a firefighter that stayed with him. He would drink... a lot. It would never get to the point where he would hit or yell at anyone, but he would be passed out on the floor in the living room, or the backyard. Their mom did her best to hide it from Jen and Zoe. Jen was old enough... she would find him sometimes. But... I think her and her mom collectively hid it from Zoe. If they could of hid the diagnosis from Zoe, I think they would have. I remember it clear as day... Jen's mom called Jen when they found out he had terminal lung cancer; she hung up the phone and the first thing, the FIRST thing out of Jen's mouth was 'My dad is going to die... how am I supposed to tell Zoe?' "

"Wow," Cillian said. This is not what he thought was going to happen.

"Listen, man. I'm not saying to not listen to Zoe. I love Zoe. I want the world for her. I know she struggles.. I just don't want it to seem like Jen and her mom - especially her mom - are bad people. I was there when her dad would come home, drunk, and throw up all over the place. I would help her mom and Jen move him to the bedroom before Zoe woke up for school. I think Zoe's mom... she just wants everything perfect for Jen and Zoe. Shield them from everything. Is she perfect? no. She says off-comment things all the time, to Jen too, so don't think Jen doesn't get some of those too. I think Jen understands her mom's personality and knows when she means well. and I know for a fact, for a FACT that Zoe's mom loves her more than anything. That's her baby. Do you know every time she calls Zoe, she calls Jen afterwards in tears? Just saying how she's losing her, and she doesn't know what she can do. Again, I know it's her own fault but... It's Zoe too. I think they both just have very strong personalities and they clash. To be honest - I think they are exactly the same; that's why they clash. And it kills me that Zoe thinks and tells people her mom doesn't love her -"

"She's never said that," Cillian interjected. "At least to me. Just that they don't get along."

John nodded. "Okay, good. Because trust me.. the way Zoe's mom talks about her... you would think she put the stars in the sky."

"really?" Cillian questioned. This was far, far from the mom Zoe described.

"Oh my god, she won't stop about her. How proud she is of her. Do you know she has every article Zoe has ever written? She goes out and buys the magazine, cuts it out, and puts it in a photo album somewhere. Sometimes she scans them and emails them to other family members. I'm sure if she could figure out Facebook, she would post them there too. She always calls Jen to see if Jen saw the article. It drives Jen crazy," John said, laughing. He pulled into a parking spot and shut the car off.

"Listen. I'm sorry if I just talked your ear off. I just... it's been years of seeing Zoe and her mom fight, then seeing Zoe call Jen crying, then Zoe's mom calling Jen crying. I know they'll work it out. I know they will, they love each other too much wether they want to admit it or not. I just... I just don't want her mom to be painted as some villan. Do I think it was right that her mom took them to disneyland the day after they buried their dad? No. But as I get older and now being a father... I'd do anything to distract Soph from this shitty world. I'd do anything to make her smile. She has a good heart. And means well. And she cries over Zoe at night. That's all I'm saying," He said, finally opening the door.

"I get it man. Thank you. I don't doubt they'll figure it out too. Mother-daughter relatinoships can be tough. But never one did Zoe say she thinks her mom doesn't love her. I think they're just.. very alike, like you said," Cillian said, following him into the deli. "Hopefully they work it out soon."

"Yea. So... about season 6 of Peaky"

"Don't push it."

"Can't blame me for trying" John said, holding the door open and letting Cillian walk inside.

--

"we're here," John announced, balancing the pizza boxes in one hand as he opened the door with another. Cillian followed him with boxes of freshly made wraps.

They made their way through the kitchen and into the yard. They walked into a yard full of pink, balloons, and a bounce house. Zoe, her mom and Jen were working to make everything perfect.

"We locked Sophie in her room so she wouldn't see," Jen said, wiping her brow. We're about done. But she's probably ready for a nap so I guess put the food in the kitchen for now until the other kids show up," Jen said, walking past them into the house.

"And now many kids are coming, again?" John asked.

"About 10," Jen yelled over her shoulder.

"Just how I wanted to spend my Saturday, around 10 3-year-olds," John said, rolling his eyes. He looked at Cillian, "Let me know when you're about to lose your mind, I have beer hidden in the shed," He continued, as he walked back into the house.

Zoe walked up to Cillian, a sweaty mess. Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head. She was sweaty and probably smelled. She had bags under eyes and her lips were chapped.

"you look beautiful," Cillian said, placing her hands on her hips. Zoe made a face.

"You're just saying that. I'm gross," She said, placing her hands on his chest to push him away.

"Nope. you're beautiful to me. Come here, smelly," He said, grabbing her wrists and pulling her into him,kissing her on the lips. She laughed against him before kissing him back.

"Wanna go upstairs and shower and nap?" She asked.

"Sounds lovely.. I was woken up at 5am this morning by the beautiful girl in my bed and got dragged to watch the sunrise," He said, holding onto her hand as she lead the way up the stairs.

"Sounds like a keeper, if you ask me" Zoe said.

Cillian laughed. "you haven no idea."

--

Cillian and Zoe were in bed, post shower. They were exhausted and planned on taking a nap, but they couldn't stop talking to each other. From food, movies, books family... they couldn't stop.

"Can you believe my mom didn't make it downstairs to help?" Zoe said. "She wasn't even home. I don't even know where she is."

Cillian felt his breath hitch. He felt weird talking about Zoe's mom with her after his conversation with John.

"I'm sure she was out doing something for the party," he replied.

"Yea, sure. She's probably out playing pickle-ball or god knows what. Her first, always. Us, second. That's how it always is,that's how it always will be," Zoe said, rolling her eyes and rolling onto her back. "All I know is, my dad wouldn't miss this for the world."

Cillian weighed his options. It wasn't his place to talk about her Dad, and definitely not the one to tell her that might not of been the perfect man she thought he was. What good would that do? It would only upset her. He rather her remember her dad as the best dad he could be.

"Your mom will be there, I'm sure of it," He said. "I'm sure she threw you parties when you were younger."

"Yea, they were always so over the top. I didn't want all that. I wanted a party in the backyard like Sophie's having," She said. Cillian could feel her getting angrier just at the memories of her mom.

He was silent for a moment, choosing his words very carefully.

"I think... just because someone doesn't love you the way you want to be loved, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have."

Zoe looked at Cillian. "Maybe. I don't know. I don't want to talk about her," She replied.

"So let's not." Cillian said, draping his arm over her and closing her eyes. "Try and get some sleep, love. We have a party to attend in a couple hours."

--

The party went off without a hitch. Everything was perfect, and none of the toddlers had a meltdown or started crying.... but that doesn't mean Cillian and John didn't sneak off to the shed for a beer or two.

They had just sang happy birthday and cake was being passed around. Cillian and Zoe took a slice and backed away from the party, sitting the deck steps.

"I'm furious," Zoe said softly to Cillian. "She missed the entire party. Her only granddaughter."

"Yea.. that's ... quite weird," Cillian said, agreeing with her. He was beginning to believe maybe John got it all wrong.

"Is there a birthday girl here?!" They heard someone yell from the side of the house. Jen spun around, "Oh grandma decided to finally show- OH MY GOD"

Zoe and Cillian looked at each other, then stood up to look where the voice was coming from.

"GRANDMA GOT ME A HORSE!!!" Sophie said, getting off her chair and running towards it.

"You're not keeping her, but Sandy here came by and wanted to wish you a happy birthday and give you some birthday rides around the yard!" Zoe's mom replied. "And again, please don't call me grandma honey"

Zoe's mom hoisted her up onto the saddle, grabbd the reigns and started the slow walk around the yard.

"Is she kidding me???!" Zoe exclaimed, looking at Cillian. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Yea but, look how happy Sophie is," He said, pointing to the smiling child on the horse.

"I don't care about that! I care about the moment she missed this morning when she came down the stairs to the kitchen! That's what is important, not gifts!!" Zoe rebuttled

"Maybe that's how she shows her love" Cillian shrugged again, wanting to end the conversation. He was interrupted by his phone ringing. He checked who it was - his manager. He ignored it, he'll call her back.

Zoe looked out at Sophie... she WAS happy. But still. It's not about that. Memories are important, not gifts.

Zoe threw the rest of the slice of cake out and headed inside to go to the bathroom. Once in there, she splashed some water on her face and took a deep breath. As much as she enjoyed being here for Sophie's birthday, she was ready to go home. Time and time again her mom proved to her that she will never change. She was tired of it.

She opened the door to Cillian standing by the front door of the house, on the phone. It looked serious, so Zoe waited for him to look at her. Once he did, she gave him a thumbs up, asking if he was okay. Instead of nodding his head or saying "ok" like she thought he would, he held up one finger as if to say 'wait a minute'. She leaned against the wall as he wrapped up the call.

"Yea. Yea i'll let her know. Yup. Monday morning 10am. We'll be there. Bye," He said, hanging up the phone.

"Who was that?" Zoe asked.

"Uh.. it was Hannah," He replied, looking down at his phone. He seemed on edge, and wasn't making eye contact with her. "We have a meeting... on Monday morning" He continued.

"Okay... for what?"

"Well..." He said gently. "Our term is coming to an end it seems," He said finally making eye contact with her.

"What are you talking about?"

Cillian looked at her and sighed.

"We have to organize our breakup."

--

tags: @lau219 @shopgirl6us @borntodiemp3

[oh-hell-help-me]

Day 13: Feral

The whispering was new.

Then again, after the spectacle they made in front of everyone in that facility, Bowser wouldn’t doubt that they became the number one topic for gossip.

It would have pissed him off, but…

Looking down at Luigi, who is now adorably burrowed into his arms in embarrassment, he finds it an acceptable consequence.

After coming back to the castle, and secluding themselves in an unused office, Bowser and Luigi had a talk.

Neither said ‘I love you’, exactly, but they also didn’t deny it either.

It was…

For Bowser, he had his revelations only a few days ago, and…

He didn’t want to fuck up one of the best relationships he had.

Bowser is extremely aware of his past relationship history, like with Peach -especially with Peach.

And now, confronted with feelings for Luigi?

Luigi, who has been on the other side of his wrath for years?

Luigi, who has recently become Bowser’s friend in spite of that past?

Luigi, who is one of the few outside his family who gave him the chance to be ‘Bowser, the Koopa’ instead of ‘Bowser, the fearsome Koopa King’?

Out of everyone, and everything he treasured, Bowser is unprepared and unwilling to jeopardize what he has now.

And then there's Luigi's own feelings.

Their talk was... awkward, around that.

It's not that he didn't feel the same way (even more so, to Bowser's surprise), or that he doesn't want to pursue a relationship (he does), but that there is the undeniable fact that they are still two idiots in...

Well, the fact neither of them is sure enough (or brave enough) to say 'it' was everything in a nutshell.

But honestly?

Even if it doesn't work out the way they wanted, their agreement to take it slow -to take a terrifying chance- had also felt like the best decision they've made.

(And Bowser didn't need to hear it from Luigi, not when his soft eyes looked at him -really looked at him- and still regarded him with an affection that left Bowser burning.)

Still, the fact that 'the whispers' followed them back home is… odd.

They weren’t even distinct whispers, which was strange in itself considering his relatively great hearing. And it's not even their indescribability that has him unsettled.

It was that they occurred even when no one was there.

At first, Bowser assumed that maybe some other ambassadors or nobles have taken to following them. Or that the Koopalings have gotten curious about the new development. It wouldn't be the first time.

Except...

His- well, Luigi has also noticed. Sometimes, it was even before he heard them.

And the kicker? The big, RED FLAG that had Bowser's scales flare and his lungs fill with angry smoke?

Apparently, Luigi has been feeling watched for days.

Almost a full week.

The fact nearly sent Bowser into a higher plane of fearful rage.

And the only reason that the castle hadn't experienced an indoor volcanic eruption via Bowser was because of Luigi-

Because, even as the human told him this, he clung to Bowser in trembling fear- seemingly imploding in guilt as he sobbed out that he didn't think it was real- that he had doubted himself enough to think it was his own "stupid" paranoia.

Bowser... deflated, at that.

Never mind Luigi's lacking self-preservation (even to the human's protest that it works 'fine'), Bowser knew the Green Bean enough to understand that he can doubt himself enough to believe his own lies.

However, it wasn't enough to really quell the urge to physically blow up the castle, and without any outlet, well...

The Koopa's quirk of biology decided to act up.

Before either of them could really register it, Bowser's head darted forward- jaws wide (and definitely scaring Luigi) before clamping down-

And picking up the human by the back of his overalls.

The events afterward could be remembered in a distantly hazy way, much like every other time it happened to Bowser.

Intellectually, he could say that he had taken the Green Bean to his chambers, refusing to let him out of his mouth until he trashed his bed to make a nest with the materials in the back corner of the bedroom.

He could also say that he remembers firmly burying the human into it before quickly making his way out of the room and clearing the path toward the rest of the Royal Wing.

He knows that he had plodded into each bedroom of the Koopalings, trampling whatever was in his way to gently pick them up by their respective tails and making his way back to the nest where he also buried them into.

(He also, vaguely, remembered seeing the kids exchange words with Luigi in equal parts exasperation and concern. Had he been in his normal mindset, he would have been chuffed to hear Luigi describe him as 'feral'.)

He remembers, more clearly, that he had practically scared away every soldier in the chamber's vicinity, taking exception to Kamek poofing in to try to talk to him- and having the wizard quickly catch on to what's happening the moment Bowser tries to scruff him.

(He does, in the end, get him to the nest after the Magikoopa placed visible barriers in the Royal Wing's perimeter.)

Bowser would embarrassingly remember that he had fussed over everyone he brought in, nudging them closer to the middle before curling around them protectively.

It wasn't until every other occupant of the makeshift nest fell asleep that Bowser calmed down enough to snap out of it...

And then go into a dead stare of realization.

"Fuck."

This is going to be a problem.

[arianamarshall]

| fluff | fem!reader | rebekah mikaelson/reader | vampira | posted on wattpad | unsolicited | mention of jelly beans |

Spring was her favorite time, the bright sun, the loose clothes, flowery dresses, and the scent of roses in the air, it was enormous perfection.

When you became a vampire in the eighties, you were seventeen and met a knowledgeable vampire at a school dance.

You should hate high school, however, being transformed by a man who just wanted a hobby opened new doors to your life, gave you pleasures you could never describe.

And even if you wanted to return to your human life, you knew that wasn't possible, and even if it was, you had already gotten used to what it was.

One of the biggest changes was your taste, drinking blood was a great difficulty that you had to deal with alone, learning to control yourself at night, avoiding taking a life as much as possible.

You stopped being a night vampire almost ten years later, when you saved a witch, who decided to give you a daylight ring, something most wouldn't do.

Being blessed with sunlight after years brought a new shine to your life, new reasons to continue no matter how silly it may seem.

You've also gone back to testing new deadly meals, searching for something that doesn't taste so "dead" to your sophisticated palate, and you can't find anything better than jelly beans.

It was strange, you remembered eating when you were still human, but you never paid full attention at the time.

But as a vampire, you experienced it first in Florida, on a spring day with the sun on your skin protected by the ring of light.

They were a specific type, not the hard-shelled ones that stick to your teeth and make you bored of chewing, but the soft ones with sugar.

The flavors vary, the green one was a little sour for you, not good enough, the orange one seemed sweet, almost like paper, the love you was almost like the green one, however, its sourness was very little and the taste was cloying and the purple one seemed very sweet.

His only salvation had always been the red, strawberry jelly bean with little sugar crystals surrounding it, the flavor exploding on his sensitive palate.

It wasn't too sweet, nor without sweet, fortunately it didn't taste like paper and even in so many decades it never became cloying.

You would easily say that red jelly beans were your salvation, the only thing you considered good enough, the only sweet you loved and that went beyond any salty food you didn't despise.

Kol Mikaelson made jokes about your taste, he used to say that red jelly beans couldn't hold a candle to green ones, and you always countered by saying that he only thought that because you were as acidic as he was.

" Don't move too much. " Hope's childish voice scolded her and out of the corner of your eye, you could see Klaus give a smile, proud of his daughter.

" Yes, ma'am. " you replied, straightening your posture one last time.

The ten year old's small hands worked on her hair, surprisingly making a braid that most wouldn't be able to do, but Hope was always way beyond her time.

You were the smartest child you had met in decades, which without meaning to be presumptuous reminded her of yourself as a child.

Your mother used to say that you could become president without any effort, and your father always said that he was tremendously proud of you and your grades, even when he was drunk.

It was strange that he could always be so affectionate with you, drunk or not, when with your mother he always attacked you every time he drank.

You blinked a little faster, trying to push away the thoughts of the people who are gone, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you would miss them forever.

You were in the garden of the Mikaelson Mansion, a remote part of the city, where normally the originals were solving problems, however, on weekends like those they took time off to spend time with family.

Family.

you had met Elijah before all of them and when you learned what he was your initial thought was that his life had come to an end, even though the connection they had was undeniable.

It wasn't romantic at all, but it was totally superior to that, and as time passed you met Klaus when Elijah called you, seeking help to protect Hope.

You weren't that old or very powerful a vampire, but you could never deny a friend's request, especially to protect a child.

Even though initially Klaus didn't look favorably on her and you can't help but imagine that he would easily have a dagger made for you, avoiding having to kill her the conventional way, they eventually become friends.

It was no different with Rebekah, you met her when she arrived in the city, and they both got along absurdly well, almost as if they had known each other for years.

" You better listen, you don't want to ruin my painting, love. " stated the hybrid and you frowned looking at him.

"It's telling us? " ́ asked and he gave a smile.

"But of course, I have a perfect sunset behind you, and my daughter and my best friend are at an exceptional angle, I wouldn't miss that for anything. " he replied, and you smiled.

"Okay, but I want image rights." he replied jokingly, and Hope smiled.

" Me too. " the child said and Klaus made an offended face.

" My goodness, this is a plot. " he stated in disbelief.

" You see, brother, at some point in a thousand years someone would have to surpass you. " said Elijah, going down the porch steps, so he could admire both the girls and his brother's painting. "This is magnificent.

" Thank you, at least someone is giving me some support. " stated the hybrid and you laughed, rolling your eyes.

You turned your attention to the front, where Rebekah was watering some plants with the help of a ruler, you were wearing light clothes, a white tank top with no wrinkles and dark fabric pants, boots on your feet that fortunately weren't damaging the lawn.

You turned your attention to the different types of roses, while you felt your hair being touched by Hope, who from time to time asked you to hold a strand of hair.

You can never be more content with your life, however, the long period you sat on the lawn in Hope's care and being painted by Klaus next to the child and the magnificent sunset, you had to admit needing sugar in your stomach. blood.

Their spectacular red jelly beans.

The vampire searched the house's closets with her eyes wide open, perhaps things weren't going as planned.

How could a perfect weekend not have red jelly beans?

You closed a closet door catching a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror, the perfect braid in your light hair and the greenish eyes showing your disbelief.

The vampire went to the room looking at each jar of sweets, unfortunately they were all the ones Hope used to eat and not you.

Maybe you should start cutting out some sugar, because consuming all the jelly beans you brought on a Saturday was absurd.

Well, it wasn't entirely your fault, you had shared most of it with Hope, hiding it from Hayley's eyes, who always talked about sweets before main meals.

You were two big jellybean traffickers.

" Auntie, what are you doing? " Hope asked, rubbing her eyes after waking up in the middle of the night.

The girl had gone to sleep a few hours ago, and given that you normally didn't sleep due to your vampire ability, you and the majority of the house were still awake.

" The end of the world, my dear. " you replied, approaching the little girl and placing a kiss on her cheek. " But don't worry about that, I'll solve everything myself. " you stated and the child nodded.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice a little groggy with sleep.

" Yes, little angel. " he assured, picking up Hope, who laid her head on his shoulder, yawning. "Now, you will go back to bed, and when you wake up, auntie will make your favorite pancakes.

"With blueberries?" She asked as you opened the door to the child's room, which was next to Hayley Marshall's.

"Exactly," she agreed, placing the child on the bed. " Sweet dreams, sweetheart. " you whispered, kissing the little girl's forehead.

"Good night, auntie." Hope whispered, taking a few seconds to fall asleep under the gaze of the vampire who was smiling broadly.

"You're a light sleeper." whispered Rebekah, at the door and the vampire agreed, leaving the room in silent steps, leaving the door open.

" I think you heard me searching the house. " confessed the vampire.

" It's hard for someone not to hear it. " joked Rebekah. " Kol said you were about to start World War III.

" If I go without my candy for a long time, yes. " you said, and the original was sure that it was easily possible.

Rebekah knew that without the little reds you liked you could easily become someone else, you were a faithful servant of the jelly beans, and without you it would be as if your kingdom had collapsed.

Sometimes it seemed like you loved treats more than anyone else.

"You, a little wine will help you." suggested the vampire, giving him her arm.

You looked at her thoughtfully and made a childish pout that made the original smile.

Giving in, you linked your arm through Rebekah's, returning to the kitchen.

Rebekah Mikaelson didn't sleep all night, just like you, you spent the night in front of the TV, drinking wine and criticizing the films that were showing.

Your criticisms border on professional and if you were one of the producers of the films, you would dare to say that you would cry over what was said by your friend.

Friend.

Even years ago the word sounded strange, because even though I was always so open to you, being by your side whenever I needed you, listening to you, the feeling of friendship never belonged to heart of the original.

Almost eleven years, that was how long you had known her, much less than your brother Elijah, and the same amount as Kol or Klaus, however, you knew that her feelings for you were totally different from theirs.

Eleven years was too long, Klaus always said you never did anything slowly, not even falling in love, he judged you for that, but almost eleven years had passed and you were sure you were in love, but those words never left your mouth .

Maybe it was the years of love that, true to you, weren't always, that brought more problems to your life than you could count and it was undeniable how much it shook you.

Pretending a life changed by going to schools and crashing dances, acting as if it belonged to him when that wasn't the truth.

Worldly life didn't matter so much now, you wanted to have what was taken from you back, but with your family here you were at peace and it was inevitable that you wanted it to last forever.

And in a way it would last.

You were preparing your morning coffee using Rebekah left the house, leaving a warning to your brothers that it wouldn't be long.

New Orleans wasn't far away, and when you arrived in the city you knew the exact places you needed to go to get what you wanted.

you would try differently this time, but you wouldn't deny it any longer.

He had no problem falling in love quickly, better than not loving at all.

You twirled a strand of your golden hair around your finger as you analyzed the painting, your gaze wandering over each detail, reinforcing an expression of suspense and criticism.

" If you keep making all this suspense, I will compel you to tell the truth. " Klaus stated from the other side of the studio, you smiled, not knowing for sure if it was in fact just a joke.

" I took vervain. " he replied, but it wasn't true and from the look Klaus gave you you knew he knew that.

You didn't take vervain, you never did, it was your vote of confidence in them at the beginning, and that extended until now, and even with the original hybrid's provocations you knew that none of them would ever compel you.

" I thought it was amazing, daddy. " Hope stated, and Klaus smiled happily, kissing the top of the child's head.

" Me too, it was amazing, and you know how critical I can be. " you replied and Klaus nodded satisfied.

"Of course, I've seen you say things that would cause films to be banned from the catalogue." he replied and the girl smiled, winking at you.

You left Hope with Klaus, who shows you other old paintings, kept in the residence for a few years.

You walked through the corridors humming a song, until you arrived in the room where Kol was centered between the TV, not so focused on the program that was playing.

"Did you happen to see Rebekah?" he asked, missing the vampire some time ago who, according to Elijah, had gone to the city, and the original turned his face towards you.

"You arrived just now, darling, you're outside." he replied. "Lollipop?" He offered, showing the lollipop he had taken from the ones Hope usually consumes.

"No, thank you." He thanked you, refusing the sweet that was sickening to you.

Kol knew this, and was teasing him about missing his adorable jelly beans.

you continued on your way, passing you through the kitchen, where you saw Elijah and Hayley working to make a blackberry pie, which looked delicious.

You stole one of the berries under the hybrid's gaze, who looked at you, forcing a playful "ugly" look, and you smiled happily, leaving the back door.

It was close to dusk again, and you couldn't be happier to witness a sunset again.

The greatest beauty of immortality for you was how many sunsets you could admire.

He saw Rebekah a few steps away, and walked towards the vampire sitting on the tree swing, the light wind ruffling the magnificent doctored strands, highlighting the immortal beauty even more.

Being an immortal, you would easily say that Rebekah was Aphrodite, but it would be an exaggeration to say that the Goddess was as beautiful as you.

Rebekah Mikaelson was Aphrodite.

You sat next to the original, adjusting the flowery dress similar to the day before, and kept your gaze forward, watching the sky starting to take on a pinkish color, and a slight orange.

" Spring is coming to an end, that's a little depressing. " he said, looking at the vampire who smiled.

" At least the color of summer will make you a little happier. " Rebekah argued and you nodded knowing it was true.

Even though spring was your favorite, you loved all seasons, especially here when the sun was even brighter.

"You spent the day out, Elijah said he went to town." She said, paying attention to the original's eyes, which seemed to show some fear. " All good?

" I did something, at the time it seemed like a brilliant idea, but now that you're here I don't know if it can happen. " you he said, leaving the vampire confused.

"What do you mean by that, Bekah?" asked the young woman and the vampire turned her head, taking something that was hidden in the corner of the swing.

You stared at the glass jar with your mouth open, the material seeming to shine a little from the sun's rays reflecting off it, the intense red becoming worthy of all your admiration.

" I brought you a gift. " said the original, and you took the pot carefully, afraid that with all your emotion you could go overboard in terms of strength.

It was a glass jar of jelly beans, all as red as you like, with sugar crystals all over them, and the heart shape, which wasn't normally what you bought, however, it was still amazing.

Hearts.

You looked at Rebekah giving a wide smile.

"That's amazing, thank you." She said extremely excitedly, and pulled the vampire into a hug that she immediately returned.

" I knew you would like it. " you said, still hugging the young girl. "But it's just... I have to say something.

you turned away from you, waiting for the original to continue, you held the glass jar tightly and the original moistened her nervous lips.

" What is it? " you asked softly, eyes narrowing in confusion.

" You know me, I never do anything slowly, ever. For years I lived on the consequences of love, on the desire for a life that I couldn't have. " you said. "But when Hope and you arrived at the family practically together, I saw that I could have a normal life, even though I was still like that... You showed me a way to live like a mortal, even though I wasn't one, with your impeccable taste, reviews that would make film producers cry and an overwhelming addiction to red jelly beans.

You smiled, surprised by what was said to you.

" Well, you helped me with that too, every second you were by my side. " you said, feeling warm at heart being with you.

" It's not just that. " said the original. " For almost eleven years, I tried to mask my emotions, I tried to change them, to find a way to not get hurt, but I was always wrong. " you stated, and you felt the touch on your hand on the bottle.

"Do you mean to say that...

" I'm in love with you." shot Rebekah, interrupting the girl. "I know it's confusing, that we never had room for that, but I couldn't help it, I didn't plan to love you that way. But it's impossible for me not to love you, all your beauty, your passions, your way, everything in You enchant me, princess jellybean.

You froze over her words, your green eyes fixed on the woman who said she loved you, your heart so hot and racing, beating as if you were simply alive.

As if you were a mortal.

" You make me feel like a mortal. " you said, placing the jar of red jelly beans between you. " But that's not bad, because I've never been so alive.

" I think not having love in an immortal heart was the worst punishment anyone could face. " said Rebekah. " But having is the meaning of being alive.

You moistened your lips, feeling your immortal heart racing, alive with the unique feeling that passion could give you.

Rebekah brought her face closer to you, her gaze falling on your red lips and kissed you, in a unique, sweet and passionate way.

An explosion of feeling took over her body, you brought your hand to the original's face, upset that it took so many years to realize something like that, but grateful that this day had arrived.

You discovered that the flavor of Rebekah's red lip gloss was now your favorite candy too.

02/24 • mood: happy

[toastiecakes]

An Introduction to Ivilia NPCs

(aka this is the master post for my silly little ocs)

I'm going to put most of this under a read more just because there will be pictures and I wouldn't wanna clog up y'all's feeds with the sheer amount of stuff.

I'll make a small list of characters I really want to get into, at least so that I can remember to talk more about them myself aha.

In this post you'll find information about:

-Magnus and Magan Deyvet

-Lockeland, Kitril, and Cedith Puckett

-Lucien Ancrum and Milo Ancrum-Buckley

-Helios the Bard

-Christopher and Loulouche Sunsinger

-Raiden the Wanderer

-Ghost

-Knox Odikonn the Mad Wizard

-The Glazastov Family

Continue reading at your own risk I suppose?

Okay so. Starting off strong with the twins.

Magnus Deyvet

Pronouns: he/him

An asshole to put it plainly. This little rat bastard will ruin your day he's such a a little shit oh my god. He used to be worse but I can apparently Not Make Sympathetic Villains so I'm just sitting here with a kind mean little bastard boy who's also immortal and can't stay dead so yeah that's fun! He's old and tired and wants to be left alone kinda sorta but he also wants to be in everyone's business. How dare you NOT let him be in your business you MUST tell him all the things. An aggressively gay little man. Absolutely can and will bite. Also he's a changeling so he can shapeshift too and that's cool I guess. Did I say who awful he is

Magan Deyvet

Pronouns: he/she/they

My silly little BLORBO. He is my little bean my precious dogboy the BEST EVER. NOTHING like their brother nope not at ALL. In reality she's actually probably just as bad, but his moral code is far more defined than Maggie's is I suppose. He's a fairly friendly person, she spends a lot of her time working on their prosthetics and stuff like that. Big robot nerd basically aha

Lockeland Puckett

Pronouns: they/them

Scribgly scrimblo!!!! My screembl. My little BASTARD!! I love them y'all I can't understated how much they rotate around in my brain with their funny little accent! Just a silly guy they're so traumatized it's so much fun dude. They're missing an eye btw!! And an ear and half their tongue ahahaha. But they have a cat and three dogs and a silly accent so it's okay :)

Kitril and Cedith Puckett

Pronouns: he/him and they/them respectively

Locke’s father and auncle respectively, they hate each other for some reason I haven't quite determined why lol. But they're both silly old fey and I like them a lot. If I had to describe each in short terms I'd say Kit is a crazy cat man and Cedith is a bog witch. Great little guys. You should definitely trust them with your name

Lucien Ancrum

Pronouns: he/they

The guy ever!! He's so soft and big and sweet and will give everyone hugs. This man loves everyone he's literally just here for the hugs. He will become ur dad he will let you lay on a fluffy highland cow. He is just the best, I have no complaints he is so pure and good. What a man

Milo Ancrum-Buckley

Pronouns: she/her

Lucien's sister! She got the "short" end of the straw in genetics because she looks way more human than her brother but that's ok. She's strong and also big and will beat up anyone that misgenders u. She also owns and runs a tavern!!! Pretty sure she's a lesbian too but I haven't given her a proper love interest so if you have suggestions please tell them at me

Helios the Bard

Pronouns: he/him

Clown ahh MF. This man is goofy as hell but he's also the organizer behind 99% of the riots and strikes in one of the primary cities so there's that I guess. He has a wife he loves VERY much dude he's so so SO dedicated to her. Literally just hanging off her every word. But he's a lot smarter than he presents, he's just gotta keep it silly or he'll be consumed by the narrative

Christopher Sunsinger

Pronouns: he/him

Literally gay as hell. Gayest man I know. He's short and gay and gay. He's also strong as hell and could throw a person. He's completely blind but he keeps making sight-based jokes and thinks he's funny for it. Also a good therapist! Probably.

Loulouche Sunsinger

Pronouns: he/him

Angry and small. Christopher's little brother. Asshole. Highly traumatized and very very temperamental he may as well be your mortal enemy if you so much as look at him the wrong way. Kinda a space cowboy tho so that's cool! He likes to fight god

Raiden the Wanderer

Pronouns: he/him

Silly bird man who makes soup and studies ancient ruins of long lost civilisations in the desert! He doesn't have a quarrel with anyone and nobody has a quarrel with him. He knows the tunnels under the desert well and knows how to avoid sandworms. He's also a guide for lost travelers trying to make their way through a hopelessly large desert.

Ghost

Pronouns: they/them

Silly Creecher, Ghost is my little blorbo bingus. They are a cryptid and a spooky little guy and they will look at som1 and think "that is friend". Just my tall Eldritch beastie that likes to hang out with people and sit in their forest

Knox Odikonn the Mad Wizard

Pronouns: it/they/he

Really fucked up little guy. Kinda more fucked up than Maggie if I'm being honest. A real piece of work, it created a nightmarish hell-dimension called Wiz-Mart for fun and watched people actually try to utilize it as a proper grocery store. They find it HIGHLY entertaining to watch

The Glazastov Family

Pronouns: see below

I'd make individual blurbs for this family but none of them are that important aside from Vitaly, but he's also a very minor character in this (I still love him a lot though). The Glazastov Family is a (you guessed it) family of morticians and funeral directors. They are a family of five, consisting of the parents (Konstantin and Olga) and their three children (Vitaly, Sasha, and Polina). Konstantin (he/him) and Olga (she/her) are happily married and getting up there in years, but they tend not to go out much. Not very social at all. Vitaly (he/him) is the most social out of all of them and that's saying a lot. He's not very keen on speaking to others outside of work, but he has a soft spot for kids and does a lot of the talking for his family. Sasha (he/him) is an asshole. He was quickly driven out of the family home for trying to kill his brother. Polina (she/her), or Polly for short, is the youngest and very very sweet. She often plays with the children outside the morgue, and her responsibilities in the family have yet to be passed down, since she's quite young still.

___

Okay- I did it, I wrote the things down. I'm sure there will be plenty more characters and NPCs to come, I definitely haven't covered all of them, but this is the basic stuff for the moment. God it's exhausting making this long of a post how do y'all do it this took me like three days

Anyways enjoy, if you have questions my asks are open or you can just. Rb or comment or whatever idm either way. I hope you all derive much joy from my little blorbos

[eleven441]

The Story 2❤️💙🤍

Cody Rhodes x Eleven story.

Seth and Jey finally came back with our food. Just some waffles coffee, bacon, hash browns,beans and shit (i don't live in America , so i wouldn't know).

"ha that cashier be talking to us like she came from aborting her child!"All we did was stare at him in anger. We ate and laughed and to our surprise Cody actually joined in the conversation.

We were talking about that Snickers commercial that the Miz did. "Maybe you need a Snickers!" Cody and i said at the same time. Jey stared at me with a Stern look on his face then shifted his stare to Cody. He slowly turned his serious face into a small smile. Then he chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked rolling my eyes. "Oh nothin, just thinkin bout somethin serious."he said looking down with that mischievous smile still plastered on his face. "Like what?"I asked. "Marriage..." Seth mumbled.

"what?" I asked again. "Oh nothing , nothing" he said as he looked to the side, out the window."Riiiigggghhht"i said staring at him.

Time skip we got home.

Jey was up Gyming, Seth went to see Becky's family because her grandmother just passed. And who knows where Cody could be. So i was left alone... I was wearing my black sweat pants and black crop top.

I got a packet of cheese chips and started eating. That's when Cody came down. Shirtless with a towel around his waist. He looked at me with a smile. "Hi!" He said softly but cheerfully. "Hey! Cody" i responded. He went over to the fridge. "Hmm what do i want to eat?" He asked himself. "Fruit salad, yeah". I walked over to him.

" Cody?"i said softly. "Yeah what's up?" He responded looking up at me from the fridge. "So you talked to H about the whole script and i won't be joining Naomi and crew right?" I asked. "Yeah yeah yeah, well .. he said you can do your segment first , then I'll be with you at the main event.

"Cool cool......" There was an awkward silence , then i finally said "Wh-why do you want me there anyway." I watched him take a bite out of a real juicy grape fruit. Some of the juice started dripping and went over to his abs and chest. I was just starting at his lovely torso, im sure he noticed.

" oh Cody you have a cut on your arm!" The cut started bleeding."oh , y-yeah, right umm-" i pulled out a first aid box from under a couch cushion. "Wha- was that always there?" Cody asked. " I don't know?" I shrugged followed by a soft laugh. I took out what i needed, he hissed in pain because of the medication i put on it. This time we were closer than close.

While I trearted him and i felt chills, from my head (since he was taller than me) all the way to my spine. I could feel , loving eyes on me , loving and also a bit lustful. "You asked why I want you there, right?" He said with a low raspy voice.

I looked up at him through my ponytail, i saw he blue eyes gaze into mine. "Y-yeah?" I responded shyly. "Because i want you near me. I want you to stay with the American Nightmare." I was shocked, tbh. I felt hands make their way to my waist and we grew closer.

But then he stopped. "S-sorry , I'm sorry I did that it's just" he said. "It's -its okay ... All better now. " I said putting the bandage on him. "Uhhhh thank you " he said "Don't mention it " i said blushing. I started my way off to get everything ready . "The plane leaves in an hour , we'll meet Jey and Seth there.

"Yeet!" I yelled back as i continued my way outside.

SMACKDOWN...🟦

"It was only a month before wrestlmania (royal rumble was coming up soon). We all got ready for the show. "Hey Bianca!" I shouted. "Hi! Gurrl!!!"she said. "You look good!"

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

If you saw Eleven's previous photo, it was red right. Well now it was blue and she wore this but the yelli is blue and the track bottom says yeet at the side... ( Sorry for making the story too fictional , Im used to Wattpad)

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Yeah...

Our segment was about teaming up and defeating damage control sooner or later. Trust me we slayed. We did get ambushed but Bianca and i scared them of especially me with some of my brother's moves...

Soon it was Cody's segment , the main event. I entered with him and the crowd went wild. Ofcourse as usual the Bloodline interfered. They surrounded us , but thankfully Jey and Seth came. Jey and I fought off Jimmy and Solo. And you know how it is every week.

Now that SmackDown was over Cody and i went back. It was lastly a match between Jimmy and Seth.

"i have some important work to attend to with Triple H , meet me back here okay?" He said making sure i understood clearly.

"yes i will..." I said like that he gave me one last smile and walked off.

TIME SKIP...

Cody POV

I finally finished what i was doing with Triple H and the rest. I was looking forward to telling Elé how i felt. But when i got to where i told her to wait she wasn't there. This wasn't like her. I was a bit angry , disappointed and confused.

I called her phone 📱 multiple times it wasn't getting through i thought it was bad reception so i went to were there better connection. Still not going through... I tried for several minutes until i heard Jey.

"Yo uce, Where's my sister?!!!" He said angrily. "I don't know im trying to call her!" He looked at me even angrier. " Yo uce , she was last whichu , WHERE IS MY SISTER!!!" he gripped me by my vest. "Jey , calm down. I don't know where she is?" Jey let me go.

"I tried calling her too , it ain't going through" he said. We asked Seth , he didn't see her , he tried calling so did Becky , nothing. We asked everyone Bianca , Bobby , Austin and the street profits. NOTHING

We asked Triple H and the officials , nothing. Seth called Paul Haymen and he said they didn't see anyone.

Bloodline POV

"umm my tribal chief , Seth Rollins came with a message."he said. "Seth Rollins??" He said raising his eyebrow. "Why Seth, i mean , he can't handle the pressure?" Paul Haymen sat down. " No...my tribal chief it's your cousin." He looked and chuckled. "Who...Jey?" Paul shaked his head.

"No Eleven, she has gone missing. They called everyone and I mean everyone." Jimmy stood up in shock so did Solo. "My lil sis is missing?" He said in his raspy voice. "Yeah stop playin , Wiseman" solo said.

"N-no im serious..." He said shaking. "Noooo, that's my lil sister!!!! Hell no " Jimmy yelled. Roman looked down at his feet. "Eleven, she's my cousin and has nothing to do with any of this... Well let's go try to look for her!" He exclaimed.

Cody POV

I was stressed out and saw nothing but red. I was furios , i could yell at anyone. I just wanted to find her.

I bardged into the judgement day's locker room. No one saw them. Sure they threw threats at me but i didn't care. Well Truth was there and told me something shocking.

" nope i didn't see your girlfriend, all i saw was An angry Karion Kross and angry Final testament leaving real early like around the time y'all said she went missing like a feeeew minutes after."

Truth might be Stupid but that was the only information i wanted from him... I told Jey and we were brain storming.

Where could she be?

Story continues

[henrysglock]

Not to Byler your Creelarke too much but I was thinking about a possible scenario for season 5 between Byler and Mr. Clarke. Post Byler getting together.

Maybe they have a Super Important Science Question they need answered Right Now so they head over to his place because the phones aren’t safe. And they ask their question, and get their answer, but Mike gets this idea. Mr. Clarke seems to be the right age, maybe they knew each other?

So he asks, “this is a weird question… but do you know anything about… Henry Creel?”

And Scott gives them a bit of a wishy washy answer, lots of “he was quiet and nobody really knew him…” but seems to be holding something back. And Mike gets more frustrated that he won’t be straight (ha) with them, but Will puts his arm out and quiets him, before saying, “you can trust us… we’re.. family”

And Mikes fully confused by this, doesn’t understand what he’s saying, but Will reaches over and holds his hand in his and they share a soft look before Scott sighs, and explains that he did know Henry well.

You can ALWAYS byler my creelarke because I'm a hardcore shipper of both!!

And god, yeah. This is actually the kind of scenario that's on my st5 bingo board, because Scott always has the answers. The Party knows this, so when it comes to surviving the apocalypse...who better to ask than Mr. Clarke?

Mike remembering how Bob went to school in Hawkins, and how Bob taught Scott everything he knows about AV...it wouldn't take much for him to put it together that all three of them went to school together.

Will "If there's anything you know...you can tell us. Please tell us. Anything helps." Byers vs Scott "Well, it's a bit of an odd story, bear with me..." Clarke spilling the beans on Henry and what 1957-1959 was like for them, especially re: the Creel family and Henry's pre-lab run-ins with Brenner.

Scott "He was my best friend. I haven't met anyone quite like him since, and I doubt I ever will, although...I have to say, Will...You two're remarkably similar. You remind me of him quite a bit. I think you would have liked him." Clarke vs Will "[awkward silence]" Byers

Will "Why does it feel like we have entirely the wrong guy/this reeks of Brenner" Byers going to El, who was explicitly told she doesn't have the full truth, and the two of them puzzling together the actual truth/the full truth being the key to saving Hawkins.

Willel being the solution, but only because they heard a firsthand account of Henry from Scott, the only person left both alive and accessible who truly knew/loved Henry. So many different forms of love being the key to saving Hawkins would make me so happy, actually.

[f1-disaster-bi]

Could you write something from Maxs pov in little bean about the Bed questions for the poly asks/prompts

Absolutely I can!

Max finished reading the story. Fabia's little snores filled the room as he smiled at his little girl. Her hands gripped her teddy tight. Her little face pressed into the pillow, and Max couldn't help but think fondly about how much she looked like Lando with the way she slept.

He pressed a kiss against her head before setting the book aside and leaving her to sleep. He popped his head into Leo's room just to check that their little warrior pup was still sleeping soundly and to run a finger over his little cheek before he made his way to their bedroom.

Max had expected to see Daniel and Lando curled together, watching Tiktoks or random YouTube videos that Daniel pretended to understand and find funny. Instead, he was greeted by the two of them fast asleep.

Daniel was, as usual, spread out on his back on the left hand side of the bed. He'd one arm tucked behind his head which was turned to face Lando as if he had fallen asleep watching the other. Normally, he did. He always fell asleep watching Max and Lando.

Max had asked him once, and Daniel had just smiled and kissed him, "Why wouldn't I want to fall asleep looking at my two beautiful mates?"

It had made Max feel all warm in fizzy inside. His cheeks flushing which made Daniel grin wider and he kept that memory tucked away so fondly for moments where he needed to remind himself that he was loved.

Looking back at the bed, Lando was in the middle just like always. His head wasn't resting on the pillow. It was on Daniel's shoulder with the older alpha’s arm wrapped tightly around him. One of his legs was thrown over Daniel's thigh, and hand clutched at the sleep shirt that the other was wearing.

Max just paused for a moment.

He just let the sight before him sink in, thinking about how lucky he was to have this. How he had almost lost all of this because he was terrified, and his team had let his Father threaten the man he loved all for a championship that he had lost fairly in the end.

It was moments like these that made Max grateful that Lando had forgiven him. That Daniel had been strong enough to tell Max he needed to step away, and for holding his hand through all the different therapy sessions they had done as individuals or as family.

"Maxy?"

Lando's sleepy voice pulled him from his thoughts and Max smiled. Their little omega was smiling sleepily back at him. A soft purr filling the room as the other made grabby hands at him.

"I'm coming baby", Max laughed softly as he pulled his shirt off and climbed into the bed. Careful not to disturb Daniel, who was snoring quietly.

"Missed you", Lando slurred, still purring, as Max cuddled into him, spooning his from behind.

"Miss you too, love", Max hid his smile in Lando's hair, holding him tight and just thanking whatever God that was up there that this was his life.

[scary-grace]

ooh! 1, 4, 7 and 8 for the choose violence asks please! :D

Thank you for the ask! You sent some good ones :)

1) the character everyone gets wrong

Mmm, I'm weighing how much trouble I want to get myself in with this one. I'm going to go ahead and say Thorin, and I'm including myself in the "everyone" statement. He's one of the more complex characters Tolkien created, and I think we all have a tendency to move him to one side of the equation or the other -- either he's totally woobified or he's so much worse than he is in canon. I feel like the real answer as to "what is Thorin? why is Thorin?" is probably that he's selfish in the way we're all selfish, proud in a way that doesn't let him back down even when he knows he's fucked up, brave even when it's the wrong thing to be, so loyal and affectionate that it makes him look stupid. I love him very much, but I beat the shit out of him when I write him, and I think the level of complexity is part of the reason why.

4) what was the last straw that made you finally block that annoying person?

It was a certain Silmarillion headcanon that makes me spit nails. I saw the same dumb post three times in a row on my dash and unlucky blogger number three got blocked because of it, even though it wasn't their fault.

7) what character did you begin to hate not because of canon but because how how the fandom acts about them?

FINROD. Admittedly I was already a little wary of him because of the Athrabeth (my girl Andreth deserved a debate partner who wasn't so condescending) but the fandom conception of him as a soft uwu bean and perfect angel baby drives me up the wall. He's by far the least objectionable Feanorian and I still want to put him in a jar and shake it really hard.

8) common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about

I spent this whole ask-answering period trying to decide whether to go for it and I've decided that I am: The kidnap fam is not a cute little found-family lovefest. It's the tragedy of two children who are survivors of a physical genocide being abducted and promptly culturally genocided by two guilt-ridden mass murderers who were responsible for the genocide that orphaned them. Based on my family history/cultural history I have a huge allergic reaction to stories like that (look up the Catholic Church's unfortunate history of, uh, "rescuing" Jewish children) and while I'm aware this is fandom and not real life and Not That Deep, it still bothers me when I see demonization of the twins' real parents and utter woobification of two ambiguously evil fandom faves. I don't buy for a second that Elrond and Elros were full of warm fuzzies for Maedhros and Maglor, and I often wonder how much influence his experience with the Feanorians had on Elros choosing the fate of Men rather than Elves. I mean, who wouldn't want to get away from that?

(Bracing myself for a wave of unfollowings. It was nice knowing you all, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.)

choose violence fandom asks

[runa-falls]

Omg congrats that’s such a huge milestone 🎉 🥳

Love playing the shipping game so let’s see! Would love some spice 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Physical description: 5’8, she/they pronouns, deep brown eyes and wavy brown hair, lighter olive toned skin, thick athletic build (think muscles but still will a layer of softness and a tummy), (without sounding too cocky) I do have a fat ass, thin waist and big boobs 😅

Hobbies: I do lightsaber martial arts that has fully taken over my life lol, reading smut, trash t.v.

Likes: love someone that I can go toe-to-toe with (wit is such a turn on ain’t it?), confidence but nervous lil beans are adorable too, love love love animals and love others who are obsessed with them too

Dislikes: people who think they are better than everyone and treat people like trash because of it, people who use humor as an excuse to be cruel, people who are cruel to animals, people who’s only priority is being/getting/staying rich (money def ain’t everything)

Personality: on the surface I’ve got a mouth like a sailor, smart ass, and have been told I am intimidating (maybe it’s the lightsaber martial arts lol) : to friends/family/SO I am deeply caring, observant, thoughtful. I am a switch but most of the time I just want to be able to turn my brain off, however the attitude usually keeps me in the “brat” lane 🤣

Thank you and again congrats! 🍾🎉🎊

I ship you with poe dameron!

honestly, throughout reading your (super descriptive -- THANK YOU) ask, i could stop thinking about how jealous poe would be that you're a badass with the lightsaber. he's definitely not one to pass up a challenge (no seriously, he's probably one of the most competitive people in the galaxy lmfao), so he'd take you in a lightsaber spar and probably lose horribly.

that doesn't mean he's giving up though. he's very determined, not because he thinks he needs to be better than people, but because he's constantly trying to improve. poe watching you with an air of awe as you knock him down again and again (he really likes it), but he always gets up and says "one more time", because as frustrating as it is to lose, he can't get enough of seeing your power.

poe is quite confident and it might be partially because of all the support and love he's gotten from the resistance. if he didn't grow up in such a family-like organization that focuses on literally saving the entire galaxy, maybe he wouldn't have a martyr complex. meeting you made him realize that not everyone will fall for his confident and cocky flyboy facade. he realized that life isn't just a battle, he has something to live for now.

as soon as you show him a little bit of attention he does get shy because you're so good at catching him off guard. he's used to being the suave man who makes people melt as his feet, but with you he's the one falling. he loves how you're unafraid to curse or make a smart ass remark back to him. how you explicitly show how much you care for him, even when he's being a stressed out ass.

poe loves animals and animals love him. he's just an all over lover boy and most creatures, people, etc. fall in love with him at some point. he has bb8 and that's enough for him, he doesn't have much time to care for a zoo of animals who need food, water, and attention all the time, so a droid is perfect for his rapidly changing schedule/living situations. if you had a pet he'd give it as much love as he gives you for when he's there.

poe is also a switch, but he loves it when you're a bit submissive with him. he's a natural protector, so having you curl up in his arms and ask him to take care of you fills his heart with warmth. when he is feeling a bottom-ish he just has to nuzzle against your chest and whisper soft words for you to get the hint.

[eldritch-queern-magicat]

Oh, so for Maxie, Jason wasn't the demon of lust (Asmodeus) we were convinced we had. Jeanne was (and hello, sexist as fuck stereotypes). It does explain why Jason freaked out a bit when she decided it was time to fuse. He didn't think they'd ever fuse because he was never sure they could work out the differences that kept them separate. Mostly, it seems, his own fears. The good news is that Maxie can't imagine being any different now that they've been fused for over a year.

That said, now we know why Katlin paired herself with Banica according to our old, mistaken beliefs about reincarnation. She was paired with Beelz (and now he likes this as his name, cool beans). And since he's the demon of gluttony, it made just enough sense to most of us at the time, so we just went with it.

(Evillious Chronicles was such a huge thing for us while we tried figuring it all out in the beginning. Not hard to see where that went. They are everywhere inside us. We were clinging to that series for dear life because of just how shattered we were. Though we did also cling further to other things as well, and another person altogether. It's part of what made it so easy to become as delusional as we were. Really sucks to think about, but we gotta do it anyway if we want to heal.)

Caelienn was also the demon Belphegor in the beginning. But she was sick and tired of doing nothing but doing nothing and moping around constantly, in contrast with Mary. His thoughts were something along the lines of “hey this is all wrong, there's no way it could be right.” I think Nanny actually helped us some with that. The way she did was flawed to hell and back, but it was still leagues better than foster care. Probably something about idle hands being the devil's plaything. Or whatever. Bullshit, but it still helped Caelienn out somehow, so let's just look at the silver lining for now.

I have watched Satan attempt to corrupt Galaco many times over the years. It only ever worked halfway, and then it would come undone as soon as some of our most beloved family members stepped in. Foster care often made him seem more powerful than he actually was. But then Ash saw the amount of effort it took to make Galaco do things that went against his actual nature. Basically, Ash grinned with wide, excited eyes, and rubbed his hands together as plans began to form in his devious little piece of the brain.

I can't really pinpoint who Lucifer actually was paired with. We think perhaps Vernon, but also get a soft chuckle for a reaction that seems to indicate not. But we already figured out that he's not with either Lilu or Era, who were our first guesses to begin with.

Leviathan has been written in with a different subsystem, but I have questions about that. I think he, or they or it, whatever Leviathan prefers, is obfuscating that information from us still. It was only Bapho (placeholder name having been Ernie) who pointed out that Ian was even Leviathan at all. And my old memories are still sliding back into place, so I can't really say much here.

And all I'm gonna say now: really, no fucking wonder we got so interested in demonology.

But fuck the Pentecostals with all the sandpaper in the world. If not for them and the people who took us away from a loving, worried family, we wouldn't have to deal with all this to begin with. It's absurd. If not for that really stupid pediatrician, half the shit we went through wouldn't have even happened. Fuck them with sandpaper, too.

-Kite 🪆😺

[the-gay-in-the-way]

Throwing Knives can be Fun

(So, I was moving all of my work here onto Ao3, but then I reached one particular post and realized that it wouldn’t really make as much sense with just the part I wrote.)

(So I redid the entire thing, from the beginning prompt to ending I’d made.)

(And this is the result.)

(It’s basically just what I originally wrote, but with extensions.)

(And written in a way that sounds a bit nicer.)

(Anyways, I’ll just go ahead and leave this here.)

(Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.)

One day, Virgil is sitting on the couch, minding his own business.

When, suddenly, something comes flying straight at his face.

He catches it without thinking and takes a moment to just stare at the offending object in his hand.

It's a fork.

"What?"

Then he hears snickers coming from the direction of the kitchen and narrows his eyes.

"Are you seriously throwing forks at me?"

"No."

Said the voice from the kitchen before another fork was quickly tossed in his direction.

It hit him gently on the side before bouncing onto the couch and Virgil stood up to face the bowler hat peeking up from the kitchen window.

"You trying to start something, Ekans?"

Then the bowler hat rose and Deceit stood before him with his hands full of forks and a toothy grin on his face.

"Absolutely not."

Virgil grinned back, preparing himself to get his own ammo from the kitchen.

And things quickly devolved from there.

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

Quite some time later, Patton came out of his room to see about getting a snack when he heard the sounds of shouting and banging in the common area.

He frowned and quickly made his way downstairs.

And what he saw made him instantly freeze in shock.

Deceit was laying on the dining room table, his hands filled with forks, hissing at Virgil.

And Virgil was stood on a small mountain of chairs across the room, grinning like a super villain, as he cackled and waved around his own two handfuls of spoons.

Meanwhile, the utensils seemed to have taken over the room completely.

On the floor, on the couch, on every single available surface within the space.

Forks and spoons.

"What is this?"

Patton's almost mystified voice halted the strange game the two had been playing and they both stared at him in shock for a moment before reacting at almost exactly the same time.

"He started it!"

The two shouted while gesturing their utensil laden hands at each other.

Then Virgil coughed, hopped off of his mountain of chairs, dropped his utensils, and waved a hand towards the mess.

And wisps of shadows started flying around the room, picking up all of the fallen utensils and returning them back to the kitchen where they belonged.

Deceit also dropped his utensils to be picked up by the shadows and slid quickly off of the table, moving away after a moment to let the shadows return the chairs to their rightful places as well.

Virgil didn't often use this ability, as it tended to make the shadows a bit more excitable than usual and harder to control when he was working later, but he couldn't actually tell what Patton was thinking right at the moment so he was willing to deal with the backlash in return for not having to face the father figure's possible wrath.

For a moment, everything was quiet as the shadows quickly finished their work and dissipated back into thin air.

Then Virgil finally couldn't take it anymore, and spoke.

"Um, Pat?"

And Patton blinks rapidly, as though awaking from a trance, and turns his gaze to look at Virgil directly.

"Did you guys just have a utensil war?"

Virgil and Deceit both flinch at the words and share a quick unsure glance between themselves.

"Um, no?"

Deceit's lie sounds more like a question than a statement and Virgil wonders what Patton is thinking as he stares at the two of them blankly.

Then the moral side starts to smile and Virgil suddenly knows exactly what he is thinking.

And he is terrified.

"Well, I guess I'm just gonna have to join you then."

Virgil takes a couple quick steps over to Deceit who is also starting to realize exactly what's happening and is also suitably terrified.

"Cus' you guys are missing a certain utensil from your match."

Virgil has reached Deceit and the reptilian side is already reaching for him as Patton summons up handfuls of the aforementioned missing utensil and smiles at them as sweetly as ever, an excited gleam to his eyes.

"Knives!"

And Deceit and Virgil both start to scream as the stronger side picks the lying side up and starts to sprint around the room while Patton starts to cackle as he throws KNIVES at them.

Virgil eventually manages to reach the stairs and runs up them, still screaming.

Deceit continues to scream as well, as they sprint past everyone's bedrooms. 

Alerting the other two sides of something going on in the hallway.

Logan opens his door to see what all the commotion is about. 

Only to see Virgil sprinting down the hall past him with Deceit in his arms, both of them screaming.

Then Patton also sprints past, still throwing knives, cackling like a madman.

Logan blinks and then just shuts his door.

For a moment, he stands in his room, staring at nothing in particular as he tries to process what was happening in the hallway behind him.

Then he sighs a most long suffering sigh and sets about putting everything on his desk away for the day.

He didn't know what was happening out there, but he didn't need to know to already feel exhausted by it.

He was going to take a break before things really started to get out of hand.

Roman also opens his door to see what the commotion is about and screams when a knife is sent flying only inches past his face.

There's a gasp from Patton and then a round of absolutely terrifying giggles.

"Yay! More toys to play with!"

His words are both innocent and ominous and Roman is too scared and confused to react properly.

Lucky for him, Virgil is quick on his feet.

"Nope!"

He shouts out before quickly picking up Roman as well and continuing to run down the endless hallway.

Patton giggles again and the two on his shoulders give full body shivers.

"No! Don't run!" He whines in a way that's a little too cheerful to be truly innocent. "Come back and play with me!"

Then knives are being thrown again and the screams, now with the addition of a third, return as Virgil sprints onward.

The chase lasts for quite some time.

Until the worst possible scenario finally happens.

Virgil gets cornered.

After valiantly saving the other two from the same fate by shoving them into a closet moments beforehand, Patton approaches him with an impossibly wide grin on his face.

The knives gleam in his hands and Virgil wonders idly if he should bother trying to get away or not.

He'd been pretty sure this whole time that Patton wouldn't actually hurt any of them with those knives, but the adrenaline rushing through his system and the expression on his best friend's face was really starting to make him question that.

Then Patton launched several knives at him at once and Virgil is also pretty sure that he can’t actually die from a physical injury but he’s also pretty sure that this is the moment when he dies.

 And then he kind of just sits there for a second in confusion when nothing actually happens to him.

"What?"

And then Patton is laughing even more than before and Virgil is so confused until he picks up one of the knives and realizes that Patton had tricked them all from the start.

The knives were plastic and dull.

They'd looked so real, he'd never bothered to question it.

But, apparently, he should have.

And then Virgil starts laughing too, unable to resist at this point, and they’re both dying on the floor while leaning against each other and shaking from the force of their guffaws.

Then Roman and Deceit come out of the closet to figure out why the two had been laughing so much for so long.

And Patton just looks at Virgil and Virgil instantly knows what he has to do.

So he stands up wielding a handful of knives and grins in the craziest way he can, which is absolutely terrifying because he’s Anxiety and he knows how to look scary better than anyone else, and just says one thing in the scariest and most warped version of his voice possible.

“RUN”

And the two instantly scramble to escape as Patton starts cackling once again, yelling for them to come back so they can play together.

And that was already scary before but now Virgil is also sprinting alongside him and booming with his own terrifying evil laughter and the two being chased can't help but lament the loss of their protector turned pursuer as they try not to die.

Meanwhile, Logan is in the kitchen as everyone else continues to run around the house frantically.

He ignores the screams of Roman and Deceit as he makes some tea for himself and doesn’t even blink when all four of them scramble into the commons for a moment.

"LOGAN!"

The two 'victims' shriek as they sprint towards him.

He remains still as they collapse behind him on the couch, gasping for breathe as they try to keep him in between them and the two standing on the other side of the room.

"Save us!"

Roman quickly huffs into his shoulder.

He takes a moment to raise an eyebrow at Virgil in question.

And, when the Anxious side snorts and shrugs at him, he rises up from his position on the couch and turns to face the two still huddled upon it.

They stare at him with big eyes as he summons his own set of knives and gives them his most intimidating smirk.

"I don't think you two realize the position you're in right now."

And then the two on the couch scramble away.

"BETRAYAL!"

Roman screams as he and Deceit print back towards the hallway.

Virgil snorts again as Patton starts cackling and chasing after them once more.

"Thanks, Logan."

He gives the Logical side a quick salute alongside a slightly crooked smile.

Logan smiles as well and gives a simple nod of his head, dissipating the summoned knives at the same time.

"Of course. Have fun, Virgil."

The other's grin turns slightly more menacing before he simply turns away and disappears up the stairs in a blur of black and purple.

Then Logan returns to his seat and continues to wait patiently for the game to eventually end.

The game does last for a while after that until eventually Deceit just gives up and throws himself at Virgil.

The anxious side catches him easily, but almost pokes him in the gut with some of the knives he’s holding as he does so.

Then Deceit declares that he now owes him some cake and cuddles for being so terrifying the entire time and Virgil just laughs and leaves Patton and Roman to finish the game themselves while he carries the danger noodle back to the common area to relax on the couch with Logan and watch some history channel shows.

Eventually, Roman decides to end the game by dramatically dying in the common area while Patton tosses knives at him, giggling the entire time.

It turns out, Roman and Deceit had realized pretty quickly after Virgil also started throwing knives that they were fake, because they knew that the anxious side would never do something that could actually cause them harm.

Also, he had better aim than Patton so it was pretty easy to figure it out when the knives were just harmlessly pinging off of them.

And then everyone kind of just collapses into a pile on the couch and switches to watching lilo and stitch. 

And Patton eventually makes a chocolate cake later that day for Deceit and makes Roman's favorite food for dinner, while Virgil makes sure to visit Roman the next day to have a fun Disney marathon with just the two of them and gives Deceit some extra affectionate cuddles for the rest of the day to make up for it all.

And, when Thomas eventually finds out about the incident, he asks why nobody tried to stop Patton when he suddenly started throwing knives at everyone.

And Roman, Deceit, and Logan say that they just assumed Virgil would do something if he thought it was actually too dangerous.

And Virgil just says that he assumed Patton wouldn’t actually kill them even if they were real knives.

Probably.

"AW! That's so sweet! I love my dark strange son!"

Patton squeals as he launches himself at the darker side.

Virgil simply smiles and catches him, giving him an affectionate squeeze as the others laugh and roll their eyes.

And Thomas huffs a little.

He knows that Virgil is usually right when it comes to these kinds of things, but it sometimes surprises him that the being that is his actual SURVIVAL INSTINCT is willing to do things like let himself be chased down by someone throwing knives at him.

All because he's pretty sure they don't intend to murder him on purpose.

But it's fine, he supposes.

"C'mon, Kiddo! It's Deceit's turn to pick today, so let's get comfy while he and Logan set it all up."

Patton giggles a little as he pulls him down to sit between him and his best friend, outright laughing as Roman flops onto the couch on his other side.

Virgil smiles from his spot next to the host and wraps an arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer so that he's cuddled comfortably against his side.

"That's so kind of you, Patton. Thank you so much for the help. It's greatly appreciated."

Logan's voice drawls from the kitchen and Patton laughs hard enough to fall over onto Roman, who wraps his arms around him as he laughs alongside him.

Virgil snorts.

"Wow, I can feel the sarcasm from here."

His voice rumbles straight through Thomas' chest and makes him relax further into him as he lets out his own little chuckle.

Deceit sniffs and wipes a fake tear from his eye as he continues to prepare the movie.

"He's learning so fast. I'm so proud."

'Yeah.'

He thinks.

'It's all fine.'

(And that is the end of that.)

(Here’s the general taglist, for all those people who wanted to be alerted whenever I wrote anything new.)

@a-snoway-afternoon @ashrain5 @virgilscat @gumdrop2113

(There ya go.)

(I hope you guys like the story.)

(Please feel free to inform me if I missed someone or if someone on the list wants to be removed.)

(Go here for the next part of the CAP Series.)

(A Bed of Links:)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Cerillen

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Cerillen/pseuds/Cerillen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz4p5XdoRESDKZeMDnWXFQ

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/cerillen

Discord: https://discord.gg/FsUhc5f

[happyselves]

Morning fluff with Lando where you both wake up and are cuddling and he says‘‘i’m not going to kiss you.’‘

‘‘why?’‘

‘‘because if i do, i don’t think we’re getting out of bed today.’‘

He just stares at reader and almost in a daze goes “ my favorite thing is falling asleep next to you and i love waking up next to you. It's like you're my whole world, you know.

Nervously asks reader to move in with him.

Thanks.

Hiii anon bean, I am sorry for waiting so long to write this, truly truly sorry ( it's currently 2.12am where I am and I don't want to sleep so I've decide to do this prompt ) I hope you will like it because I really like your idea !!! ♥

Moving in :

You started to wake up slowly from a long night, feeling some pressure on your stomach like someon ewas wrapped around you. As you finally remebered where you were and opening your eyes, knowing you were at Lando's place, in his bed with him snugglying against your back with his strong arms around your stomach.

You didn't wanted to wake him up, enjoying the warm feeling of your two bodies entrangled but you moved a bit not feeling your arm anymore from staying in the same position all night.

"Morning you"

Shoot you wake him up, you didn't know what hour it was but the sun was trying to came across the shutters. You felt Lando's cold nose against the nap of your neck, his arm grip getting a little tighter as he bring you even more closer than it was possible.

You tried to ignore the morning bulge against your ass, not mentioning anything to him to not embarassed him. You had sleep a lot of time with him, that wasn't an issues but it was the frist time Lando was this kinky with you and didn't wanted to let you go yet.

You've been together for a couples of months now and it was getting serious, you had meet his family, all his friend and he even bring you to some work diner and stuff, everyone in the team knew you and the media had seen you a couple time in the garage when you decide to go cheer for him.

It was the first time Lando had bring a girl to his race weekend, you weren't there all the time but when it was in Europe you were trying your best to make space in your agenda to support him and it was always a great pleasure to spend the weekend with the team, learning new things and talking to bnew faces as well.

But when Lando was being outside of Europe it was the limit for you, that's why it had been more than 3 weeks since you hadn't saw him and your reunion had been even more intense.

He was acting strange all night, like he wanted to talk to you about something, having discovering something important that he needed to share with you but couldn't quite find the words yet.

Instead he had transfered his anxiety into touch and cuddle with you and that's how you find out something was up with him.

You wanted to face him right now, seeing his beuatiful angelic morning face, you always liked teasing him about his puffing eyes knowing we might get vexed, which was the perfect plan for you because you will have all day making up for it.

You did so, his arms following your move and his eyes slightly opening, trying to admit his vision to see you.

All you wanted was your morning kiss, morning cuddle that might turn into something a little more steamy.

"Don't wish for it, I am seeing your face,I might not be fully awake but I know wha tyou want and no I won't kiss you"

He knew your little kitty pleading eyes and now he was smiling through your pouting face. You didn't wanted to admit to yourself but having his morning deep and broken voice was giving you more effect, him not according you what you wanted was an addition to it as well.

"Why"

Your voice was soft and innocent, playing the nice girl with him.

"Because if I do, I don't think we are getting out of bed today"

You wouldn't mind staying in bed all day with him, your two bodies connecting each other in every way possible, not needing food or drink, not letting each other go for one second to breath, that was a rather good plan you thought.

He couldn't stop staring at you, fascination in his eyes, a small smile appearing on his face, he like every expression that your face went through the conversation.

"my favorite thing is falling asleep next to you and i love waking up next to you. It's like you're my whole world, you know."

It was your time to be stocked and fascinated, you were liking him more and more each day and everyday you find yourself waking up next to him was a new day you find yourself surprise of how romantic he could be.

"That make me want to wake up next to you everyday for the rest of my life"

"Really"

"Yeah that's my plan, I want that and I hope you want that too because I had something to ask you"

You sense the next question coming, that was it, he was about to drop that big comintment question and you already knew the answer to that.

"Yes"

"I didn't even ask the question babe"

He didn't needed to.

"You don't need to, you were about to ask me to move in with you, and the answer is yes, I've been letting stuff at your place for month already, half of my stuff are already here"

He was so busy with work and others stuf fin his mind, that he hadn't notice that you had made space in his dressroom for you, his bathroom drawer as well, buying supplement and food that you like, decorating his place with stuff of yours and honestly he didn't care because all that matter was that now you were living under the same roof.

[waterfallswords]

;

Isla titters softly to his words, muttering a small good under her breath. Her finger drops a soft prod to the dimple that forms whenever Elliot smiles and green eyes flick over his features in a devoted gaze. She still listens to him with a thankfulness that he can tell her these things, a far cry from how things used to be when he'd slowly pull away near every full moon. Sometimes, she's glad of her own stubbornness for not easily letting him because now they wouldn't be here, wound together and sharing a future together. Isla laments his that's all with a soft kiss to his lips but then pulls away to study his face again. "You know, it's just what family does, hm?" she takes his hand and softly flattens his palm against her stomach and taps against the top of his fingers. "You'll do anything for this little bean already, Elliot. And when they're here you will too, for their whole life. And will it make you think they're a burden? Of course not." she grins and tuts, shaking her head. "So you're not one either." she lifts his hand then to kiss and is still smiling to him. "When me and Amaris...and we had to leave- we both felt the same. Like we ruined everything but, family just stick together through things. You look out for each other, love each other no matter what." Isla shrugs, hoping some words might stick but even if she has to remind Elliot over and over, every day that he's loved then she will do it because it's so easy to see all of the things that make him special. She laughs louder with him, hooking her pinky around his and then kissing his knuckle. "And I'm not leaving either, so I guess we're stuck huh?"

"I ain't denying anything," Elliot chuckles because she's right. His life would be boring without her in it; she'd brought color to an otherwise gray existence and he's not sure he can ever really thank her for that. And now...a child. His child. Their child. The moment she'd told him, he'd felt like he could do anything. Like he'd never been as happy as he was in that moment, in this one too, with Isla in his arms. Even as he shares the pain of the past, it feels easier now than it ever has before. Because, for the first time ever, he can really see a future for himself. With her. He leans into her touch, into the words she's speaking and he believes them. He's always known his brothers loved him, but hearing her say it feels like maybe she's right – like he doesn't drag them down.

"I just...I always felt..." he presses his lips together. It's easier to talk about it with her, but not completely effortless. "Like they looked out for me all this time." Elliot admits with shrug. "I just...I always wanted to do that for them." Instead of feeling like the weakest link. He remembers vividly how Hunter would hang back for him, how he, Wolf and Ryan would stand up to Jeff for him. He remembers every moment he's felt like he was holding them back. "That's all," he finishes with a small sigh, gripping her just as tightly as she grips him, finding solace in her presence and proximity. He laughs softly at her words, brow quirked in amusement. "Don't think that's possible, Isla, 'cause you got me beat there." After all, it's the care and affection she's shown him these years that's made him a better man altogether. She's breathed life into his tired soul. "But we can agree to disagree," he adds, knowing she'll insist because as incredibly loving as Isla is, she's just as stubborn. Elliot shakes his head at her warning, a bark of laughter escaping as she grits her teeth at him. "I won't ever leave you, Isla. I swear." And he holds up his pinky, to prompt a mutual promise between them.

[liron-ao3]

It's not that Dean doesn't like Castiel. It is more of an I-swear-on-my-mother's-grave-I'll-kill-him kinda relationship. Because the thing is, Castiel set up Dean's little brother Sam and his stepsister Rowena and it isn't that Dean could say it out loud, but he is worried. To say the least.

Rowena has a power over Sam that makes Dean's stomach flip. She conjures sappy smiles on Sam's face and makes him follow her like a love-drunk puppy. She's a witch, Dean is convinced, but he tries hard not to mention that in Sammy's orbit. He heard the whole that's-a-misogynistic-term speech when Sam was dating that Ruby chick and Dean knows that his brother would only cling closer to the Scot if he knew that Dean thinks that his fiancée is straight from hell.

So Dean grits his teeth, swallows his tongue, and plays nice around her, even going as far as agreeing to be his brother's best man. He will still be there when Sam comes running with his heart broken and with his tail between his legs.

Castiel, on the other hand? That man he can hate in abundance. Not that he has ever met him, but honestly, he has to be Lucifer himself if he thinks their siblings to be a good match.

Dean can picture him vividly—a leer on his face, sweet-talking people into feeling safe and then smiting them with the snap of his fingers. That man has to be evil incarnate and Dean won't pussyfoot around him. No way!

***

"Play nice," Bobby grumbles when they enter the venue for the rehearsal dinner.

"I am nice," Dean hisses back.

"Sure you are," his surrogate father says and makes a beeline for Ellen and Jo on the other side of the room.

Dean shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans and scans the room for the man he is sure he will recognise immediately. But no one really sticks out from the crowd that is well-dressed and mostly speaking in different kinds of British accents. Family of the bride, obviously.

Dean feels a little underdressed until he spots a man in an ill-fitting suit, draped into a trenchcoat. He is standing next to a redheaded, slim woman, who Dean would probably try to get on the backseat of his Impala if he wasn't set on finding that Castiel guy, sweet talk him today and wreck him tomorrow. Unless Sam does the wise thing and cancels the wedding, which seems less and less likely by the minute. Rowena's spell seems to become stronger day by day. Dean hardly recognises his ever-worrying, self-loathing brother anymore, with all the grinning that goes on on his face.

Maybe Dean is an asshole, but he has pulled Sam from the edge too many times to count. This is too good to be true. Happiness doesn't find a Winchester. Not in his experience.

Dean walks to the other side from where the redhead smiled over to him. Maybe she can point him to the object of his hate. She tilts her head to the side when he comes closer.

"You must be Dean," she says, stretching out her hand. Dean is taken aback by her knowledge.

"How did you…?"

She shrugs. "I know nearly everyone in this room. And the only two men Sam ever mentioned were his brother and Bobby who I assume is the fella over there."

Dean looks in the direction she is nodding to. "Yeah. Sam always had more female friends."

"I think that's what Rowena likes about him. He's sensible."

Dean huffs. "Yeah, I bet she likes that he's soft for her."

"He makes her very happy," the man says and his voice does things to Dean's insides he doesn't want to nurse right now. He needs to focus on his anger. Arousal isn't helpful.

"If you say so," Dean grunts.

Anna furrows her brow. "Are you okay, Dean?" she asks concerned.

"Yeah, just not really convinced about this whole wedding business. Don't you think it's too fast?"

The man tilts his head to the side and Dean starts seeing the family resemblance. "I think that they complement each other very well. I would have expected Sam's best man to see that, too."

Dean can't really argue with that. "I don't know her well enough to judge. I just know that my brother is a different person now."

"And you don't like that?" the woman asks. Hell, Dean doesn't even know their names and spills all the beans, probably making an ass of himself.

"He's my brother. I know him better than anyone and this—" He gestures in the engaged couple's direction. "This isn't the man I raised."

Two pairs of eyes move to the tall men and back to Dean.

"You mean a happy man?" the woman asks.

"No. I mean…" Dean should have kept his mouth shut. They don't know Sam, his dark thoughts, the forced smiles, the brave face. Dean knows it all or at least well enough to know that the chuckling man on the other side of the room is a stranger to him. Okay, maybe Dean is a bit overdramatic. He knows Sam laughing, pulling pranks. But life had been shitty to both of them and the only people they could always rely on were the two of them.

Yes, their circles have widened over time, with Jody and the girls, Charlie and Dorothy. Still, happiness isn't really part of their lives. They might get glimpses of it, but…

"You mean what? That our sister isn't good enough for your big shot lawyer brother?" the man asks.

Dean freezes. He sometimes forgets that Sam isn't little Sammy anymore. That he's one step away from leaving his old life behind, and with it his big brother, probably.

Dean scans the people in the room, mainly the bride's family and he swallows hard. Yes, he's the odd one out. He only owns a single suit, so he couldn't wear it tonight. Is it that? Is he jealous? Or anxious to lose Sam?

He looks back at the bride and groom. Sam presses a kiss into Rowena's hair. From afar, they are a cute couple with the difference in height and the unconventional age gap.

Dean bites the inside of his cheek and tries to unclench his fists. It isn't working.

"She's way out of his league," he hears himself say, not knowing where this is even coming from.

"That's what you said, Anna, the first time you met Sam," the man chuckles.

Anna? Oh, that's the future sister-in-law Sam raved about and Dean thinks he wants to set him up with. Well, that probably flew out of the window a minute ago.

"I didn't, Castiel. I said I was surprised that she went for someone younger. That's all."

Dean's eyes shoot up. That's the man? The man, who he built up as the bogeyman who would get familiar with his fist? A fucking baby in a trenchcoat?

The whole house of cards that Dean has built up over weeks is threatening to collapse. Dean's throat tightens and he pops a button on his polo shirt, but to no avail. He meets Castiel's eyes for a moment, the other man squinting at him as if he could look deep into his soul.

"Are you okay, Dean?" he asks and sounds concerned.

"Yeah. Just need some air," Dean all but spits and heads for the door.

He props himself up on the roof terrace's balustrade and tries to sort through all his contradicting feelings. He hates it. It's all him. His fear to be left behind, for the only constant in his life to leave, like everybody else who has ever meant something to him. He's jealous and the realisation hits him hard.

Yes, he doesn't know Rowena, but Sam does. Well enough to want to marry her. Sam, who thought he was too toxic for a real relationship. Dean always told him that this was bullshit. And now that his little brother is finally listening, Dean acts like a jaundiced ex? Fuck!

"There you are," a too-familiar voice comes from behind. "I thought you left me hanging, man."

Dean chuckles. "I have to lead the bride to the altar, right?" He ruffles Sam's hair. His brother glares at him, but without heat.

"Wanna come in? I'd like to introduce you to Rowena's best man."

"Who's that?"

"Castiel."

Dean's eyes sink to the floor. Of course, he is. "Already met him."

Sam raises an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you already snubbed him."

"Nah. I wouldn't embarrass you in front of your new family." It's enough that Dean embarrassed himself.

"Most of them are kind people," Sam says carefully. "And after tomorrow, Rowena is your family, too."

Dean works his jaw. It's a bit difficult to look at Sam, now that he realised that he's never given his fiancée a real chance.

"You'll be here in California, and I'll be back in Kansas. We'll be lucky if we see each other on Christmas."

Sam squeezes his shoulder. "You could move here, Dean."

The older brother shakes his head. "I don't belong here, Sammy." Another squeeze. "And I can't afford to take off so much to drive over." And soon you'll be too busy to fly back to where everything feels small and like past, he adds in his head. He puts on a smile nonetheless.

"Samuel?" Rowena calls from the entrance. "Dinner starts in five."

Sam smiles over to his future bride. "I just need a minute, mo ghràdh."

"Mo what?"

"It's Scottish Gaelic for 'my love'."

Dean raises an eyebrow and chuckles. "You really got it bad, huh?"

"I wouldn't marry her if I didn't."

Dean pats his back. "I'm happy for you man." He's surprised that he means it.

***

Dinner goes fine and Dean has a nice conversation with Anna, who is seated next to him. Luckily, she's not of the resentful kind. Still, Dean is feeling out of place. Their found family is so much smaller than Rowena's real one with all the siblings and cousins from both sides of the pond. And this is only the rehearsal.

As soon as dinner is done, Dean excuses himself and flees to the hotel. A real one that Sam was kind enough to pay. It makes Dean feel only smaller and not good enough.

He takes a shower and walks out on the balcony, just a towel slung around his waist. He can hear the waves hitting the beach nearby and seabirds screeching. He gets why Sam moved here, why he won't come back. It still stings.

Dean did everything in his power to get him so far and he can't bring himself to regret it. But he's still angry. Maybe he is anger, plain and simple. He's been angry since his mother died and his father gave a shit about giving his sons a home. This anger will probably never go away. It's good that Sam found happiness, Dean muses. At least one of them should.

There's movement on the balcony next door and despite the separation wall, Dean can see the trenchcoat clad arms propped up on the railing. What are the odds?

"Castiel?"

There is a long pause and then comes, "Dean?" This gravelly voice doesn't fail to move him. If Dean didn't decide to scratch the term 'witch' for his future sister-in-law, he would wonder if her stepbrother might be a witcher, too.

"Yeah. Not into parties?"

There is another pause, probably filled with a head shake Dean can't see. "I don't like crowds of people. And my family is, well, my family. I love them, but it's complicated."

"I get it," Dean says, although he probably doesn't.

"You seem to have cooled down a little," Castiel states matter-of-factly.

"Was it so obvious?"

Castiel laughs and the sound vibrates into Dean's heart, churning it in delicious ways. "You looked as if you were out to kill someone."

Dean chuckles. "I kinda was."

"Why? And who?"

Dean swallows hard. What he would give for a beer right now, but he had way too much of that red wine already. Maybe that's why he answers, "You." There is a long moment of surprise that Castiel doesn't seem inclined to break, so Dean adds, "I built up this story in my head that Rowena bewitched Sam and you were at fault because you brought them together."

"And now?"

Dean shrugs his shoulders. "I only want Sammy to be happy."

Castiel hums on the other side of the separation. "Why are you sounding so sad then?"

A flare of anger rises in Dean's chest. The man doesn't know him. What gives him the right to state something like this?

"Blow me, Cass!" he grinds out. That guy is getting under his skin. Why, he doesn't know. Maybe because he's right.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

The retort comes quick like a shot and Dean is struck speechless for a way too long moment. Castiel starts chuckling.

"You're an asshole!" Dean grumbles.

"An asshole who gives good head, though," Castiel says smugly.

Dean groans. No, he won't think of these sinful lips wrapped around his cock. No way, José.

"Is that an offer?" his mouth asks without his consent.

"I'm not a one-off kind of guy, Dean."

Dean wishes he wouldn't have to lie if he said he wasn't either. Is there an expiration date for that stamp if you haven't got laid for more than a year? Probably not.

The silence stretches into an eternity until Castiel quietly says, "Good night," leaving Dean alone in the pale moonlight.

***

Rowena looks beautiful and Sam smart. Dean manages to get through the whole wedding ceremony and his best man speech without a single glimmer of jealousy. Bobby looks at him approvingly and Ellen whispers into his ear that his mum would have been so proud of him.

Still, Dean finds himself on the balcony once again. His thoughts need space to swirl around him. There's a lot to process on this fine day—his brotherly/parent-like love, his own loneliness in a room full of people, the strange stares that Castiel and he have been sharing the whole day…

He presses the palms of his hands against his eyes, hoping to force back the sting of tears building up in them. A warm hand lands on his shoulder, startling him. "You've done well."

Dean chuckles without mirth. "Can't remember when anyone said something like this about me." He bites his lip, hard. Why did he say that? To a complete stranger nonetheless. Castiel doesn't comment on it, though, and Dean sighs in relief.

The music coming from the party changes to something slow and Castiel asks, "May I have the next dance?"

Dean turns his head and stares at the outstretched hand for a very long moment. He has never danced with a man before. Not without a beer bottle in his hand and for sure not a slow dance. But he feels a pull to this man, who he hated with all his guts just a day ago. A man with kind eyes, a shy smile, and a patience Dean isn't used to.

He takes the offered hand and Castiel's smile grows wider, just like Dean's heart. Castiel pulls him slowly into his arms, lets him settle against him, and rewards Dean's head leant against his own with a gentle brush over his back.

Dean shivers at the tender touch and bites the inside of his cheek in a last attempt to keep back the tears welling up in his eyes.

"It's okay," Castiel says. "Let go. No one will see it."

And Dean does. In the arms of a stranger under the Californian moon. He doesn't shake off the tender hand carding through his hair, or the strong arms holding him upwards. He lets out the sobs he's been holding and allows Castiel to brush away his tears before their lips meet in a gentle kiss. He smiles at Castiel bashfully afterwards.

"It's okay," Castiel repeats.

Dean chuckles. "Is it? Crying like a baby in a stranger's arms?"

"Crying like the big brother, who raised a wonderful man and has to let him go to live his own life. Crying like a lonely man, who hasn't been touched intimately for ages."

Dean furrows his brow. "How?"

Castiel smiles at him with so much warmth that Dean feels like welling up again.

"Sam loves you. He talks about you all the time. It felt like I knew you before we even met. And the rest? Let's say, kindred souls recognise each other."

Dean huffs a laugh. "You're good, man."

Castiel smirks at him. "And you're a good man, Dean Winchester," he says and leans in for another kiss.

Maybe, Dean muses, Castiel is magical after all.

[beautifulterriblequeen]

B2:S - Chapter 3

Much of this series will be about the differences and additions in the novel version, and how they contribute to my understanding of story canon. But there will be character appreciation, the odd theory and headcanon, and suchlike as well.

Here be Lujanne, Callum, Rayla, Ezran, Bait, and Soren goodness!

Spoilers for Book Two: Sky below.

Lujanne having excellent fitness for all her walking around the Moon Nexus, and she's so energetic that Callum has trouble keeping up with her! She seems like those active grandmas who almost never stop moving, who have a lifelong supply of endless stamina. It makes me wonder if Lujanne will need that level of fitness for some upcoming conflict.

Callum feeling really hungry over not eating grubs and then still deciding he'd rather be hungry. It makes me wonder all over again how Lujanne got to the point where she eats grubs, considering that other Moonshadow elves we know of back in the Silvergrove don't. I still love my hc that the giant leech ate all of Lujanne's moonberry bushes and she's taking her revenge. Whatever's going on there, Callum is definitely not at that point yet.

When Lujanne asks Callum how he knows she's real, he thinks to himself that he'd put up with just about anything from someone who was going to teach him magic. That's a great parallel and foreshadowing for Viren's student/master relationship with Aaravos! And it's telling that neither student gets exactly what they hoped to get. Lujanne doesn't actively teach Callum any spells, because she believes he can't learn Moon magic at all. Aaravos does offer Viren power, but it takes him to some very dark places - literally and figuratively - and the cost is terribly high.

Callum sees a moon shape among the ruins, and Lujanne explains that the Moonhenge layout is an intricate rune that uses the structures themselves as part of its symbols and power. That's apparently a thing even with ordinary Moonshadow villages like Hollow Wood in the east, which is the coolest idea I've seen in a while: city planning as magic runes!

Yes, that's the same shape as the pendants Ethari made for himself and Runaan. Protection? Home? Feelsiness? A sense of safety and belongnig for all cycles and seasons?

Wonder what this Moonhenge rune stands for, then, and how much of this landscape is included in that rune. I bet it's more than we think!

But it makes sense now, how toppling the stone pillars would disable the spell the druids would cast to connect with the Moon Nexus lake. Breaking the infrastructure of the Moonhenge breaks the rune.

There's a physical sensation involved with the visuals that Historia Viventem brings up! When that one ghostly druid walked through Callum, he felt icy cold. Like in ghost stories. I really wonder about what exactly Historia Viventem is doing when it activates. It shows truth, "what really happened here?", so it must have some kind of time-related element, maybe tied to how the moon always repeats the same cycles or something. But it also seems to draw on the spirits of any living people involved in the flashback, because Callum could physically feel that wispy shape passing through him. So very interesting!

Orrr... is that all wrong, and there's something else at work with this spell than time? Maybe the world beyond life and death can act as an imprint of the things that have happened in the living world, and the spell that Lujanne (and later Callum) casts taps into that place, with perfect recall. I'm looking really hard at the sentence that says "dozens of translucent elf ghosts" and "phantom Moonhenge" and "lost in their own world" here.

Lujanne says more here than in the show about the world beyond life and death, being her mysterious Moonshadow-mage self. She says that "beyond" and "between" might both apply to where this other plane of existence is, and she doesn't much care which. With all the relativity swirling around this place, and not much in the way of empiricism, it's sounding like perhaps multiple conflicting ideas might actually coexist in such a place, allowing more ideas to fit there than we might normally believe is possible. Which is a fascinating bit of worldbuilding. Basically, every headcanon anyone has ever had about the Moon Nexus could all be true at the same time, for all we know.

Oh oh oh, Callum coming in soft with a secret wish! He takes one look at the Moonhenge and immediately thinks of finding a way to see his mom again! Poor boy, my heart! I'd say that could be another interesting parallel with Viren, but then, who wouldn't hold that sentiment?

Oh my, is this another breath of life into Ye Olde Ley Lines headcanon? Lujanne mentioning the Nexuses again, so soon after talking about the runic design of the entire Moonhenge, makes me wonder if the six nexuses are in fact giant runes. On Earth, the places where ley lines cross are called nexuses, and there are those who believe those points got marked with ancient structures, like Stonehenge and many many others. If Xadia were crossed with magical lines which naturally formed nexus points where they met, and if powerful magical runes were built across those entire areas, well. That would be cool beans, fams. Can I smack a map of Xadia and release a spell like Luz Noceda does? Because ngl that is my first instinct here.

Lujanne has got to be missing some grandkids to spoil, right? The way she's always whipping out cake and ice cream for Callum, and she's so grandma-ish about it. Headcanon about her being Runaan's mom aside, she is canonically lonely and she's very sweet to Allen and Ellis and I think she's missing whatever family she once had in the past. She may never get to have that family back, so she's finding a new one among the humans who live nearby, and I think that's sweet. Found family isn't just for the young.

But Ellis is straight up gonna be her fave, I bet, because she didn't turn up her nose at Lujanne's illusion food!

Ezran and Bait have a lot more to their relationship than was visible in the show, and I'm so excited by it! Ez can tell by looking at Bait's colors that he's not truly jealous of Zym, even if he's really grumpy about the dragonling taking up his favorite human's time.

And Ez thinking a lot about his dad and the things he's taught him. They're soft leadership material, and I love that so much! "Pick your battles" and the importance of encouragement. Ahh, my heart. Ezran, you're going to be such a good king.

But wait a second: both times that Bait gets extra grumpy in Zym's first training session, Ezran has just mentioned something about flying. Guys, I think Bait wishes he could fly, really badly. And that's his biggest problem with Zym, and with Ezran teaching Zym to fly, instead of Bait who doesn't have wings so. Bait is so old that his secrets have secrets, and I'm really curious how flying fits into them now!

Rayla, Dramatic Assassin: "I need to patrol for dark forces." That's what Lujanne called the source of the purple wisps that found them. I wonder if that's an official term all Moonshadows know, or if Rayla is just taking her cue from a veteran Moon mage. And I wonder how far Rayla is falling into the apparent pattern of "one mage, one assassin", since she does spend a lot of her time patrolling without being asked.

When Callum tells Lujanne that he was bad at prince stuff, and she asks if he didn't give up and got good at those things anyway, it's an opportunity for Callum to embrace subverting his parents' expectations in favor of seeking his own path, which is a primary theme of the show. But Lujanne is a couple generations older than Callum, at the very least, and I have to wonder what her upbringing was like. Is her version of success the one she took? Was she bad at magic once too, but she persisted? She is very soft and doesn't want to kill anyone.

Maybe Lujanne had dreams of doing something else with her life, but she felt she had to pursue the destiny that others handed to her, so she studied magic as hard as she could, and she did get good at it, but using it to defend Xadia from humans is not what she wanted to do with her life. Whether there's a parallel between her and Ethari on that point, there's one between Callum and Ethari, I think. How much of your life are you willing to let others direct for you?

LISTEN I WAS DYING AT THE EAR BREAD SCENE OKAY

This is my new favorite Soren and Claudia moment ever. Soren loves him his bread, okay. Even as earplugs for Claudia's sleep ocarina tune. The fact that it's "super effective" makes me think of a Pokemon defense. The fact that he learned it at camp, where he also learned about Moonshadow Madness, is hilarious. Later on, Corvus doesn't know Soren by name, but I still love the idea of Corvus being a kind of Strider-esque camp instructor, filling the ears of his young charges with all kinds of useful tactics like ear bread for magic spell songs (which actually seemed to work as intended), and warnings about the enemy elves' blood-themed tactics (which may or may not come back around in BH)

I thought they were gonna go in a kind of deep direction when Soren still wanted his ear bread back, but then he just. Eats them. Just noms them. I love this kid. Give Soren all the bread!