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queen-of-deans-booty · 3 months ago

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Inside Man: Final Part

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~3.1k

Warnings: canon angst and violence, extra angst

Summary: The gang is split into two. Sam and Cas continue to look for the cure for the Mark with the help of someone who will do anything to bring you back. You and Dean face off with Rowena but this time, you're going to show her that you're the most powerful witch there is, and damn her if she thinks she can beat you.

Season Ten Masterlist

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Supernatural. All credit goes to their respective owners. I love seeing any and all comments <3

You and Dean walk into a nearby bar since Sam took the Impala to Wichita. You fix your bra when you walk in and smooth down the ends of your hair. Fucking makes you thirsty. You turn around and walk backward toward the bar counter, your eyes on Dean.

"Can you get pregnant while being soulless?"

"God, I hope not."

"You should have pulled out."

You smirk and turn back toward the bar. The place is busy with people who are playing pool, throwing darts, eating good food, and enjoying each other's company. You order a double for yourself while Dean orders a plate of nachos. It's amusing how hard he's trying to stay away from alcohol as if he doesn't already have anger issues. You down the drink in one gulp when you hear the obnoxious boys over at the pool table shout in victory over their win.

"Boom! Money. Now. Loser!" one of them shouts. "Give me your cash. Now. Right now."

"What's up with the Abercrombie rejects?" Dean asks the bartender when he passes.

"College kids 'slumming it'. His name is Ty. He always comes in here and does this shit."

"Slumming? What are you talking about? This is a nice joint, huh? You got those custom urinal pucks."

"Come on, bitches. Who's next? twenty bucks a game. Twenty bucks," the same man announces to the entire bar.

You and Dean look at each other and you smirk.

"I'd love nothing more than to show those dicks who's really boss."

"You know, for once, I agree with you."

Dean messes his hair to look spiker than it is while you pull down your shirt slightly to make your breasts stand out more. The bartender shakes his head but doesn't do anything to stop you from going over there.

"Yo! We'll play," Dean says in his douchebag voice.

Ty looks at you up and down before looking at Dean.

"Seriously?"

"What, I've seen enough to know how to play. I'm real good at holding the stick thingy," you say as if you're a dumb bitch who doesn't know shit.

"Dude, he's blitzed," Ty's friend says.

"No, no, no, I'm good. Let me play," Dean says.

"He's fine. Grab a stick," Ty says.

Dean is the one who plays a few rounds with Ty and his friends, bad you might add. He wants them to let their guard down. You play the dumb bitch who cheers for her husband while Ty and his friends rack in the money you're so willing to give them. After Dean loses the game, he looks at you and you smirk knowing he is about to hand them their asses.

"Okay, alright. Again?" Dean says.

"Sure. Make it a hundred this time."

Dean nods and you reach into his back pocket for his wallet. He doesn't stop you when you place three one hundred dollar bills onto the side of the table.

"Make it three hundred." Both men look at each other with wide eyes. "What do you say?"

"Give me your cash," Ty says to his friend.

He puts the cash down on top of yours and Dean tsks as he shakes his head.

"I think you're a little short there. Why don't you toss in the watch?"

"My dad gave me this watch," Ty says.

"I'm sure it's a very touching story. Got a little tear in my eye," you say with a fake pout. "Come on. Are we gonna play or not?"

"Fine," Ty takes off his watch and adds it to the pile, "but don't come crying to me when you've lost all your drug money." Ty smirks and leans in a bit toward you. "Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll make your time worthwhile."

It takes everything in you not to slap him. You want to see his face when Dean beats them.

"You're gonna regret saying that my friend," Dean chuckles and picks up the triangle to rack the balls.

This time, Dean doesn't let them get a shot in. He immediately "sobers up" and sinks in every single striped ball until all that's left is every single solid and the eight ball. If Ty was in a cartoon, smoke would be coming out of his ears.

"That one," Dean indicates to a corner pocket before shooting the eight ball into it.

"You hustled me," Ty says angrily.

"Well, you're pretty quick for a guy who's all hair gel and body spray." Dean picks up all the cash and Ty's father's watch. "Thanks, fellas." He looks at you. "I'll be right back."

Ty is about to go over to Dean to hurt him but his friend holds him back from doing so.

"Forget it, dude. He's an ass."

"Yeah, but my ass," you smirk and trail a finger across Ty's collarbone. "Don't beat yourself up too much, Ty. Now I don't have to cry about losing my drug money." Ty glares down at you. "Awh, don't worry, sweetheart, you definitely made my time worthwhile."

You walk away from the duo and head back to the bar. You're about to order another double when the front doors open. You look to see a very small redhead walk in. Rowena. She is definitely up to no good. The last time you saw her, you didn't have any magic. Oh yes, this will be so much fun. You side off the bar stool and hide behind one of the big wooden pillars by the bar. She doesn't seem to notice you as she walks over to the two men you just hustled. She clears everyone out of the bar but Ty and his friend. Dean comes out of the bathroom but you stop him when you see Rowena whisper something to the two men.

"Witch is here. Should you take this or shall I?"

"You already know the answer to that," he whispers back.

"I won't go easy."

"No one is saying you should."

Once Rowena is done doing her thing on the two men, she sits down at the bar and grabs someone's leftover glass of wine. You two walk into the main room and she smirks at you.

"Dean. Y/N."

"Rowena. What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" You smirk. "I'm sorry. Did I say 'nice girl'? I meant 'evil skank'."

"You say that like it's an insult," she smiles, "but nice girls, they're pathetic. Here's to evil skanks."

Ty and his friend come out of the shadows with blood streaking out of their eyes. They look like the girl Rowena spelled when you first encountered her. No matter. They won't have a chance to hurt you. Dean steps away to let you handle witch business, and you turn to Rowena with an amused smile.

"Is this meant to scare me?"

"It should considering you don't have any magic."

You look at your hands and red magic pours from your palms.

"Wanna rethink that?"

Rowena sets the glass of wine on the bar counter and stands up in fear. Ty runs at Dean but you thrust your outstretched hand at him without looking away from Rowena. Ty stops in his tracks and looks confused as to why he can't move. His friend charges at you but you thrust your other hand at him, causing him to stop in his tracks. Your magic shoots at them and encases their bodies. You pull your magic back, pulling the spell from their bodies. You move your hands toward Rowena, use the spell along with your magic, and blast her back. She topples over a table and some chairs, falling on her ass on the floor.

"Come here, boys," you say. Ty and his friend are compelled to listen to you. You stand in between them and place your hands on both of their shoulders. Your eyes shine red as do theirs so you know they're under your command. "Listen here, pets, she's your target now. Go fetch."

Both men run at Rowena quickly but she has tricks up her sleeves that prevent them from hurting her. She chants something in Latin and blasts them back into the bar counter. Both men hit their heads so hard that it severs your connection to them, and they pass out immediately. Dean takes another step back, fearful of what might happen between two powerful witches. Rowena takes off her coat to reveal symbols she has painted red on her skin. She rolls up her sleeves to reveal more symbols.

"You're no match for me," you laugh.

"We'll see about that."

She yells something in Irish this time and the symbols on her body start to glow purple. Purple magic shoots out of her body and into yours but it doesn't hurt. No, it sends you on a high like never before. You gasp and tilt your head abc as you absorb her power. When she's done, she looks confused as to why you're either not dead or on the floor crying.

"Not possible," she whispers.

"That," you moan. "I want more of that."

You blast her with her magic but instead of hurting her, you pull your magic back like what you did with Ty and his friend. Rowena's magic starts being pulled from her body and she gasps in pain. She can't stop it even if she wants to. You're too powerful for anyone to stop. She doubles over in pain the more you stay high. She chants something in Latin which forms a protective bubble around her, severing the connection. You stumble back into another wooden pillar and look at Dean with hooded eyes.

"Better do something now."

He marches over to her and pins her to the bar counter with a knife to her throat. She knows if she tries anything, he will kill her. The high you're on is already fading but the Mark on your collarbone burns with intensity. It's satisfied... for now.

"If you try anything, I will unleash all of Y/N onto you." Rowena looks at you and you wave with a smirk. "Do you understand me?"

"Fine. You win this one," she glares.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Saving my son."

"Your son?"

"Crowley," she rolls her eyes.

"You've got to be kidding me," you laugh.

"My son is a king, a God, or he would be if you didn't snap your fingers, and he comes running like a wee lapdog."

"Lady, your son is a coward at best," you roll your eyes.

"You two are a good influence on him. That's why you two need to die."

"How's that working out for you? You're no match for Y/N," Dean whispers lowly.

"Oh, I'll try again," she smirks.

"What, you think I'm just gonna let you walk out of here now?"

"I think you two are heroes." She looks at you. "You could have killed those men, but you didn't because they're innocent. Because you're the good girl and you want them to live."

"Really? That's what you think?" you smirk. Before Dean can stop you, you raise your hand and twist your wrist, causing both men's necks to snap. Rowena's eyes widen at their dead bodies. "They mean nothing to me, Rowena. You mean nothing to me." You walk closer to her and Dean and shove Dean to the side. You grip her neck and squeeze tightly, and she claws at your hand fearfully. "If you don't want to leave here in a body bag, I suggest you stay the hell away from me. I have no problem ending your sad and pathetic little life." You drop your words to a whisper and lean in closer. "You are nothing compared to me. Understand?"

You let go of her neck and she coughs violently. She does the smart thing and leaves while she still can. You look at Dean to see him looking at the two men you just killed. You roll your eyes and walk past him to get to the bar.

"Save me the waterworks, Dean. They were collateral damage."

Dean doesn't say a word as he picks up one of the men. He needs to get rid of them before the public comes back. When Dean comes back from burying two bodies, you're behind the bar fixing him a drink. You slide it on the counter and he takes it without a single word to you. He takes a sip and looks at you knowing that Mam snitched to the King. You look behind him to see Crowley standing there with an angry look on his face.

"Been waiting on you."

Dean turns to face Crowley.

"Squirrel. Witch."

"Bitch," you say. "Where's Mommy Dearest?"

"Would it make a difference?"

"Not really," you shrug. "So, are you two going to do this or are you just going to stare at each other like star-crossed lovers?"

Crowley wants to kill you and Dean for what you did to Rowena but after hearing what you had to say, that all changed. Turns out when Rowena went back to Hell to snitch, she banged herself up pretty good so it looks like you beat her ass. She wanted Crowley to kill you and Dean because she failed herself. By the end of this, you're behind the bar making drinks while Crowley and Dean sit on the other side drinking what you serve them.

"She wishes I did more to her," you laugh. "All I did was steal a little magic."

"So, she's a liar."

"What did you expect? She's the mother of a demon. She's not exactly sprouting white wings and a halo."

Crowley looks over and sees the Mark peeking out from your shirt.

"Mother says that Mark is just a curse and can be removed. Of course, she doesn't know how."

You slam the glass in your hand so hard onto the bar counter that it shatters. Blood trickles down your hand but you ignore it. Both men jump from shock and stare at you with wide eyes, Dean more so than Crowley.

"If you so much as search for a cure, I'm going to punish him," you point to Dean while looking at Crowley, "and he knows exactly what I'll do."

Dean and Crowley look at each other, and there is fear in Dean's eyes.

"Don't look for it."

Crowley takes a sip of his alcohol and decides to change the subject before someone dies.

"Mother says I've gone soft."

Dean relaxes knowing he's on safe ground now.

"You have. Yeah, maybe it's all the human blood that Sammy pumped into you, but the old Crowley would have come in here with hellhounds and demons, and he would have blown the roof off the joint. Now? You didn't want to fight. You wanted to talk. Maybe I've changed, too. Here I am playing Dr. Phil to the King of Hell. Never saw that coming," Dean scoffs.

"Maybe we're getting old."

"Never saw that coming, either. What is it, huh? Why are you letting Mommy Dearest tie you into knots?"

"Because we're family. Blood."

"That's not the same thing. A wise man once told me, 'Family don't end in blood.'," you chuckle at the memory of your father, "but doesn't start there, either. Family cares about you, not what you can do for them. Family's there through the good and bad. They got your back," Dean looks at you, "even when it hurts. That's family. Does that sound like your mother?"

"Take it from Dean to talk about family," you say. "He's sticking with me even after all I've done to try and prove him otherwise."

"I'm not giving up on you no matter what you say or do."

"You see?" You smirk. "Blind loyalty. Would your mother do that for you?"

Crowley leaves the bar soon after, and you and Dean leave the bar after him. It's time to go home anyway. You don't want to stay in your room for the rest of the night so you drop Dean off at home and take the car to be anywhere but here. Dean doesn't mind since Sam is back. He wants to talk to him without the fear of you overhearing them.

"What happened? Where's Cas?"

"Where's Y/N?"

"Out. I don't know when she'll be back so talk."

"Metatron knows more than what he was letting on. He has to know about the cure. Cas and I broke him out of Heaven."

"Broke him out? How?"

"Bobby. We needed someone on the inside and he's just as good as any to do it."

Dean nods in agreement. He wishes he could have been there to talk to Bobby but in a way, he's glad he wasn't.

"He's not going to talk," Dean sighs.

"He will now. He's human. Cas stole his Grace."

"Wow, a human Metatron. I would have loved to see that. Don't tell Y/N that or she will kill him."

"I know. We were going to kill him but he knows where Cas' grace is. He said he'd take him to it. What about you? What did you two do?"

"Went to a bar. Played some pool. Got ambushed by Crowley's mother. Rowena."

"Are you kidding me?" Sam gasps.

"I wish. Y/N killed two innocent people and almost killed Rowena. Crowley came, we talked, and now we're all best friends," Dean says sarcastically. "To be honest, I don't know if there is anything left of her to save."

"We're not giving up, Dean. We'll find this cure. You'll get her back." Dean nods but doesn't say anything about it. "I have something for you. I already read ours." Sam takes out the two envelopes from his jacket pocket One sealed. One opened. "Bobby wrote one for us and one for Y/N."

Dean takes the letters and stares at your name written in Bobby's scrawly handwriting.

"Don't give this to her."

"I know. Cas told me not to."

"No, I mean it, Sam. She'll burn it."

"I know," Sam says softly. "Put it away until she's ready to read it. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."

Sam leaves Dean alone in the war room. He opens his letter with shaky hands and begins reading it.

Sam and Dean, So... this is weird, huh? Look, I just wanted to say that I know what you two are trying to do for each other. Cas told me everything. I'm not asking you to stop because it breaks my heart to know my daughter is a shell of who she used to be. I know about my grandbabies and I want you two to do whatever it takes to protect them. My daughter loves them with all her heart and I don't want to see them in Heaven a moment before they're supposed to be here. I'm not there to tell you what to do or to guide you, but I know you two will make the right choice. Sam, you're a good man. One of the best. I'm damn proud of you, son. I was content up here but getting the call from you has made me the happiest I've been in forever, no matter what it costs. Dean, I can't imagine what you're going through right now. I'm damn proud of you, too. I wish I could have heard your voice but I know you've got your hands full at the moment. When you feel like giving up, just remember that it won't last forever. You'll get Y/N back and your children. Anyway, I can't wait to hear what you three have done in your life when you finally do get to Heaven. Make it a long one. Stay safe, keep fighting, and kick it in the ass. Bobby

Dean lets the letter flutter to the table as tears stream down his face.

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#dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #dean winchester fic #dean winchester fanfiction #dean winchester fanfic #dean winchester angst #supernatural #supernatural fic #supernatural fanfiction #supernatural fanfic #supernatural angst #spn #supernatural series rewrite #supernatural season 10

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hazashiovo · 10 months ago

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Bellamy's sister

Octavia Blake x reader

Inspired by "Stacy's Brother" by Mad Tsai ,I just love his songs and I hope he will become a big artist some day.

Reader is whatever you want them to be.

I've been hanging out with Bellamy. Everybody thinks we're dating,

"(Name) ,can you come over here for a sec?" Bellamy's voice rose as he opened his tent up.

Cause I spent my days hanging 'round his tent,

"Yeah ,what's up?" I enter his personal tent,looking around for a few seconds. Just the two of us inside. He signs for me to move towards him, which I do quickly.

He's one of our camp leaders,one of our best fighters and he's the said 'king',

He moves closer to me , pointing at a place on the little makeshift map of the camp surroundings,his body inches away from my back,I can feel it. His breath ghosts over my neck as he leans in to explain some plan to me.

When we train together he takes off his shirt,

"C'mon ,you can do better than that." He grins smugly at me as I wipe some sweat of my face, were both sweaty, especially him. So he took his shirt off, totally not a show of. I chuckle to myself at that tought. "As if you would know ,Blake." I roll my eyes and lounge at him for an attack again,wich he easily dodges and pins me to the ground,my hands on both sides of my torso,his tighs straddling me. His face has that stupid smirk on it again. "We both know you can do much more than that." I look away from his face ,I can't just can't stand that look.

But I got a secret I must confess,

Bellamy allows me to stand up,a few jokes are said before a sudden silence looms over us. He leans in closer ,I can feel his hand on my waist...shit.

it's not his smile or the way he acts,

Our faces are mere inches away. "Bellamy i- ..I can't." I push his chest away, turning around eagerly, a feeling of guilt bubbling up in my chest. I couldn't bare to see his expression,so I just left like a coward.

He's not the reason I've been thinking 'bout love,

I'm sorry Bellamy...I really am. My eyes fall on the beautiful brunette standing by the camp fire ,even tho it's daylight we still need warmth,but the only warmth I feel is the sudden feeling in my heart and cheeks.

Every time when we hang out,I lose my cool when she's around,

"Bellamy have you seen Clarke?" His little sister enters the drop ship,her eyes falling on my frame once she notices he's not alone. Her stare makes my face warm up, a faint smile adorns her face before returning to her question.

And I don't know if this is just a crush.

Each time I get those reactions I'm contemplating my feelings, why do I feel like this? Do I really like her? What would Bellamy say?

How do I find the words to tell him...?

Octavia looks at me from across the camp,I shouldn't look her way,no ,not when Bellamy is explaining a very important plan to me...What am I supposed to do??

I'm inlove with Bellamy's sister.

I'm finally ready to accept I love her,but how am I going to tell him? It's obvious he likes me. My eyes are stuck to the sky as I think of my current situation. "Earth to (Name)? " Octavia flicks my forehead with her fingers, sending me back to reality. "Ouch,did you have to flick that hard!?" I rub my forehead, dramatizing the pain. "Want me to kiss it better? " She smiles at me ,then winks ,that smile that would send a healthy man into an hospital.i look away embarrassed at her words,I know it's a joke,but the butterflies in my stomach don't seem to get it.

Gonna spend the night at Bellamy's,

Me ,Bellamy and Octavia got stuck in an old bunker. Me and Bellamy were out on a hunting trip with a few of our guys ,but once the fog hit, Octavia found the two of us us and brought us here. Bell says we'll be stuck here for the night. Great.

Don't know why my heart's been racing,

Bellamy found a couple of blankets for us to use for now,he got the first watch,wich means me and his sister get to sleep. What I didn't know is she'd be spooning me from behind. My god ,my god ,my god! My face is probably red as a ruby,and my heart is beating like a rabbits when he's beeing chased. Does she like me? Am I getting the wrong signals? Did she just pull me in closer? Holy shit!!!

Cause the whole camp things were Gona hit the base.

"Do you know where Bellamy is? " Clarke stops in front of me. I raise a brow , surprised, she's the 3rd person to ask me about his whereabouts. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Her eyes look away,an awkward look looming on her face now. "I think everyone just assumes you're the closest to him besides Octavia," she takes a short break before continuing, "You can't blame us though, the two of you are basically inseparable." Clarke gives me a short smile ,before turning away to find Bellamy. Those words repeat themselves in my mind over and over again,are we really that close? If it's so,is it okay for me to be like this with his little sister...?

He's coming up for our training session, told he'd teach me some defense stuff,

Bellamy's been spending a lot of time training me,seems he really wants me to be stronger. I land a solid hit in his abdomen. "If you wanna do damage you gotta hit harder,lower even." He gives me a disappointed look,wich I scoff and hit again, this time with my leg,wich he catches easily.

Cause he wants to show me how to defend myself.

"Why are you so eager to hit? You have to know how to dodge, Damn it (Name)!" Bellamy seems more annoyed than usually. "We can take a break if you want to,just so you know." I rub my neck awkwardly. He runs a hand trough his dark locks before turning to me. "I just want you to be able to protect yourself, I won't allways be there." His voice sounds almost disappointed with the last statement. He looks at my face ,then at my lips before he shakes his head and leaves the training grounds.

But I got a secret I must admit,it's not his lips I want to kiss,

I giggle quietly as Octavia leads me through the green ,dark forest. She said she wants to show me something amazing,but I don't care about that,I'm just happy to be with her. We finally come to a stop. I'm ready to ask her about this right before a neon blue butterfly lands on her nose. I whiden my eyes in shock,yet the feeling is quickly replaced by admiration. "Oh my god ... How did you find this??" I almost whisper,scared I'll send the special butterfly away. O smiles,then as if on cue,the forest lights up with what seems to be thousands of butterflies,all neon blue. I didn't even notice that Octavia wasn't watching them,she had her eyes on me. I turned my gaze to her, noticing quickly how her eyes were on me already. "What,got something on my face?" I joke,hoping to ease the tension. She leans in closer, raising a hand to my cheek, cupping it softly. I feel like the time stopped,like it doesn't matter anymore,like it's just us in this world. Am I dreaming maybe? Yeah that must be it. She closes the distance between us,our lips meeting. Her soft ones on mine...this definitely feels real.

He's not the reason for the bruises 'round my neck.

Her lips trail down my neck, leaving a few kisses before her mouth returns to mine. Octavia takes the opportunity to sit in my lap,leaving kisses all over my neck and exposed collarbone.

Every time I'm sneaking out, through the back of the gate.

I step on the fallen leafs and the slightly wet ground,meeting my eyes with the smiley brunette. "What took you so long?" She lunges herself in my arms,I smile,holding her tightly. "Your brother called me in." She lets go of me, looking at me smiling. "Yeah? What'd he want?" Her hand intertwines with mine ,leading me through the forest to our usual spot. I shake my head amused at her usual behavior . "Nothin." I brush of the thoughts about Bellamy for now.

And the truth is it ain't Bellamy I undress.

I draw little circles on her belly,my head resting on her chest. Her hand loosely hangs on my back,drawing invisible shapes. We're both in our underwear,the little bunker we found while scouting being our new hanging spot when we want some alone time. " What are we doing ,O?" I sigh,not moving my position. One of my legs is over her own. "Don't think about it,not now." She kisses my forehead. We didn't even register when the bunker door opened,not until it was to late. Bellamy enters the room with his gun pointed out at us. Expecting a danger inside.

How do I find the words to tell him?

"Shit! Look away Bellamy!" Octavia almost shouts ,he tears his gaze away muttering a 'what the fuck' while me and Octavia struggle to dress ourselves. "Is this where the two of you run off to??" I ignore his words,getting pissed at my jeans zipper for not closing properly. "Fuck" I mutter anoyed,I glance over at Octavia who is already dressed. Once I'm dressed,i can't look at Bellamy,I feel like if I'd do, I would crumble to pieces.

I hooked up with Bellamy's sister.

"Care to explain what the hell is going on here?" He crosses his arms ,an angry look adorning his face,if looks can kill,I'd be so dead now. I stay quiet for a few seconds, seconds that feel like hours. "I...I don't even know what the fuck to say." I sigh dropping my head, wishing to get away from his cold , glaring eyes. "Do you know how dangerous this shit is? All alone outside the damn walls?!" He stands in front of Octavia,who doesn't look guilty,not one bit. She scoffs,anoyed. "At least when we hook up we don't do it where the whole camp hears." Her snarky reply seems to annoy Bellamy further on. His eyes then fall on me, "I was expecting so much more from you,did anything I taught you stuck in that head of yours?" Bellamy steps closer to me. I take a breath in,what am I supposed to do now??

Bellamy here's the truth, and I don't want to seem rude.

I suck a breath in," I appreciate everything you did for me,and I'm grateful,but what I do in my private life is not your business." I hold my ground, he scoffs , leaving out a sarcastic laugh. "No,it isn't. It's my business when you endenger my little sister,when you endenger yourself and our defense." He doesn't raise his voice at me,dropping his gun on the table and removing his jacket. For a second I feel like he's about to beat my ass ,but I relax once I see him slump down on the old couch. I look at Octavia,puzzled. She seems to share the same feeling.

You're not the only one on my mind...

"I'm not stupid." He starts,I sit down on the couch once I'm sure he's not going to strangle me. Octavia sits next to me, curious to what he has to say. "I'm also not blind." He looks between me and her, shaking his head amused. "We can as well wait here until the morning. It's dangerous to go out in the dark." I open my mouth to say something,yet stop myself , unable to find the right words.

I wanna be best friends ,but I don't want to pretend ,the way that I behaved is a crime.

"you...knew?" I tilt my head curious. Bellamy leaves out a small laugh. "I would be surprised if the whole camp didn't know." I look at Octavia embarrassed,yet no trace of shame lies on her face. "And you didn't say anything??" I continue on,which he just shakes his head amused. I try not to get annoyed. "I felt like shit just for feeling this way,and just now you tell me it was alright all along?!" It takes everything in my power not to strangle him, especially when he has that smile on his face.

Oh Bellamy I have to tell you,

"It was funny seeing you sweat it, each time Octavia was around. That's what you get for not coming to me straight forward. " He shrugs. "You little-" Octavia giggles, stopping me from giving a few words to her brother. I decide to calm down,happy that a big stone has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm inlove with your little sister.

His eyes fall on me. I look at him,this time I don't feel like I'm hiding something big from him. Octavia went to sleep,leaving just me and Bellamy awake. "What are your feelings towards her?" The sudden question makes me raise my head higher.

"I'm inlove with your little sister, Bellamy."

He sighs, pleased with my answer. "Good. Take care of her for me when I'm not around." I nod eagerly. "Would die for her." He chuckles, smiling.

Phew ,this was long. I changed the og lyrics to match as best as I could,don't judge me okay?

#the 100 #x reader #the 100 x reader #octavia #octavia blake #octavia blake x reader #bellamy blake #gxg #octavia x reader #reader #reader insert #clarke griffin #bellamy x reader #male reader #fanfiction #the 100 fanfiction #fandom

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mintyisms · 17 days ago

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2000s Top 40 Lyric Starters

lyrics taken from #1 songs on the billboard adult top 40 lists during the 2000s

"Give me you heart, make it real, or else forget about it."

"You're waiting for someone to put you together."

"I can feel the magic floating in the air."

"Could you sympathize with my needs?"

"Welcome to this place, I'll show you everything."

"I think I'm just scared that I know too much."

"Your picture on my wall, it reminds me that it's not so bad."

"You're feeling guilty, and I'm well aware."

"I'm standing here until you make me move."

"Did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?"

"Who can say where the road goes? Where the day flows?"

"Even heroes have the right to bleed."

"So lately, been wondering who will be there to take my place?"

"Maybe something's wrong with you that makes you act the way you do."

"Chill out, what ya yellin' for?"

"Please tell me why you don't come 'round no more."

"Why is everything so confusing? Maybe I'm just out of my mind."

"I know they've all been talking to me. I can hear them whisper."

"I want a reason for the way things have to be."

"Every time I try to talk to you I get tongue-tied."

"A hundred days have made me older since the last time that I saw your pretty face."

"When it comes to loving me, she's worst."

"I'd hope that since we're here anyway we could end up saying things we've always needed to say."

"Your face, it haunts my once pleasant dreams."

"I won't say goodbye anymore."

"I'm sorry that I hurt you. It's something I must live with everyday."

"I don't mind spending everyday out on your corner in the pouring rain."

"I'm starting to see maybe it's got nothing to do with me."

"There's so much that we need to share."

"Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me."

"When you tell me that you love me, know for sure."

"I've been losing so much time."

"You made me feel alright for once in my life."

"Criminal record says I broke in twice. I must've done it half a dozen times."

"I don't think that I'll see her again, but we shared a moment that will last 'til the end."

"They tell me your passion's gone away."

"Don't look back, just keep on walking."

"I hope that you are having the time of your life."

"I keep dreaming you'll be with me."

"I would have stayed up with you all night."

"Would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

"My life with you means everything, so I won't give up that easily."

"We'll show the world they were wrong."

"I've not always been the best man or friend for you."

"Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar."

"I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket."

"I wish I could still call you a friend."

"You've got me feeling like a child now."

"It's too late to apologize."

"Promise me you'll leave the light on."

"Can't you see that there's nothing I wanna do but try to make it up to you?"

"I'll be wearing these scars for everyone to see."

"It's getting harder to breathe."

"Who would ever wanna be king?"

"My breath fogged up the glass and so I drew a new face and I laughed."

"I wanna get in trouble. I wanna start a fight."

"You PMS like a bitch."

"Everyone wants to know they're not alone."

"All my days were spent by the telephone that never rang."

"Please don't tell me that we had that conversation. I won't remember."

"You can take back your memories, they're no good to me."

"I'm just saying sometimes goodbye is a second chance."

"There's so many times I don't know what I'm doin', like I don't know now."

"You and I will be a tough act to follow."

"You know that I could use somebody. Someone like you and all you know and how you speak."

"We were always meant to say goodbye."

#roleplay meme #rp meme #sentence meme #sentence starters #roleplay starters #rp starters #[ meme ]#[ lyric ]

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guppybubbles · 10 months ago

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Sweet Dreams are Made of This. [1/3]

(A/N: Kind of a sequel to my other fic, ROLL ME A 6 ! :> You don't need to read that though to understand this!)

Borrower Tommy accidentally shifts into a universe where his homebrew DND world is real. He still sucks at being a giant.

WORD COUNT: 1,341 words

WARNINGS: None.

"Tommy opened his eyes and what he saw was unlike anything he's seen before…"

Tommy listened in anticipation. What could it be? A new friend, a new foe? He looked at his dad, a smug little smile barely hidden by his serious storytelling.

"And we'll find that out in the next session."

Halfway through his sentence, he and his brothers already knew it was the end of their game for the day. All groaning and complaining about Phil leaving it in such a dumb cliffhanger, Phil only laughed.

It couldn't have been hours already, had it? They barely started! He still had to redeem himself and his character into great glory! "No, come on, let's do one more hour— please, please?" He begged, holding onto one of Phil's fingers like he had all the power to hold him down and force him into another round.

With his other hand, Phil picked up the die and tossed it into the container— folding up the map before putting it back in the box. Tommy knew it was over, they'd start another session again sooner or later.

But he wanted to do another hour, or maybe two more, now. "Pleasee, I rolled so low every turn, I need to redeem myself!"

"I wish we could continue, mate." Phil smiled, "But I got work tomorrow and it's already…" He stared at the clock, making a surprised sound at the 11:48 PM on the wall. Phil cursed under his breath, gently, slowly pulling his hand away from Tommy’s hold. "Alright, get to bed you three."

The blond borrower knew there was no convincing Dad anymore. He crossed his arms with a humph, upset with his bad luck during the game. "Cheer up, Toms! I'm sure luck will make you do justice next time." Wilbur consoled, pushing his chair into the table and picking up the box with their fantasy map and die.

“You are horrible at throwing the die for me,” Tommy grumbled, narrowing his eyes at his older brother who had offered to throw the dice for him earlier. Wilbur’s luck when it came to the game was pretty good, yet whenever he tossed the die for Tommy, the luck seemed to plummet- doing worse than when the borrower himself threw the die.

In the corner of his eyes, he could see Wilbur’s lips press into a thin line. He was stopping himself from being amused at Tommy’s anger. “It really wasn’t on purpose.”

“Yeah, I know,” Tommy replied. Not upset at Wilbur, nor was he upset at the game. He swears he would be able to throw the dice better if he was just… more human-sized.

“You’ll do better next game, I’ll make sure of it,” Wilbur promises.

Tommy looks at him incredulously, slightly laughing. “What, are we gonna cheat or something?”

In response, Wilbur shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Dunno, maybe.”

Holding the game board, he placed his other hand on the desk. A trust exercise that slowly grew into a habit none of them thought was strange anymore, Tommy hopped on the hand and held onto the fingers for support. He used to have to walk from place to place, no matter how far it was because the big man was too stubborn to accept and ask for help. In response, they all worked together to install little stairs everywhere so Tommy would at least be able to reach things without having to heave himself up with a rope and a hook. He almost cried in front of them because of how much he appreciated the gesture.

That night, Tommy lay in his bed, uncharacteristically quiet as he stared at the ceiling. His room looked so much like a human's room- constructed by his family after nearly a year of accidentally revealing himself to them. It wasn’t exactly like him to be upset for the dice throws during the game, it really wasn’t Wilbur’s fault. On a good day, he throws exceptionally well for Tommy’s character too.

But Tommy isn’t upset about the dice, is he?

It was never the dice, never Wilbur, never his family, but him.

If he was truly meant to be their family, then couldn’t the universe make him human? Did he seriously have to be something that was never allowed to mingle with larger beings? It was a written code since the beginning of time that borrowers were never allowed to be with humans. Never share anything, what you are, what your name was. Most importantly, never be seen.

Were they never supposed to be a family then? Did he have to break the borrower’s code just to be a part of something he’s not supposed to? He’s not a borrower anymore, he knows that. He barely even follows the code anymore, but he’s not human either. Too exposed to be a borrower, too small to be a human.

Then what was he?

Tommy released a loud, exasperated sigh. His calloused hands rubbed over his face. He knows he shouldn’t think about such things, but lately, he’s been more aware than ever. He notices how Techno looms over him when they do woodwork together, Wilbur’s singing voice goes from soothing to too loud, and Phil barely gives him any chores (Maybe he shouldn’t complain about that one, actually).

They don’t mean it, of course, they didn’t. They probably don’t even notice it as well. Something so small and insignificant to them could be so overwhelming for him. He just wants to be bigger, to fit in…

He should go to sleep. He'll forget about it tomorrow and everything will continue on like it usually does (until the nagging feeling returns and he feels like he's rotting in bed).

Goodnight, me. Tommy closed his eyes, unable to rid of the heavy weight in his chest.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

If Tommy could recall this correctly— and while he may not have the best memory, he can certainly tell when something is just plain wrong… He fell asleep on his bed, right?

His eyes blurred as he gained consciousness and though he wasn't aware of where he was— he could sense danger even from a mile away. His shoulders ached, raised high above him. Something was holding his arms upwards. Cold, tight metal gripping his wrists, uncomfortably pressing into his skin. He tried tugging it downwards, but it barely moved.

Instead of lying on a soft, warm bed, it felt like he'd been kneeling for Prime knows how long. His legs felt numb, ringing uncomfortably no matter how much he tried to move. It didn't matter because he was stuck in place.

It was hot. Sweat was dripping from his forehead to his nose and down to either his clothes or the floor (he made a mental note that he wasn’t wearing his pajamas).

He sucked in a deep breath, humid air filling his lungs in a way that didn't calm him down, but just made him panic more.

Tommy's vision began clearing up and despite the little ache in his neck, he decided to look around. The room was dimly lit, weak artificial lighting barely reflecting the big, metal room he resided in.

There were mini stairs and platforms built around him. The platforms in front of him connected through the middle and had a door on each side of the wall. Above the platform in the wall in front of him was glass, he couldn't make out anything inside, it was darker than the room he was in.

The metal room he sat in was quite spacey. The ceiling was quite high but he couldn't stand up even if he attempted to— his ankles were chained as well, shorter in length compared to the ones around his wrist. Tommy struggled against the chains, everything looked so.. small yet so oddly detailed.

Where was he? Who were these stairs for? Were there more beings smaller than a borrower? Prime, how would they even look next to a human?

Does his family know where he is right now..?

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

yayaya thank you sm for reading! & holy shit guppy writing fics comeback??? no way!!!

#mcyt g/t #mcyt gt #g/t #giant/tiny #dsmp g/t #mcyt g/t community #dsmp gt #giant!tommy #giant!wilbur #giant!techno #giant!philza #tiny!wilbur #tiny!tommy #tiny!techno #guppy writes!#mcyt gt community #g/t au #g/t writing

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felice-jaganshi · 4 months ago

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Strawberry Scented Love

Radiodust Strawberry Pimp AU

Chapter 7 - Courage and Cowardice

Angel tucked Alastor into his bed, smiling at his sleep form. He then realized what he was doing and shook his head, “Agh, stop that ya dummy…” Fat Nuggets then nuzzled his ankle. Angel smiled and scooped him up in his lower arms, “Not you, baby, you're fine. I'm the dummy.” He then went to the mirror and started to take off his make up.

“Come on Angel, he's a fuckin overlord. You already did this song and dance, no repeat performances!” He got up from his vanity and made his way to his doorway, “If there's a prize for rotten judgment, I guess I've already won that…” He shut his door, standing in the hall. “No man is worth the aggravation. It's ancient history, been there done that!”

Another voice came from his otherside, singing at him, “He'sss the earth and heaven to you!” It was Pentious! He and Nifty were flanking him as he tried to walk away.

Nifty popped out behind him suddenly, “Who ya think you're kidding!?” Angel yelped and jumped, holding Nugs even closer. “What th- Nif!”

“Try to keep it hidden, Angel we can see right through you! Boy you can't conceal it, we know how you're feeling, who you're thinking of.”

Angel growled and turned around, sweeping an arm dramatically. “NO CHANCE! No way! I won't say it no, no!”

Pen put a hand on his shoulder, “You ssswoon, you sssigh, why deny it?”

He shoved Pen's hand off him, blushing, “It's too cliche! I won't say I'm in love!” He marched down the hall, and they both looked sad at each other before following him to the lobby.

“I thought my heart had learned its lesson…” He looked at the bar where they'd been enjoying eachothers company just a bit ago. “It feels so good when ya start out.” Tears welled up in his eyes, “My head is screaming ‘Get a grip, man!’ unless you're dying to cry your heart out!”

Suddenly the front door was kicked open and a pissed looking Cherri marched in.

“You keep on denying who you are and how ya feelin’, but baby I'm not buyin’, hun I saw ya hit the ceiling!” She took both his shoulders in her hands, “Face it like a grown up, when ya gonna own up that ya got it bad?!”

He pushed her arms away, “Get off my case! I won't say it!” He looked angry, but she knew better, he was just scared.

“Ange, don't be proud, it's okay, you're in love…” She smiled softly and hugged him tight. He rest his chin on her shoulder as she dragged him down to her level.

“At least out loud… I won't say it.”

~~~~~~~~

After an hour, Alastor woke up with a sigh looking at his surroundings and taking everything in. Angel's room? Angel's bed… Alastor's clothes?! Ok, stupid question, Angel would never. Well, he could imagine Angel being curious what he looked like underneath everything… He made that curiosity abundantly clear when he first arrived at the hotel.

“Shadow.” The second he called, it appeared next to him. “Thank you for sedating me, I was running my mouth again. For all my chastising of you, it's ironic that I'm the one who almost blew the entire thing… We'll need to be extra careful now…” He took the picture of Angel out of his jacket again and kissed it softly. “I'll show you, Beloved… that you can trust me. That I can be patient till you're ready… That I truly love you.”

~~~~~~

Months went by without incident, Alastor slowly but surely earning Angel's affections and trust, to the point of occasional rough housing. Like today.

Angel had Alastor's larger and usual antlers in his upper arms, trying to hold Alastor back, laughing and using his lower arms to try and swat Alastor's hands away. “No! I'm winning this time, fucker!”

Alastor chuckled, “You're lucky we agreed no magic this round or my tentacles would have you writhing on the ground.” His tone had a hunger in it that made Angel's grip falter and his face go red. Alastor took advantage of the shock, shrinking his antlers and surging forward, knocking Angel to the ground and pinning him. He cushioned Angel's head with his own hand before he began tickling his sides.

“Gah! Ch-cheat! Haha! Fuck!” He tried to tickle him back only for Al hold two wrists in each hand, pinning his legs with his own.

“Oh, a cheat am I? Your extra limbs would make you a cheater too, but you don't hear me crying foul.” Suddenly Angel's third pair of arms came out, startling Alastor as they began tickling him, “A-ah! Now you are a cheat!” He laughed, and tried to think of a way to fight back, but it was too late! Angel flipped their positions and Alastor was at his mercy!

“Haha! No, Darling, Beloved! Please, have mercy! Release me, demon!” He tried everything he could think of, but Angel wasn't letting up.

“Nope, promise to buy me new earrings! And a watch!”

“H-how about- haha- dinner?!”

That made Angel pause and tilt his head, “Dinner where?”

“There's that new branch of Ozzie's that just opened up here in the pride ring. I'd like to take you there.” He had his typical grin on, but his eyes were wide and sparkling, like he had something exciting planned.

“You buyin?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Of course! I'm the one asking you out.” He let go of the arms on Angel's left side to place the hand instead on his waist, as he'd become comfortable doing lately. “It would only be polite.”

“Such a gentleman ta little ol’ me? Well, how could I say no.” He smiled and sat up before moving off of Alastor. “I just gotta cancel on a client then, I'll tell him my big boss needs me for an important business meeting .” He winked and gave Alastor a kissy face before pulling out his phone and typing away. He didn't see Alastor's tail flickering away excitedly…

~~~~~~~

Alastor dressed in a black suit with a burgundy undershirt and a matching tie, his hair was partially tied back in a ponytail. He waited for Angel at the entrance to the hotel. Charlie noticed and came over, “Wow Al! You look amazing! Why the new suit?”

“Ah, hello dear! Just waiting for Angel, I'm taking him out to that new fancy restaurant that opened up.” He smiled brightly the entire time he spoke, and Charlie couldn't help but gasp!

“Oh my god, on a date?!” Her eyes were sparkling, and he chuckled at her enthusiasm.

“Shh, it's a secret dear. He doesn't know it yet. I'm going to ask him to go steady with me tonight, you will wish me luck, won't you?”

She squealed, “Of course! Oh I hope he says yes! You two would be so cute together!” Alastor suddenly looked at the staircase, ears perking up. Charlie looked over to see what caught his attention. “Oh… wow.”

Angel was descending the stairs, dressed in a deep ruby suit. He made his way down to mee Alastor and smiled, “What, no flowers?”

Alastor blushed, “Ah, I thought they'd be a bit too cliche. But I did get you a new set of earrings, like you asked for this morning. I know you were just playing, but I couldn't help but think of you when I saw them.” He opened a jewelry box and showed him a pair of ruby earrings that perfectly matched the suit.

“Damn, Smiles… You really know how to treat a man…” He accepted the earrings and put them on. “How do I look?” He tilted his head to the side.

Alastor took one of his hands, “You don't know? Why, you're the epitome of beauty, my dear. A true Venus in Red this evening.”

Charlie gushed off to the side and Angel looked over, “Hey princess, what's up?”

“I've never seen you dress so masculine Angel! It looks nice.” She tried to hide the real reason for her gushing.

“Oh, yeah. I don't do it often. But I wanted to try something new today.” He smiled softly and took Al's arm, “Don't we make a cute pair?”

Charlie looked at the two fondly, “Yeah, you really do… I'm glad you found someone who treats you so well Angel, you deserve it.”

“Well, she should get going or we'll be late to our reservation.” Alastor spoke up quickly and dragged Angel outside, before Charlie could ruin the surprise.

~~~~~~

After the dinner, Alastor brought Angel to the roof of the hotel and played some slow music from his cane that he left off to the side, “Angel, will you dance with me?”

Angel took his hand and let himself be pulled into Alastor's embrace, “You really went all out for this, huh Smiles? Going through all the motions… you're a good friend, making a silly thing like me feel special for a night.” He smiled at Alastor with half lidded eyes.

“You should feel special every night, Angel. Because you are.” He gave Angel the same look back, and it startled the spider.

“Y-you think so?”

“Of course, I actually have another gift for you tonight that I hope will help you believe me… but first, I wish to ask you something important.” Alastor stopped dancing, and kneeled down before Angel, taking each of his lower hands into his own. He brought them both to his face and kissed the back of each of them once.

“A-al, what are you doing? If ya wanna ask me to sleep with ya, you don't gotta get so fancy.” Angel couldn't stop his voice from cracking, there's no way this was happening, this had to be a dream!

“Angel… I wish for you to be my Beau. My partner in all things. I love-” but before he could finish, Angel tore his hands away and took several steps backwards. His upper hands covering his mouth and his lower ones wrapping his waist.

“St-stop, don't- don't say that. Please!”

Alastor's ears drooped and his smile faltered into a nervous line, “Angel, darling, what's wrong? Why are you… I thought…”

“What, you thought I'd be a sucker and make the same mistake twice? No, I'm sorry Al, but I'm not doing this. I can't- this is- you own my soul okay?! If shit goes south, I won't be able to leave you! I'll be trapped again.” He started sobbing and his knees were shaking.

“But Angel, I‐” He felt his words turn bitter in his throat. “I see… I failed then. I couldn't convince you my feelings are real.” He stood and approached Angel, summoning a golden scroll into his hand. He firmly took one of Angel's hands from his mouth, horrified to see him crying. Ashamed it was because of himself. He placed the scroll in Angel's hands, and shut his fingers around it.

“Here is your present, mon amour… I give you your freedom.” He then let go of Angel and walked away, his Shadow frowning and wiping away a tear from the pink demon's cheek before following Alastor and the two melted into the darkness of the night.

#hazbin hotel #strawberry pimp alastor #angel dust #Alastor #radiodust

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jinlizz-dragondrama · 1 year ago

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Here's another fanfiction I decided to make it's called The Sun's Shadowy Flame. I'll post it here and Wattpad. Let me know what you guys think 💜

Chapter 1

A Promise

*Loud heart thumping echoing*

My vision blurred, I removed my hand from my chest, warm blood dripped down my forearm, and the smell made me gag. Buddha was not pleased that Wukong decided to challenge him. I was too late to stop him from going through this crazy plan. I don't know why I follow this simian into fire but this time it would seem to be fatal.

Wukong is busy fighting Buddha until the smell of my blood hits his nostrils.

"OH no, Ai!" Jumping onto his cloud he soars down to search for me in the rubble on the ground. Finding my mangled body on the ground he falls to his knees and bites his lower lip to not show his fear.

He gently grabs me and puts my head in the crock of his elbow. Pushing the soft black, purple, and red streaks of hair that he loved so much out of my face, now sticky in crimson-red blood.

"HEY kid, you're gonna be OK! Yeah, we're getting out of this, we'll go to my temple, and eat peaches while watching the sunrise like we always do.

Chuckling softly but it was cut short by me harshly coughing up some iron-tasting blood. Breathing becomes labored as I slowly reach out to him, he places his cheek in my hand as I move it up to tenderly scratch his head, hearing his soft purrs, I smile lightly at him.

"Don't forget about me ok", my voice barely a whisper, pulling a beautiful silver comb with a purple flower jewel embellishment on it, I hand it to him.

"Wouldn't dream of it, my peach."

Memories flash through my mind of our first meeting, early morning meet-ups, baking peach desserts, coming crying to him when my parents treated me horribly, realizing that I love him but never had to courage to tell him.

My smile slowly falters as I feel myself drifting away, the hand that gave the comb to him fell to the ground. Wukong looked into my round purple eyes as my life force slowly left me, eyelids heavy and finally shutting. He pulls me into a tight hug as my last breath is carried with the rustling and twirling of leaves going up to the heavens.

"No, no, no....Noooooo!"

My eyes open once more but I'm not in heaven, blinking several times to clear my vision I see I'm staring up at the sky. The sun is rising and beautiful oranges, blues, and purples speckle the sky. Raising my hands they are chubby, small, and caramel colored. Not the red rose color I'm used to. I sit up and look at my body I'm in a simple white dress with no shoes on but my body is smaller like a toddler. There is a rustling, pans being thrown and a wooden spoon is thrown from inside of a shop. Soon a man emerges quickly and almost runs into me, a young man with a simple black haircut, glasses, and a wise aura surrounds him.

"TANG you freeloading son of a gun, when I get my hands on you I'll-"

Another spoon comes flying out and hits the man square in the face and it leaves a bump on the area. Never mind not wise at all.

"Pigsy look"

A pig in a chef uniform looks down at me and he looks shocked

Oh no, no, no, no. This isn't an orphanage I already have 2 mouths to feed and one I'm not willingly feeding. He gestures at the spectacled man, I tilt my head to the side and black and purple locks cover my field of vision. At least I have something familiar.

The man called Tang picks me up and smiles down at me. A small shock of electricity goes through me but I ignore it.

"We can't just leave her here besides MK will have someone to play with"

A little boy comes out wearing a bandana, a white shirt, and red pants. I smile and wave, he returns the wave as well.

Pigsy sighs and rubs his temples

"Fine, but she's staying with you! I have no room for her here"

"Deal, so what's your name kid?"

I was about to answer but I couldn't remember my name it's as if I drew a blank. So I shrug my shoulders Sadly.

"Hmmn that won't do let's call you Jing"

"Jing? Really Tang?

"What it kind of rhymes with my name?"

Tang puts me down while he argues with Pigsy. I walk over to MK and he smiles at me.

"Hi, I'm MK. Let's be friends, ok?"

"I'd like that"

Author's Note

Hey guys this is my second book on Wattpad. I've been obsessed with LMK and wanted to write a fanfiction with my oc. Let me know if you like it and I might continue it.

#lego sun wukong #lego sun wukong x reader #sun wukong x oc #lego monkie kid #legomonkiekidxoc #lmk sun wukong x fem reader #lmk sun wukong x reader

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nebulablakemurphy · 1 year ago

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Through Love And By Love (Pt. 5)

Summary: Twenty-Two years ago, Draco Malfoy used the imperius curse to slow Voldemort’s rise to power. No good deed goes unpunished. Warning: this series contains mature subject matter surrounding use of the imperius curse, reader discretion advised.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

The time comes, Hogwarts is under fire; Harry Potter has been cornered. The death eaters have assembled a battalion on the outskirts of the school. It’s been surrounded by a protection charm, the people inside are prepared to fight.

When Voldemort calls Rosanna and Draco to the front lines, they know it's time. One final decision, one last sacrifice.

"Rosanna, Draco, come." The dark lord purrs, motioning them away from the group, away from Lucius and Narcissa. "I have a rather special task for you."

"Yes, my lord." Draco answers, but as always, Voldemort is fixated on Rosanna.

"You knew the Potter boy. He may still hold affections for you," The noseless man whispers. "There's something I need from inside the school. You are trusted, and therefore, you must get it for me. Draco, would you accompany her? Make sure she doesn’t run into trouble." Or cause it.

"My pleasure." Draco nods, putting a protective arm around her.

"What are we looking for?" Ro asks, shakily.

Voldemort's mouth twists into a grin, "Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem."

————————————————————————-

They enter Hogwarts, largely unnoticed, in the chaos. The room of requirement appearing with ease, and they shuffle inside.

Taking a long look around the room, Rosanna sighs, "piece of cake." It’s cluttered from floor to ceiling, wall to wall.

Draco runs his fingers over the plat in her hair, reaching the middle of her back. "You say that like we're in a hurry." He replies, just as sarcastically.

"Wanna tell me what the hell a diadem is?" She takes a step toward the nearest pile of items.

"Tiara," he motions to his head, as if placing a crown.

"Does everybody dump something in here?" Ro scowls, turning over a dark oak box.

"Good a place as any."

"If we find it, we'll need something to destroy it." She reminds him, "I think Harry used some kind of tooth to get rid of the diary?"

"Basilisk fang," Draco's heard the story on more than one occasion. "Can’t easily get our hands on one of those."

"Good thing we have one." Harry says, stepping out of the shadows.

Rosanna turns to her old friend. "Shit, Harry. How long were you standing there?”

"Long enough to be sure you were still you.” Harry half smiles. “S'good to see you, Ro."

Hermione steps around, meeting Rosanna in the middle and holding fast. "Are you alright?"

"Can't complain," Rosanna says, as they finally break apart.

Ron greets her next, "getting a bit round through the middle, don't you think?" He chuckles, squeezing her shoulders. "Might want to lay off the sweets."

"Shut up." Rosanna grins.

"Malfoy's been taking care of you?" Harry approaches last, embracing her for a beat.

"What kind of back handed question is that, Potter?" Draco snarks.

"As much as we’ve all missed your banter, there’s work to do." The pregnant woman reiterates. "We're looking for-"

"Lost diadem of Ravenclaw?" Harry offers.

Rosanna nods.

"Brilliant," Ron says, "you guys are with us then?"

"For now, Weaslebee." Draco replies.

The group spreads out to cover more ground.

"What will happen if you don't return with it?" Hermione pulls another chair from the pile.

"Nothing good." Malfoy grumbles. "Is this the last one then? Horcrux?"

"That and his snake." Harry can hear the diadem hissing, like the other horcruxes, they must be getting close.

"If we play our cards right, we could still get close enough." Rosanna gnaws the inside of her cheek. "Kill Nagini."

"Then you'll be killed, awful idea, Ro." Hermione chastises.

"I've accepted the fact that I'm probably gonna die." Rosanna confesses, still searching through the odds and ends.

"Hey, no one's dying tonight but him." Ron replies, with fierce determination. "We didn't come this far to lose it all now."

Draco and Harry are silent in their work, Harry understands that Rosanna is onto something. He is also in acceptance of his own untimely demise.

Draco on the other hand, is still tempted to take Ro and run. Let the chips fall where they may. He has enough stashed away, they could live comfortably, some place no one would look for them.

————————————————————————-

They destroy the diadem and head their separate ways.

Rosanna and Draco coming across a death eater standing over a disarmed Fred Weasley. It isn’t anyone they recognize, only the higher ups were invited to meetings at Malfoy Manner.

Rosanna deals the woman a confundus charm.

"Thanks, Ro." Fred says, collecting his wand.

"Don't mention it," she taps his arm. Still his kid brother's annoying friend, who shows up to eat on major holidays. "Seriously, I’m not supposed to be here."

The red head zips his lips with a grin.

Navigating the castle, with Rosanna one week short of her due date, is a nightmare. However most woman go over the nine month mark, which is a comfort to both them.

"Everything's gone to shit." Draco bites out. His dark mark has gone from twinging, to outright burning. Voldemort is attempting to summon him. "It's time we get you out of here."

"Draco," Rosanna grabs his elbow. "I can't leave."

"You've chosen a side, you've helped find the diadem, seen it destroyed. Potter is a shoe in." Draco wants, more than anything, to just take her. Hating him be damned, so long as she's alive to hate him.

Unbidden, Voldemort's voice pierces the veil of their minds to deliver a message. They have one hour to hand Harry over, or he will take him by force, killing anyone who stands in the way.

"We have to find Harry." Ro says, as soon as Voldemort stops crooning in her ears.

"Potter told you to keep away from him until the time is right; until the end. If the dark lord catches wind that we've helped him-"

"He's gonna give himself up." If Harry dies, they lose.

"Granger and Weasley will sort it out. Strictly from a strategic stand point; there are times you must to lose the battle, to win the war. If there is part of the prophecy you must still answer, you must survive long enough to answer it." Draco reasons, tucking her safely behind a nearby pillar.

"Draco... I don't want to die. I don't want you to die. But more than that, I know I can't live in a world where Voldemort is in power. I can't bring a child into it. I'm sorry if that's selfish." The words leave an awful taste in her mouth, but she means them; to the core of her being.

"You're not selfish." Draco murmurs, sick to his stomach.

"Then why are you looking at me like that?" She whispers, clearly her words upset him.

"Because I am." He runs his knuckles over her jawline. "I want you to live, more than I want him die." Draco confesses.

Rosanna sighs, wrapping her arms around him. "Stay with me, till the end?"

Draco nods, desperately returning the embrace. Burying his nose in her hair, taking all of her in; and then letting all of her go.

————————————————————————

"Harry Potter is dead," Voldemort announces.

The mass of death eaters behind him rejoice. Hagrid is among them, restrained by a rope necklace, held in several different directions. Harry's limp body in his arms.

"From now on, you put your faith in me." Voldemort smiles, proudly. "Those who wish to join me, declare yourselves. Those who are unwilling, prepare to meet your end."

Draco's fingers twitch against Rosanna's, maybe if he holds her tight enough...maybe if he just loves her enough, he can keep her safe.

"Draco," Lucius hisses, extending his hand. "Come on, don't be foolish."

"Sweetheart." Narcissa chimes in, when he make no move to join them.

Where you go, I go.

And no one moves.

"Insolent fools! Can’t you see? You’ve already lost.” Voldemort shouts, sending a curse their way. It ricochets off the wand Draco is wielding, a replacement for he one he’d given Harry back at the manor.

Voldemort begins to laugh, the death eaters join in his hysteria.

It's no secret that Draco isn't the strongest wizard, despite his pure blood heritage. He's never been as skilled as Rosanna, who could cast nonverbal spells. Draco himself is shocked.

"I'd like to say something." Neville limps forward from the group, delivering a speech that will not soon be forgotten. Ending with him drawing the sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat.

Harry flops, like a fish, onto the cement at Hagrid's feet.

This is it. This is their chance.

"Potter!" Draco calls, tossing his wand.

Voldemort fires a string of curses Harry's way, causing the walls to crumble around him.

"Get inside the castle!" McGonagall instructs the still cheering students.

Harry Potter is alive.

"Are you ok?" Rosanna demands, tugging at Draco's sleeve as they rush past the door frame.

"I'm fine, are you alright?” He counters.

“Yeah,” Rosanna tries to catch her breath, as they continue their brisk pace farther into the castle.

"We need to sort out what to do about wands. We only have yours, if we run into trouble-"

"If?" A voice from behind Draco startles him.

"What are you doing here?" Draco demands of his father, Narcissa beside him.

"My son and grandchild are in danger, where else would I be?" Lucius asks, in a clipped tone.

"But you-"

"Not everything is black and white." Draco's father reminds him.

"I suppose it's not, Lucius." A tall, raven haired, man says. Wand poised at his former ally. "Didn’t take you for a traitor. A sniveling coward perhaps, but never a traitor."

The death eaters lock in a duel.

"We need to find Nagini." Rosanna insists. Hermione and Ron were looking for the snake too; before they got separated in the crowd.

"Go," Narcissa nods, "we'll hold them off as best we can."

Draco exchanges a look with his mother. "Thank you."

————————————————————————

They spot Nagini on the staircase, slithering toward the courtyard.

"I've gotta get closer." Rosanna says, taking the stairs as fast as her legs allow.

"Come again?" Draco growls, keeping her pace.

"Cover me." She insists, stuffing her wand into his hand; leaving him to tend the two death eaters that follow them.

"You have no wand." Draco turns his back to her reluctantly, blocking a spell. "Nine months bloody pregnant." He tosses his own hex as he scolds her. "And you want to get closer to the giant snake?"

It is possible to channel magic without a wand, but that is advance spell casting, far beyond anything they’d been taught in school.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Rosanna says, with conviction, and for a solid second, Nagini is suspended in midair; before plummeting back onto the staircase, with a sickening thud.

"Rosanna, I swear-" Draco is cut off, as the man to his right narrowly misses Rosanna with the killing curse. The green light hitting Nagini instead. Unfortunately, the snake cannot be so easily killed. "She is," expelliarmus, "a piece," stupefy, "of work," crucio. "But she is my piece of work." Avada Kedavra.

"Didn't think you had it in you." The remaining man chuckles, "your father never had the stomach."

"I'm not my father." Draco doesn't owe anymore explanation.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Rosanna tries a second time. The snake is pulled back toward her, snapping at her face, before being whirled up into the air. Her entire body trembling with the effort. Unlike using a wand as a conduit, she herself has become the vessel through which the magic is harnessed.

"Ro!" Ron calls, racing down the stairs, past Draco, with Hermione in tow.

"Tell me you’ve still got the tooth." Rosanna replies.

"How are you doing that without a wand?" Hermione asks. Few wizards or witches can perform wandless magic that reaches their desired outcome.

"Not very well," Rosanna can feel herself weakening.

"We've got it from here." Ron assures her, leading the snake away.

Rosanna collapses as the spell is broken, falling unceremoniously onto her ass.

"Don't move." Draco warns, finishing off the older man, before joining her. "You can't do that to me. I couldn't get to you, if something would've happened, there was nothing I could do."

"I'm sorry." She understands, if roles were reversed she'd be pissed too.

Draco checks her over, throughly. "You look like hell."

"Thanks," she huffs a laugh.

"Bloodshot eyes, ghostly pale, your lips have no color." Draco presses two fingers to the pulse point at her neck. "Weakened pulse, heavy eyelids. You're going to faint, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I think so." Rosanna relaxes into him.

He chuckles, stroking hairs away from her clammy forehead. “That is what being a hero gets you. Sweaty and unconscious on a staircase.”

"Is she dead?" Narcissa sees the girl cradled in his lap, making a beeline for her son. "Draco is she-"

"Don't sound so concerned mother, she's merely over exerted herself." Draco tells her and his father.

"I'm fine." Rosanna argues, pitifully.

"You look like hell." Lucius gasps, taking a good look at the girl.

"I'm aware." She rolls her eyes, and the world goes black.

————————————————————————

Rosanna comes to at the Manor, now in a pale blue cap sleeve night gown. The room is still, Draco in the arm chair, his head resting on the bed beside her. She passes a hand over his hair, not wanting to disturb him, but needing him to know she's there.

He shifts, lifting his head to see her.

"How long was I out?" She asks, tentatively.

"Nearly a day." Now Draco looks like hell.

"You ok?" Ro asks.

"Mhm." He hums, low in his throat.

"No, you’re not." She knows him.

"What gave me away?" Draco raises his brows.

"It rolls off you in waves." Rosanna notes.

His jaw ticks, "I've never been good hiding it, not with you anyway. But I suspect you know that."

She nods.

"I love you more than I should." He says, turning his gaze out the window. "Surely it's not supposed to feel like this."

"How does it feel?" She frowns.

"Like it'll kill me...like I can't live without it;" he lets out a shaky breath, "without you."

"I don't know what it's 'supposed' to feel like." She purses her lips. "But I can tell you, that's exactly what loving you feels like."

Draco climbs into the bed. Tangling their legs, her head resting on his chest, fingers carding her strawberry blonde locks. "Stay with me forever.”

"Where you go, I go." Ro presses a kiss to the underside of his jaw.

"Let me up a minute," he taps her shoulder. "I understand that diamonds are traditional," his voice is slightly muffled, as he shuffles through the bedside table for the box. "Seeing as we're hardly traditional-" He turns back to her. "Sapphires represent faithfulness and sincerity."

The box springs open, revealing a beautiful, deep blue, pear shaped, sapphire ring with a diamond halo.

Rosanna is speechless.

"You'd like a diamond..." Draco trails off.

"No, Draco, I love it." Rosanna shakes her head, extending a hand to him.

He slides the ring onto her left finger, pressing his lips to it.

Rosanna holds her hand at arms length, between them. "What do you think?"

"Perfect."

————————————————————————

Labor sneaks up on Rosanna. It’s fast and slow. Everything happens all at once, or seemingly nothing happens at all.

She is nervous and wishes her mother could be there, but Draco is more than enough. Supporting her, making her comfortable; assuring her that she can do this, every time it feels like she can’t.

Narcissa returns with Rosanna’s mother, just in time to meet their granddaughter.

The moment the tiny baby draws breath, the sacred twenty-eight pure blood families, become the sacred twenty-seven. Just as importantly, not a single person in the room cares.

"Good job, baby, good job." Dixie leans down to kiss her daughter's head.

"Oh my god," Rosanna sobs, as the squealing infant is placed on her chest. "Hi honey, hi."

Draco is still in shock, frozen behind her. He doesn't dare move, for fear he might come out of his skin.

"It's a girl," the midwife says, in disbelief. Ten generations of Malfoy, never a single girl.

"She's beautiful, sweetheart. Well done." Narcissa says, after a long pause, stroking Rosanna's sweat damp hair, affectionately.

"She?” Rosanna can't believe her ears. “Are you sure?"

"That's right, my darling girl, you have a daughter. Draco," Narcissa turns her eyes to her son, who still has his arms twined almost too tightly around Rosanna. "It's alright." She assures him, "you can let go now."

Draco tentatively moves a hand to the baby in her arms.

She's covered by a thin blanket, through the blood, he can see hair peeking through.

“Lots of light hair, just like Daddy.”

Immediately he's moved to tears, chin resting on Rosanna's shoulder.

She turns her head to kiss his cheek. "Doing ok back there?"

"Perfect." There's so much more he wants to say, but he can't find the words.

Ro relaxes, into the crook of Draco's shoulder. "I still like Leo.”

He presses his lips to her temple. "Leo it is." Draco agrees.

The older women begin trickling out of the room, leaving the couple and their daughter to rest.

Lucius and Rosanna’s father are waiting, impatiently at the end of the hall. Lucius springs to his feet, from the arm chair, at the sound of approaching footsteps. “Why was the midwife holding out on pain potions? You'd have thought she was being tortured up there."

"Rosanna's fine," Narcissa assures him, "sleeping."

"And the baby?" Archer asks, his foot bouncing on the wood floor.

"Beautiful, a little girl." Dixie tells her husband, feeling herself choke up a bit.

"A girl," Lucius' lips twitch. "Does my granddaughter have a name?"

"She's not yours," Archer seethes.

"I've just as much claim to her as you do." Lucius squares his shoulders, indignantly. "Draco fathered her."

"Under duress!" Archer moves to stand. "Soon as she's awake, I'm taking my daughter home."

"What about Rosanna? What about what she wants?" Narcissa asks.

"You think you know what Ro wants?" Dixie cuts her off. "I've only raised her from birth, but go ahead and tell me what she wants."

"She wants to be with Draco, with their daughter. She wants to be a proper family and to-"

"To what?" Archer bites out.

"To finish school... she misses quidditch, she wants to be with her friends. Believe it or not, I care a great deal for your Rosanna. She's not what I imagined for our son, or even what I wanted, but she's what he needs." She draws in a breath. "It's a fool’s errand, trying to keep them apart."

“She’s coming home with us.”

"Rosanna’s of age." Lucius points out. "You have no hold on her."

"The hell I don't, she's my little girl!" Archer lunges at him. "My baby, not yours!"

"I am sorry for what's happened, but it cannot be undone." Narcissa says, staring down at the floor.

Lucius hopes to be a better Grandfather, than he was a father. Maybe he and Draco could still make amends. "We must set aside whatever animosity there is between us, and do right by our children. Do right by their daughter."

"Leo," Dixie tells him, extending an olive branch, against her better judgement. "Her name is Leo."

Part 6

#through love and by love #draco malfoy imagine #draco lucius malfoy #draco malfoy fanfic #draco malfoy #draco malfoy fanfiction #draco imagine #draco malfoy fic #draco malfoy x oc #draco x oc #harry potter #harry potter imagine #harry potter fanfic #hermione granger #ron weasley

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ohdorothea · 1 day ago

Text

This tournament is being run by and for queer fans so please keep that in mind! Homophobes will be blocked on sight <3 More polls here and more info here! Lyrics for the songs and FAQ under the cut!

Mine lyrics

You were in college working part-time waiting tables

Left a small town, and never looked back

I was a flight risk with a fear of falling

Wondering why we bother with love if it never lasts

I say, "Can you believe it?"

As we're lying on the couch

The moment I could see it

Yes, yes, I can see it now

Do you remember, we were sitting there by the water?

You put your arm around me for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Flash forward and we're taking on the world together

And there's a drawer of my things at your place

You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded

You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes

But we got bills to pay

We got nothing figured out

When it was hard to take

Yes, yes, this is what I thought about

Do you remember, we were sitting there by the water?

You put your arm around me for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Do you remember all the city lights on the water?

You saw me start to believe for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

And I remember that fight

Two-thirty AM

As everything was slipping right out of our hands

I ran out crying and you followed me out into the street

Braced myself for the "Goodbye"

'Cause that's all I've ever known

Then you took me by surprise

You said, "I'll never leave you alone."

You said, "I remember how we felt sitting by the water

And every time I look at you, it's like the first time

I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter

She is the best thing that's ever been mine."

Hold on, make it last

Hold on, never turn back

(Hold on)

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

(Hold on)

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

(Hold on)

Yeah, yeah

Do you believe it?

(Hold on)

We're gonna make it now

(Hold on)

And I can see it

(Yes, yes)

I can see it now (see it now, see it now)

🫶🫶🫶

Foolish One lyrics

My cards are on the table, yours are in your hand

Chances are, tonight, you've already got plans

And chances are I will talk myself to sleep again

You give me just enough attention to keep my hopes too high

Wishful thoughts forget to mention when something's really not right

And I will block out these voices of reason in my head

And the voices say, "You are not the exception

You will never learn your lesson"

Foolish one

Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love

That ain't never gonna come

You will take the long way, you will take the long way down

You know how to keep me waitin'

I know how to act like I'm fine

Don't know what to call this situation

But I know I can't call you mine

And it's delicate, but I will do my best to seem bulletproof

'Cause when my head is on your shoulder

It starts thinkin' you'll come around

And maybe, someday, when we're older

This is something we'll laugh about

Over coffee every mornin' while you're watching the news

But then the voices say, "You are not the exception

You will never learn your lesson"

Foolish one

Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love

That ain't never gonna come

You will take the long way, you will take the long way down

Foolish one

Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love

That ain't never gonna come

You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out

Now I'm slidin' down the wall with my head in my hands

Sayin', "How could I not see the signs?"

Oh, you haven't written me or called

But goodbye screamin' in the silence

And the voices in my head are tellin' me why

'Cause you got her on your arm and me in the wings

I'll get your longing glances, but she'll get your ring

And you will say you had the best of intentions

And maybe I will finally learn my lesson

Foolish one

Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love

That ain't never gonna come

You will take the long way, you will take the long way down

Foolish one

Stop checkin' your mailbox for confessions of love

That ain't never gonna come

You will learn the hard way instead of just walkin' out, oh-oh, oh, oh

La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, oh

La-la-la-la-la

Ain't never gonna come

Ooh, you will learn the hard way now

Foolish one

Sittin' 'round waiting for confessions of love

They ain't never gonna come

And thinkin' he's the one, you should've been walkin' out

Foolish one

The day is gonna come for your confessions of love

When all is said and done, he just wasn't the one

No, he just wasn't the one

🫶🫶🫶

The question is which song is queerer to you! Queerer can mean whatever you want it to mean; you might consider a song queer because you think it was written that way, or because of Swiftian lore. It might be queer to you because of how you relate it to your own life. Maybe you think from a purely literary standpoint the lyrics have queer themes; maybe you're just thinking about vibes!!!

#tsqst

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boygiwrites · 1 year ago

Text

Harley D. Dixon 15

An amazing edit inspired by this story! (Cred to Cora_Line99) Harley D. Dixon's Pinterest Board! Harley D. Dixon's Playlist!

📖Chapter List.

Author's Note. As usual, please enjoy reading, everyone :) <3

Title might give it away, but we've all been waiting for this chapter winky wink

"How long's this girl been lost, exactly?"

"This'll be day five, now."

This'll be day three of my Dad bein' unconscious, I muse to myself solemnly, sitting nearby. It's the next morning, now, and with Dad's treatment more promising and Glenn taking iron supplements to help replace all the nutrients he lost from the blood he gave, people have decided that it's time to resume the search for Sophia. It's not gonna be an easy task, no matter how you spin it. By now, she could be anywhere. If I had five days to walk anywhere in the world, I could be halfway across the country already.

As I watch a brown butterfly flitter elegantly along the edge of the truck bed, lost in thought, Rick smooths a map out across the hood.

"Country survey map." He announces. "It shows terrains and elevations for fifty miles. We'll grid the whole area; search in teams."

"Finally get this thing organized." Dale hums, nodding.

"So far, we've covered this lower region, here, all the way up to this part of the river." Rick drags a finger this way and that over the page. "This is 'round about where we found Harley, down by this slope. Carol said Harley told her she followed this whole bit here and found Sophia's doll somewhere close by. Maybe around this part, here. Between everything that's been goin' on, we haven't gotten a chance to check it out until now, but I'm thinking we start today. Should take about a couple hours to cover, I reckon, with two people."

"And who are you suggesting goes with you?"

"I was thinkin' Glenn, but he needs rest. How 'boutchu, Shane?"

Shane, who's been mostly staring at the grass this whole conversation, looks up.

"Nah." He shakes his head. "My ankle's still pretty busted, man. Best if I hang back on this one."

"Okay, sure."

"Looks like it's just you, then, Rick." Herschel says.

The butterfly chooses this moment to fly away, leading my gaze up, and then onto Shane. His ankle's fit as a damn fiddle. I saw him doin' push ups this morning, but I don't say nothin'. He's been hovering around me since yesterday afternoon like a little insect that I just can't shake, staring at me, pokin' around. Something about Rick's return with the supplies seems to have affected him in a way I can't place.

Few days ago, I would've felt so safe having Shane this close to me, but now I know that's like a bunny feelin' safe around a coyote.

"Actually," Rick butts in, "Harley?"

I snap out of it, suddenly, meeting his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"You wanna come with me?"

"Huh?"

I didn't expect him to ask me that, of all things.

"I could use your help, y'know." He adds. "You'd recognise more of those woods than any of us will."

"That's a good idea." Dale agrees aloud, mainly just for the sake of convincing me. "Doctor, you think she's good to do some exploring?"

"As long as she doesn't put too much strain on those stitches," Herschel nods, "I don't see why not."

"Perfect. What do you say?"

Wow. They really wanna get me outta here today. I guess a few hours away from the house won't be so bad. I'm sick'a Shane breathin' down my neck, anyways.

"Okay," I eventually decide, "I'll go."

Shane suddenly looks like he's regretting his decision to stay here.

"Attagirl. You don't need t'be cooped up in that room, worrying all day." Rick smiles. "Your Dad might even be awake, time we get back. You wanna go getcher hat?"

Dale nods. "Hot out."

"Okay. I think I left it by the well when I was playin' this morning."

"Go take a look, then."

Herschel and Dale help me hop off the truck.

"We'll leave in five minutes, okay, Harley?"

"Okay!"

I make it across the dry field, where Carl is peering down into the pit of the water well.

"Hey, Carl," I say, approaching. "You seen my hat 'round here?"

"Harley! C'mere!"

"What is it?"

"Down here. Look." He leans over the cobbled wall, and I follow his pointing finger into the stinky, murky depths below. "You see it?"

I don't, at first, but then I get a whole big whiff of rotting meat and dead insect-mush, and I make out somethin' moving around down there in the dark, which makes me squeak a little in disgust. Might be an ogre down there. Ogres are gross. I saw in a movie that they pick their noses.

"Hell's that?" I ask, scrunching my nose. "Stinks."

"A walker, I think."

"A walker?!"

There it is. I see it, now. Those shiny things are slippery limbs, and those lumpy ones are big, gross pustules.

I cringe loudly. "Eugh!"

"I know, right?" Carl exclaims, somewhat excitedly. "I think it fell in somehow."

"Well, we best not mess with it."

He straightens, only now registering why I'm over here. "Wait, where are you going if you need your hat? You wanna play tag again?"

"No. I can't. Your Dad's takin' me out to look for Sophia."

He looks confused.

"What? Not Shane?"

I make a face. "No. He's stayin'."

"Aw, man. Why didn't Dad ask me?"

"I'on know."

"Well, can I come, too?"

"No, Carl."

We both spin around to face Rick, who holds up my flimsy green bucket hat in the air as he approaches.

"It's just me and Harley today. Sorry."

When he's close enough, he fixes the hat onto my head.

"You found it?"

He nods.

Carl whines. "Why can't I come, too, Dad?"

He helps me drag the little bauble of the jaw-string all the way up under my chin, since it's kinda tough to do with little hands.

"Harley's goin' through a bit of a tough time right now, Carl. She could use some time away from the house. You're good right here."

Carl pouts.

"Besides," Rick shrugs, "Who's gonna protect this place while we're away?"

He rolls his eyes. "Be serious."

"I am serious."

"No, you're not. Dale's the one who keeps watch. Not me."

"Well, how 'bout you go ask him if you can join him today, huh?"

His eyes widen. "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm sure he'd appreciate that."

As Rick stands up, Carl considers the offer.

"Yeah, okay. I'll do it." He sticks up a finger. "But only if I get a gun."

"Woah. No, no, no. One step at a time, okay?" He laughs, nodding me back toward the gate. "Come on, Harley. We're goin', now."

Carl stomps his foot.

"But, Dad!"

"No. Go ask your mother!"

I can't help but snicker. Poor Carl.

"I can still be useful, you know. It's never stopped me before."

When we make it back to the main gate, where a few of our group are waiting to send us off, we walk into a small argument between Herschel and Shane. We stay out of it for the most part as Andrea hands Rick a backpack filled with useful supplies and one of our rifles.

"You push your ankle now," Herschel warns, "You'll be laid up in bed for a month, no good to anybody. I thought I made that clear."

"You did." Shane nods, playing along to get what he wants, "But I just feel like they could use an extra pair of eyes out there, that's all."

Rick raises a brow. "Thought you said you would hang back."

"Well, compared to what Harley's got, this is nothin'. Just a... a damn twist." He laughs it off. "Should be fine."

"I'm not comfortable with that." Rick firmly states, going back to loading the gun.

Shane just stares at him, annoyed with this conclusion.

"How about you take the car?" Herschel suggests. "It's better than walking. You can head back to the interstate; search for Sophia that way."

He sighs. "Yep. Yeah, okay. That's fine."

"Alright, then. And remember, no guns on my property."

Rick nods. "Loud and clear. We're guests here. We understand."

"Cute hat." Maggie grins, pinching the brim.

I giggle. "Thanks."

"Okay. We're off." Rick slings the bag over his shoulder. "If we're not back by dark, start worrying."

"Sure thing." Andrea smacks his shoulder. "Be safe."

Lori gives his cheek a kiss.

"Look after her, and be careful."

He smiles, nodding as Maggie opens the gate for us. "I will."

Even when we make it all the way to the treeline, I can still tell that Shane is pissed.

"Step over this rock, here. You got it?"

"Yeah."

"There we go. Nothin' stops you, does it?"

"Nope."

"Thought so."

Hiking with Rick ain't all that bad. We make our way into the woods, trailing the creek together for about an hour, before I start to recognise some of the oddly shaped tree trunks, mushroom clusters, and peculiar boulders out here. It reminds me a little of hiking with my Dad, especially when Rick stops to make me drink some water every once in a while, or tells me to watch out for a hole or snag in the ground. I never thought Rick could be like this, but he is a Dad, after all. He's got Carl. Everything I've found Shane's tried to do with me, Rick does it a hundred times more naturally.

He doesn't even make me uncomfortable when he does it, neither. It's almost like this is what it's meant to feel like, all this time.

"Good to be away from the farm for a bit, ain't it?" He muses, avoiding saying, away from Shane.

Up ahead, I notice a log caught in the stream.

"Hey, Rick."

"Yeah, Harley?"

"I saw this." Some frogs hop into the water when we reach it. "Yeah. This is where I found Matilda. She was in the water, right here."

He glances at me.

"Who?"

"Matilda." I repeat. "Sophia's doll."

"Oh. Right. Yeah. I knew that was her name."

"Did ya, really?"

"Not a clue. Let's look around a bit, huh?"

We spend some time combing the dirt and mud near the creek for tracks, but most of the imprints we uncover either belong to woodland animals, thirsty birds, or me, from when I was lost. We can tell 'cause when I step on 'em, the size and patterns are a perfect match to my boots. Just by pure luck, we eventually find some different, slightly bigger markings that could belong to Sophia, hiding under leaves.

We follow them into the trees.

I feel bad for not doin' this the day I came across the doll. If I did, we might've found her by now.

As we walk, I think more about Shane, and how Carl got made to stay behind today, even though he's older, and he ain't even hurt.

"How come you didn't bring Carl with us?"

Rick looks back at me.

"I just thought you could use some time away from everybody; get your mind off everythin' for a while, that's all."

"But you could'a done that without takin' me out here. Maggie did. We went peach pickin' in the orchard yesterday."

"I know." Rick sighs, reluctant to elaborate.

"But?"

"Well... One difference between the orchard and these woods is that there ain't no way for Shane to bug you out here like he can back there."

I almost trip over a pebble, but I save myself just in time.

"Soon as he brought up that ankle of his, I thought it would be a good opportunity." He raises a brow. "You know, don't think I haven't noticed all'a this. Not just the recent staring and the... the whatever-else he's been doin', but something's been goin' on there for quite some time now, I think. Maybe even before the CDC. I don't know. Whatever it is, I wanted you away from it for a few hours."

I always knew Rick was sorta smart, but I guess he's been paying more attention than I thought.

I don't say nothin', so he prompts, "Am I right?"

Yes, he's right. I wish he wasn't, but I can't change things like that.

"Yeah." I awkwardly shrug. "I guess."

"Care to clue me in?"

"Not really."

"Your Dad said the same thing when I brought it up with him. What? Is it some deep, dark, Dixon secret I'm not allowed in on?"

I giggle a little. "No. Not that."

"Then, what is it?"

"I don't know. A different type of secret."

"And what type is that?"

"A..." I put some thought into it. "It's a big secret."

He glances at me again.

If he's having a hard time navigating this, or he's feeling uncomfortable, then he's not letting on at all. In fact, I think he planned this.

"A big secret, hm?" He muses casually. "What makes it so big?"

"Because if I tell you even a little, tiny bit of it, then you'll need to know the whole thing, and I'm not allowed to tell you that."

"No? How about you try?"

"What? Tell you a little, tiny bit?"

"Just a little, tiny bit."

Something tells me no matter what I say, Rick's hanging on my every word and he's gonna remember 'em. I guess this is it, then — The moment I finally tell someone. His back is turned to me, walking just a couple feet ahead, which makes it much easier to treat this like it's nothin'. Wonder if he's doin' it on purpose. I never imagined it would be him I'd talk to about this, but here I am, anyway.

Okay. Just a little, tiny bit. Here I go.

"I think Shane did something really, really, bad."

I wish I could see Rick's face.

Unconfident, I stammer, "There you go. That's a little, tiny bit."

I think Shane tried to murder my Dad. I think he shot him. He shot him for beating on me, but that's another little, tiny bit for another day.

"Okay." Rick says, like he's digesting everything he's thinking; everything he's assuming, concluding, planning. He nods. "Okay."

Shane did something really, really bad, and so did my Dad, and so did I.

"Can I ask you one more question, though, Harley?"

"Yeah?"

"What would happen if you told me the whole secret?"

Oh, that's easy.

"Something even worse would happen."

We make it to a church.

An old, knobbly tree leans over the side of it.

"This the one?"

"Sure is."

When I told 'em about the faint ringing of church bells I heard that day, they explained that there really was a church out here, and that they even stopped at it for a while that afternoon, thinking one of us girls must've been causing the noise, but we weren't. The sound is on a timer.

The door creeks sorely as we step inside, immediately struck by a wall of pure dust and the smell of mothballs.

"Pleh." I mutter.

With a quick look around the barren room, it's obvious that Sophia isn't here.

Never one to be discouraged easily, Rick sets the bag down on one of the wooden benches, and gestures for me to take a seat.

"Trail ends here, I suppose. Maybe we can pick it up again later." He sighs, passing me a cloth filled with pear slices. "You gettin' tired, yet?"

"Not so much. Sittin' on this bench-thing is helpin', though."

He chuckles, "You mean a pew?"

"Pew?" I exclaim. "Pew, as in, like, a gun? Goin' pew-pew?"

"Exactly like that."

"Weird. Why not just call 'em benches?"

"'Cause churches like to be fancy."

"Well, I ain't fancy."

"Nobody is, anymore. Except maybe Herschel."

He settles down beside me on the pew, and we take a short lunch break together. I unwrap the fruit and begin eating the slender pieces of fresh pear, which are kinda warm from sitting in the backpack all morning — Ew — while Rick snacks on his slightly lesser portion. I look around the church. It's much smaller than the one from our hometown. Ours had a classroom and a foyer and everything, but this one's more like a really big, dirty bedroom.

"Did you ever go to church?" I ask Rick, for no reason other than I want to. "Back when you could?"

"Sometimes," He answers, "But not always."

"We did. They used to give out free stuff. Every time we went, Dad was sure they was gonna tell us we had to leave, but it never happened."

"Did you enjoy going?"

"No... The other kids were always lookin' at us funny."

He smiles sadly. Then he says, "Carl didn't like going, either. He hated having to dress up."

"Did he ever pray?"

"Not really, no. I don't think he believes in all of that."

I don't know what someone like Carl would need to pray for. I bet he had a whole heap of toys, and all the friends he could ever want.

Rick catches me staring at the statue of Jesus at the head of the room, a dull hunk of wood more than anything, lent a pretty, fractured spotlight by the stained window behind it. Carol told me she prayed here, for me and Sophia to be found. She said she convinced my Dad to pray, as well.

"Do you think he's lookin' after everybody?" I ask. "That's what they say, ain't it? Up in heaven?"

"I like to think so. It's a nice thought."

Sophia might be there already. That's a not-so-nice thought.

"Morales, I reckon he's in heaven, 'cause he lent me his toothpaste tube one time."

Rick chuckles. "Yeah. He was a good man."

"And our dog, Tank. He's in heaven, too. I know so, 'cause the vet sent us a letter sayin' he was, after he died."

"Did they?"

"Yep. I don't get how they found out, but that's where he is."

"Must be. All pets go to heaven, you know that?"

"Not all people, though."

"No. No, not all people."

My Uncle Merle's gotta be in Hell, if he's anywhere. I love him, but just 'cause you love someone, it don't make 'em a saint. Uncle Merle used to kick Tank, sometimes. He enjoyed tricking people for money, and he was in jail a lotta the time. I remember one time he was there for somethin' so bad my Dad had to sell his guitar and the TV so he could pay to let him out. I was real mad when he got home.

You ain't happy to see your old Uncle Merle, baby?

No. I ain't got no cartoons no more 'cause of you.

Aw. Sappy little thing, ain't ya? Always told you, you're too soft on her, Darylina.

Rick can tell what I'm thinkin', 'cause it weren't no secret back then that my Uncle wasn't anybody's favorite person in camp.

"I told you before," He takes a chance at saying, "But I'll say it again. I'm very sorry for what happened to your Uncle."

A long time ago, I would've gotten angry at that, but there's not much of that left in me, anymore.

"It's okay." I utter, pleased with how good it feels to say; with how two words can take two tonnes off both my shoulders.

He smiles fondly. "You're not gonna wish death on me, this time?"

"This is a church." I scoff. "I can't do that."

"I won't push my luck, then."

"I'll take some of your pear, though."

"Okay, there. Now you're pushin' your luck."

"Not even half a slice?"

"Fat chance, Dixon."

When we've packed up and are just about to head back out into the sun, I take a last look at the statue.

"You got somethin' you wanna say to him?" Rick suggests.

"Yeah." I decide, and then I shout loudly, "You best wake my Daddy up soon, you sum' bitch!"

A rat scuttles away under the floorboards at my sheer volume.

"Okay." Rick ushers me out the door, trying not to snicker. "Come on, now."

"I got shot in the stomach, too, once. Did you know that?"

I glance at Rick as we step over a rock, sceptical. No, I didn't know that.

"Did ya? When?"

"About a week before I turned up at the quarry." He tells me. "It was a work accident. Put me in a coma for quite a while."

I was too busy hating everybody — hating Rick, especially — to ever really ask about what happened before that day, but there's my answer.

"Don't need to ask if you survived, then, I guess."

"I guess not." He smiles. "No, I'm still kickin'."

"You think that'll happen with my Dad?"

"I'm sure of it."

For once, I want my Dad to be a little like Rick, the man I used to want dead.

When we break through the treeline some hours later, we see Jacqui at the top of the hill, waving her arms around.

"What's she shoutin'?"

"I don't know."

Rick starts jogging forward on instinct, pulling me closer with one hand and grabbing his revolver with the other.

"What?" He shouts back, shaking his head. "What is it? What's goin' on?"

She calls out once more, and this time, her words are clear.

"Harley! Get over here! Your Dad woke up!"

Rick stops running all at once.

We look at each other, astonished, until I start to let the realization sink in, and my eyes well up.

"Go on, then." He nods, excited for me. "Go, go, go. Get up there."

I turn, running all the way to Jacqui.

"When?" I ask. "When?"

She grabs my hand. "About twenty minutes ago."

"Is he okay?!"

We hurry toward the house together, setting off small droves of orange and brown butterflies that were resting in the grass.

"He's okay." She grins. "Threatened to burn the whole farm down if I didn't bring you to him right away, though! C'mon!"

"Dad!!"

I race up the porch steps, squealing.

"Daddy!!"

The door to the Greene house almost falls off its hinges when I push past it. It smacks into the wall with a loud, loud bang, and the next door that stands in my way receives the same treatment. If I burst holes into the plaster, I'll just have to apologise to the Greenes later. As soon as I see my Dad — Awake and breathing, and even sitting up a little in the bed — I throw myself onto him with the force of a thousand lifetimes. He tries to say my name, but grunts when he catches me. He recovers from the pain almost immediately, wrapping me up in the biggest darn hug he's ever given me. All them times I ever waited for him to come pick me up from school, or I thought he didn't turn up for one of my tournaments — That's nothin' compared to this moment. I thought he was dead. Dead and gone, forever, but he's not. Glenn, Rick, and Andrea saved him.

They got me my Dad back.

I sob like I've never sobbed before, overcome with relief that consumes me like a tidal wave, hiccing, moaning, coughing into his shoulder.

I can't believe it.

"He's awake?" I hear Rick asking in the foyer, panting slightly from the walk up the hill. "He's alright?"

"He's going to be sore," Herschel answers, "But yes, he's alive."

"He woke up?" Shane asks, sounding almost offended.

"Yes. Seems those supplies really helped."

My Dad buries his face into my neck, shushing me gently as he soothes my back.

"Dad." I bawl, like he's about to leave me again at any moment, and I have to will him back into my arms. "Daddy-y-y-y."

"Shh, sh, sh, baby." His voice is hoarse in my ear, but it's the best sound I ever heard. "Daddy's here, baby. I'm okay. I'm okay."

I just keep wailing it over and over again until he's crying, too.

"Daddy's here, baby." He shudders, then, mutters, fuck, in embarrassment. "I— I'm here, baby. I'm here. Lemme get a look atchu, huh?"

He pulls back with a kiss to my cheek, steadying me with both his hands.

"You hurtin' bad, still?" He asks. "Your stitches?"

"I thought you was dead, Dad."

His chin crumples ever so slightly as he looks at me, and then wordlessly, he embraces me again. I'm cocooned tightly in both his arms, my ear pressed up against the faint buh-boom buh-boom of his heart. He lays back into the pillows, taking me with him, shushing me some more. I should be a little more embarrassed about how hard I'm crying, but he don't mention it.

If there was ever a time I'm allowed to cry, it's now.

The IV tube gets tangled up a bit, and I think I'm hurting him, but it just makes him chuckle between tears.

"Careful, chicken." He sniffs. "You're gonna— Gonna mess me up, here, in a second."

Herschel comes in to fix it up a bit.

"I'on know what the fuck this is. Sorry." Dad mutters as he tries to help him, clumsily de-tangling all the equipment. "Here. I'on know."

"Gave your little one quite the scare." Herschel smiles over the sound of my ear-piercing cries. "Gave us all quite a scare, I think."

"You're Herschel, right?"

"Yes. Herschel Greene. This is my farm you're sat up in. Did Glenn tell you everything?"

He nods. "Think I owe you my life, if I heard right."

"Well, it wasn't your ears that got damaged in the accident, young man."

"Da-a-a-ad!"

He turns his attention back onto me at an especially pained sob.

"Shhhh. It's okay." He jokes, "I'm right here, girl."

That makes Herschel chuckle. "I'll give you two a moment, then."

Dad lets me cry as much as I want in the privacy of this little room. He smooths down my hair, tucks it behind my ears, plays with it, kisses my scalp, all the while murmuring sh, sh, sh, like I'm a newborn baby needing coddled. I let him rock me side to side. I let him hum little tunes to me quietly, and smack firm but soothing pats through the back of my shorts. After what feels like forever, I calm down, reduced to whimpers.

"You know, I thought I told you not to go nowhere." He tries making me laugh, cradling my face as I look up at him. "Remember?"

"Shut up." I complain, struggling to breathe properly. "You al-al-almost died."

"I know, baby. I'm sorry."

"Every morning, I was so scared you wouldn't be breathin', no more. I had to check."

"Everybody take good care'a ya?" He asks. "Nobody needs a whooping?"

"Maybe T-Dog." I sniff, playing with his chain necklace. "He ate all the pretzels."

"Did he, now?"

"Yeah."

"When I'm all better, I'll sort him out for ya, then."

"Uh-huh." I mumble. "You better."

I can only hold back on asking the question I've been wanting to ask him since the moment I heard that gunshot for so long.

"Daddy, what happened out there?"

He pauses for a moment. I expect him to rat Shane out without a moment's hesitation; to get angry, to want justice. But that's not what happens. He doesn't swear, or shout, or even get that little, glinting look of fire in his eyes. It seems to have fizzled out, somehow, leaving only a wispy hint of what used to burn there so violently and for so long. It's strange to me, this tranquillity. It's like a biting dog that's given up his tricks.

"Baby," He sighs, stroking my cheek fleetingly. "How much you figured out?"

I've figured out lots of things in the past month — Enough for a lifetime.

I've figured out that being beaten by your Dad is wrong, but only to some people, and only if they happen to walk in on it. I've also learnt how to think for myself, a lesson taught by someone who promised I could trust him but ended up just another liar. I've learnt the feeling of a kill; the name for benches in a church. I've learnt my Dad is two people at once, like a mirror with a hidden edge. He's him, but he's all the men that came before him, too, all echoing their last laugh through a swing of his fists. I've learnt that loving your family above all else is a hereditary disease.

"Almost all of it." I settle on saying, thinking of all the things life has yet to throw at me. "Almost all of it."

He chews his bottom lip. Then, he pinches my cheek.

"You're my smart girl, huh?"

I smile under the weight of everything.

"Well, one thing at a time. Your old man can't hardly keep up." He lowers his hand, returning my faint smile. "For starters, it was Shane that shot me." I feel like I've been slapped. "I don't know what he's told you, or... or y'know, what yarn he's been spinnin', but it was him."

"Wh-Where? How?"

"I left that day to look for Jim. I didn't tell nobody where I was goin', 'cause I was— I was gonna kill him, baby." It's a tough thing to admit, but it's nothing I ain't heard before. When they first told me Ronnie was dead, and that my Daddy killed him, all I wanted to know was when I could see him again. "I's gonna ask you where his camp was that day, but seein' yer— yer little face, all fuckin' sun-burnt an'— I'on know. Plan changed. I asked Shane instead. And uh... Some walkin', I almost made it. I knew he was followin' me. He walks loud as Hell. Like a fuckin' Yeti."

I giggle. Shane don't got my Dad's finesse when it comes to slinking through the woods.

"I guess I's kinda hopin' he'd..." He takes a deep breath. I wait patiently for him to continue. "Anyway, he did."

"You lured him."

"Yeah. I walked 'bout two hours out before... 'fore I knew I'd waited long enough nobody would find us straight away, and then I spun around, and I tackled him to the ground. I could'a shot him, point-blank, but I wanted it to... W— I wanted it to hurt."

"'Cause he's a bastard cop?"

He falters when I ask this, pinching the bridge of his nose, like this is physically hard for him to get through.

He finds the courage to look at me again. "Yes, Harley, 'cause he's a bastard cop. 'Cause he made things difficult for us, and I wanted him to suffer for it. I got his nose again; fucked his ribs up. I was about to shoot him in the brains when he snatched the glock off me."

"And then he—?"

"Then he shot me."

"And... you didn't get anywhere near Jim's camp? You didn't see him?"

"That what he told you?"

"He said you got into a squabble wit' Jim, and that he shot you, 'cause he was mad about bein' left behind. But at first, he said it was Otis."

"Who the Hell's Otis?"

"He was a man that lived here. He was a hunter, like you. They said he mistook you for a deer, or sum', while he was out there."

Recognition washes over him. "Chubby fella?"

"You see him?"

"Yeah. Gunshot drew him over to us. I guess he was out huntin', then, like they say. Shane was gonna leave me there to bleed out, but with this guy fussin' all over us, that weren't really an option, no more, so he made up some fuckin' fairytale about how it was an accident, and he was new to the group an' they'd never take him back if they found out, and he pressured him into takin' the fall for him. I passed out 'round 'bout then."

"Why ain't he just own up to it? Tell everybody he shot you, plain an' simple?"

"'Cause you wouldn't wanna keep bein' his friend if you found out."

My skin goes cold. "You know about that?"

"Yeah, baby. I know. He rubbed in my face so much I ain't never gon' forget it."

He must see my lip wobble, and the way I'm too scared to even blink, 'cause he gives my hair a kiss. I've been dreading this moment ever since I told Shane, Fine, I'll be your friend, and now I've finally been found out. I'm a liar. I betrayed my Dad. Oh, he's gonna pull his belt out right now.

"I'm sorry, Dad." I shake my head, already pulling away, trying to stop what's to come. "Please, Dad. I'm sorry."

"Harley—"

"He tricked me. He made it seem li-like I had to be his friend. I didn't want to, I swear. He j— He just said a whole bunch'a things, and then—"

"Harley, baby, I ain't mad."

"And he— He—? What?"

"I ain't mad." He repeats himself, raising his brows. "I ain't."

"W—?"

This is like finding out the Earth is flat, or the sun is a square.

"I promise you, baby, I ain't mad at you for that. Not even a little bit. Never, ever." He promises, grabbing my shaking hand. "That man, he's... It ain't your fault. Might feel like it is, but it ain't. Nothin' he says or does is your fault. I should'a ended this shit a long time ago. You shouldn't even have to worry 'bout things like this, Harley. You can be friends with whoever you like. Don't fuckin' matter what I say. Don't listen t'me."

Don't—? Don't listen to me?

"Dad—?"

"I know." He says. "Just... I know. Sometimes Dad says confusin' shit, don't he?"

I nod vigorously.

"Well, I mean it. How am I supposed t'be mad atchu for just doin' what you're told? The way I raised you, ain't it?"

"Yeah, but... I mean, you hate cops."

"For a long time, yeah. Every time I watched 'em drag your Uncle Merle away, I hated 'em a little more'un the last time. They ain't very nice in prison, neither. Lots of rules. They got power over you in there. Makes 'em turn into assholes. But that's me, baby. My bullshit is my bullshit to handle, and Shane — Leave him to me, too. Askin' to be your friend an' shit, that's sum' wrong wit' him. Not you. Not your bullshit."

"If I told you this, like, a week ago, you would'a..."

You would'a beat me.

The unspoken words hang pungent in the air, weighing down on him.

"I—" He clears his throat; sighs deep, and hard. He mutters, "I— I probably would'a, yeah."

I've never seen him talk this away about a beating. He was never proud of it or nothing, but he was never proud about washing dishes, either.

It was just a part of life, but for now, I guess, it's not.

"So... you're not mad?"

"No, sweet girl, I'm not. C'mere."

I lay back down on his chest.

"I knew it was Shane," I murmur against him, "'cause the bullet was round."

"They took it outta me, huh?"

"It was real scary. You wanna hear the whole story?"

"Yeah, baby. I'm all ears."

I tell him about the gunshot, and Maggie on the horse, and how Shane and Otis went out for emergency supplies, but one came back empty-handed, and the other didn't come back at all. I tell him about the night of the surgery, and the funeral. I tell him about the chickens, too.

"They got eggs here, Dad. Lots of 'em. Scrambled, too." I smile. "You're gonna love it."

"Haven't had an egg breakfast in months."

We used to go to the diner, sometimes, and get eggs on toast when Merle wasn't around. Those were the best days of the week.

"They don't burn 'em here or nothin'."

He chuckles. "What 'bout two-dollar coffee? They got that here, too?"

"Only if you wanna fight for the last of the coffee beans."

"It's on." He scoffs. "I could use some good coffee right about now."

"You tired?"

"Baby, I'm exhausted." He smiles. "Keep talkin', though. I wanna hear everythin'."

"Okay. You wanna hear about the walker me and Carl found in the well?"

"The what?"

Herschel comes back in a while later to perform a check-up.

He's an animal doctor, but he's still got a real stethoscope hanging around his neck, and a little light he can shine in my Dad's pupils. I hold his hand as Herschel checks over the IV, the baggie of donor blood, and the smaller scrapes and bruises all over Dad's neck and face.

"Looks like you got into a brawl with a bear." He comments, dabbing his slashed brow with a cotton pad. "This'll sting a little bit."

He hisses. "Weren't so far off as you'd imagine."

Herschel drops the wad into the tin tray. "That about does it for now, I think."

"When can I get outta this bed?"

"When you're better." He deadpans, packing up. "Which should be in about a week. Walking, I'd say, would be reasonable in one or two days."

Dad glances at me, unimpressed.

"Doctor's orders." I shrug.

"Listen to my best patient's advice, Mister Dixon." Herschel smiles. "There's a reason her wound's healed up so nicely."

"I'm guessin' it ain't the fishin' line."

"No." The med-kit clicks shut. "It's not the fishing line."

"I can play outside with Carl, now." I tell Dad, proud. "I been takin' it slow. You gotta, too."

He kisses my knuckles, too tired to answer, but agreeing.

As he's about to leave, Herschel notices something on the ground by his feet, and bends to pick it up.

"Is this yours, Harley?"

He holds it up.

Much to my discomfort, it's the shredded get well soon card.

"Yeah." I take the piece he hands to me, confronted by its obnoxious colors. "It was meant to be a card. Not lookin' so good, now, though."

"Lemme see it."

Reluctantly, I angle it so my Dad can take a look.

"It's just a corner." I murmur. "I ripped up the rest of it."

"That looks real pretty, baby. You made it for me?"

"I don't know..." I muse, unsure. "Shane kinda helped me with it."

"That why you ripped it?"

"Yeah. I was angry at him. I didn't wanna look at it, no more."

"Well, I do." Dad squeezes my hand. "How 'boutchu make me another one?"

"But you're all better, now."

"I don't know about that." Herschel chuckles. "It'll be a while before he's one hundred percent again."

I consider this. "How about I just draw you a picture this time?"

"Sure. Draw me anythin' you want."

"I'll get you some crayons and paper." Herschel offers, stepping out the door. "I'll be back in a moment."

"Good to see you awake, man."

T-Dog, along with Rick and Glenn, walks into the room while I'm leaning against my Dad's side, working on the drawing set up in my lap. I got a clipboard to lean against, and a whole bunch of different colored crayons to use. Rick sits in the bay window, near Glenn, who rests in the rocking chair in the corner. T-Dog smacks Dad's shoulder.

"Thanks." Dad nods, joking, "What's this I hear 'boutchu eatin' all the pretzels, though?"

T-Dog laughs, leaning against the wall. "Girl, you snitched on me about that?"

Swallowing down a giggle, I just send him a cheeky glance.

"Whatever, man. Lock me up, then."

"I think I still got my handcuffs in the back'a our car." Rick offers, mock-serious. "I can go get 'em right now."

Glenn interjects. "Woah, woah, woah. Innocent until proven guilty, guys."

"He told me he ate 'em all." I butt in. "That's proof."

"Verdict's in, then, buddy." Dad shrugs.

"I ain't never delved into all'at court stuff or nothin'," T-Dog holds his hands up, "But I'm pretty sure that's hearsay."

Rick shakes his head, changing the subject.

"How you feelin', Daryl?"

"Sore. Stiff. Like shit."

"Gettin' shot in the stomach will do that to you."

"It's a miracle you survived." Glenn adds. "You lost a lot of blood. Thirty percent, I'm sure Herschel said. Something like that."

"You said you been givin' me yours, didn't ya?"

"Yeah. We weren't sure about anybody else's types, so we had to make do with what we had."

"I got Chinaman-blood runnin' through my veins." Dad laughs. "Hell's that mean for me, now?"

Glenn scoffs. "That you're slightly less of an idiot."

"Man, it's prolly true." T-Dog snickers. "What's the capitol of Russia?"

Dad sticks up his middle finger.

"What about you, Harley?" Glenn asks. "How's your side doing?"

I look up from the paper, where so far, I've drawn some spikey, green grass and colored in half the sky.

"It's a little better." I smile. "Y'know, I'm sorry for yellin' at you yesterday."

"It's okay. Don't worry about it."

T-Dog tsks, "What was all that about, anyway? What's up with Shane lately?"

"Maybe he's just feeling guilty about Otis." Glenn suggests.

"He's got a whole long list of things to feel guilty about." Dad says with distaste. "You wanna know who exactly it was that shot me?"

"No way."

Rick sighs. "I had a feeling."

"Why'd he go and do a thing like that?" T-Dog questions.

"'Cause he's off his fuckin' rocker, that's why." He retorts. "He hated my guts, so he went and shot 'em."

"Man, you think—? You think he left those supplies on purpose, then?"

I never thought of that. It would just add another layer of horror to that night.

"That poor guy Otis, man."

"Nothin' we can do about it, now. 'Less you think he's gonna do somethin' like this again, Daryl?"

He shrugs. "I'on know. Wouldn't put it past him."

"For now, I wanna keep this sorta thing to a minimum. I'm gonna ask Herschel again today about our arrangements here."

"We're only staying a week or two, right?" I pout.

"Until we find Sophia." Rick tries to smile. "But I'm gonna try change his mind."

"You still ain't find her?"

"No. Harley found her doll, but that's about it. We're gonna start grid-searching properly tomorrow."

I look back down at the page again, sad.

"Drawing done, now, chicken?" Dad asks, trying to lighten my mood a little. "Wanna show it?"

Nodding, I grab the sketch pad and turn it around so that they can all see. It's done. I drew me and my Dad in a field of flowers, but we're not holdin' hands or nothin' — We're killing walkers together. I don't think I got the crossbow exactly right, but I tried my hardest.

Dad laughs. "It's perfect, baby. That me?"

"Yeah. And me. That's the sun, and flowers, and a dead walker right there."

"Badass." Glenn approves.

"What that thing in the background?" Rick asks.

"Oh," I happily answer, "That's Dale. He's so scared, he ran away, and now he's just a little dot."

They all chuckle to themselves.

T-Dog offers to sit it on the chest of drawers, and it stands anew against a vase of real flowers, looking like it's belonged there all along.

Author's Note.

Finished this chapter at 5:49 AM 😣 Uuuuuuuuugh

Long author's rant below.

I got a comment the other day about how Shane was being really annoying, and I sort of agree. At first, I actually felt that way about Daryl, but now he's shown regret and apologized, and Shane's still a raging asshole set on taking Harley for himself. I guess he has good motives? Or HAD, at least... considering they've shifted from wanting to help her out a dangerous situation, to now being selfish. Then again... if I walked in on a man about to hit his 8 yr old daughter, I'd go apeshit, too.

It's going to be so satisfying when Shane gets what's coming to him. (I've been excited for it since the very beginning of this book. Rest assured, Shane will not see the light of day come Season 3.)

Started out as Daryl as the villain and Shane as the hero... Kinda switched.

Sophia's still missing... and Jim, he's MIA. Get ready for him to pop back up again.

Also, Harley is finally on good terms with Rick!! Took forever and a half but we got there. I chose to do this so he could replace Shane's role as pseudo-Uncle when the time comes. Glenn's already sort of there... but what's the harm in having TWO pseudo-Uncles? 😌

Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.

Please leave your thoughts and feedback below. Sending lots of love!! <3

#the walking dead #twd fanfiction #twd #daryl dixon twd #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon daughter #daryl dixon #daddy issues #parent daryl dixon #rick grimes #shane walsh #angst #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #reader

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u5an5 · 1 month ago

Text

Of things extra: Once Upon a Witchlight Ep. 28 | Duel of the Honks

Episode | Masterlist

! Fair warning, this post contains SPOILERS. If you don't want to be spoiled, STOP READING !

(Kremy): Why don't you guys like, rumble outside and, you know, have like fisticufs.

(Gideon): Well if I fisticuffs with 'im, he's gonna die.

[Chuckles]: You know what's funny, Gideon...

He blows air into his thumbs like inflating balloons, making them huge and raises them in front of him in ready position

[Chuckles]: That's exactly what a bitch would say!

Gi, angered: Alright, that's enough! I didn't wanna do it, I was gonna spare Grickos life when you're rindin' inside of his body but I'm done! When you're outside, I'll bury you in the swamp, you damn clown!

As Chuckles cartwheels his way out of the room, his Sticky Sneakers squeaking each time they make contact with the floor, Gideon absolutely furious runs out after him, chasing the sound of constant laughter and squeaks

(Torbek), panicked: Oh no, Mr. Kremy do something!

(Kremy): Ribble, I need you to get outa here and supervise, make sure nobody dies!

T: Ohhh, okay!

Torbek chases after them

Gideon POV

A mangrove tree stands in the middle of a patch of heavily churned mud, where rusting and rotting bits of armor and weapons are scattered. Two lengths of chain are anchored to opposite sides of the tree trunk, each with an iron shackle on the end.

But you are not prisoners. You have no need for those shackles.

Yet.

As you find yourself in the middle of this circular Proving Ground, there are rusted pieces of armor all over. Looking at this Gideon, you can say it would be useless in a fight, should you need it.

As you and Chuckles stand face to face, for the first time in life and death, able to truly fight.

Torbek runs out after you

(Torbek): Mundlemud! No, no! Gideon, please! This is important! DON'T hurt him!

(Gideon): Did you hear what he said to me?! He called me a bitch!

(Torbek): Ribble heard him, he tried to pretend he didn't, but this is serious! It's still Gricko!

(Gideon), conflicted: I- Listen. I'll just hit him so hard he just dies- kinda, and then we'll revive him!

(Torbek): Ughhh, just- Just think this throughh! Gideon can be a bigger person!

(Gideon): I'm literally bigger than him, I dunno what you're trying to do- I'll slap him so hard that Chuckles' gonna come right off his goddamn stupid clown face!!

Torbek lets out various sounds of distress while he's saying all of this

(Gideon): Forehand, backhand, doesn't matter! I'm gonna break Gricko one way or another, and he's coming back in next 12 seconds cause that's how many rounds it's gonna take!

(Gideon) vs [Chuckles]

(This fight doesn't use fight stats. Players roll initiative and on their turn they describe what their character is doing, which can be anything as long as it's in-character and in-universe plausible. Wherever the move hits decides d20 contest - the result is in favour of person with higher number)

You square up.

Torbek- Ribble, at Kremy's discretion, is guarding his friends, unsure what to do at this moment, as you two stand opposite each other in this circular arena.

Gideon, you stare down at Chuckles' body. The body of this desiccated dead clown thing. You know that somewhere in there is Gricko, but at this moment all you can see is Chuckles.

Chuckles, you stare at your arch-nemesis, Gideon. This is the man that punched you so hard in the body that you went to hell. And there really is no wine in hell

[Chuckles]: I'll never forget that fight...

He says this as starts to cartwheel in figure eights. As he stops and rights himself, his legs blow up like a cowboy, as he slowly advances towards Gideon, his sneakers squeaking with each step. On his hip appears a toy ray gun, as out of nowhere clouds transform into clown horns, playing western tune. He grabs the handle with his giant hand

[Chuckles]: Okay Gideon, how is it going to end?!

Gideon squares off, walking up so they're face to face, as the fire on his body to start rising up, lighting him up.

(Gideon): Oh, it's getting hot in here.

You're so excited to finally take down Chuckles, hopefully the final time. But Chuckles surprises you, as he pulls out a ray gun. Gun? What's a gun in Avantris? You’re flabbergasted. He has the fastest finger in the West. He points it, whatever it is, at you.

[Chuckles]: Hey, Gideon.

(Gideon): Yeah?

[Chuckles]: I was walking, from the carnival to the farm, and out of the bush... three pigs jumped me and devoured my flesh.

(Gideon), amused: *chuckles* That's a pretty good story so far, keep going.

[Chuckles]: IT WAS A HAM-BUSH!!!

Chuckles yells, as he puts his finger on the trigger.

As Kremy walks up to the arena, he's followed by about 50 bullywugs, all of them clearly members of the soggy court, as they begin to fill the stands. You see that it caught the attention of people that worked here too, and within 10-15 minutes, the stadium is filled.

Ribble, you have been outfitted with a referee uniform. You've got a whistle hanging around your neck, you've got a cap on and you're wearing a striped shirt.

You're not quite sure what you're supposed to do with this, what your expectations are, but you seem to be now in some sort of position of power.

Kremy is gifted a magical conch shell, that when spoken amplifies voice, as he tells the crowd that the event is about to start and somehow Gideon and Chuckles haven't destroyed each other yet.

They're just staring at each other, squaring off, getting ready to engage in combat.

(Gideon): *laughs* Ambush, great! Great joke, for 15 minutes I've been laughing!

Everyone has begun to settle down, the bullywugs had their hot dogs, and their peanuts, and their drinks. Everybody's excited and a hush begins to fall over the crowd, as people begin to chatter.

You all are huddled together in the middle, Kremy getting close enough to the rest so he can have a quick chat with them

(Kremy): All right, what's going on?

(Torbek): Ughh... It's pretty bad, it's pretty bad, Augluth. I'm really worried Gideon's gonna kill Gricko accidentally!

(Kremy): Well here's the thing, you've got to make sure that he beats him up until it looks like Chuckles dies, you understand? That's your job.

(Torbek), unsure: Ngh, okay...

(Kremy): Okay?

(Torbek): No, but here we go!

(Kremy), talking to the conchshell: Froggy and toad people! Are you ready to see a bloodbath?!

The audience cheers.

(Kremy): Are you ready to see something you ain't never seen before!?

The cheers louden.

(Kremy): Do you all count as witnesses, if so cheer!

After brief confusion crowd cheers, agreeing to be witnesses.

(Kremy): That's legally binding! And, begin!

Torbek blows the whistle as soon as he hears "begin".

[Chuckles]: We've been standing here for three hours...

(Gideon): Yeah, he's been pointing this thing for... for forever!

The thing looks like a gun, it looks clown-circus-like but it has a dark nature to it.

As blast goes out, Gideon is easily able to step aside from it (miss)

[Chuckles]: Oh, that was my 9th level spell!

As the blast hits the stairs next to the audience, it carves a straight hole through the stairs.

Watching this, Kremy and Torbek are able to hear from the audience

"Who even is fighting? They never announced who this was, how do we know who's dying?"

As the blast hits random bullywug walking down the stairs, killing him instantly, Chuckles looks at the gun with elated shock.

[Chuckles]: Man, this Shadowfell stuff is pretty intense!

(Kremy) to (Torbek): Hey, do you remember Gideons, like, "fake name"?

(Torbek): Yeah, it's, um, Mundlemud.

(Kremy): Why don't you introduce him?

Kremy throws the shell to Torbek. As he catches it, a screeching sound starts to emanate from it.

(Torbek): Sorry, Ribble got too close to the conch.

The audience is covering their ears.

(Torbek): How do you turn this thing off...

Audience starts to yell for him to shut up each time he tries to talk again and after a unsuccessful few tries he gives it back to Kremy.

Someone from the audience yells "Get your vuvuzelas!", as Chuckles points his gun at them and shoots them to death.

[Chuckles]: Oh, I'm out of turns, sorry. *looks down at the gun, pouting* Oh, it was my last use...

He says, as he throws the gun behind him. When it hits the ground faint wails are audible

As he dodges the blast, he charges at Chuckles, trying to wrap him with his chains. (hit)

He swirls his chain around Chuckles, binding him with his hands crossed around his head

[Chuckles]: We haven't even established our safe word!

(Gideon): Safeword for you, you greasy clown!

[Chuckles]: Banaña! Banaña! Bana-!

As Gideon pulls Chuckles towards himself, Chuckles spins directly into Gideon, as Gideon's fist sinks into Chuckles' his face, as it starts to stretch and warp under it like a water filled balloon. It seems to do a significant ammount of damage.

After being hit, Chuckles head spins around for a long while and when it stops he throws up bunch of colorful circus peanuts at Gideons face

(Gideon), disgusted: Oh, my least favourite bodily activity, ugh!

[Chuckles]: Oh, what a wonderful day for a blood bath...! Oh, Gideon! What's your favourite animal?

(Gideon): It's a pig man, I've told you like four times. You've asked me every time you took over Gricko's body, it's a pig.

[Chuckles]: Ohh... Okay, coming right up!

He blows into his thumb, trying to turn into several balloon pigs, but the chains around him are hot and melt and pop them. His face starts to melt a little.

[Chuckles]: Oh no, my plastic flesh is burning! My rubber!

He grabs his hat and pulls down onto his face, covering his entire head. When he pulls it back up his face is back to normal.

[Chuckles]: Oh, that's much better. And less graphic for the audience. I know there are some tadpoles in the audience, we have to keep it PG.

From the audience there is loud "Pretzels! Unsalted pretzels, with avocado-based mayo! Only 23 gold pieces!" from a vendor

[Chuckles]: Oh, hold on one second Gideon-

He shots the vendor dead

[Chuckles]: Okay, that was the last charge. Fuck that guy, right?

(Gideon), whining: I kinda wanted some of those man, I'ma little hungry.

[Chuckles]: Unsalted pretzels?!

(Gideon): I'd eat anything-

[Chuckles]: God, do you hate yourself?

(Gideon): For the last ti- all right, you know what? Shut up!

With his chains still wrapped around Chuckles' waist, he pulls him close to himself and punches him once again. You see his form shift and you can see bits and pieces of Gricko there, somewhere.

(Gideon): Don't worry buddy, I'm gonna beat you right back!

Few of Chuckles' teeth fall out, very Looney Tunes-style

[Chuckles]: Ugh, nice shot Gideon...

(Gideon): I won't let this horrible clown have your body even if I have to bury you!

[Chuckles]: You know what they say, I'm okay getting a little roughed up - to make an omlet you gotta break a few eggs!

In his raised arms appears a striped colorful barrel with a dark tone and he tries to smash it on Gideons head. As the barrel smashes into the ground next to him, a bunch of red monkeys come out of it. (miss)

As the monkeys hit the ground they sizzle and pop, they are clearly acidic monkeys. They let out some monkey noises and run away, with Gideon hastly jumping out of their way.

"Bloody Maries, get your Bloody Maries with one of those deep fried cheeseburgers! Only 22 gold pie-AUGH AAAH IT HURTS! AGH IT HU-! *angry monkey noises*

Stairs are littered with vendor bodies, as another one comes truffling down.

[Chuckles]: What are you waiting for, Gideon? What we'll do will echo through *HONK*ternity

His teeth are missing, blood is coming out of his eyes.

Gideon whips his chain up, sending Chuckles in the air, as he jumps up after him and grapples him

As Chuckles is sent into the air he pulls out a Simon Says sigh saying "uh oh"

As Gideon pile drives Chuckles into the earth, Chuckles' time stops for a moment. His eyes go wide as his pupils get smaller and red

[Chuckles], in his mind ala anime fight throughs: That's right Gideon, enterain them! My clown ancestors are smiling at me Gideon, can you say the same-?!

CRASH

As he's saying it, you can see Chuckles fading away. You now have Grickos body in your hands, but you realize it second too late. You can hear all of his bones snap.

(Gideon): Don't worry buddy, I'm gonna bring you back-!

Torek blows his whistle, notating the end of the battle and win for Gideon.

Gricko lays in a small crater in the ground, Family Guy-style.

The audience goes crazy. Everybody is cheering and screaming, you can hear "Long live Mundlemud!" "Mundlemud for the win!" "Mundlemug has a clean slate!" all around

(Kremy): That's right folks, the clown's dead and he disintegrated immediately! Leaving a goblin he must've eaten earlier or something... Anyway, thanks for coming!

"Does anyone want a full cooked chicken piccata? On a dinner plate...? Chicken piccata! Hey, hot and fresh chicken piccata, who wants some?!"

One of the bullywugs stands up and yells "Shut up, we're listening!", as he stabs the vendor in the back.

"AAGH- Agh, lemonade capers..."

You can hear bits of conversation, as bullywugs, no longer interested now that the fight is over, all begin to make their way towards the castle to prepare for other nights endeavors.

01:49:13]

Episode | Masterlist

#follow #Of things obtained: Once Upon a Witchlight #for future updates #legends of avantris #once upon a witchlight #ouaw #dnd #dungeons and dragons #d&d #podcast

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