#cath x jest fanfic

[cindersnightmare]

the queen of hearts and her executioner

(p.s. don’t look at cath’s hands or i’ll kill u)

tag list: @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @lothloriien @winterrhayle @phobidawg @marialovesdean @maradovan @moon-swoon @a-salting-the-world @salt-warrior @darkalinas @dawniebb @futuregrrrlrevolution @rvbell @wwwwyamd @whyiask @galaxy-creationz @honey-harper-official @heartless-fanblog @hearing-in-color @horton-hears-a-who @honey-hippie-harper @thepurpledragon4444 @obsidianfr3sk @invisiblebobs @f-r-o-p @poptart-boy @thereal-linh-cinder @quietintrovertt @saltyfortunes @dragongrl04 @arangiajoan @impossiblesuitcase @qujaruto-qujhe-qujear @miss-casually-cruel @half-heaven @cerenoya @alysendria @butterfly-danna @sarcastic-lunar-princess @rue-velleia @fantasylitnet @idkchatie @shellyseashell

(lmk if u wanna be added or taken off!)

[asmileyoucouldbottle]

Happily Ever After

I wrote a little JestxCath fluff for @lex656565 ‘s birthday! It’s a little late, but I hope you enjoy! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to celebrate with you in person, but I love you and we’ll be together soon <3 (Btw everyone go check out her blog, her art is amazing!)  Happily Ever After- An impossible AU where Cath has her dream bakery in Hearts and is happily married to Jest. It’s their son’s 4th birthday, so they have a little celebration! Basically straight-up fluff and me pretending the ending of Heartless never happened.

Word Count- 1,468

Ding, ding, ding. 

The bakery’s bell had been going off almost incessantly, and the bakery was full to bursting. Cath smiled proudly at her bustling shop. There were children laughing and eating cookies, couples picking out wedding cakes, and people just enjoying themselves. It was more than she’d ever imagined and wished for.

She jumped a bit as arms wrapped around her waist unexpectedly. Looking up, she smiled into the glowing face of her husband. His eyes twinkled as she spun around to give him a quick kiss. “How’s Hatta?” She asked, since he’d just returned from visiting their friend.

“Sane as ever, not for lack of worrying on his part. In fact…” He was cut off by another ding of the bell. 

“Hatta!” Cath came out from behind the counter, going to give him a quick embrace. “I didn’t think you could make it!”

He shrugged, “I had business to do, but it could wait. Now! Where is my godson?”

“Uncle Hatta!!!” Lewis burst from behind the counter, running to hug his godfather’s leg. Hatta, never really good at displaying affection, just managed to pat Lewis’ head, though his expression was fond.

Jest reached forward and picked his son up, swinging him onto his shoulders. Lewis hooted, and Jest laughed, hopping up to sit on the counter. Cath tsked him, though she knew it was no use. He always sat on the counter, despite her protests. Besides, it was Lewis’ birthday, so she was opposed to a little craziness. Bending the rules once in a while never hurt anybody. 

Raven cawed and came to settle on the young boy’s head. The three of them looked all together ridiculous, and Cath told them just that.

Jest grinned at her, and held out a hand. “Join us, fair lady!” Sighing in overexaggerated bother, she grasped his hand and walked over. He pulled her up beside him, and Cath cast the glass counter beneath her with an anxious glance. Jest wrapped an arm around her waist, and she decided that the counter was insignificant. 

“Mama look!” Cath looked up to see her son waving his arms around. She wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing, but she clapped nonetheless. “Please be careful!” 

Hatta frowned, obviously disappointed in the lot of them. The group was getting many curious looks, but the regulars were used to such behavior. Mary Anne had been appalled when she had co-owned the shop, but she’d since left to work managing the sums of the King. Cath couldn’t say she missed her. 

Lewis had proceeded to wave at every single customer, and they all commented on how darling he was. Taking advantage of her distaction, Jest tickled Cath’s side, and she shrieked, batting at his hands. Hopping off the counter, she whacked him lightly with a pamphlet she picked up. He pulled off his hat, and held it in front of her. A bouquet of flowers materialized over the hem. “Forgive me?” He pleaded, not sounding very sorry. 

“Not to break up this lover’s quarrel, but I’m growing impatient. Let’s go in the back.” Hatta’s words dripped with disdain. Jest waved him away, but got to his feet. 

“To the party!” Lewis called. Cath shhed him. “It’s not a party,” she corrected.

“To the cake!” He amended. Jest chuckled, and the group went behind the counter and through the swinging doors to the back. Cath had asked two of their employees, Alfred and Alice, to mind the counter for the day. Either way, It was almost six o’clock, and the two would be closing up shop soon. Cath had forgiven Jest, and walked with his arm around her waist, his flowers in hand. 

In the back, they took the stairs up to their apartment above the shop. Cath had dinner all ready for them, and off to the side a little lemon cake was set up, and balloons for Lewis’s fourth birthday. 

The boy squealed and tried to eat it immediately, but Cath held him back. “Dinner first!”

The group ate in a rather quick manner, as Lewis had eyes only for the cake. The conversation was about Hatta’s recent sales, Lewis and Jest’s adventures in baking, and so on. The conversation only continued a short time after they’d all finished their meal. Lewis soon got antsy, and began to reach for the cake.

“Okay okay, we’ll get ready.” Jest pushed his hand away, laughing slightly. He began to cut the cake, but Cath interrupted him.

“We have to sing first!” she chastised. And so they did. Well, Cath and Jest sang. Even Raven sang, since the lyrics rhymed. Hatta did not, not that anyone expected him to. 

Jest sat with his son on his lap, and Cath couldn’t help but smile at the picture. Both of her boys, with curly hair, lemon eyes, and frosting on their face. She kissed both of their cheeks. Jest brushed her cheek with his thumb. “You had some flour on your face.” He said devilishly, before leaning forward to peck the spot. Lewis was too busy stuffing his face to notice. 

“Oh can’t it wait until I’m home.” Hatta moped. “Anyways, I have a gift for you Lewis!” 

Lewis perked up. “Presents!” He cheered. Hatta reached behind him, and materialised a yellow hat with what appeared to be a mini lemon tree growing a top it. Cath and Jest shared a knowing look and smile. “I’ve heard from your father that you quite like sweet lemon candies, so I thought I’d make you a hat. Now whenever you want a sweet lemon, just reach up and take one. They grow back by themselves.” 

Awestruck, Lewis took the hat. “Thank you Uncle Hatta.” He said, reverently placing it on his head. Hatta smiled, his violet eyes warm. 

“Alright, I’m next.” Jest took his hat off of his head, dramatically, twirled it up and down his arms, flicked it into the air, and caught it. Lewis ooh-ed, ahh-ed, and giggled. 

Turning the hat out invitingly, Jest told his son to close his eyes and reach into the hat. He did so, and pulled out a  deck of magic cards. “It’s time I taught you sleight of hand.” Jest declared. Lewis didn’t hear him, too entranced by the moving pictures on the cards.

“Hey! Isn’t that Mr. Mockturtle?” Lewis asked. Jest nodded. “The cards have little images of all our neighbors and friends.”

“Oooh!!” Lewis bounced up and down, eating a sweet lemon and looking at all the cards. 

Cath was up. Reaching down, she pulled up a holed box and handed it to her son. He opened it, and shrieked with joy. Inside was a little purple and pink kitten. Cheshire refused to ever reveal the details of how he’d come about to have three kittens, but said that Cath was more than welcome to take her pick since he was a “free spirit” and didn’t want to be “burdened with three kittens.”

“Kitty!!!” Lewis squealed, picking it up and hugging it none too gently. Jest carefully loosened his arms and took the cat, cradling it safely.

Raven gave Lewis his gift, “of poetry.” It didn’t go over very well. Lewis gave Raven a blank stare, before yawning. Jest picked him up so Lewis’ chin rested on his shoulder. “Off to bed with you.” He declared. Cath picked up the cat.

“Say goodbye to Hatta.” Jest said as they passed him by. Lewis waved tiredly. 

“Goodnight, dear boy. I’d best be going as well.” Hatta made sure his own cake themed hat was secure on his head. Cath patted his shoulder. “Thank you for your generous gift, and for coming tonight. It was a pleasure to see you.”

Hatta gave her a half-smile, one that left her wondering if he ever liked her or not. “Thank you for the cake and for having me. Send Jest my regards.”

Hatta left, and Cath followed Jest up the stairs with the cat in her hands. Jest was tucking Lewis in bed, and Cath put the little purring hairball next to him. “Until we get a cat bed, he can sleep with you.”

“Kitty..” Lewis yawned, and snuggled with the kitten. It wiggled out of his arms with a squeak. The boy was only momentarily sad, before the kitten turned and settled in a cozy little bundle against his stomach.

“Goodnihgtmomyanddad-” he broke off, sound asleep and smiling. 

Cath rested her head on Jest’s shoulder as they watched their child. Finally, she leaned down to tuck him in and kiss him goodnight. When she stood up, Jest brushed back her hair and kissed her as well. 

“Not only children deserve a goodnight kiss.” He stated, yellow eyes shining. Smiling, she pressed her lips against his again, before starting towards their room to get ready for sleep. 

[februerik]

plance x heartless??

hello

so i’m currently reading Heartless by Marissa Meyer (who is possibly MY FAVE AUTHOR) (i forgot to say what heartless is about) (it’s a fairytale retelling of the queen of hearts from alice in wonderland)

and honestly i’ve been thinking this for a LONG TIME but like Cath and Jest are so Pidge and Lance

idk what to do with this information and my feels

[cindersnightmare]

okay but if heartless became a movie, we all know that melanie martinez would be a majority of the soundtrack and that’s a fact

[cindersnightmare]

a deal with time (cath x jest au)

summary: after cath pleads with time to bring jest back, he responds and gives her instructions.

warning: this is pretty long so get ur snacks ready and enjoy

***

a day had passed since the dreadful battle on the pumpkin field. cath hadn’t stopped crying, all she could think about was jest’s lifeless body. she went over the event in her head, replaying her mistakes, imagining everything going differently. it made her feel even worse. 

her mind and body had become a dark wasteland, all light and hope snuffed out, with no chance of returning. how could she ever smile again if jest was gone? 

cath lifted her head from her pillow and walked to her vanity. she sat on the stool and looked at her reflection, not surprised by the dark circles and tear stains. she closed her eyes and whispered, “please. please bring him back.” her hands gripped the edge of the vanity. “i will do anything. i will serve you until i am nothing but bones and dust. i will give anything if you bring jest back to me.” 

her pleas were quiet but passionate, every word racked with a small sob. any faith she had left was poured into every syllable as her knuckles turned white and her throat burned from the promises. she had to believe time would hear her. she had to believe that there was a chance for all of this darkness to go away. 

“child, why do you ask such an impossible request?” 

a deep voice startled her, and she opened her eyes. when she looked back in the mirror, there were faint features of eyes, a nose, and lips. she froze as her face collided with the spirit in the glass. “time?” she wavered.

“yes, that is me.” the reflection rippled as he spoke. “it’s not easy bringing someone back from the dead. they travel so far, and it’s a task that needs to be done quickly. why should i do this for you?” 

a million reasons popped into her head as soon as the question hit the air. “jest didn’t deserve death. he deserves to be happy, he should be with me. please, i will do anything you ask.” cath cried, willing to give up everything for jest, like she had done the night before at the ball. she still couldn’t understand how the night had started so hopeful for them and then ended in terror. 

time seemed to calculate her response, taking a moment to speak. when he did, a ripple moved through the glass, catching the afternoon light coming in from the window. “lots of people don’t deserve to die. i cannot bring back all of them. why should i do this for you?” he asked again. 

“i made a mistake. i shouldn’t have gone through the door, i shouldn’t have come back to hearts. this place and its people have done nothing but hurt us. i should have gone to chess with jest. he didn’t deserve to die for my foolish decision. i will pay any price, please.” she pleaded again, tears clouding her vision. a pit of regret had been growing in her stomach for hours. she was sinking, drowning, grasping for a life raft. 

“the sisters told you your fate.” time said. “you knew what would happen if you went through the door. you chose the fate you were given, so why should you be able to escape it now?”

cath sobbed and grasped at her chest. it was hurting more than ever. “hatta has been able to escape his fate. you made a deal with him, you’ve helped him run from his inevitable madness.” she stated, watching as the face in the mirror remained still. “your deal with him is broken, but not through hatta. if you want to make good on your deal with him, make one with me. then everything will be as it should.”

silence engulfed them for a few moments. cath had developed a headache along with the pain in her heart and the pit in her stomach. she would put her all into this until a deal was made and jest was in her arms again.

“you have given me good reasons, child.” he spoke, his deep and somber voice filling the air once again. “escaping fate is my specialty, but i always need good reason, and someone willing to do anything for what they wish. hatta had always kept good on his promise and paid every price. his deal did not deserve to be broken, and your fate was unfair and unkind to you and your companions. i would like to change that fate for you.” 

air filled her lungs, a weight lifted off her shoulders, and the tears had stopped falling. “you will? oh, thank you! anything you ask, i will do. i promise.” she rambled as relief and gratitude filled the empty wasteland.

“i will have to give you instructions, i cannot bring jest back by myself. you need to go back to the pumpkin patch.” time said and a shiver rolled down her spine. “you will have to wield the weapon that killed him and pour this over it.” a small bottle fell out of the mirror and onto the vanity next to cath’s hand. it contained a clear liquid, but surprisingly had no note attached. “once the potion is poured, stick the axe in the ground where he died. i will do the rest.” 

cath picked up the bottle and shoved it in her dress. “how long will this take?” she asked. 

time rippled the mirror again. “retrieving a wandering soul is not an easy task, but it must be done before sunset. after the sun goes down, he cannot be saved. i cannot extend time enough to save the dead from leaving this world. you must go now, child.” 

as soon as the words were spoken, cath was leaving her room. she ran past her mother and father, who were shocked to see her out of her room, but didn’t get a chance to talk to her. she was already out the door and running through town. everyone stared at her with curiosity and bewilderment as she raced past them. they were sure she had gone mad and made sure to stay away.

once the pumpkin patch was in sight, cath’s nerves had started to riot. the memories from the night before were haunting her, filling her with desires of setting the whole field on fire. but she had a job to do, so she shoved those feelings aside.

the patch had almost looked like it did when cath first visited. the only difference was the broken pumpkin jail and the large spot of dark blood on the dying grass. cath walked towards the dried pond, tears welling in her eyes, remembering jest’s body lying there just hours ago. the axe was only a few feet away, and it wore the same red stains. 

she picked up the weapon as hatred for peter grew in her heart, but she quickly erased him from her mind and pulled the bottle out of her dress. she tore the cork out and threw it on the ground. as she poured the potion onto the axe, the blood disappeared, as if it had never existed. she watched as every drop collided with every inch of the weapon. once the bottle was empty and there was no hint of red on the metal, she lifted the axe, and used all her strength to lodge it in the middle of the dark spot on the grass. the dried blood faded away quickly. 

cath stood and waited. a mantra played in her head, telling her that this will work. she willed herself to be patient as she watched the ground closely. 

the dead, yellow grass started to turn green. a bright light flashed and blinded cath for a few moments. she covered her eyes with her hands, scared she did something wrong, scared something was going to kill her for trying to disrupt fate. but that fear quickly faded once the light did. she lowered her hands and saw her joker standing on the newly revived grass.

her heart had stopped for a second at the sight of him. it was like nothing had happened, like it was all a very, very bad dream. he was still wearing the suit from the ball. he didn’t have a scratch on him, not a bruise, not a spot of blood. she almost fainted from happiness. 

“jest!” cath exclaimed, his glowing eyes meeting hers, causing his confused expression to melt into a smile. she ran into his arms, burying her face in his neck. he quickly embraced her, filling her dark heart with joy. after a few moments she pulled back and kissed him. the empty wasteland was now a blossoming garden, a colorful and beautiful haven that would never die. as their lips collided and their arms wrapped around each other, cath had felt her broken pieces come back together. when the feeling was almost too overwhelming, she pulled back a few inches “i thought i lost you forever! i’m so sorry, jest, i never should’ve went through that stupid door!” she cried, holding him close. 

he cupped her face, his yellow eyes gleaming as he spoke. “don’t blame yourself, catherine. anyone would’ve done the same thing. you’re a good person, too selfless for your own good.” a teasing laugh escaped his lips, causing her to smile at the sound. “what happened, cath? how am i here?” he asked, his confused expression returning as he placed a hand to his throat, as if feeling for a wound or the axe that had caused it. 

“i made a deal with time.” cath said. “i couldn’t let go of you, i couldn’t accept your death. i had to bring you back.” she explained, reaching for his hand and holding it. 

jest’s eyes widened, worry clouding them. “you made a deal with time? what is your price?” 

“i’m afraid we didn’t get a chance to discuss that yet.” a somber voiced startled the reunited couple. they looked down and saw a face gleaming in the metal of the axe, staring back at them. “i apologize, we had to act quickly. i will declare your price now, and i’m sure it’s one you’ll be glad to pay.” 

cath nodded as she gripped onto jest’s arms. “yes, go on.” 

“jest cannot stay in hearts.” time began. “this is the place he died, the place where he is supposed to be dead. this land had his soul and now it doesn’t, and if his soul remains above ground in hearts after sunrise, it will take it back. once his soul is returned, the rest of your fate will resume and you will become queen, catherine.” 

she shivered at the thought of losing him again and held him even closer. “so what do we do?” she asked, hoping this fate would not destroy her like the last one. 

the reflection surged as if it was eager to answer her question. “you must leave hearts and never return, just as you wished to do last night. you cannot communicate with anyone in hearts. no one can know jest is alive. they will talk and the land listens. i am feeling quite generous, so that is all you will have to pay.” 

cath and jest looked at each other, smiles growing on their faces. “i’d say that’s a very good price.” he said as he brushed her hair away from her face. “tell me, time, are we able to bring a couple friends with us?” 

“if you are referring to the others who were affected by your last fate, then yes. the hatter and the raven may accompany you.” time responded. “i must leave you now. be quick, children.” the reflection faded and all that was left was a clean axe. 

a laugh escaped cath as if she wasn’t able to contain all of her happiness. “i think we struck a good deal. now let’s get our friends and leave this awful place.”

jest kissed her again, cheeks hurting from smiling. “lead the way, my love.”

***

tag list: @jacihayle @lothloriien @littlegreenfrog @cerenoya @winterrhayle @half-heaven @strawberry-seraph @lethughandsimonkiss @lavenderbloo @horton-hears-a-who @plain-jane-mclain @thepurpledragon4444 @lunarchroniclesnet @nodrianbcyes @artino-nova @princesspri222 @dawniebb @healing-winston-pratt @annoyingfangirlblog @idkchatie @dancing-in-my-bedroom @angstycatthatlikestea @queen-of-self-love @love-andanarchy @moon-swoon @girlfriendisthemoon @disco-funk-and-soul09 @jimenaatrash @hackergeniuscress @heartless-fanblog @princessselenecinder

[cindersnightmare]

me: i am ready to get hurt again

me: *rereads heartless*

[cindersnightmare]

9-What are your favorite fanfics?

oof i’m scared to answer bc i’ve been a part of so many fandoms ajdkskaksk

for tlc, there’s so many au/headcannons that i love (especially by you and @jacihayle to name a couple 💕) and there’s some on wattpad like the lunar chronicles ship weeks by chlosaurus

i actually haven’t read a lot of fanfics for renegades or heartless, but there are some good au/headcannons for cath x jest, just not a lot :( i’ve been meaning to look more into them

i don’t have any specific favorites from past fandoms (cuz i left them over a year ago) so i’ll just say that my favorite fanfic tropes are friends/enemies to lovers, slow burns, stuff like that :)