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milliesfishes · 7 months ago

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౨ৎ꣑ৎSerendipitous (Part Two)౨ৎ꣑ৎ

[fem reader] contains: non consensual touch, cheating (not on billy), forced betrothal, verbal abuse, controlling parents, physical abuse, gaslighting pairing: billy the kid x fem reader summary: stuck in an arranged betrothal, you think you'll forever be trapped until you meet billy and your world is flipped upside down (part two) author’s note: thank you thank you thank you for all the support! sending love *mwah* Series Pinterest Board (updated) Series Spotify Playlist (updated)(chapter starting at Crimson and Clover)

"Don't let 'em getcha down, sunshine."

Billy's words echoed between your ears all the way home as you prepared to face your parents, and potentially Henry.

You felt unusually happy as you made the trek despite the looming prospect of your family. When you were close to your house you even took your shoes off, feeling the warm earth beneath your feet. Everything seemed brighter now to you: the sky, the grass, the flowers. It was all enhanced somehow, just when you'd thought it couldn't be more beautiful.

When your house got into view, you paused and took a deep breath, feeling anxiety hammer at your chest.

"Don't let 'em getcha down, sunshine."

Your feet moved you forward.

As expected, the second you opened the door you were met with voices shouting at you. They demanded to know where you'd been, why you weren't wearing shoes, why you'd disappeared last night, who you'd been with.

You could hardly place which questions were coming from who, only that Henry was mercifully not present.

"I had a headache," you said quietly, feeling slightly guilty that you'd worried them. "I didn't want to ruin anyone's night, so I figured I'd just come home. But I got lost."

They scolded you for not telling anybody you were leaving, saying Henry had been very worried about you. Thinking back to how much he'd drank while you were with him and knowing he'd undoubtedly drunk more, you doubted it. Still, you felt bad, understanding why they were upset. If your story had been true, it would've been foolish for you to leave like that. But you'd rather have them be mad about that story than the real one. So, you apologized, and they sent you to your room for the rest of the day.

You shut your bedroom door behind you, your parents' comments hardly stinging like they would have in the past. As a child you'd developed the habit of internalizing the negative emotions of those around you, the result a tangled mess of guilt sitting on your chest like a lead ball. Somehow that weight was lighter right now.

Going to the mirror, you brushed your hair away from your neck, revealing the love bite Billy had left mere hours ago. Touching it, you couldn't help but smile. It was proof last night had really happened.

As you looked over yourself, at your messy appearance, you didn't see the ghost that used to stare back at you. For the first time in who knows how long you'd made a decision for yourself. And it had felt marvelous.

Forget Henry, forget everything. You'd had a taste of independence, and it was addicting.

Your horse raced up the hill, your hair flying behind you, the wind kissing your cheeks. Once you'd reached the top you tugged on the reins, looking back at your companion.

Billy chuckled good-naturedly as he rode up beside you. "Who knew ya'd be able to beat me?"

"I told you I knew how to ride," you smiled, and he tipped his hat.

"Well goddamn," he grinned, and you looked down, your cheeks flushing pink. Even being in his presence had you flustered in the best way.

After a day sequestered in your room, you'd been allowed back out of the house under a very strict curfew and a promise made on your part to allow Henry to call on you since he'd apparently been so concerned.

The visit was painful in a multitude of ways.

He sat far too close, causing your fists to clench and knees to squeeze shut involuntarily. Of course, he insisted on kissing you, and all you could think of was the only other man whose lips had touched yours.

"You're not to ever leave my side at a party again," he'd said in a tone that was light but burningly threatening. "You embarrassed me in front of my friends with your outburst and scared me half to death when you disappeared. It's a miracle you made it home at all by yourself with how vulnerable you look."

"It's a miracle you remember after how much you drank." You'd meant for that to stay a thought, a silent pushback, but it fell out of your mouth before you could stop it and your eyes widened in horror. Henry hated it when you commented on his drinking.

You saw it coming before it happened. His hand shot out, gripping your wrist so tightly you let out a strangled little noise. Your breaths were becoming increasingly rapid as he leaned into you.

"Say it again." He did not raise his voice, which made his words all the more terrifying. You searched his eyes, the worst possible scenarios running through your mind.

When you hesitated, he shoved your arm against the corner of the table and you whimpered, trying to hold back how much it hurt. "I said, say it again."

"I..." you inhaled once through your nose, your heart still running like a rabbit. "Thank you for being so concerned. I won't do it again."

"That's better." Henry let go of your wrist and you slowly brought it back to rest on your lap. If you moved too quickly, he'd grab it again. You couldn't help but look down at your arm, at the bruises already forming both from the force of the table and his fingers.

Henry noticed, and he exhaled once through his nose. "If you were better, I wouldn't have to do this to you, you know that? Look what you made me do." He waved a careless hand at your arm. "Now I have that on my conscience."

All you could do was nod, your eyes falling to your lap.

You'd seen Billy in the market that afternoon, and he'd approached you with a smile that made every worry you'd had over the past two days melt into nothing. When he suggested you go for a ride the next day you'd immediately agreed.

Now here you were, sitting atop a horse next to him on a hill that overlooked a magnificent valley.

He was looking at you, you could feel it, and you liked how when you turned to meet his eyes he didn't look away. There was that jaunty half smile again. It would have weakened your knees if you'd been standing.

"Where're we goin' sunshine?" Billy asked, and his horse tossed its head as if wondering the same thing. Something about him letting you take the lead had you sighing internally in a longing way.

You looked out over the line of trees, studying it. Turning back to him and nodding your head in that direction, you said, "I haven't explored that area yet? Should we...?"

He gave an enthusiastic nod. "Lead the way."

Your heart did cartwheels as the two of you rode off side by side. It was invigorating to be out doing your favorite thing with someone like Billy. Someone who seemed to love it as much as you did.

When your horses breached the beginning of the trees both of you slowed down, just riding contently next to each other. You looked over and caught the sight of his thighs, appearing as firm and thick as you knew them to be. Now you were remembering how it felt to have one pressed up against you-

"See somethin' ya like?"

You met his eyes again. He was grinning cheekily. Focusing back on the path in front of you, you said, "I'm not allowed to look at you?"

"Just the opposite," he chuckled. "You can look at me 's much as ya want. I'll encourage it."

His words left you smiling. "I suppose I should tell you you're allowed to look at me too."

"Only if ya want me to, sweet thing," Billy lifted the brim of his hat so he could see you better.

You giggled, looking away as you blushed. "Have you ever been down here before?"

"It's as new to me as it is you," he said, looking out ahead and squinting. "There's somethin' over there."

Billy tugged on the reins to move his horse faster and you copied him. As you got closer to the spot, you could see what he was looking at. A small, weathered cabin smack in the middle of a clearing.

You laughed in delight, the surprise warming your heart. "How lovely."

"'S a miracle it's held up I reckon." Billy climbed off his horse, tying it to a tree branch. He politely held out a hand so you could get off too, and you accepted, gracefully stepping down. His other hand found your hip to steady you, and even the slight touch sent excited shivers through your body.

He checked to make sure nobody was inside, and that was the first time you ever saw him hold his gun. The sight probably should have scared you, but the protective nature of it all had you nearly swooning.

Once it was clear, you stepped inside. It was a dusty, one room setup, but you found it charming. There was a fireplace to the side, and cabinets lining one of the far walls.

"It feels like a storybook," you turned to look at Billy, who seemed pleased with your excitement.

"It's somethin' to be sure," he looked up at the roof. "Reminds me of a place my family stayed at when I was a kid. We were trekkin' 'cross the country to the West and we ended up in a cabin just like this to start, four of us in one room."

"You must've been brave," you looked at him as he talked about his past. "How old were you?"

"Young," he nodded, his blue eyes meeting yours. "Was a hard journey. But we made it."

"Does your family live here?" you questioned curiously.

"They're all gone now," Billy's smile dimmed just a bit. "Got sick in a couple different ways."

Feeling a twinge of sympathy, you stepped closer to him. Your hand found his, cautiously clasping them together. It surprised you when his fingers curled around yours, squeezing back. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Billy lifted your hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "Thank you, sunshine."

He rubbed his thumb over your knuckle, and then sat down on the dusty floor, pulling you down with him. "C'mere." He patted his thighs.

Smiling, you straddled his legs, facing him as he leaned against the wall. His big hands held your waist as his eyes fell on you, not sexual at all in nature. Just looking.

"Tell me more about your family." You smiled, settling in his lap. "How did they treat you?"

"My mama was the sweetest person ever to walk the earth," he reminisced, the thought turning his lips up again. Then he reached out and poked your cheek. "Other than you 'f course."

"Oh please," you looked down, half laughing.

"I mean it, sunshine," he squeezed your waist. "You're all sugar and no spice. Well-" he thought for a moment. "Maybe a little cinnamon."

That made you giggle, which made him smile lazily. "'nough 'bout my family though. Tell me 'bout yours. How do they treat you?" Billy repeated your words, but the question unintentionally held more weight than it had when you'd asked it.

You bit the inside of your cheek for a moment, your eyes finding his again afterward. "They...they treat me as well as they are able."

"Oh?" his brow quirked slightly. "How so?"

"It's not easy for them," you decided on saying. "I don't make things easy for them."

Billy searched your eyes, and you avoided his look, certain those piercing blues could see straight into your soul and cause all your secrets to rip from your throat. He didn't say anything until you were looking at him again.

"You're a sweetheart if I ever saw one," he said quietly. "Anyone who doesn't think so needs to open their eyes."

The way he said it was so smooth and gentle that you couldn't help but believe him. Billy's eyes lit up when your smile reappeared. It was so intimate, the way your happiness satisfied him.

As you looked into his eyes you thought, with that familiar stab of guilt, of your fiancé. But it wasn't over hurting Henry. It was over Billy.

He was a good man who was obviously starting to care about you. And you cared about him. He didn't deserve to be a pawn in the game you were playing to try and reach freedom. You decided to tell him. Tell him that you were engaged, and you were sorry and let him leave you to find some other lucky girl.

You opened your mouth to do so, but before you could speak, he said, "I know why ya left in such a rush the other morning."

A jolt of surprise made you pause. Had he heard from someone else? "You do?"

He nodded grimly. "It's your family, ain't it? Ya don't think they'll approve of me?"

You were frozen. That wasn't entirely untrue. Your father would never approve of you being with someone like Billy. If his horizons of marital prospects for his daughter hadn't only been comprised of the so-called gentleman of Atlanta society, you likely would've married long ago.

Billy noted your silence and nodded, picking up your hands and holding them between your chests. He held your gaze. "Look pretty, I...I had a real nice night with ya. It was special." You could have melted into a puddle at the way he said it.

He squeezed one hand, bringing it to his heart. "I meant what I said that morning. I don't just do that with any gal. I..." his chin bobbed as his stare became more intense. "I like you. And I wanna keep seein' ya. If who your family is means we gotta keep it quiet for a while that's alright."

You were floored. So he didn't know about Henry. Pushing that aside, you focused on what he'd said. He wanted to be with you.

Still feeling guilty, you squeezed his hand back. "Billy, that's not fair to you. I don't...you shouldn't have to get tangled up in this." You meant it in both the way he thought you meant and the way you really did.

His eyes were soft, and he left your hand on his heart in favor of stroking your cheek. "It ain't your fault they are the way they are. I know how some folk 'r set in their ways." Billy held your cheek so warmly that you leaned into it, seeing a flicker of light in his eyes when you did.

Leaning closer so you could see he was serious, he said, "I mean it. I like you. More 'n like you. And I wanna keep seeing ya. no matter the circumstances."

Billy was so earnest and honest and true that you felt like a monster. But the way he held you, the way he looked at you...you'd be a fool to resist.

So, you stayed wise.

"I want to keep seeing you too," you whispered, your lips parting in a little smile.

His face split into a grin and he closed the gap between your lips, kissing you for the first time since the other morning. This kiss wasn't like the passionate ones you'd shared before. It was so soft and sweet that you nearly ached.

Your hand fell from his heart, and he picked it up again, the long sleeve of your dress falling down slightly. The bruises.

Billy noticed. Of course he noticed. You braced yourself for what he'd say.

But not a word fell from his lips. He just studied your wrist for a second, then lifted it to his lips as if to kiss away the pain. Butterflies.

You knew it as soon as his lips touched your skin.

Oh.

I'm falling in love.

In the weeks that followed, you discovered there were a multitude of different ways to sneak out of your house.

Paranoid about someone catching you, you tried to rotate so it wouldn't be suspicious. But it turned out that your parents, caught up in their own affairs, hardly noticed what you were doing as long as you were home at the time they'd told you to be.

And so you were free.

Months of being trapped and miserable melted away the more time you spent with him. Billy was a door that opened to reveal everything that was wonderful.

The two of you explored every nook of the surrounding land on your horses. He showed you his favorite places and you showed him yours, surprised and delighted that a few of them overlapped.

Whenever he spread out a blanket you knew you were going to be kissing him a lot, often leading to more. He'd bring you to some river or wildflower field and pull you down between his arms, his lips devouring you until you were senseless. Oh, his kisses. They were the nectar that kept you breathing.

He showed you other ways of being intimate. You'd been surprised and confused the first time he'd pushed your skirt up and dipped his head between your legs. But Billy had walked you through it, keeping one arm wrapped around your thigh and the other propped up on its elbow so you could hold his hand.

It was a renaissance. Your pleasure, your freedom, your love. After so many years being drained by Atlanta society you hadn't been sure any of those were possible, especially the last. Billy was showing you they were, especially the last.

Billy listened to you. He cared about you. He was steady and smooth and easy in all the best ways. He kept a hand on you when he could, but it was never in a possessive way, more of an I'm here way. He was receptive to what you wanted, perceptive to your moods. Not that there was a variety; it was hard for you to be anything but happy around him

He made you laugh, filled you with a kind of giddy joy that had you giggling even when there was nobody around except the memory of him. Billy's entire being filled you with the kind of joy one could only dream up. It did not take you long to realize you loved him.

Just being with him was bliss. You felt like you could tell him anything in the world. Well, almost anything.

Your fiancé hung over the two of you like dead weight threatening to drop at any moment. Desperately, you wanted to tell Billy about it, especially after rougher days when Henry called on you and you needed comfort. What held you back was the thought of Billy feeling sorry for you, but also the fact that it was more likely now that he'd leave you once he knew. And you couldn't bear for this to end sooner than it had to.

So you guiltily stayed silent.

Even though you didn't tell Billy anything about what was going on, he was so perceptive that it likely wasn't hard to notice not everything was right with you.

There was one time when he had you lying on your back under the shade of a tree, kissing you feverishly with one leg keeping both of yours open.

His fingers glided up your waist, and you sighed at the feeling. One of your hands was tangled in his hair, with the other flung above your head.

You didn't even notice his hand had been going there, but when you felt it on your breast you sat up, panicked. That day in the drawing room.

Billy, understandably, was perplexed, but in a worried way. "You okay, sunshine?"

Gathering your bearings and reminding yourself that it was just him, you nodded, your breathing evening out again. "I'm sorry. I just..." you trailed off, looking up into his eyes. They were nearly cerulean as they stayed fixed on you, checking to see if you were well.

"Nothing to be sorry for," Billy assured you, slowly reaching out to hold the side of your face. He leaned in, kissing the corner of your mouth, almost like a question.

You turned your head to kiss him fully, your hand going to hold his other one. He responded slowly, easing you into the kiss. In a split-second decision, you lifted his hand and pressed it back against your breast, letting his fingers splay out over it.

He pecked your lips once. "Ya sure?" Another tiny kiss, his nose nudging yours. "You okay?" Billy experimentally cupped your breast, making sure you weren't flinching or wincing before his lips dove onto yours again.

Nodding, you pulled him close, and he slowly lowered you back atop the jacket of his he'd spread out for you to lay on.

The other episode was slightly scarier.

You'd been out for hours with him, on horseback for most of it, but he'd suggested you find a place to watch the sunset. Agreeing eagerly, you followed him to a pretty hilltop that he said had the best view.

The sky had been painted glorious streaks of orange and blue and purple and pink, reflecting on the few clouds left in the sky. It was romantic and peaceful watching the sun sink into the earth while you were snuggled under his arm.

When the stars started to poke their heads into the darkened sky Billy began pointing out constellations. Fascinated by what he knew, you listened, your eyes growing heavy as the lull of his voice relaxed your mind. One minute you were nodding along as he told you the story of Cassiopeia, and the next you were dreaming.

When you awoke, you didn't know where you were, only that you were cozy and warm and lying on top of something equally cozy and warm.

Cracking your eyes open, you saw that you were lying on your tummy on Billy's chest, your legs between his. He'd spread his jacket atop you sometime during the night to serve as a blanket. Given the fact that you were usually a light sleeper, you were surprised he'd managed to maneuver you into this position without you knowing. Smiling, you realized that likely spoke to how safe you felt around him.

Settling back into his arms, you closed your eyes for one second before remembering. Your curfew.

As if by another force, your body shot up, and you tried to stand but tripped over Billy's legs, waking him up too. He sat upright and rubbed his eyes. "Mornin', sunshine."

"What time is it?" you asked hurriedly, looking at the horizon. The sun hadn't risen yet, thank goodness.

Billy pulled you back toward him, so you were sitting against his side, and reached into the pocket of his jacket that was still around your shoulders. With one arm wrapped around you and resting on your thigh, he pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open, squinting at the numbers. "Almost five, baby. Why?"

Your eyes were like saucers. "I should have been home hours ago." As it sunk in, your heart pounded, and you felt like you were going to cry.

"It's okay," Billy put a hand on your back, rubbing it lightly. "'S real early darlin'. Doubt anyone's awake."

Still, you shook your head, knowing your family would have noticed you didn't come home in time. Your breaths became rapid, and you felt tears spring to your eyes. When you looked down at your hands they were shaking. If your parents knew, then Henry was bound to find out and-

"Hey, hey," Billy frowned, following your eyes to your hands. He reached over and clasped one, the warmth lessening your shaking. "We'll getcha home, sweetheart. It's okay, no need to fret."

He stood, gripping your hand to help you get to your feet as well. You handed him back his jacket, and he pulled it on. Billy's hands came to bracket your face, and he kissed your forehead, then your nose and both your cheeks. You recognized the soothing motion by the time he captured your lips in a calming kiss.

"You're gonna be okay," he promised, and you nodded. It was easy to believe him. Billy pulled you into his arms for just a moment, kissing your hair. "We had a really good night, yeah?"

As you thought about it you smiled a little, and he pulled back to look. "There she is." Billy guided you over to where your horses were tied, unknotting the reins and offering a hand to help you get on. He gave the reins to you, giving your fingers a final squeeze. "I'll see you later, yeah?"

"I'll see you later," you confirmed, giving him a real smile before you rode off.

It turned out you needn't have been so worried. Both your parents had been at a party until late and had assumed you were in bed when you got home. At least, that was what a member of the staff had told you. Still, from then on you were more careful about what time you got home.

Henry was becoming increasingly impatient with you, complaining that you didn't spend enough time with him. There were a few more parties he tried to drag you to, but you made excuse after excuse, doing your absolute best to keep your distance. Though you couldn't hold him off forever.

There was to be a dinner. And not just with your family, although it was being hosted at their house. There were two more guests invited; a man your father and Henry were working closely with and one of his associates. You didn't pay much attention to who they were, truthfully. All you heard was that there was going to be another night of sitting still all trussed up like a doll, and with the same purpose too. Smile and look pretty. Mere ornamentation for your husband-to-be.

You spent the day with Billy beforehand, trying to get as much happy in your head as possible. He obviously could tell something was irking at you, but didn't push you, just held you extra tight. You could have cried over the sweetness of his gesture, or lack of it.

Now, laced into an itchy dress with your hair pulled up, you did your best to be positive. Since it was unlikely you'd be talking for most of the night you dwelt on a bank of memories from the last few weeks, all involving Billy, as you descended the stairs.

Henry kissed your cheek and told you that you looked beautiful. You accepted the compliment; grateful it was that.

Pulling you aside, your mother made like she was straightening your dress before you went into the front room to greet the guests with her. "Remember... best behavior. It's your job to keep Mr. Merritt happy."

She meant well, but the words still stung. Your mother had a habit of giving advice she found helpful but ended up leaving you down. It wasn't her fault, you knew. She'd been raised in the same sort of mouse trap you had, but she never knew it.

Entering the room, you went to Henry when he held out a hand, standing at his side like you were supposed to.

"This is my fiancée," he introduced you to an older man with a mustache called Eaton, who eyed you appreciatively. You gave him a shy smile, trying to subtly cover your cleavage. Yet another thing you disliked about this dress.

"The pleasure is mine." Mr. Eaton lifted your hand to kiss it.

Entirely, you thought, but you smiled.

"And this," Henry turned you to the other man and you nearly gasped. "Is Mr. William H. Bonney."

"Billy." Your response was automatic, and you panicked, looking back at Henry.

He didn't suspect anything. "Ah, you've heard of him my dear? Folks call him 'the Kid'."

Billy was dressed in more formal wear than you were used to, but he still looked like him. That was more than you could say for yourself. He'd removed his hat, so you could fully see the look of shock in his eyes.

Henry was oblivious. "Mr. Bonney, allow me to introduce my bride-to-be." He beamed at you. "Isn't she a sight for sore eyes?"

"Beautiful," Billy agreed, his gaze not leaving you. It wasn't like you could tear your eyes away from him either. Now he knows. The betrayal he must be feeling...you felt awful for it.

Billy lifted your hand just as Mr. Eaton had done, pressing his lips briefly to it. "Ma'am." You were reminded of the night you'd met, and it made you feel even worse. For a moment you wondered if Billy would say something to Henry, but that thought was dismissed as soon as it arrived. Billy was a gentleman-more so than those who wore suits and mingled in high society. He wouldn't even think of it.

During dinner you could hardly eat a bite, so riddled with guilt and apprehension. What would he say to you once he got you alone? Would he be angry? Sad? Glad to have a reason to be rid of you?

He got up to find the washroom, and after a few minutes, you stood up too. Hardly anybody noticed, and Henry just waved a hand when you whispered your excuse to him.

You caught Billy just as he was exiting to come back to dinner, pulling him into a nearby room. With wide eyes, he whispered, knowing they'd be able to hear if you were too loud. "You're engaged?"

"Yes," you managed, looking up into his eyes. "I am. I'm sorry, I should have told you-"

"I've gotten in the way of another man," Billy's hands found your shoulders, the roughness of his hands not relieving like they usually were. "Pretty...that ain't right. You shoulda said somethin'."

"I'm so sorry," you breathed, feeling like you were going to cry. "I just...being with you felt so good. I didn't want it to end." It sounded selfish, you knew it, and you saw how it manifested on Billy's face.

He pursed his lips, looking away. "I'm sorry too." You stared at the ground as his boots clomped away, trying desperately not to cry. The whole situation had gotten out of hand, and now you'd lost the one bright spot in your life.

Somehow you managed to compose yourself enough to go back in and sit down, not remembering to smile until your mother whispered a harsh reminder.

Henry put his arm around your shoulders, pressing a sloppy kiss to your cheek, and it took all you had not to grimace. Stiffly, you let him touch you, his hand wandering down to your hip, to your bottom. He squeezed and you gasped, causing him to laugh.

He was humiliating you. In front of a stranger, in front of your parents, in front of... you could feel Billy watching you, but you didn't look at him.

Unfortunately Henry's hands did not stop there, and they slid up close to your breast-

That living room kiss, the way he'd told you there were no other options.

You stood suddenly, causing everyone to stare, but effectively removing his hand from where you didn't want it. Your chest was heaving with the sudden recollection, as well as everyone's eyes on you. It had been a knee-jerk reaction, and you hadn't thought about the consequences because there was no time to think.

"Pardon me," you said, your voice breathy. "I just..." as your eyes wandered you caught sight of your mother glaring at you. Your father wore a similar expression. You thought of all they'd done for you, how much they wanted this to work.

Sinking back into your chair, you softly said, "Headache."

Mr. Eaton gave you an odd look, but nothing was said. You still couldn't bring yourself to look at Billy.

The night concluded shortly thereafter. You pulled yourself together and said goodbye to Mr. Eaton, hardly noticing his wandering eyes this time. Then you moved to Billy, and the tears you'd held back so well for the whole night threatened to make an appearance again when you saw the way he was looking at you.

His blue eyes didn't hold anger like you thought they would. You only could make out a protective edge, and care, concern.

Leaning in, he kissed your hand once more. You politely bid him farewell, and he nodded, his expression unchanging.

After the door shut, Henry took your arm before you could flee, and your mother wandered into the other room. Your father had long since disappeared, leaving you defenseless. At least with a crowd your fiancé couldn't do too much damage.

"You're lucky you remembered your manners." Henry's grip on your arm was already too tight.

"I had a headache, I'm sorry," you said quietly, not feeling like fighting back. "It will not happen again."

"I wish I could believe it." When you looked up at him, his expression was dangerous. Henry leaned in, a piece of hair falling into his eyes. It only served to make him look madder. In both mind and demeanor. He laughed when he saw how afraid you looked. "Look at you. One word and you're shaking."

Clenching your jaw, you lifted your chin. Now that things were over with Billy, you were forced to accept that this would be your life. Catering to the whims of a man who did not love you the way anyone wanted to be loved. There was nobody to rescue you. "You touched me like that in front of strangers. In front of my parents." Although your voice was soft, your words were clear, and you were proud of yourself. "We're not even married yet-"

In a single motion, Henry pushed you, sending you smashing against the wall and crumpling to the floor. You let out a cry, but of course nobody came to your aid. And you were reminded painfully again of how alone you were.

You couldn't help it. The tears escaped your eyes. Your head was bowed, a strand of hair escaping your updo and falling into your line of vision. Your whole body ached, not just from his shove, but from all the emotion coursing through your veins. It had been inside for so long.

His shoes appeared before you, and a finger tilted your chin up. You knew you looked pathetic, and you knew he thought so too.

"The law may not dictate it," he said in a sharp whisper, his eyes nuclear. "But you are my wife in practice until the wedding. That means you respect and obey. Is that clear?"

"Yes." You met his eyes because you knew he wanted you to.

He released your chin, and your head bowed again, staring at the two little dark marks on your skirt from your teardrops. The sound of his shoes nearly made you flinch as he walked away. You didn't look up until you heard the front door open and shut.

Burying your face in your hands, you resisted a scream. Your nails dug into the skin around your eyes. You wanted to claw them out. But then you wouldn't be able to see him coming.

You didn't even want to see the marks that were surely forming from this incident. But you knew your knees would be bruised from falling, and probably your back and forearms from hitting the wall. At least you wouldn't have to cover them up for Billy.

Billy.

The thought sending you over the edge, you drew your knees to your chest, sunk your face into them and cried.

In the morning, you got up and saddled your horse out of instinct, only hesitating slightly when you remembered Billy wouldn't be joining you. Still, you pressed forward, figuring the ride would clear your head even if you didn't get to see him. You knew you would probably never see him again for anything like this.

As you readied your horse, however, you heard the unmistakable sound of hooves in the distance. Looking up, you immediately recognized that silhouette.

Billy stopped a little distance away, and he lifted his hand in a wave, motioning for you to come over.

You didn't want to, sure that this would only lead to more guilt now that the two of you weren't being watched. But it was Billy. And you wanted a chance to explain. So, you left your horse in the stables and ran over, holding the skirts of your simple dress out of your way. At least now you felt back to normal, in your clothing of choice with your hair loose.

He didn't dismount when you came up to him, much to your surprise. Instead, he held out a hand. "C'mon sunshine. Wanna show ya somethin'."

"Should I get my horse?" you asked, looking back at the stables.

"No need, I'll have ya back in no time," he flexed the fingers of his hand. "Hop on up."

You mounted, sitting in front of him with your back snug against his warm chest. The morning air was slightly chilly, so it was welcome.

Billy got the horse moving, keeping one arm secured around you as he guided it wherever he was taking you. The trees surrounding were familiar, but it felt too good to be back up close to him to really pay attention. Only when he stopped the horse at a recognizable little cabin smack in the middle of a clearing did you realize.

Trying to look around at him, you said, "Billy-?"

He dismounted and set his hands on your waist, lifting you off the horse and setting you on your feet. Then without a word he took your hand and led you up the porch steps holding the door open so you could go inside. He followed in behind you.

It was clear someone had spent time here, done some work to clean it up. The floor was no longer dusty, and the cobwebs in the corners had vanished. You saw a stove against the wall and a few blankets folded on the opposite side. Turning to Billy, you looked at him in astonishment.

He settled against the wall by the blankets and spread his legs out in front of him, patting his thigh. "C'mere, angel."

Was this a trap? A build up to horrible news? You paused before you moved toward him, your mind weighed with those very thoughts. But he didn't look upset, so you went to him, sitting on his legs. He adjusted you, pulling one knee so it was on his other side, effectively making you straddle him.

Putting his hands on your waist, he rubbed his fingers up and down. "Relax. Everything's okay." At his words you visibly calmed down. When he deemed it the right time, he picked up your hands, holding them between you and reminding you of the first time you came here.

"Look at me, yeah?" he only continued when your eyes lifted to his. "Last night was surprising. Ya realize that, right?"

You nodded, immediately going into apology mode. "I'm so sorry Billy. I thought about telling you so many times, but I didn't know how and-"

"It's okay," he soothed, squeezing your hand. "I understand." Then, his face fell slightly, and he lowered your hands to rest on your thighs. "Do ya love him?"

"No." The answer was immediate. You didn't even think about it. "I've never loved him. Not even for a second."

Billy looked relieved, but then he frowned, his hands going back to your waist with the same slow motions. Up and down. It was like he was trying to keep you calm. "Why're ya marryin' him then, sweetheart?"

Taking a deep breath in, you told him the story of what had happened in your family's drawing room in Atlanta. He listened intently with a serious expression on his face, and when you were done, he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, his hand lingering on your cheek. You could see him putting the pieces together, practically hear him remembering the day he'd touched you in the same place and you'd recoiled. "I'm so sorry that happened to ya, honey."

"I've learned to live with it." You leaned into his hand, nuzzling your cheek slightly against it. Even after everything you were still touch-starved, still hanging onto every second your skin was against his. "I didn't have a choice."

He seemed to understand through the way he thumbed up and down your cheek, and the way he looked at you. Then, nodding a little, he raised his other hand to hold the opposite cheek. "I love you."

The words caused an explosion of warmth in your chest. You searched his eyes, not really needing to make sure he was serious, but doing it out of habit. Lifting your hand to his, you whispered, "I love you too."

Billy leaned forward and kissed you, soft and gentle and sweet. He leaned his forehead against yours when your lips parted and used both his hands to smooth your hair behind your shoulders. A little smile came to his face.

"I didn't know if it was the right time to say before. But last night when I saw ya with him...saw the way he treated you..." Billy's eyes darkened. Then he stroked your cheek again. "Those bruises from the first time we came here-" his other hand came to that wrist, and he looked at it as if expecting to find them still there. "Did he do that to you?"

You nodded and his jaw clenched. "Did he do anything last night?"

Another nod. Billy exhaled softly. "Where?"

Not wanting to hide anything from him ever again, you pulled your long sleeves up so he could see the darkening bruises on your forearms. He touched them gingerly. "This the only place?"

Taking his hand in yours, you guided it to your back, sliding it up and down the affected area once. Billy looked horrified. "That whole spot?"

It seemed all you could do right now was nod. At that, he gently wrapped his arms around you, hugging you close to him, but not too tight, likely for fear of disturbing your injuries. He kissed your cheek, then your shoulder, one of his hands holding the back of your head to him. "Oh, baby."

He just held you to him for a long while, and you felt a huge weight lift off your shoulders. You weren't the only one who knew. You weren't the only one who cared. Whatever love you'd had before expanded until you didn't think it could fill your body anymore.

Billy kept his arms loosely wound around your waist as he looked at you, nodding his head at the space the two of you were in. "Ya see this? 'S all for us, angel. I came in and fixed it up so we could have a place...away from everythin'...and everyone."

You threw your arms around him, hugging him tightly and he chuckled a little but returned it. Even though he had laughed at you it didn't feel like it did when Henry did. With Billy, you knew it was pure delight.

Pulling back from him, you realized something, and your face fell again. "But Billy...I only have ten months until I have to marry him."

He looked at you determinedly. "That means we have ten months to figure how we're gonna getcha outta there."

Previous Part|Next Part

#billy the kid #billy the kid x reader #billy the kid fanfiction #billy the kid x you #william h bonney x reader #william h bonney fanfiction #billy the kid imagines #billy the kid imagine #billy bonney #billy the kid 2022 #william h bonney x you #william h bonney imagines #william h bonney #milliesfishes billy #Spotify

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caw4brandon · 6 months ago

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We Like, Are Totally Spies

When we think about shows that will appeal to boys. Action is the easiest to relate. Something like; Ben 10, American Dragon Jake Long, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Justice League will be on the list. It has drama, it has fights and it's cool!

However, there has been a movement in that era where specific cartoon shows aim to get girls into action. Kim Possible, Juniper Lee, My Life as a Teenage Robot, and The Winx Club are perfect examples of such shows.

There is an odd case for more girl-centric shows. Something about the need to balance femininity with action. The show needs to feel like an action that happens to have the main characters be girls. This is where today's topic comes in. We're talking about how;

- How's the Mission, Spies? -

< Totally Spies > by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel follows three teens; Sam, Clover and Alex from Beverly Hills living a secret life being Super Spies for WOOHP (World Organization Of Human Protection) under their boss; Jerry Lewis.

Their missions involve travelling the world. Fighting mad scientists and twisted outcasts who seek to dominate the world with style and gadgets that conceal themselves as fashionable equipment.

The trio plays specific archetypes. Sam (green) is the brains, Clover (red) is the fashionista/ boy obsessive and Alex (yellow) is the athlete and occasional nerd. Despite their differences, they share several common interests such as their love for shopping and spy skills of agility, hand-to-hand combat and espionage.

Across six seasons, the girls matured from high school to university students. Confronting the daily struggles of homework, social lives and their petty arch-enemy, Mandy.

As a vibe, < Totally Spies > fully leans into the Beverly Hills lifestyle of fabulous fashion and some familiar pop culture names of that era. The show has a mix of the James Bond type of super spy world filled with dull henchmen, high-tech machines and some tacky villains.

- Time to go to Plan B! -

The episodes are condensed into their own episode. Although there have been some arcs that follow specific villains who have a bit of history with the main characters.

Tim Scam is a former agent who went rogue against WOOHP and Terrence Lewis; twin brother to Jerry and a sore thumb to WOOHP. There also reoccurring allies as well. Brittney (cyan) who joined the team as a trainee, Dean from the three-part series < Evil Promotion Much? > and Blaine a freelance agent who dated Clover.

The conflicts, if we can even call them conflicts at all have aged rather strangely. Some of the villains commit petty crimes like kidnapping celebrities due to jealousy or act extreme. Like being anti-consumerist with the solution of destroying malls.

Yet, some are still relatable to this day such as a kid villain who is mad at his father for being busy as a commentary on how parental neglect can cause warped ideas in a child. Whatever, it's a pre-teen show. Let's not look into it too deeply.

The world of Totally Spies is also interconnected with several other shows; [The Amazing Spiez] and [Martin Mystery].

< Martin Mystery > follows Martin, a paranormal investigator for the Center with Martin's step-sister, Diana Lombard and Java the Caveman. Fighting monsters, urban legends and aliens.

According to a special crossover episode. Martin's boss; M.O.M (Mystery Organization Manager) and Jerry know each other. Likewise, in Amazing Spiez; Jerry is also the boss of the Clark siblings. Lee, Marc, Megan and Tony. Sadly, these shows were short-lived and cancelled.

It does raise an interesting point. Why is Totally Spies more popular? As a guess, I think it's because the chemistry between the characters is a lot more interesting and fun.

The three girls are best of friends and while they sometimes bicker over boys, responsibilities and opinions. They will always put their friendship and mission first above all else. It feels more real, in a superficial way.

That an actual girl would have a girlfriend group this tight-knit and if they ever become a part of something bigger than them. They would do it together.

- Here We Go Again! -

Tacky villains, cute super spy girlfriends and awesome gadgets aside. The show has a few good jokes here and there. Its art style borrows a lot from Anime and its colors are groovy to the eyes.

For a show that was meant to attract girls into action. The show has also garnered a large following from boys as well. I think another secret to the success of < Totally Spies > can also be because of its approach to the subject. Like I said in my introduction.

There is an odd case for more girl-centric shows. Something about the need to balance femininity with action. The show needs to feel like an action that happens to have the main characters be girls.

This show is a girl's show. The girls are unapologetic being girly. Doing girl things like shopping, manicure, dating and going on dream vacations but with their secret life as spies. The show balances it out with good action and is still using that girly theme to add to its gadgets.

Heck, some of the gadgets are stuff that I would personally want to have. The Jet Pack backpack, The Wind Tunnel 3000 Tornado Blast Hair Dryer, Lazer lipstick and the Compowder are on my list. Especially with its costume change function.

It's a show that embraces both ends of the spectrum and allows it to show its respective strengths rather than shy away from the themes. With the announcement that this show is going to have a season 7/ soft reboot. It does look promising with several concerns.

But I am hopeful that for a beloved show such as this. The girls will have a proper return and inspire a new generation of girls (and boys) to be < Totally Spies >

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kairaloi · 3 months ago

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Thrown off balance, he stumbled forward. Part of him was aware that he was heading for the ground, but his attention was entirely on the lush landscape that spread out before him. He crashed to the pavers, scraping his hands and knees.

Gaping in awe, he stared in wonder as a breeze carrying unfamiliar scents rolled across the lawn and pulled his hair.

Colors he’d never dreamed of painted the brightly lit landscape before him. It was like the books he'd read had become a reality. A hundred meters away, pink-budded trees topped a green-carpeted hill. To his left, a bed of multicolored flowers pointed their faces toward the heavens. Straight ahead, a bed of large three-leaved clovers with white flowers bobbed in a recessed bed. The sky above shone pale blue, and strange tiny creatures flew by, chirping as they chased each other.

"This isn't real," he whispered, tears stinging his eyes.

The pain in his knees and scraped palms wasn’t enough to convince him he wasn't hallucinating. If he could just touch this greenery, he could die happy in the next moment.

Read the rest on Tapas!

#soulless prince #action adventure #fantasy world #oc #original story #isekai #reincarnation #writing #writeblr #writers on tumblr #books #books and reading #terry pratchett #svsss

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ao3feed-blakeyang · 1 month ago

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Pirates of the Menagerie: The Curse of the Black Pearl

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/VsZHg1U by 09jl00 It should have been a normal, peaceful day at Beacon. After all, the Breach had been stopped and Torchwick was now behind bars. But life does have a way of throwing curveballs. Team RWBY, alongside Team JNPR and several other individuals, have been transported to a strange theatre to observe another world in the style of a trilogy of movies that may have them learn more about themselves. The first movie will make them realise that the world is much larger than they could ever have known. Words: 868, Chapters: 1/17, Language: English Series: Part 1 of Pirates of the Menagerie Fandoms: RWBY, Pirates of the Caribbean (Movies) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Categories: F/F, F/M Characters: Ruby Rose (RWBY), Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, Qrow Branwen, Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarlatina, Yatsuhashi Daichi, Sun Wukong (RWBY), Scarlet David, Sage Ayana, Neptune Vasilias, Ilia Amitola, Adam Taurus, Oscar Pine, Clover Ebi, Harriet Bree, Marrow Amin, Elm Ederne, Vine Zeki, Willow Schnee, Winter Schnee (RWBY), Whitley Schnee, Jacques Schnee, Klein Sieben, Penny Polendina, Pietro Polendina, Robyn Hill, Ghira Belladonna, Kali Belladonna, Sienna Khan, Taiyang Xiao Long, Raven Branwen, Saphron Cotta-Arc, Terra Cotta-Arc, Adrian Cotta-Arc, Roman Torchwick, Cinder Fall, Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black, Neopolitan (RWBY), Salem (RWBY), Hazel Rainart, Arthur Watts, Tyrian Callows, Maria Calavera Relationships: Ruby Rose/Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna/Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc/Pyrrha Nikos, Lie Ren/Nora Valkyrie, Raven Branwen/Taiyang Xiao Long, Summer Rose/Taiyang Xiao Long, Qrow Branwen & Raven Branwen, Raven Branwen & Yang Xiao Long, Weiss Schnee & Winter Schnee, Weiss Schnee & Willow Schnee, Ozpin/Salem (RWBY), Weiss Schnee/Clover Ebi (one-sided) Additional Tags: Multiverse, Reaction, Post-Volume 2 (RWBY), Alternate Universe - Pirate, Angst with a Happy Ending read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/VsZHg1U

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #bumbleby #blake/yang #blake belladonna #yang xiao long #rwby #rwby fic #bumbleby fic

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because-she-goes · 1 year ago

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cinnamon

warnings: bit of matty headrot, some enemies to lovers, old lady thinking they’re a couple trope, swearing, some pretentious music references. Enjoy!

With a click and a woosh, the document Rooney has spent the past month or so working on was sent to the editing team. For the past month, Rooney has spent every day thinking and writing solely about Matty. Glad to finally have every last one of her thoughts about him out of her brain and sent off for someone else to deal with, she decided to take Arlo for a walk before heading home to Bowness-On-Windemere. where she would begin the planning stages on her next piece for NME.

Grabbing her keys and Arlo’s leash and giving it a jangle, she awaits the puppy to come bounding to her. From the door, she sees her adorable companion come around the corner, and near her. Panting, barking, blissfully unaware of how Rooney has barely slept and is in desperate need for some fresh air and a fridge restock as she’s been living off of microwavable instant ramen the past week.

Clasping the leash on Arlo’s collar and stepping out into the world, she locks her door behind her and starts walking around Notting Hill. Passing the famous bookstore with teenage girls excitedly waiting to get inside the rather underwhelming building - she was once one of those girls. She too once thought it would be a wonderfully curated shop like in the movie only to find out that it truly only sold bestsellers and what she had seen on the glossy pages of magazines where publishers pay the company for the advertisement. Dreams of her local bookstore back home came to mind, bookshelves filled with Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Louisa May Alcott - real literature she thinks, the type that got her to want to be a writer in the first place. She soon became overwhelmed with how much she loved her life now and how amazed she was by it. If young Rooney could see herself now and how different her life was…

Smack, splat. Onto the ass of her jeans she falls - Arlo’s leash coming out of her manicured hand. Arlo jumps onto her hind legs and as luck would have it, a mop of curls come into her periphery. For fucks sake. He sticks a hand out to help her and she bats it away.

“Yikes, clover! Geez it’s just me, no need to get your panties in a bunch.”

“I’m fine and for the record, my panties are none of your business Healy.”

“We’ll see about that…anyways, who is this adorable creature?” Matty bends down to grab the leash and pat Arlo’s side softly.

“Arlo… after Guthrie.” That just about knocks Matty on his ass, who else would know about american folk singers - let alone enough and have enough passion about them to name their fucking dog after them. Matty’s own dog comes to mind and he really named Allen after the american poet Ginsberg. They were too alike, he thinks. He silently melts as he watches her fumble to her feet and bends to dust off her jeans, her crimson hair blowing in the London breeze. He looks away quickly when he spots a series of delicate ink lines dancing and swirling down her spine. It is like he is reading her teenage diary, something sacred and deeply personal, like another aspect of her life has been revealed to him. If only he could see the whole piece of artwork. if only he could see it fully, if only he could know Rooney fully. Truly know her, not just as a work acquaintance or friend. Matty immediately wants to know what side of the bed she sleeps on, what music she listens to while cooking, if she prefers scented or unscented laundry detergent. In an instant, he is even more enthralled by her. It is in that moment, while he takes her in and pets her dog that Matty Healy knows he is well and truly enraptured. He comes out of his spell when he feels Arlo brush against his knees a bit.

“May I join you and Arlo on your walk?” She looks into his eyes finally, they’re ocean deep and for the first time she feels like she can see Matthew. Not Matty Healy, the frontman or the guy trying to impress her in an interview, Matthew. The guy stood in front of her, petting her dog in his blue nike hoodie, sweatpants and sneakers. He looks like himself, not someone he is trying to be. She realizes she loves that about him. How comfortable he is in himself, how he can jus5 be Matty. She could only hope to have that level of confidence someday.

The rest of the walk is sublime, a picturesque day in her area of London. An ideal fall day, bright and sunny with still a nip in the air. They make their way to the Notting Hill Market. Matty still holding Arlo’s leash while Rooney scrolls on her phone to find some good walking music he may like. It is about a 15 minute journey to the market from where the two collided. Her iPhone begins to play No Matter What by Badfinger, one of her personal favorite bits of 70s music she would play while cooking. The harmonies, guitar riffs and percussion fill the air between them - Matty quietly whistling along to the tune. He always loved Badfinger and his dad would play it in their family car growing up - the fond memory of childhood planting a grin across his cheeks. Rooney continued selecting the music for their walk, not bothering with small talk since the two felt so comfortable in their quiet enjoyment of the afternoon together. Badfinger which turned into David Bowie then the Sex Pistols and The Clash finally finishing their walk with Supertramp.

Rooney made a note to herself to see if Matty liked her beloved Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Before she could ask, he had pulled her and Arlo towards a stall in the corner of the market.

“Hummingbird Bakery? I haven’t ever heard of this place, is it any good?” She quickly, albeit a bit nervously asks her companion.

“Best on Portabello Road, Sugar. Trust me.” He adds with a wink

“I never said I didnt, did I?” She adds with a smirk.

“Good. Hi Darling, A slice of the Halloween Batty Orange Chocolate Cheesecake and a pack of the assorted vegan cupcakes. Thank You!” Matty orders with a smile to the older woman working the stall.

“Here you go, dear and something for the adorable little munchkin down there. It’ll be 15 pounds.” The sweet woman informs, handing Rooney their treats as well as a pup cup for Arlo. Matty hands her some money and they thank her.

“Have a lovely rest of your outing , you two love birds!” She adds as they walk away.

“Oh we- we aren’t…. we’re not…” The pair stumble over each other frantically trying to correct her as Arlo eyed the pup cup ravenously hungry.

“Cute. Don’t worry, you’ll both realize it soon.” The woman winks and the two decide to just leave her be and enjoy the pastries at a bench nearby.

Matty takes a bite of the cheesecake and lets out what can only be described as a pornographic moan. He points at it, mouth full of sugar and hands it to Rooney. She mimics the action exaggeratedly throwing her head back.

“Fuckin hell, Healy! Who knew you had such good taste in sweets… and how did you know I loved chocolate oranges?” The redhead asks him once she’s passed the cheesecake slice back over and eaten her bite.

“You think my taste in sweets is good, you should see my dinner spots.”

“Not happening! Totally unprofessional, please I can’t be going on a date with the fuckin guy I’m writing an article about… are you mad?”

“Oh c’mon go on one date with me, Atkinson. I promise no funny business.” Matty says a silent prayer, he doesn’t miss the twinkle in her eyes when he says Atkinson. He takes another bite of the cake, humming in delight. He knows he is gonna win this. He passes her the pasty.

“Will it get you to leave me alone?” Please say no, please for the love of god let him say no. God, a date with him would rot her brain for good. God, why does this cheesecake have to be so good. She passes it back to him after her bite.

“Never. I'm addicted, sugar.” Another fucking wink, bite and pass. Jesus christ.

“Fine, Healy. Pick me up at 8pm, heres my London address.” She finishes the cheesecake, scrawls her address onto the wraper of the pastry and shoves it in his coat pocket roughly.

“Perfect. I’ll be counting the minutes.” He sings as she takes Arlo’s leash, her cupcakes and walks off. Fuckin hell, what has she gotten herself into.

#the 1975 #matty healy #drew’s writing :)#the lakes #matty x rooney #i love them sm #hope u guys like this :))#matty healy fanfic #matty healy x oc

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littlemisssquiggles · 10 months ago

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Do you think ozpin and qrow could some how be friends again/ qrow trust ozpin again

Hello there anon-chan! Thank you for the inbox!

In all honesty m’fam, this was a subject matter I was hoping the series would’ve covered after V6. After that season, I was hoping that part of Qrow’s development moving forward would’ve had him reconsidering his entire relationship with Ozpin; touching base on things such as how they first met and really giving the audience a further deep dive in their history together. This would then ultimately leed up to Qrow realizing that he was wrong for how he treated Oz after the reveal, learning to forgive him again and the two would essentially reboot their friendship with deeper feelings of trust and understanding.

Judging from the events of V6, a lot of Qrow’s feelings about himself were synonymous with his ties with Oz. There was no doubt that Oz was someone Qrow revered and thought of highly.

It’s as he told him back during that season. No one else in his life---not his clan, not even his own sister---ever believed in him due to his misfortune semblance. According to Qrow, he was cursed. But it was Oz who made him gain some confidence in his own self worth by making him believe in the good he could accomplish even with the type of semblance he had.

Words alone are not enough to surmise my disappointment in the fact that right after the writers teased the history and meaningful dynamic that Qrow and Oz shared together, they just dropped it after V6. Instead of making Qrow focus on his bond with Oz, they instead awkwardly did everything they could to have Qrow not discuss Oz.

Instead they had Qrow pining over his relationship with Clover for two seasons. Clover---a character he barely knew and just happened to develop a small kindred comradery for like a couple of months versus Ozpin who he has known FOR YEARS. Probably since he was even a student at Beacon and had remained loyal to well into middle age. Like seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I liked Clover as a character. However I honestly hated how he was the focus

Qrow wasn’t even allowed to focus on his friendship with Winter since even their rivalry dating back to the events of V3 was pushed aside in favour of Clover who only first appeared in V7.

Don’t get me wrong. I actually thought Clover was a decent character. However I really didn’t like how he suddenly became a person of massive importance to Qrow when the two barely knew each other.

If Clover shared the same past with Qrow or the two were actually good friends/rivals who knew each other dating way back to their academy days then I can get behind why Qrow cared that much about him after his death.

But no. There were other characters that Qrow shared deeper bonds than Clover, like Oz, and yet, all Qrow focused on between V7 to V8 was this one dude. I will never understand why the Writers chose this route to go for Qrow. It just felt so off and misplaced; at least to me.

Shout-out to my fellow Snowbird shippers since we too were robbed of any potential further development between Qrow and Winter since that it seems their dynamic was replaced in favour of one brewing with Robyn Hill.

So, in a nutshell anon-chan, I do think Qrow can trust Oz again and rekindle their friendship. However, it’s up to the CRWBY Writers to implement that into the story canon. Thus far, they haven’t done a good job on having Qrow focus on his ties to Oz. But who knows? Perhaps we’ll get something in that epilogue series that was recently announced by RT. RWBY Beyond.

Hopefully that series will drop some crumbs on the aftermath of Qrow and Oz’s relationship, finally giving closure to of us who were wondering about it.

LMS (2024)

#squiggles answers: rwby #qrow branwen #professor ozpin #qrow and ozpin #qrow and clover #qrow and winter #qrow and robyn

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vilandel · 9 months ago

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Black Clover Modern AU

Excerpts

Just two little wips I did, because I couldn't get them out of my mind. No matter if I do just a series of oneshots or a multi-chapter story as well, I'm sure that I will find a place for this parts 🥰

Wip Excerpt I He run, hoping to stop his mother to go after HIM. The marriage was broken, it was so clear after today's fight. But Nozel knew his mother hoped for a real happy family still. He couldn't blame her for that, but they could be a happy family without HIM.

Nozel was out of breath when he finally reached the road. Why was the villa of his family on a hill again? Who cared about that, he needed to catch his mother!

Acier was there, on the road. The green light just turned red.

Then, there was the car.

Then a panic.

His mother fell.

Then it was blurry. And Nozel screamed, but no one heard him. There was no sound coming out of his mouth...

Well, that escalated... I swear, Acier won't be dead in my Modern AU! But it is still a cruel alternative 😭

Wip Excerpt II Vanessa sighed dramatically as she fell back on her bed, holding her two current favorite books in front of her as if they were some most important evidence during a trial.

"I can't help it, Dotty! Jane Austen and N. A. Steel have put the level of being a wonderful man onto such a high level that I automatically have too much expectations for any potential boyfriend! But the only thing I get at best are jerks, not Darcys, colonel Brandons or Rosecliffs!"

Dorothy giggled, which could either mean that she was amused or kinda frustrated. "You do have a romantic soul, Nessa."

"Yeah, maybe that's the reason why I can't get a proper boyfriend. But I don't want to date a macho anymore! Why are gentlemen so out of fashion today? Maybe I was born in the wrong time period."

"Aren't you a bit overdramatic?"

"Maybe? I don't know. I knew I shouldn't have started to drink less wine."

It didn't sound like an easygoing joke and Vanessa knew that this wasn't normal for her.

Vanessa is going through a frustrated romantic phase, if this is a thing 😅 Also, don't forget N. A. Steel, just in case...

#Black Clover #My Writing ☘️♣️#Black Clover Modern AU #Acier Silva #Nozel Silva #Vanessa Enoteca #Dorothy Unsworth #some wips #Less and less blurry!

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bunnimew · 1 year ago

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We were tagged by @9haharharley1 and @overmooneleven who could not have foreseen what a production this was going to turn into 😂 Thank you!!

RULES: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

*Gets out the record player* There's required listening while scrolling this list...

youtube

Now that the mood has been appropriately set, here we go!

Warm Bodies 10 Edit9It'sYourBoyJackFrostAightSo High Seas Hijinks pt 2 Android Pitch Neon Ideas Von Kaiser Mix Tape If you don't dance, no romance Jack Frost and the Quest for the Stanley Cup Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide YA Novel Merman/Nature Elf Baby It's Cold Inside Everything but the fresher sink Halloween bodyswap Saiyuki Fantasy AU Coffee and Fruit Snacks Untitled Document Blackice ABOlive Garden Concerned Neighbor AU Obsolete Force Monsters Donut Saga 2022 RotG Bingo RotG Bingo 2021 Free Day Light Magic Soulmate AU Sleight of Hand Android AU Wing fic space vampire arranged marriage fake ppl scifi book pogo kylux AU Hope Week 2022 Let's Play AU Clydeland Ghost roommate Omega hux Techwear AU Original magic apocalypse Holiday kylux Pink hair hux Goose steals the staff Quarantine Kylux twitfic college au ST/Kylux Omega hux sequel cyborg hux Fuck this I'm outtie hux Loud AF kylux Loud AF blackice Every floor is Loud AF Loud AF Zag and Than Angel/Demon AU Gymnast hux Parkour hux 5 times hux blows kylo A/B/O Hades Kylux A/B/Olive Garden Disney Princess Hux Hutt slave Mitaka Femlux Afterlife Bloom Halloween2020 sen aid + sen kid kylux Trivia and Other Flirtations Gertrude Pink hair Jack + Hux Teacher/Teacher Merge ST and EU frank/strange Bingo Fancy Dinner Matchmaker Cape Selection AU Senate Takeover Manny Moonbear's Pizzaria Guardians in Black Party fancy pitch Jasper/Lapis Suzalulu week 2016 horror ideas Untitled Terminator Game Terminator Ideas Frank/Strange coffee shop au Ideas for erotic stabbing Suzalulu week 2017 Zell birthday Gratuitous sleepytime Lulu the professional hand model au Peter has two dads au RotG Coffee shop AU Veelamate AU Sorceress Jack Guardian of the D Blanket Scenario i think Saiyuki bang 10k Clover AU Wizards unite AU X/1999/RotG [Redacted] Pitch's New Groove PoGo AU spacerace magic repo RotGRepo! Colormate AU Overqualified Merlin Caffeine and High Fructose Corn Syrup O2: Teammates Spideypool Bingo 2019 B1: Personal Trainer Spideypool Bingo 2019 Spideypool fairy AU Tie fix Soulmate tattoo AU 3 5 10 AU idea Silent Hill AU O1: Met at the Dog Park Spideypool Bingo 2019 ff8 werewolf au Buffate 2 Kink series Dance All Night Let Me and Your Body Talk Pounded in the Butt by the Physical Manifestation of the Fear That I Will Never be Good Enough While He Tells me I am Good Enough Also He's British Silent Hill AU Bathtime Evening Horror Husbands Fic art 1 Morning cuddle Fic art 2 Spinel Jack Cover art Croptops Spiderman kiss Gargoyles

We literally do not know as many people as we have WIPs. I'd have to pull out the yearbook and start tagging people from high school and we're not going to do that. But we do have to tag @seekerseekingsomething for reasons they will understand and @askmyname @quillienvii @pheasantmadness for Other Unsaid Reasons ❤

#WIP #WIP list #Ask away!#O Fortuna #Youtube

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yuzukahibiscus · 2 years ago

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Special Blu-ray BOX REI YUZUKA

The Special Blu-ray BOX series delves into the many angles of the Top Star’s charms and character. A special A4 package with 1 Blu-ray disc, 1 CD and 10 photo cards in this deluxe version!

Quatre Reves Online Renewal 1st Anniversary Campaign“Yuzuka Rei Mini Standee” Collection!

For people who pre-order a "Special Blu-ray BOX REI YUZUKA” on Quatre Reves Online, they will be get a Quatre Reves Limited Novelty “Yuzuka Rei Mini Standee”. So please take the opportunity to use Quatre Reves Online. "Campaign period: July 14 2023 - September 21, 23:59PM JST For Quatre Reves stores, we will present the novelty depending on the first-come-first-serve basis. We do not accept pre-ordrers. The campaign will end after the novelty are all distributed.

DISC1 — Blu-ray Original Recorded Video and Selected Stage Digests

Special MV A cover of “♪READY STEADY GO”, the song released in 2004 by L’arc~en~Ciel, the popular band running at the top of the Japanese rock scene. Please look forward to this “new Yuzuka Rei” that will sing this accelerating rock tune.

Kawamoto Alexander / Choreographer As a backstage dancer for many famous artists such as Momoiro Clover Z, Watanabe Naomi, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and Fujii Kaze, he has performed live, on TV, and in music videos. He is expanding his activities as a choreographer in the Fujii Kaze "Matsuri" MV. Appeared as Mr. Pinky in the 2022 musical "Hairspray". Also active as a model and talent.

Yamanaka Yuki/MV Director Affiliated to amana inc. in 2015 and has been involved in the production of numerous commercials as a production manager. Started working as a director in 2018, producing videos in a wide range of genres, mainly commercials and music videos. Mainly specializes in creating stylish images of dance and fashion. Affiliated to isai inc. in 2022.

Making video The making video documents closely on the [song] recording, still photoshoot and the MV recording. It will be full of Yuzuka Rei’s OFF-side charms in her natural state.

Stage history digest A stylish depiction of Yuzuka’s stage scenes. Don't miss the dance scene collection of the new edited version selected by herself! Video digests of “Boys Over Flowers”, "Haikara-san ga Tooru", "DANCE OLYMPIA", "Cool Beast!!", “MAYERLING”, “A Battlefield for the Two of Us” and others.

DISC2 CD Music Selection —— A special CD with 20 live songs in past performances

2014 Flower Troupe Bow Hall Performance “Nocturne – Memories of a Faraway Summer Day” – Memories of Summer

2018 Flower Troupe National Tour Performance “Melancolique Gigolo –A Dangerous Successor–“ – Daniel’s theme

2018 Flower Troupe National Tour Performance “Exciter!!2018” – Exciter (rep.)

2019 Flower Troupe Akasaka ACT Theatre Performance “Boys Over Flowers” – theme song

2020 Flower Troupe Tokyo International Forum Performance “DANCE OLYMPIA" –Welcome to 2020–“ – DANCE DANCE DANCE

2020 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Haikara-san ga Tooru” – Taisho Romance Song

2020 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Haikara-san ga Tooru” – My Haikara-san

2021 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Augustus – The Illustrious One–" Prayer ‒ O gods of the seven hills"

2021 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Augustus – The Illustrious One–" The Courage You Gave Me

2021 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Cool Beast!!” – Cool Beast theme song

2021 Flower Troupe National Tour Performance “Sorrowful Cordoba” – “Sorrowful Cordoba”

2021 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Genroku Baroque Rock” – Flowers of Edo

2021 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Genroku Baroque Rock” – Fireworks are glittering, glittering

2021 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “The Fascination –Flower Troupe 100th Anniversary and to the Future Beyond–“ – The Fascination theme song

2022 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Years of Pilgrimage ~ The Wandering Soul of Franz Liszt” – Franz Liszt Idol

2022 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Years of Pilgrimage ~ The Wandering Soul of Franz Liszt” Days of Pilgrimage (Dreams of Love)

2022 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “Fashionable Empire” – Welcome to Fashionable Empire

2022 Flower Troupe National Tour Performance “Love Burns in Firenze” – Elegy of Love

2023 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “MAYERLING” – Ephemeral Love

2023 Flower Troupe Grand Theatre Performance “ENCHANTEMENT – A Luxurious Perfume” – Enchantement theme song

Special Bonus —— With 10 A4-size Original Photo Cards!

Genki Ito / Photocard Photographer Graduated from Nihon University College of Art in 2008. After working at a studio, he became an independent cameraman in 2014. Joined symphonic in 2016. Active in a wide range of fields, including advertising, fashion, and music. In music, he has taken many jacket photos for LiSA, Masaki Suda, Hinatazaka46, and others.

#yuzuka rei #flower troupe #hanagumi #takarazuka #takarazuka revue #hibiscustranslation

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fountainpenguin · 1 year ago

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"Turn your face towards the sun... Let the shadows fall behind you..." (x)

---

Debut of Criminal Experience today! || Short Story

Chapter 1 - “Wanted”

Read on AO3

Basically a series prequel... Li'l bit Hermitcraft, li'l bit Traffic SMP, li'l bit Naked and Scared

---

Mumbo Killsalot Jumbo has never been one to take sides during war. He tends to his llamas, trades freely with his neighbors, and his doors are open to all.

Fellas, is it spoon behavior to not ask more questions when a burned-out phantom hybrid starts hanging around your llama farm? 🤔

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

Criminal Experience ᓵ∷╎ᒲ╎リᔑꖎ ᒷ ̇/!¡ᒷ∷╎ᒷリᓵᒷ 392,861 Minecraft days before Dog's Life

Buzz and Ursula Uno don't know it, but they are (without a doubt) the most pampered llamas in all of Little Sun Valley. Yeah, that's right! He said it: Anywhere in the valley. That even includes the west side of the river, and you best believe he's digging in his heels on that one, mate. His wheat farm's been cranking out results this year… so much so that every time he checks its drops, he's practically up to his armpits in fresh hay. Took ages of iron collecting to craft all the hoppers, but Mumbo earned every bar of that stuff while still adhering to the valley rules of 'no non-essential harm done to passive mobs,' and he counts that as a win.

Double-U and Buzz are spoiled. He'll just say it. They've got the softest, driest straw and he switches it on the daily. He's got glowstone for heat tucked in one corner of every pen and he drops silk touch'd ice blocks in their water to keep it fresh and chilled. Surely even good parents are allowed one or two favorite children, yeah? As long as it's kept under wraps and all that.

I mean, come on… Just look at them. Heh. Even when it's nail trimming day, they can't stand to be apart. They're like two scoops of raw cookie dough, marbled brown and cream fur bundled together in a nest on the dirty floor. Which is… peculiar, actually, seeing as Impulse supposedly swept the barn out while Mumbo took the llamas down for water. Mental note. What's that man been up to?

"Foot," he says, and Double-U plops her pad in his lap. It scatters soil all over his robes, but he can forgive the dirty floor. Impulse went above and beyond this weekend already with the crops. You know, it's not every year a man who'll voluntarily harvest uncraftable blocks for hours just stumbles into your life… Actually, last night Mumbo offered him a few stacks of emeralds for a hard day's labor, but Impulse only laughed, sticking his thumbs in his overall straps.

"What? Can't a guy just want to lend a helping hand?"

And, well… He's a phantom hybrid, so Mumbo let it slide (Phantoms are safe to talk to; it's allay hybrids you don't want to make open-ended deals with). Actually, it's nearly noon. Impulse should be coming up the hill from the farm in just a couple ticks… hopefully with clover and alfalfa in hand. Alfalfa is a massive pain to farm since the rain will wash the redstone dust out sooner than you see it grow, but luckily, he doesn't need much. It's a special treat he'll lightly thread into the feeding trough… because Buzz and Ursula Uno are still the most pampered llamas in all of Little Sun Valley. Possibly the whole Between dimension.

Now, will their glorified loafing shed of a barn win any points for flair? No.

Was his use of maple wood in this build even a little bit unique? Also no. But maple's abundant - maple's efficient - and an entire village of wandering traders can't all be wrong.

Actually, Mumbo thinks, lining the edge of his shears against Double-U's toenails, out of every player hybrid type… I feel like wandering traders must be the MOST knowledgeable people when it comes to block qualities and how well they hold up in certain types of weather. Is that too big of a pat on the back? He's really not that kind of guy. It's just… you know… He and his friends have spent their whole lives swapping stories.

The maple mountain biome is always soaked in rain, but the residents of Little Sun make it work. When the ground's too moist for proper farming, the whole community gets together to lead the animals up the plateau. Everyone pools their harvests and they get by on what farms they still have. Mumbo's spent a solid 600 fresh, clean wet seasons (at least) in the shade of the tweenstone spawn temple, swapping stories and laughing until his stomach hurts. Because even when the rain rinses redstone dust off the farms, everyone in Little Sun still has each other. They have their llamas. They have community.

And when all else fails… they can always go out wandering.

Good fun, that… but some days are meant for sitting on dirty barn floors. Is there any better way to spend a morning than cleaning the toes of the most beautiful llamas in the world, occasionally bouncing ideas for silly redstone ideas off their heads?

"Uh-oh," says a voice at the door. Ah. Mumbo still doesn't have a name for that type of accent, but he definitely knows the man from his volume. Double-U's ears flick up instantly. Mumbo keeps trimming her toenails with gentle brushes of the shears. He doesn't even have to use the F5 cam to know Impulse is hiding behind the barn door, peering around it like a twitchy cat. Mumbo can almost hear the way he hunkers, knees shifting to a crouch. He's got wheat, yeah, because it flutters and whispers when he clutches it to his chest. "Uh… dude? Is that the llama who hates my guts? Or the one who just wants to headbutt me into the void?"

Double-U gets a slithery rumble in the base of her throat. This stirs Buzz into lifting her head and Impulse jolts again.

"No! What? Oh, come on! You really have to have both the llamas who wanna trample me in there?"

Mumbo chuckles. "Double-U's all right with you now, I reckon. I mean, yesterday she let you get within spitting range."

"Yeah! So she could spit." Impulse says the word like it's some sort of ancient curse. Mumbo listens for the scrape of shoes on creaky floorboards, but they never come. Tsk, tsk… Double-U would never hurt anyone who doesn't deserve it. Llamas can sense these things, you know. "My pixels were fritzed for three hours before I got that stuff out."

"Did you really come all the way up here thinking there wouldn't be llamas in the llama barn, mate?"

"Just bringing you wheat," Impulse mumbles back.

[Cnt'd on AO3 - Link at top]

#Hermitcraft #hermitblr #trafficblr #TangoTek #MumboJumbo #impulseSV #Skizzleman #Imp and Skizz #mcyt #ridwriting #apparently art #Wandering Trader #Pixels Imperfect #omg tho Mumbo interview on Imp and Skizz podcast and Decked Out the same weekend?? what. idk what to say the gang's all here #Remember kids be super careful before feeding your only copy of your preview image to the scanner at 5 AM it WILL paper jam and need redraw #Criminal Experience #fic announcement

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thoughtfullyrainynightmare · 2 years ago

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Chapter 3: The battle is about to begin in Clover, and Solara tries to plead with the Queen for help.

Tag list: @succulentsunrise @loosesodamarble

This series contains themes and topics some may find uncomfortable and thus reader discretion is advised. This chapter has angst, the beginning of a battle, and as before Solara is still pregnant in this one. Canon typical content.

Length: ~4.0k

Chapter 3: Wishes and wonderings

The walls of the Royal Capitol.

Fuegoleon had never really thought about them much. Aside of them being tall. Though that had been a thought, a wonder, of his much younger self. A memory he could barely recollect. How, as a child, he used to gaze up at the tall walls surrounding the very heart of Clover, almost like the walls around the castle itself. Almost, but not quite. Because these walls, the wall, on which he now stood, reached far higher up from the ground on the hill, on which the capitol stood, than the walls around the castle itself.

The kingdom, the city, and the walls that surrounded it, were all trying to reach for something more; raise its head from the vast fields, the ground and the dust, somewhere else. To be something more, something better.

But now, as the wind blew by, that being the only sound meant for mortal ears to hear, the walls on which seemed small. Small, shallow, and silent.

Not that he couldn’t almost, almost hear the ticking of a clock in that silence that lingered in the air. The silence, and the ticking, that were muffled by wind alone, as everyone around seemed to be holding their breaths in dreadful anticipation.

He glanced to his side, at Mereo, who was standing there with crossed arms and a determined gaze. As always. Like she was going on a hunt. Just as simple.

But he couldn’t decipher how she must’ve felt deep down inside. He imagined that she was worried, on some deep level that she had pushed all the way down to a place where it wouldn’t bubble to the surface. Because that was Mereoleona aneue. That was the older sister he had come to admire for her bravery and strength.

The older sister who had promised to take the frontlines.

Perhaps because that was where she was most comfortable, in the heat of the battle. Maybe because she deemed it to be the first interesting battle in a year, or the foreseeable future. Or… because she wished to protect her brothers.

It could have been a combination of all three for all he knew, and which it possibly was, which gave no particular reason to think about it anymore. If he had been thinking about it. With a clear line of thought that is. Because all he did, was glance at her.

All he did was glance at the people around him, people who he imagined to be terrified. He imagined their hands to be shaking and hearts racing. Pupils dilating and breathing growing more rapid. He imagined them to be on high alert, mind and body.

And how could he blame them?

They were all standing there, thinking about how it was a battle, the end of which most of them wouldn’t see. This would be their final stance. Between the enemy and the citizens of the kingdom. This would be where they’d die.

This… would be where they’d… die…

There was another passing breeze, as if the kingdom itself was trying to comfort them. As if there was a wish of something being carried to them. A wish, a word of encouragement.

A thank you.

They are… good men. My knights. They’re all good people. He thought while closing his eyes in a slow blink, as he swallowed, and looked into the distance before him.

His hands did not shake. His heart wasn’t racing. And his breathing wasn’t rapid.

Because he had made peace with this. He had made peace with whatever fate there was instore for him.

He had made peace… but it didn’t mean that he still wouldn’t have held a quiet wish, which he had tucked into safe keeping within his heart. The wish, a daydream, that was evoked by Mereoleona, no matter how foolish of him it was to hope for such a thing. Even if the strength of a human heart is in its ability to hold on to hope.

Though it is unlikely for me to see them… to see her again… he gazed down with furrowed brows, while becoming more than well aware of the pressure of his wedding band around his finger, and the strawberry quartz necklace around his neck, under his clothes. The pressure was warm, delicate and secure. It was comforting. As was the presence of the pendant, perhaps the kind many would deem too delicate and feeble to be worn by a man such as himself. But the thing was, the pendant wasn’t supposed to look like him. It wasn’t supposed to look like the kind a man such as himself would wear. It was supposed to look like her. Like something she would wear, might wear, or simply something that reminded him of her. And the wedding ring? The ring reminded him of the way she would hold him; the way it seemed, for one glorious period of time in their lives, that the gilded threads of fate, that had spun into ropes, would have connected their lives for good. That they’d embark onto this journey, together. And be allowed to travel that very road to the very end.

Not just … his… end.

The necklace? In it he could feel the faint presence of mana, which seemed to pulsate, as if alive. As if he could feel her heart beating, even when she was gone. And that brought him comfort. To think and feel that she was alive.

He might die, but she would live. Their children would live. And that was what he needed to fight for. For a world that would be safer for his family.

This might have been the line of duty that he had been schooled and trained for, but it was only after all that schooling that he had found a desire to carry out his duty in a way like never before. That was the force driving him forward.

That is what I shall strive for. His brows remained furrowed, and eyes were down, but… he swore that he could feel a tug of his heartstrings. As if she was telling him something, whispering something in his ear. It was as if his wedding band would have carried a sweet sentiment to him from beyond the sea, perhaps through the leaf of the Tree of Binding Fates that was embedded into their wedding bands; through the gilded rope of fate.

‘Good luck my beloved. I love you’, the sentiment seemed to speak to him. A quiet melody, as if almost there. A melody he recognized. But it was carried away by another breez-

“Anyone who falls to me is fortunate,” the man, the twisted image of a man who had more arms than humanity in him, floated in the air before them. “Before you’re reborn, you’ll help to advance the evolution of sorcery studies.” He spoke.

“Who care about the complicated stuff?” Mereo shot back. “They look worth burning!!” She roared.

And Fuegoleon… he looked up. He looked up at the enemy. Eyes full of fury and pain of what was to come.

---

I wonder if I could… sway the Queen in some way. Ask her for a helping hand. Because surely she… they are an ally. Yes it might be the… physical body of a king of theirs, but it’s not… all there is to it. There is so much more at stake and it’s… sure we can’t fight the wars of our allies, and we shouldn’t, but surely we could help… Somehow.

She lifted her head from the floor to look at the door at the very end of the corridor. The white walls around her cast around that near ethereal glow, which in itself seemed to illuminate the hallway. The very white walls from which her steps echoed around as she kept moving forth, trying to formulate coherent thoughts, arguments to make.

But at the same time, she felt like she had done so far too often in the last couple of years; travel down that corridor to ask something of the Queen.

I have used up any favours I might have had to collect though… another passing thought, not that the Queen would have, not as far as Solara knew at least, have been keeping score of any kind. But considering how she had been having discussions about this alliance so often already, trying to think of arguments for it, she was certain that she had used up any number of favours there might have been.

But I still need to-, try… ask. If something… anything… Though she wasn’t sure what exactly she could ask for. A lot of the knights they had wouldn’t willingly travel to another nation to fight a war on someone else’s behalf, especially since the threat itself was a king of said kingdom, even if said king was going on about becoming a magic emperor of the world. And who… had Time Magic in his disposal.

Troublesome magic.

Regardless, she couldn’t think of anyone who would go, if given the chance. Quite simply because they had their own borders to defend. And when it came to the opinion of the majority, they had already extended a hand by Solara aiding Clover to defend themselves in Spade. With the help of the Queen. Which had been just last year.

From the point of view of many, that had been enough good will and graciousness for a decade, if not longer. Because even that had been written off as a personal favour to a spouse on Solara’s behalf, which the Queen had allowed her to do, since it was also about Clover showing character. It had raised eyebrows, even earned verbal disapproval from some allies, but the consensus was forming around the idea of her being personally invested, as she was aiding her fiancé, which in the eyes of most made it understandable. Enough, at least. Though it seemed awfully convenient of her having just gotten engaged before such a battle, but since the engagement had developed into marriage, and a pregnancy, it was becoming more of a case of unfortunate circumstances than anything else.

Which would be tipped again, with this incident. Probably.

But that’s a problem for another day… she thought while placing her hand onto her temple as she neared on the set of double doors before her. Each step taking her closer to them, but not an answer that she would have liked.

She placed her hand onto the door handle to push open the door and enter the throne room. But she stopped. Wondering about a lot of things. Wondering about the desperate plea she was about to make. Because that was what it’d be. It’d be a desperate plea. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Because what leverage did she have? Really have?

Her children would stay in Thea, with her. They’d gain Thean citizenship and be considered as nobility along with her. They would grow without a father, but so did many people after the last war in which Thea defended their own borders.

It’d be a tragedy of two families. To not partake. The tragedy or her and Selena’s families. Though suppose it could be counted as one family, since they were sisters. Thus, the branches of only one tree, one lineage, one family.

One family, in place of many. Of people who didn’t need to partake. In place of opening a portal and drawing attention to themselves and placing a target on their backs when it wasn’t necessary. Because, who knew, maybe Lucius would be content in the corner of the world he’d gain in this war, in this battle. And if not, if he wouldn’t be satisfied, then Thea would have time to unite against a common enemy. Which would be another bureaucratic hell to deal with.

But… it’d be different from simply rushing into a battle. To defend someone who was having issues with a king. A kind of backwards revolution, if you will.

So, what leverage did she really have?

None… it was a bitter realization that made the lump in her throat only grow, as if grow spikes that pricked her from within. And the burning hot tears that she had come to know far better than she would have liked to, rose to her eyes. The horrid realization that she might, in fact, be helpless to help.

But still, she had to try. To say… something. Anything. Because how could she not? How could she simply turn away and settle in defeat, right now? Even if it seemed hopeless. Like an uphill battle that would require one to walk on the ceiling.

So, then I shall walk on the ceiling without the aid of mana.

She turned the handle, the cool gilded handle and entered into the throne room. And again, the throne, and the painted window that wasn’t placed on an outer wall of the castle, and yet through which light filtered into the room, were before her. But this time the Queen was right where she was supposed to sit.

On her throne.

“[Queen Anima,]” Solara curtsied as the Queen merely sat there with her crown, crafted out of her own radiance, as her eyes flickered with various undertones.

However, one tone was more prominent than any other. A swaying hue of sea green, like a roaring ocean in the light of the sun. Deep and profound, full of secrets. Perhaps some that could be understood, and some that could not. And Solara had to wonder in how deep waters the Queen must’ve been swimming.

She will resurface. She always does. She thought as seconds ticked away. And yet there was something… something in the air that she couldn’t quite explain. Something that she couldn’t see or hear, or feel as mana. But something, as if a whisper of delicate silver bells, vibrating along the golden threads of fate, travelled all around the room, almost like trapped in a web of good intentions.

“[What brings you here?]” The Queen asked, without directing gaze, as if still deep in thought.

“[I requested an audience, my Queen,]” she curtsied again, standing at the halfway point between the door and the throne.

“[Oh…]” the Queen blinked as the colours swayed again, and turned into a combination of every colour and no colour at all. “[Oh I… nearly forgot,]” there was a hint of an apology in her tone as she turned her head towards Solara.

“[You have a lot on your mind, my Queen,]” she said with a faint flicker of a smile, but her tone was edging on desperate, defeated… delicate… “[And my apologies for adding to your burden, but I was thinking-]”

“[About what we could do for Clover?]” She guessed, but there wasn’t much to guess. It was the most logical conclusion to make.

“[Yes… and I was hoping that we could-]”

“[I’m afraid that as a Queen of another nation, I have no say in their internal politics. I can express my disapproval for how the King, or Kings, are choosing to handle the lives of their own and their citizens, but the truth of the matter is: I have no power over them.]”

“[But surely if the King in question is talking about becoming a magic emperor and claiming superiority over all of magic, then couldn’t we-]”

“[I’m afraid not.]” Her tone was definite, grave, and final. But still there lingered a hint of an apology buried beneath.

Solara looked at the Queen, who gazed right back at her. And she wanted to protest. She wanted to have something to say that might sway the Queen, but all her mind could concoct was white noise. Stagnant, stale, muddled thoughts that tasted like mold. But no answers.

So, she swayed her head, as if to shake it. But any words, any futile attempts of trying to argue back, were caught in her throat.

“[As Queen Asrageia Anima, the first of her name and the rightful ruler and Queen of Thea, I have no right to interfere.]” She emphasized. “[And we already attracted attention with aiding them in Spade Kingdom.]” She added.

But Solara knew it. She knew that the Queen had already bent over backwards for her, even if the Queen had had motives of her own in aiding them, although said motives weren’t quite clear to Solara herself.

“[I… understand…]” Solara said through a wave a bitter, burning tears that tried to roll from her eyes and down her cheeks, but which instead stayed lodged in her throat and behind her eyes simply because she was willing them to stay down. And yet, the attempts made her tone waver as her eyes sank to the marble floor. But still the sound of her voice trembled. Vibrated. Much like the whispers that couldn’t be heard from a moment ago. “[Then I will just…]” she uttered without a thought, which made her stop. Because… what was she going to do? What options did she really have at her disposal?

“[What will you do? Use the mana stored in your wedding band to travel to him in an instant?]” The question, the tempting idea of doing just that, being spoken out loud.

Solara sealed her lips and looked at the marble floors, as if repenting for even daring to think for such a thing.

“[You’re not in fighting condition.]”

I know. She thought, but stayed silent.

“[And I imagine that your husband would be upset if he saw you there.]”

He’d be furious, she thought. Might even divorce me on the spot, a bit of dark humour she wouldn’t speak out loud, and which failed to amuse even her.

“[He sent you away for a reason. Don’t waste his sacrifice,]” the Queen urged.

I… never asked him to sacrifice in the first place… but I… it wasn’t about her asking for it. Never had been. Never would be. But she understood why. She would have sent him away, too. If she had had the chance and the power to fight a battle in his behalf.

He wouldn’t have let her do so on her own, and she hated having to have him do so on his own but he… wouldn’t let her. And she didn’t want to risk the lives of their children either.

Even if I went, and we all survived it, he’d hate me for the risk I took… never before had she been so certain about him being able to hate her for something. Never had she thought that there would be something that she could do, with the best of intentions, and have him hate her for it.

But if I was injured… and… she placed her hand onto her stomach, I don’t think I could… cope…

“[You want both,]” The Queen told her. “[And no one can blame you for it.]”

And that was a truth. No one could blame her for wanting to have her husband, and her children.

But none can help me either….

---

The window was closed. No image from the realm, the other side, could be seen. There were only the ever-winding threads above, along with the one, who sat under them. Or lied. Existed.

Existed… I exist here and just look at the winding and the unwinding… and the bells… the bells are much louder again. It’s almost like they’re begging to be heard, but that’s not right.

It’s not right…

But she was right. The bells never ceased to ring. These… infernal. Bells that never! Ever! Just. Shut. Up!

…

She sighed.

And slumped onto the ground looking at the strings above.

Though I should be used to the ringing by now… And I suppose that… when it’s lesser, I am…

I am. I am. I am…

What I am…? What am I?

I am used to this? I suppose… I suppose, but I have to wonder if this is what could be heard when the Old Ruins of Micah weren’t mere ruins? When they were alive and thriving. Only to take a step too far. Wind up too close. And that is why we’re here. That is why this space exists.

She sighed again while sitting up, and seeing the being that sometimes was, and sometimes wasn’t, there. They merely looked with a tilt of their head from the distance. Until they, too, slumped to the ground with a tumble, much like she had a moment before.

I wonder if you came from that too.

The being leaned back and tumbled fully onto the ground, now looking up above, just like she had a moment before.

Maybe not, she thought while laying back down to simply stare ahead of herself.

The god damn researchers… crafters… The ones to-, well… suppose people find ways… Especially since there are multiple types of knots being tied. As if opposing forces. Which can weave a better net? And I suppose I ought to think of it as being interesting, since it is as if the Fate has not made up its mind. As if there was a droplet, or a critter, something traveling over the threads and making the tumble, break and retwine. Something falling through the twisting and the turning, breaking and mending, while others… They see. Just like sister, but they see different things. Different aspects of it.

She lifted her hand and reached out far ahead of herself, as if trying to grasp a loose idea that was slipping away from her into thin air.

I wonder if sister is right… Though. That we should take action. While it seems pointless. One knows not what the twisting and the turning mean, and thus twisting and turning oneself would be… It would result in something, but would it be good, or bad? And good for whom and bad for whom? One has to wonder. And even then, would it be my place to break and tie? If I could. I don’t think I can, for the threads were not made for my hands.

Would it be my place, and what purpose would it serve? People will continue to live regardless. They will have their sorrows and joys, which will be replaced with others. Eventually. What would be so special, so interesting about this time and place that it would require someone to interfere? And even if I did, would it really make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Wouldn’t the course of time simply settle in its right tracks eventually to fulfil some plan that was in the making from the very beginning?

She lowered her hand back down so that it laid by her side.

One has to wonder… But the world will keep turning. At the end of the day. So what would it contribute to, other than my own curiosity and wish to have a contribution, which in the event that it turns horrid, would then become a burden on my own conscience.

It’d be my fault…

The ringing of the bells grew louder. As if a choir, telling a tale; screaming it out. But this was no eye of the storm. The melody, the tune and the song was deafening the closer one was to the source, while from afar the sound must’ve been pleasant… perhaps even relaxing.

All the while the woman merely sighed, deeming herself unlucky. And stubborn. For she could walk out any time she chose. A choice that she could make. But didn’t want to, for the price of stepping out to listen to the melody would be far too grand in her mind.

It doesn’t matter though, she sighed to herself for the third time. I can’t affect it anyhow. It’s reserved for the other queen across the sea with tears imprinted under her eyes. The Tear Eyed Queen. Who would perhaps disapprove me calling her that. But. She doesn’t need to know. The other Seer. The one who knows about the Good ‘Ol Fate.

#black clover fanfiction #the vows we made #fuegoleon x solara #fuelara #black clover oc

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