#cullen x oc slow burn

[littlelostmabari]

One of the Good Ones Chapter 24

Injustice (Part IV)

In which Saoirse makes it to the Gallows and, again, is told to run.

This is the chapter the title comes from 🤭

Fandom: Dragon Age 2 / Dragon Age Inquisition

Current Pairings: Cullen Rutherford x OC. Background F!Hawke x Anders

Rating: M (Canon-typical violence & behavior, check tags & CW on chapters)

Links: Whole Work | Chapter 24 | Saoirse Character Sheet

(Dividers by cafekitsune)

[jr-acrux101]

Rebirth - Ch. 3:

School

Word count : 3.9k

Summary: First days of school together.

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The blaring alarm was shut off when Aurora threw a pillow at it, and it fell. It was probably broken, but she didn't care. Amora stepped into the room, sighed, and put her hands on her hips.

"Come on my little sleeping beauty get up." Aurora groaned.

Amora shifted closer and started to poke Aurora cheeks, "Come on pumpkin."

When that sweet and thoughtful approach didn't work Amora started to shake her, "Shake the baby awake shake the baby."

"Okay, okay, stop, you're gonna break my neck, christ." Aumora chuckled and stopped but not letting her fall back.

"Come on, sleepy head, get ready." Aurora gave her a blank stare but nodded. Amora finally let her go but gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Okay, I have to go to work. You be good and start making Abuela's coffee and make sure her cigarette is by the coffee, just one, remember. Lord knows that women could smoke up 4 cartons and still outlive us." Her mother rolled her eyes but headed.

Aurora gave her mom a kiss on the cheek as well and grumbled, "Bye." Her mother yelled "Bye" one more time as she put her shoes on and headed towards her Jeep.

Aurora started to rise out of bed slowly. She huffed and kicked off the blanket. She brushed her teeth and washed her face, put on: vitamin c, moisturizer, sunscreen, a bit of concealer around her dark circles, slightly smudged winged eyeliner and mascara. She went back into her room and threw clothes on the bed. There were her warming tights, a skirt, blue jeans, a cropped long sleeve, and a black hoodie. She opted for the jeans, sleeves, hoodie - based on outside, it looked a little chilly. She brushed her hair and did 2 little braids.

She looked in the mirror, ' Not bad, not bad at all.' She grabbed her backpack and went down stairs, she made her grandmothers coffee and grabbed a cigarette from the 'stash' - as her mom called it - and put it right next to it. She glanced at the time and rushed to the room right next to the dining room. "¡Abuela voy a la escuela, tu café está listo!"

"Si si cariño, adios!" With that, Aurora walked down the stone path to the sidewalk to the Swan residence.

Bella just closed the door, she saw Aurora and waved. "You ready?"

The girl grinned, "As I'll ever be." She hopped in the passenger side, and Bella started to drive.

(Loose translation: Grandma I'm going to school, you're coffe is ready!

Yes yes honey bye!"

They pulled into the parking lot and parked next to a van.

A mocking voice was heard, "Nice ride." Bella just ignored them while Aurora flipped them off.

They walked together inside rowards the office, Aurora’s mom was waiting for them, talking to the secretary with slips in her hands.

She noticed the two teenage girls and smiled. She finished her conversation and went to Aurora. She gave her a side hug, then gave Bella a warm smile.

"Hello girls, here are your classes. Made sure I got them ready for when you came in case you came in late." She winked and handed the papers to them, " Okay, well, I have to get back to work, I'll probably stay late a bit. Do you want to stay with me cariño?"

"I can take you home, I don't plan on staying after school." Bella gave the offer before Aurora answered.

"It's okay, Mama. I'll ride with Bella home, I want to be for sure caught up with everything for school."

Amora smiled again and nodded. "Okay, okay, off to class you two." One last hug and smile and Amora shoo'ed them off.

"Your mom is really nice."

Aurora nodded, "Thanks she took after me," she said solemnly, clutching her chest. Bella gave a hearty laugh. Bella hoped that they were friends and, if so, that they would stay friends for a long time.

Bella had biology. Well, Aurora had AP Spanish. They parted ways and promised to see each other at lunch. While Bella was bombarded by Erick Yorkie, Aurora bumped into a pixie. Literally. The girl in front of her looked like a pixie that escaped into the real world.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" She apologized to the other short haired girl. Alice blinked. 'Holy shit this is her,' was all the girl could think. She had an earnest expression. She blinked again.

"You're okay. It was just a bump."

"Okay, again though, I'm super sorry. I should've been paying attention to where I was walking."

Alice smiled and waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine. I'm assuming you're new, I haven't seen you before."

Aurora nodded, "Oh yes, that's why I bumped into you. I was looking for AP Spanish."

"Oh, I know where that is, don't worry, I'll take you." Alice grabbed Aurora's hand. She was cold to the touch. Aurora almost recoiled from the holding but was pulled away by Alice. She led her 3 doors down. "Tada! Here you go."

"Oh, thank you so much ! I really appreciate it. I'm Aurora, by the way.

"Aurora." Alice whispered the name. "That is a beautiful name."

Aurora blushed and thanked her. "My name is Alice."

"I've always liked that movie." Alice smiled at her.

"While I always liked Sleeping Beauty. " The bell ringed.

"Well, Aurora, I will see you later. If you need help again, don't hesitate to ask!" Alice winked and waved.

The class filled up, while Aurora waited to the side. She could literally die at this moment. Introducing herself was going to give her a heart attack.

"Alright, class. Listen up. Tenemos una nueva estudiante aquí, llamada aurora. Por favor presentate."

Aurora felt that she looked like a strawberry, "Hola, mi nombre es Aurora. Me mudé aquí desde Los Ángeles ayer. Encantado de conocerlos a todos."

The teacher smiled, someone else who spoke Spanish well. "Hmm. Tome asiento junto al señor Hale. Hale levanta la mano por favor."

'Hale?' She searched and finally found the honey blonde combo. There he was in his black turtle neck and leather jacket. He looked the same yet entirely different. He raised his hand, and Aurora nodded to the teacher.

She sat next to Jasper. He didn't spare her a glance. 'This is him, right? What the fuck are the chances of another Jasper Hale with blonde hair and golden eyes!?'

(Loose translation: This is the new student aurora. Please introduce yourself.

Hello my name is Aurora. I moved here from Los Angeles yesterday. Nice to meet you all.

Take a seat by Mister Hale. Hale please raise your hand.)

Jasper could feel her hurt and confusion. He needed more time. A little more time to gain control.

Aurora sighed, 'Of fucking course. He was just being nice. Who would want me.'

The self-doubt and insecurity hit Jasper like a train.

She made sure to lean the to right as much as possible. Okay, fine. Jasper was going to pretend not to know her. That is fine. She understood. She sighed. The teacher rambled on and on about the AP test, before classed ended, he told Aurora to stay behind. He wanted her to complete a project and some work sheets by the end of the month. It was doable.

They had AP history together, too. And honors Chemistry. And calculus. And AP English. Fucking christ Jasper couldn't get away from her. Finally, finally she had AP Art while he had a free period, expect she had art with Alice

Jasper wanted to leave. He really did. He didn't want to hurt her, and the best choice was to walk away now. But he couldn't, physically couldn't. He stayed behind by the exit right before her class ended. Leaning against the wall, eyes close. 'Control. Control. Control.'

He could do this, he hoped. He heard Aurora thank the teacher and started to walk out with Alice. She walked into him while putting the materials inside he backpack.

"What the fuck did I walk into a concrete wall?" She muttered to herself. She look up, a hand holding her forehead, and eye contact was made. Alice chuckled but tried to kep quiet.

"Hey there, little princess." Aurora narrowed her eyes. She huffed, stepped to the side, and continued to walk. Alice eyebrows were raised in shock but continued after Aurora. She gave a shrug to Jasper.

Jasper understood, he ignored her, which was quite fucked up in his opinion. 'Okay all I need to do is apologize, and say it because... because.... I didn't want to distract her? Thats horrendous but its all I got.' He sighed and followed the pair.

"So, how do you know Jasper?"

Aurora glanced behind them, "I don't really. Just meet him once."

While it stung a bit for Jasper, it was the truth.

"How about you? You seemed to know him?" Aurora wasn't expecting her answer.

"Oh, he's my adopted brother." Aurora looked at her wide-eyed.

"Seriously? Like you're not fucking around?"

Alice gave a small giggle, "Yes, seriously."

'Oh,' was uttered by Aurora. At her locker, she finished putting the papers in her bag, 'Christ, this shit is full,' as she was about to put the backpack on, an arm reached around back. Jasper put her back pack on, his at his house because of his free period.

Aurora narrowed her eyes. Now, he wanted to start acting like Prince Charming.

Aurora halted, "Um, excuse me."

"Yes, little miss?" Oh, that accent made her swoon, 'No, don't fall for it ! He was a jerk!'

"My backpack, please." She gave out an expectant hand.

Alice slowly backed away toward the end of the corridor.

"Come on, Ms. Princess, I'm truly sorry. I was just shocked that we had that many classes, and at first, I didn't want to distract you, but then it just felt odd to try and beg for forgiveness in class."

Aurora narrowed her eyes, "While, come one then, beg." She crossed her arms over her chest

Jasper was in slight shock. He didn't expect to actually beg just a simple sorry. "Okay, you're right."

He started to get on his knees. Aurora was flushed. She just thought he was going to say sorry again!

"Miss Aurora, I am truly sorry -" "Okay, okay, please get up, you're forgiven. Just stand up."

Aurora held out her hand, which Jasper gadly took. Just as he was dusting off his knees, Aurora's name was called. The first was her mother, and the second was Bella.

They both went to her and Jasper, with Alice standing still to the side, watching how this all played out. Bella was behind Amora.

"Cariño! ¿Cómo era la escuela? ¿y quien es este?" Amora was under the impression only her and her daughter knew spanish, but Jasper knew, and so did Alice a bit.

"Hi mamá, la escuela estuvo bien, solo había muchas cosas para ponerme al día y este Jasper Hale. Lo tengo en la mayoría de mis clases."

Jasper put his hand out to shake, "Hola señora, soy Jasper Hale. Encantado de conocerlo. Iba a ofrecerle ayuda a la señorita Aurora aquí para las clases que tenemos juntas."

(Loose translation: Hi mom, school was fine, just a lot of things to catch up on and this Jasper Hale. I have him in most of my classes.

Hello ma'am, I'm Jasper Hale. Nice to meet you. I was going to offer to help Miss Aurora here for the classes we have together.)

Amora was impressed. For looking like one of the whitest boys ever, his Spanish was good. She took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you." She went towards Aurora and gave her a hug and kiss on the head.

"Okay cariño I'll see you later at home. Be good, and don't forget to help Abuela with dinner, I should be home before then, but just in case."

Aurora hugged her mom back," Okay bye mama, see you at home. Love you!" She waved as her mom started to walk away.

"Love you too!"

Bella was just a little jealous, Aurora’s mom was like the perfect mom, and she knew her mom tried, but she also knew that it was just the bare minimum.

"You ready to go?" Bella spoke into the silence.

"Um," she did a quick glance to Jasper before nodding, "Yeah, let's go."

"We'll walk you to the car." Alice smiled and clapped her hands, no room for discussion. Bella was shocked it clicked in her that the "Adonis" was Jasper Hale, and she even knew Alice Cullen, Edward's sister!

The two human girls nodded. They trailed behind the siblings, Bella shot Aurora a look and pointed towards them with her head.

Aurora gave her a wide-eyed look and shrugged.

The siblings shared a look, Jasper quickly shot a galnce towards them, which Alice only gave a sly smile.

Once they were outside, Edward saw them. He internally groaned, 'This wasn't how it was supposed to go.' He got in the car and started it, annoyed at Jasper and Alice.

"Okay, it was wonderful to meet you too, but our brother is waiting for us!" Alice waved at them and started towards Edward.

Jasper nodded hesitantly. He took the backpack off and leaned close to Aurora, "Sorry Princess, duty is calling me, and he looks mad as hell." He grinned when Aurora blushed at their proximity.

"See you tomorrow?" Aurora asked.

"Most likely." He winked and waved bye to both girls. They waved back. Bella pulled Aurora to the car.

"How? When? And most importantly, how again!"

Alice and Jasper shared a look at Bella's question. They quietly laughed together.

Aurora shrugged again. "Like I told you I have no idea, maybe it's like you said yesterday: I just have serious game." The two girls laughed, as did the two vampires at Aurora's statement.

"But seriously, it was random, by chance."

"More like fate?" Tone questioning. They reached Bella's truck.

Aurora shrugged and got in, "If you want to call it that."

They pulled up in the middle of their houses. "Um, do you wanna come over and do homework? I already have a shit ton."

"All those AP classes."

Aurora nodded solemnly. Bella chuckeld and agreed to go over. "Let me just tell my Dad."

"Okay, I'll wait at the door." The two separated, and Aurora waited at the door. Bella soon came over, and the duo took off their shoes and entered.

Aurora shouted, "Abuela estoy en casa y traje a Bella, la hija del jefe, a estudiar!"

"Ok, mija! Estare haciendo mi crucigrama!" Jacinda smirked. The girl and her father would be here all the time.

(Loose Translation: Grandma I'm home I brought Bella, the Chief's daughter, to study!

Okay dear Ill be doing my crossword!")

"Alright, well, let's go up?"

Bella nodded and followed Aurora upstairs and to her room, still cozy. Aurora dropped her backpack off by the bed, as did Bella.

She got two of the throw pillows off the window seat and put them on the floor for the both of them. She quickly took out her phone to text her mom.

'I have Bella over to study. Can she stay to dinner?'

'Are you gonna want me to ask for Mr. Charlie to come over, too? °~°' -Aurora

'DON'T MAKE ME GROUND YOU.'

'yes she can and go head and invite him...' -Amora

Aurora smiled and sat on the floor. She motioned Bella to do the same.

"What classes do you have?"

"Um, english, gov, trig, spanish, bio, and gym. What about you?"

"I had AP spanish, AP history, honors chem, calculus, AP english , and AP Art."

"Fuck, thats alot of AP."

"Yes, while after that, I'll only take 2 for senior year and just chill."

"Anyone who is thinking taking 2 AP classes as chill is insane." Aurora giggled while Bella shook her head.

"Okay, let's study? It's 3 and I have to help my grandma with dinner at 5:30. Oh, do you want to come over for dinner? You can invite your dad too."

"Sure! What are you guys making?"

"Chicken soup."

"Oh, that sounds good, honestly perfect for the day."

'Hey, Dad Aurora invited us to dinner again. Can we eat here? They are making chicken soup?'

"Okay, texted him. He'll respond like in an hour."

"Alright, let's start homework, yay!" She said sarcastically. Bella shook her head.

The two brunettes started their homework, Bella doing biology first since it was easiest for her and Aurora doing AP Spanish because that is the one that had the most to-do.

Aurora finished the AP Spanish class and the honors homework with in the 2 hours. Well, Bella finished 3 classes homework. 'Not bad,' they simultaneously thought. They had a maximum of 2 weeks for the catching up assignments, but the sooner they get it done, the sooner they won't have to worry about it. Around 5, they stopped and went down stairs.

Jacinda was in the backyard smoking. Aurora saw the smoke from the little window and rolled her eyes. "Well, my grandma is smoking. Do you wanna sit while I get everything out?"

"Sure. How often do you guys cook together?"

"Oh, um, probably like 5 days out of the week. The other 2 is when either just one of us cook or we get take out."

"Oh, that must be nice." Bella gave a small sad smile.

Aurora nodded, seeing Bella with that expression made her think that her mom and her hardly did stuff like this.

"Wanna help?"

"Are you sure, I haven't really cooked, plus I'm very accident prone."

"You can skin the potatoes. That's probably the most less dangerous thing?"

She held the bowl of potatoes and the potato skinner, Bella smiled and took it. "Yeah, dont jinx it, though."

"You're right." Aurora knocked on the wood, and they laughed.

After about 10 minutes, Jacinda walked back inside and put her slippers on. She heard the chopping of the vegetables. There she saw Aurora cutting the potatoes. Bella was finishing up skinning. The carrots and onions were right next to her next in line, and the chicken was already washed and soaked in lime, knorr, and salt and pepper.

Jacinda heard them speak," So after washing it and seasoning in, you gotta put the water to boil. You can salt that, too. Usually my grandma will do that, the salt in water, let it boil, and once it starts boil throw the chicken in there just to let it cook and then welll pull it out to de-bone the chicken. Always cook chicken with the bone so the nutrients get in the soup."

Bella scribbled that down. 'Have bones in when boiling chicken.' Jacinda chuckled, she patted her clothes down to get rid of the smoke smell a little.

Jacinda entered the room. "Hola mijas, ok bien ya empezaron. Puedes poner el pollo en Bella y dejar que hierva."

Bella looked up at her name being said. She looked at Aurora. "She said hi and that you can put the chicken in the water. Do it slowly, though! So you won't get burned by the water splash."

Bella nodded nervously, "Um, okay. You might want to back up so I don't get it all of you guys."

Aurora smiled, "Don't worry. You got this." She gave her a thumbs up. Bella grimaced.

She poured the chicken slowly using a fork to help. "You did it! See, it wasn't too bad !" Aurora and Jacinda clapped while Bella blushed.

Amora pulled into the gravel driveway just as Charlie was walking down the street. Amora saw him and took a quick look in the mirror: eyebrows...check, mascara...check, lipstick and lip liner...check and semi check, hair down flat...check, and lastly breathe...not bad, check.

She opened the car door and saw Charlie about to stop right in front of her, "Here." He held out his hand. She noticed he was still in uniform. She accepted the offer and slowly got out of the car.

As the chicken boiled, Aurora heard the Jeep pull up she went down the hallway and waved for her grandmother and Bella to follow. The trio sat on the window seal, Aurora on the middle, and the other two to the sides. They all peeked through the closed curtains tiny openings.

There, before them, they saw Charlie helping Amora out of the car. They all shared a look.

Amora could feel eyes burning on to her, but she ignored them. "Thank you, Chief of Police." She gave a wink. Charlie blushed and touched the back of his head with his right hand, the other Amora was still holding on to.

"Um..." Charlie blanked.

"Um...." Amora copied him, hoping he would finish the sentence.

"Um... would you," Charlie tried to control his breath.

"Yes! Pick me up on Thursday at 7." That wasn't what Charlie was going to ask. He was going to ask if she wanted to go inside. But Charlie nodded. He did want to ask her out he just didn't have the balls quite yet.

"Okay. Great." He blushed, and she smiled.

She grabbed his hand and motioned towards the door. Together, they walked up the steps, Aurora unlocked the door, but Charlie opened it for her.

Before going inside, Amora put her hand to block it from opening too much.

"Let's not tell the kids just yet, you know, since it's the first date and all. If you can make it to the 5th, then we'll tell them."

"Yeah, okay. And don't worry, I'll make it to the 5th date." This Charlie was the bold and winked at her. She reddend and nodded.

"Good. I look forward to it." She took off her shoes, as did Charlie.

"Aurora! Abuela! And Bella! I'm home! Charlie got here at the same time I did!"

"We're in the kitchen! Finishing up cutting the veggies."

The duo headed towards the kitchen and saw Aurora cutting the celery, Bella cutting the onions, and Jacinda shredding the chicken.

"OH hola mija, veo que trajiste a tu novio a casa." If looks could kill. Aurora snickered, and Bella and Charlie looked confused. Bella looked towards Aurora to translate, and she gave her a wave and mouth 'later.' Bella nodded, assuming, correctly that is, Jacinda was teasing Miss Flores.

"Hola mama, míralo antes de que te quite esos cigarrillos que tanto te gustan." Jacinda squinted her eyes but waved her off.

She turned to Charlie, "Food is almost done. Go sit with Amora in the other room." Charlie looked perplexed. He knew she understood English, just thought she wouldn't or maybe couldn't speak it.

"Okay, ma'am." Not wanting to get on Jacinda's bad side already, he motioned to the dining, with a hopeful look. Amora glared at her mother and nodded. The two adults left the room.

"So what did she say?" Bella whispered.

Jacinda leaned in close to the girls, "I said, so you brought your boyfriend home." Bella's mouth fell open, and she laughed, as did Aurora.

"And then, she tried to threaten my cigarettes. Can you believe her? One of the few old lady's pleasures, mean." Bella snickered and nodded. Aurora shook her head in disbelief, her Abuela's cigarette? Come on, did her mother have a death wish?

Charlie heard Bella's laugh and smiled. He hasn't heard her laugh like that at all since she's been her. Of course, it's only been about 3 days, but still, it was nice to hear her enjoying herself.

The night was filled with laughter from the Flores house as the food was served, prayer said - for Abuela's sake - and the food being eaten. If the date went well and the others continued, Bella and Charlie could get used to this.

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SHHEEE'S BAAACK

Yall my bad 🤭 I've had this story like 70% done just never had time to proofread, edit, and all that fine stuff, my bad. I apologize. But I'm back I'm still gonna be writing this and the second movie I already have the plot for my girls tho so I gots to see it thru my boy. Anyway hope you guys enjoy! There will be more frequent updates too so do not worry ♡

[ar-lath-ma-cully]

and it slips through loose fingers - chapter 33

🌻read it here🌻

Rating: E / Fandom: Dragon Age / Pairing: Cullen/OC / WC: 100k / Chapters: 33/?

CW: low self-esteem, depressive thoughts

What happened? She mouthed again, a question in the furrow of her brow. As far as her memory was concerned, it had been Ellana who had almost died. And what of Solas? Cassandra?  “Something incredibly stupid.” Ellana’s voice quaked with anguish though she shed no tears. “You stepped in front of the Despair demon’s attack and took a blow meant for me as if you hadn’t expected the barrier you’d created to do what it was meant to. Did you want to die? Is that it?” Shaking her head, she took her sister’s hand, desperately squeezing it, but—did she? Did she want to die? You will only fail, as you always have, as you always will. Just as you failed all who have laid their trust in you. And you will fail her, too.

DAFF tag list: @warpedlegacy | @rakshadow | @rosella-writes | @effelants | @bluewren

@breninarthur | @ar-lath-ma-cully | @dreadfutures | @theluckywizard | @oxygenforthewicked

@exalted-dawn-drabbles | @blarrghe | @leggywillow | @plisuu | @hekaerges

[ashcal99]

Golden Hour : Rosalie Hale~

Prologue

"She's got glitter for skin, my radiant beam in the night. I don't need no light to see you shine. You slow down time in your golden hour."

Summary: By the young age of twenty years old, Grayson Cly had been through his fair share of trauma. Trauma that had left him a single father. Trauma that only grew more complicated when he joined his cousin Sam Uley as a shape shifting wolf. But, what happens when he imprints on the one thing he was born to protect the world from? Can he stick to his instincts when it comes to that protection, or will the persistence of that imprint derail his life even more?

Warnings: Eventual smut (18+ only), mentions of death, depression, violence, general angst, slow burn

Words: 1.2k

A/N: Not sure how many parts this will be but yahhhh. Comment if I missed any warning or anything plz. Lmk if you'd like to be added to the tag list thnx.

Soundtrack

Series Masterlist

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Grayson had always been mature for his age, taking every shocking thing that came his way with stride. So, when his girlfriend, Evelyn, of three years became pregnant with his child the beginning of their senior year, he promised himself he would be a better father than his had been for him. A father that their child deserved. His life had of course grown more complicated given the baby that grew more and more day by day, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Of course he was terrified. Terrified of not being enough, terrified of what this meant for not only his future, but Evelyn’s as well. That didn’t stop him from being excited at the end of the day. Deep down, he knew that this was what he was made for, the instinct of being a parent seemingly being born inside of him. So, when the day came that the contractions started, he had felt as prepared as possible, despite the butterflies filling his stomach. He had held her hand throughout the entire labor, her squeezing so hard that he was sure she would end up braking something. 

The cry of his son as he entered the world made him the happiest he had ever been in his life. And then everything else shattered around him. Everything was seemingly fine, until the bleeding wouldn’t stop. So much blood. Something was horribly wrong, that much was obvious, and the panic began to set in. There was nothing he could do, but sit back and pray to whatever god there was that the doctor would be able to save her. In the end, his prayers weren’t enough, and what had been the happiest day of his life had quickly also become the worst. 

So as he sat there, on the plush worn out cushions of his mother’s couch, just days after loosing the love of his life, he stared into the beautiful eyes of his child. The same eyes that he had gotten from his mother, and he allowed himself to feel the pain of her loss. The pain that left a gaping hole in his chest. Tears pricked at his eyes as he attempted to blink them away, but if there was one thing that he knew now to be true of grief is that it demanded to be felt. 

Despite the help his mother had been giving him in his time of need, the same mother who had raised him single handedly, he felt utterly alone in that moment. His heart ached so badly his whole body was sore as he realized that the beautiful child in his arms would never know just how wonderful his own mother had been. He would never feel the warmth of his mothers embrace, never feel the touch of her kiss on his forehead, and the thought sent his brimming tears over the edge. 

The big blue eyes of his son blinked up at him curiously as he eyed his father. Footsteps trailed into the room, a soft hand landing on his shoulder, flinching back as she felt the heat radiating off of his skin. “Why don’t you get some fresh air, Gray? You seem a little overheated.” She suggested, concern coating her voice as she gently took the baby from his arms, ushering him towards the back door. 

Grayson nodded, sniffling slightly as he moved forward, attempting to wipe the tears away as he pushed his body numbly to the door. A cool summer breeze blew through his hair as he shut the door behind himself, sucking in a shaky breath. The grief stabbed him in the chest, finally having been by himself long enough to feel all of the emotions he had been bottling up since her death. How was he expected to do this alone? Why her? She didn’t deserve to die, why was this world so cruel as to take her away from him?

An agonizing sob left his lips, the memory of her smile running through his mind.  A smile he would only ever see again on their son. Sudden anger flooded his heart, anger at whoever had taken the woman he had loved so dearly. Red hot pain seared through every inch of his being as something ripped inside of him. Fire raced across his skin, muscles tearing and growing back together all at once in a moment in time. Seconds morphed into hours of unbearable obliterating pain, before, almost like nothing happened at all, the pain vanished. It had taken a moment to realize anything had actually changed as his eyes trailed down to the ground that was occupied by a very large pair of paws nestled in the tall grass surrounding him, the white fur a stark contrast in the dark green landscape. The anger he had felt just moments ago vanished as it was quickly replaced by shock. 

“Don’t panic.” A voice rung through his mind. A voice he recognized. His eyes shot up to the large black wolf in front of him, knowing almost instantly who the figure was. Memories of the Quileute legends rushed through his mind as he realized that despite having learned the stories himself, the memories had been coming from the other wolf, seeing himself as a child within those memories. 

Suddenly everything was clear. It was all real, everything, and Sam was right there in front of him, explaining it all. They had grown up together, cousins on his mother’s side, spending hours upon hours together as children, so when the words had come from him, it had fairly quickly calmed the panic that had previously held a tight grip on his chest. 

So much had changed in so little time, it was almost as if he had reached his peek. So many emotions had been filling his heart in the past weeks that hearing that the legends were not only real, but included him didn’t set his world on its’ side like it should have. Vampires were real and the fact should have terrified him, but instead, knowing it gave him a sense of purpose. It was his job now to protect his child from the cold blooded monsters and he would be damned if he didn’t put every ounce of effort into doing so. 

As the months went on, the pack grew, along with the danger of the blood suckers around them. His newly found brothers created the strongly knit support system that he needed to cope through Evelyn’s death, and even though he knew he would never truly get over the loss that had left a gaping hole in his heart, he would try his best to be okay. To be the father that his son needed. To be the protection that he needed from the evil in this world, because there was no way in hell that he would ever let anything harm him.

Next Chapter -coming soon

[tired-truffle]

Something’s Gotta Give

A CullenxLavellan fic

Chapter Word Count: 4.2k

Part 3 - Somebody's Daughter

"You were born to rend galaxies from the sky so curl your hands into fists, and sharpen your nails. the next time a man tells you to smile show him bloodstained teeth." - the female of the species// l.s.

Trigger warnings: Verbal abuse from parent.

Masterlist

“You had one task, Ashvalla.” Her mother’s lips wrinkled in a stern frown. “I did not think it too difficult an ask to keep your sister out of harm's way, yet you have failed once again.”

Her mother had always been warm and kind, a soft smile, a comforting touch. She’d been born to be a mother, or so the elders told her. Ash loved her mother, looked up to her and the strength she held in the straightness of her spine, the fierceness with which she protected her family. 

But her kindness had a limit. One that Ash seemed to reach more often than not. It was difficult to predict, some mornings her mother would wake her up with a smile, a cheery song on her lips, but others… Ash didn’t like to think about those days. She tried so hard to stay in her mother’s good graces, but no matter how hard she tried, she always managed to slip up. A toy left on the ground, forgotten in play, her mother seethed, accusing Ash of putting it in her way in an attempt to cause her pain when she stepped on it. Rae cried when Ash tripped and fell on her small building of sticks, her mother had accused her of purposefully destroying her sister’s project out of jealousy. 

Protesting only made it worse. Ash had learned quickly that if she shut up and took her mother’s wrath, the punishments were less severe. Even more so if Ash did something to make up for it later - clean the dishes without being asked, make Rae’s bed, sweep out their aravel.

Sometimes they’d go days, weeks without incident, and Ash would blissfully wonder if she had finally done enough to make her mother happy. But it was never enough.

“I tried, mamae, but she wouldn’t—“

Her mother raised a hand, silencing Ash with one simple gesture. “If you truly cared, you would not have to try, it would simply be done. You’re slacking, Ashvalla. I always knew you were…content to be complacent, but I never thought you’d allow this.” 

With a sharp swipe, her mother held her arm out towards the mass by her feet. Ash squinted her eyes against the dark of the room. Where exactly were they? All she could see was her mother and that mass, the rest of the space stretching out like an impassable cavern. 

No, not a mass, a body. With a sneer curling her lip, her mother placed her foot on the body’s hip, shoving it onto its back. 

All air vanished from Ash’s lungs, her throat constricting around a scream. Her knees hit the ground, the uneven surface digging into her skin. Wetness coated her cheeks, but she didn’t know when she had started crying. All she knew was that body, the one lying limp on the ground, staring up with lifeless eyes, was Rae. 

“No,” Ash sobbed, her chest convulsing as she tried to hold back her cries of anguish - they would only anger her mother further. “No, she’s not— she can’t—“

“This is your fault. You might as well have killed her yourself.” A green light flared on Rae’s palm, the mark of the Herald. 

Ash pulled her sister’s limp body onto her lap, her tears falling onto her pale face, her lips blue, her chest still. This couldn’t be possible, Rae couldn’t be…

“She wouldn’t listen to me,” Ash sniffled, “I tried to warn her, I—“

The sharp sting of a hand across her cheek halted her tangential speech. Ash kept her head bowed, unable to bring herself to look up at her mother’s hatred. She’d never hit her before, but then again, Ash had never made such a grievous error.  

“I raised you better than this. You’re careless, selfish actions cost your sister her life. You are no daughter of mine, you are nothing.” 

Ash’s head snapped up, staring at her mother with wide eyes and parted lips. Her mother took a step back, a disgusted scoff spat in Ash’s direction. 

“Mamae…please don’t go.” She sounded pathetic, even to her own ears. Her sister lay dead in her arms but all she could think of was her own comfort. Her mother was right; she was selfish. 

This was all her fault, this was all her fault, this was all her fault. 

With a quick, graceful turn on her heels, the woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to her, who had brought her into this world and guided her through it, strode into the shadows.

“Mamae, no! Come back! Don’t leave me, I need you!” Ash cried, but no amount of screaming and begging would bring her back. 

“Please…” she choked on a sob, curling herself around Rae’s body, squeezing her eyes shut as though she could block out the sight. “Please, I can’t do this on my own.”

The faint scent of smoke invaded her nostrils, prickling at the back of her throat. Her brows pinched, eyes blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the early morning light. Where had Rae gone? She’d been holding her body only moments ago, and now the weight of her lifeless corpse had vanished, replaced by the burning furs she’d haphazardly kicked off in her restless sleep.

Except the furs were not supposed to be burning.

When heat began to lick across her skin, she jolted. Releasing a string of colourful curses, she summoned her ice magic, spreading a thick layer of frost across the burning corner of her bedroll. 

Staring down at the now charred fur, she bit back a scream of frustration. Rae was away somewhere and Ash couldn’t keep her safe, her dreams refused to stop tormenting her, and now her blanket was burned. To make matters worse, Sweetpea was nowhere to be found. All she wanted was a little comfort, was that too much to ask? Rae had only been gone for a few days, but to Ash it felt like weeks.

Love stirred in her chest, and Ash placed a hand over her heart. The spirit had been active as of late, likely a result of their reaffirmed deal. While it had unnerved her at first, the warmth that now spread through her limbs, radiating from Love, was most welcome. It was like the tight hug of a mother to their child, one without any expectations or conditions. One she had never received. 

Dispelling the sound proof barrier she’d cast over her tent - no one needed to know how often she woke up screaming, she threw on her robes, and tied her hair in a half-hearted braid. Ready as she was ever going to be, she strode from her tent and into the morning mist. The sun sat only half visible on the horizon, clouds already moving to cover it.

As she walked through the quiet camp, it slowly came to life around her. Soldiers emerged from their tents, yawning and stretching, while the kitchen staff bustled about, preparing the morning meal. The clanging of pots and pans mingled with the distant chirping of birds, a song she was slowly growing accustomed to.

Ash's eyes were drawn to the training fields, usually a hive of activity during the day. At that early hour, they stood empty, save for a lone figure silhouetted against the rising sun. She squinted, recognizing the familiar fur-lined mantle and broad shoulders of Commander Cullen.

He stood with his back to her, dwarfing the rickety wooden table before him. A stack of papers teetered precariously in his left hand, while his right flipped through them with practiced efficiency. His brow was furrowed in concentration, lips moving silently as he read.

Perfect, someone to take her irritation out on. 

She planted her feet. No, she thought to herself, that is wholly unfair. I will not treat him poorly simply because I am upset. I’ll wait until he says something stupid and then it will be justified.

As she approached, her bare feet made little sound. She was always warm, though she never burned with a fever, she rarely found the cold bothering her. Bare feet was a Dalish custom - to keep one connected to nature - and though it wasn’t frequently practiced in snowy climates, Ash had yet to experience any issues. 

It also helped to keep her footsteps quiet, making it much easier to sneak up on ex-Templars too wrapped up in their reports to notice her arrival. 

“Good morning, Commander,” she quipped a touch too loud. He startled, spinning around to where she stood at his side, hands clasped behind her back. “Do you usually work at such a Gods-forsaken hour?”

Pressing his hands down his chest to smooth his cloak and calm his racing heart, he said, “At this time I can get work done without any interruptions,” he shot her a pointed look, “typically, that is.”

Ash smiled sweetly, batting her eyelashes. “Sounds terribly boring.”

He shook his head with a long suffering sigh, but she didn’t miss the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She’d come here to bug him, hadn’t she? “May I ask why you’re awake, if this is such a horrible time of day?”

She shrugged, focusing on watching the sunrise. “Sleep was boring too. I just can’t win.”

He hummed his understanding, though she disliked the sympathetic tone. He shouldn’t be able to read her so easily, but he was a soldier, if anyone was familiar with nightmares it would be him. “That cat of yours isn’t able to keep you entertained?”

“Sweetpea stole the chicken off my plate yesterday, we’re on bad terms.” Damned cat. She wished she’d stop sulking in the barn, her reprimand hadn’t been that harsh. 

Cullen chuckled, a smirk shot her way that had no business being as handsome as it was. “I wonder where she learned that from.”

Clutching her chest in mock offence, she lifted her nose in the air. “That’s a rude assumption. I was raised with manners. Rae on the other hand…” 

“Ah, of course, how could I forget the Herald’s eating habits.”

As much as she wanted to defend her sister, this was the one thing she never could. “The more I tried to teach her the worse she got. She never does listen to me, even though I’m right.”

Cullen snorted, though quickly tried to cover it up by clearing his throat. “Yes, I’m beginning to see that.”

Silence settled between them as Ash’s gaze returned to the horizon, her mind replaying her mother’s words over and over again. It was her fault, she should try harder. But the harder she tried the more Rae resisted. Stubborn to a fault, though Ash had no leg to stand on there. That particular quality ran in the family. That and a quick temper, not always the best mix. 

“I suppose I should find someone else to bother and let you get back to your work.” Ash broke the quiet, tilting her face up towards him. 

“May I suggest you avoid Josephine? I learned the hard way that mornings…aren’t her favourite.”

“Really? I have a hard time picturing her ever being anything less than pleasant.” Ash mulled this over, but try as she might, she couldn’t envision Josephine with a scowl. 

“Let’s pray you never find out.” 

“I thank you for your warning, Ser. I shall endeavour to avoid her.” She may have laid the tease too hard on the honorific as his eyes narrowed at her, his brows creasing. 

Making a hasty exit, she let her feet carry her backwards. “See you around, Commander,” she called with a wave, but his brow only creased more. Ooh, she’d done it again. 

But before he could raise the issue, she was off, making her way towards the stables. If anyone would tolerate her pestering, it was Sweetpea, and she really should find the silly little creature. If she must, Ash would apologize for snapping at the cat the day before, though Sweetpea should know Ash well enough by now to leave her food alone. Sweetpea was lucky she still had all her tiny toes attached to her body for her egregious theft. Ash had taken more for less. 

Sweetpea snuggled in her lap, having long since moved past purring, now resting in a deep sleep. After a night with the horses, she’d been more than happy to forgive and forget. How she could sleep in the raucousness of the pub, Ash did not understand, but she did - slightly jealously - admire it. 

Varric sat across from her, nursing a large tankard of some foul-smelling Shem'len beer. Taking up an entire bench was the Iron Bull, all hulking Qunari mass and manly charisma. She’d met them, albeit briefly, as her sister toured her around Haven. Rae had informed her about all of her companions, how they’d come to join, what they were like, and who she trusted most. Those two wouldn’t have been Ash’s top choices, the author always looking for his next scoop, and Qunari spy, but they had been at the top of Rae’s list.

She wasn’t sure how she’d been roped into joining their table. One moment she’d walked up to the bar, intent on drowning her nightmares in alcohol when they still wouldn’t leave her alone come dinner time, and the next she was being cajoled into sitting with them. 

“So,” Varric leaned forward, his elbow resting on the table, “care to share with the audience what our dear Herald was like to grow up with?”

Ah, so that was the angle for dragging her over. “Tell an author and a spy about Rae’s secrets? What kind of sister do you take me for?” Ash slung her arm over the back of her chair, her legs crossed and robe fallen to the side revealing a dangerous amount of thigh. 

“Who said anything about secrets?” Varric waved her off. “All I’m asking for are some entertaining stories from her youth.”

She knew better than to trust someone who made their living off of revealing other people's secrets, but there was something to be said about embellishing the narrative to boost one’s public image. However, she couldn’t give in that easily. “I’m not sure what kind of stories you’re hoping for, but I’m not here to betray Rae’s trust.” 

Iron Bull leaned forward, his deep voice rumbling through their small corner of the tavern. “Oh, come on now,” he said with a sly smirk that gave his imposing features an almost open quality. “It doesn't have to be anything too juicy. Just a funny story or two about the Herald as a kid."

As he spoke, Ash noticed his eye flick briefly to the dotted scars around her lips. The movement was subtle, barely perceptible, but she caught it nonetheless. To his credit, he didn't comment or let his gaze linger. His discretion was refreshing, though it made her wonder what other details he was quietly cataloging about her.

She ran her tongue along the inside of her lower lip, feeling the raised ridges of scar tissue.

“We’re not looking for anything scandalous or incriminating,” added Varric, “just some harmless fun.” 

“Well, when you put it that way, there are a few I could share,” she said with a grin to match those of the men across the table. “But only because it’s my job as her elder sister to share her most entertaining moments.”

Varric nodded solemnly. “We only want to support you in your familial duties, that’s all.”

Ash snorted, shaking her head as she took another sip from her tankard. “There was this one time when Rae saved our Halla herd. You should have seen her, hollering at them from atop her Halla before they ran off the cliff’s edge. She was eight at the time, and let me tell you, she was fearsome, even then.”

Ash smiled fondly as she recalled the memory. Though she and her sister had their differences, that day had shown Ash just how brave and selfless - and incredibly reckless - Rae could be.

"She rode right into the middle of the panicking herd and turned them back from the cliffside through sheer willpower alone," Ash continued. "She may have been small, but she refused to let that stop her."

Iron Bull let out an impressed chuckle. "Yeah, that sounds like our Herald. Never backs down from a challenge."

"It reminds me of the time Hawke single-handedly faced down that dragon in the Bone Pit," Varric sipped at his ale. "Rae's got that same crazy courage."

The three of them swapped stories late into the night, and though Ash was hesitant at first, she found herself growing comfortable in their company. There was an easy camaraderie between them, built on humour and bold honesty.

By the time Ash finally headed back to her tent, her boots crunching in the thin layer of snow coating the ground, the moons were high in the night sky. She felt pleasantly warm from the mead - and from Love’s magic burning inside her - and despite her initial wariness, she had to admit she'd enjoyed herself.

Most of Haven was already asleep, just a few guards stationed around the perimeter. Their torches cast flickering pools of light along the paths. As Ash drew nearer to the main gate, she could hear muted voices drifting through the darkness from around the side of a merchant’s hut. She slowed her pace, straining to make out the words.

"…seen the way she walks around here? Flaunting those curves and Maker, those robes leave little to the imagination." A man's gravelly tone, followed by rough laughter.

"Aye, bet she's eager to spread those pretty legs for any man in the Inquisition. The Herald may be uptight, but her sister ain’t." More laughter, crude and mocking. "I'd show her a good time, that's for sure."

It wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard before. She was well aware of how men reacted to her body. Yes, her robes could be classified as revealing, but it wasn't just about what she wore - even when she tried to dress modestly, following society's standards of ‘appropriate’ attire for women, it never seemed to matter. It didn’t matter that her stomach was rounded or her thighs double the size of her sister’s, men would still leer at her, their eyes roaming over her body with a hunger that made her skin crawl. And then there were the comments - crude remarks disguised as jokes that left a sour taste in her mouth. She knew all too well the feeling of unwanted hands reaching out to touch her, and she had quickly learned how to defend herself. If they were lucky, they would leave with their hands intact. To gain some control over these situations, she played the part of an aloof flirt, using her charms to distract them from their inappropriate behaviour. It was a tactic that rarely failed - men found it difficult to refuse her requests when they were too busy ogling at her cleavage or the way her skirt swayed dangerously close to revealing too much. 

Though, they never seemed to want more than that, a quick fuck, over too quick for her to derive any enjoyment. No, her body wasn’t the issue, it was her. She was well aware of all her faults, it did no one any service not to be. She could hide them all behind her flirtations, distracting from what she knew deep down would always scare them away.

As Ash moved to continue her walk to bed, lacking the energy to deal with the soldiers, she was stopped in her tracks as a familiar voice cut through their conversation. 

“Watch your tongue,” the Commander barked, and she could only imagine the irritated scowl that must accompany such a spitting reprimand. 

"We were just having a bit of fun. Don't you think she would be up for it, Commander?" the soldier’s said in an almost lazy drawl. 

“What you were speaking of is neither respectful nor appropriate. Miss Lavellan is here to aid the Inquisition, not to be the target of your derogatory comments." Ash wasn’t sure why the Commander coming to her defence surprised her. He had never been unkind. Suspicious at first, yes, but he seemed to be that sort of man. 

“Oh, cut the Chantry mother bull, Commander. You're telling me you wouldn't want to get your hands on her—“ The shuffle of fabric and clank of armour cut the soldier off before he could continue. Unable to resist, Ash peeked around the corner of the hut, watching as Cullen held the soldier by his collar - a wiry man with a scruffy blonde beard - pulling him off balance. 

“I’m only going to say this once,” he dropped his voice into a low threat, a growl in his throat. "If I hear one more vile word out of your mouth about Miss Lavellan, or any other woman for that matter, I will personally make sure the only thing you will be putting your hands on will be the shovel used to muck out the stables. Is. That. Clear?"

The man gave a sharp nod, his body taut and his eyes wide, but he didn't utter a word in response.

"Good. Now get back to work, you have a patrol to finish,” Cullen ordered with a small shove, watching as the men began to depart, some more reluctantly than others. Once the last man was gone, the Commander released a heavy exhale, bringing his hand up to brush back his hair.

Ash stepped out from around the corner, a hand on her cocked-out hip as she plastered a cheeky grin across her face. “A gentleman who defends my honour, I sure am lucky I met you, Commander.”

Cullen's head snapped in her direction, his brows raising. “You—" A heavy sigh. "You heard all that?"

“I did.”

His expression shifted then, his jaw clenching. “Maker…I apologize on behalf of my men, that was disgraceful and I will ensure it won’t happen again.”

Ash made her way over to him, standing far enough away that it would be considered proper. There was no need to invade his personal space after he’d done something considerate - defending her honour like some knight in shining armour. Except this knight had worn Templar armour up until recently. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”

"That doesn’t make it right," he protested firmly. 

“No, it doesn’t.” She paused, giving him a thoughtful once-over before lowering her voice. “I suppose I should say thank you for telling them off. You didn’t have to, especially not for someone you barely know, but I…appreciate it.”

He blinked as if surprised by the sincerity in her tone, but he nodded his acknowledgment. “Of course. And please, inform me if my men ever say or do anything of the sort again. They will be appropriately disciplined.” 

He just had to make it so easy. She couldn’t resist, and with a salacious smirk, her eyes half-lidded, she purred, “I’d love to hear what your favoured form of discipline is, Commander.”

His ears and cheeks flushed immediately, his gaze dipping downwards to the exposed flesh of her chest as she leaned forward, before quickly snapping back up to her face. 

"I- well—" he began, his words faltering as his blush deepened. He tried to clear his throat, but it did nothing to help, and he ran a hand through his hair. “It would depend entirely on the situation.”

“Interesting.” Ash rocked back on her heels, giving herself a moment to consider. “If I find any more of your misbehaving recruits I’ll be sure to send them your way.” 

He nodded, though the blush spreading down his neck refused to subside. 

“Goodnight, Commander,” Ash said with a wicked grin, stepping away from him as Love stirred in her chest, eager to see just how far that blush went.

He dropped his hand, a weariness settling around his eyes. “Goodnight, Miss Lavellan, and I’m sorry, again.”

Ash shrugged as she turned around, waving over her shoulder. “Stop calling me Miss Lavellan and we can call it even.”

Ash left the Commander behind and made it back to her tent without further incident, the chill night air nipping at her bare legs and arms, though she barely felt it. She ducked inside and sank down on top of her bedroll with a sigh, running her fingers through her hair to brush out the tangles.

She was beginning to see how easily she'd misjudged the Commander. When she'd arrived at Haven, she'd seen him as just another Templar, bound to dislike and distrust her simply for being a mage. Especially a Dalish mage, about as far from a loyal Circle servant as one could get.

But he hadn't acted that way. Stern, serious, and hopelessly awkward he may be, but he'd defended her tonight without hesitation. She appreciated that more than she wanted to admit.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she recalled how flustered he’d gotten at her teasing. It was too easy to make that stoic soldier blush, and she couldn't seem to stop herself from trying. It was simply a minor rebellion, a mage provoking a former Templar, and nothing more. It couldn’t be anything more. He was…safe to flirt with. A man like him - staunch and a firm abider of rules - could never want anything from a woman like her. No doubt he found her lack of propriety grating, her teasing irritating - and if he didn’t yet, he would soon.

That’s just how reality was. There was no changing who they were, nor would Ash want to. There was no real attachment, no threat of deeper feelings causing complications.

A little bit of fun never hurt anyone.

Next Chapter

A/N: I hope you enjoy their interactions so far! Let me know what you think :)

[truffle-draws]

Tarot card for my Dragon Age Inquisition Lavellan <3

If you’d like to read more about her (and her romance with Cullen) you can find it here!

[streamafterlaughter]

Soundtrack to Disaster

Chapter IX: Want This Like a Cigarette

masterlist | playlist | pinboard | prev | diaries coming soon

songs for this chapter: colorblind by movements (acoustic), guilty pleasure by chappell roan, grudges by paramore

chapter tags: yearning, angst, missed opportunities, miscommunication, all the fun stuff! drinking, smoking (weed, cigarettes), adult language and scenarios | fic tags: angst, hurt/(eventual) comfort, (eventual) smut, slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers, Eddie Munson x Fem!OC!Reader, Modern AU | This fic is rated 18+ MDNI each chapter will have its own content/trigger warnings

summary: you continue to piece together the mystery of your brother's sentence, learning little by little exactly what happened.

a/n: act I of god knows how many is coming to a close! things are about to get.... well. I don't wanna spoil anything. disregard!

taglist: @children-of-the-grave @five-bi-five @kellsck @faggotinie @xplrnowornever @taccobelle @micheledawn1975 @mewchiili @dreamerjj @losingmygrasponreality @munsonburn3r

DISCLAIMER: I do not consent to having my work fed to AI engines, or reposted in any way, shape, or form on other websites. Unless otherwise stated, this is the only account that features and contains this work, and any replication was done without my consent. Please let me know if you see my work elsewhere. Please reblog and comment to support the author!

--

You arrive at Steve and Robin’s a few hours before you’re supposed to leave for the concert. You feel the giddiness in your chest, the looming excitement of finally seeing one of your favorite artists live. That feeling quickly fades when you see the van parked outside of your friends’ place.

Inside the apartment, Steve pours four shots, one for each of you, and Eddie who’s lounging on the couch with a beer in his hand. You try not to stare, but it’s difficult to look away from the display; Eddie dressed in leather pants and a cropped t-shirt, his battle vest draped over the arm of the couch. His hair is tied into a low ponytail, revealing a dangly earring swinging against his neck. You clear your throat, feeling suddenly claustrophobic. 

“Bee! Come in! Have a shot, I call it the Pink Pony.” Steve gestures dramatically to the kitchen island.

You laugh, reaching to strip your jacket from your shoulders. “What exactly is a Pink Pony shot?” You humor him, knowing you’ll probably regret it.

“It’s vodka, pink lemonade, and glitter.” Robin deadpans, plucking one of the glasses from the lineup. “Steve found this drinkable glitter shit online. To me it just looks like Edward Cullen pissed in here.” She closes one eye, inspecting the drink, but ultimately decides it’s worth the risk and downs it in one gulp. Her face scrunches as if she’s in pain, and she shakes her head wildly. “Delish.” She gives an extremely unconvincing thumbs up, and Steve rolls his eyes.

“Whatever. Here,” He hands another glass to you, “I don’t think it’s that bad.”

You gesture the glass to your friends before throwing it down your throat, trying desperately not to wince as it burns in your stomach. “This is…”

“Gasoline.” Eddie adds from the couch. “Jet fuel, even.”

You nod. “He’s right. Steve, where the fuck did you buy this shit?”

“I dunno! I got an ad on TikTok.”

There's a collective groan from the three of you, followed by various exclamations of Steve’s naive purchase. “It might actually be vampire piss!” You joke, earning a giggle from Eddie that makes your stomach flutter. 

“You guys suck.” Steve pouts, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

“Steve, baby, you’re good at so many things. Making drinks just isn’t one of them.” Robin gives her roommate a loving pat on the shoulder, and he surrenders. 

“It is not that bad.” He takes his own shot, and fails miserably to hide his disgust. “Fine, I digress. Bee, you wanna make the next round?”

You sigh, approaching your friends in the kitchen, and feeling Eddie rise from the couch behind you. “You know I’m not working tonight, right?”

Robin juts her lip out. “Please, Bee? We can’t suffer through another round of Pink Pony farts.”

Steve gasps, but you throw your head back with laughter. “Alright, fine. If it means saving the lives of my friends, I guess I’ll do it for free. Just this once, though.” You snatch the glitter from Steve’s hand. “None of this shit, though.” And you dump it down the sink while Robin holds Steve back from lunging at you.

Once the damage is done, you turn to where Steve keeps his alcohol, on the rack by the fireplace. You peek through his half empty bottles, returning with a few you can use. “This, friends and Eddie, is the Bazooka Joe.” You place the Irish cream, banana liqueur, and blue curacao on the counter. “It’s supposed to taste like bubblegum.” You eyeball the measurements, filling each shot glass with the liquids, creating a milky teal color. Your friends each take one, throwing them down quickly. Their reactions are mixtures of shock and pleasant surprise.  

Eddie is the next to speak. “I don’t have any drink recipes to offer, but if anyone would like to join me on the balcony for a joint,” He pulls one from behind his ear, “speak now or forever hold your peace.” His eyes meet yours then, and you can’t dismiss it as an accident. He’s asking you to come out.

“I’m good,” Robin says, narrowing her eyes at Eddie. “Don’t like to smoke before going out in public.” 

Steve starts, “Ooh, I’ll—,” but stops short when Robin shoves her elbow into his side. “I’m good,” he coughs, “You guys go ‘head.”

You frown. He knows your rule, but he makes that stupid pouty face at you anyway. “C’mon, Bee. Don’t make me smoke alone.”

Rolling your eyes, you secede. “Fine. I’ll make a one time exception to the rule. On one condition.”

“What's that?”

“No talking.”

—

He lasts all of five minutes. “This is stupid.” You shake your head, refusing to indulge. “That’s fine. I’ll talk. You can keep not-talking.” He hands you the joint, and you take it, inhaling sweet smoke as Eddie continues, disregarding your agreement. “I wanna apologize. For a lot of things, actually. Last night, that wasn’t cool. I shouldn’t have sunk to his level, I don’t know what came over me.” You sense him staring at you, but fight the urge to look at him. Instead you keep your eyes forward, staring into the darkness of your neighborhood. He sighs, and continues, “And I’m so, so sorry about everything with your brother. It wasn’t easy for me either, y'know. Chris and I were best friends. But I couldn’t not listen to him. He did it to save my stupid ass.”

You finally look at him, passing him the joint as you try to read his face. “What do you mean by saving your ass?” The riddles are tired, and you can’t stand the thought of never getting the whole story. 

He inhales before responding, “The cops already had it out for me. Since the second I turned eighteen, they waited for me to screw up. Pretty sure they had a bet on when I’d get arrested.” His tone is light, but you can see the sadness on his face as he recalls it. “I begged Chris not to tell you. He told me he wouldn’t, but only because he wanted me to. He made me promise to take care of you, and I broke that promise. You already hated me so much when you found out I snitched, you couldn’t even look at me. We stopped talking. I didn’t think telling you would change anything.” 

The information sinks into your skin, and you have to focus on a tree in the distance to stop the world around you from spinning. You cycle through the stages of grief on a loop, getting emotional whiplash each time you try to make sense of what Eddie’s just said to you. Finally, you land on anger and stay there. 

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

He shakes his head, bewildered. “What?”

“Eddie, if you had just told me all of this six years ago–”

“I couldn’t, Bee. I wanted more than anything to tell you, but I couldn’t get out of my own way.”

The buzzing in your head is loud, disorienting. “So you ran away instead?”

Eddie pinches the bridge of his nose, eyes closed in concentration. “Bee, listen–” 

“Eddie, please. Stop talking.” This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening. You slide the screen door open, returning to the warmth of inside, trying not to let your friends read the shock and pain written plainly on your face. “Okay, I think I’m ready.”

–

Lining up for concerts used to be one of your favorite hobbies. If a show had general admission, you’d park yourself outside the venue for hours, holding your spot in the hopes that the artist would sweat on you. As you’ve gotten older, you’ve realized it is definitely not worth the hassle of waiting outside all day, sitting on the concrete until your butt falls asleep. When you and your friends arrive at the venue, the doors are already open, and a bouncer is leading you to the VIP lounge, where you give them your names. It earns you a few glares from people in the general admission line.

“Swanky!” Robin exclaims when she enters the green room, which is actually pretty lackluster. The dressing room holds a long fold out table filled full of snacks and drinks, parallel to an old couch with garish print that you’re sure probably hasn't been cleaned in decades. 

“Sure, if that’s how you wanna put it.” The giggling comes from behind you, where Macy is leaning against the doorframe. “Hi, guys! Really glad you could make it.” She approaches you first, pulling you into an unexpected embrace. “Hi, doll! So nice to see you.” Something about her disposition puts you off, her smile looks plastic. 

Macy makes her rounds, greeting each of your friends with a hug before turning to her boyfriend. “Hi, honey.” She stands on her tiptoes to daintily plant a kiss on his cheek, and the grin he wears is wide. You squint at the couple, trying to read them. “Make yourselves at home, we go on in half an hour. See you out there!” She gives a wave in the general direction of the room, and exits back to what you assume is her dressing room.

“This is so cool. Eddie, hold on to this one, yeah?” Steve plucks a cookie from the plate, and Robin gives him an expression of disbelief. “What?” He asks, mouth full. She just shakes her head. 

–

The lights dim a few minutes after eight p.m., and the incoming crowd cheers with excitement. You and your friends are lined up across the barricade, off to one side to avoid the screaming teenagers only here for Chappell. You’re between Eddie and Robin, Steve on Robin’s other side yelling something in her ear you can’t make out. 

A backing track fades in as the band takes the stage, and Macy approaches the mic stand. “Welcome to the show, everyone! We are Statuesque Dolls, from Hawkins, Indiana!” Zoe clicks her drumsticks together, and they start in on what you can only describe as a pop rock power ballad. Macy’s voice is stunning, you have to admit, reaching octaves you could only ever dream of reaching. The audience gets into it, swaying and dancing along to the rhythm, heads nodding to the beat. Some kids in the front are even singing, never missing a word Macy sings, and she points them out with a beaming grin on her face. Though you try, you can’t bring yourself to enjoy the set. The music is right up your alley of taste, and the band’s stage presence is nothing short of incredible, but the feeling of Eddie’s shoulder rubbing against yours as he belts out the words makes your chest tight, and every time Macy smiles at him you feel a throbbing in your temples.

Finally, they end their set, waving to the crowd before stepping off stage. Eddie announces he’s getting a drink, and nudges you. “Come with me?”

You glance at Robin, and swear you see her nod, as if giving you permission. “Okay.” You follow Eddie out of the crowd, over to the bar where a mass of people have gathered to attempt getting a drink.

“That was good, huh?” You ask feebly, trying to make small talk.

Eddie shrugs. “Yeah, they’re really good.” His tone is flat, and you raise an eyebrow at him.

“What’s up with you?”

He shakes his head, causing his already frizzy curls to fly around his face. “We uh, broke up. Me and Macy, I mean.”

You can’t help but drop your jaw, quickly shutting it when, even in the dim room, you see him blush with embarrassment. “Oh, shit. Eddie. I’m sorry. Wait, but she kissed you like, an hour ago?”

“Yeah, it was pretty amicable. I’m not, like, hurting over it. The band is going on tour after this, and I have, like, no interest in a long distance relationship.”

For some reason, it pisses you off. “But you still love her?”

“Whoa, Bee. Who said anything about love? I told you, it was pretty casual to begin with. What’s got you freakin’ out?” You think you sense teasing in his voice.

“I’m not freaking out, I guess I’m confused. You don’t think she’s worth the effort?” 

He chuckles lightly as you approach the bar, ordering a cider for yourself and a beer for Eddie. “Of course she is. I’m not, though. She deserves better than that. Does it bother you?” 

You roll your eyes, handing the bartender far too much cash for just two drinks. “You just said it wasn’t that serious, why would you care what I had to say about it?”

“Do you have something to say about it?” If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he sounded hopeful.

You pretend to ponder his question, then deadpan, “No. Believe it or not, I don’t give a shit about what you do with your dating life. You might break Steve’s heart if you tell him, though.”

Eddie visibly deflates as you hand him his drink. “Fuck, you’re right. You tell him.”

“No! I’m not doing your dirty work for you, Munson. Time to grow a pair.” With that, you breeze past him, back into the crowd. 

–

“Thank you, Indy, I have been Chappell Roan!” The redhead onstage is a dream, absolutely stunning in a sparkly, pink, and complicated outfit. The fan blows her curly locks around, and you’d been so mesmerized that you’re only now registering the show is almost over. 

She ends with pink Pony Club, causing Robin and Steve to jump around, screaming their voices hoarse, and you join them. By the end, you’re sweating bullets, makeup practically sliding down your face.

When she leaves the stage, you feel the relief of the crowd leaving, their weight that had been pressed to your back for hours finally fading. “That was insane. She’s incredible. Ethereal, really.” Steve is raving as you follow your friends out of the venue and into the cold of the night. “Eddie, man, you gotta go on tour.”

Eddie shrugs shyly. “Yeah, I’m workin’ on it, man.”

“No, man! With Macy, be the tour wife! You’ll get to see her all the time, and Macy! Her band is awesome, I can’t believe–”

“Steve, Macy and I broke up.”

He stops in his tracks. “What? Why? What did you do?”

“Why do you always think I did something?”

“Because you always do something. Remember in high school when you wanted to ask-”

“Okay! Enough. For your information, I didn’t do anything. I just don’t want anything serious right now.”

It barely satisfies Steve, but he backs off with a huffed “Okay, whatever!” You look from the boys to Robin, who’s already staring at you, seemingly studying your reaction.

“What?” You ask her, and she shakes her head. 

“Anyone want food? I’m buying.” Steve offers, earning collective nods and mumbles of affirmation. Eventually, you end up at a late night diner, and Eddie holds the door open for the rest of you. 

–

You arrive home past midnight, eyes and limbs heavy with sleep. “I’ll see you tomorrow, right Bee?” Robin asks. You nod, only just now remembering you promised to help Steve set up his and Robin’s new entertainment center. “Okay, cool. I’ll get us coffee!” Your friends and Eddie all say goodbye, and the car pulls away as you enter your house, foregoing the shower you’re definitely going to need in favor of sleeping longer. 

When you’re finally cozied up in bed, your phone buzzes.

Eddie (block later): Thx for listening. Gn bee.

You decide against a real reply, instead tapping the Thumbs Up reaction, and locking your phone before rolling over. Sleep doesn’t come, though, despite how physically tired you are. Your brain is wired, thoughts racing by too quickly to focus on. Every thought you’ve shoved aside, rushing at you at once. Most of them are questions you can’t answer on your own; Why did Eddie tell you about his breakup? Why is he suddenly being so fucking nice to you? Has he always been this goddamn pretty?

You groan, shoving your face into your pillow to stifle the noise. Unfortunately, that telepathy you share with your brother hasn’t gone away, even after six years apart.

“Hey,” Your bedroom door cracks open to reveal Chris’s forehead, illuminated by the hall light behind him. “Can’t sleep?”

You shake your head before remembering you’re in the dark. “No. You?”

“Nah.” He opens the door fully, stepping into the dark of your room. “How was your night?”

“Really… good?”

“You sound unsure.” He throws himself down on the end of your bed, bouncing you up and down with the mattress. “What happened?”

You pause, unsure of how much Chris needs to know. Ultimately, you know you can’t hide anything from him, even though he’d spent the last six years pretty much conspiring with Eddie against you. “Nothing, really. We went to the show, it was fantastic. I had a really good time.”

“And…?”

“And nothing!”

“Then why are you groaning into your pillow like a child throwing a tantrum?” He snickers, and you whack his arm. “C’mon, something’s bugging you.”

“Yeah, but it’s gonna sound stupid.”

“You’re my little sister, everything you say sounds stupid.”

“Wow, Chris. Thanks, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.” You sit up, tucking your comforter into your waist. “Seriously, you’re gonna think I’m insane.”

“Well, I already do, so you got nothing to lose.”

“It’s something Eddie told me.” He doesn’t speak, waiting for you to continue. “He said you told him to rat you out. That’s not true, is it?”

Your brother sighs, bringing his legs up onto your bed to mirror you. “Would it change anything if I said yes?” You huff, waiting for him to continue. “Bee,” Chris flops onto his stomach. “You ‘hate’ Eddie for something I told him to do. You iced him out because of me. I know you probably don’t want to admit it to yourself, but I am the reason you and Eddie don’t get along. I’m sorry, I didn’t think he’d up and leave you, I never would have expected that from him. He lo–” He stops himself short, then continues instead, “He cares about you so much, kid. I feel awful for ruining that.”

It hurts your brain, hearing Chris confirm that gnawing feeling you’ve had for days, since Eddie blurted out the same truth in a fit of anger. Now it washes over you like a tidal wave, suffocating you under its weight. “It’s not too late to fix things with him, Bee. I know he’s been a little weird lately, but I can understand why. Just, give him a chance to redeem himself. For me?”

“Chris, why the fuck would I do anything for you after you told me all that? You basically just admitted to ruining one of the closest friendships I have ever had, and six fucking years too late. I can’t just pretend that didn’t happen! Eddie fucking left because of it! I thought he’d betrayed you!”

“In all fairness, I told him to tell you, begged him even. I figured he had, until I got out. I had no idea he’d kept that part from you. I told you that.” He argues. 

It’s too much at once, you can feel your skin burning. “Get out, Chris. Please.”

He doesn’t argue, rising from your bed and walking to the door before turning. “I can take the heat, I’ve been getting it from you my whole life, but the kid did nothing wrong. It was stupid of him to run instead of telling you, but he didn’t screw me like you’d thought for so long. Don’t hold that grudge, Bee, it’s not worth it.” Before you can respond, Chris closes the door behind him, leaving you to be swallowed by the dark of your room.

[brain-rot-central]

Sonnet was mentioned by @deadly-diminuendo, @bardic-inspo, and @paganwitchisis! Thank you guys so much -- stealing the game from you, if you don't mind!

words posted: 67,589 additional words written: (nothing as of yet; taking a brain break for today lol) grand total of words: 67,589

fandoms: BG3, Dragon Age

highest kudos: Sonnet of the Lone Cardinal, sitting at 510! <3 highest hit oneshot: Possession, at 7,168 new things I tried: Started a longfic (Sonnet), a new fandom, and just allowed myself to be more creative this year. fic I spent the most time on: Definitely Sonnet, and my pegging fic. I distinctly remember sitting on my couch trying to finish that one up as quickly as possible lol. fic I spent the least amount of time on: A Moment's Respite; really started as an idea tossed around with friends and I wanted to write a short, sweet scene. favorite thing I wrote: I'm still currently writing Sonnet; there was a line I wrote for Tav in chapter 10 as she's arguing with AA:

“Is that what I’m to do, Astarion? Piece everything together and just assume how you feel? Like a dog that waits patiently for scraps at the dinner table?”

Also this one:

“Should I take a page out of your book then, and lie to your face?” Tav realizes she's playing with fire the more she pushes, but she can't help herself. The smell of raw, open wounds fills her; she finally has him cornered. “Would you rather I fall to my knees and swear fealty to you, all while brandishing a dagger behind my back? Is that in more of a language you understand?”

You ever write something, read it back to yourself and go "oof yeah. that's it. that's so fucking it"? Ngl was real proud of myself after that lmao.

favorite thing(s) I read: I'm absolutely loving @cursedhaglette's new fic Requited. It's a DAI retelling from dual POVs between Solas and her oc Morinne Lavellan. It contains spoilers for Veilguard, so if you haven't played that yet or are planning on doing so, just a word of caution. It's sweet, thoughtfully, and the slow burn is killing me. The fire was just recently sparked in her latest chapter and my god is it good. Definitely something to read if you're a Solavellan fan!

Midnight at Skyhold by LadyDanya on Ao3. Where the fuck do I begin? A Cullen/Female Trevelyan fic; he's crushing on the Inquisitor but doesn't think he's enough as is to face her. Varric also decided to litter copies of his latest smut novel around Skyhold, leaving all the women in a tizzy. Cullen gets his hands on a copy after hearing Trevelyan's praise about it and decides to take a few pages out of the book to help him out. Idk the whole concept makes me insane in a good way. It's unfinished but where the author left off is more than sufficient of an ending.

You'll hate me (make love) by @astarionfreak AA x Tav post-break up fic. They're dying and their last wish is to have the rogue they fell in love with make love to them one final time. I absolutely love this fic though it also makes me want to bawl my eyes out.

writing goals for 2025: not really writing but I hope to put more energy into reading more fic. If I'm actively writing, I find it hard to simultaneously read fic because then I start comparing myself to what I'm reading and psyche myself out of writing. Absolutely no one's fault but mine, I know, and I apologize for it. But that's the truth lol. But I hopefully will finish Sonnet by the end of the year. We're about halfway done. And idk, maybe allow myself the space to think of an original work? I'm not the best with world building but I've also never allowed myself to explore the possibility of writing something entirely from my own brain. Hopefully I can unshackle it this year and come up with something. Will it ever see the light of day, who knows. But everyone should be able to dream, yes?

Opening this up to all to participate!!

[etdraconis]

( More for myself than anything else, but I’m bored, so here is a list of all my DA OC’s and their main/in-game ships )

Origins

Oliver Amell x Zevran

Rosalie Amell x Alistair (only bc Anders isn’t an option tbh)

Pyke Brosca x Happiness

Amara Cousland x Zevran (but really Nathaniel has he been an option in Awakenings)

Brennon Cousland x Morrigan (only bc he couldn’t romance Alistair in game 😭)

Theron Mahariel x Morrigan

Aurelia Tabris x Leliana (tho she 100% would have fucked Morrigan if given the chance)

Alim Surana x Happiness (only bc he couldn’t have Alistair)

DA2

Callum Hawke x Isabela (he so wanted Sebastian tho)

Kenton Hawke x Anders

Leanore x Fenris (she really is Varric’s girl tho lbr)

Inquisition

Hava Lavellan x Solas

Claire Trevelyan x Cullen

Declan Trevelyan x Dorian

Evelyn Trevelyan x Blackwall

Everett Trevelyan x Cassandra

Maxwell Trevelyan x Iron Bull (he also really had a thing for Cullen too tbh, and for Dorian)

Persephone Trevelyan x Josephine

Veilguard

Elysia Caius x Emmrich

Naivara Valisti x Lucanis

Sterling Mercer x Lucanis

Mia Cousland x Davrin

Drakaan Laidir x Taash

Tyrion Ingellvar x Emmrich

Annabelle Amell x Neve

Alessio de Riva x Lace

Xan Thorne x Lace

Malcolm Hawke x Bellara

Rowan Theirin x Neve

Arinaya Aldwir x Bellara

Others I could see

Julian Amell x Dorian

Arden Aclassi x Dorian (tho it would be a SLOW burn tbh)

Lauryl Cousland x Cullen (or Davrin too tbh, they would be cute)

Victoire Ducet x Josephine (or Lucanis or Emmrich too)

[erisismywaifu25]

Free Until Dawn

Before we start, a few bullet point facts to get out of the way:

•Jake and Bella are the same age (Bella is still older) and Seth and A.J. are a year younger than them

•In this Twilight fanfic universe, vamps and wolves who were changed before they turned 18 continue to age until they reach 18 cause I said so

•Jasper served in the Union

•My idioms or comparisons may suck but sometimes the only way for me to get a point across is to be extremely descriptive

•This story follows both the movies and books and may switch between the book’s timeline and the movies

•Proofread but not perfect

Also this story is Seth Clearwater x OC (?) Cullen based on my friend who requested this slow-burn fic, cause there are almost no Seth fanfics (the disrespect😤✊🏻). All chapters are named after Florence+the Machine songs cause me and my bestie love her stuff.

Word count: 9491

Without further ado…Chapter 4 of Shake It Out

——————————

     “You going to play fair this time?” Alice asked as she stretch her left arm across her chest while standing at second base.

     Emmett scoffed, twisting his back only a few away from Alice, “I always play fair.” The striped baseball cap was secured by him for emphasis.

     As it thundered around them, seven out of the eight vampires were currently preparing for a game of baseball patiently, on some parts, awaiting Bella and Edward’s arrival following the Cullen's official introduction to her. Lucky for Bella, she was about to witness a sacred tradition in the Cullen household that started years before A.J. was around. It was something each vastly different personality could enjoy and gave each of them a chance to use their physically enhanced abilities to their full capacity. 

     Nine days after A.J. joined the rest of her family in Forks, Edward decided a baseball game was just what A.J. needed. The idea for a baseball game to ease A.J. into the new family dynamic, came to Edward after he caught A.J. reminiscing about a game-saving catch from her human years. Later that day, he approached Carlisle and proposed a game the next time it stormed, and naturally, Carlisle and everyone else eagerly agreed. So on the ninth day, when the forecast called for a thunderstorm and delivered, the Cullens played a heated baseball game. 

     During A.J.’s first game of baseball with the Cullens, the newborn broke out from the remainder of the barrier she had built up after her transformation. Being a part of the winning team, with star pitcher Alice, definitely aided A.J. in feeling like her old self. Easily the last ‘strike’ of her barrier, especially since striving to win and typically doing so, had encapsulated her human years. Along with the fun on that day, Emmett saw an opportunity to ensure he would always be on the winning team and jumped on the bandwagon; claiming the title ‘A.J.’s Coach’ after witnessing her skilled third-basemen skills.  

     “Nu-uh,” Alice exclaimed and placed her hands on dark leggings, “You totally lied about that ‘foul ball’.”

     “I didn’t lie about the foul ball you hit.” the younger of the two Cullens smirked, “Ain’t nothing to be ashamed of, Alice. You’re just a crappy hitter.”

     Alice gasped and smacked his shoulder, “At least I can pitch without taking someone’s head out!” she defended herself.

     Emmett snickered before a smug smirk crept onto his alabaster skin, “Can’t help it, Wonderland. I’m jacked like Hercules!” he kissed both of his biceps after flexing underneath his navy blue tracksuit.

     “Alright, alright, alright,” Jasper called out as he strutted towards the bickering siblings, “No fraternizing with the enemy.” 

     The Texan placed a hand upon Alice’s narrow shoulders which dawned a white baseball vest, and gently guided her away from Emmett with a baseball bat in his other hand.

     By first base, a groan came from Rosalie that was bending down by the waist and holding her calves to stretch. The couple and Emmett, who were conglomerating near home base, turned their attention to her.

     “You’ve watched ‘Dazed and Confused’ too many times.” the tall blonde gracefully swung her torso up to stand straight.

     “No such thang’, Rosie.” A.J. quipped while flashing next to Rosalie with a moderately sized pink boom box in her sleeve-covered arms, “We Texans support each other.”

     A.J. met eyes with Jasper’s, a mischievous glint in both their eyes to match their smirks. A silent conversation transpired between the Texans, much to the others' despair before they both resumed what they had been doing.

      The youngest Hale gave Rosalie a friendly pat on the back and clicked her tongue before jogging off toward the right side of home plate where Esme and Carlisle were chatting. Her black backpack bounced off of her back as the wind pushed against the buttoned pinstripe shirt, which was similar to Carlisle’s, which was tucked into her black leggings. On her feet was a pair of hot pink socks that peeked out of the same dusty white sneakers she always wore when participating in any outdoor activity - provided an extra bounce to her step. 

     A ‘bleh’ left A.J. when Carlisle and Esme shared a sweet kiss just as she walked past them. 

     “I think I feel my teeth rottin’.” the girl swiped her tongue across her top set of teeth.

     The lovers parted with a chortle from each and turned their attention to their youngest child. 

     “You know, Angel,” Esme sang as A.J. set the boom box down after kneeling a few feet away from them, “You might find yourself falling for someone like your father and I have for each other.” 

     A.J. shook her head as four of her siblings snapped their attention to their conversation.

     “Absolutely not,” Emmett commented with a small frown.

     Alice rolled her eyes at the overprotective brute, “Dating is normal and healthy; especially for developing teenagers.” she spoke with her arms crossed.

     Rosalie stared at Alice, “She’s going to have to wait, regardless, Alice. There aren’t exactly sixteen-year-old vampires roaming around here, and we don’t need another reason for the Volturi to be on our backs.”

      The Cullens stilled. Faces dropping, bodies tensing, and minds swirling with guilt. The words Rosalie were the same as they always were; spitting out insults or malign words aimed towards Edward and Bella’s relationship. Though, this time, her words held a different meaning for the group. Reminding them all A.J. couldn’t have what they wanted her to; what they all wished she could.

     A normal life.

     Having been changed at the youngest age of fifteen in the Olympic Coven, she had even less time to have lived as a human. Too quickly was she thrown into this world; too quickly had she been forced out of the other. They all knew she loved her family dearly, and they shared the sentiment, but they were aware of her desire to ‘be’ a teenager again; to live a normal adolescence. They desired the same for her. Rosalie most of all. Despite a few apprehensions about A.J. dating, the choice being stripped from her makes it a bit harder to play the role of an ‘overprotective and gruff’ family member.

     A.J., having her back turned to the brooding vampires, knew what they were all thinking and could feel the tension in the atmosphere. She often thinks of the same thing - she craves it. Not necessarily romance, but at least the choice to.  More often than not, she chooses not to share her thoughts on it, except for a few times when Edward caught her thinking about it or her and Rosalie’s late-night talks. Unfortunately, ignoring them only made the thoughts and desires stronger. The fact of the underlying doom of immortality is that every choice you’d thought you’d gain - every decision you’d thought you’d get to make twice, gets ripped away from you in a few short moments.

     A.J. shook her shoulders as if a chill ran over her, and unzipped the small compartment on the front of her backpack once she set it in front of her. 

     “Listen,” she broke the silence as she pulled out a CD case with four men sitting around a table on the cover, “they’d have to be a very special person for me to consider datin’ - I mean, I’m hot…and got standards.”

     Her unspoken mission of raising the mood was a success as a plethora of smiles, and an eye roll or two made its way around.

     “Oh no! Guys, where’d the sky go?” Emmett feigned a look of fear as he peered up at the sky with a hand as a shield, “Oh, never mind, it’s just A.J.’s big-ass head.”

     A.J.’s mouth dropped at her brother's words just as she finished placing the CD in the correct compartment, and twisted her torso while in a squatted position.

     Rosalie sent a glare toward Emmett before saying, “There’s nothing wrong with confidence.” her eyes softened when she turned to A.J. from afar.

     

     “It’s hot on you, babe,” Emmett explained, his body language matching his whiny tone, “Not on A.J.”

     A.J. snorted, along with Alice, and the other Cullens gave Emmett a look of confusion at his choice of words.

     “I sure hope it’s not hot on me,” A.J. spoke with a flabbergasted tone as she fumbled with buttons on her boombox.

     Emmett physically faltered, “I-I-you guys know I didn’t mean it like that.”

     Jasper quirked an eyebrow up, “Oh, really, dearest brother? Then by all means, please elaborate your eloquent words.” he spoke with one hand still on Alice’s shoulder and the other twirling the metal bat.

     Emmett frowned, “I was trying to compliment my wife and insult A.J. at the same time, which proved to be more difficult than expected.”

     “Seems you really are only brawn.” Jasper teased further, an almost sinister smirk across his face.

     “Hey!” Rosalie barked out with a harsh expression, “I may be on your team, but I won’t hesitate to hurt you.”

     Emmett’s demeanor changed instantly to smugness at Rosalie coming to his defense. The smirk on Jasper’s face didn’t move, instead, it seemed to grow wider at Rosalie’s threat; as if he were daring her to touch him. He dropped his arm from Alice’s shoulders and dipped it into his pocket.

     “I’d like to see you try, yank.” the Texan leaned back as he pointed the baseball bat at her.

     At the sight of Rosalie beginning to stomp forward, Carlisle thought it best to speak up.

     “Rose,” the eldest vampire warned, arm tucked under his wife’s white jacket and around her waist.

     The irritated blonde’s head snapped toward Carlisle’s so fast it was a miracle it didn’t break.

     “What?” She spat, annoyed at Jasper and Carlisle.

     Carlisle gave her one of his hopeful smiles, “Let’s try to have a nice day.”

     “That goes for you too, Jasper,” Esme paused before switching her gaze to a smug Emmett, “And you.”

     “W-what-I,” Emmett fumbled over his words, “I’m a victim of defamation! I’m innocent here.”

     Jasper lowered the bat to the ground and settled his weight on it.

     “Yer’ ‘bout as innocent-,”

     A.J. drowned out the bickering behind her, engrossed in her boom box and getting it to work. The recurring problem, which she insisted was easily fixable and did not require a new one, was that the CD she put in would spin for a few seconds before coming to a stop. She grew more agitated as she repeated the process of taking the CD out, exhaling on it as she would on a cold window, gently wiping it off on her black leggings, then placing it back in the compartment, and pressing play - only to have to repeat the process. After another failed attempt, A.J. took an unsatisfying deep breath before forcefully exhaling through her nose. 

     “Shit.” A.J. huffed to herself, thankful no one could hear her over the bickering.

     “Ya know, ever since the fall of New Year’s Eve of ‘08, my boom box ain’t never played the same.” A.J. thought aloud to anyone who would listen.

     Rosalie was heading up the field and across to A.J.’s side instantaneously; always being willing to help her baby sister. It helped that she was the most skilled mechanic out of the Cullen Coven; her confidence in cars crossed over to most things technical…except t.v.s, though she was always looking to expand her knowledge. In her own time.

     “Did you put fresh batteries in?” Rosalie inquired once she reached A.J.

     A.J. observed Rosalie squatting down next to her, out of her peripheral vision.

     “Yes, I put fresh batteries in,” A.J. snarked out without thinking.

     The tone she used earned the young vampire a warning look from Rosalie, who stared her sister down. A.J. shut her eyes and turned away for a moment, before returning her gaze to Rosalie.

     “Sorry, that w’n’t directed at you,” she earnestly apologized, “This damn thang’ is pissin’ me off.” she gestured vigorously at the malfunctioning boombox with pinched brows.

     Rosalie ushered a ‘thank you’ in response before examining the portable stereo further.

     As the two Hale girls inspected the boombox and the other Cullens chatted amongst themselves, a silver jeep pulled toward the wide-open field. Its wheels tracked through the soft ground, leaving a muddy trail behind it and on the black tires. 

     Esme and Alice both grinned excitedly at the arrival of the new couple and Carlisle smiled softly, not outwardly matching their level of excitement. Emmett and Jasper were too busy misconducting themselves to turn their attention to the car as it was pulled into park a bit away from the others. From beside her, A.J. felt Rosalie tense up. Well aware of Rosalie’s opinion on all of this, she knew her attitude could turn fast and possibly ruin what was supposed to be some family fun time. 

     Esme and Carlisle shared a look before both turning back to give Rosalie an encouraging smile. Rosalie, who held the look of distaste she always held when Bella was in mind, gave them nothing promising in return. With a cheesy grin and painfully raised eyebrows, A.J. shot her parents a double thumbs up. The couple chuckled at her behavior and returned her thumbs up and smile, at a lesser volume. 

     The eldest Hale sister turned her attention to A.J. after observing Carlisle and Esme’s reactions, to find her sister still in the over-the-top position. In a blink, the newborn now sat with a dramatized frown and slowly raised her left hand to rest on her no-longer beating heart. Her head shook in a defeated manner, in hope that her big sister would crack a smile at her ludicrous behavior. Fortunately for A.J., in a move so minuscule only the trained eye would notice, the right corner of Rosalie's lips raised ever so slightly. Victoriously, A.J. beamed; savoring the lightened presence and softened gaze of her bitter sister.

     During this transaction, Edward stepped out of the driver's side door and walked around the silver Jeep he arrived in. His gaunt hand opened the passenger-side door, and out stepped Bella in a rugged, brown jacket with her brown hair in a ponytail covered by a baseball cap that mimicked Emmett’s, only being worn the right way around. Her shoulders were hunched as she was within herself in a way that completely contradicted the way Edward delved into himself; usually. Today, however, Edward seemed more withdrawn than usual. Previous teasing didn’t aid in reducing his nerves at all, and the fact of the constant threat this brought to Bella and his family, well, it added up.

     The couple shared the same social awkwardness, but Bella carried herself in a way that lacked confidence and made her appear fragile. Whereas during most occasions for Edward, he exuded confidence, some even say arrogance; at least that’s what A.J. had heard from her sibling's school gossip and teasing. For the unusual pair, however, it seemed to work quite well for them.

    While A.J. observed her brother and his new girlfriend, Rosalie had found what she believed to be ‘the sweet spot’ on the pink boom box. With a loud ‘thump’ that nearly made A.J. jump out of her skin and attracted the others' attention, the CD in it began spinning fast. A.J. beamed at her sister, who she considered a hero at the moment, and flicked her head between the boom box and her at a lightning-fast speed. A.J. excitedly placed her index finger onto the ‘play’ atop the boom box and pressed it without hesitation. Music blared from the speakers, bass instantly filling the chests of the two vampires who sat in front of it.

     “WHOO!” A.J. cheered and fell back onto her butt.

     Emmett thrust his fist into the air, “HELL YEAH!” he yelled.

     “YEAH!” Jasper joined with a playfully stern face and copied Emmett’s action with the bat.

     From an awkward angle, the ecstatic newborn wrapped her strong arms around Rosalie’s midsection, nearly toppling the elder Hale over. 

     “Thank you!” the girl squealed while Rosalie gained her balance back.

     Rosalie smiled brightly as she hugged A.J. back, “No problem, just stop letting people touch your stuff.”

     “I tried to stop Emmett from recreating that scene from ‘Say Anything’.” Edward called out from the Jeep where he and Bella just finished a conversation.

     “Aw, come on,” Emmett whined with a smile, “It was Valentine's Day! I had to do something for my babe. After 72 years together, you gotta’ keep it fresh.”

     The burly Cullen winked at Rosalie, who didn’t spare a glance at her husband, leaving him dejected as she marched her way to Carlisle who was only a few feet away from her. Carlisle had retrieved the second baseball bat from a long white and blue that also contained extra gloves and umpire gear and was resting his weight upon it. He greeted Rosalie with a close-lipped smile and opened his mouth to ask her but was quickly stopped by her palm flying up in front of him as she stomped by.

     A.J. could feel the anger radiating off of her sister, even without a special power and her being across the field now. She knew it was a miracle for Rosalie to even be here, with her previous plan of leaving to avoid the game and Bella all together. Without a doubt, A.J. knew it would get better once the game started, the others thought so as well, especially since her demeanor was quite bright beforehand the new couple arrived.

     “So that’s how you’ve managed to keep her.” Edward teased Emmett as he and Bella reached home plate.

     Emmett flashed next to Edward, causing Bella to jump, and wrapped a thick arm around his brother’s shoulders, which were covered by a button-up baseball jersey.

    Edward gave the younger vampire a look, already knowing what he was about to say. 

     “Emmett, that’s revolting,” Edward grimaced and pulled himself from Emmett’s grip.

     “What?” Emmett furrowed his dark brows, “I was just gonna remind you that I’m not the one who thought sparkling was a dealbreaker.” he decided to keep his previous thought to himself.

     A few of the Cullen ‘children’ laughed at Emmett’s remark, despite it being at Edward’s expense. His joke, as expected, did not sit well with Edward who was glaring at his brother.

    A.J. glanced up at Jasper messing with a baseball bat, “Oo! That’s awkward.” 

     The girl sucked a breath through her bunny-like teeth while beginning to read through the tracklist on the back of her CD case.

     A half-hearted grin slowly spread its way onto Edward’s face and his right flew up to swipe his mouth.

     “You know, Emmett,” his arm was now around Emmett’s shoulders, “I think you're just scared of your team losing.”

     “Not unless you plan on throwing the game,” Emmett smirked with crossed arms.

     Edward’s shit-eating look was stolen by Emmett. His head snapped over to Esme, asking a silent question, but easily found the answer by using his gift.

     “Rosalie and Alice wanted to be on a team this time,” Esme explained nonetheless while grabbing umpire gear out of the baseball bag, “We’re team ‘Wonder Woman’!”

     Edward furrowed his brows, “Jasper’s on your team.” His inquiry was disguised as a statement.

     “It’s an honor to be on a team named after comics’  finest heroine,” Jasper answered for himself as he practiced his batting stance to the side of Carlisle and Rosalie.

     Edward looked to Emmett, “And we are…MVP?” a look of dissatisfaction was on his face.

     “I was vouchin’ fer the Cheetahs, personally,” A.J. spoke up, “You know, Wonder Woman’s nemesis and all.” she clicked the skip button at the top of the boom box.

     Esme smiled at her children’s banter and pushed her way toward Bella with a black baseball glove and chest protector. Bella met her gaze with a close-lipped smile and hesitantly took the glove when the Cullen matriarch extended it to her.

     “Glad you’re here,” Esme wrapped an arm around Bella, “We need an umpire,” she stated while leading the girl to home base.

     Emmett waltzed past them, “She thinks we cheat.” he continued heading down the field.

     “I know you cheat.” Esme taunted as Emmett tossed a baseball between his hands.

     A.J. tsked, “Y’all love to say that ‘cause our team happens to always win.” she goaded while placing her ‘Muse’ CD back into the small compartment of her backpack.

     “What about last time,” Rosalie asked with a sarcastic tone from her spot near second base.

     Bella glanced at the brooding woman, “What happened last time?” she switched her gaze to Esme as they parked themselves at home base. 

     “Here, slip your jacket off for a moment, sweetie,” Esme instructed kindly, “Last time we all played, which was…,”

     “March 30,” Alice answered from the pitcher’s mound.

     Esme thanked Alice with a smile, “Thank you. Anyway, Carlisle continuously struck out during the first inning, resulting in team ‘VIP’ having five fewer runs than team ‘Great Batsy’.” 

     During her explanation, Esme slipped the black chest protector over Bella’s neck. 

     “Crying, Bella,” A.J. scooted her bottom to face Bella, “I was cryin’ and I don’t even have tears.”

     Carlisle smiled sheepishly, “In my defense, I had a lot on my mind.”

     A.J. didn’t miss the subtle embarrassment that showed on Edward’s face nor the looks her siblings gave him.

     “No excuse, sir,” A.J. threw a finger up, “We’re winners, and I expect ya ta act like it!” 

     Her behavior earned a chuckle from Carlisle and an exclamation of agreement from Emmett. 

     As this went on. Esme adjusted the chest guard causing Bella to blink at the sudden movement but eventually helped Esme settle it on her torso. Once it was resting on her shoulders, Edward snaked behind Bella and adjusted the straps across her upper back. Esme then stepped away to give the new lovers some space. Her pallid face held a warm expression at the sight of the ‘son’ she had grown most fond of, finally finding happiness in love. 

     The sweet moment was soon ruined as Bella was jerked back by the force Edward unconsciously used. A crease formed between Esme’s dark eyebrows as she frowned at the  uncomfortable scene in front of her. She sent a small smile; whether it was a warning to be mindful or encouragement was unknown; and stepped away from the couple to help the others in setting up.

     “Sorry,” Edward’s hands faltered on the straps, “Last time I did this was back when A.J. had first joined us.” he secured the chest guard on Bella’s back.

     Bella nodded, still holding her brown jacket on her arm. The sleeves of her white shirt twisted as Edward’s hand snaked around her to lift the brown jacket off of her right arm.

     “It’s okay,” she swallowed as Edward prepared her coat to assist it on, “How long ago was that?”

     “Why does it matter?” Rosalie snarked out with crossed arms and a hip popped out.

     Edward paused in helping Bella put her jacket back on to give a warning look to the blonde.

     Carlisle’s lips pressed into a straight line, “Rose,” he warned.

     Bella looked back at Edward before back at Rosalie.

     “It doesn’t, I was just curious.” Bella answered honestly.

     “And it’s a perfectly valid question,” A.J. spoke up.

     Rosalie’s eye roll could practically be heard by the others.

     A.J. briefly glanced back at those behind her, “If we’re goin’ off the day I actually moved here, then…,” she trailed off while calculating.

     “A.J.’s lived here since last August.” Carlisle answered for her.

     Bella nodded as she consecutively pushed her arms through the sleeves of her jacket as Edward finished helping her by hiking the coat up until it was entirely back on. 

     “It’s a little tight,” Bella stated with tight lips as she rolled her shoulders.

     The jacket she wore barely fit over the padding of the chest guard thrown onto her. Her arm movement was restricted, but she supposed it was better to have stiff arms than a shattered sternum. 

     Loud guitar suddenly blared from A.J.’s boombox, the owner of it now swaggering over to home plate. She snatched up a black glove lined with hot pink from the gear bag on her way over.

     “Sorry, Bella-rella,” A.J. approached the uncomfortable human, “It’s either have no protection ‘gainst my lethal pitches and get soaked down to your knickers, or have protection from such pitches buuut still get soaked - ‘cause-uh-do you smell that?”

     A.J. threw her arm around Bella’s padded shoulders and thoroughly inhaled with her nose pointed toward the sky. 

     “It’s gon’ rain.” A.J. rasped out while gradually lowering her head.

     Emmett grinned from over by third base, “It’s gon rain!” he repeated.

     “IT’S GON’ RAIN!” A.J. shouted before patting Bella on the back and jogging to the pitcher's mound.

     Esme chuckled next to Carlisle before turning to her husband.

     Her hands pressed his chest, “Alright, enough chitter-chatter, Bella didn’t come here to talk. Let’s play some baseball!” 

     Esme patted Carlisle’s chest, signaling him and the remaining Cullens not in place, to assume their positions on the field.

     A.J. eyed Alice as she approached the pitcher’s mound, “You’re gonna’ have to move.” A.J. jutted her left thumb toward home plate.

     Alice furrowed her brows, “And why is that?”

     Rosalie frowned as Carlisle her way, “Yeah, why is that? The team I’m on lost last time.”

     “We know,” Emmett stated, “We decided, however, that we wanna play the field first… and so A.J. can pitch first.”

     Rosalie rolled her topaz eyes once again while Alice agreed to their decision and they both jogged back to home plate. The remaining two members of team ‘Wonder Woman’ had yet to move from their previous spots at home plate and waited for the others to get into position.

     “Keep an eye on Emmett, alright,” Edward spoke into Bella’s ear with a smile.

     Emmett frowned, “Hey, we’re on the same team!” 

     His fist slammed into his gloved left hand, clearly itching for the game to start.

     “That doesn’t change your track record.” Edward retorted after flashing over to second base as Carlisle jogged to first.

     With the baseball gripped tightly in her right hand, A.J. swung her arm toward Jasper at home plate, who was also preparing.

     “Careful, Eddie,” A.J. warned, “Might start ta’ think you're a snitch.”

     Edward chortled, “How can one be a snitch in baseball?”

     A.J. craned her neck to look at him, “Uh, I don’t know, mind reader.” she squinted suspiciously at him.

     Emmett glanced between before a look of realization spread across his pallid face.

      “Ohhh, yeah, I see what you’re gettin’ at, Aje,” Emmett smirked while eyeing Edward, “You’re gonna listen to our team's thoughts and then sabotage us.”

     Edward paused and blinked, words escaping him. One weakness he would never admit, even if he was being tortured, is the effect Emmett and A.J. have to completely and utterly bamboozle him. Once the shock of Emmett’s accusation wore off, Edward peeled his eyes open and met Bella’s brown ones. She held an amused expression, her eyes asking a question Edward couldn’t hear. He sent her a silent shrug as an answer whilst A.J. and Emmett continued their rant.

     “Alright,” Carlisle’s call silenced Emmett and A.J., “I’m sure Edward is not planning a betrayal, and even if he was-,”

     “Which I’m not.” Edward chimed in.

     “I know,” Carlisle spoke in his mind with an apologetic look, “Even if he was, I think we’d still manage to win. Even without Rose on our team.” 

     A smug smile spread across Carlisle’s lips, as a chorus of ‘Oo’s’ blended with the breeze that blew his striped scarf.

     “Let’s go then,” A.J. spun on her heel to face home plate, “Jasper.” she nodded.

     Jasper nodded back, preparing his stance.

     “Angel.” he smiled at her, eyes filled with determination.

     In an instant, A.J. propelled her right arm forward. The ball flew from her hand and headed straight to Jasper. The bat he held swung out and away from his shoulder, his torso and legs twisting to enhance the force he hit with. With a loud crack of thunder, the ball collided with the bat and launched high into the sky. Unfortunately for Jasper, the ball headed into the air directly above A.J., who leaped up what seemed like five-hundred feet to Bella, and caught the ball with ease in her gloved hand. A.J. landed on her feet with a thud, sufficiently stopping Jasper from running just as he dropped the bat.

     Bella glanced up at Esme from her squatted position a little ways behind Jasper as laughs or winces echoed through the air. The speed at which the Cullens play made it difficult for her to decipher anything, let alone the baseball knowledge she lacked. She briefly wished she would’ve paid more attention to her step-father’s career now. Answering her silent question, Esme nodded to her with a grimace.

     “Out.” Bella called.

     “Oh-ho-ho, Mr. Whitlock,” A.J. called in a nasally British accent, “How it seems your strategy has grown weak.” her smile grew at the sound of Emmett’s snicker.

     Alice watched as her husband tracked back to join her and Rosalie on the sidelines, frown on his face but posture still perfect. Jasper handed her the bat as he passed her and continued until he was next to Rosalie.

     “It’s okay, Jazzy,” Alice cooed, “It was only your first bat.” she gave him an assuring smile as she approached the plate.

     A.J. grinned at Alice as the older vampire settled into batting position. A strike of lightning in the distance lit the grey sky and was quickly followed by a deafening crack of thunder. Bella jumped in her skin at the unexpected volume which only heightened her stress levels. Having noticed the jump, Esme raised a hand that had been resting on her knee and placed it on Bella’s padded shoulder. She gave the girl a squeeze and a gentle smile as Bella craned her neck to meet Esme’s gaze.

     “Hey, batta’-batta’, hey, batta’-batta’, swang~,” A.J. mimicked exuberantly swinging an imaginary bat.

    A smile spread onto Alice’s face upon hearing the song, “I got ta just do my thang~.” she happily sang back.

     “Enough singing,” Emmett yelled, “Get on with the game!” he eagerly threw his fist into his gloved hand.

     A.J. frowned as she twisted her head back, “Let us enjoy ourselves!”

     “Clearly someone can’t dance.” Alice smirked teasingly still in her batting stance.

     Emmett’s hands paused with an almost offended look on his face. Those spectating were either watching thoroughly entertained, or less than amused and wanting to continue with this close game.

     “Oh, I can dance,” Emmett answered nonchalantly, “Tell ‘em, babe.”

     Thunder cracked around them as all eyes zoned in on Rosalie, awaiting an answer.  A smile slowly grew on her diamond-like jaw as if a pleasant memory was filling her mind.

     “Oh, he can dance,” her declaration rewarded her a wink from her doting husband.

     A.J. stuck her tongue out, “Bleh,” she faked a gag as her torso rag-dolled.

     Esme chuckled at her reaction from her hunched-over position behind Bella.

      “Alright, ‘nough talk, let’s get back to the game.” Esme clapped her hands together right as it thundered.

     Carlisle nodded at his wife, “Impeccable timing.” he smiled at her.

     She quirked a short eyebrow up at him with a smirk, “Thank you.” 

     Returning her attention back to the game, A.J. peered up at the sky as if she was waiting for something. Her eyes fluttered shut as she forcefully inhaled for an exaggerated amount of time. Bella furrowed her brows at A.J.’s action, briefly glancing up at Esme again. 

     “She’s waiting for the thunder,” Esme answered without taking her eyes off the scene in front of her.

     “She technically don’t have to,” Jasper chimed in, “As long as we’re playing during a storm, we don’t have to wait for a ‘loud sound’.”

     A.J. lowered her head, “I like the dramatics. Sue me!”

     Before Bella could blink, the ball was flying at Alice. With another loud crack of both thunder and the bat and ball colliding, Alice dropped the bat and dashed toward first base. The ball flew past A.J.’s left side and headed to Emmett who immediately jumped into action. He shot into the air, left arm extended above him, with the ball directed at him. As Alice reached first base, the ball grazed the top of Emmett’s gloved hand and continued into the forest behind them. 

     Edward darted back into the forest as Alice approached second base. His topaz eyes bounced rapidly around the trees and brush until he spotted the baseball. Edward then snatched the ball off the ground and threw it to Emmett through the trees, who was anticipating the throw. Emmett hurled his body to the left and roughly landed at third base when Alice stepped on it.

     A chorus of ‘whoos’ and hollers sounded from home plate as Alice bounced victoriously on third base. Emmett scoffed as he rolled onto his knees before hopping up while Edward came flashing back from the woods. 

     “Lucky shot,” Emmett commented as he stood next to Alice.

     Alice looked up at him with a smug look, “That was pure skill, Emmett.”

     “Damn right it was,” Jasper called out with his arms crossed.

     The Cullens continued an epic game of baseball, one that was far too fast for the human eye to properly view. Bella struggled to see anything but the aftermath chatter and positions after the end of a run. Thankfully for her sake, Esme or another member of team ‘Wonder Woman’ was there to help her with the calls; disregarding Rosalie. 

     The Cullens had made it to the third inning, in record time thanks to their enhanced abilities. Team ’MVP’ was currently three runs ahead of team ‘Wonder Woman’. Jasper had redeemed himself and hit a home run, Alice was currently at second base, Esme resided by Bella and awaited her turn, and Rosalie was currently up to bat. Team ‘MVP’ were positioned the same way as before and eager to continue.

     “You ready?” A.J. nodded at her sister as they both readied themselves.

     Rosalie crouched into position, “As ever.”

     A.J. drew back her right arm before swinging it forward and putting her weight on her front leg. The baseball flew toward Rosalie before another crack echoed through the field and throughout the surrounding forest. Rosalie dropped the bat, pushed off of home plate, and sprinted down the field. The baseball was heading between second and third base, where Edward and Emmett were positioned on either base. 

     Alice sprinted past Edward and Emmett who were distracted by the fast-approaching ball. As the pixie-like vampire passed by third base and Rosalie reached first, Emmett and Edward jumped simultaneously with their arms outstretched and ready to catch the ball. Unfortunately, the duo collided with each other in a loud ‘thwack’ and the two members of team ‘Wonder Woman’ managed to reach home plate. The women secured two more runs for their team and caused a total wipeout for the opposite team that resulted in Edward and Emmett splayed out on the grass and the baseball deep in the forest.

     Alice skidded to stop a few feet away from home plate and Rosalie followed by sliding across the grass and onto home plate. Amidst the cheers of the successful team, Jasper ran to Alice and picked her up into a spinning hug; squeals of laughter leaving the victorious woman. With a grin, Esme extended her arm down to Rosalie who grabbed it with a smirk and hopped up. 

     “That’s how we do it!” Esme high-fived Rosalie once she was standing.

     Bella nodded from her squatted position, “Yeah, that was a good play.” 

     Rosalie glared down at the girl, “You couldn’t even see it.” she spat.

     Esme’s smile turned to a frown, “Rose.” she warned.

     “What? It’s true.” Rosalie defended.

     “Well, I mean, she’s right,” Bella said, “I-I couldn’t see it, but-,”

     “Alright, how ‘bout we turn our attention to the real issue ‘ere,” A.J. interrupted the three, “Which is betrayal!”

     A.J. thrust her finger in the direction of a chuckling Emmett and Edward who had just stood up.

     Edward, having already heard what she was about to say, ceased his laughter.

     “A.J., are you really pushing this?” Edward groaned.

     A.J. fought back a smile, “Oh, yes, indeed I am pushin’ this, traitor!”

     Emmett stared at Edward, “Oh, yeah. It is a bit strange that the mind reader Edward didn’t read in my mind that I was gonna jump for the ball.” a smirk spread across his short jaw.

     “Exactly!” A.J. eagerly agreed with a stomp, “He sabotaged us so the loser team would have a chance!”

     Rosalie crossed her arms, “I think we have a chance regardless of Edward’s treachery.”

     “I’m-I am not a traitor. I did not even think of reading anyone’s mind, because I was focused on the game.” Edward let out a flabbergasted laugh.

     Emmett adjusted his stance and crossed his arms.

     “Exactly what a traitor would say,” Emmett stated.

     

     Edward’s tongue darted across his pristine white teeth as he grinned in annoyance, “I think the only one you should be accusing of ’treachery’ is Alice.”

     A smirk spread across Edward’s lips at his words. 

     “What!” Alice’s hands fell onto her hips.

     Her eyebrows knitted together underneath her navy blue cap at the sudden accusation. A crack of thunder sounded around them as if Alice herself conjured it up with her voice. The babbling duo, Emmett and A.J., observed Alice before staring at Edward and then meeting each other’s gaze. Skeptical looks were painted upon their pale faces as the wind picked up around them. The rest of the Cullens and Bella were left awaiting their next move, wondering if Edward’s distraction worked or not.

     The accusing pair busted out in chuckles and giggles, ripping Edward’s hopeful look off of his face. 

     Emmett turned his head to a dejected Edward.

     “Alice wouldn’t have the time to see our moves,” Emmett stated matter-of-factly.

     A.J. nodded, “Yeah, plus, she ain’t on our team.”

     Emmett and A.J. smirked at each other as if they just deduced the most abstruse mystery in history. A snort could be heard coming from Hale ‘twins’ by home plate, though that did nothing to deter the growing confidence of A.J. and Emmett.

     Edward chuckled out in confusion, eyes darting around those who stood throughout the field. His mouth opened and closed, struggling between the option of a logical defense or leaving the whole ordeal to rest. Staying silent seemed like the best option, considering logic fell upon deaf ears when it came to Emmett and A.J., but ultimately Edward decided to play the ‘call on the parent’ card.

     “Carlisle,” Edward pleaded to the man who was standing near first base.

     Edward motioned to his ‘attackers’, hoping the wise man’s words would bring some sense to the situation. Carlisle looked upon his son with tight lips and one hand over the other resting in front of his body. A glint of amusement shone in Carlisle’s golden eyes from the scene he silently observed, much to Edward’s dismay. 

     “Emmett, A.J.,” Carlisle spoke, “Edward isn’t a traitor-,”

     The wind picked up around them and quieted Carlisle as a fog emerged from the enclosing forest. A gasp fell from Alice’s lips while her arms fell from her hips to her sides. Her eyes had seemingly glazed over, hinting at the vision she was having. As if in slow motion, Edward stared at her before peering over at the forest behind them just as Alice’s vision ended. The rest of the Olympic Coven’s eyes turned toward the forest, whether it be from their own acute hearing or sensing the seriousness of Alice’s vision.

     “Stop!” Alice yelled desperately as it thundered around them.

     Edward was across the field and next to Bella at a moment's notice, the rest similarly hustling about. With her eyes still peering past the bare trees, A.J. felt an arm grip her left bicep tightly. Her eyes flicked over to see Emmett pulling her toward the rest of their family, Carlisle on her other side. Their eyes held a look of worry as they flashed over together.

     A.J. flickered her gaze between them as they joined the rest at home plate, to which Edward was pulling Bella toward the Jeep as Alice spoke quickly. A.J. stared at her family with knitted brows, clearly missing a vital piece of information, though she heard words of getting Bella out of here and nomadic vampires hearing their baseball game. 

    “Nomad vampires?”

     Panic fell upon A.J., concentrated in her chest, as memories filled her mind. She swore she could feel teeth tearing into her skin again, the excruciatingly slow loss of blood, her vision blurring, the taste of iron mixed with mud cutting off her breathing; choking her as water filled her lungs. Squeezing her eyes shut,  A.J. attempted to combat the rising terror with logical thoughts.

     “I’m a vampire now too.”

     “They can’t hurt me.”

     “I ain’t food anymore.”

     “They might be vegans like us.”

     “No, they ain’t. They’re the ‘predator’ on the news.”

     Unfortunately for her, the thoughts weren’t anything but a mere hindrance, to what she knew was illogical fear. 

     “It is illogical, right?” A.J. questioned herself amidst the chaos growing around her and the sudden absence of music.

     Before she could freak herself out more, a wave of peace washed over her and drowned out the fear in her chest. A moment after, two hands came to rest on her shoulders, which she deduced to be Jasper’s as everyone else was in her line of sight.

     Her head snapped up, the bottom of her messy braided pigtails bouncing with the movement. A.J. was met with an assuring smile from Jasper, who squeezed her strong shoulders.

     “Everythang’s gonna be alright.” Jasper reassured her as he guided her to stand in the back with Bella.

     A.J.’s pigtails bounced again as she nodded furiously, “Yeah, I know.”

     With another squeeze and a close-lipped smile, Jasper parted from his sister and hurried over to Emmett who stood waiting at the far right end of the line of vampires.

     “Get your hair down.” Edward ordered Bella with a pinched expression.

     Bella momentarily froze and stared at Edward with a bewildered look, before hesitantly pulling the hair tie from her mousy brown hair. 

     Rosalie turned around with a scowl, “Like that’ll help, I can smell her from across the field.”

     With one last look, Rosalie turned back to face the oncoming threat with the others. Carlisle moved to stand tall in the front as everyone else gathered around. They formed a ‘wall’ in front of Bella, her being the obvious vulnerable human here, and A.J. as she had been pushed to the back by Jasper. 

     “I shouldn’t have brought you here, I’m so sorry,” Edward shook his head as Bella pressed him for an answer, “Just be quiet and stand behind me.”

     Bella clung to Edward’s side as he stepped toward the others but stayed just behind them with Bella. The youngest Cullen moved to Bella’s other side, matching the body language of her family. Past the line her family created in front of the three, A.J.’s copper eyes fell upon three figures emerging from the woods. 

     In the front, passing through the growing fog, was a dark-skinned man with long locks, an orange leather jacket atop his bare torso, and a pair of dark, lined pants. To his right, was a woman with curly ginger hair and a long fur shawl that blew in the wind as they tracked forward; a confident smirk carved into her alabaster skin added to her alluring appearance. Lastly, the most menacing of them all was a man who stood to the left of them; his blonde hair was pulled into a low ponytail that enhanced his dark, hooded eyes. The one characteristic that united them was the piercing ruby color of their eyes, which reminded A.J. of her own a couple of months ago.

     The young vampire hurriedly untucked her pinstripe jersey from her leggings all the while keeping her eyes trained ahead. With her enhanced speed, she threw open the buttons of her shirt, leaving her with just a baby blue tank top adorning her torso.

     “Here,” A.J. spoke to Bella, snapping the girl out of her frozen state.

     The human turned her head to face the newborn vampire and her eyes followed consecutively. Her gaze fell upon A.J.’s worried face as the taller of the two threw her jersey around Bella and placed it on her shoulders. Bella briefly unlatched herself from Edward for the jersey to encase her shoulders and arms.

     A.J. adjusted the jersey on Bella, “It’s not much, but I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t wash it last time we played so it’s…oh shit.” 

     A.J.’s ramblings were cut short as the trio of vampires was now standing still a few feet away from the group. With her enhanced hearing, she heard Bella’s heartbeat pick up next to her and prayed that the oncoming threat wouldn’t notice amidst the storm.

      The frontman raised his right hand in a fluid motion, and in it was the homerun ball Rosalie hit. His pristine teeth contrasted against his dark skin as he flashed an inviting smile. A.J. couldn’t help but appreciate his good looks despite the tense situation. His shorter stature and medium build were carried casually, in a way that let you know he was confident and felt no need to compensate. The exposed torso revealed by his unbuttoned green-tinted vest and jacket showcased his toned upper body. He was undeniably tantalizing and attractive, though A.J. supposed that’s what made him dangerous.

     “I believe this belongs to you,” The vampire remarked before flicking his wrist and sending the ball toward Carlisle.

     Carlisle caught it with ease, an unreadable expression on his face. 

     “Thank you.” a friendly smile appeared on Carlisle’s face.

     A.J. shifted her weight before stepping over to stand next to Esme. Sensing her daughter moving next to her, Esme instinctively reached for the girl’s bicep before snaking her arm around A.J.’s. and pulling her close. Esme flicked her eyes to A.J.’s arm upon meeting bare skin, curious as to what happened to her jersey. In response, she received a simple smile and her daughter’s cold left hand on hers.

     “I am Laurant,” the stranger spoke again, “And this is Victoria and James.”

     A.J.’s gaze lingered on Victoria, her voluminous curls framing her soft features. Her presence intrigued the young vampire more and more as she studied her face and body language. It was almost feline, the way she moved, her minuscule movements were elegant and smooth. Once again, it was clear how her looks could be a weapon.

     James, however, did nothing but frighten A.J. Everything about the vampire screamed dangerous and to stay away. He, unlike his coven-mates, did possess the same alluring appearance or body language. The ways his eyes seemed to stare into your soul along with his tall stature reminded A.J. of the tales of Slender Man she’d heard some classmates talk about before she was turned. His weapon, without a doubt, was intimidation.

     “I’m Carlisle,” the Cullen patriarch gestured to the others standing beside him, “This is my family.”

     

     “I like your shawl,” A.J. spoke and nodded to the one draped around Victoria.

     Instantly, she felt all eyes on her and Esme pull her tighter to her side. The girl shrugged it off, thinking to herself that flattery is usually the best way to smooth things out. 

     Victoria eyed A.J., taking in her appearance having paid more attention to everyone else.

     “Thank you,” Victoria smiled, “I like your top. It’s a good color on you.” her words seemingly rolled off of her tongue.

     A.J. returned the smile, “I know, right.” she let out a stiff chuckle.

     Flattery certainly worked for herself as her apprehensive mood lessened from the compliment.

     “Yes, well, I’m afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us.” Carlisle brought the attention back to him.

     Laurant’s dark eyebrows raised as his ruby eyes widen ever so slightly.

     “Our apologies,” he spoke earnestly, “We did not realize the territory had been claimed.”

     His apology seemed almost empathetic according to A.J.’s ears. Regardless of whether or not she had been swayed by his being, she almost took his apology to heart if it had not been for the guard she desperately held onto.

     Carlisle nodded, “We maintain a permanent residence nearby.”

     Laurant twisted his neck to face James who was peering past Carlisle and Esme at Edward. A.J. unconsciously hardened her eyes in anticipation of what the nomad may do, having a hard time relaxing in his menacing presence. She feared what he may attempt to do to her family and wondered just how capable his coven could be against the Cullens.

     “Really?” Laurant’s smooth voice held a tone of disbelief, “Well we won’t be a problem anymore. We were just passing through” His gaze returned to Carlisle.

     

    “The humans were tracking us, but we led them east,” Victoria announced, “You should be safe,” she spoke the last part in a hushed tone as she leaned her head forward for emphasis.

     Carlisle nodded, “Excellent.”

     A.J. caught the reluctant smile on her father’s face. It was one she’d seen him use on a woman who had struck up a conversation with him on one of A.J.’s earlier excursions to ease her back into society. She recalled the woman’s tone being rather flirty as she rang them up at the register.

     Laurant glanced around at the Cullens.

     “So,” he pressed, “Could you use three extra players?”

     One by one the Cullen’s eyes fell upon Carlisle, awaiting his response. His gaze never left Laurant as he silently considered the best option.

     Laurant smiled, “Oh, come on, just one game.”

     Carlisle let out a quick sigh before smiling, “Sure, why not. A few of us were leaving - you can take their place.”

      A.J. crane her neck to glance back at Edward and Bella. Edward’s hardened gaze seemed almost frightened as he glared ahead at James. The fear on his face didn’t come from a fear of his own well-being but Bella’s. A.J. knew that was the only thing on his mind, getting Bella away from here and keeping her safe. 

     “Why didn’t you just flash her to the car? You had time.” A.J. thought to Edward who only briefly spared her a glance.

     Deciding to let it be, A.J.’s eyes moved to Bella who stood with her mouth slightly agape and still clung to Edward. The young vampire knew the human’s fear well and sympathized with her, especially since it was unknown how long Bella would be forced to endure this.

     “We’ll bat first.”

     A.J.’s turned around in time to see Carlisle toss the ball to Laurant, but Victoria flashed her pale hand up in time to catch it.

     “I’m the one with a wicked curve ball.” The smirk permanently edged into Victoria’s face grew wider.

     The atmosphere grew lighter at her remark as the Cullen's spirit slowly returned.

     “Oh, well I think we can handle that.” Jasper egged her on which earned a confident smirk from Emmett and A.J.

     Laurant sang out an ‘oh’ at the banter, body swaying with anticipation as he clapped.

     A.J. leaned her torso forward, “I’m a bit of’a star pitcher myself.” she eyed Victoria with a smile while Esme began to pull her toward the others as they retreated back.

     “We shall see,” Victoria spoke as both she and Laurant spun around to head down the field.

     Though his coven-mates were moving to prepare for the expected game, James stayed stationary with his animalistic gaze set on Edward and Bella. His head tilted to the side as he further inspected his ‘prey’, but Bella kept her gaze set on Edward. Her arm was wrapped around his as she waited for him to move though he stayed in an intimidation contest with James. Finally and with one last look, James turned on his heel and began to find his spot on the field. Bella let herself breathe as they were almost off the hook, but she relaxed too soon. Just as she and Edward began turning, the wind blew against their backs which pushed her scent straight toward James. 

     James’s neck twisted as he inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering shut as he faced the couple again.

     He exhaled and smiled, “You brought a snack.” 

     The predatory vampire lunged forward in a hunched manner, ready to pounce on his prey. Edward pushed Bella back and jumped to action as well, all but A.J. following suit, including James’s coven-mates. The young vampire swiped her jersey off of Bella’s shoulders and swiftly threw it on as she moved to stand in front of Bella. The girl’s copper eyes glared at the trio in front of them, her fear manifesting into courage. She and Bella suddenly stumbled back as Esme pushed A.J. farther away from danger. Perhaps that was where her courage came from; an unconscious understanding that her family wouldn’t allow any harm to come to her.

     “A human,” Laurant questioned as the tension grew.

    “The girl’s with us.” Carlisle stated with a calm voice, “I think it’s best if you leave.” his eyes stayed trained on James.

     Laurant nodded, “I can see the game is over. We’ll go now.” he held his palms open and facing the ground as he slowly backed away.

     Once again, James lingered, this time with Victoria by his side, who seemed eager to kill for him. Laurant glanced at James questioningly, his patience running thin for such antics.

     “James.” Laurant called out.

     With a growl and one last look, James’s posture straightened as he turned away from the Cullens. Victoria followed with a hiss and joined James to which they wrapped an arm around each other and stalked away. Laurant led them as he walked backward before gradually spinning around to walk straight.

     A.J. watched as Edward slowly raised from his hunched state, deep in thought…or what she assumed was James’s.

     “Get Bella out of here.” Carlisle ushered as he placed a hand on Edward’s shoulder, “Go.”

     The eldest Cullen then pushed Edward back toward where Bella and A.J. resided. A.J. quickly flashed to the side and gave her brother an encouraging smile to which she received a nod. As Edward rushed Bella to the jeep, the Cullens quickly gathered what they had come here  with.

      “W-wait, what ‘appens now?” A.J. asked as Carlisle wrapped an arm around her shoulder and placed his right hand protectively on her other.

     “We go home.” Carlisle answered and began to lead her away in the direction of home.

     A.J. stared at him as the others caught up with them, “Then what?”

     Carlisle looked down and gave his daughter a close-lipped smile as Esme flashed to her other side.

     “Let’s just get home first.” he told her.

     A.J. nodded and turned her gaze forward before stopping dead in her tracks and craning her neck to look around Carlisle.

     “Wait, my stuff!” she called out.

     “Don’t worry, we got it.” Rosalie answered as she slugged A.J.’s backpack around her shoulders and Emmett cradled the girl’s boom box.

     A.J. nodded again, “Thank you.” she let her gaze fall forward.

     The girl bit her tongue in anticipation of what was going to happen. The courage she had gained left her once she heard the wheels of the silver Jeep skid away in the mud. Dread replaced it as the primary emotion in most of the vampires present. Her thoughts were far too jumbled and rapid for her to calm herself down as Carlisle began to pick up speed. One thing that remained clear in her mind as she started to run, was her family staying safe. Though, she had no clue how she'd do it.

[littlelostmabari]

Chapter 23: Injustice (Part III)

In which Polve gets his due, but at a cost.

Fandom: Dragon Age 2 / Dragon Age Inquisition

Current Pairings: Cullen Rutherford x OC. Background F!Hawke x Anders

Rating: M (Canon-typical violence & behavior, check tags & CW on chapters)

Links: Whole Work | Chapter 23 | Saoirse Character Sheet

(Dividers by cafekitsune)

[jr-acrux101]

Rebirth : Ch. 10 - TRUTH

Word count:2.1k

Summary: Some truths are finally out.

'Calm down. Calm down.' Before the man had his wind pipes completely crushed, Aurora touched Jasper's hand.

"Jasper, calm down. You need to calm down, please." His anger slowly started to vanish. The man was dropped, gasping for breath, and the man on the floor was let go. The previous group of men before scattered.

With steady breaths, she gingerly touched his back, "Please, Jasper, calm down." With his anger and bloodthirst leaving him, he let Aurora continue to touch him.

He turned to face her and looked into her eyes, a weird calmness before him. She gave a smile, and warmth was radiating off of her.

The silence was broken by Aurora, "Feel better?"

Jasper nodded, not being able to open his mouth, fearing his blood lust for Aurora would go out of control. Aurora felt her phone buzz from her mom and Bella.

She texted her mom that they stopped by a bookstore before eating, which they were about to do, and how they also ran into Jasper and Edward. And, to Bella that she was alright and would head to the restaurant.

She looked about at Jasper whose eyes were still glowing. "Jasper?"

He gave a hum.

"Let's go to the restaurant, sort some stuff out, yeah?"

Jasper nodded and followed her. He should be feeling this undescrible blood lust, and it was there in shadows, but it was at bay with Aurora. He was worried it would come out at any moment with her. They arrived and saw Bella and Edward waiting by the car. As they met, Jessica and Angela came out. They claimed to have errands to run but winked as they left.

Aurora requested 2 different tables winking at Bella, mouthing, 'Get some.' Bella blushed and flipped her off. Jasper gave a small smile at their interaction, as did Edward, but he wouldn't admit it.

They sat in the booth as Edward and Bella sat a couple booths down. Aurora sent a quick text to her mom that they split up because the girls had to leave quickly to do errands and that her and Bella would be home after finishing eating with Edward and Jasper. Amora wasn't thrilled but said okay and to hurry.

"So."

"So..." was Jasper's intelligent reply.

"Want to explain what that was back there?"

"What was what princess?"

"Hmm, don't play dumb Jasper Hale. How was it that you, who was in Forks 15 minutes before that whole... then appeared with inhuman strength, threw a man to the ground and picked him up by the throat, one handed might I add, and then proceeded to crush his bones. Any thoughts on how you did that?"

Jasper threw out a sigh. "Fine."

Aurora raised an expectant eyebrow.

"I have a feeling you might already know though Princess."

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. I would like to hear it from you, though."

"I am... a .... vampire." He said slowly.

Aurora nodded her head. "Yeah, that still sounds fucking impossible."

He gave another nod, knowing it sounded bizarre.

"Not only that but I can sense and control emotions."

She smirked, " You can sense desire?"

He gave her a wary look and nodded. Right after he was hit with intense desire. His eyes widened and he stared at her incredulously. A few tables down Aurora heard someone choke on water. It clicked. "You can feel and control while let me guess, Edward can read thoughts."

There was no room for debate. "Did you think that just to find out."

"Yes and no, I wanted to see if you were lying and I had the sneaking suspicion that he could because whenever I would insult him in my mind his ears would twitch and every now and then he'd stopped himself from snapping his neck to look at me."

"You're very observant."

"Yes, well, I know. Is that why you kept blowing me off at first?"

He nodded. "Okay what changed your mind?"

"You, Princess. Physically I can't be away from you and mentally neither."

"So is this your way of asking me out? Confess feeling intense... desire to be near me?" Aurora tried to hold in her laughter as she said ‘desire.’

If vampires could flush, he would. Who would've thought. He gave a humorous huff, "Yes, very intense. But you are 16, so at the same time, no."

"Oh that's right you like what, hundreds of years old. This makes you a pervert, and Edward." Jasper felt the embarrassment roll off Edward.

"Well that may be I was also turned at 19, so to the human eye we are 3 years apart."

She nodded her head. "When do you turn your 'original’ age?"

"October. "

"Okay, after 3 months, I'll be 17. It'll be fine." She waved a dismissive hand. He raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Aurora looked at the time and nodded to the door. "Let's go, Bella, and I have to be home." They made their way to Edward and Bella, Edward not being able to look her in the eye.

"Let's go Romeo and Juliet."

Edward spoke as he drove. "Carlise wants me to take you to the sheriff department. There's been another attack." As anxiety spoke, Aurora tried to stay calm. She felt bad that Jasper was suffocating these ever so changing emotions. Edward looked at her in the rearview mirror. Their eyes met, and he raised an eyebrow while she gave a small smile.

'You can hear me right?'

He looked away and nodded. 'Did you tell Bella?'

With the slightest ever shake no, Aurora nodded. She grabbed Bellas hand and gave a squeeze of reassurance,' Did you tell her about the mind reading thingy?'

No response. She let go and gave a pay on the thigh. 'Did you tell Bella about the mind reading thing?' He looked back up and gave a slight nod.

They made it to the police station. They met with Carilse, and he gave the rundown of what happened. Bella nodded to the door, and Aurora shook her head no. "I think it'll be better if it was just you Bells. When he comes out, I'll give him my condolences." Bella furrowed her eyebrows but nodded.

Aurora sent a quick text to her mom about what happened. And turned to Edward and Jasper. "You two can head off, I'll wait right here for Mr. Charlie and Bells." Jasper wanted to disagree but Edwards and dragged his brother off.

Bella came out as the stretcher went inside the truck. She had a sudden realization and gave Aurora a look. With a nod of agreement, she went silent. Charlie came out, and he looked haggard. Aurora came up to him and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry for your loss. Bella told me about him, and he sounded like a good man." His eyes watered again. He blinked them back and gave a cough. He returned the hug.

"Thanks kiddo. Let's go, I'm sure your mom is worried about us."

As the girls came inside the house with Charlie, they met with Amora.

"Was this ploy to go out with your boyfriends?" He asked ever so eloquently. Amora squinted at him and turned her attention to the girls.

Aurora's eyes widened. "No I promise. We went to the bookstore where Jasper and Edward were and they gave us a lift to the dinner but the girls had to leave because Jessica still didn't find a dress and she wanted to get one for sure today. We already got ours so we decided to eat." She said holding the bags up.

Amore tilted her head. "Okay, fine. Let me see the dresses now." She rushed over and started to take out the dresses.

"Oh wow these are so pretty. Are you guys excited?"

Aurora nodded while Bella shrugged. Charlie rolled his eyes, 'So much for an interrogation.'

They entered by Jacinda, "Hurry up and come over here, I made horchata and conchas!" Aurora's eyes lit up and they all went to the kitchen. They night was spent talking about Prom, and their maybe dates.

Bella and Charlie were spending less and less time at their house, and more time at the Flores house.

As the girls went up and Jacinda left the room, Charlie was given a hug from behind while he sat on the stoll. "I'm so sorry mi amor. I'm sure he's in a better place now." Charlie choked back the tears and nodded. He turned and returned the hug properly. His head laid on her chest with her running her fingerings through his dark hair.

Aurora was on the floor drawing while Bella sat in the bed reading the book. Neither knowing what to say about the truth that was revealed. Bella glanced over and saw Aurora's drawing, vampire teeth.

"I thought I was going crazy when Edward told me."

Aurora glanced up, "Yeah me too."

"If Edward can read minds what can Jasper do?"

"Manipulate emotions."

Bella raised her eyebrows in shock. "Damn that seems kinda cool to be honest."

"Yeah but it's exhausting though, he said he can also feel everything. Imagine how draining that could be the constant mix of emotions all the time. I would be wrecked."

"You're right, I change my stance. It sounds horrendous."

"Are you..." she was hesitant to ask, "are you afraid of them now?"

Bella pondered before speaking, "I don't think so." Aurora nodded her head. They went back to silence as they thought about their respective love interest before going to sleep.

When morning came, Amora and Jacinda were making French Toast, one of Charlie's favorites. Charlie was already eating, as they stumbled down the stairs half ready. As they ate and the Mexican music filled the room softly, Amora spoke.

"Because of what happened to Billy, we don't want the two of you going off alone anywear. I know you too are practically attached to the hip, which is good for this... unpleasant situation happening but still. We want to be informed wherever you go out where and who you're with, but now with more frequent updates. Even 'still at the store' or 'still with so and so.' Okay?"

The girl nodded understandingly and Bella gave her dad another hug and a squeeze. The rest of the morning was filled with silence till they all left the house, including Jacinda for bingo.

As they got to school and the bell rang, Bella made eye contact with Edward. Aurora looked at Bella who stared back, she shrugged, "Be careful, and text me."

She got a nod in return and was whisked away by Jasper. "Hey there Princess."

She warmed to the nickname. "Hey there cowboy."

"So when am I going to be able to meet your family?"

"You still haven't properly asked me out." She gave a shrug as they sat down. Jasper grinned, teeth poking out.

"Okay Princess, give me till the end of the day."

Aurora gave him a look but turned her attention to class. Her phone dinged.

'Hey sleepy! Just watched Pan's Labyrinth and omg you were right it fucking awesome! Might just take you up on the lotr set

...theyre just so long tho :|'

'He confirmed! He hath confirmed!!!'

Jasper never envisioned himself as the jealous type, but a tinge did stir as Aurora smiled at the phone. She felt his gaze and saw it for the slightest second.

She hid the smile, and whispered, "Embry is still my friend Jaz, plus I think he's moved on to someone else. And Bella was just texting me that Edward confirmed her suspicions." She stuck her tongue out and winked.

Jasper was always amazed by her, she always radiated warmth and content and happiness to him. He loved being around her.

The day passed as Bella and Edward snuck back into school, promising to come together to school tomorrow. Bella was on cloud nine and Aurora was amused by her.

As the last bell rang for art, Alice dragged Aurora to the parking lot. "Alice calm down! I'm going." She said with a slight whiny tone.

As the doors opened, Jasper stood by his car. With flowers, balloons, and a card. She slowly walked to him.

"What's all this ranger?"

He smirked, "Open the card and find out."

She did as instructed.

A poem was inside.

"To my beautiful Aurora

You are just as hypnotizing

As the lights in the sky

The stars, moon, and sun

Pale to your beauty

All I ask for is a lifetime

With you by my side

To aid and love and to hold

Forever."

Aurora gave a small smile whilst teasing Jasper, "This feels more like a proposal Jaz."

He gave a soft and wrapped his arms around her waist gently. "In time little miss."

She blushed at the thought but didn’t respond to that part, "Hmm this card didn't have a question though, to answer that is."

The smile widened, "Miss Aurora Flores, will you go out with me?"

Aurora found herself exuding happiness, she nodded.

Jasper hugged up carefully, watching her arm. Some people looked with awe, some with exasperated eye rolls, others with boredom, but Alice squealed.

"O.M.G. I am so happy for you two!"

She went to the other side and jumped them in a trio hug, Aurora laughed as did Jasper.

Another chapter 🤭

[ar-lath-ma-cully]

and it slips through loose fingers Chapters: 32/? WC: 98.9k Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition Rating: Explicit Warnings: major character death, explicit depictions of violence and death Relationships: Cullen x OC, Solavellan, Blackwall x OC, OC x OC Additional Tags: character death, long fic, slow burn, characters start out young and age throughout the story, eventual romance, PTSD, trauma, hurt/comfort, growing up, Modern Girl in Thedas, canon divergence, recreational drug use, friends with benefits, *work in progress* Summary:

"Amaryllis wondered — not for the first time, nor the last — why misfortune seemed to follow her everywhere she went."

Amaryllis is nine years old when she dies and wakes in a forest naked, afraid, and alone.

DAFF Tag List: @rakshadow, @rosella-writes, @effelants, @bluewren, @breninarthur,

@ar-lath-ma-cully, @dreadfutures, @ir0n-angel, @inquisimer, @crackinglamb,

@theluckywizard, @oxygenforthewicked, @exalted-dawn-drabbles, @melisusthewee, @blarrghe,

@agentkatie, @delicatefade, @leggywillow, @about2dance, @plisuu

[ashcal99]

Golden Hour : Rosalie Hale*

Series Masterlist

Soundtrack

Smut*

Summary: By the young age of twenty years old, Grayson Cly had been through his fair share of trauma. Trauma that had left him a single father. Trauma that only grew more complicated when he joined his cousin Sam Uley as a shape shifting wolf. But, what happens when he imprints on the one thing he was born to protect the world from? Can he stick to his instincts when it comes to that protection, or will the persistence of that imprint derail his life even more?

Prologue

Chapter One - coming soon

[tired-truffle]

Something’s Gotta Give

A CullenxLavellan fic

Chapter Word Count: 3.3k

Part 2 - Off To A Great Start

"I wanted to tell her that I loved her, and not in the complicated way I loved our parents, but in a simple way I never had to think about. I loved her like breathing." - Brenna Yovanoff

Masterlist

Ash’s heart had soared when she’d spotted another elf among the throngs of humans, she had been relieved. However, her relief quickly turned to disappointment as she realized that this particular elf was a condescending prick. If she’d known that, she would have chosen a different opener, and not: “So, what’s a knife ear like you doing in a place like this?” 

His lip had practically curled as he scanned her Dalish robes and Dalish markings, his face bare of any vallaslin. Perhaps if she’d seen anything but the shiny back of his bald head she would have thought twice about being so casual with him. It became quickly apparent that he did not appreciate her sense of humour. 

That was where Rae found her some time later, trading snide comments outside the alchemist’s hut with the stuck-up elf whose disdain for her was blatantly obvious. 

“Ash, there you are!” Rae called as she approached, halting in her tracks when she saw the daggers Ash and the bald elf were staring at each other. She sighed heavily. “Is it too much to ask that my sister be kind to my friends?”

The other elf’s eyebrows raised, glancing quickly between Ash and Rae, the resemblance slowly dawning on him. 

Ash sniffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe you should have added it to your list of demands.” 

Rae wiped a tired hand across her face. “What did you do?”

The elf narrowed his eyes at Ash and she resisted the very childish urge to stick her tongue out at him. “Knife-ear is not typically a term one uses for those they do not wish to irritate.” 

“Ash!” Rae hissed at her and Ash coughed uncomfortably. 

“In hindsight maybe it wasn’t the best greeting.”

“Solas,” Rae addressed the elf, “I apologize for my sister’s behaviour, I’ll ensure she doesn’t bother you anymore.” Rae shot a sharp, pointed look at Ash that she didn’t think that she deserved. Ash scoffed and rolled her eyes, but didn’t miss the way Solas’s eyes softened at Rae’s light blush. She didn’t like that at all.

“It’s quite alright,” he said, suddenly and suspiciously amenable. “I am happy to put our misunderstandings aside.”

“Thank you for your maturity and understanding. It’s refreshing after spending time with Ash again.” Ash resented that accusation, she was plenty mature, more so than Rae was pretending to be. Since when had she gotten so serious? 

“Anytime.” Solas’s gaze darted to where Ash stood silently fuming at having been one-upped, victory shimmering in his eyes. Rae bid him goodbye and linked her arm with Ash’s, pulling her forcefully away from the other elf, though not before Ash shot him one more glare, to which he simply waved. Irritating.

“I thought I told you not to undermine me.” Rae hissed out the side of her mouth, a smile plastered across her face as she waved to passersby, their heads instinctively bowing in respect. It was an odd sight to see so many humans paying homage to an elf. Ash had to hand it to her, that was a feat few elves had achieved. 

“I had no intentions of causing a fight, I simply picked the wrong person to talk to.” Ash wrinkled her nose. “But you two seem…close.” 

“Solas has been instrumental in supporting the Inquisition. He’s risked much as both an apostate and an elf without a clan to be here. You should be more thankful, he was the one who was able to stabilize the mark.” Rae held out her hand, and for the first time, Ash saw the glowing green mark embedded in her palm. “Without him, I would have died.”

Ash released her sister’s arm in favour of grabbing her hand and examining it closely, turning it over as the light disappeared. “What in the Void is that?” 

Rae pulled her hand back with a disgruntled grunt. “I’m still trying to figure that out. But it lets me close the rifts, it’s one of the reasons they chose me as their ‘Herald of Andraste’.” The title dripped with sarcasm, and Ash couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. While Rae may take her responsibilities seriously, the title seemed to hold little significance to her.

“Tell me everything.” Ash curled Rae’s hand into her own, her eyes wide and pleading. “Let me help you.” 

Rae sighed, studying Ash’s face with a hefty dose of wariness. A small pang of hurt ran through her like a finely sharpened knife. Why was Rae so suspicious of Ash’s intentions? She never had before. They still hadn’t addressed the heated argument they’d had before Rae had left on her mission, but surely she knew that Ash was here to support her, not to usurp her and harm her anyway. 

Rae’s suspicion seeped from her eyes upon seeing the sincerity in her sister’s. “Fine,” she said, “but you’re going to shut the fuck up until I’m done, got it?” 

Ash gave Rae a lopsided grin. “As you command, Herald.” 

They’d ended up in Rae’s tent for some privacy, but the quiet did little to help with Ash’s racing thoughts as Rae spent the next hour divesting all that had happened to her. Questions and comments pressed at her lips, trying to pry open her teeth to get out, but Ash sat quietly, dutifully even, listening with intent focus as she was told all the many different ways Rae had almost gotten herself killed. Love throbbed in her chest, the spirit had been right - this was more than Ash would have been able to protect Rae from using her own power. Bigger forces were at play than what the Keeper had trained her for, Rae would need every asset she could get. 

Like a cresting wave, when Rae finished her story, lapsing them both into silence, a surge of warm energy travelled down Ash’s arms, propelling her forward until she’d wrapped a startled Rae in a tight hug. They were sitting on the floor, their knees bent awkwardly as Ash crushed them together. 

Love may have promised that she would only observe, but as Ash had found over the last few weeks, the spirit’s instincts were difficult to ignore. 

Rae patted her back, stiff and unsure. They were not huggers, ever since Ash had grown curves and become hyper-aware of the way her large breasts pressed against the chest of whoever she hugged. She had given up the act save for rare, special occasions - and it had already happened twice in one day.

She shifted her weight, trying to appear nonchalant as she purposely rocked back. She sent a quiet reprimand to the spirit residing within her. As per usual, Love remained unresponsive save for a muted throbbing of heat in her chest.

Ash was rarely cold, but since she’d re-affirmed her deal with Love, the heat never seemed to leave her skin.

Rae cleared her throat in the silence that followed. “I’ll introduce you to everyone soon, though you already met Josephine and Solas. From what I hear you met the Commander as well.” 

Ash frowned, unable to place the title with a face. “Who?” 

“Commander Cullen Rutherford, the one who walked you to meet me and gave you specific instructions to wait until after my meeting with Josephine was done.” 

Ah, yes, she remembered him, the man with the neatly styled hair and large, ugly cloak. “I have to say, being judged by a Templar upon my arrival was certainly unexpected.”

“He’s no longer a Templar, they made that very clear when I encountered their Seeker in Val Royeaux.” Rae seemed to hold the man in high regard, strange for someone who so often despised authority even more than Ash. 

“He may not be a Templar any longer, but that training doesn’t just go away overnight. He was immediately suspicious of me.” Ash insisted. 

“He’s suspicious of everyone until they’re vetted, that’s his job,” Rae said like Ash was a child who did not understand how the world worked. She felt herself bristle and quickly tamped it down, now was not the time to argue further. 

“Didn’t you say he wants to side with the Templars instead of the mages in Redcliffe?” Ash had phrased it as a question, but she was sure that Rae had explained it in her rundown.

“Fine,” Rae huffed, “dislike him for all I care, but you need to be cordial at least. Do I have to worry about you calling him names too or is that only limited to other elvhen mages?”

“I think I’ve learned my lesson there,” Ash said in a clipped tone. “Though you have a distinct lack of mage representation on your advisory council.”

“Just don’t start anything,” Rae spoke like she’d aged fifty years in their time apart. 

“I’m following your commands, don’t you fear.” Ash held up her hands in a display of innocence. “But you’ll hear my opinions on everything anyway.”

“Lucky me,” Rae grumbled, fiddling with the handle of her dagger. 

“So who are you siding with in this civil war?”

Rae fixed Ash with a deadpan stare. “Do you really have to ask? The Templars punched a Holy Sister in the face in front of an entire crowd of people without a single giving a single shit. Why would I want to ally with those assholes?” 

Ash smiled brightly, proud of her sister’s level-headed decisions. Rae continued, “I still have to meet with their representative in Redcliffe before I make my final decision, but I doubt that is going to change.” 

“Well I, for one, am pleased to hear that.” Ash looked around the tent, a frown on her face as she noted the distinct lack of grey fur and demanding glares. “Have you seen Sweetpea by any chance? She disappeared when I got here and I haven’t seen her since.”

Rae snorted, brushing off her pants as she stood. “I wouldn’t worry about that cat, knowing her she’s probably out terrorizing the local wildlife.” She held out her hand to help Ash stand up. “Why don’t I introduce you to the rest of the team before you make more of a fool of yourself and we can look for her on the way.”

Ash smiled, accepting the proffered hand. “Lead the way.”

Rae kept a wide variety of companions, some were unavailable when Rae brought Ash around, off doing only the Gods know what. On the way to the War Room for a formal introduction with her advisors, Ash met both Varric Tethras, a dwarven author and chest hair enthusiast, as well as Vivienne, a striking human mage whose ideas on the Circle Ash feeling uneasy. Varric's warm personality and quick wit immediately drew Ash in, and she found herself looking forward to more conversations with him. Vivienne…well, Ash would have been perfectly happy if they never interacted again. Clearly, she knew her stuff, she was strong and clever and Ash would never hold that against her, yet their parting had sent a chill down Ash’s spine that she had been unable to shake. 

“Your magic is something else, my dear,” Vivienne had said with an appraising look up and down her body. 

From the corner of her eye, Ash saw Rae turn towards her, her eyebrow raised expectantly. She expected Ash to say something diplomatic and Ash had plenty of practice with being modest and sucking up to their elders.

“I can thank Ghilan’nain for her guidance, it was no small task to become the First to our Clan’s Keeper.” She attempted to brush it off, relying on Vivienne being an ignorant Shem who knew nothing of Dalish culture - but she should have realized the mage was too clever to be fooled like that. 

She simply smiled - a dangerous smile, the promise of follow-up lingering in her eyes. “Gods have nothing to do with your power, my dear. You may as well own it.” 

Creators, this place was more dangerous than she’d imagined. If any of them discovered that she was harbouring a spirit, she feared exactly what they’d do. She hadn’t even entertained the thought of telling Rae, her wrath would be far too great after Ash had kept it from her for so long. But Ash had done it to keep Rae safe - the elders of their clan already disliked Rae, if they found out that Rae knew about Ash’s possession, the consequences would be dire. For now, it must remain a secret, Rae had other bigger things to worry about. 

Blessedly, Rae’s advisors were all already gathered in the War Room, leaving little space for idle small talk. 

With a forceful push, Rae swung open the heavy oak door, its hinges creaking in protest. She strode into the small room with the confidence of someone who owned the place. Her chin was tilted up, her posture straight. Inside, a large wooden table dominated the space, its surface etched with a detailed map of Thedas.

On the far side of the table stood the three advisors, two she recognized as Commander Cullen - his golden hair and stern expression unmistakable and Ambassador Montilyet, quill poised over her writing board as she offered a welcoming smile.

“Good afternoon, Herald,” the third advisor greeted, her Orlesian accent thick. “And you must be her sister, Ashvalla, yes?” 

Ash's skin prickled with unease as she couldn't shake the feeling that this woman knew everything about her - from her name to his deepest secrets - minus the deepest one or she doubted she would be allowed within miles of Haven. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Ash nodded. “And you must be Sister Nightingale. Rae tell me you’ve been instrumental in her cause.” Best to keep the woman on her good side.

“Please, call me Leliana.” The Spymaster smiled at her. “And you flatter me, Herald, I did not know you thought so highly of me.”

Rae grunted noncommittally and the other woman laughed. 

“It is a pleasure to meet you again,” Josephine spoke up, shifting her weight. “I hope your stay so far has been hospitable.” 

She opted out of telling them of her encounter with Solas. “It has, thank you.” Polite small talk was most appropriate here. 

“Though I believe you may be missing something, Miss Lavellan,” the Commander spoke, his lips twitching as though he was trying to suppress a smile. Before Ash had a moment to ponder this strange statement, gestured towards the ground, and as Ash followed his gaze, her eyes landed on the diminutive form of one formerly missing cat. Said cat meowed questioningly up at the Commander, head tilted as though she didn’t understand why he had exposed her hiding spot behind his heavy boots. 

“Sweetpea!” Ash hissed at her ridiculous cat who paid her no mind. Ash leaned over to tap her thighs, trying to coax the stubborn feline over to her. Sweetpea didn’t bother to give her a passing glance. Ash shot an apologetic smile at the Commander, a light blush tinting her cheeks before aiming another glare at the beast who trotted back over the Cullen, rubbing herself on his legs once more. “Traitor.”

“Now that we’ve solved the case of the missing Sweetpea,” Rae interrupted the staring contest she was having with her good-for-nothing cat who’d chosen a Templar - former Templar, whatever - to rub against and make her grovel in front of. “Perhaps we can get back to the problem at hand?”

Ash straightened, she’d have to deal with Sweetpea’s insolence later. “Please, by all means, don’t let me stop you.” 

Rae's earlier explanation barely scratched the surface of the issue at hand. As Ash struggled to keep her attention on the conversation, Sweetpea sauntered through Cullen's legs, her tail flicking in a taunting manner. Despite Cullen's obvious annoyance, he never once asked the feline to move and even let her curl up on his boot as she drifted off to sleep. Instead, he reached and pointed to places on the map he needed to speak about so as not to disturb her. It was strangely heartwarming, but not enough for Ash to deem him safe. She knew better than to like a Templar, that was a dangerous game for a mage. 

“I still believe our best bet is to contact the Templars.” His point was mildly undermined by the cat asleep on his foot. Ash wondered briefly if Sweetpea, with her keen intelligence and cunning ways, had purposely placed herself there to undermine him and nudge the conversation towards supporting the mages. As much as Ash doubted it, she had learned never to underestimate Sweetpea's cleverness.

“I appreciate your point, Commander, however, the Grand Enchantress seemed rather distressed when she confronted me in Val Royeaux, and I will need to ensure their safety before we proceed.” Since when did Rae talk like that? “I will be taking Cassandra along with me so your point of view will be represented, if that helps ease your mind.”

Cullen inclined his head. “Of course, your Grace. I appreciate your consideration.” 

“Solas and Sera will accompany me as well.” Ash narrowed her eyes at Rae who steadfastly ignored her. There would be an amendment to that lineup if Ash had anything to say about it. “If that is all, I will depart at first light and return as soon as I can with news on my decision.” 

Murmurs of agreement rose from her advisors and the meeting was adjourned. They slowly filled out of the room, giving Ash time to nab Sweetpea as the Commander passed her, much to the cat’s dismay. 

“You can see him again later,” Ash whispered too quietly for him to hear, and he smirked as he watched her struggle to hold the wild animal. 

“It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Lavellan,” Leliana addressed her, a sparkle of mirth in her eyes as Sweetpea refused to stay still. 

“I hope our next meeting involves a few less grouchy cats.” Ash shot a pointed look at Sweetpea who returned it with an equally as irritated glare. 

The door shut behind the small family, leaving them alone once more. Ash released Sweetpea and she immediately leaped onto the wooden table, gracefully stepping over the tiny tokens scattered across its surface. With a contented purr, she curled up in the center of the table, her fluffy fur softly rising and falling with each breath.

“What is wrong with you?” Ash huffed, placing her hands on her hips. 

“She’s got your attitude.” Rae leaned against the table, arms crossed over her chest, a challenge her stance. 

Not one to waste time, Ash let her displeasure be known. “You can’t seriously tell me you plan on leaving without me.”

“I can, and I will.” Rae’s smug face looked eerily similar to the one Sweetpea had worn only minutes ago. “How does it feel to be told what you can and cannot do all the time?” 

Ash narrowed her eyes. “Is this all some petty revenge for, what, me bossing you around sometimes? I’m your older sister in case you’ve forgotten, that’s my job.”

Rae scoffed. “Sometimes? I think you mean every single chance you get. You may be my older sister, but I’m a full-grown adult. I make my own decisions, and now, I make yours too. Unless you’d rather forgo our deal and head back to our Clan.”

Love fluttered anxiously in her chest, unwilling to part from Ash’s sister. “I resent those accusations, but in an effort to be the bigger person I am willing to let them slide.” 

Rae’s expression turned sour. “Must you always be like this?” 

“Must I always be right? Well, it does happen frequently so I suppose so.” 

Rae groaned and threw her hands up in the air. “This is why you aren’t coming with me. You’re the worst and I hate you.”

Ash smirked, reaching out to scoop Sweetpea off the table, it was time for them to make their exit before Rae blew up. “Love you, too. I’ll see you tomorrow morning to wish you safe travels.”

And if she barely managed to duck a small token thrown at her head as she left the War Room, she decided it didn’t need mentioning.

Next Chapter

A/N: Will Solas and Ash ever get along? Keep reading to find out.

If anyone is reading this I'd love to hear what you think! 

[ragnarokhound]

38) "This never happened" fix-it fics or "this happened but" fix-it fics?

8) How slow is a slow burn?

wanna know ur opinion

14) Write and share the first sentence of a new fic. Just that.

:3

Thanks for the questions! From this ask game.

38. I'm a big fan of "this happened, but" style fixit. History and continuity are important to me, I like working within the framework of canon to fiddle around with small events for-want-of-a-nail, butterfly effect style. One small change in a character's reaction to an event, or knowledge they didn't have before having a long domino effect on the narrative is very interesting to me because the problem still exists, but how could we have reacted differently to solve it? OwO Jason died and came back, but Superman found him first. Jason died and came back, but Bruce's instruments recorded the incident and he received the alert in time. Bad thing still happened, but the outcome wasn't as harsh. Hope wins the day. (That being said, I enjoy all fixit. Make it right T_T)

8. TRUE slow burn takes the whole goddamn narrative to set up. We are chomping at the bit for this romance EARLY on, and the payoff is the ultimate relief. One of my favorite slow burns is actually a dragon age inquisition fem OC x Cullen fic featuring a modern girl sent to that universe lmao. It's called Ad Infinitum, it's really good, it's about 250k, complete, and the romance doesn't even start romancing until the third act. It's got a great structure to it and is more about adapting to a hard new life after a traumatic incident than anything else. There are dragons and it is awesome.

That being said. My minimum bar for slow burn is either: the characters have experienced a years long build up to a romance in their relationship that we see enough of to feel OR an objectively shorter period of time that we as readers are experiencing in almost lockstep with the characters, chock full of enough pining and frustration to make me feel a years-long buildup in what is honestly a short timeframe. To me it is more about plot ratio than word count, and how effectively it's conveyed.

14. You are evil, abyss, how many wips are you trying to get me to work on right now exactly

Jason's had worse heats. Don't ask him when - but he's sure he's had them.