#diane talks to herself again

[hopefullyababe]

btw in my opinion ppl who think bojack and diane shouldve gotten together more than they did are ppl who missed the point of their relationship arc.

[lqveharrington]

Shut Up | V.

summary: You aren’t officially apart of the Vees, but dating Vox merely intensifies what the rest of the sinners, and his business partners, believe.

pairing: Vox x overlord!reader

includes: smut: exhibitionism, masochism, degradation, fluff, Valentino being weird, talks about death, talks about porn (that’s all, let me know if I missed any!)

a/n: this is my first time writing a one-shot like this which was really interesting to write 🤷‍♀️ we’ll see how this goes

You were never openly advertised to be a part of the Vees. You just happened to be there for almost all of their businesses and deals. Sure, you did live in the same building as them and work alongside them, but there was never an official declaration of you joining the Vees. There were two reasons you were protected against all the sinners who wondered why you were always in the public eye with them.

One, you were a quiet overlord. And two, you were dating the company’s forefront boss: Vox, the technological demon.

Though you kept all your soul deals hushed from the public, all the sinners knew what you were capable of, staying clear of your path. It just so happened that Vox was able to snag you for himself, being the only one to truly enjoy you as yourself, despite Velvette and Valentino also witnessing each interaction.

“What’s on your schedule today?” Vox sipped on his black coffee, adjusting you in his lap.

You tap away on your phone as you take a small drink from his cup. “Uh, I think I have a meeting with Diane about the money she owes me. Then Velvette needs to steal me to model some clothes for her new line.”

He hummed, eyes flickering across the different monitors in his room. “Is that all?”

Nodding, you shut your phone off and smiled prettily up at him, pearly whites on display. “Why? Want me all to yourself?” You shift in his lap, straddling him instead.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to such things.” He trailed a claw up your arm. “Sadly, I have meetings upon meetings today.”

“Boo.” You kiss the corner of his screen, feeling soft static on your lips. He squeezes your waist as you move off of him, “Text me if you need to reach me.”

“I always do.” He pressed a kiss to your hand. “Love you.”

“Love you more.” You snap your fingers, appearing in front of your favorite sinner’s house. “Diane, here I come.” You mutter as the dirt and blood from the ground accumulate on your heels.

The meeting with Diane was short and sweet, only taking twenty minutes to collect your money from her. In fact, you had more time to visit the rest of your souls before heading to the Vee tower. To be fair, most sinners you dealt with either died from exterminations or died from your own hands, not being able to pay their debt. It was nice to have a soul who was willing to commit to your every beck and call.

“Babes, focus.” Velvette snapped her fingers in front of you, changing your outfit. “What do you think about this one?”

Your hands come down to your waist, glancing in the mirror. “It’s alright. The puffy sleeves are a no-go though.” You watch as she jots down your notes, muttering to herself about stupid sleeves before snapping another pair of clothes on you. “How many outfits did you create for this new line?”

“About thirty or so, I can’t really keep track.” Velvette circled to your front, tilting her head at the color. “This color doesn’t necessarily represent me, no?”

You shake your head, “It’s more… more angelic than Velvette.”

“Right, thank you.” She flicks her wrist, changing the color to match her brand. “You know, Voxy wouldn’t stop groaning about you being busy all day.” You raise a brow at her words, letting her switch your outfit again. “He was all pissy when Val said he’d try to recruit you to be in one of his films again. Val almost lost a wing during that meeting, it was hilarious.”

“I’d rather work for you than Val.” You grimace at the thought. Since landing in Hell, the only person you had gotten intimate with was Vox. You would rather die with Carmine weapons than star in one of his adult films. “Do you know when Vox’s meetings are done?”

“Do I look like his fucking assistant?” She flicked her hair back as she looked at you with an unimpressed expression. “He’s your boy toy.”

“Fuck off.” You flip her off and pull your phone out, sending a quick message to Vox, to which he responds with a Facetime call.

“What’s wrong?” His eye twitched as if he were to murder a low-life sinner. “Who hurt you?”

“No one?” You furrow your brows but roll your eyes when Velvette snickers from behind you. “I was just going to ask when your last meeting is.”

“Just ended.” He let out a breath, squinting his eyes when you flip the camera to show the shorter overlord. “Velvette, don’t overwork her.”

“She’s standing here pretty, asshole.” She scoffed at him. “You’re free to visit while I finish up.”

“Let’s just do a movie night in our penthouse.” You toss up, earning groans from both overlords. “Fine, screw you too.”

“I love you, but I can’t do another movie night where we watch Val’s porn films starring him.” Velvette rubbed her forehead at the thought. The thought alone sends shivers down your spine. “Anyone but Val can pick the movie.”

“I’ll pick it since you all want to be babies about it.” You sigh as she snaps your original clothes back on. “Someone tell Valentino.”

“Already sent a message.” Vox locked eyes with you through the screen. “I’ll see you both in a bit.”

“Bye, handsome.” You sent kisses toward him. You hummed to yourself as you hopped off the platform Velvette placed you on.

“How? Why?” Velvette shook her head at you. “I don’t get it, not at all. You two are so fucking disgusting.”

That wasn’t the first time she said that either. Or Valentino. They eventually just learned to live with you two after they once walked in on you and Vox in his monitor room… Not a fun surprise. Especially when Valentino wanted to record. Velvette learned to knock for once but still found all your lovey-dovey couple shit disgusting. However, it did boost her business when you both went out with matching outfits made by her.

“Mm, Vox—!” You giggle against his lips as your hands find his shoulders to balance you. “They’ll be here any minute.”

“They both have enough common sense to knock.” He kicked your legs apart. “I haven’t seen you all day. I missed you.”

You shift under him, holding in soft moans from his actions. “Vox…”

“Hm?” He shot a small shock through his finger, causing you to let out a moan. “You once hated those.”

“Shut up.” You grabbed his sweater vest and pulled him in. That was about how far you got until Valentino barged inside with Velvette trailing behind. “Oh, fuck me…”

“Maybe later.” Vox teased, pulling you up from the couch. He flattened out your bunched-up skirt and his vest, giving an agitated smile toward his business partners. “I thought you two learned to knock?”

“Why? Busy fucking?” Valentino maliciously grinned at you, making you shift uncomfortably. “I’m sure you two would—“

“Alright, what movie are we watching bitches?” Velvette plopped herself down on an armchair, letting her legs rest on the armpiece.

Vox muttered out words of murder toward Valentino, pulling you down to sit on his lap to hide his previous hard-on. You lock a hand with him, feeling him rub your palm as the movie starts. And the movie seemed to be more of a success than the last one as Valentino and Velvette’s eyes were immediately glued to the screen. But Vox kept all his attention on you, letting his hands wander across your body.

“What are you doing?” You murmur, grabbing his wrist as it starts trailing up your thigh. “Vox…”

He pressed a kiss to your shoulder, “Yeah?”

“We can’t…”

“They’re not even paying attention to us, gorgeous.” His screen dimmed and red streaks appeared.

You roll your eyes but steal the blanket from behind you, draping it over the both of you. “Happy?”

“Very.” His voice was much lower, as he immediately attached himself to your shoulder.

It wasn’t until halfway through the movie that one of them noticed. Sadly, it was Velvette who noticed, meaning there was a much bigger scene being created than the one playing on the television.

“Are you guys seriously fucking right now?” She made a face of disgust, watching you being unable to respond to her.

“Shut up, don’t talk to us.” Vox let out a quiet grunt as you buried your head into his collarbone.

“Vox.” You mumble as a warning as the coil inside you tightens.

He held you closer as you gasped, “Fuck, I got you.”

“I’m out! I’m leaving, I’ll see you all tomorrow when you’re both decent.” Velvette left, dragging Valentino with her when he brought his phone out to record.

“Vox!” He flipped you to lay on the couch the second the elevator door shut, overstimulating your abused parts.

“Such a fucking slut for cock.” He pinched your waist as his hips stuttered. “Fuck, come with me.” You let out a guttural moan as your coil snapped for the third time, grabbing onto him as he finished, feeling him rest his head on your chest. “That was so fucking hot.”

Your chest heaved as you rubbed his back, “That’s because you wanted to get caught, handsome.”

“It worked, didn’t it? I got both of the things I wanted.” He leaned up and pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Can I move yet?”

You shake your head, shutting your eyes when he shifts a bit. “Vox.” You whine, tightening your hold on him. “Don’t move.”

“You’re fine, I have you.” He murmured as he pressed small kisses to your face. “We can stay here.” You hum in contentment. “Thank you for indulging in my thoughts.”

You chuckle at his words, “I wanted it too, Vox. But, I think we officially traumatized Velvette.”

“She can go cry about it.” He rubbed your hip before giving you a quick kiss on your sore lips. “I love you, gorgeous.”

“Mm, I love you too, Vox.” You whisper back, letting him tighten his hold on you as the movie ends, sighing in exhaustion.

You might not be publicly introduced to be associated with the Vees, but you were definitely associated with Vox whenever you were in the confines of the Vee Tower.

©lqveharrington - all rights reserved. do not copy, translate or share my work on other media platforms

[animeyanderelover]

Can I get another round with Yandere Merlin,Diane and Elisabeth, Derieri and Melascula with a human darling. Only this time the darling is a member of the sins being the eighth son of melancholy so unlike other humans he's actually very strong instead of being helpless.

I was trying to think of a fitting animal to represent melancholy and came up with a donkey... If you've watched Winnie Pooh you know exactly why.

Tw: Yandere themes, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional mindset, clinginess, manipulation, isolation

Donkey's Sin of Melancholy

Elizabeth Liones

👼​Elizabeth as a person has always cared for the people around her even if they were her enemies and this nurturing nature is amplified in her obsession. The princess wants her darling to be happy physically and mentally so having you being the embodiment of melancholy only stokes the flames of obsession within her. You're always draped in thick sheets of unexplainable sadness and sorrow and even you can't give her a reason to why you're always feeling so dejected which only encourages her obsession to make a fuss over you. Since there is no real problem for your feelings she has no way to approach the problem and help you with your gloomy emotions. Other sins like Ban tell her that she shouldn't fret so much over you since this is how you have always been yet Elizabeth strongly objects. She doesn't want you to dwell all the time in such dark emotions as she yearns to see you leaving that grim place your mind always seems to stay in. She swears to herself that she will make you happy and that she will free you from your own thoughts.

👼​That wish of her is going to push her to be overbearing sooner or later depending on whether we're considering her before she regained her memories or after she regained her memories. Elizabeth before remembering who she really is would be quick to coddle you, clinging to you all the time and doing everything to make you smile and make you happy. She's insecure, knows that you are very strong as a part of the eight sins whilst she isn't yet she still strives to be helpful to you somehow. If that can't be on the battlefield then it will be emotionally and because she is so eager about assisting you even if you deny her help more than once that can quickly turn into her being a tad bit too attentive and overbearing. If we're talking about Elizabeth as a goddess she would approach you more thoughtfully, emotionally more prepared to read your current mood and attempt to cheer you up from there. She's more subtle with everything she does but upon recalling her memories she has also learnt how to use her abilities again which means that she might use her empathic powers in an attempt to influence your emotions.

Diane

🐍​Growing up Diane has made acquaintance with loneliness, a terrible feeling that she has over the years learnt to utterly despise. She doesn't want to be alone anymore which is one of the major reasons why she ends up as clingy as she does when she falls in love with you. You have never once made any comments about her height nor her clinginess though, maybe because you are often elsewhere with your mind and your thoughts yet it is the fact that you don't speak up about it that ends up encouraging her tendencies to escalate. She thinks that your quietness and thoughtfulness are very attractive and only add to your coolness. Her feelings have never been a secret to the other sins because she can barely hold back the red blush on her face as soon as she sees you and instantly starts twirling her hair around with her fingers, trying to make herself look cuter so that she might be able to make your heart skip as much as you always make her heart skip.

🐍​It is your reserved personality that still makes her most jealous though. Even though she is definitely on a delusional side she knows that you tend to avoid conflict and never disagree even when someone asks you to do something that you don't really want to do. This is where she takes it upon herself to act like the protective wife and speak up for you instead even if she never asks you for your real opinion on the topic. Additionally her already quite bad jealousy only increases because she knows that you are not the most social person out there and prefer spending time in your own head rather than with the people around you which makes every slice of attention you give others so much more special and by extension even worse. Why did you pay attention to that person and not to her just now? It's such thoughts that only add to her pushy clinginess as she wants to hoard all of your attention as soon as you snap out of the place in your mind you find yourself stuck in on days. As your future wife she should after all be the one person you may most attention to.

Merlin

🐗​Merlin's interest in knowledge, science and everything she doesn't know of is an unquenchable thirst that has led her to suspend her own age so that she may have all the time in the world to learn everything she desires to know. Often refered to as a mysterious woman since no one can truly tell what she is really after it is perhaps no surprise that the woman shrouded in mystery takes an interest in the other sin who is often just as hard to understand as you. Despite being a normal human you possess strength that has allowed to join the ranks of the sins and it is your personality that only adds to her interest as you are not very talkative nor do you spend much time with others. If Merlin takes interest in something she is going to pursue it even if she has to use more underhanded methods yet her ambigious morality has never truly been something that has bothered her. She knows what she is doing yet she prioritises her own interest above any laws or morality that others may criticise her for.

🐗​She uses the information she has to her own advantage and attempts to manipulate you so that she can spend more time with you. Her laboratory is a place where people rarely enter, mainly because she uses spells to keep people out and it is a place you find yourself often coaxed into with the promise of receiving your peace in there without being surrounded by the other sins whose personalities can be a bit exhausting for you at times. Whilst she keeps up the polite and kind facade around you her eyes are constantly observing you and note every twitch of your muscles when she makes some smalltalk with you whilst subtly attempting to understand you and the way your mind works better. Sometimes your gaze meets her for a short moment before you retreat to the place in your mind she has yet to understand and when this happens she wonders slightly amused if you perhaps have caught on to what she is doing yet have decided to ignore the topic in favor of avoiding a confrontation and continue your current lifestyle.

Derieri

🔶Whilst Derieri is a demon who has never really respected humans and feasts on the souls of your kind she will begrudgingly give you some respect after she has clashed with you on a battlefield. You are not just a puny human who she could easily squash under her feet, you have experience when it comes to fighting and possess abilities strong and respected enough to let you be a part of the sins despite only being a human. She keeps such thoughts to herself though as she would never want to admit that she holds secretly such respect for you. The both of you have most of your encounters whilst fighting each other since her kind is considered the enemy and she gets very aggressive when she sees you and instantly assaults you. Partially because she absolutely despises the way you make her feel and the nonchalant behavior you keep up even whilst fighting for your own life. Another part of her though can't contain the excitement pumping through her veins every time she sees you as she finds herself enjoying the thrill of clashing with you, her seven hearts beating wildly inside her body whenever your bodies get close to each other.

🔶The more her feelings grow the more aggressive she finds herself getting when fighting with you as her hatred as well as her excitement only get stronger as a result of her growing obsession. Derieri finds herself in desperate need to know what you really think of her kind and if you share the same thoughts as most other humans have about her own kind. She doesn't want to get her hopes up yet a part of her can't help but think that perhaps you will be different. After all you are quite different from other humans with a thought process that she can't even comprehend and it partially frustrates her about you. Having clashed with you multiple times during fights and having witnessed your strength with her own eyes though her frustration only continues to grow as she realises that you are truly not an easy person she could simply get her hands on. For a mere human you possess an annoying amount of strength that she may enjoy during fights yet that also means that she won't be able to just easily take you even if she desires to do so. Intentionally or not, everything about you seems to be something that she adores yet finds frustrating at the same time.

Melascula

🌫️​Melascula's experience is going to be even worse than Derieri's is and this demoness handles it even worse. Whilst Derieri will simply brood and lash out if someone mentions you Melascula needs no such direct trigger to have an outburst. She refuses to acknowledge you and respect you despite having seen your powers on display and doesn't want to accept the growing feelings she has whilst thinking about you. She would accept every other excuse that could help her to deny her growing feelings for you and in such frenzy attempts to convince herself and everyone around her that her feelings aren't real she turns into a conspiracy theorist. You bewitched her somehow and maybe Merlin helped you by putting a spell on her because her obsession for you can't be something that was born out of her own feelings she secretly harbors for you. She experienes constantly short and frenzied meltdowns as soon as something even vaguely reminds her of you to the point where the rest of the Ten Commandments starts to leave her alone as no one of them wants to be the next victim of her ridiculous rage.

🌫️​Everything you embody she tries to ridicule all in an attempt to deny her own feelings, in distraught hopes that her attraction may disappear if she were to just remind herself enough that no power you possess will change the fact that you belong to the weakest and most useless race on this planet. Her twisted feelings are always revealed though as soon as she's around you, her dark eyes observing you and her body language almost lecherous as fighting against you only fawns the inferno of obsession within her. She wants to be adored and worshipped by you yet your attitude which is only utterly disrespectful in her eyes only enrages her further. Just because you are a little bit more powerful than the normal human doesn't mean that you can just casually disrespect her! You just wait until she gets her hands on you sooner or later. She will properly educate you on how to treat a sublime woman like she is with the respect and the worship she deserves all whilst keeping you by her side like a human pet.

[lakesparkles]

MORE MR PEANUTBUTTER!! Can you tell I like him?? The worst part is that it's all very new art, I drew all of this in... 3 days? Idk

So, this one is very self indulgent. I wanted to explore his relationships with some characters in my AU (the one he dates both Diane and Guy, it all happens after the finale of the show). One of the reasons I love creating this AU (I even just finished writing a fanfic about it!!) is so I can develop PB more.

If you want an explanation about his relationships, it'll be under the cut!

Bojack: they spend way more time together now that they live together in California - PB has two houses, so he travels there to Houston all the time. His relationship with Bojack… Is improving, just like showed in the doodles. Some people even mistake them as a old married couple, but nah, they didn't even kiss once. Maybe once. Bojack doesn't want to talk about it. One day, years later, Mr Peanutbutter will make peace with his own sexuality, look back and realize that things make way more sense now.

Guy: talking about his sexuality, Guy plays a big role on it. I created a whole backstory for him, but it's a story for another day. He's way more comfortable about being bi than PB is - who is now having a lot of questions: "what if he's wrong about it?"; "what if he's too old for that?"; "what if all media reacts very badly about it?" It's a little easier when he's not alone. Their personalities go very well together and, other than that, PB is having the time of his life having a husband now <3 Guy usually calls him "dog" and PB isn't sure if he thinks it's cute or the opposite.

Pickles: I have a lot of thoughts about Pickles tbh. Some of her scenes made me think that she seemed so lonely. Years after dating and breaking up with PB, she realized that their relationship… Was kinda messed up, yes. But she was never angry, even being happy seeing how different his life is right now. When she meets PB again and finds out that, not only he felt guilty during all the time they dated, but also *still feels that way*, she thinks it's a little funny. She has a good life now, he didn't ruin anyone like he thought he did. They end up in good terms and message each other often enough.

Diane: PB calls her his "ex ex wife"! Coming back together has been a nostalgia trip for them and this comes with a bunch of complicated feelings. What makes all different is exactly what Diane herself said in the show: "if they met as the people they are now, things would be totally different". And they surely are different now, even more after spending so many years apart. But different doesn't mean perfect, this they would never be. They still have a couple of fights out of nowhere that Guy is confused about. What changes is that it's, in fact, better. And now they have hope. And they're enjoying finding out once again why they were in love in the first place. It's such an old feeling that they were tricked into believing it's new~

[taeloke]

Overanalyzing 4KOTA Chapter 142 instead of just waiting for more info (2/2)

Part 1

This is the part where I talk about King and no one else. Also, this is more ramble than analysis by the end, and I'm making myself not worry about length this time, so...you have been warned :) As for Mertyl, I'll definitely talk about him again over the next chapter, though I might not say as much as I did the first time.

Firstly, look at this face. Remember all those seasons ago, when everything was peaceful for like a single week? How sweet and thoughtful this little guy was, especially against his own personal wishes?

This is King--regardless of how he's like on the outside.

Elaine herself described him as someone who tries to act tough but is really a crybaby. He's someone who can't seem to stop wearing his heart on his sleeve. He always tries to hide his feelings to keep everyone else from worrying, but try as he might, anyone will see through his "tough act" if they're around him for long enough. Awakened or not, he's not King if he's not a highly emotional character like that. He's just a lot better at putting a cover over those feelings now. He's grown up for real.

If you read these last few 4KOTA chapters without remembering the original Seven Deadly Sins story, it only makes sense to look at him more like an ass of a father right now. There's a lot to his perspective that we just haven't gotten to witness yet, and one of the easiest conclusions to make from all of that unknown space is "King loves Nasiens more than the adopted son he raised." For crying out loud, he's giving an immensely scarce cure-all to a young man who introduced himself as a human without an explanation for why Myrtel hasn't received it yet. We don't even know for sure if he's tried using the Drug of Yore to treat Myrtel's condition in the past right now.

There's just one problem about that conclusion: King isn't like that at all. It only looks like he is because this family drama is fatally poisoned with tension and misunderstandings at this point. It's starting to explode.

Remember how way back in the series, King first thought Diane without her memories of him would be better off without him at all?

I think that's a lot similar to what he's thinking with Nasiens right now. If King didn't play a part in their present happiness, then what right does he have to want their love? He'd label that as too greedy or selfish in a way that he can't allow himself to be. He thinks he knows his place, and that place is somewhere forever distanced from his first-born kid.

But he can't just do nothing for Nasiens. Maybe just one totally subtle yet significant expression of love can slide, right? What could he, seemingly as nothing more than a ruler, possibly give to Nasiens to make him happy? Maybe if he gives Nasiens just one perfect gift, Harlequin will feel like he was good for his son at least once. He'll feel like he's finally atoned for losing Nasiens for too long and failing him as a father, and then he can let that "sin" go. Surely, Nasiens wouldn't be happy knowing the truth anyway. He'll be better off never learning about his true relations, since he's built his life without it already. Assuming that "logic" is what King's going through, a lot of his actions make sense to me.

And yet he still almost slipped up and spilled the beans.

Nice save, King, but if you gave Nasiens more time to think he would have realized what you really meant. Tioreh gave him time to realize she believed he's a fairy and his initial freeze then was the exact same.

None of this is easy for King. It isn't easy for any of them. In some ways, those past 2 years must have felt like forever to him. Precious time to have his first-born kid around that he'll never get back. And after 2 years of keeping distance...

"Sorry, I couldn't help but follow you."

"I just wanted to help you out, in any way I could."

King can't keep his distance anymore. His true feelings are starting to break free.

"Hee hee... Don't be shy, now. I just want to be of assistance."

Sure, King. Saying it like that totally doesn't make it sound like there's more to this, even with your confident/amused chuckle.

Of all the gifts he could give Nasiens, I'm sure King believed this was the one thing Nasiens couldn't refuse to accept from him. A powerful healing drug that he advertised as one-of-a-kind and a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. With it presented not only as that, but also as something that might bring Percival back, how could Nasiens reject such a gift? Right?

...And then Nasiens rejects the gift. Immediately, King gets so nervous that he breaks character.

He immediately started sweating too. King prepared everything up to this moment, and he has no excuse as Nasiens questions him and calls him out.

And Nasiens is right to call him out because of how this looks.

Nasiens, just like us, doesn't yet know what the truth here is. He's right to be suspicious and King needs to realize that plans in how the changeling duo is handled need to change right now. Ready or not--telling the truth is the only way to save what's actively starting to cave in.

But the sad thing is...I have a feeling that it's too late already.

Things are only going to get worse from here... I don't know how, and in a way that makes this feel more awful.

Sixtus should tell King that Mertyl saw him offer the Drug of Yore to Nasiens. There's no doubt in my mind that King will realize the problem once he has that information and try to do whatever he can to make things right. PLEASE don't make him too late again. At least give him a chance to talk to Mertyl before things fall apart if that's where all of this is headed.

[spaceyaceface]

Absence - Safety Ch 9

Ominis Gaunt x f!Ravenclaw!Reader (Reader is not MC)

Word Count: 4.2k

Warnings: Death threats, emotional abuse

Summary: Y/N L/N had always despised Ominis Gaunt. He was everything she hated about her life. As the only daughter to a wealthy pure-blood family, she knew it was inevitable that she would someday find herself in an arranged marriage.

But why did it have to be him?

Or, a classic arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, slow burn.

Also available on AO3

Chapter One | Chapter Eight

Dearest,

Yes, my parents told me the news at dinner, just the same as yours. Seems the thing we’ve both been dreading isn’t so bad after all. In fact, I’m rather looking forward to spending the evening with you—even with such dismal circumstances. 

I am glad my siblings won’t be attending. Subjecting you to my parents’ presence is bad enough. I can only hope they will behave themselves, and that your parents will do the same. 

Christmas can’t come soon enough. 

Your friend,

Ominis Gaunt

She smiled down the letter, having read it initially the night before, but coming to visit it once again the next morning. Never in her life had she looked forward to Christmas—she knew most people did, but usually, it was just another day for her. She never received any gifts until she got to Hogwarts, nor did her family decorate their home. In fact, the only bit of celebration they ever had was the occasional visit of distant family or other pureblood families, and that wasn’t exactly pleasant. 

But this year was different. 

She knew for certain that she would have at least a moment of joy when her she got to see her friend, a distraction from the awful place she was in. Now, she just had to endure until he arrived. 

There was a gentle knock on her door, and her mood improved even more. Diane opened it a crack, peeking in.

“May I come in, dear?” 

She leapt to her feet, opening the door and pulling Diane inside. The older woman let out a chuckle upon seeing her wide grin. “It looks like someone got the news?”

“Yes!” she responded as Diane threw open her wardrobe, ruffling through the dresses. “Merlin, what a relief. We were worried when his parents forced him home. Thought something awful was heading his way.”

There was a bit of a twinkle in Diane’s eye when she turned back to her, dress in her arms. “Worried about him now, are we? I never would have thought you capable of it. Not for a Gaunt boy.” 

Just as she had done a hundred times growing up, she let Diane help to dress her. She never liked it; it was something she didn’t miss while at Hogwarts, but whenever she tried it herself her parents always seemed to find some imperfection to criticize. So she could at least be grateful it was Diane there with her. 

“I’ve already told you, Diane, he’s different. Nothing like his family. I admit I thought very lowly of him until he proved otherwise.” 

Diane hummed. There seemed to be a bit of a knowing tone to it that she didn’t like very much. But the woman was speaking again before she could comment on it. “And what of your friend Constance? Gotten her owl yet?” 

She was quiet for a moment. “We had a falling out, actually. We… well, I wouldn’t consider us friends anymore.” 

As she stood in front of her, straightening some fabric, Diane frowned. “I’m sorry to hear it.”

“It’s alright. It’s for the better, I think.” She went on to tell her the whole story—most of the story, at least, sans the threats from her father. Like she had been for many years, Diane was a wonderful listener, and it was nice to talk about such things to someone. 

Soon, her story was finished, and she was dressed. Diane sat next to her on the bed, smiling softly. “I am glad to hear you’ve found new friends, at least. Ominis, and that…”

“Sebastian,” she finished. 

“Sebastian, yes. Sound like they treat you well. I wouldn’t want anything different for you, my dear.” 

Diane patted her on the shoulder before standing. “I best be off, love. Your parents will be expecting you.” 

She sighed, nodding. 

The rest of the day passed as any spent in her home did. She had a silent breakfast with her parents, after which her father left for work. Her mother slipped away into the library, curled up reading. She thought it was the only similarity her and her mother shared. She herself went to her room, busying herself with whatever she could.

Time always dragged on in that house. Most of the servants and house elves stayed away and out of sight, just as her father had instructed them to. Diane was the only one who ever tried to do otherwise, but was usually kept busy by other things. There was no one to talk to. Nothing much to do but find idle ways to entertain herself. She felt like an animal in a cage, expected to do nothing but behave and stay quiet. 

She was always restless there, wanting to rip off the nice dresses and find somewhere to run. There was nowhere to breathe in that place. 

Her solace was the thought of seeing Ominis, and the letters they sent one another. Just as promised, he wrote every day, and she wrote back. 

They shared inside jokes and old stories, trying to keep one another out of the bad memories pressing in around them. The memories still came, of course, but at least she could wake up in the dead of night and pull his letters out from under her mattress to help her breathe. 

On Christmas Eve, her father denied her request to be excused from the table. She stayed sat without argument. 

He stood, the sound of his chair scraping harshly against the ground grating on her ears. “Before you retire, I feel the need to impress upon you the importance of tomorrow’s dinner.” 

She stared up at him, keeping her expression neutral. He took it as a sign to continue, starting to pace as he did. 

“Our arrangement with them is sound—for the most part. They have agreed to have you should you behave properly upon meeting them. They’ve heard rumors of the company you keep, the way you act when at school. But they’ve decided to forgive it, should you act well tomorrow night.”

They wanted to know if she was a beast that could be tamed. If her rebelliousness could be stomped out of her, if she would submit like an obedient child.  

Her father stopped his pacing, standing directly behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders. 

“You will act well,” He commanded, voice low. “You will prove to all of us your life has worth, if you would like to keep it.” 

Her mother across from her refused to meet her eyes, staring blankly down at her plate. She never hated her more. 

Her father leaned down, speaking into her ear. “Do you understand me?” His fingers dug into her, grip unrelenting. She swallowed a sound of pain before it could escape.

“Yes,” she breathed. 

He tightened his grip, just for a moment, then let go. “Good. You are dismissed.” 

She stood stiffly, and after the door of the dining room closed behind her, she caught herself on the wall. An ill feeling overtook every part of her, making her stomach twist and head ache. 

It was difficult, dragging herself up to bed that night and shedding the dress she’d been done up in. Finally, after shaking all the way, she curled up into her bed and sobbed. 

An animal in a cage. One they would do anything to tame. 

-

When Diane came in to dress her, she arrived carrying a gown she was sure was made just for tonight. She hated everything but the color. Intricate details of silver framed over the bodice and down the sleeves, gaudish and expensive. It was made in such a way that would make her the picture of desire, framing her every curve and giving her an air of untouchable elegance. It was awful. But the deep, emerald green reminded her of Slytherin robes, something she never thought she would find comforting. 

After a long while, she’d written Ominis in the night, telling him briefly what her father said. She would be safe, she promised, as long as they both went along with their parents. It would be ok. The letter she got from Ominis that morning was short, but she held it in her hand, reading over it whenever she felt her heart beat a little too fast. 

I do not think it will come to it, but if your father tries anything, I will not hesitate to fight. You won’t be staying there for the rest of break. I will find a way out of it. 

Please be safe. I will be there soon. 

Ominis

His handwriting was messier in that letter, the paper just a bit crumpled. He’d written it in haste, and that thought alone comforted her. 

I will be there soon. 

The house was a flurry of servants rushing about tripping over house elves, all of them desperate to clean and straighten every last inch of the place. It was excessive—she saw the entrance hall swept at least four times. She doubted they would have gotten so pressed if the visitors were swapped with the Minister of Magic himself. 

The hope she’d once felt about seeing Ominis now mingled with unease. What if she did do something wrong? What if Ominis tried to fight her father? The thought made her heart race. No, she’d do anything to prevent that. She’d play her part perfectly and not take any risks. 

Her father’s threats to her wouldn’t have mattered so much if she didn’t care for Ominis so, and that he cared for her in return. Because if she messed up, it was no longer just her who had something to lose.  It was a cruel trick of fate. Those soft feelings were being used to twist their arms behind their backs—and her father didn’t even know it. 

Her mother came up to her room at some point, speaking in that soft tone to remind her of the proper etiquette and manners she was meant to display. She struggled to remain attentive, her mother’s soft tone nearly lulling her to sleep. It wasn’t as if she was saying anything new, anyways—but it did set the precedent for what was expected of her. 

Then her mother saw the time and paled. 

“They will be here soon,” she said. “Straighten your hair and then come to the foyer. Quickly.” 

Her mother left, and she did as she was told. It suddenly seemed that everything was amiss. Her hair would sit right, no matter how many pins she put in it. And her dress would lie smooth against her. The face she saw in the mirror held an anxious expression, one she knew wouldn’t be welcome. It finally came to a point where she realized there was nothing else she could do. She took a deep breath, heading down the stairs and into the foyer where her father paced. 

She stood stiffly beside her mother, waiting in silence. Her heart pounded in her chest. She jumped with a servant threw open the door, announcing the arrival of the Gaunts. 

Holding her breath, she followed her parents into the entrance hall, and there he stood. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he stood straighter than she’d ever seen him. She spent a good moment looking at him before turning her eyes to his parents standing on either side of him. She didn’t like what she saw. 

His father, with pale skin and dark hair,  had the most naturally cruel face she had ever seen. Perhaps it was the slight sneer on his lips, or the way his brows drew together, but just the sight of him made her want to cower. The only similarity he shared with his son was the color of his eyes, a pale blue. But his were not inviting in the slightest. Where Ominis’s eyes were like a frozen lake sparkling in the moonlight, a subtle shine within, Mr. Gaunt’s were pure ice, full of nothing but the coldest indifference. 

When she turned to Mrs. Gaunt, she understood where Ominis got his good looks. With high cheekbones and long blonde hair, just the same as son, she looked regal standing there. However, the difference in her expression made the similarities fade into the background. Her full lips were set in what she could only describe as a pout, making her seem immature for the grown woman she was. 

The sight of them set her on edge, so she turned her gaze once again on Ominis, just so she could feel like she could breathe. His face was held in a practiced way she knew herself to be doing. His unseeing eyes stared past her, and she was filled with a sudden longing to approach him and hold his arm, just so he knew she was there. Seeing him with so much of his self erased to appease their parents broke her heart, just a little. But at the same time, it was him, and that was enough to put her at ease. 

Her silent observations were interrupted by the servant, extending his arm to gesture at their guests. “Mr. Cassius Gaunt, his wife Aurora, and their youngest son Ominis,” he announced. Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt stood stiff, but Ominis gave a practiced bow. Her parents returned the movement, she herself giving a curtsy. 

It was quiet while they were all led to the dining hall. She trailed back, just a little, just so she could be a step or two closer to Ominis. Would I recognize her footsteps here, like he did at Hogwarts? Would he still sense her through the unfamiliar floors and the taps of unusual shoes? 

They were led to their seats. Her father gave up his chair at the head of the table, and instead, the families sat across from each other, a show of being equals in this house. She was sat opposite of Ominis, and struggled not to stare at him as they were served. 

It was Mr. Gaunt who started conversation, a sign of the pecking order at the table. It was dull. Talk of the Ministry, and who was in line to be the next minister, whether or not they were supportive of acts to be passed protecting muggles, subtle flexes indicating who they had influence on. A ridiculous show, she thought, especially as she heard Mr. Gaunt’s claims when she knew he had no money to back him. Her father didn’t know that, though, and apparently neither did anyone in the Ministry. 

She kept her focus on her meal in front of her, trying to pay just enough attention to comment if she was called upon. 

“It’s a shame they have Mudbloods teaching at the school, don’t you think?” her father said, continuing off of a comment Mr. Gaunt had made about the types they let do more than scrub the floors at the Ministry. “It’s only that Phineas is there that I let her go at all.”

Mrs. Gaunt hummed in agreement. When she spoke, the stark contrast of her own mother’s voice shocked her. Every syllable wavered with emotion, as if she were on the verge of tears at all times. “It is such a worry each time we send our dear Ominis away! What things they might try to teach him—awful sorts. The absurdity of having an entire class dedicated to that filth…” 

She thought of her Muggle books and poems hidden away upstairs. Maybe she would stay up all night reading them, just to spite this awful woman. 

Mr. Gaunt set down his fork. The sound of it made silence fall across the table. “That is why we keep up with our own studies at home,” he said. A chill went through her. “We see to it that Ominis studies thoroughly. Don’t we, boy?” 

It was subtle—the way his jaw clenched and nostrils flared ever so slightly—but she saw it. “Yes, Father,” he answered. 

“You see, we are careful about what we let into our home. Into our line.” Mr. Gaunt’s cold eyes landed on her, and she felt like an item in a shop being assessed for its worth. “We wish to keep the integrity of our legacy. We will not have any who we fear might disgrace it.” 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ominis’s fist clench where it rested on the table. How she wished she could reach out and take it. Instead, she slid her foot forward under the table, letting it bump into his. He tensed for a moment, brows furrowing slightly, but upon realizing who it was, he relaxed. He brought his own foot alongside hers, and even that simple contact let her breathe a little easier. 

She heard her father take a deep breath from beside her. “Cassius, old friend, I don’t take the weight of your lineage lightly. You will find her to be a suitable match, I promise you. It would be an honor to let… to let my line end so that yours may flourish.” 

Mr. Gaunt gave a slow nod. “I’ve never doubted your resolution to this arrangement.” His eyes turned back to her. “But does she share that resolve, I wonder?” 

She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze. Her father spoke. “Of course she does. She understands.” 

“I think I’d like to hear it from her.” 

Her throat felt dry. Under the table, Ominis’s foot nudged against hers, giving her the strength to open her mouth. “I will keep the integrity of your line. It… it will be an honor to join your family.” 

The words made her stomach twist. She had to break her eye contact with him, afraid that his piercing gaze would tear her apart. 

He seemed satisfied at her statement, and turned to her father once more, bringing up the Averys’ oldest son and the shame he had brought upon them by marrying a muggle. She let out the breath she was holding as the attention shifted away from her. 

The rest of the dinner passed much the same, and as the company rose to move to the parlor, she saw her chance. 

Gathering her courage, she turned to her father. “Father, with the permission of Mr. Gaunt, I would love to give Ominis a tour of the grounds,” she said. Her eyes flicked between the two men, their frowns making her heart race. “With a chaperone, of course.” 

She saw Diane standing by the door of the kitchen, who gave her a small reassuring nod. Her father looked to Mr. Gaunt, who made no move to disagree. “Have Diane accompany you. Do not be too long.” 

She kept herself from smiling as Ominis offered his arm to her, allowing her to lead them to the door, Diane trailing behind them. He walked stiffly, but his warmth sept into her with each step they took away from the dining room. Finally, they pushed open the door outside, the cold winter air hitting them. She let go of his arm, jumping onto him to pull him into an embrace. 

He stuttered out her name, still stiff. “Your… your chaperone, we shouldn’t—”

“It’s alright, Ominis, it’s just Diane,” she said, not separating from him. 

It took him a moment, but then he understood. “Yes, that’s right. Diane. Your friend. Gods, I’ve been worried sick about you.” He finally relaxed, wrapping his arms around her. He held her close to him, and she closed her eyes as she took it all in. 

“I’m ok, I promise.” She pulled away, staring up at him. “Merry Christmas.” 

He chuckled. “Merry Christmas.” 

She took him by the hand, leading him to where Diane was standing. She had a grin on her face, looking between the two of them. “Diane, this is my friend Ominis.” 

Ominis held out his hand, which she took to shake. “It’s wonderful to meet you. I’ve heard good things about you, and I’d like to thank you for watching over her when I cannot.” 

Diane’s grin widened. “Of course. I’ve done it for seventeen years, I’ll look after her as long as I’m able. She has told me good things about you as well, my dear.” He smiled softly at that as Diane continued. “In the spirit of the holiday, I’ll give the two of you a gift—I’ll stay here. You go and wander the grounds. Just be back before I freeze to death.” 

She smiled, giving her a quick hug. “We won’t be long. Thank you.” 

Diane gave her a dismissive wave of the hand. “Get going, lovebirds.” 

She opened her mouth to argue, but Ominis took her arm before she could get a word out. He had his wand out so that he could direct them through the grounds. 

“I’d be wearing your scarf if my mother wouldn’t have burned it the moment she saw it,” he commented. 

She chuckled. “In that case, I’m glad you saved it from its untimely demise.”

He smiled. God, she’d missed that smile, even over the few days they’d been parted. “I would have insisted you make a new one, you know.” 

“And I would have done it.” 

He stopped walking, head tilting to face her more directly. “My siblings are coming to visit tomorrow. After that, I’m heading to Sebastian’s for the remainder of the holidays. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you come with me.” 

Her grip on his arm tightened. “That… I hope that works. It would be better if the request came from you or your family rather than me. I might have a fighting chance that way.” 

He pulled his arm away from her, coming to stand directly in front of her. His hands reached up, gently resting on her upper arms. “I meant what I said in my letter. I will fight for you. I’m sorry you said what you had to at dinner.” 

Her own hands reached in front of her, coming to play with his tie, running over the smooth fabric of it. “It was needed.”

“I wish it wasn’t. I wish all of this…” he trailed off, and she couldn’t stand the defeated expression on his face. 

“I know. Me too. But for now, we play along. It keeps us safe.”

“But does it really?” He sighed, shaking his head. “Every time we do something they want, we lose a bit of ourselves. How long until there’s nothing left?” 

“Ominis, listen to me.” She held his shoulders tightly. “Someday, we will get out of this. I promise. We’ll find somewhere safe to land, and we’ll do it together. We won’t lose ourselves along the way. I won’t let it happen.” 

One of his hands came to hold her wrist in a gentle grasp, his thumb tracing over the cold skin there. “I won’t either.”

A chill went through her as she felt the soft motion of his thumb. She realized suddenly how intimately they stood together. And how she didn’t dare move a muscle. 

He seemed hesitant to move, too. But finally he let go of her wrist. “I have something for you.” 

Her hands fell from his shoulders. “You have something?”

“I told you I’d get you a gift, didn’t I?” He dug around in his pockets before pulling out a small package. “I brought it in case I got the chance to give it to you. I’m glad I did. Merry Christmas.”

She took the package—a small box—and looked from it to him. 

He shifted on his feet. He was… anxious. “Come on, go ahead and open it. It’s not very kind to leave me standing here like a fool.” 

She chuckled, opening it. Her eyes widened. Inside, draped delicately on a bit of padding, sat a silver necklace. It was simple—a chain with a charm at the end. Picking it up, she took a closer look to see that it was in the shape of a piano. 

“Ominis…” 

“I do hope it’s alright,” he said, holding his hands behind him. “I couldn’t see it, obviously, but the shop owner told me it was well made. If it’s not something you’ll like, I could find—”

“It’s perfect, Ominis,” she interrupted, placing a hand on his arm. “It’ll remind me of you.”

He relaxed a bit, and it made her smile. “Good. I’m glad you like it.”

She lifted it out of the box, taking his hand in hers and placing it in it. His brows furrowed at her action. 

“I thought you just said—”

“I want some help putting it on, is all.” 

His mouth opened, as if to argue, but then he snapped it shut. “Turn around, then.”

She lifted her hair, facing her back to him. One of his hands skimmed over her shoulder, feeling to make sure he knew where she was. Then he brought the necklace up, crossing it in front of her and bringing the ends to the back of her neck. His fingers brushed against the skin there as he did the clasp, and she blamed the chill that ran through her on the cold. He let go of the chain, his hands lingering there for just a moment before pulling away. 

Turning around once more, she saw how soft Ominis’s expression had grown. There was a fondness there that she had never seen before. It made something catch in her throat. 

“Merry Christmas, Ominis,” she said, voice hardly more than a whisper. 

He smiled softly, reaching out to take her hands in his. “Merry Christmas, dearest.” 

-

A/N: Sorry this chapter took me a lot longer, the Big Sads (depression) decided to hit me so I had no motiviation to do anything. But I got over it and wrote this so that's neat! It's not my best, but it's something. I'll have something better for you next time, sorry this was a bit of a filler chapter.

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[ivy-diaries]

‎ ⁎ ‎ ‎ 𓍼 ‎ ‎ ๋ ‎ ◜ &.&. THE IVY INCIDENT S1 ep #2◞ ‎ ... ‎ ‎

˒ wc! 3k

˒ starring! Ivy Kang , Yeonjun Choi

˒ taglist! @stealanity @alixnsuperstxr @riikiblr @skz-libby @escapetheash (lmk if you wanna be added)

˒ desc! on this episode of "The Ivy Incident" ivy welcomes her husband, TXT'S Yeonjun as the first guest of the season where they talk about their relationship, wedding and much more!

The Ivy incident intro plays and ivy is once again seated in the same place as last episode but this time, the camera is just showing her instead of the whole setting. Ivy smiles and leans in so the mic can catch her voice nice and sound.

“Hey guys!! welcome or welcome back to the Ivy incident! if you didn't know already this is a podcast where I invite my friends and close people to come on and just have a good chat for sometime! if you guys haven't done all the basics about adding this pod to your favorites and giving it a review of your choice, do it right now and putting all of that aside, let's begin!” she grins, claps her hands together and looks at the camera. The grin is somewhat a naughty one. not the kind you think… get your mind off the gutter!

She chuckles and continues, “last week for our first episode, we had no guest and it was just me and Diane in the studio by ourselves but today, we have a very exciting and probably the most requested one after I asked who I should invite here. and probably I should mention this too, this person was the most excited to be here too!” There's a deep chuckle heard in the background and Ivy looks off camera and smiles. 

“So without further ado, let's have the first guest of the season introduce themselves!” she adds on and the camera pans out and TXT's Yeonjun comes into frame with an identical mic set up as ivy. He chuckles before speaking, “hi everyone. this is tomorrow by together's yeonjun or in this scenario jen's husband and just like she mentioned, im very excited to be here” 

A few claps are heard behind the camera, probably from the couple's staff members and the couple start laughing at that. “Thank you so much for that guys, we're honored to have that kind of a welcome” she laughs and the scene cuts to a small video of yeonjun just to introduce him and a small snippet of ivy and yeonjun’s wedding video.

“So! how does it feel to be here finally? and how have you been? update us on recent life happenings!” Ivy asks her husband and smiles lovingly at him as he stares at her with the same if not more affection than her stare.  

“So the first and obvious thing is that I got married to my beautiful wife and yes, married life is so great! And other than that, we’re preparing for a comeback as a group and for a tour if i can say that yet… and that has been hectic but it's fun to be back with the boys after a while.” he answers ivy with a smile. 

She smiles in return, “That's so nice to hear! Although it's not fun to watch you come home late and tired, it's nice to hear you're having fun with the guys! So we got a lot of questions from moas, soleils and the viewers of this pod who have subscribed to the email newsletter. There were a lot of repeated questions, I heard.. So we’re gonna do the ones that were frequently asked! Are you ready to begin this husband?” she asks him and smiles at him (for the millionth time) 

“Yup! I was born ready! Also, I love it when you call me your husband if I'm being honest.” he answers and gives her a lovesick smile which makes her giggle in return. 

“Okay! First question! This is too funny to not read it verbatim oh my god! It says, What was the man's first impression of Ivy? “ ivy reads it and laughs 

“Not the yeonjun slander again oh my god” yeonjun says and laughs with her but stops laughing eventually to answer the question 

“I think at first, I was just intimidated by her sheer talent and the fact that she was a senior. Like if we go back to the beginning and before we both met each other, she had already established a name for herself at what? The age of 14, 15? To think of it now is pure insanity! Wait.. i think i’ve gone off topic here, but yea, to me she was a cool senior and even though she was younger than me, she was the most talented person i’d ever seen. When I saw her on that monthly evaluation, I still remember the date by the way, I fell in love instantly. The way she carried herself was and is still mind blowing to me.” he concludes after yapping for a bit.

Ivy looks starstruck at his explanation and chuckles. “I knew you’d have stuff to say but I didn't know you’d say so much! And for the record, I do too remember the date of the day we first saw each other and actually it's more memorable because i had bought my polaroid camera with me that day and a few of the trainees asked me if they could take a picture with me and he was one of them and with him, we took two pictures and i took one polaroid with me and he took one with him. Mine is still in my photobook!” She tells the camera her side of the story and a few awws are heard from behind the camera and the couple just laugh.

“Okay, so I will read the next question! Who said "I love you" first? Oohh okay a classic question” yeonjun reads it off and looks at ivy

“He did. Although I felt that I loved him, it took me quite some time to say it out loud.. He said it to me when we were “cooking” ” she air quotes it and laughs “we were making a mess literally. And then we were suddenly slow dancing and then we started giggling and then through the giggles he suddenly goes oh my god i love you and i freeze. And then he realizes he's said it out loud and then he freezes but he’s quick to recover. He gives me a smile and says like it’s very true but like you don’t have to say it back just cause i've said it now.. Take your time and stuff and all of this is not going into my head” she laughs “it's just going in one ear and off the other. But like it took me a few more months to muster up the courage and finally say it. And when i did, he cried” yeonjun laughs at her words recounting the scene in his head 

The couple take a few moments to recover and then they're back with the third question. “Ooh this one’s a little spicy “Have you guys ever been caught in the act? What was your guys’ reaction?” ” she reads it out and looks at her husband.

They hold eye contact for a good 5 seconds before bursting out laughing. “Poor beomgyu has seen stuff way more times than he should've '' she says.

“But like yeah.. Like all couples, we’ve been caught doing some stuff a few times.. I mean thank god not in the middle of the act but like we’ve been caught by beomgyu i think thrice? And once by my mum and thankfully that's it.. I don’t wanna explain this any more than that since we have a lot of young viewers'' Ivy laughs before concluding

“Ok! Fourth question? “how did all your friends react when you told them you were engaged?” That is a great question cause we have footage for all of these! I filmed it and stay tuned for it guys, the wedding series will be posted soon! It's just that I'm having a hard time editing and working at the same time so I don't know how long it’ll take but I’ll try my best to finish them asap! But anyways back to the question..” 

“Okay for starters, they were really happy but they were all really reactions” yeonjun says and Ivy laughs remembering them. 

“To start with the boys, they were all very happy for us and you know since they’ve been with us ever since we started dating, they know everything that went down, they kept saying that we really belonged to each other and made each other the better version of ourselves. It was really nice to hear it actually” ivy says and yeonjun nods agreeing. 

“To say I received threats from all of her friends is an understatement. And to make matters worse, they're my friends too.” Ivy laughs at his words. 

“The pandora girlies were mostly really happy for us although some of them pretended to have a sob party over this” ivy laughs. 

“Lua, obviously, was very sweet about it, she congratulated us and wished us the best as always.. Jeongie however, was the one we were all looking out for you know, since i’ve known her for a pretty long time, and as i expected, she teared up making a few of us tear up as well.” she laughs at the memory. 

“The funny thing is, me and her were like hugging each other and crying and like that was it, and the next day i hear beomgyu going like “yeonjun hyung is gonna sleep with both eyes open cuz he made jeongie cry” and the even funny part is enha didn't even know why she cried but was like “hyung what did you do” and the whole time i was just on the floor laughing” ivy laughs. 

“My misery is so funny isn't it?” yeonjun asks and laughs “oh that wasn't even the bad ones, just you wait” he says looking directly into the camera making everyone laugh.

“Rin went absolutely wild. She was jumping, screaming one second and the next she was like all serious and was like “omg what would happen to your careers and stuff” and we had to remind her that like the public would not be mad if we got married but would absolutely come for our throats if we didn’t and then she was back to being unhinged and took like a million pictures of my ring in a million different angles.” ivy laughed and showed the camera her ring

“Can i just tell you how offended she got because i didn’t ask her for jens hand and like her opinion of the ring? She was out for my throat. And at one point she tried to drunk fight me.. Like actually throw hands and i'm not gonna like i was terrified” yeonjun says making everyone laugh 

“She threw me a party for like my promotion to fiance from girlfriend where she was just asking me every single detail of the proposal” ivy laughs

“Inka had almost the same reaction, she pushed me away to give jen a hug, again, threatened me with a "if you hurt her i'll kill you" look but to my surprise, by the end of it, she teared up and like genuinely congratulated us” yeonjun says smiling 

“The others were all really happy and like gave us the biggest hugs and like you could tell they were all really happy for us by their reactions.” Ivy says. 

“Okay, next question, what is this the fifth question? “Who first brought up the option of marriage? Was it an easy topic?” that's a great question”

“Hmmm… the first time I think we ever brought up marriage was when we were stuck in lockdown together and had nothing better to do..” ivy laughs “we had both agreed we were not ready yet and would wait a year or two more to even get engaged and that timeline worked perfectly i guess.. But surprisingly every now and then I get a few comments from people that I got married too young? I mean relatively i am young but i was not too young when i got married so i don't really understand their point” ivy says and yeonjun nods. 

“Next question, this question is really interesting “What made Ivy and and yeonjun realize that they're in love with each other and what was their big 'oh I want to marry this person' moment???” ” ivy reads of the question 

“Okay i’ll go first.. I think my big moment was, this is kinda bad if i say it out loud oh my god” yeonjun laughs but continues nonetheless and ivy just gives him a raised eyebrow

“This was on our second anniversary.. I had big plans for us not gonna lie.. Even if I think about it now, the eighteen year old me had some rizz.. So naturally I was very excited, but when I went to pick Jen up, she was as sick as sick could get. She was throwing up and stuff and I could not just stand there and watch it happen. I threw off my blazer - yes I wore a blazer.. I spent the night taking care of her and I actually liked it.. Like it made me realize that I'd give up on anything to make sure she was okay and I think that's when I realized I wanted to spend my life with her” he concludes with a soft smile. 

Ivy is seen with a smile and glossy eyes and she laughs when a few staff point it out. “I know this because he mentioned it when he was drunk once and I sobbed over it. But it never fails to make me tear up. Uhm.. it's kinda funny because my realization is the morning after this” ivy laughs as she dabs her eyes with a tissue her husband handed her. 

“I woke up the next morning and was obviously a lot better and just saw him on the side of my bed sitting on a stool sleeping.. And like for a moment i was very surprised and then it hit me that like i was sick on our anniversary and had ruined it… but when i looked around, i realized that he had taken care of me and i don't know how to describe this feeling but i was very grateful that he had done that for me and it was only after he left my place that day and after my schedules, i realized that i actually hated living alone and not coming home knowing he’d be there waiting or he’d come home to me as well.. Does that make any sense? We wouldn't live together for two more years but still.." Ivy says and turns to yeonjun and gives him a loving smile. 

“Seventh question! “Have you guys ever thought of having a family?” oohhh” yeonjun reads it and looks at ivy

“We have but not anytime soon…. I’d love to have a family one day but not now because truthfully i think we’re both doing really well career wise and we have a few more things we want to accomplish before you know, taking it slow and have a baby.. Plus, we’ve talked about it and we don't want to raise our child in the city because as much as i love the city vibes, it’s not my ideal place to start a family if it makes any sense” ivy replies

“Everything Jen said and like at the end of the day, it’s her body and just like Rachel Green said, no uterus no opinion.” yeonjun says and the staff bursts laughing. 

“Third to last question!! “Who cooks and who washes the dishes?” these questions are freaking everywhere omg” ivy laughs 

“Well it depends on who gets home first! If I get home first, I cook or if he does, he cooks! It's simple in the choi household!” ivy smiles 

“Second to last! “Who's the closest to their in-laws?” That is a good question isn't it?” yeonjun says. 

“Well we’re both very close to each other’s families so I wouldn't really compare who's closer.. But jun is very close to my brother cuz they're the same age and they match each others vibes and i’m pretty close to his mother and i'm so thankful for this but like she makes me vegetarian friendly dishes of like actual korean dishes so i can eat them too and it's soo sweet of her and i love her for it” she says giving the camera a hand heart knowing her mother-in-law watches her videos. 

“Last question “what were your vows? And how was your wedding day” oh no..” ivy laughs as she reads the question. 

“Okay we’re not gonna answer this right now because we have a video of it but we’ll give you like little insights of it” she says 

“I wrote stuff about our past and what we promised each other when we were young.. I mean we were and still are pretty young but we were just kids when we started dating. I mean she was 16, I was 17… and I mean we are still just 24 and 25 but we were literally just kids when we met and we had so many dreams and things we wanted to achieve individually and together and I think we are doing pretty fine compared to what we started..” yeonjun says smiling 

“I mean it was really emotional and we made almost everyone cry hearing it and we still cried looking at the video when we got it back from our photographer.. I’d say we had a pretty normal wedding for people who work in this industry. Because we had like a few ceremonies” ivy laughs 

“The first, we had it in Paris where we had a little private wedding and then we came back to korea and had, not a wedding but we had like a reception or a large dinner party you could say because most of our friends and jun’s family lives in korea. And then we had our final ceremony in the US because most of my family lives there. The one in Korea was somewhat public but the other two were not and I'm really thankful for it if I'm being honest. Because we know how some people are from just seeing airport footage of idols these days. So like I was saying.. Am I yapping now?” Ivy asked and it made yeonjun laugh. 

“No no you're fine go on” yeonjun laughs 

“As I was saying.. We had a really fun time at our wedding! Our vows were really emotional as we were saying in the beginning. I’ll try and tell you guys what they were because i don't think we have them right now” ivy looks at her husband and he nods in agreement. 

“So yea I guess that answers the question.. I don't even know what I said.. I think i was yapping mostly so im very sorry for that” she laughs 

“But that concludes today’s episode!” yeonjun groans at her words “he doesn’t wanna go home.. But please tell us your thoughts about how you felt today!” ivy laughs 

“I had soo much fun today.. I mean I always have the best time when you're around so this was the usual.. Okay okay i’ll stop flirting!” he laughs as ivy threatens to throw a pillow at him. “As I was saying, I had soo much fun and I hope I can come back one day! Thank you so much for having me here and this has been tomorrow by together’s yeonjun so far! Thank you!” he says and everyone claps

“That's it for this episode and I hope you guys enjoyed today where i had a great time talking with yeonjun and stay tuned for the upcoming episodes and this has been ivy so far and thank you for listening to the ivy incident! Have a great day or good night!! Byee!!” Ivy and yeonjun wave and the outro plays with clips of Ivy being cute throughout the episode.

˒ priya talks! the edit of the cover is not mine!! credits to the creator and pinterest where I found it!! if you've read this far, cuz this is pretty long, reblog with a 🧸!! let me know who you guys want to see next on the episode!! love ya!!

[spidernuggets]

Hey I just read your Jason x reader fic where y/n is the joker's daughter. First of all, that👏was👏awesome 👏, really I was feeling things and was destroyed when you used the sentence of the prompt. I was tearing up, and I don't normally do that, sooooooo. Yeah, you're damn good with your writing, keep it up.

Now, the reason why I'm doing this, I read it (both parts) like 1 hour ago, 10 mins after that Line without a hook from Rick Montgomery is playing on Spotify. I realized with a broken heart (you really got my feelings hanging from that fic) that it fits perfectly with the song, and it doesn't only works with one of them, it works with both jay and reader and the lyrics if you put attention to them it jumps from one to another.

Here's what I'm saying,(I'm just being delusional and overanalyzing everything) look:

I don't really give a damn about the way you touch me When we're alone You can hold my hand If no one's home

Here it's kinda both of them on the very final of part 2, like it says about the holding hands and touching when they're alone, but in a sense that they feel alone in the world without each other. But also the fact that y/n doesn't have anyone home, and from jays pov, how he felt betrayed with bruce, for knowing about her being his murderer's daughter.

Do you like it when I'm away? If I went and hurt my body, baby Would you love me the same?.

Right here, is the reader, specifically when she fights with Jay in the alley, but like, I feel that it's more like what she couldn't say to him, because she did what he asked, she moved away. At the same time the last 2 lines talk very well of how she lost everything, and I can also see a little hint of the robbery part, in the sense that she is hurting her "soul" or "essence" for lack of words.

I can feel all my bones coming back And I'm craving motion

JASON, do I have to say anything else? Like quite literally it's about resurrection, but emotions, don't forget about them, it's all the crushing rage he felt in the batcave, but also the hurting and the pain when he saw how little she had, when he realized how much she had suffered and how much he missed her.

Mama never really learns how to live by herself It's a curse And it's growing You're a pond and I'm an ocean

READER!! like are you seeing how many coincidences there are with this song! Analogy of mama, but it's actually "dad".

Personally, I've never understood the part of the pond and the ocean, but after this, it gave me a new look at it, from the readers pov, it's all the pain she caused jason, be it from the lies (quote to him), that she feels it's only growing, or could also be from the fact that jay thinks she like her dad and that she is much like poison (or curse) and it's eventually going to infect the kids or diane.

Oh, all my emotions Feel like explosions when you are around And I've found a way to kill the sounds, oh

Now this is both of them when they see each other again, but that last line, it works very differently, for jay it's rage and hatred, but for y/n it was blaming herself for everything, this before she reflected on herself, after that it's just numbness, seeing life gray, because what else could she do alone like she was?

Oh, baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you I need you here to stay I broke all my bones that day I found you Crying at the lake

Again both of them, but the reader is very good as an undertone of those 2 first lines, she is broken without him, without the only and very first person that loved her, I need you here to stay, it's the picture beside her bed, obviously.

The last two are very very very perfect on Jason, he is broken and sad when he saw her in that little rathole she called a "home", but the "...broke my bones...", it happens when she says that it was worse at the werehouse.

Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden? Oh, and if I could take it all back I swear that I would pull you from the tide

Jason begging for forgiveness, 🔛🔝📈📈📈.

Lats line specially about when he took her home, both before and after he found out.

Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa I said no (I said no), I said no (I said no) Listen close, it's a no The wind is a-pounding on my back And I found hope in a heart attack Oh at last, it is past Now I've got it, and you can't have it

I need another opinion here, it fits perfectly with both of them, but to be honest, It doesn't feel fair.

For reader it's in the alley screaming and shouting at him that she changed and understood that she it's not her father. She doesn't blame herself anymore (at least that what she says), she found hope of being better in a shattered heart.

Or jason, in the batcave, screaming and shouting how she betrayed him. Finding hope of not getting hurt anymore in his broken heart.

Both of them, both of the situations, let very clear the last line. "Now I've got it, and you can't have it".

Jason has his heart, she wasn't going to hurt him anymore, he's not gonna let her.

Reader finally has cleaned her conscience, and she's not going to let him take it away from her.

Baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you I need you here to stay I broke all my bones that day I found you Crying at the lake Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden, oh And if I could take it all back I swear that I would pull you from the tide

The same that I mentioned before.

Darling, when I'm fast asleep I've seen this person watching me Saying, "Is it worth it? Is it worth it? Tell me, is it worth it?" Oh

Now, we all know that the joker never leaves, be that he has clones (literally wtf dude), or be it the scruchiating trauma he leaves in all his victims.

Reader, is repeating the voice of her father saying that no one will love her truly, given her identity.

Jason is repeating his horrible death and torture, but in my little delusional mind, I also believe that he was imagining the joker mocking him when he realized who y/n really was. Thing that only boosts the voice she hears. Not to forget that he is actually suffering with these nights terrors just like the song inclines.

Guess there is something, and there is nothing There is nothing in between

Then again comes the numbness she felt in those lasts months.

Watching over me, he's singing "She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a boy" He's singing, "She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a line without a hook"

I know it should be jay, but I'm going to do a little genderbending, cause the joker is a constant bully for the reader, even when dead, and in her dreams, (like fr dude calm down) , the reasoning behind this, it's that Jason stoped loving for a good while, but, she didn't, and if you add the constant remainder of "no one is gonna love you" with a good reason she is the owner of this verse.

Baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you I need you here to stay I broke all my bones that day I found you Crying at the lake Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden, oh And if I could take it all back I swear that I would pull you from the tide

The song ends yet again but with the chorus, but the very last line resonates with me, because of Jason wanting her back and actually putting an effort to understand her again after all the pain both of them suffered.

It ends with a happy feeling I think, if not at least optimistic.

I'm really sorry, it's too long, haha I really went into easy mode, hope it is not a burden. And if it isn't clear by now, I loved your fic, you had me in a chokehold all the damn time

STARLET, WHEN I CATCH YOU STARLET. STARLET, WHEN I CATCH YOU, STARLET.

Oh, my bleeding days, you probably dissected the fanfic even further than I could've imagined.

I SHIT YOU NOT, I WAS GONNA PUT LINE WITHOUT A HOOK INTO MY LYRIC PROMPT LIST. But i was like, ughhhh, the lyrics, THE LYRICS!!!! Ricky Montgomery's lyrics to that song were MWAHHHH. I was like, man I can't just copy ajd paste the whole song onto the list!!

I also thought that the whole song itself would be such a good prompt for an entire fanfic!! But the first part of the fic was so much longer than the others I've written, and since I've a packed schedule, I knew I wouldn't get the fic done if someone were to request the song.

But you've explained the fic together with the song so beautifully!! Like I know you were basing the song and fic with each other, but BRO YOU ALLOST MADE ME CRY!!

NOW LISTEN, LISTEN HERE!!!

You've used the whole song, comparing it to moments in the fic. But we add in one more verse- The verse from Line Without a Hook ft. mxmtoon!!!

And I know that you know Listen close and move slow I can't speak fast or else I'll crack

I feel you link lyrics and the fic better than I would, but my interpretation would be READERRRR yelling at Jason in the alley. Like, she's trying so hard to convince him that she's not the Joker, and she doesn't wanna cry in front of him again!!! "And I know that you know," maybe deep down, Reader knows Jason believes what she's saying, but Joker put Jason through so much, his head is just filled with trauma and rage!!

It's the price I pay for going back And I've dreamed to be seen Now I've got it, do I want it?

"It's the price I pay for going back," When Reader goes back to the soup kitchen, and Jason's all pissed off at her, but Reader just wanted to see Diane and the kids again :((

"And I've dreamed to be seen, Now I've got it, do I want it," Reader tried so long to tell Jason the truth, but like it all ended up badly when Jason was rewatching the footage of him. And it just ended up with Reader being scared of him when he started screaming and yelling at her.

And it teeny tiny bit ties in with the end of part 1 where it's like, the identity of Reader being the Joker's daughter wouldn't be mentioned at ALL since Joker never revealed he had a kid in the first place!!

So even though she had known Diane, the kids, and Jason for a good while, no one really knew who she really was.

But she regrets it when she finds out her dad was "right" :((

THERE WAS A TIKTOK SOUND THAT MASHED UP THE MXMTOON'S VERSE WITH RICKY'S AND IT GOES SO WELL WITH THIS PROMPT BUT THE SOUNDS GONE RAAAHHH

AND DONT BE SORRY THAT YOUR THOUGHT IS LONG!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HEARING OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINION AND IDEAS OF MY WRITING AND IM SO HAPPY YOU LIKED IT!!

[aebi12]

"Resentment" - Chapter 14 [AemondxRhaena]

Summary

He is the cause of her sufferings. He took her dragon, her betrothed, and her father. Now, he will also take away her future by having to marry him.

With so much history and bad blood between Rhaena and Aemond, their forced union has everything to fail, except that the proximity will make them discover that perhaps they have more in common than it seems.

AU - the Greens win the war.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13

Masterlist of my other works.

Tags: enemies to lovers, slow burn, romance, angst, drama, eventual smut, hurt/comfort

Please remember that english is not my first language, so I'm sorry for the mistakes...

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

Queen Alicent Hightower's private hall is busier than Rhaena expects when she and her sister enter after being announced.

“I thought it was going to be a family meal,” she says, confused, looking at the least a dozen other people scattered around the room.

“Better this way. I do not wish to interact with them more than necessary,” Baela replies, taking a glass of wine that a servant offers and downing it in one gulp.

The dowager queen catches her gaze from across the room, where she is speaking with Lord Hayford. The woman seems to apologize to the man before heading directly towards them.

“Rhaena, Lady Baela,” she greets with a polite smile, “It is a pleasure to have you here in the Fortress”

“Queen Alicent,” Rhaena bows, “Thank you very much for inviting us tonight.”

There is a moment of silence in which they both look at Baela, who finally speaks, “Queen Alicent.”

“Welcome to the Fortress, Lady Baela. I trust that the trip has been pleasant”

“Not as much as it was to travel on the back of my dragon, I assure you.”

Her words convey bitterness and Rhaena observes the queen's suppressed reaction, so she rushes to speak.

“We are both very happy to meet again,” she says, “We will take advantage of these days to catch up and enjoy each other. My sister even offered to help me with the embroidery of the bridal goods.”

The queen raises her eyebrows and looks at Baela, who thankfully restrains herself, “That is a great idea. Enjoy, dinner will be served shortly”

Rhaena bows and sighs as the woman leaves, turning to her sister, “Well… it was better than expected.”

Baela rolls her eyes and takes another glass of wine. Rhaena is about to scold her when the door opens again and Aemond Targaryen appears. His tall, slender figure pauses for a moment while his good eye scans the room. Rhaena can swear his gaze lingers on her for a moment before focusing on his mother, and walking straight toward Alicent.

“The kinslayer,” Baela whispers, her shoulders tense and her eyes fixed on her cousin.

“The prince and hand of the king,” she says also quietly, looking at her, “Please, Baela, let's try to enjoy this night,” Rhaena takes her hand and squeezes her fingers, “Please.”

Baela does not look away from her cousin, and for a moment Rhaena fears the worst, but in the end Baela sighs and nods.

Rhaena, feeling relieved, links their arms and walks across the room to where Marianne and Lady Stokeworth are conversing near the fireplace.

“Oh! Lady Rhaena! We were just talking about your coming wedding,” greets Diane Stokeworth when they approach them.

A nervous giggle escapes Rhaena's lips, “Oh where you?”

“I mentioned to Marianne that my lord father arrived at the Fortress a few days ago and told me that the roads next to the Royal Forest is being arranged to house the tents of the lords who will participate in the tournament and the hunt.”

“How… good to know that everything is being prepared,” she responds, trying to sound cheerful.

“My lord father will participate in the hunt. He said it will be a good opportunity to try to find deer and…”

Rhaena tunes out her conversation when a head of platinum hair catches her attention out of the corner of her eyes. Slightly changing her posture, she observes her cousin, who is no longer conversing with his mother, but with Floris Baratheon.

“What is she doing here?”

She does not realize that she has asked the question out loud until Lady Stokeworth speaks, “Who? Who are you referring to?” she asks looking around her.

"What?"

“You said, Lady Rhaena…”

“Lady Diane, please do tell us more about your lord father's last hunt,” Marianne says, “He was out with a party of his men and there were footprints.”

“Ah, yes, yes, of course…”

The young woman begins her story again, and Rhaena meets Baela's gaze, who has her eyebrows raised in her direction. Rhaena gives her a nervous smile, and drinks from her wine glass as she tries to focus on the story.

Only her attention doesn't last long, her eyes drifting helplessly to Aemond, who is now walking with Floris across the room. A bitter feeling of displeasure spreads through her chest as she notices the Baratheon girl's clear attempts at flirting, her hand teasing the beginning of her cleavage. Why is Aemond talking to her? What issues in common can they have? Rhaena already knows the answer, but still... A simple apology doesn't take long to be offered, why is her betrothed still talking to her?

The two stops near the table, and Rhaena watches Aemond cross his arms behind his back, his right foot beginning to tap the floor, clearly fed up with whatever Floris is telling him. The realization of this pleases her and somewhat calms whatever she is feeling. Floris does not give up and takes a few steps towards Aemond, closing the distance between them and placing herself at a distance that is not decent for a lady. The prince seems to realize this because he subtly steps back, lifting his face and meeting Rhaena's gaze directly.

For a couple of seconds that seem like forever they simply stare at each other, until Rhaena raises her eyebrows in his direction, an amused smile on her lips. Aemond purses his lips at her, as if he is annoyed with her for finding the situation entertaining, though a smile finally appears on his face.

Rhaena notices Floris trying to approach Aemond again, but he finally looks down at the Baratheon girl, his face no longer smiling, and says something that seems to be the end of their conversation, because he turns his back on her and walks away, walking directly towards…

Rhaena.

Her heart begins to beat wildly as Aemond advances toward her, his strides long and purposeful. Does he perhaps plan to approach them and greet them? Join their conversation? Surely not. Those questions pass through her mind in just an instant and her eyes never stray from Aemond's.

When the prince is finally near them, the conversation stops and Marianne and Lady Stokeworth bow to him, but he ignores them, his one good eye looking simply at Rhaena, the corner of his lips curled into a smile.

“Rhaena,” he just says in that low yet firm tone, nodding slightly in her direction, as if the other women beside him do not exist.

She does not return the greeting, unable to say anything when he walks so close to her that she is suddenly invaded by his particular citrus scent that causes her entire body to shiver. Rhaena can swear their hands touch again as he walks past her. Unable to do anything else, her eyes follow the prince until he stops next to Lord Lannister.

When Rhaena tilts her face and returns to focus on her companions, she realizes that the conversation has resumed, although she meets Baela's eyes, her gaze hard and her expression a cold mask of reproach.

***

The wine tastes especially sweet.

Aemond takes a few more sips from his cup as his mother toasts Baela Targaryen's arrival at the Keep.

Sitting next to her sister, at the other end of the table, Baela gives her a tense smile. Rhaena, next to her, smiles genuinely as she squeezes her twin's hand in affection.

Or to restrain her actions.

Baela Targaryen. Aemond had never thought much of her. It had been another obstacle during the war, one that her brother had taken care of by leaving her without a dragon. She was now nothing more than another noble lady of the kingdom trapped in her castle.

Still... there's something about her that he does not like.

Maybe it is the clear anger that she feels and that she cannot hide. It is evident that she despises his family, her looks at his mother and Daeron make that evident. At him, she hasn't looked directly at… yet, although Aemond knows that she probably hates him more than his mother and brother.

“I hear you are good with a crossbow, cousin,” Aemond hears his brother say.

Complacent fool, he thinks as he drinks from his cup again.

“Do you want me to show you my skills, cousin?” she replies with a snide tone on the last word, her eyes conveying a malicious gleam.

“We could train together one of these days, yes,” Daeron proposes.

“I am afraid I will have to object,” Rhaena interrupts, letting out a giggle that pretends to sound carefree, though Aemond hears the nervous tone in it, “I want to have my sister next to me as much as possible. Therefore, I am not going to share her with you, Daeron, I apologize."

Daeron smiles and Baela rolls her eyes. Rhaena's hand caresses her sister's again. The prince wonders if his betrothed had also thought that this training between her sister and Daeron could end badly for him.

“I hear that the Tyrells are close to arriving at King's Landing,” Tyland Lannister interrupts his thoughts, drawing his attention.

“That is right, Maester Orwyle received a raven announcing their arrival.”

“That means that the most important houses, except for the Starks, will be present at your wedding. We could use the opportunity.”

Aemond does not respond, simply considering his words, his gaze fixed on Rhaena. The young woman seems to feel the weight of his scrutiny, because she lifts her face toward him, though she quickly lowers her gaze in shame, her body noticeably tensing and moving toward her twin.

“Tell me, Lady Baela,” Elder Blackwood says, “Will Lord Alyn be coming to the wedding?”

“Indeed, my lady. My cousin is looking forward to probe himself in the tournament.”

"Good!"

There is a general murmur of clear enthusiasm at the mention of the stupid tournament.

“I would like to see Prince Aemond participate,” it is Floris Baratheon who speaks. Aemond refrains from rolling his eyes at her, “Though I suppose it would be unfair to the other participants for such a good swordsman to take away their chance.”

Is through compliments that she thinks she will have his attention? Aemond gives her a brief, hard look.

“The tournament is in his honor,” his mother replies, “It would not be right for my son to participate.”

“That is why I will,” Daeron says, smiling.

“Daeron…”

Her mother stops talking, sighing, her beautiful face a mask of clear concern. Aemond is tempted to reach out and comfort her, but jealousy that this concern is directed toward his brother and not him restrains him from doing so.

“I wish they would let us women participate,” Baela comments, “We would probably do a lot better than some of the novice gentlemen.”

Her suggestion is received with laughter and some tense glances. Aemond notices Rhaena, whose gaze shifts between her sister and the dinner party, clearly anxious.

Maybe his mother had been right. Maybe he shouldn't have sent for Baela. The dowager queen had been enraged upon learning of the young woman's arrival, claiming that she was a bad influence on her sister.

“She was going to come here anyway,” Aemond had said.

“With Lord Alyn,” Alicent had told him, frustrated, “An ally. A legitimized bastard who knows that he has to control his cousin or he will not have the support of the Crown."

Aemond had ignored her, but now, seeing that she had only been in the castle for a few hours and was clearly making Rhaena feel uncomfortable, he wished he had not sent the letter to Driftmark.

But she had been so happy when you agreed to call her sister.

The thought crosses his mind as quickly as he dismisses it.

It does not matter how she feels.

Rhaena can feel and do whatever she wants, he does not care. He just needs to use her, control her, know how to use her influence for his political causes. Her happiness is optional, secondary, and he does not care about her in the slightest.

Or that is what he tells himself over the next few days when his betrothed continues to avoid his gaze whenever they meet at the Fortress.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi. This is a short one, but I don't really have much time to write these days. Sorry, I'll try to update soon~

@user05152535456 @pugetprincess @draftswriting @hopefulnovelwritingland @maymunahar @niocel @goldenjoyboyy @gracelessbeach @jenmakeusin10 @dagma18 @atargcvnt @iidontgiveafuckuniverse @ammo23 @qyburnsghost @ithoughtulikedme @avidreader73

Let me know if you want to be tagged

Thanks for reading :)

[ask-scrafty]

Diane remains silent for a moment, almost tempted to bite her fingernails in the awkward silence. Diane sighs a bit Diane: They ended up taking her to the hospital and kept her under watch for about a week or two after that..... Nana visited her a lot and I tried too when I was free but... Diane:... It wasn't... great... seeing her like that... Seeing all the bandages on her... the rope bruise left on her neck it was just... Diane:.......I didn't enjoy seeing her that way... Yeah she was still alive technically but... you could barely tell.... she looked... tired I guess... I don't.... Diane looks over her shoulder a bit, making sure that Jody was busy with the puppy. She didn't want her sister to overhear what she was saying. After a moment, deeming that Jody was enough out of earshot, she continues to speak. Picking at her fingernails and avoiding eye contact. Diane:... It's always awkward to try and talk about when someone you know tried to... kill themselves... There is no... NON awkward way around it. Y'know? Diane: But it happened.... and it... wasn't.... great to see... It just.. wasn't great.. wasn't great at all..

Diane leans back in the lawn chair and stretches a bit She yawns and leans her face on one of her hands Diane: It was just so sudden, y'know? I mean Nana mentioned that Jody seemed down in the dumps but I don't know. She looked fine to me. She always seems off, how the hell was I supposed to know she was in that mindset? Diane: Freaked us all out a bit. I know Nana... wasn't the best for awhile... She eventually asked me to help Jody out more often. So she wouldn't be alone as much... Diane yawns once more, flicking her tail tip back and forth in discomfort. Diane: It's annoying, that's for sure. I don't like this whole "monster hunting" thing. I just wanna live a normal life. But I guess if it makes sure that it doesn't happen again... I guess it's what I gotta do. Diane: Just part of being a sister I guess. Diane takes out a nail file and begins gently filing some of her nails down, humming to herself quietly. However, across the yard, Jody remained still for a moment. Her hands clenched into fists. Posture stiff and unmoving. Tuffsie rolls around on the grass and gently bumps into the scrafty's leg. Quickly, the growlithe takes action and begins to playfully attack Jody's foot. The lizard's posture gets less stiff and she sighs. Gently crouching down to the puppies level and spinning the puppy around in a playful manner. Jody turns slightly, looking over her shoulder towards Diane with a disapproving glance. But she says nothing. -- -- -- -- [ @eevyerndracaneon ]

[virtuouswhitehatorganization]

Miss Heed Stans Mad She Ain't Constantly Being Validated

The reason why is she is a user who does use people when she needs them and constantly tries to manipulate people. She's pissy that he calls her names even though she more than earned it by abusing his trust twice, stealing his thesis, and hypnotizing to be her love slave. Girl ain't some innocent sad girl but a messed up person who uses people. And again this is a draco in leather pants view of her. Just because she has self-esteem issues doesn't mean she's absolved of people not having animosity towards her especially if he twice screwed them over. Also one detail they forget to add is that Flug often had to get over security in order to see her which is pretty dangerous and could have gotten him punished. So, her doing this multiple times to time and again vent would make him resentful she makes him do something like that just to care only about her issues.

Also I would feel betrayed if someone I trusted joined an archenemy who is a complete dick to me. It again shows that she didn't value my friendship, especially if Flug told her how she felt and still went with him. This sounds not so different from Stolas stans that defend him at every chance, while bashing someone who dares say a negative thing about him because they rightfully are fed up with him. Heed is a complex character but again this just a rose tinted view on her by saying she wanted to just see him when again she wanted someone who constantly validated her at the detriment of their safety. A feature I have seen Stolas stands defend which is everything Stolas does is valid and the other party must validate him in order to be happy at all cost. That's pretty much a shit relationship.

Seriously, even after she's defeated and used him to get to Goldheart and complete her formula she feels entitled to Flug validating and loving her. And good thing Flug puts his foot down and gives her some good advice because he can keep enabling her to continue validating herself in order to bring up her self-esteem. It's kind of like with Diane and Bojack because sometimes you have to cut ties with friends who keep on making you feel guilty because of the baggage they bring. And again you know she wouldn't do the same favor for him if they were in the same situation. She's all take and not give which is another reason to put his foot down. I validate Flug having misgivings about her and talking shit because a girl pretended to be your friend while everyone in school was a bully to you would hurt someone even to this day.

[kaminocasey]

Must Love Massiffs

Summary: You meet an unexpected person at the park who happens to have a massiff just like you.

Pairing: Sergeant Hound x GN!Reader

WC: 1.6K

Warnings: 18+ MINORS DNI; Name calling.

A/N: If you can't tell, I got this idea from the romcom "Must Love Dogs" starring Diane Lane and John Cusack lol. I'm a diehard romantic. Always. Anyway, I'd not written anything for Hound yet, so here we are! <3

Your day hadn’t started off well. First, you got let go from your job at the bank that you had worked at for the last six years. Then, you spilled your coffee all over your new leather seats of your speeder. And finally, your massiff, Zio, had gotten out and ran down your street toward the park so now, you’re chasing after her trying to make sure she doesn’t scare someone or get run over. 

A great fucking day, right? Just the absolute best. What next?

“Zio!” You call out, losing her out of your sight. 

“This fucking massiff.” You grumble. “I knew I should have taken the lazy tooka home…” 

You grumble, but you love Zio with your entire heart. Normally, she’d wait for you to put her leash on, so the fact that she ran out the door like that kind of worries you.

“WOAH! DOWN BOY!” You hear someone in the park shout. “DOWN GRIZZER!”

You turn around and start running immediately, seeing Zio sniffing out another excited massiff and his Coruscant Guard owner. 

“Zio, down!” You yell, a little afraid that this guy could hurt Zio or even arrest you.

You really didn’t know much about the Coruscant Guard other than they were basically glorified detectives and worked closely with the chancellor, senate, and Jedi. People you didn’t really care much for. “Do you mind?” The clone snaps at you in a rude, modulated voice. “Don’t you know what a leash is?” 

You glare at him, pulling Zio back toward you, leashing her. “Obviously that’s what I was trying to do, thanks.” “This is a leash-only park.” The Corrie tells you, ignoring your comment.

“Yeah, I know, asshole.” You finally get her to sit. “She ran out and I’ve been chasing her for six blocks. You gonna arrest me or something? Because if not, I’ve got places to be.” 

You get a look at his intricately decorated helmet. It’s different from any Corrie helmet you’ve ever seen. It actually looks really cool, but you’re not gonna tell this asshole that. It has grey and white jags with a red V that goes down over the visor from the top. It’s interesting. But unfortunately, the helmet belongs to a dick.

“Okay, great.” You nod when he says nothing, walking Zio away. “Let’s go, Zio.” 

When you get to the edge of the park and let Zio do her business there, you look back at the Corrie and he’s still watching you with a tilted head. Whatever. You turn back around and then head home once Zio is done. 

“You’re rotten, you know that?” You talk to her, shaking your head. 

She looks back at you slightly, clearly pleased with herself. 

“Sorry, girl. It’s been a long day…” You sigh. 

When you get home, you let Zio off the leash and feed her dinner then go and sit down on the couch. 

Now what? Job hunting… that’s what.

When Zio is done scarfing down her dinner, she comes and lays on the couch with you, putting her head on your lap, sweetly, as you search the holonet for the help wanted ads.

“It’s impossible to stay upset with you, you know that?” You pet her scaly skin and she rolls over so you can rub her belly. “I think you do actually know that.”

The next day, on your walk with Zio you can’t help but wonder if that Corrie from yesterday will be there. Not that you particularly care, you just want to steer clear of him.

You sit down on the park bench, pulling out your book after you make sure to clip Zio to the bench. 

“Zio, sit.” You tell her. 

She does and you give her a treat, patting her on the head and then open your book. While you read a couple chapters of your book, she lays at your feet, enjoying the warm Coruscant sun on her scaly skin. 

“Good girl.” You pat her again and then go back to your book.

“Um, excuse me.” You hear a familiar voice that you were really hoping to not hear. 

This time the voice wasn’t modulated, though. With a roll of your eyes, you sit your book down and look up at the Corrie. Except you were expecting a regular looking clone. Not an incredibly handsome bearded one with longer blond highlighted hair that’s pulled back out of his face.

To say you're stunned is an understatement. You’re practically speechless and you know your jaw must be on the ground. 

“Hi.” He smiles. “We met yesterday?” 

You look down at his massiff, you think his name was Grizzer, he’s got on his leash. Grizzer sniffs at Zio, who seems uninterested today. Maybe she was unimpressed after yesterday.

“I remember. Are you here to arrest me today?” You look up at him with a straight face.

“Actually, I came to bring you this.” He offers you a cup of caf. “We got off on the wrong foot.”

“Yeah, you were a bit of an asshole.” You nod. 

“I was… I’m sorry.” He continues to hold the caf out for you. “It was a bit of a rough day yesterday.”

“Yeah, me too…” You take the cup from him and scoot down the bench a bit as a way of asking him to sit. “Sorry about that.”

He nods and sits a little bit away from you, giving you space, and clips Grizzer to the bench. Zio sits up again, staring at Grizzer and the Corrie, still deciding if they’re a threat.

“No uh, helmet today?” You ask him, taking a sip of the caf, which is black. 

You reach into your bag for a few sweetener packets and then put the empty packets into your jacket pocket to throw away at home. 

“Sorry, I didn’t know how you took it.” The Corrie apologizes. 

“No worries. I always keep sweetener packets on me for when strangers offer me caf.” You smile finally. 

“Really?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.

“No.” You chuckle.

He lets out a laugh, which you unfortunately can’t help but notice is nice and makes you smile a bit more.

“But yeah, no helmet today. I was um… hoping I’d run into you today and I didn’t want you to see me as a threat.” He admits.

Oh. “That’s very… thoughtful.” You nod.

He pats Grizzer on the head and then looks at you again. “I’m Hound.” 

You tell him your name and he smiles.

“It’s nice to meet you. Again, that is.” 

“Likewise. And this is Grizzer?” You nod at the massiff which is still sitting with his tongue hanging out, still watching Zio.

“Yeah. My good ol’ boy.” He rubs Grizzer’s head again. “Zio, right?” 

You nod, touched that he remembered her name. “Yeah.” 

“Well, it’s really good to meet you both.” He grins. 

You both sit there and sip your caf in comfortable silence, watching as your massiffs both lay back down, not missing that they’re pointed toward each other. 

“Is it okay if I ask why you had a rough day?” Hound asks after a while.

“Oh… I lost my job… and then spilled caf in my speeder… and then this brat got out.” You nod down at Zio before looking at him again. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” He tells you.

You can tell he’s genuinely sorry. You shrug, though. 

“I’ll figure it out.” You look out at the park.

“What did you do?” He asks.

“I worked at a bank as a teller for the last six years.” You sigh. “It wasn’t the greatest job in the entire world, but I’m fluent in many languages and I enjoyed seeing different people every day, you know?”

“Well… um… I know that my commander was looking to hire a receptionist for the chancellor.” Hound tells you. “If that’s something you’d be interested in?”

It’s sweet that he’s thinking of you like this, but you hate Palpatine. The man is a creep and gives you extremely bad vibes. Anytime you see him on the news, you can’t help but think that he looks like he’d be a villain in a movie.

“Yeah, no. I hate that guy.” You smile. “But thank you… seriously.” 

“So do we.” Hound shrugs. “Hate him, that is…”

You admire his honesty. You’d not dealt with many clones so you don’t have much to compare him to, but you’re surprised you’re enjoying Hound’s company. 

“He doesn’t care about the clones… just wants us to win his war.” Hound finishes his coffee and looks down at Grizzer.

Your heart breaks for him, this man you don’t really know. Him and the other clones. You’re not ignorant. You know that people don’t treat them like the human being that they are. It’s not right.

“Well, I better get home. I have to get cracking on the job hunting.” You tell him, not making a move to get up.

You don’t exactly want to leave, but you really do have a bit of a busy day planned. 

“If you’re not too busy in the morning… There’s this great breakfast spot near the Senate Dome that allows Grizzer in… I’m sure they’d let Zio in too?” He asks, taking a sip of his caf.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” You ask him.

“Yeah, I am.” He grins. “Even though you think I’m an asshole.”

“Used to…” You laugh. “But yes. Breakfast sounds nice.” 

You pull out an old business card, write your comm channel on it, and give it to Hound. 

“Send me the details.” You smile, unclipping Zio and standing up.

Hound does the same with Grizzer. “I’ll send you the deets.”

You chuckle. “Can’t wait.”

Turning with Zio, you start walking but hear Hound say “Grizz… did I really just say ‘deets’? Maker, I’m such a di’kut.”

You can’t help but chuckle to yourself as you continue walking home, already looking forward to the next morning.

TAGS: @grievouus @brynhildrmimi @madameminor @dumfanting @rain-on-kamino @misogirl828 @rexandechosandwich @corona-one @tecker @ladykatakuri @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond @twistedstitcher27 @zoeykallus @maulslittlemeowmeow @littlemousedroid @arctrooper69 @rexxdjarin @agenteliix @padawancat97 @hated-by-me @sleepingsun501

[rockwgooglyeyes]

Who would be the closest people to each of your ocs (though you can actually put whoever you’d like), and why? (This is for..scientific reasons)

Hahah not suspicious at all, anon, but thank you for the question, this is really fun!

Dian is closest to Himei (@lookatmysillies), Solei (@solei-eclipse), and Nyx, I would say. Those are all people he's willing to be fully honest with- while he loves Aurien (@aurienneirua), he puts up a front of strength around her, and he is good friends with Flor/Rose (@sotogalmo & @rosedeleca), too, but those are people he enjoys doing things with and if they ever were just hanging out doing nothing, I think he would be nervous/awkward and talk a lot to fill the presumed silence. Solei and Dian have a great time hanging out and chatting and doing insane shit just because they feed off each other's warm energy and fill each other's need of being around a person but they understand a lot of each other's insecurities as well, making them something of a perfect fit! Himei just loves Dian unconditionally and doesn't mind his nattering on and his intensity, and he values her greatly for that. He's in love with Nyx so that's one is more or less self explanatory, methinks.

Nausikaa is closest to Naz and Itsaso, probably, but I'll admit, I'm not too sure about anyone else because I haven't spent as much time with her. . .

Nyx is closest to Dian, Solei, Aurien and Cas! Kyo as well but in canon, Kyo has passed away, so he doesn't really count? I think he has other friends in Tov (@ivanttakethis), Lang (@pwippy), Tallis, and Vera (@bittersweet-adagio), but those are more "I hang out with this person for a specific reason" not "I love this person and I would do anything with them" just because Nyx is quality time heavy when it comes to love languages. At the same time, he's act-of-service heavy too, which comes out with Cas/Aurien the most because of his more familial ties to them. With Solei, he mostly just gives them space to cool down and be themself without judgement and he gets to bask in their warm rays. With Dian, well, Dian is someone who challenges his worldviews about everything, which makes him keep coming back, for whatever reason.

Yumi is closest to Asahi (@apriciticreveries) because that! is! her! girlfriend! but also she's close to Jae & Evon (@kofeedoggo), Nene, Innamorati (@alien-til-i-stage), and Moran (@geospiral). Jae, Evon and Yumi have mostly a good time just hanging out and doing things of little consequence together, which Yumi is deeply grateful for. Asahi, Nene and Yumi are a silly little trio that kind of get up to shenanigans, Asahi being the voice of reason while Yumi eggs Nene on. Yumi admires Moran and is fond of her because of the general existentialism and she enjoys talking to Moran about philosophy. Innamorati is a yapper and Yumi likes him for similar reasons as Nene, they can do all the talking and she can mostly just listen and chip in occasionally. Low energy/high energy dynamic go brrr

Yumi also kind of wants to kill Yume (kellie's baby boy) with a big hammer but she wouldn't call herself close to him.

If anyone has any questions about ANY of my responses, please lmk and i will do my best to answer!! thanks again for the question, Anon!

[gothicafish]

I wake up randomly in the middle of the night so here are some things I love about kevin can fuck himself

-obviously the switch between sitcom and drama pov. It's such a good way to show how Kevin's pov (sitcom) controls the narrative especially in front of other people and how other people don't really see the abuse bc "lighthearted" narrative he pushes that often makes Allison look bad (she's a bad driver, she's not funny/can't take a joke, etc)

-this kinda goes with the last one but how people who have interacted with Kevin treat Allison. Like Sam. When she goes to the diner the night she sneaks out Sam she says she needs to talk because she finally has something to say and as she's trying to vent to him, instead of just listening he tells her that all she wanted was someone to "sit her and nod and agree with you" Like dude obviously she wanted you to LISTEN not you're advice.

-This similar thing also happens with. Diane. When Allison steals the bellecheck hoodie and wears it to work Diane's first question after hearing Allison say it's her new favorite is "has Kevin seen this new look ? ...it's not fair to Kevin...you got lucky" [that she's letting herself go ].

-i also love how they make almost every male character suck at least just a little bit bc yeah it be like that sometimes. For Kevin it's obviously the verbal, emotional abuse/manipulation of not only Allison but everyone in his life, with Sam it's that he's cheating on his WIFE and (imo) very dismissive of Allison's abuse, with Neil it's thay he's mooching off of patty and manipulating people into thinking he's dumber than he is so people will do things for him and he generally just treats Allison like shit, and Chuck (Diane's husband) just a disgusting cheater, the man from the car shop could have gotten Allison assaulted bc she slapped him while she was high. Etc. The only redeemable man i think is Kevin's dad who went along with a lot of Kevin's dumbassery but was ultimately also a victim of Kevin's abuse and did try to remind Kevin to be good sorta.

- I also love how they are able to portray several types of abuse and the reasons why they can't leave/ are in the sitchuation to begun with.

-Allison can't leave kevin bc she has no money (he controls the finances) doesn't have a good relationship with living parents, Diane is in the same situation too. And then IMAGINE trying to divorce kevin?? NIGHTMARE. Not only bc as we've seen he'd never let her do that to begin with but also because if they pushed the divorce the most likely story is that, with Kevin's luck he'd find some kind of loophole that let's him stay with more than Allison.

-Dianes husband is cheating on her and she's able to leave for a few weeks. Bc once again she has no where to go, Chuck probably controls the finances and has sole ownership of their house, I assume has no family to turn to so she goes back and "forgives him" because there are simply no other viable options.

- niel has been using patty to provide basically everything for him and what she doesn't kevin pays for. AND I think she dodged a bullet with the boyfriend.

-even Jenn (sams wife) has been emotionally cheated on for pretty much the duration of their relationship and then fully cheated on for thr latter half.

-OH YEAH I almost forgot the whole reason I made this post. Throughout everything kevin in someway always wins. And dude if you have ever lived with someone like that THATS EXACTLY HOW IT FUCKING IS. no matter what happens to them or if you do or anyone else does something to subtly and inadvertently teach them a lesson they always fucking prevail. People like kevin are the luckiest goddamn people in the world and the only times they're NOT lucky is in situations that also/mostly affect you. It's the most infuriating thing to witness bc despite all your suffering, grievances, and through all the inconvenience and annoyance they cause you they still fucking win at your expense.

-ANOTHER THING a love about this shoe is that it also does a pretty good job of showing the nessecity of female companions as a woman. If you've ever taken a college level English class you've probably heard of this notion before (I'm sorry I can't remember the exact term they use for it rn ) but basically it's a good rule of thumb to have another woman you can talk to and share with. Allison is pretty much completely isolated except for Kevin's friends or Diane or Sam. But when Allison and patty become genuine friends imo she starts finding who she is again and who she could be without kevin. (I think I'm gonna edit this later bc I think ibexplained thay horribly.) And not only that, Tammy with all her expirence in the cj field, despite her jealousy of Allison and multiple confrontations she still believes Allison and completely sympathizes with her.

-one more thing Allison and patty 100% in love. They're literally gonna die old and alone together.

-my own personal headcanon that I think was hinted at in the flashback to when Allison met Kevin. She met patty first and I think patty liked Allison immediately buy Allison chose kevin.

- also one thing I have noticed is if you watch this show with women they clock immediately the subtleties of the abuse (ex. Kevin standing on Allison's pottery barn coffee table and breaking it) but if you watch with a man that kinda goes over most of their heads. Cause like yeah it's just a table. But it's not. It's a POTTERY BARN coffee table that she found on SALE and it's thr nicest thing they own and it's constantly being treated like shit and Allison is always being bullied for buying a cheap table.

[melis-writes]

Please, spill some tea on Al’s relationships. 😭 Someone on quora has said Diane is painting herself as the victim while we don’t know his perspective, that she is the one who never had a long term and stable relationship while her exes went on to have their own families. And I’m like… dude… Al Pacino has kids but he sure hasn’t had a stable relationship with anyone, lol.

AH HELL NO, NO BULLSHIT ABOUT DIANE LIKE THAT >:( Also incredibly mean and more than likely untrue lmao like we need to automatically take Al's side on what happened in their relationship? 👀 I mean really, it was a private relationship between two adults that started like ~50 years ago, so based on what's publicly out there, I know that...

Diane said on the Ellen show she had quite a few relationships that lasted "about 5 years". She also said no man she ever dated proposed to her, which is why she didn't end up married. I actually ended up finding out that Warren Beatty did in fact propose to Diane but she said no. I found on this article a reason why, which is Diane wanting to focus on her career, but I can't find the original source I read it on which didn't state a reason--just simply that Diane didn't want to marry him. I read that this happened during the filming of a movie they had together and as a result, Warren made Diane rehearse a scene (or something) again and again on purpose to take his frustration out on her. Again, don't know if this is true or not, just what I read!

Also, to assume that someone hasn't had stable relationships because they never married or have children is such utter bullshit.

Y'all wanna talk about unstable relationships? Let's talk about Al Pacino real quick. 😂

Al's first mentioned gf was Jill Clayburgh, an actress and I believe they got together around 1967. The broke up a short while after TFG released. Al talked about wanting to marry her and have kids in the future but what did he do? He told her he was in love with another woman and left her just like that.

We know how on and off Al was with Diane and how that one ended. What I still can't find any info on or make sense of is them breaking up in 1990, but no mentions of breakups in 1988 or 1989, but Al having a child in 1989 with someone else? Sheesh.

There was an interview Al and Marthe Keller did together around the Bobby Deerfield days. Marthe was almost describing what kind of wedding/wedding gown she would want to wear. She was saying no pressure on marriage/kids, and the interview described Al as being quiet, awkward and not saying anything. Marthe was head over heels, swooning a whole paragraph about how amazing Al was and he said nothing. All he did was smile awkwardly. They broke up later down the line of course, and Marthe I believe kept one of his mugs he drank out of.

I'd recommend reading "A Life on the Wire" for all the Al relationship tea, let me tell you that. Personally from what I've read in it, "unstable" doesn't even begin to cover it lmfao. Cut Diane some slack, y'all. 😭

[xandriagreat]

Fate Be Changed

Chapter 5: The Houseboat and Past Client/When We're Human 

First chapter | Last chapter | Next chapter

Author’s note: just to let you all know, we did add some of the songs but the songs are planned instead of random singing. The song’s lyrics are going to be bold and italic. 

Notice/warnings: yelling/shouting, CAPs, running/chasing, quicksand, knock out

▪▪▪

On the hot air balloon, Moe, Herbert, and Webs explained what happened to them to Diane.

They were warming up with the blankets (in the cool Summer breeze other than the hotness of the city) and the heat from the fire that's keeping the hot air balloon up. 

It’s still going and they were away for about two hours and they were still in the starry night air, going over the woods with the sounds of crickets chirping and wind blowing.

“Dark Magic?!” Diane asked angrily after the three explained what was happening. "You mean to tell me this all happened because you were messing with a stranger that you guys shouldn't trust?! What were you guys thinking?! Did any of your families didn't even teach you three about being more skeptical and check if it's a scam or not?!"

"He was somehow very persuasive! Like a trance thing!" Moe said angrily and guilty. “Besides, we didn't even realize it was a scam until it was too late.”

"Well, it serves you right for getting tricked into something that you should have avoided in the first place!" Diane said, pointing at him.

“We were desperate!” the ‘wolf’, ‘snake’, and ‘tarantula’ said together in a groan.

Diane rolled her eyes and sighed. “You can't even run away from your problems, you know? You got to work through it and face it head on.” she said, shaking her head in disappointment.

Diane was about to add more to her talk but noticed Herbert was doing a tail motion by his neck as if to say, ‘Don’t say more’.

Diane was confused until she looked at Moe again.

Moe looked offended as he glared at Diane. “You think that’s what this is? A run away from problems?” he asked in a growl.

“Exactly!” Diane said loudly.

Moe growled more.

"Do you have a problem with that?!" Webs asked, glaring at the ‘fox’.

Diane looked and stared at the glaring ‘tarantula’. “What do you mean ‘I have a problem with that’? I’m just saying how it is! It’s also more of not taking responsibility.” Diane started, glaring at the three.

Just then, they heard the flame go out and, to make things worse, the hot air balloon popped when hitting something on a lookout tower and getting caught by it.

It made the four fall out of the basket and land on the pile of leaves and dirt.

They were terrified and checked each other if everyone's okay.

"Is everyone ok?" Herbert asked, looking at everyone.

Moe and Webs nodded a yes while Diane stood up, dust off her dress, which was now very dirty and muddy. “I AM NOT OKAY!” she shouted, looking mad at them before looking at herself. “Oh! Look at me! The dress that Emmy Lou gave me is ruined!”

“Ok, calm down! We don’t want to attract anything.” Herbert said. “Everyone just take a deep breath.”

Everyone took in a few deep breaths before calming down and started to walk away from the damaged hot air balloon.

“So… Who’s Emmylou? Is she your seamstress?” Moe asked, a confused look on his face as he looked at Diane again.

Diane started dusting some of the dirt off of her. “Emily Lou is a friend of mine. She was the one hosting the party and she gave me this dress.” she explained, starting to adjust the dress a bit so it didn’t slip off of her. 

Then Diane stopped and looked at the other three ‘animals’, who also stopped walking. She noticed that their faces were confused and started to be angry.

“What?” the ‘fox’ started, sounding confused as she looked at them.

“So you’re not the owner of that mansion?" Webs asked, pointing at the direction where they came from.

Diane stared at her for a moment and then looked at the direction that they came from before looking at her again and replying, “No.”

“So you’re not a rich daughter! No wonder the kiss didn’t work!” Webs explained angrily, pointing at Diane. “You lied to us!”

“I never said that I was some rich daughter!” Diane sassed, pointing back at her.

“If you’re not a daughter of some wealthy parents, what are you?” Moe asked, glaring at the ‘fox’.

Diane felt something inside her just snap as she stared at the ‘wolf’.

“I am a graduating, top of her class, college student, who is planning on going to Howard University To be a politician. I am also a Planned Parenthood receptionist and waitress at Coles. And lastly, I am also a daughter of a white German woman and an American black police officer.” Diane growled as she stomped over to Moe. “So I’ve experienced real hard things and gotten to know that life isn’t a fairytale!”

Moe glared down at Diane before growling, “Oh you think you’re the only one who’s been through trials and tribulations? Look at the three of us! We’ve been through a lot too!”

“We have to calm down!” Herbert shouted at everyone.

“Calm down?! This is not ok!” Diane shouted, pointing at them. “You three tricked me!”

"Woah, woah, woah! How is it OUR  fault?!" Moe asked, anger in his voice and he pointed at Diane. “We didn’t trick you because of your greed!”

“Greed?!” Diane exclaimed angrily.

"Okay everyone break it up!" Herbert shouted, stopping the fight as he got in between Moe and Diane. He shoved them away from each other before anything happened.

Everyone stopped yelling at each other and took in a breath. 

When everyone finally calmed down, Diane looked at Moe again, who was being hugged by Herbert. "Wait… Isn't your father fabulously wealthy?" she asked him, pointing at him.

“Yes. My father is fabulously wealthy." Moe explained with a groan, rolling his eyes as Herbert stopped hugging him. "But he won’t give any of it to me yet until I marry a woman from an also wealthy family and take over the family business. Even though it's not my future and my LIFE! That’s why I ran away.”

"And I had to come with him because his father wouldn't accept our… homosexuality." Herbert said, rubbing the back of his neck with his tail.

"I also joined them because they wanted help and I have friends who could help them." Webs said with a shrug.

Then Webs noticed something mushy that she was stuck on. She looked down to see that she was slowly sinking. "Quicksand! Quicksand! Quicksand! Somebody help me!" she screamed, trying to get out as she continued to sink.

Diane sighed and walked over to her. She carefully grabbed and picked up Webs, freeing her from the sand, but now the ‘fox’s’ right foot was stuck now, slowly sinking up to her leg. She growled as she looked at the other two and asked, “Mind helping?”

"I got you!" Moe said, running over to help them out. But he didn’t notice a root sticking out, making him tripped and land face first into the quicksand, now stuck in it.

Herbert tried not to laugh at them but started to laugh as the two young women glared at him.

“Mr. Herbert Cedric Scale, we DO NOT have all night. So, if you could PLEASE help us, that would be most appreciated.” Webs said, warning in her voice. 

The ‘snake’ stopped laughing as realization hit him. “Alright.” Herbert said as he wrapped himself by a tree to support and hold him before helping them out. 

When he was fully stable with the grip of the tree, he used his tail to grab Moe by the waist and began pulling him out of the quicksand.

Moe started to cough when his head was no longer stuck in the quicksand and took in some fresh air.

“Moe, are you ok?” Herbert asked, checking to see if Moe was ok as he laid him on the ground far away from the quicksand. 

Moe stared at him and said “Yes, though I do feel a bit light headed.”

Herbert sighed softly with a soft smile. “Just rest and breathe until you feel normal headed.”

Moe nodded and breathed as he rested.

Then Herbert  wrapped himself by a tree again and helped get Diane and Webs out of the quicksand by wrapping his tail around Diane’s waist, pulling her out of the quicksand. 

Daine sat down on the ground when they were out of quicksand.

Everyone started to take in a few deep breaths to calm down as they rested. Then the four look at themselves and notice that they are dirty. 

“We need to find a place of water to clean up.” Webs said, breaking the silence.

The others nodded and got up to find a place where they could wash up.

◇

The four wash themselves up by a nearby creek to get the dirt off of themselves.

“So, all that I’m getting from you guys is that you three are runaways and cowards. But yet, you guys have the guts to call me greedy?” Diane said as she got the dirt off of herself. “To me, it’s just lying to get away from problems.”

The three glared at her. 

Before anyone could say anything, there was the sound of a gunshot being fired, making the four jump and hide.

The four looked at where it came from and they started to hear hunter voices.

"We gotta get out of here." Herbert whispered.

The others nodded and they quickly left, not getting detected by the hunters.

As they were running, their outfits got torn more and more in the process.

“It was not a lie! We fully intend to get out of here and be human again! Once we get some help and a new place to stay, we’ll be out of here for good!” the ‘wolf’ said as they ran.

They begin running and looking around to find any place they can get away from the hunters.

There were a few gunshots fired but thankfully missed them.

The four ‘animals’ looked around quickly to see a cave in the distance. They ran to it and went inside to the darkness, losing the hunters that were chasing them.

It was a big cave with a medium size entice.

The four sat down and caught their breath.

“I think we lost them.” Herbert said, catching his breath.

“Yeah. But look on the bright side! It looks like we found some place to sleep for the night.” Webs said, looking around at the cave.

“Good!” Diane shouted, catching her breath. Then the ‘fox’ carefully went out and got a broken log before going back to the cave.

The others were confused at what she was doing. 

“I'm going to set this up!” the ‘fox’ said angrily before she got the tall broken log up right and against the entrice as a door. 

It was still clear that she was still angry at them as she went back to them.

Diane began drawing a line from the dirt between her and the three. “I know that this is childish but this line splits off the two sides.” she said after drawing the line and then pointed at the sides. “My side. Your side.”

“What?!” Webs, Herbert, and Moe asked angrily.

“Don't tell us that you are still mad at us like a spoiled rich woman.” Moe said, standing up and looking down at Diane, who was glaring at him.

Diane was offended by it. “You don’t know me.” she growled, standing up.

“You don’t know us!” Moe shouted at her.

“Okay everyone calm down!” Herbert said, getting in between the two before it gets out of control, then he wiped the drawn line away in the dirt.

“Hey-!” Diane started but was cut off by Herbert interrupted, “Let’s calm down and not act like children.”

All of them began to calm down and sat down.

“Look, guys, it's been a long night.“ Herbert said, when everyone was calmed down. “We should get some sleep. Since tomorrow will be a big day.”

Moe nodded. “Agreed.”

The four laid down on the floor and fell asleep… or one was trying to.

Webs was awake, not able to sleep.

She sighed softly in defeat before noticing Diane wrapping her arms around herself with her tail, trying to shield herself from the cold.

Webs crawls to Diane and laid down next to her, feeling comfortable to sleep.

Diane begins to smile in her sleep.

Webs began to smile and fell asleep.

In the morning, when the sun rose, Diane woke up to see the gang was still asleep.

◇

She looked at herself, realizing it was not a dream and she groaned loud, which woke Webs up.

“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty.” Webs said like a hopeless romantic.

Diane looked down at Webs and rolled her eyes, but smiled a bit and said, “Hey.”

Webs got off of Diane as Diane got up, began stretching her whole body, and went to the self made door.

The ‘fox’ got the door down and looked out for hunters.

The hunters were gone.

Diane sighed in relief before looking at the two sleeping ‘animals’, who were being woken up by Webs.

Moe sat up, rubbing his eyes a bit, while Herbert yawned as they both woke up and got up.

“The hunters are gone.” Diane said to them. “We gotta get back to LA and undo this mess you guys got us into in the first place.”

The three glared at her for a moment before all four went out of the cave.

The rest of the three stretched their bodies as they walked for a bit.

The woods felt and sounded so peaceful early that morning.

It all gave them good memories. 

Moe remembers going to the woods by himself sometimes just to enjoy some nature as a kid. Webs went to a favorite tree in her old school just to get some peace and cry where she started learning and reading about the latest technology. Herbert remembers hearing a snake while camping by himself and it felt peaceful for one moment. Diane also had memories of the place where she used to walk around barefooted and often played with her parents, enjoying the fresh air and the sounds of nature as a toddler.

Diane was trying to find some sort of way to get back to Los Angeles but realizing how far it was, she had to think fast. Also she wasn’t used to the many smells that her new nose could smell and it was starting to overwhelm her that she had to cover her nose with her hand for a moment.

‘This might get some getting used to.’ Diane thought as she also had some ears picking up. She started getting used to her new found sensitive hearing.

Her vision turned out to be in good use.

Diane remembers learning and reading about foxes from some books she got when she was down with the flu and had to stay home from elementary school back in 4th grade and she also remembers in her sophomore biology class in high school. But never thought that she would become one herself.

The other ‘animals’ noticed that she was starting to get overwhelmed.

“How about we get some help?” Moe offered, walking over to her.

Diane stopped and looked at him for a moment. “How are we going to get help without being hunted or tested like lab rats?” she asked with sass, removing her hand from her nose and pointing it out to their situation.

Moe got quiet as he started to think. 

Then they noticed Webs going up a nearby tree. “Webs?” the ‘wolf’ asked, looking at the ‘spider’ climbing up the tree.

“I’m going up to see if there’s a way for us to get back.” Webs said, glancing down at the three before continuing up the tree.

“Anything that’s transportation will work. Like a car, van, or even a boat!” Herbert calls out to her.

Webs got on a branch on the tree and looked around.

The three ‘animals’ watched Webs and waited for a couple of minutes.

Then Webs started to climb down to talk with them.

“Any ideas for some transportation to get to Los Angeles?” Diane asked when Webs got a few feet to them.

Webs smiled at them when she got to their level. “Yes!”

“What is it?” Herbert asked.

“A boat. There’s a houseboat on a river that’s nearby.” Webs said, pointing at where the transportation was. “It’s straight ahead. Pass a few trees.”

The three looked at where she was pointing at.

Moe and Diane started to go to the direction as Webs hopped onto Herbert’s hat on his head. Herbert didn’t mind as he slithered over to catch up with them.

They soon got to the river and there it was.

An old houseboat.

The three smiled and looked at Webs again. “Great job, Webs!” Moe said to Webs before he and Diane went to check it.

Both ‘canines’ were so focused on seeing if the boat works that they didn't see the two glowing eyes coming in the distance from the water.

Webs and Herbert noticed the eyes in the water.

“Ummm… guys?” Webs said, looking at the eyes as she tried to warn the others.

“Not now, Webs.” Moe said, still checking the boat.

Webs and Herbert began to notice fins and movement in the water.

Herbert picks up a branch that was about half his size to defend them as Webs clings onto his hat.

Then all of a sudden, a piranha jumps out of the water and shouts, “Surprise!”

All four were surprised and stared at the bitey fish, which landed in the boat.

The piranha looked at both Moe and Diane, who both jumped on one of the nearby crates and were looking at him with wide eyes.

“What are you doing by our boat-” the piranha started but was cut off because Herbert hit the bitey fish on the head with the branch, knocking him out.

The four stared at the knocked out piranha.

The piranha didn’t look like a normal piranha with being a bit bigger than the normal size and having a small body, like a toddler.

“A… piranha…-like-mutant… in the United States?” Diane asked, very confused as she and Moe got down from the crate.

She looked at Moe, Herbert, and Webs, who all were confused too. 

“We’re confused too.” Moe said, looking at Diane before looking back at the ‘piranha’.

“How does he get to have legs and a body?!” Herbert asked, pointing at the piranha’s small legs. 

“Now, now, let's not be judgeful.” Diane said, looking at the ‘snake’.

The four looked at the ‘piranha’ for a moment.

“The colors almost look like a mango.” Herbert said, poking at the piranha with the branch.

But then Webs remembers the thing they learned about different piranhas.

“This is a Red-bellied piranha.” Webs said, looking at them.

“Really?” Diane asked, curiously. She never saw a woman interested in fish before (besides Pam or Emily Lou). Her tail started to wag a bit but Diane didn't notice as she blushed a little.

“So… what do we do with the piranha now?” Moe asked, still looking at the piranha.

Everyone shrugged.

Herbert saw a necklace tag around his neck. “Look, there’s a name tag. It might show his name.” he said, getting into the boat and getting the name tag off.

The four began checking the name tag.

The tag reads: Pepe Ladrón

“Pepe?” Diane, Moe, and Herbert read, trying to sound it correctly.

“Ladrón. That’s the Spanish name for a thief.” Webs said after reading the tag.

Diane now sort of remembers, though she was fluent in German, and learned different languages like Swahili and French during freshman year of college, she is not that very good at Spanish. Well maybe a bit, only the basics.

The other’s eyes widened as the four looked back at the knocked out piranha.

“But this doesn't make sense. Unless… Couldn't he be from somewhere like Mexico or Bolivia or somewhere that a piranha would have come from?” Diane asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

The other three looked at her and shrugged again.

Before anyone could say anymore, the ‘bitey fish’ groaned and slowly woke up, which made everyone jump.

“Ow…” Pepe said, rubbing his head as he slowly got up and looked at the four.

Herbert was about to hit the piranha with the branch again when the piranha shouted, “Wait! Wait! My name is Pepe Fin!”

Webs recognized the name and quickly got on the branch. “Stop!” she screamed at the ‘snake’. 

Herbert stopped the hit and dropped the branch.

Webs jump off the branch and land on the floor of the boat.

Herbert had a confused look on his face along with Diane and Moe when looking at Webs.

Webs looked and walked to the ‘piranha’. “Pepe?” she asked him. Pepe looked confused at her as the ‘spider’ continued, “It’s me. Webs. The person who helped you and Lou.”

Pepe’s eyes widened in excitement. “Webs!” he exclaimed with a laugh, hug attacked Webs, which caused Webs to laugh too as she hugged him back.

Diane, Moe, and Herbert were very confused by this.

When all has calmed down, Diane asked, “Sorry to break up the party but what’s going on here?”

Webs and Pepe looked up at the three. “Oh right! Sorry, guys.” Webs said, crawling up to be on the railing. “Guys, this is Pepe Fin, a past client of mine.”

Diane, Moe, and Herbert got confused. “Huh?” 

“Wait, wait… How did you guys meet?” Herbert asked, a confused look on his face.

“I met him and Lou about two years ago.” Webs said, pointing at Pepe.

Moe and Herbert didn't hear about them before. “How come you haven’t mentioned them to us before?” Moe asked. 

“You didn’t ask about clients.” Webs said, looking at the ‘wolf’.

“I didn't know you worked. I thought that you're on the run. Though it makes sense. You'll have to earn money somewhere.” Diane said, still a bit surprised.

Webs look at her confused before saying, “You didn’t ask if I worked, sweetheart.”

Diane began to blush at that comment.

Then Pepe cleared his throat, getting the four’s attention. “So, Webs… who are these?” the ‘piranha’ asks, pointing at Moe, Herbert, and Diane.

“Oh! My apologies!” Webs said before she introduced Pepe to them. “The snake is Herbert Scale. The wolf is Mason Wolf, everyone calls him Moe. And the fox is Diane… Foxxy.” 

“Foxington.” Diane corrected. “Diane Foxington.”

“Right! Thank you.” Webs said, pointing at the ‘fox’.

Webs look back at Pepe as she jumps from the railing and lands back down on the floor of the boat. “I now have some questions.” she said to him.

Pepe hummed and nodded. “Nice to meet you all.”

“Oh? Go ahead.” Pepe said, nodding.

Pepe was quiet for a moment as he began to remember. Of course some of his memory might be a bit blurry of the events of the transformation.

“First of all, how on earth did you just turn into a piranha and second where's Lou?” Webs asked, pointing at him and then looking around to see where Lou was.

Pepe scratched his head for a moment. “Well… right now, Lou is getting some food. But the memories from what happened to the both of us…. They're blurry though…” he said, looking at the four.

“Tell us about those blurry memories” Diane asked, crossing her arms.

Pepe thought for a moment. “Well… I think it’s best that everyone sits down in the boat.” he said, tapping on the floor of the boat.

Everyone looked at each other and then got in the boat, sitting down.

“It was a couple of days after Webs helped us. We were in LA, trying to find another place to live until this man wanted us to come with him.” Pepe explained, trying to remember. “We refuse and try to walk our way but… the man said all of the right things… It was like a trance spell thing… He had us in his grasp and we followed him into some sort of place like a Bodega or something.” 

Then Pepe pauses as his memory begins to clear up a bit. He began to remember what happened next.

“It was just a blur… first it was just cards of past, present, and future… then We were chained up.” Pepe continued to explain. “All that I remember of the man was that he had these monsters that he called ‘friends’.”

Webs, Herbert, and Moe were able to recognize what he was talking about. “That’s Marmalade!” Webs exclaimed.

Pepe started to remember more as he continued, “Of course, he then showed us the cards of our past, present, and future. We didn't ask him and friends but we were so oblivious of the future cards.”

Webs, Herbert, Moe, Diane’s eyes widened at Pepe. “Really?” the four asked.

Pepe nodded.

“Okay when do you find out that you would transform into this?” Diane asked.

“All that we remember was the bright lights around us, a LOT and I mean A LOT of pain, passing out, and then finding out that we transformed after we woke up. Then we ran away to get here on the boat.” Pepe answered, looking at the ‘fox’. 

Diane couldn’t believe it. “I… no… No! That can’t be it!” she shouted, standing up and looking down at Pepe. 

Everyone was surprised by this.

“That’s all that I remember!” Pepe exclaimed, angry and worried. “Just Lou and I bumping into the man, the cards that the man showed, PAIN, then waking up, and then going here on the boat that Lou owned!”

Diane looked at Pepe for a moment, her anger became apologetic. “Sorry…” she said, stepping away from him before looking away to look at the surroundings. “I… I hope you don’t mind me asking but, how long have you two been living here? On the boat?”

The worriedness on Pepe’s face faded a bit. “So, we lived on the boat for a year and a half, but stayed at Granny Gumbo for some time… she tried to help us return to being human. But as you can see, she tried.” he explained, gesturing at his body. 

“Wait, Granny Gumbo?” Webs asked, seeing if she heard him right. “Who is that?”

Pepe nodded and then thought for a moment of how to describe Granny Gumbo. “She’s like a… uh… sorceress of some kind. Also has magic like that man but uses it for helping and good. She’s very sassy but also kind.” he said with a chuckle.

Webs, Herbert, Moe, and Diane hummed.

“Mind taking us to her?” Moe asked, some hope in his voice.

Pepe stared at him for a moment before nodding. “Sure, but remember she did her best to help Lou and I back to being human, so the chances of turning back human are small. But, hey, she could have found another answer this time.”

Diane shivered with fear at the idea of turning back human is small.

Then Pepe looked at the woods as he stood up.

Webs, Herbert, Moe, and Diane look at the woods to see what he was seeing. 

There was nothing.

“Um… what-?” Herbert started to ask but was cut off by the boat engine turning on.

“Hunters. We need to get going.” Pepe said, getting the boat ready to drive. “Hold on tight!”

Webs, Herbert, Moe, and Diane held onto their seats as the boat moved quickly on the water.

◇

Once everything slowed and calmed down, the five ‘animals’ started to talk a bit more about each other, about their wants.

Diane noticed in a photo while they all talked.

It was a photo of two men, a black plus sized human with a small afro and a latino human with dyed green hair tied in a low ponytail. They were on the docks of the arrivals area and the skyscraper next to them in the background and written on the white part of the photo was ‘Arriving at Los Angeles, 05/03/1998!’

“Pepe,” the ‘fox’ started, getting Pepe’s attention before pointing at the photo, “I hope you don’t mind me asking but, is this you and Lou?”

Pepe looked at her before looking at the photo, smiling softly. “Yep. That’s Lou and me when we were human. That photo was taken when we were arriving for the first time in LA.” he said with a small laugh, going back to driving the boat. “Oh, I still can’t believe that was taken 2 years ago!” 

“I can’t believe it was a long time too.” Webs said, remembering that day.

Pepe chuckled softly as he got the boat to slow down to a stop before looking at the four to talk with them as he sat down.

“How long have you and Lou known each other?” Moe asked curiously, pointing at Pepe and then at the photo.

“About four years.” Pepe answered.

“Four years?!” Diane said, shocked. “Wow!”

Pepe nodded and chuckled more, smiling warmly.

“How did you guys meet?” Diane asked, very curious.

Pepe’s warm smile faded to a frown, as if it was a sensitive topic. “I-um… I would rather not talk about it now.” he said, looking down and hugging himself.

Diane hummed, started to feel bad for asking that. “Okay that seems understandable but I meant in this state? Have you two met here in the states or somewhere else?” the ‘fox’ asked, trying to get to know a bit more but try not to push it.

Pepe looked back at the four ‘animals’ again and nodded, starting to smile a bit. “We met in New Orleans, Louisiana.”

Diane was pretty surprised that they met at New Orleans (or ‘The Big easy’ and she heard a lot about the place as a kid).

“I didn’t expect that.” she said with a chuckle.

“Eh, not a lot of people do.” Pepe said with a shrug before pointing at Webs. “She was one of those people.”

Webs put her hands up and said, “Guilty as charged.”

That got the five to laugh a bit before it died down.

There was still an awkward tension in the air as everyone got quiet.

“So… once we get to this Granny Gumbo and return back to being human, what are your plans after we go our separate ways?” Webs asked, breaking the silence while looking at Pepe. “Is it still the same as last time?”

Pepe looked at Webs and smiled more, nodding. “Yep. When Lou and I become human again, Lou will start his fashion career and I will continue to make music as a career while we get a restaurant set up.” he said, getting up and stretching a bit.

“Seems cool.” Herbert said, begin chill.

Pepe nodded and was about to get the boat up and running again. But then Pepe got an idea, to make the ride more entertaining. “Do you guys mind if I sing a song?” Pepe asked, glancing at the four. “It’s ok if it’s a no.”

Diane and the others look at each other before they all nod yes.

Pepe’s eyes lit up in excitement. 

Then he ran to get something from inside the house part of the boat. He came back about a minute later with a microphone and a recorder.

“Just to let you four know, it’s in a draft, so it’s not perfect but it’s good or alright.” Pepe said, looking at them.

The four ‘animals’ hummed in understanding. They were curious about it as Pepe began making sure he was in tone before singing his lungs out.

Then he pressed play and music started playing.

It was up beat and jazzy.

Pepe smiled as he started to sing; “When I'm a human being again, I'd head straight for Los Angeles and I'd sing so loud and clear, for the world to hear! You've heard of Ne-Yo, Ms. Shakira, if she’s there! All those guys are gonna step aside when they hear this old ex-fish sing, just listen!”

Then Pepe began to hum a tune and begin turning on a tune as if it was a sound system.

“When I'm human, as I hope to be, I'm gonna sing so loud and clear, 'Til the crowds cheer and everyone's gonna dance and sing along with me!”

The four were very impressed that they clapped for him as he pressed the pause on the music.

“Thank you! Thank you! Oh, thank you!” Pepe said, bowing to them and smiling big. 

“Is there more?” Moe asked.

Pepe’s smile faded a bit. “Uh… well it’s not done yet. It was just Lou and I working on this song. I don’t want to sing his part because it’s his part.” Pepe explained, setting the microphone down and going to get the boat moving again. “We also didn’t have different perspectives until now. If you guys want, you can sing into the mic.”

They all looked at each other before looking at the mic.

Moe’s eyes shined with excitement. “If that’s ok.”

“Go for it.” Pepe chuckled and nodded.

“Then it's my turn!” Moe said in excitement, getting the microphone and turning the music on. He began filling the rhythm in his bones.

“All right, here I go… one two three!" Moe counted himself in and then he sang, “When I'm myself again, I want just the life I want a brand new chapter with my love.”

“That doesn't sound too bad, yeah?” Moe asked, looking at Herbert, which made Herbert blush.

“With my friends by my side, a new adventure every day! Life is short. When you're done, you're done! We're on this earth To have some fun and have a great experience. When I'm human and I'm gonna be, it’s going to be a great life and that’s freedom guaranteed.”

Everyone, except for Diane, started to clap for him.

“You are still running from your past!” Diane said, her arms crossed her chest. 

“All right, All right.” Moe said, looking at her as he paused the music. “Don’t get upset at me for trying to be happy.”

The two ‘canines’ glared at each other for a moment as Pepe glanced at Herbert and Webs, asking, “Do you want to sing?”

Herbert was stubborn not to sing. “No way, you can't make me.” Herbert said with a deadpan tone.

Webs didn’t feel like singing. “Me either.”

“Come on, give it a try.” Pepe said, smiling softly while looking back at where he was driving.

Herbert groaned and rolled his eyes as he got the microphone from Moe. He looked at it for a moment and then said into the mic, “No.”

Then he hands it to Diane before resting his head on one of the crates.

Diane's eyes lit up when handed the mic. “Well, then. After all these times of doing karaoke with my friends is finally paying off.” Diane said with a chuckle.

She got the music back on again with a smile.

“Your modesty becomes you and your sense of responsibility. I've worked hard for everything I've got and that's the way it's supposed to be. When I'm a human being at least I'll act like one. If you do your best each and every day. Good things are sure to come your way. What you give is what you get! My father said that and I'll never forget! And, maybe, I’ll commend it to you.” Diane sang.

“Yeah, you got it, girl!” Webs cheered.

The boat ride felt more fun as the ‘bitey fish’, ‘wolf’, and ‘fox’ all began to sing together, “When we're human and we're gonna be”

“I'm gonna sing my song.” Pepe sang.

“I'm gonna live the best life!” Moe sang.

“I'm gonna do my best to take my place in the light!” Diane sang.

But then the boat got stuck on some sort of log. Diane got a big branch and started to push the log away. Herbert started to help by carefully pulling the log out and out of the way. 

“When we're human!” all five ‘animals’ sang as they got it out and the boat started hopping and splashing the water.

All five of them had a lot of fun and laughed as the boat skipped along the surface.