#drew watches: lassie comes home

[thesconesyard]

Where the West Begins

9. Pistol Packin’ Mama

A sudden loud shot had everyone at the breakfast table jumping in their seats.

“What on earth?” Christine demanded.

“Keenser,” Uhura said.

“He’s after a hawk that got a couple of the chickens,” Jim added.

“The lad could have given us some warning,” Scotty chuckled.

A few mornings later as Scotty was leaving the kitchen from helping wash up, he stopped as Uhura called his name.

“Aye?” he asked as he turned. He watched as she came close.

“I- I have something to ask you—”

Scotty was surprised by how Uhura turned her eyes away and wouldn’t look at him.

“I’ve been thinking,” she said slowly, “that I would like to know how to defend myself, or the ranch, if it came to it. All of this with the trial and then Keenser during breakfast the other morning—” She paused and finally looked Scotty in the eye. “It feels embarrassing to ask, but I’d like to learn to shoot a gun.”

“Oh lassie! Of course! That’s a noble thought to have. All ye lasses should be able to defend yerselves. Somedays when all us men are at who knows what ends of the ranch and ye all here alone!”

“Would you teach me?” Uhura smiled shyly.

“Oh aye, but it’s Leonard ye should ask,” Scotty returned with a smile of his own.

“Leonard? I didn’t think he liked guns,” Uhura frowned.

“True, but he’s a doctor. Those steady hands and a knowledge of bodies makes him quite deadly with a pistol,” Scotty said. He smiled brightly with pride at his partner’s abilities. “When do ye want to start?”

“Uhura wants to shoot huh?” Leonard said as he sat down next to Scotty at the creek.

“She’s got a good point, love,” Scotty said. “What if none of us were around and someone villainous came up?”

“Darlin’, I pray no one else villainous comes around this place.”

“Aye!” Scotty bumped his shoulder against Leonard’s. “Ye’re ok with teaching her?”

Leonard gave a slow nod. “Any of us could show them gals, but I suppose I can.”

“Do ye think Christine or Jaylah will want to learn too?”

Leonard laughed. “Don’t you worry about Chris. She knows her way around a rifle, if her sharp tongue doesn’t take someone down first!”

Scotty chuckled with him.

“But we could ask Jaylah,” Leonard agreed.

The next morning after breakfast Scotty and Leonard retrieved their guns from their cabin and met Uhura and Jaylah in an unused yard away from the house and barn. The afternoon before Scotty had rigged up a bit of fence they could shoot things off of.

“What do we do first?” Jaylah asked as the two men walked up.

Leonard drew his gun from his holster and flipped it in his hand for Jaylah to take.

“First you get a feel for it,” he said.

“It is heavier than I thought!” Jaylah exclaimed.

“We show you the different parts,” Leonard smiled as he continued. “How to hold it, what to expect. Then we’ll load’em up and you can give it a try.”

“We both have something different,” Scotty added. “You might like one better than the other.” He shrugged and held out his own gun for Uhura.

“And if you don’t like either,” Leonard said. “We can ask one of the others to borrow theirs. We can get Keenser’s rifle out here too if you want.”

Uhura looked at Jaylah. A smile passed between the women.

“We’ll try everything you’ve got,” Uhura said brightly.

“This is our home,” Jaylah agreed fiercely.

“Yes it is,” Leonard said. “Let’s keep it safe.

“Remember, you want to squeeze gently,” Leonard said as he stood behind Jaylah. “Firm here, but relaxed here.” He pointed and touched her wrist and elbow. “Alright. Good. Now look straight down the barrel… line it up and when you’re ready…”

“Oh!” Jaylah cried as she pulled the trigger.

“That’s alright sweetheart, that’s alright. Good for your first try.”

“But I missed!”

“Yes, but now you know how it feels and you’ll keep that arm steady instead of letting it fly up,” Leonard explained gently. He turned to Uhura.

“You ready to try?”

“You betcha!” Uhura grinned.

“Just like Len said,” Scotty said as he stood next to her. “Firm, but relaxed.”

“And it will kick back!” Jaylah told her.

“Firm, relaxed, ready for kick back,” Uhura nodded.

“Line it up and squeeze gently when you’re ready,” Scotty said.

“You did it!” Jaylah exclaimed.

“I nicked it,” Uhura said modestly.

“It was better than mine,” Jaylah argued.

“I had you to learn from too,” Uhura grinned.

“Excellent tries from both of ye!” Scotty said.

“We’ll make gunslingers of you both,” Leonard chuckled.

“What is going on?” came a voice from behind everyone.

“Pavel! Montgomery Scotty and Dr. Bones are teaching us to shoot!” Jaylah cried and moved towards him.

“Whoa!” “Lass!”

Jaylah stopped as two voices raised at her.

“Be careful where ye’re pointing that!” Scotty said gently.

“Oh!” Jaylah flushed red, and pointed the gun towards the ground.

“We all make that mistake,” Pavel said reassuringly as he closed in to Jaylah.

“I learned from you again Jaylah,” Uhura laughed good naturedly and Jaylah’s blush began to fade.

[clarktooncrossing]

HEY THERE PEOPLE OF TODAY AND ROBOTS OF TOMORROW! IT'S ME, CLARK!

There is a madness deep in the dark catacombs of Castle Clarkenstein. For years these claustrophobic corridors have been the home of the ghoulish giraffe himself, watching as the world passes by. He prefers it this way. It gives him more time alone with the voices. The voices tell him many strange things. Yet they always come back to one: make more monsters! Everyday they tell him this. Everyday he is unable to comply. Hey, being a mad scientist on a budget means he can’t afford the fancy scientific equipment needed to breathe life into newborn abominations. Guy’s gotta afford pizza somehow. Luckily, he has discovered a way of sorts to please the voices. During all those years of watching, Dr. Clarkenstein noticed a particular pattern. Every night during October saw artists posting new pictures based on peculiar prompts. Many of them based on children of the night. While the spotted specter might not be able to craft new zombies, he can sure as heck sketch’m! As such, I provide this friendly warning to you all now: Be afraid. Few people can survive the horrors that are DUDELZ of the Damned!

By that I mean I decided to do my own take on Sketchtober this year just minus the prompts. Anybody gotta problem with that? Tough, cuz I already drew this crap so you might as well check it out.

Avast me mateys, gather ‘round as I tell ye’ the story of Captain Pizzabeard! He was the fiercest pirate to ever plunder these seven seas! It was said he was saltier than anchovies, as volatile as jalapenos, and cheesier than mozzarella! Which be good, since all he ever stole was pizza. Honestly, with a name like that, what were ya’ scallywags expecting? Nevertheless the captain was a ruthless buccaneer with an appetite as deep as the Mariana Trench! Fighting by his side was the lovely lassie Vile Villa, the bubbly buckenner Fizzy Fright, as well as his three wards, Blueberry, Bubble Gum, and Burger. Together they robbed the ocean blind of its tastiest treasures! Alas, all good tales must come to an end! For one day his ship, the Jolly Domino, fell under attack by a conniving band of pasta privateers. Years of robbing these rapscallions blind had cost the Pizza Monster dearly. Before he could mount a proper defense, the privateers sent their foes off to meet with Davy Jones. Or so they thought. None could believe their eyes that fateful day. It was a week’r so after the Jolly Domino had sunk that their attackers were sent back to Clarks Bay port, their ship full of holes. Even more so when it was discovered that the crew had been liquified, their bodies melted by molten cheese! Some say it was Captain Pizzabeard seeking his revenge from the great beyond. Others say he and his crew haunt the oceans to this day, still searching the world for a salty slice. What do I say?

I say I’ve been wanting to draw Pizza Monster in this costume again since 2013. That year was when I launched 10 Minutes on Halloween, a quick little comic depicting what happens when Pizza Monster leaves his nephews and niece alone while Trick or Treating. Easily the best part of that comic was drawing everybody in costume, PM especially. While I drew him in his pirate ensemble once more after that, no other excuses presented themselves until this year. Being the first DUDEL of this year gave me the chance to test out the color scheme for the rest of my sketches, that being none save for one color. Obviously this one’s periwinkle. I love the end results, especially the ways I updated the costume. My only complaint would go to the background. My original plans of cross hatching it didn’t pan out, so I had to make a big, black, inky background to cover it up. Despite this stumble I hope you all enjoy this and future DUDELZ to come!

MAY THE GLASSES BE WITH YOU!

[blacknerdwrites]

YESS LASSIE WALK TO MAROLO!!!!

[elvish-sky]

Look Back {Thorin x Reader}

A.N: A thousand thanks to @guardianofrivendell , who kinda kickstarted this entire fic with their great idea (everyone go check out their work, it’s incredible!). Quick note on character ages- after the five years later bit Sigrid is 20, Otto is 3, and Kieran of course is relative to your age. I honestly really enjoyed writing this, even the parts where it made me cry (a good emotional outlet. Send me more angsty requests!) so I really hope it’s what you wanted, Anon! 

Requested by Anon on Tumblr: Thanks for answering my ask about angst! No worries if it'll take a while, so long as you're healthy and not stressing out about it, I will wait cuz your writing is soo worth it)I was wondering if I could request an either thorin x reader(f!human) or kili x Reader(f!human) where the reader is dumped by them and she moves on (like ends up with an elf or another dwarf) and lives a happy life, and thorin or kili regrets having left them and tries to get them back but sees that they lost their One cuz of their mistake and regrets it? (Is that too angsty?? I'm so sorry if it is!)

Word Count: 4,576. The longest thing I’ve ever written is an angst fic. Huh. 

Summary: Thorin doesn’t want to push back against the council when they say you cannot be married.

Pairings: Thorin x Reader, OC (I have those now. Huh.) x Reader

Warnings: Angst, Regret, End of Relationship, Sadness, Fluff

Director’s Commentary

****

Look Back

“It is the will of the council that, since Y/N is not a dwarf, the two of you shall not be married, and cannot be together.” 

Your head jerked up. You had been expecting pushback, but not a flat-out refusal. Turning your head to look at Thorin, you saw him bow his head in defeat.

“Very well. If it is the will of the council.” 

The words hit you in the chest like an arrow. You thought he would fight for you, but no. You weren’t worth it. You rose and left without another word, slipping between the doors as the council watched you go. Balin sighed from his seat midway down the stone table, shaking his head in disappointment at the whole room. 

Arriving at your rooms, the ones right next to Thorin’s that you had been so proud of, you started shoving your belongings into a sack, leaving anything that had been given to you by your former love out. You didn’t want any reminders of him, even to see him ever again. 

Sadly, your wish to not see him didn’t work, as shown very quickly. Barely three minutes after you had entered your rooms, he came bursting through the carved double doors. 

“I’m sorry, Y/N, but I can’t disobey the council.”

You scoffed, grabbing your few tunics and folding them into the bag. 

He continued, “You can stay, we can ask again in a few months, give them more time to warm up to the idea.”

“No. If I’m not worth fighting for now, how do I know I’ll be worth it then?”

You were drawing the string closed on your meager bag of belongings. It was rather sad to think how little you actually owned, versus what had been gifted to you by your former betrothed.

“I’m not going to risk my heart like this, Thorin. I can see that I never actually mattered.”

“Y/N-” 

You cut him off.

“You’ve broken promises before, but I never thought you’d break this one, Thorin Oakenshield.” 

You had been undoing your courting braid as you spoke, and now flung the bead at him. It fell into his hand, and you didn’t even spare a moment for the pain in his eyes as you slammed the door behind you, leaving a king with everything feeling as if he had just lost the one thing that really mattered. 

You arrived at the gates to Erebor to see something rather unexpected. The entire company was gathered there, and you stopped in front of them. They were all gazing at you with unshed tears in their eyes, and looking at them you couldn’t believe how far you all had come from that ragged company running for their lives. It made you sad to think about leaving, when the reminders of what you were giving up were all right there.

“I’m sorry about the council, lass.” Balin was the first to speak. “I tried to sway them, but it just couldn’t be done. I’ll keep trying.” 

You mustered a small smile for the old dwarf. “Thank you, Balin, but you don’t have to keep beating a dead horse. We both know nothing will come of it.” 

Each member of the company stepped forward and said goodbye, hugging you before moving back to the group. Dwalin settled for briefly squeezing you, before stepping back with a muttered, “I’ll miss yeh, lass.” You saw him surreptitiously wipe a tear from his cheek, and giggled a little.

Nori slipped a few coins into your pocket, as well as a set of lock picks. “You never know when they’ll come in handy.” 

Dori was crying as he pressed several bags of tea leaves into your hand. You sniffed them, recognizing the scent of your favorite kind.

Ori was also teary as he quickly wrapped a knitted scarf around your neck. “It gets cold out there,” were his parting words before he retreated to stand next to  Dori.

You let out a small laugh as Gloin handed you an ax. “I already have my sword!”

“Yes, lassie, but everyone knows axes are better.” There were gasps of outrage, but you were glad that the dwarf had lightened the mood, even just a little. Besides, the axe truly was gorgeous. A lovely specimen of dwarven craftsmanship, with a beautifully carved handle. 

“Is that a dragon?” Gloin nodded, and you marveled at the intricacies. 

Bifur approached next, pressing a carving into your hand. You looked at the figure. “That’s me!” He nodded, and you gazed at the detail he had worked in, even the etchings on your sword were visible in the wood. 

Bombur handed you a satchel, and you opened it. You gave the dwarf a big hug as you saw the honey-scones packing it to the brim. “My favorite.” 

“The recipe is in there too.” You couldn”t resist giving him a second hug of thanks.

Bofur came forward after his brother. “I’d sing you something, but I’m not sure I can do it without crying.” You straightened his hat, which had been set askew by your hug, as he stepped back. 

Fili and Kili were last. Fili approached you slowly, but Kili shoved him out of the way and crashed into you. Burying his face in your coat, he whispered, “I really wanted to get to call you Auntie.” 

You choked back tears, wrapping your arms around him as his brother joined the hug. 

“You’ll write to us?” Fili looked as if he was trying not to cry as well, while Kili had given up and had tears visibly streaming down his cheeks. 

“I will.” You broke away with difficulty and gave the group one last look. “Thank you all, so much.” They nodded, and you turned and walked out of the gates, leaving your old love behind. 

Thorin watched from the ramparts high above as you left. He knew he had made the right choice for his kingdom, but it hurt. The expression on your face was slowly killing him, and he knew whatever his doubts had been that you had truly loved him. He had loved you too, but he thought he loved his kingdom more. Nevertheless, he found himself hoping that you would turn around, come back, even though he knew he would have to turn you away. 

You didn’t turn around. 

You didn’t even look back.

*Five Years Later*

You shouldered the door open, arms full of papers. “I’m home!” 

“Mama!” A small shape barreled into you and you barely managed to hold onto the papers, handing them to your husband before scooping the three-year-old up.

“Otto! How was your day?” You pressed a kiss to Otto’s forehead before pecking Kieran on the cheek as you brushed by him into the sitting room. There was a fire going, smoke drifting up the chimney and you stood near it, warming hands chilled by the brisk fall air. 

“Good! Look what I made!” Otto wiggled out of your grasp and trotted over to the table, where after lots of jumping he finally managed to catch hold of something. He placed it in your lap, and you weren’t sure whether to be mad or touched. You settled for shooting a glare at Kieran before oohing and ahhing over the crudely carved figure.

“It’s you, Mommy! Like the one on the table!” 

Examining it closer, you could see something that looked like a sword. It was nowhere near the skill of Bifur’s carving that you still treasured, but it was very sweet nonetheless. 

“Wonderful job, darling.” 

“Are we going to the market today?” Otto looked up at you with pleading eyes.

“Why?” You shot a suspicious glance at Kieran, who assumed a very innocent expression.

“Because Da said that if we went to the market and got ingredients you would make the honey scones!”

“He did, did he?” 

Kieran looked guilty as you frowned at him.

“Don’t worry. Let’s put our boots on and head out!”

Otto jumped with excitement and ran to grab his boots. 

You crossed your arms and glared at your husband. “I cannot believe you let him use a knife.”

“He’s three! He’s old enough. Besides, I was watching him the whole time.”

“That doesn’t make it any better!” You threw your hands up in exasperation before kissing him. 

“But don’t worry, I still love you.”

“I love you too.” Kieran drew you in for a deeper kiss, and you responded enthusiastically.

“Let’s go!!” Your moment was interrupted by Otto, practically bouncing with excitement by the door. You laughed at him and wrapped your scarf, still holding up five years later, around your neck. Linking arms with Kieran, you giggled as Otto tugged on his hat from his perch on his father’s shoulders, and walked out the door. 

The streets of Dale were bustling, people going to the market, or the King’s house just down your street. 

Having been a hero of the Battle of the Five Armies, and one of two members of the company who had seen reason (the other being Bilbo, of course), you had a close friendship with King Bard. When you had marched into Dale after leaving Erebor, eyes still swollen with tears, he and his children had taken care of you, and it was because of him that you had met Kieran. 

Two months after leaving Erebor, you had been helping Bard train recruits for Dale’s army. Most of the men disliked being trained by a girl, but one had taken your advice and training exactly as he would a man’s. He had grown skilled, and after striking up a friendship had asked to court you. You had said yes, even though you weren’t over Thorin, but had quickly fallen head over heels in love. Kieran was perfect. He respected your fighting skills and didn’t mind your closeness to the king. He was sweet, kind, funny, and in his eyes every was perfect until proven otherwise. He always saw the best in people, never the worst. In other words, he was everything Thorin hadn’t been, and more. 

The two of you were married in a ceremony officiated by the King Bard six months after he had asked to court you, a year after leaving Erebor. Fili, Kili, and Balin had attended the ceremony, sneaking away from their royal duties for a day on the pretense of a diplomatic mission. You had kept your promise to write, and although the news of you finding someone else was hard for the two princes, they were happy your heart had started to heal. You had gotten pregnant two months later, news which was received with joy from everyone who heard. Upon reading your letter announcing the news that Fili decided to show him in the middle of a council meeting (later recognized as an extremely bad decision), Kili had let out a whoop of joy, looking guilty when everyone looked at him and promptly throwing the letter into the fire. You had laughed uproariously upon hearing this story from Fili the next time he made it to Dale. The day that Otto was born, your heart healed more. You still remembered the pain you had felt leaving Erebor, of feeling like you did not matter, but it was better now. You had been able to keep in touch with most of the company, all who had been to visit at some point after his birth. You didn’t know if Thorin knew you had moved on or had a child, but you were getting to the point where you could forgive him, just a little, for the past. 

Swinging your hand entwined with Kieran’s, you made your way through the market, stopping at all your favorite stalls to chat and pick out baking ingredients. Noticing Sigrid, Bard’s eldest daughter, picking up honey, you talked while inspecting the jars. 

“Da’s been taking half a jar to put in his tea, lately. I think he’s craving sugar.”

“More than usual?”

You laughed at Kieran’s comment. “Tell him we’re making honey scones tonight. I’ll bring some up later.”

“He’ll appreciate that, although hopefully, Bain doesn’t eat them all first like he did last time!” 

“I wanna eat all the scones with Bain!” Otto was feeling left out from his perch.

“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to have the company.” Sigrid giggled at him, passing a flower up to him before waving goodbye.

“She’s a good kid.” Kieran looked after her fondly.

“We’re not that much older than she is!” You pointed this out as you brushed flower petals out of his hair, Otto looking sad as his work was undone. 

“Now c’mon. We still need to buy more flour, especially if we’re making scones for Bard!” 

You set off again, laughing with your family as you wound through the market. You were in the middle of the artisanal section when a hush fell, the sea of people parting as something made its way through. You kept moving forward, pushing people aside to see what was happening, until you came face to face with Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain.

“Y/N.” He was the first to acknowledge you, looking as if it pained him to do so.

“Thorin.” There were gasps at your familiarity, but you didn’t care. You promptly turned around, grabbing your husband’s hand and dragging him, a silent Otto clinging to his shoulders, away. 

You didn’t look back this time, either.

“You didn’t tell me she had a child!” 

Thorin was back in Erebor, pacing around his chambers as Balin watched. He had been unable to think properly after seeing you in the market, and Fili and Balin had decided that the best course of action, or at least the one least likely to cause a diplomatic incident, was to reschedule the meeting with Bard and bring him back to the Lonely Mountain.

“You never asked.” Balin had resigned himself to having a hard conversation the minute he saw you in the market, he just didn’t know what exactly that conversation would be like. They had managed to keep the two of you apart for the last five years, but it was bound to happen sometime.

“But...she has a child.” Thorin was devastated. 

He had found out that you had kept in touch with the company six months after you left, coming across Kili reading a letter from you in the library. The fact that Kili was in the library in the first place was suspicious enough, and his doubts had been confirmed when he snuck up behind his nephew and read the letter over his shoulder. 

His gasp of, “She’s courting someone,” had been loud enough to startle half the library. Kili had jumped and tried to hide the parchment, but Thorin had simply crashed down into the chair, head in his hands. 

After taking several deep breaths, all the king said was, “She’s moved on. I have to as well,” before rising and brushing himself off, as if to brush the memories of you away. He had seemed fine, but Fili had heard the muttering coming from his room that night, of loss and grief and mistakes. 

After that, they had been much better at hiding their correspondence. The brothers had only decided to tell him about your life one more time, a year after you left, saying you had been married. He had taken that news well, it seemed, but Kili had heard the broken sobs coming from the king’s chambers late that night. 

“She cannot be happy with that- that man!” Now, Thorin seemed to be taking this news hardest of all.

“She is, lad. We’ve all seen her with them. They’re a family.” Balin was trying to calm him down, but it just wasn’t working.

“But, she’d be happier here. With me!” He was pacing the room now, raking his hands through his hair in greater distress.

“Thorin,” Balin grabbed him, stopping him so that the two were face to face, “you still love her.” 

The king staggered back, falling onto his bed. His head was in his hands again, almost mirroring how he had looked with Kili four years ago. 

“Lad?”

“Leave.” 

The one word was whispered, quieter than Balin had ever heard his king. He left, closing the door and signaling to the guard outside that the king was not to be disturbed.

The next morning, Thorin walked out of his rooms with an air of purpose about him. He was wearing an old cloak, to not be recognized as the king. Fili and Kili still managed to notice the distinct gait of their uncle and stopped him in the halls right near the gate. 

“Where are you going?” Kili looked concerned.

“Balin was right last night. I am still in love with Y/N, so I’m going to bring her back.” 

The identical looks of shock on his nephew’s face would have been hilarious in other circumstances.

“You’re still in love with Y/N?!” 

“Keep up, Kili!” Fili smacked his brother before continuing. 

“Uncle, I hate to say this, but remember how she looked at you yesterday? I don’t think she’ll be happy to see you.” 

Kili nodded at his brother’s words. “Besides, you’re the king. How are you going to convince the council when you failed five years ago?” 

Thorin looked a little surprised at that, as if he hadn’t quite thought that far ahead, but shook it off. “She will be happy to see me this time. I’m going to Dale.”

“Uncle, no!” Kili tried to block his way, but Thorin shoved past him, disappearing quickly.

“Follow him to Dale, I’ll tell Balin and the rest of the company.” Fili brushed his brother off and turned to go back to the royal wing as Kili disappeared after their uncle. 

You were making your way through the twisting streets of Dale, delivering scones to friends as you went. You had stopped at the market to give some to the honey-vendor, who always appreciated them, before turning back the direction you came. You stopped back home to pick up the basket you had made for Bard, walking in on Kieran and Otto stuffing their faces with scones and looking incredibly guilty, before continuing the walk up the hill. You were ushered in by Hakon, as usual (Bard didn’t like keeping servants, he said it made him feel “stuffy,” but a king was afforded certain privileges), and you gave him a grateful smile as he took your heavy scarf to hang up. 

“I have scones!” You entered Bard’s office, plopping the basket on his desk from which he immediately grabbed one. 

“Delicious.” 

You smiled at his praise, laughing as Bain burst through the doorway behind you.

“Did I hear scones?” He quickly dove for the basket, grabbing two.

“One for each hand!” He tried to justify this before shrugging and taking a bite, giving you a thumbs up.  

“I’ve got to go home, make sure Kieran and Otto aren’t in a food coma, but I’m glad you like them!” 

The king and his son nodded at you, waving goodbye as their mouths were still stuffed with a scone.

“And save some for the girls!” You left with that, laughing at their sad faces. 

It was pleasant out, the sort of fall day you looked forward to, so you decided that Kieran and Otto could spare you for a little while, just long enough for you to take a walk on the walls of the city. 

The view of the mountain was gorgeous from here. When you had first left, you had spent hours staring, wondering if you had made a mistake by leaving. Now, you just liked to appreciate the view.

“Want to come back?”     

You jumped, spinning to see Thorin standing behind you. You hadn’t really paused to look at him the day before, but now you noticed he looked different. Not bad, but it didn’t look as if he’d found happiness the way you had.

He stepped forward. “Y/N. I’ve come to ask you to rejoin me in the mountain.”

Your jaw dropped. “What? Do you want me to move in with my family? That seems like a bad idea.”

“No, Y/N,” he took your hand and you were too surprised to remove it from his grasp, “I want you to be my queen.”

You laughed and jerked your hand away. It wasn’t a sound of amusement, no. It sounded empty.

Hollow. 

“We saw how well that went last time.” 

“No, Y/N. This time I mean it. Come to Erebor.”

“I’m happy here, Thorin. I have a husband and a child.”

“Your child can come too, and I’m sure I can do much better for you than that man!”

Your cheeks reddened with anger as you balled up your fists, trying to restrain yourself. “I’m happy here, Thorin! I don’t need you to take me to Erebor when I have everything I could possibly want already!”

He looked as if you had physically hit him.

“Y/N, you deserve more than this, though! The council won’t be any trouble this time.”

“And you think you’re the one who can give me what I deserve?” You laughed again, the hollow sound caught by the wind.

“No, dwarf. I have everything I deserve right here and I’m not going to let you ruin it. This is my happiness, and I will be damned if I let you take that away!”

“Y/N-”

“No. I wasn’t worth fighting for then, I know I won’t be worth it now.”

“But I love you, Y/N.”

“And I loved you, once. But you’re too late.”

He watched as you walked away for the third time, knowing that this was the last.

You didn’t look back.

Kieran knew something was wrong the minute you walked through the door. 

“Otto, say bye-bye to Mama and get ready to go with Sigrid!” He strode over to you and hugged you quickly before pulling away. 

“Sigrid’s going to take Otto for a few hours.” 

“Thank you, Sigrid.” You mustered a smile for her as she tugged her boots back on. 

“Of course! C’mon Otto, Bain’s waiting!” She giggled as the child trotted out of his room, looking squishy and adorable in his winter clothes.

He ran over to you and you bent down and hugged him. 

“I love you, Mama!” 

You kissed his forehead before ushering him to Kieran, who got the same treatment before Otto trotted over to Sigrid and grabbed her hand. 

“Bye Y/N! Bye Kieran!” You lifted a hand in farewell as they left, waiting for the door to close behind them before collapsing into Kieran’s arms.

He immediately started to murmur to you, whispering reassurances in your ear as he guided you to sit next to him. He waited for your sobs to fade before speaking.

“What happened?”

“I went for a- a walk on the walls and I ran into Th- Thorin,” you choked out, voice breaking when you said his name.

You could see Kieran’s face soften in understanding. 

“Did he harm you?”

You shook your head. “He wanted me to marry him. He…” you hesitated as you saw Kieran’s eyes spark with anger, but continued. 

“He said you weren’t good enough for me. I told him you were better than I deserved.”

His eyes lightened again and he pressed a kiss to your cheek. 

“Do you need to talk it out?” That was one of the things you loved about Kieran, he didn’t offer solutions or try to fix all your problems, he just listened. He knew that when you had an issue, you just wanted someone to talk to, not to come up with ideas but just to support you.

You nodded. “I just, I felt so bad for him. And I know I shouldn’t, but he just seems so lonely.”

“Do you want to go back? He’s right, you deserve more than me.” 

Your head snapped up. “No! Kieran, why would you think that? I’m happy here. I have the perfect husband and a wonderful child, and I wouldn’t trade any of that for the world.”

He still looked doubtful. 

“Kieran, he broke my heart five years ago, and yes, I was in love with him then, but you picked up the broken pieces and helped me heal. I’d never leave you.” 

You kissed him on the lips this time, trying to convey just how much he meant to you. “I love you,” you whispered, pulling away. 

“I love you too.” He pulled you back in for another kiss. When you broke apart you lay your head on his chest as he moved to lay down. 

“Let’s take advantage of the extra rest before Otto gets back.”

You laughed at him and felt the rumble of his chest as his breaths deepened, watching him fall asleep. As you faded into unconsciousness, you couldn’t help but think that after all you’d been through, you were so unbelievably lucky to have found Kieran. 

Thorin had never understood what people meant when they called Erebor The Lonely Mountain. Now, walking up to the gates alone, he got it. Something was missing, something that he’d never noticed before but now felt the absence of more keenly than ever. He couldn’t believe that he had failed to win you back. He hadn’t realized just how much he had hurt you five years ago, but the pain in your eyes had made it very clear. 

“I’m sorry, Uncle.” Kili appeared next to him as he walked up to the gates. 

Thorin ignored him, ignored the salutes and waves he got from his subjects as he made a beeline for his rooms, Kili dashing around in his wake to fix the wounded pride of every dwarf he ignored. 

Once Thorin made it to his rooms he locked the door behind him, taking slight delight even through his misery at the thump meaning Kili had crashed into it, before collapsing in his chair. 

He still was in shock. No, not shock, he was devastated. It had never occurred to him that you would be happy in Dale, wouldn’t want to rule a kingdom. He had thought that he wasn’t in love with you for the better part of five years, and once he realized he still was he hadn’t thought you wouldn’t feel the same. 

A knock sounded at the door. “Please let us in, Uncle.”

Thorin sighed and went to undo the bolts. 

Fili and Kili entered, both looking much more subdued than usual. Fili took in how Thorin’s coat was thrown on the floor, his boots tossed haphazardly in each direction and sighed. 

“What do you need?” Despite knowing how Thorin had hurt you, Kili couldn’t help but feel bad for his uncle. He had never seen Thorin like this. He looked broken. 

“I need to be alone.”

His nephews nodded, actually obeying him for once, and slipped out the door. 

Thorin was again left alone with his thoughts. Somehow, he had realized that you had been his One. That was why he had said out to make things better. But he had failed. He had lost his One, the only person who he could ever love didn’t love him back. 

Thorin buried his head in his hands, letting out a broken sob. For the fourth time in his life, he had failed. He was too late. 

Everything tag <3: @entishramblings @itgetsatadhazy @anjhope1 @boyruins

Thorin tag <3: @lathalea

[eddysocs]

Primo Porno (Henry Desmond x Kip Wilson x OC)

Summary: Kip brings home a dirty video and tries to get Dawn and Henry on board, but they have other plans.

Word Count: 1,019

Warnings: Soft smut, threesome, porn video mentions

Kip came bursting through the door of their shared apartment, brandishing a VHS tape. Still dressed as Buffy, his wig was askew, his dress falling off one shoulder, and his left shoe was practically falling off his foot. He was truly a piece of work looking like he was. He stood there panting for a moment, sweat forming at his brow, undoubtedly from racing up here.

"Calm down, Lassie. What is it, girl," Henry deadpanned, causing Dawn to laugh. Kip ripped off his wig with his free hand to cool himself off, and took a couple of extra seconds to catch his breath.

Kip didn’t even try to mock Henry for the lame joke, he was so excited. "I just got us some primo adult entertainment," Kip alluded. Both Henry and Dawn shifted their gaze from Kip to the tape in his hand, piecing it all together.

"You didn’t," Henry accused.

"Kip, isn’t that a little…seedy," Dawn questioned.

"Nah, I mean sure, some is in poor taste, but this is the good stuff. Wanna watch it?" He really was like a dog with a bone over this, and even under the circumstances, Henry found it all a bit amusing. Dawn, however, was a bit more skeptical.

"I assume that is why you bought it," Henry quipped as Kip put his wig in the closet. Kip then made a childish face, sticking his tongue out at Henry as he went over to put the tape in their brand new player. For better or worse, they decided to go along with him, at least for a while.

It started off tame enough. The acting wasn’t stellar, but after having watched a couple of B movies recently, they couldn’t fault it as being all that bad either. The girl was a tall redhead, busty with a small waist, absolute perfection for this kind of role, though personally, she didn’t do anything for Dawn nor Henry. Kip could get excited at a piece of paper if they drew a pair of boobs on it.

The male co-star wasn’t all that much to write home about either. He was fit enough, but too tan, and his oiled up body was unrealistic for coming over to fix a leaky pipe. Not that X-rated movies were meant to be realistic, but still. Trying to ignore what they deemed its obvious flaws, Henry and Dawn patiently awaited things to start heating up, and when they did, they were even less impressed than before. Kip was eating it all up, but Henry wasn’t really feeling it and Dawn had had enough. When it got really graphic, she left the room, locking herself in the bathroom.

Henry noticed her escape immediately. Kip, still engrossed in the tawdry film, had to be elbowed in the side before he realized that Dawn was no longer on the couch with them. "Where’d she go?"

"Bathroom. I really don’t think she’s as into this as you are, Kip."

"You are though, right?" Henry shrugged. It wasn’t like he was disgusted, but it wasn’t doing its job of turning him on either. He much preferred just being with the two of them, no outside stimulation needed.

Kip shut the movie off and went over to the bathroom door. "Dawn? Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," came the muffled response through the door.

"Come out and sit with us," Kip invited. "I turned it off." Kip heard the knob turn and Dawn stepped out. She walked back to the couch and plopped herself on the middle cushion next to Henry. Kip sat on her left.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t into it. It was okay for a while and then I just started comparing myself to that woman and thinking that’s what you wanted from me and I couldn’t take it anymore, Kip."

Kip was shocked. He hadn’t realized it would have that much of an impact on Dawn. "No, I’m sorry. I should have asked. You know I don’t want you any other way than the way you are."

"Neither of us do," Henry supplied. "And to be honest, it wasn’t doing much for me either. I like it when it’s just us."

"I do too," Kip confessed. "I just thought I could spice it up a little. Guess I was wrong."

Dawn shook her head. "You weren’t wrong to try and spice things up," she began.

"Only the way you went about it was wrong," Henry cut in, causing the three of them to laugh, lightening the heavy mood.

"All you really needed to do was ask us how we could spice it up. This…wasn’t it. And that’s okay."

"I’m actually kind of turned on by you still sitting here in that dress," Henry said.

Kip looked down at himself, having completely forgotten he was still wearing the bright pink frock. "You serious?"

"I like it too," Dawn added. "Maybe you can let us help you get the makeup off." To demonstrate what she meant, Dawn leaned over and kissed Kip, transferring some of the light pink gloss on his lips over to hers. Henry was next, taking another layer of pink away from Kip's mouth. And soon they weren’t thinking of the makeup anymore. Or the dirty movie. Just each other.

Clothes finally came off, piling up on the floor beneath them. Fingers trailed over bare skin, causing tickles and laughter, the three of them now fully enjoying one another, their previous worries forgotten. Their moans and sighs mixed together and the teasing never stopped.

Despite a couple awkward positions, they never left the couch when they made love this time, figuring it as good of a place as any in their small apartment. And they remained there after for a time, a mess of tangled limbs, skin pink and sheened with a fine layer of sweat. Dawn rested her head on one side of Kip's chest and Henry rested his on the other. Kip didn’t know what he’d been thinking. Nothing could have improved upon this. This was really primo, and no amount of porn could even come close.

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @borg-queer, @foxesandmagic, @connietheecunning, @chickensarentcheap

Dawn Martin: @dancingwith-sunflowers, @smutember

[unoficialy-married-to-ace-austin]

5 Nights Of Christmas

Summary- Drew doesn’t like Christmas, and he gives you 5 nights to convince him how great it is.

Prompt- What do you mean you don’t like Christmas?!

AN- For @writtingrose

"Guess who!" I heard as two hands covered my eyes. I simply rolled my eyes, shaking my head a bit.

"Really Alexa?"

"Wait! How did you know it was me?" She asked walking around to be in front of me, her arms crossed over her body.

"Your the only girl on the brand who actually likes me." I said shrugging. I had gotten the job as a makeup and hair artist for wwe, and didn't really talk to the wrestlers all that much. All though a few had been kind, Alexa had even tried to take me out to hang out with some of the other girls as well, but it never worked out.

"I can't be the only one Y/n."

"You know your are Lexie. Besides, I don't really need to get to know anyone anyways." I said once again shrugging. "All though while your here you want me to get started on your make up?" I asked motioning to the seat for superstars when I'm working.

"I suppose," she said jumping up into the seat with the smallest bit of trouble due to her height. As I got started we talked quietly.

"Hey lassies." I heard a deep voice say from behind me. I turned a smile coming to my face when I saw one of my best friends Drew McIntyre. I actually had met drew before I came to wwe, and had only gotten closer since then.

"Hey Drew." We both said as I turned back to keep working.

"What are you two doing?" He asked leaning on the vanity, reaching down to grab a bottle of concealer.

"Just chatting while I get her ready for tv tonight." I explained.

"Are you guys going to the Christmas party this year?" Alexa asked.

"No, Christmas has never been my thing." I stoped what I was doing and turned slowly towards Drew, my eyebrows frowned.

"Did you just say you don't like Christmas?" I asked surprised as he nodded.

"Who would like a holiday about materialistic things. Plus I don't really get to go home for Christmas, especially this year." That last part was true. We had Smackdown the day after Christmas, so most people ether were celebrating with there family on a different day, of flying out for one night.

"Ya but, Christmas is like the greatest holiday ever! There are so many amazing things to do around that time of year!" I said still surprised.

"Think what you want lassie, but I'm going to be spending Christmas in my hotel room with some beer."

"We have Smackdown tonight, and then nothing until next week right?" I said making drew nod. "Well, what if I show you how great Christmas can be? If you still don't like it, I'll never mention Christmas again." I offered. Drew chuckled but nodded.

"Fine, you have 5 days to convince me Christmas is the great thing it is. And hey, if you do I'll even go to the party." He said sticking his hand out for me to shake.

———————————

Day 1

"Where are we going?" Drew asked, a blind fold on as he sat in the passenger lap seat of my rental car.

"I told you you would see." I said as I drove.

"I hope you know that if your waking me up everyday like this I will not be liking Christmas." He mumbled.

"If we get there early no one else will be there."

"Ya, because they are all still asleep!" He said throwing his arms up making me laugh.

"Ok! No more early mornings, however, I can't promise no late nights."

"How late is late?"

"We're here!"

"Y/f/n! Answer me!" I shut the car off and quickly got out running to drew side to help him out since he still had the blindfold on. "Tada!" I said pulling it off. In front of us was a large skating rink in the middle of the small town that was outside where the show was. There were little shops all around us, and Christmas music playing.

"You woke me up early and drive for an hour just to take me skating?" He asked an eyebrow raised.

"This is an essential part of Christmas!" I said grabbing his hand to drag him over to where we could rent skates. I quickly got mine on and was out on the ice before Drew.

I pushed myself forward slowly, but gaining speed as I went. I stoped to look over at drew who was on the side with a death grip on the wall.

"Need some help?!" I called out as I skated over. He looked at me his eyes wide, as he tried to pull himself into a standing position.

"How do yo do that!"

"It's all about balance. Give me your hand." I said putting mine out. He looked suspicious but reached out and took it, keeping the other tightly on the wall. "Ok, now push yourself forward a bit using your feet." I explained. He moved slowly, with my supporting some of his weight, but soon he got the hang of it.

"See, isn't this fun?" I asked as we skated hand in hand around the rink.

"It's ok, but I'm still not convinced.

————————————————

Day 2

"Really! Shopping?" Drew asked as we walked through the mall.

"Come on! Getting gifts for everyone is a main part of Christmas. Plus you never hear Christmas music played like this any other time of the year."

"I'm pretty sure that's why it's called Christmas music love." He said chuckling causing me to slap him lightly. "Besides the shopping thing goes back to the whole materialistic part of it."

I rolled my eyes at him before turning a corner. "Fine, I really just have some things to do and I hate shopping alone." I asked. "Now come on, I need to check on a gift I'm getting for my Lexie." I said.

We ended up in a jewelry store waiting for the person working the desk to get my order. I wandered over and saw Drew looking at pocket watches. "I didn't know you liked that kinda thing."

"Oh! Um, ya. When a nice one catches my eye I do." He said smiling a bit.

"Witch one were you looking at?"

"This one right here." He said pointing to a silver one.

"It's nice." I said nodding.

"Y/n?" I turned to see the lady back and ran back over. She showed me the bracelet o had made for Lexie and paid for it.

"Ready?" Drew asked as we walked away.

"I need to get a dress for the party this week." I said pointing to a small dress store. He nodded and followed me in looking at that outfits as I grabbed a few dresses I liked.

"I'm going to try these on." I said not waiting for an answer before walking away. I tried on a few before I found on I liked. It was a teal blue, and was floor length. It was sleeveless and had a white fuzz on the collar and on the bottom.

"Hey drew! Can I get your opinion on this dress?"

"Sure. Come on out."

I walked out, holding up a bit of the dress and stoped for him to see. His mouth was open a bit as he looked the dress up and down. "H-how do you feel about it?" He asked bitting his lip a bit.

"I really like it, but I don't always have the best taste. Plus I wanted to know how someone else thought it looked." I explained.

"If you like it go for it lassie, but it looks amazing." He confirmed making me smile.

"Thanks!"

"So.... did you have fun?" I asked as we walked out of the mall, my arms full of bags, and drew even carrying a few.

"Did I enjoy being dragged around a mall for hours? Let's just say that's a point lost."

——————————————————

Day 3

I stood up from where I was sitting when I heard a knock at the hotel door. "Coming!" I called. I rushed over and opened it to see Drew standing there.

"So what are we doing tonight since it's almost 9 and you asked what kind of wine I like?" He asked smirking a bit.

"Come see for yourself." I said stepping out of his way so he could come in. I shut the door and before I could even turn around I heard him again.

"Really?"

"Really what?" I asked skipping into the room all the way. He was standing looking at the Christmas tree I had gotten, along with ornaments and and a bottle of wine.

"You bought a Christmas Tree?"

"An essential part of Christmas." I said nodding as seriously as I could. "Plus I figured you wouldn't leave if you had alcohol." Is said motioning to the bottle. He chuckled shaking his head, and for a moment I thought he was going to leave, but instead asked over and picked the bottle up.

"Let's get started." I smiled smiling over and handing him to glasses before I opened one of the packs of ornaments. "One question, what do you plan to do with this tree when we leave?" Drew asked handing me one of the glasses.

"I'll take it to goodwill or something." I said shrugging. "I thought it would be fun to do."

A few hours, a couple of boxes of ornaments, and almost a full bottle of wine later the tree was decorated. "Ok, and last we need to put the star on. You'll have to, I'm to short." I explained holding the star out to him. He looked at me, not taking the star, but he did pull me to him, causing me to cry out in surprise.

"Calm down." He whispered, his accent a bit stronger now that he was intoxicated. He spun me around and put his hands on my hips gripping lightly. He then raised me off the ground so I could reach the top of the tree. I smiled as I got the star firmly on the tree looking down at Drew.

"Done!" He brought me back down, and when I turned he was a lot closer then I thought he would be.

"You know what y/n? I'll give you this, this is a point to you."

———————————————

Day 4

"Really, all we're doing is eating Christmas cookies?" Drew asked as we walked into a small bakery.

"Yes really. First off, cookies are always necessary. Secondly, Christmas cookies are the single greatest kind of cookie you can get." I stated. We walked up to the corner where you could see all the different cookies. There were gingerbread cookies of all sizes, and lots of sugar cookies with different designs.

"How can I help you today?" The lady working at the counter asked us smiling.

"Well, we need two hot chocolates and I will take a Santa sugar cookie." I then looked at drew letting him know he could order his cookie.

"Um.... just, a gingerbread cookie." He said pointing to one of the gingerbread men. She nodded and began to start the hot chocolate and grave the cookies. While she did that I reached for my wallet but drew stoped me. "Let me pay lassie. You've paid for everything else this week." He said grabbing his own wallet.

"Oh, thanks." I said smiling a bit as the women walked back over, setting the two cups down as well as a bag that had the cookies in it.

"That will be $27.46." She said to drew who handed over his card to pay. Once he had his card back I took the cookies and my cup, while he grabbed his and we left.

"Lest go to the park." I suggest, looking over at him.

"Your the boss." He said a smile on his face making me smile too. We found a bench and sat down. I set my drink on the ground and pulled out the cookies handing him his. We sat eating a for a few before he turned to me.

"Ok fine, this is amazing." He said making me laugh.

"Told you."

"Shut up.

———————————————

Day 5 Final day.

"Ready?" I asked looking over at Drew as who was putting a hat on. We both were bundled up tightly, ready for a cold night.

"I guess. What are we doin love?" I smiled a bit at the nickname. He had only started calling me that this week.

"You'll see, but you will be glade you bundled up." I confirmed. We walked to the elevator, and when we got downstairs my eyes settled on a group of people waiting outside. "That is where we are going." I said pointing.

Drew eyed me, but said nothing as we walked over. Just as we got there a large trailer pulled up. It was set up so you could sit in the back, completely open so you could see all around you.

"It's a tour of the town's Christmas lights." I said looking at Drew. "Apparently there really into Christmas lights here, so I figured it would be fun."

"Well, I hope your right love." He said as we walked up to where we get on. I pulled out the two tickets I had gotten earlier in the day and handed them over.

"You too have a marry Christmas." The person said as we got on.

"Lest sit in the back" drew said pointing to the vary back right corner.

"Ok." I said both of us walking back.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we ask that you stay seated the entire time. Be considerate of other riders, and please no pictures." The person who took our tickets said into a microphone.

"Why can't we take pictures?" One women yelled out.

"Just for the privacy of the family's who live in the homes." They said.

As the drove, they person talked a bit more, but I was basically ignoring them the entire time. Me and Drew were pointing out different designs we liked. At some point I ended up on the window seat, leaning back against Drew who had his arms wrapped around me.

"Aww! Look at that one." I said pointing to one that had Santa on the roof. Drew shifted a bit, his hands moving, and they brushed against my coat pocket.

"What's that?" He asked feeling the box that was in there. I blushed slightly sitting up.

"Oh! I almost forgot about that! I got you a gift." I said pulling it out and holding it out for him.

"Y/n, you really didn't have to-"

"I know. But I wanted to." I said pushing it into his hands. He lifted the lid off and gasped a bit at what he saw.

"The pocket watch from the mall?" He asked sounding surprised.

"You were eyeing it the entire time, so I went and got it for you." I said smiling.

"Well, I guess I might as well say that I have a gift for you as well." He did a smirk on his face.

"Really? Wha-"

But I was cut off as he pulled me into a kiss. His lips were chapped from the cold, and his hand was freezing on my check, but he tasted like whiskey. He pulled away looking down at me, a slight blush on his face. "I've wanted to do that for a while."

"R-really?"

"Ya, why else would I spend a week doing activities for a Holliday I don't like?" He joked but my face fell.

"You still don't like Christmas?"

His smile dropped when he saw my disappointment. "I’ll like it if I can spend it with you.” “Deal”

[blessed-but-distressed]

#FindEmmaSwanAFriend

Feeling left behind by her more successful, settled friends, Emma Swan moves to Scotland on a whim. Sure, she’s winning at Instagram, but something is still missing from her new life. Fortunately, her friends back home are on it. #FindEmmaSwanAFriend goes viral. Enter Killian Jones, reluctant columnist, who is on the hunt for his newest subject, and may just have found her. CS AU

***

also on ff.net and ao3

***

Tagging: @katie-dub , @wholockgal , @kat2609 , @whovianlunatic, @optomisticgirl, @ladyciaramiggles, @the-lady-of-misthaven, @emmaswanchoosesyou, @ilovemesomekillianjones, @biancaros3, @cigarettes-and-scotch-whisky, @ms-babs-gordon  @ab-normality, @andiirivera, @fangirl-till-it-hurts, @onceuponaprincessworld , @natascha-remi-ronin, @kiwistreetswan and whoever else asks me.

***

A/N: Part 2 of 2. Surprise, bitch. Bet you thought you’d seen the last of me!

***

Killian

How do you feel about improv? ES

Trepidatious. KJ

What if I told you some random just gave me last minute tickets to a Jane Austen inspired improv drag show, and I have a spare? ES

Curiosity alone compels me to say yes. Pleasance? KJ

George Square. ES

Thank fuck. I forgot my umbrella. KJ

If Killian had any sense, he'd approach the month of August the same way Robin did every year. Which mostly amounted to renting his house out to a troupe of Hungarian acrobats for extortionate sums of money and taking off for the south of France, thus avoiding the whole sorry spectacle.

A privilege reserved for those not living out of their older brother's spare room. Nor stuck writing Fringe reviews for his ailing periodical.

He thought his latest was his best yet.

Do you value your time? Your money? Your life? Then walk, don't run, as far from this act as you can. No one this incompetent should be wielding chainsaws, let alone juggling them. I may have been the only one-handed man at the preview, but with this shambolic spectacle set to run for the rest of the week, I expect I won't be the last. 0 stars.

Liam had accused him of being deliberately cruel, but he hadn't seen the show firsthand. The phrase 'culpable and reckless conduct' came to mind. His review went up online, unchallenged.

To his great surprise, his favourite show so far had been the improv show Emma had dragged him along to. It had all the subtle snark and invariable romance of Austen's classic novels, with the added benefit of Emma nearly passing out from laughing so hard. That alone would have justified his five star review, but the cherry on the cake had been when the man dressed as the elderley Dowager had picked August out from the crowd, and made him part of the act.

Killian generally condemned the casual cruelty of audience participation. Indeed, he lived in constant fear of it at every show he reviewed. But when it came for a certain novelist, he found his views on the matter suddenly rather... fluid.

Try as he might, he couldn't see what Emma saw in the man. What hidden virtues he possessed that had provoked such a ferocious loyalty. Killian wasn't stupid enough to voice such thoughts, of course, but that hadn't stopped him trying to figure it out.

The opportunity to continue this study was surely the only reason he'd opened an unsolicited DM from the man himself, when he should have been watching a Swedish comedy troupe send up classic films in a series of skits.

We have a mutual friend in need. How's your schedule looking uhhh… now?

Killian looked back to the stage. He couldn't be sure, but he thought the red streamers might signify blood. They were either up to Carrie or Jaws.

Trouble? Killian typed back.

Emma. The next message read.

We're in a bar in Leith and things have gotten a little… messy.

Killian checked the time. Barely past one in the afternoon. And fucking Leith? That didn't bode well. But at the same time, his review of the show was supposed to be online within the hour.

With a growing sense of unease, he typed out his reply. Which pub?

***

Stepping into The Marksman on Duke Street was not unlike stepping back in time. More precisely, to somewhere smack dab in middle of the Thatcher era, when Leith was a byword for deprivation and whatever comes after heroin chic. It was charmless, grimy and depressing, and Killian might've never understood the appeal until he caught the sign in the window. It opened at 6am.

Trying to avoid the abject stares of the locals, Killian found his quarry sat at the end of the bar on mismatching stools. Emma slumped forward, her face hidden, but August turned around swiftly at his approach, the alarm in his eyes quickly giving way to recognition.

"Oh thank god." August swept off his barstool, his relief so palpable that Killian thought he might hug him. He didn't look well. Thoroughly debauched, if one might say so, and in desperate need of a bath.

"Nice place," Killian remarked drily. "A bit off the beaten path…"

August pinched the bridge of his nose, looking weary. Or… wearier. "It's been a long night. And morning." He glanced back to where Emma sat propped by the bar, apparently still completely unaware of his absence, and drew closer, his voice lowering.

"You know that Graham guy?"

Killian couldn't explain it, but something inside his chest caught. Like flint striking steel. "Aye," he growled, not liking where this was headed.

"Married," August supplied, without preamble. "She didn't know. No one knew. She ran into them holding hands in the Tron. Matching wedding bands. The whole bit. So she threw her beer in his face and called it a day, right? But this morning, no, yesterday morning, the wife showed up. At the apartment. Emma's apartment."

Killian's fist clenched by his side.

"Yeeaah. It got pretty heated. Long story short, it's been a day and a half. I don't even remember how we got here. I'm not sure I even know exactly where here is. I have to be on a train at 4 to King's Cross or my publisher is going to sue my ass. Now, I can trust you? To get her home safely? You look at her like you're half a drink away from belting out Jessie's Girl at any given moment. I didn't imagine that, did I?"

Of all the places to grudgingly admit his feelings, not least in confidence to this man he wasn't sure he even liked, The Marksman was not the venue he would have chosen. And yet.

"There's very little I wouldn't do for that woman."

He was caught by surprise when the man launched forward and kissed him on the cheek, more still when he went back for the other cheek. August grinned enormously, grasping Killian by the shoulders. "Welcome to the family! Please don't fuck it up." And then consulting his phone, "I really need to go."

August made short work of the rest of his goodbyes, pulling Emma into fierce hug from behind, whispering something into her ear as he let her go. Then, with a wink in Killian's direction and a kiss blown at the nearest crusty Leither, he picked up his messenger bag and fled onto the street.

Steeling himself after that prologue, Killian turned back to where Emma sat by the bar, unseeing reddened eyes peeking out from under a tangle of blonde hair. He pulled out August's vacated stool, and took a seat.

"Swan," he began, with an imaginary tip of his cap.

"Jones," she replied, her voice flatter than he'd ever heard it.

"Of all the gin joints…"

She grimaced. Though her frown was so pronounced already, it didn't make much of a change. "We don't talk about the gin."

"At least tell me it was the good stuff."

She tried to smile, but the action seemed to cause her pain. "Don't do that. Don't be nice to me right now."

"Why not? You're not the villain in this story."

A small noise escaped her, half laugh, half sob. "Sure feels like it."

"No, that's the supermarket gin talking. We've talked about this. Nothing good ever came from a clear spirit at 35p a measure."

She sank further forward in her seat, her forehead resting against the bar top. "Don't be cute. Please just leave me alone to die," she mumbled.

He couldn't resist tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, making sure she could see him. "I'm not going to do that. I have a duty of care."

"Why? Because you'd have to find someone else to write a column about?"

"No," he replied levelly. "Because you're my best friend."

That had her lifting her head off the bar, albeit wincing as she did so. "I thought Robin was your best friend?"

He tapped his chin. "No, it's definitely you."

She considered that. Though how much of her internal brain processes had survived the pickling process over the last 24 hours, Killian couldn't be certain.

Of course, it was at that moment their bartender appeared, a middle aged woman with an ill-fitting polo shirt and bright green acrylic nails she drummed against the bar top. "Another top up, hen?" She didn't even glance at Killian.

He put his hand over Emma's glass. "Actually, I'm afraid we're on our way out."

Their server didn't much like that, a hand finding her hip. "Well that's up for the lass to decide, no?"

"It's okay, Tracy," Emma said, managing a consoling smile. "He's a friend. Are we all settled up?"

"We are." She gave Killian a cool once over. "Friend, you say? Mind you keep it that way. Looks like nothing but trouble to me. And you still raw after the last one. Liars and cheats, the lot of them."

Killian thought to take offence, but Emma already had him by the arm, pulling him off his stool. "Thanks, Tracy. Can you call me a cab?"

***

Getting her into the cab took some doing, not least because she had to pause twice to throw up in the gutter, and the first guy had driven off. Fair play to him. Thankfully by the time the second cab arrived Emma's stomach had settled, and she spent the drive curled harmlessly against Killian's side.

"Your lassie alright?" the cabbie asked, as Killian half lifted, half dragged her from the backseat out onto the gravel driveway. "You need a hand?"

It was a testament to how preoccupied he was that Killian didn't even stop to consider that might've been a crack about his prosthetic until Emma was already inside and passed out on his bed.

He texted Elsa first. A simple heads up.

There's an unconscious woman in the house. Don't freak out. KJ

It went about as well as you'd expect.

At least he had sisterly back up when he broke the news to Liam that he wasn't getting his review.

Needless to say, by the time Emma raised her groggy head from his pillow, the house was no longer silent, and it was no longer still. Elsa had insisted on rushing home, and boyish shrieks permeated the air, punctuated by the usual crashing and banging.

Killian sat in his one armchair, an ugly monstrosity of purple velvet which had been forbidden from the rest of the house, sipping his tea as she came awake. It took some time. One eyelid slithered open. Then the other. Never both at the same time.

"Do I want to know why someone is screaming in the next room?" Her voice was scratchy, and he motioned towards the glass of water by the bedside.

"Nephews," Killian said by way of explanation, as she crawled forward to grasp the glass in both hands, shaking with the effort.

She took a long draught, surveying her surroundings. He wondered how much she remembered from the last two days, if anything. If she even remembered his arrival at The Marksman, or August's leaving. She examined the ornate cornices, and floating beams. The collection of spent paperbacks stacked by the bed and the shabby, unmatched furniture.

"Your house. Your room?"

"My room," he confirmed. "We have guest rooms, but they're upstairs. And quite frankly, just getting you this far was nightmare enough. You're heavier than you look."

He earned a pillow to the face for that remark. It still smelled of her, which in her current state, wasn't much of a testimonial.

"Shower?" he ventured.

"Please," she said, rolling over until she could place both feet on the floor.

"Second door on the right. Elsa left some things out. Towels. Fancy shampoo. Paracetamol," he added with a waggle of his eyebrows. "Should be a set of clothes too."

She cringed. "Elsa knows I'm here?"

"Sorry. It's a new house rule of theirs. Radical honesty. Elsa knows you're having a rough time of it, and are convalescing. But that is the extent of her knowledge. Whether that remains the case, is entirely up to you."

"Right."

"Oh," he said, smacking his forehead. He scrabbled around on top of his dresser, before presenting her with a wooden triangle.

She took it automatically, seeming annoyed at herself for doing so. "Uh, thanks?"

"The bathroom door doesn't have a lock on it. Best wedge it under the door. Trust me when I say, you don't want Lachie walking in on you in the altogether. It's stressful for all involved."

"Good tip," she said, with a ghost of a smile.

She edged past him awkwardly to the door, her bare feet silent on the carpet. She'd already slipped into the hallway when her head appeared back around the door.

"Killian?"

"Aye?"

"I'm horrendously hungover so you probably can't tell, but I appreciate, uh…" she waved the wedge around vaguely. "All this."

"Swan?"

"Yeah?"

"I mean this in the nicest possible way, but please do shut up," he said with a wink. "Also, you're taking me out for pancakes after, so don't be too long."

Her eyes narrowed. "Oh, am I just?"

"You are indeed. Best thing for a gin hangover, in my limited experience. And it was very generous of you to offer."

"Very generous," she agreed, dubiously. "And Killian?

"Aye?"

"You're so full of shit. But... I do love pancakes. And one more thing?"

"Hmm?"

She kicked a toe into the carpet, eyes evasive. "You're sort of my best friend, too." Then she disappeared back behind the door, leaving Killian slack jawed.

***

He'd nearly finished two chapters of his book by the time Emma returned from her trip to the bathroom, shower soft and minty fresh.

"Better?" he asked, putting the novel aside.

"Much," she agreed. "Though full disclosure, I think I just used a $300 tube of lotion, and I kinda smell like a baby Porsche."

"The very best kind of Porsche," Killian assured her, offering her his prosthetic to take. "They're terrors once they hit the teenage years. Shall we?"

They crossed Bruntsfield Links just after sunset, the sky still streaked with pink and orange. He'd always loved summers in Scotland, that neverending twilight. It almost made shivering through six months of winter worthwhile. He was so busy admiring the scene, he nearly missed it when Emma detached herself from his arm, stopping in her tracks.

"Emma?"

She was standing entirely still, her eyes shut.

"Are you alright, love?"

Her eyes flickered open, almost surprised to see him still standing there. "Sorry, just… cataloguing."

"Cataloguing," Killian repeated, deadpan.

"Yeah, smartass," she said, walking forward to loop her arm under his again. "Cataloguing. Sometimes I forget, but this-" she indicated the kaleidoscope sky, the green-gold expanse of grass disappearing into the distant smudge that was Arthur's Seat, the group of laughing teenagers nearby trying to finish their mini golf game before they lost the light, "-Sometimes I still have to pinch myself."

She didn't elaborate, and Killian found himself oddly lost for words. He just reached over to squeeze her hand, and led her back towards the city lights.

For the time of year, they got lucky. The line was short, and it wasn't long before they were led to a red vinyl booth, complete with its very own mini jukebox. They both stared at it for a good minute before Emma fished a spare pound out of her pocket, and dropped it onto the table between them. "Your call. I'm going to the bathroom. Anything but Don't Stop Believin'."

Lord help him, but he thought he might love her.

He settled for a less foreboding tune, which morphed into another, then another, before he was fishing out his own coins to keep the party going. If he didn't know her any better, he might've thought she'd done a runner on him. Fortunately, he did know her better. Or at least, he was starting to.

She came back just in time for the guitar solo in The Chain, her I'm-bearing-up smile indicating she was doing nothing of the sort.

"Ruby texted," she explained, taking her seat opposite him. "About twenty times. She wouldn't stop until I FaceTimed her. I miss anything?"

"Just side one of Rumours. And your drink order." He indicated the glass of fizzy orange liquid in front of her.

She wrinkled her nose. "Fanta?"

"Irn-Bru. Best hangover cure there is."

She cast him a doubtful look.

"I'm serious. There's been studies."

"Oh well, if there's been studies." She slid the glass minutely closer, but didn't partake. Instead she watched as Killian lifted his own glass, and made a face.

He lowered his glass. "What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking about how I'm never drinking again. I didn't even know they served beer here."

"They do, but this is Dry Ginger."

She raised an eyebrow. "Ginger ale? You?"

Killian shrugged. "It's something I'm trying. Like a cleanse. But instead of drinking juice and doing yoga, I drink post-mix dry ginger and be less of a twat."

"Sobriety." Emma slapped her hand against the table. "I wish I'd thought of that. But I've barely seen you, when did you decide this?"

"Roughly…" he counted back the days, "43 days ago." When I thought I'd lost your friendship forever. But he didn't have to say it. From the look on her face, she already knew the significance.

"Huh." Emma sat back in her seat, absorbing that. But if she was planning on expanding on that thought, she was saved by the arrival of their waitress, who was all too eager to expound on the daily specials.

By the time they were alone again, Emma had cracked and was halfway through her Irn-Bru.

"I mean, it's not repellent…" she offered, by way of grudging approval.

"Trust me, it works." And then because he felt like they'd danced around it long enough, "So do you want to talk about it?"

She set down her glass, letting her fingers trace along the edge of the table top. "Nope. But somehow I feel like we're going to anyway."

"It was only about eight hours ago you wanted me to leave you to die in Leith's most depressing pub. I feel like it warrants at least a conversation."

She grimaced at the memory. Or perhaps where the memories ought to have been. It was hard for him to be sure.

"I fell in love with a married woman once. If you're worried about my judgement, you needn't be."

He wasn't quite sure where it had come from. This sudden urge to talk about Milah. But it was how they'd always operated, wasn't it? If he wanted Emma to take down her walls, he had to offer up a few bricks from his own. Well, this was more of a boulder, really, but at least he had her attention.

She snorted. "I wasn't in love with Graham."

"So what's the problem?"

"Because," she reasoned, tears springing into her eyes. "It's just so fucking mortifying. To be played for a fool, again. I thought I was smarter than that. I thought I could just, I don't know, flirt with a cute, intelligent guy and feel good about myself for five fucking seconds without it ending with his wife beating down my door demanding to know if I'd fucked her husband!"

She'd gotten a little loud towards the end there, with more than a few wary eyes glancing their way. Killian quickly stood up, and made his way over to her side of the booth, slipping in beside her. It was a tight fit, but it did succeed in sheltering her from most of the stares.

"Alright, so he's a tosser."

Another snort.

"Liam's bookie knows a guy. I could make a few calls?"

She shot him a sideways glance. "Don't tempt me right now. I just feel so stupid. But like, in an angry way."

"You're not stupid for being taken in by him. It's not a weakness to want to see the best in people, Emma. In fact, considering how many people in your life have disappointed you, myself included, I'd say it's pretty bloody brave."

Emma shook her head. "Is it though? I saw red flags. Even from the start he was kind of flaky. I wasn't even sure if I really liked him. It just appealed to my vanity, that he seemed to like me. So don't I deserve this? Just a little?"

"No." Killian wasn't sure where the vehemence came from, but he could feel it, welling up. "No, you don't deserve to be lied to, and dragged into the middle of someone else's messed up marriage without your knowledge or consent. No, you don't deserve being made to feel like the side-piece. You're not the side-piece. You're the heroine. And he's just a fucking wanker. What you deserve..." He looked up to see their server approaching the table, platters piled high with maple syrup topped goodness. He shot Emma a smile. "What you deserve, is pancakes."

***

It would've been remiss of him not to foot the bill, after his earlier declaration about her deserving pancakes, so there'd been a little bit of an argument about that as they wended their way down Clerk Street in the growing darkness. That Emma could argue about not paying for the pancakes he'd goaded her into in the first place, was a testament to the healing powers of Irn-Bru and a triple stack. No truly hungover person would have committed to such a futile battle.

But when they arrived at the beginning of her street, Emma stopped arguing and grabbed a hold of Killian's arm, pulling him up short.

She was shaking her hands out, like she was fighting off an attack of nerves, and Killian was instantly on the defensive. "Swan?"

She stopped when he said her name, plastering on what seemed to him a rather brittle smile. "Hey. Sorry. I'm just wondering, would you do me a favour?"

He had to chuckle at that. "Swan, if the last twelve hours have proven anything, it's that yes, I am available for favours. Unless of course they involve you paying me back for the pancakes. Because I'm afraid I'm rather immovable on that front."

"Great. So umm… Ruby has this theory."

"Ruby has a theory?" he repeated, hoping at some point, things would start making sense. "What manner of… theory?"

"Oh, god this is so stupid," she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm just going to say it. I'm just going to come right out and say it: I want you to kiss me."

Something very violent was happening inside Killian's chest, a feeling which was neither happiness, nor disappointment, but a crushing combination of the two. He felt hot and cold. He felt light-headed.

"You want-" he started.

Emma's eyes were screwed shut, as if bracing for a blow. Or in this case, the fallout. She already had regrets. And more than that, it had been Ruby's idea. But why would Ruby…?

Of course.

The best way to get over a man, was to get under a new one. Wasn't that the old adage?

It wasn't about him. It wasn't about them.

No, she'd been clear. I want you to kiss me. She'd chosen him. She trusted him to be the one to soothe her wounded pride. Maybe she'd hoped it would be him. Maybe he was just the most convenient option. In any case, the wondering would certainly kill him.

But not as much as going through with it.

He reached out and took her hand, waiting until she opened her eyes. By Christ, people weren't supposed to look so beautiful by yellow street light. It wasn't scientific. And yet.

"No."

Now it was her turn to look like someone had punched her in the stomach.

"Oh." She made to release her hand from his, but he held firm. In fact, he pulled her closer, just a little.

"No, I'm not going to kiss your bruised pride back into place. Because I promise you, it's going to heal just fine on its own. You don't need a kiss from me or anyone to remind you what you're worth. You never have. It's one of my favourite things about you. Understand?"

Her reply was a little choked up when it came. "Got it."

She gravitated closer, her eyes shining, and he felt like he was losing his mind. He was certainly losing his nerve. He settled instead for raising her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss across her knuckles.

"That's one for the road."

He released her then, though nearly every part of his was screaming at him to do the opposite. Thankfully, she looked just as shaken as he felt. He nearly twisted his ankle in a gutter trying to put a little distance between them. And then he had one perfect surge of stupid confidence, and turned back to face her. She was still standing under the streetlight where he'd left her, looking oddly incomplete.

"Will you do me a favour, Swan?" he called out.

She held up her hands in a helpless shrug. "Sure."

"When the time is right, ask me again."

Then with his heart hammering a million miles a minute, he turned away and slipped into the adjoining street, and back into the night.

[mythriteshah]

Valide’s Vow

Several turns of the sun have passed since the first appearance of that strange arctic occurrence in Thavnair’s jungles.  There have been sightings and reports all around the region of similar happenings: glaciated waterways; rime-encrusted shrubs and small spires of ice which glistened like crystals beneath the moonlight, all wrapped up in a beautiful spectacle of snow and frost.

Though these were ephemeral, and would not last longer than a bell’s worth, the Near Eastern natives and tourists alike who came upon these sites beheld them in awe.

Yet as they would remain in the immediate area to bask in this irradiant scenery, their hearts and minds were overwhelmed by feelings of sadness – of longing and loss – so powerful that some knelt to tears at the stark beauty of it all.  These indelible waves of emotions moved even the dancers of Radz-at-Han’s troupes, yet they would find themselves hard-pressed to properly move, attempting to use these areas as backdrops for their performances.

Even the Kreigstanz’s efficacy was suppressed.

What was the cause of this breathtaking yet mystifying sight?  Where next would it arise?  Even the Angels of the Regalia were investigating these events, while others kept the looming threat of the Telophoroi at bay across the realm. For now, however, there was peace within Radz-at-Han, and the sun would begin to set over the land. 

Within the Regalia’s Main Branch Headquarters, Thiji Higuri sat upon his usual sofa, garbed in his exclusive Wamoura robe as he silently watched the Near Eastern sun fall over the horizon.  Nestled across his lap was a claymore made from pure mythrite he had brought over from the Aldenard Branch.  His fingers ran along the cool metal of the blade, staring down at the engraved statement as though he were in a trance.

“As long as you make it out of a battle alive, you are one step closer to fulfilling your dream…”

The words echoed in his mind, along with his memories of the past – some glorious, and some painful. Nyra, who had been perched atop the back of the sofa, was resting her eyes before she heard footsteps approaching behind them.  Her master was too engaged with his mulling to even acknowledge it until he would see another hand resting upon the hilt of the claymore.  Thiji lifted his head upwards to find his mother, Lady Mimizo, grinning with a tall glass of Winter Lassi ready for him.  He could never deny a glass of cool lassi, and eagerly took it, as his mother quietly removed the blade from his lap, resting it against the sofa with the blade down.  She sat next to him, taking another glass from the end table before taking a few sips of her own.

“Your generosity is boundless, my son,” she opened. “How are you faring after the Largesse?”

He was silent.  Not because he did not have an answer for her, but because he did not know how.  But Mimizo knew her son well, and could easily persuade him to speak his mind.  She reassured him with a soft hand upon his, staring directly at the Mythrite Sultan. “Naught but us are here, my beloved son. Do not be afraid.”

“Not afraid, Mother,” he began.  “I am merely… tired.  This realm always has problems arising, and despite all the efforts these ‘adventurers’ keep expending to stave them off, I had not dared to believe that things would soon arrive at our doorstep.  Our non-aggression pact with Garlemald maintained our neutrality between it and the other continents, and we flourished immensely as a result… Now the same sick drama unfolds again, and all the realm faces conflict.”

“And we will see it through together!” Mimizo stated.  “Yes, you may have hung up the mantle of adventurer, but that means naught.  You are still more than capable of defending our home without bearing such a title.  And perhaps this is all a sign!  You may have kept your edge sharp with your secret training, but perhaps it is now time to show Hydaelyn what the new and improved Mythrite Sultan can do.”

Thiji sighed, reclining in his seat as he took another long sip of his lassi.  He wasn’t in the mood to go charging into battle and felling scores and scores of whomever or whatever was unfortunate enough to stand in his path of carnage. Thiji may have enjoyed the life of battle and glory for a time, but that was behind him. He is now the head of one of Eorzea’s most prominent providers of the gemcraft and textile industry, not to mention one of its foremost fashion empires.  And just recently, he has essentially become a beacon of generosity and goodwill thanks to their Fourth Annual Largesse, which had just concluded not even a sennight ago.

“New?  Improved?  Perhaps…” he spoke.  “… But I don’t wish for that life again – stamping out primal incursions and the occasional onslaught of ravenous beasts; delving into parts unknown to pacify the surrounding area… Such stress would only accelerate my aging; my ice blue and silver white tresses would turn grey before I even reach thirty.”

And even if he did return to the forefront, a thought lingered in his head – more painfully irksome than any obstacle he has thus far faced.  He needed to finish the remainder of his lassi in order to get it out, however…

“And what of my dream, Mother…?  What of that?”

Mimizo paused for a moment, looking over her shoulder to inspect the claymore with Nyra.  She then placed her glass on the table and scooched closer to her son.  Thiji’s gaze remained fixed to the setting sun, his eyes welling up with tears, which made Mimizo’s motherly instincts kick in.

“Oh, Thiji… Let it out, my son,” she cooed, comforting him with an embrace only a mother could give. He did not sob, but silent tears did indeed fall from his smooth face, and Mimizo did her best to dry them, not wanting to see her firstborn’s face marred so.  “The dream you so cherished is a beautiful one indeed.  There is nothing nobler and purer than fighting to protect someone you love so dearly.  And when you return from the peril – when you emerge victorious amidst the ashes – your dearest is there, welcoming you back with open arms.  Even when the entire world was against her, you stood your ground – just like the knight did in the play.”

“But I am no knight, Mother,” Thiji replied with his head lowered.  “I don’t even have a sorceress… All my aspirations – all my desires – ‘twas all weighed upon realizing that romantic dream.  I pursued this for so many winters in a desperate bid to uphold the title of Sorceress Knight, only to be shunned again and again by the cursed Lover and Spinner both.  What am I now?”

“A man with nothing to lose,” Mimizo quickly answered, as if she had waited to say that for many moons. “There are many things in this realm to be feared, and one of which is a son of man who has seen much, been dealt enough cruel hands, and endured numerous hardships.  You became a Dark Knight after what transpired in Coerthas, and from there you channeled your emotions into a weapon.  You were younger then, but now those same feelings have been honed – refined into something deadly. You have tamed it, Thiji, and now you can control it into a power far greater than what you’ve wielded thus far.”

The lamenting Sultan looked past her mother to see the object beside the end table - the picture his niece and nephew drew of him holding hands with the Sultana of his dreams. It was a reminder that somewhere, she was out there, waiting for him… somewhere.

“Your heart is enormous and golden, my son.  Those who are the most gracious and kind are the loneliest; those who are the most downtrodden always wear the brightest smiles, and those who are the most damaged and broken… are the wisest.  This is nothing to be ashamed over – it is a universal truth.  Your sorrow… your grief… your loss… your longing... you’ve made it into something beautiful, and it stands before you to this day: the Regalia. Your Angels would agree, as would your father.  Your dream of becoming a Sorceress’s Knight is not dead.”

Nyra flew down and perched herself atop Thiji’s head, reassuring him with a nod.  “Even Nyra is with you, as is Glacius,” Mimizo added.  He still seemed unsure about that statement, given how long he has been without a Sultana.  Some people were even referring to him jokingly as the “Mythrite Bachelor” for arguably being one of the longest-running single nobles in the realm.  Little did Thiji know, however, that his mother would have plans for him in the coming summers.

Moments later, they would receive a ring from his linkpearl.  Thiji had immediately regained his composure as if nothing had ever happened over the past few minutes, answering the call while Mimizo listened in.

“My Sultan!  It’s Sesena!  We just spotted a sizeable army of Voidsent bombs approaching from the south!  We’re holding them off at the beachhead, but they seem to be attracted by all the ambient aether from these weird ice sites!”

“Or it’s probably due to the fact that the Moonfire Faire’s coming early…” Sosona joked.  “We’re not sure who or what’s leading them, but we know they’re close if they appearing in such numbers.”

“Ensure they are contained within the southern beachfront; if any of our native warriors are present, support them as necessary,” Thiji ordered.  “I will join you anon.”

“Yes, My Sultan!” Sesena and Sosona replied before ending the transmission.  Thiji’s countenance became one of tranquil fury as he jumped from his sofa to obtain the claymore, only to be stopped by a soft hand to his forearm.

“No,” his mother said sternly with a shake of her head.  Her son arched a brow, questioning Mimizo’s actions.  Then, she would lift the folds of her outer robe to reveal a pair of bladed fans that were holstered at her waist.  The Mythrite Sultan’s eyes widened upon acknowledging its appearance, meeting his mother’s gaze with a slight head shake.

“They’re not ready for this, Mother,” Thiji said in defense.

“Precisely, Thiji,” Mimizo immediately replied, “which is all the more reason for you to make them get ready.  Victory in battle is important, but so is making a statement. You, my first and greatest son, who has helped bring our slogan and motto into prominence, have all the capabilities to show our enemies why they should never cross the Regalia or the Near East’s finest.  Show them your true power, Thiji.”

He hesitated.  Thiji always tried his hardest not to reveal his well-guarded secret that was his redoubtable skill as a dancer.  However, there was no reason to fear, for the enemy was at his doorstep, and the only ones who would bear witness to his performance were natives of the Near East.  Realizing this, he sighed away his doubts and turned away from his mother, making his way to the dresser where he would begin donning his dancer attire: a shirt-and-sarouel combo, with babouches to match. After checking his nails for any blemishes or marks, he nodded to his reflection before Nyra provided the finishing touch: the blue hydrangea corsage, which was nestled right above his left ear.  Once his transformation was complete, he eagerly took the fans from Mimizo, who was grinning from ear to ear.  Grasping one in each hand, they gave off a soft hum, pulsing an icy blue as it resonated with his aetherial signature.  Thiji then flicked his wrists, unfolding them as they released tiny particles of frost from their bladed tips, beholding the majesty of these weapons for but a brief moment before folding them once more.

Mimizo approached her son and cupped his face with her hands before giving him a loving smile.

“Now you are most rightfully equipped, Thiji,” she spoke.  “Embrace your sorrow.  Accept it, and bring the beauty of winter to your friends and foes.  Steal their hearts; make them weep; leave them breathless. Everyone has their part to play, and you’ve been on an intermission for far too long.  And now the stage is set, my son.  Your finest hour awaits.”

With empowered resolve and vigor, Thiji holstered the fans at his waist and left the chambers.  Nyra flew in close after him as he would then begin to call for Glacius and his mate, Suki, to carry him into battle. And as the Mythrite Sultan would vacate the Main Branch Headquarters and the city-state proper, Mimizo watched silently as he disappeared into the jungle thicket, her brows furrowed in determination.

“Thiji… whether it comes a moon from now, or two summers hence, I swear that, on my title as Valide Sultan, you will have your dream restored; you will have your Sultana…”

“I swear it.”

[padomaicocean]

Free To Good Home - Part 1

Tsiyuzi has been alone on the streets of Riften since her parents passed away. Luckily for her, some members of a local crime syndicate have hearts of gold.

----

Tsiyuzi’s origin story begins! This is a cute little 2 Part Story thats 90% Fluff. You Can also catch it on AO3

Part 2 Here

The clouds were pulled over the sun, making the day seem far too dreary. Despite the smell of rain in the air though the market was bustling with people milling about their business. Bright blue eyes watched the people walk about, browsing the stalls while merchants boasted about their goods. The outsider stood hidden between two houses, her stomach giving a growl as she watched a Dunmer purchase some food from one of the stalls. 

The little Khajiit took small steps forward, tail tucked between her legs as she slipped out and attempted to blend with the crowd, heading towards the food stall. 

An adult sneered in distaste as he moved away from the dirty little creature that was heading towards a stall. He narrowed his eyes, watching as she reached it. A small hand reaching out to grab for something to eat.

"Hey brat!" He snatched her wrist, the Khajiit letting out a yelp of pain as he gripped it to the point of bruising. The merchant running the stall turned her head in surprise, taking notice of the would be thief and the man that had stopped her. Her eyes filled with pity for the little girl and she moved over. 

"Let her go." She requested the Nord politely. Kneeling on the ground in front of the little Khajiit. 

The kitten took her hand back, holding her wrist eyes wide with fear as the Nord woman kneeled down in front of her. The man scoffed at the woman's soft heartedness. 

"If I catch her trying to steal again I'll call the guards." He stomped away from the stall leaving the two alone in the bustling square. 

The woman watched him leave with a scowl and turned back to study the would-be thief in front of her, clutching her wrist with wide-eyed fear.

"Can I see your hand, baby? What's your name?" She held out her hand, the little Khajiit watching her warily as she slowly reached out her own hand. The woman hummed, brushing her fur as she inspected the injured wrist. "Hm.... Looks like it'll bruise but otherwise. You'll be okay." She smiled softly at the Khajiit, who was stiff with fear.

"T-Tsiyuzi. That's my name..." She mumbled, her eyes shifted away from the woman refusing to look at her. 

"Well, Tsiyuzi. I understand you're hungry but thieving is wrong, okay?" She patted her head, her smile was gentle. "Why don't you go find your parents? Ask them for some septims and we'll get you a snack. "

Tsiyuzi's ears pressed down against her head, she held her bruised wrist close to her chest and nodded. Her eyes watered. "Mhm. Okay. Thank you." She turned tail, and quickly walked away from the woman. She tried to keep to the edge of the crowd. Her wrist was aching, her stomach ached with emptiness and her heart hurt. She sniffled, tears slowly dripping down her cheeks. Ask your parents for septims the woman had said. 

Tsiyuzi had been in Riften for several days now, she and her parents having crossed the border with their merchant caravan. The group was prepared for most anything but they were met with a large group of bandits. The group had held off all they could but unfortunately were not prepared for such a large scale attack. Tsiyuzi's mother had managed to hide her away off the edge of the road, hidden in the foliage as the bandits had continued to come down on them. Frozen with wide-eyed horror, she had watched her parents die in the attack. As the bandits hard turned, looking for survivors she turned tail, running deeper into the woods. She had spent the first couple nights there, until she saw the watch tower that signaled her return to civilization.

Getting into the city had proved challenging, the front gate having been out of the question as the guards refused to let her in. Forced out she had slept in the hay in the stable before being kicked out the following day. Desperation truly kicked in as she wandered around the Riften walls, taking note of the docks. She waded into the water and struggled to swim towards the docks, hauling herself out of the water. Soaking wet she padded along, until she finally saw an entrance with a lone guard. Despite being cold, wet, hungry and desperate the small Khajiit waited until the Guard had wandered off to slip into the city of Riften. She struggled for days to find some sort of food, failing at all turns before today when she chose to try her hand at the merchant stalls while it was busy.

Tsiyuzi rubbed her tears away, standing back between some Riften homes when she heard a voice boom out. 

"Everyone! Everyone! Gather 'round! I've something amazing to show you that demands your attention!"

Tsiyuzi peeked out around the corner as the crowd began to chatter and move towards the booming voice. A Nord man stood at his cart with bottles behind him. Her blue eyes were wide as he drew the crowd along towards him. 

"I've only a few bottles left! 20 Septims a bottle. Grow back that missing limb, see into other people's thoughts... Learn a library's worth of knowledge in moments. Wield powerful magic incantations, live for thousands of years. Who knows what powers the elixir could unlock!"

Tsiyuzi had moved forward, squeezing through the crowd until she ended up near the front. Her eyes flicked to the Nord speaking and then back to the bottles behind him.

"I can promise that the contents are genuine. One sip of the elixir and your wishes will be granted."

She clenched her fists, glancing around. If her wishes could be granted, then she needed to obtain the elixir from this man. Peering around the crowd she could see the merchant from before as well as the nasty man. She stayed where she was, knowing with the size the crowd was she'd have to wait to make her move. 

"Hurry before my supply is gone! Only 20 gold septims." The crowd began to move people shuffling forward to purchase the elixir from the salesman. 

Tsiyuzi winced as she was pushed aside by the crowd, falling onto the cobblestone street. She crawled slowly to the side before standing up watching as the crowd frenzied.

Slowly the crowd began to disperse and Tsiyuzi stumbled forward. The man looked smug, happy with himself as he moved to clean up his stall and gather his septims. Tsiyuzi scanned the stall padding around slowly, trying to stay behind him and sneak up. She could see a single bottle remaining and she slowly reached out one clawed hand to grab the neck of the bottle.

"Oi! Lass, that costs 20 septims!"

Tsiyuzi jumped back just as a hand clamped down on her bruised wrist. She let out a yelp and began to try to pull herself free, eyes filling with fresh tears. Her paws kicked at the ground and she struggled, fear gripping her heart. 

Brynjolf kept his firm, yet gentle hold on the child's wrist his brows furrowed as she continued to kick out in a panic. "Hey, lass. Calm down." He attempted to soothe the clearly panicked child, giving her glance over. The child was covered in a heavy layer of grime from the city streets, her form somewhat scrawny. He couldn't figure out the colour of the Khajiits fur from all the mud that stuck to her. 

"Lassie. I need you to calm down." He reached a hand out slowly to touch her other shoulder, slowly loosening his grip on her wrist. 

Tsiyuzi blinked large wet eyes up at him, trembling. She sniffled and snatched her injured wrist back as he released it. She moved to step away, to flee the scene but he kept a firm hand on her shoulder to keep her in place. As if on queue her stomach rumbled and she averted blue eyes away from him. 

Brynjolf frowned, "where are your parents?"

She shook her head, keeping her eyes pointed away. His frown persisted and he reached out to touch her other shoulder. 

"Lass. Where are your parents?" He asked again. His tone was firm, no nonsense.

"... Bandits." She mumbled, a small sob escaping her. 

He could feel her sobs shaking her body. "You're alone?" 

He gave a deep pained sigh as she nodded and he looked to the bottle she had attempted to grab. He could only imagine what had been running through the child's head. He reached into his pockets pulling out a few of the septims and reaching them out to her. 

She looked back with wide eyes at the clinking of coins. She looked at the septims and then back at Brynjolf and began to shake her head, pointing to the elixir. 

"No! Please the elixir! It'll help me not be hungry anymore! I won't be alone if it grants wishes, please!" Tsiyuzi began to cry, reaching out for the bottle. 

Byrnjolf shook his head, pained. He could feed her but he couldn't cure her lonely heart. "I'm sorry, lass. None of that was true. The elixir won't help you."

"W-what? W-why?" She gazed at him, a whole new set of tears filling her eyes again. "Did you lie? Why?" They spilled easily, and hope slowly slipped out of her eyes with them.

Brynjolf shifted awkward giving a sigh. "I just did, lass. Now take the septims and-" he paused as Tsiyuzi broke into true sobs. He looked around uncomfortably as some people milling about the square stared at them. "Quit crying. Please quit crying." He whispered, hushing her. He could see guards looking over, and he began to stroke her hair. "Come on, lass. It's okay, you're okay."

As he stroked her hair the small Khajiit began to calm down, she took deep shaky breaths, scrubbing at her eyes. She stepped away from Brynjolf, who watched her with rapt attention. She shook her head. "I'm sorry." She mumbled, turning around she scurried away from the Nord who stood up quickly. 

It would be less troublesome to let her go. Let the guard deal with her but the idea of letting the small Khajiit leave in her state didn't sit right with him. He quickly grabbed items off his stall and followed after the corner she turned around. He watched as she slipped out the back gate. 

Outside Riften he watched her scurry towards one of the farms on the outskirts. She slipped into what appeared to be an unused shed. He frowned deeply. If she was discovered out here, she would likely be removed if not arrested by the city guard. Glancing around he leaned to peek into the shed. It appeared the Khajiit did have some items. A burlap sack to serve as a blanket, and oddly enough, an Akaviri style bow. His brows furrowed in confusion, how did she get her hands on something that rare? 

"I'm back, mama." She whispered to the bow, hugging it close to her chest with a sniff. Brynjolf released a breath as he understood how she retrieved such an item. He shook his head and stood up straight. 

"Lass."

Tsiyuzi stiffened, turning her head to look at the intruder. She clutched the bow tighter, sliding back. She bared small fangs at him, meeting his pity filled eyes. 

Brynjolf sighed. Her reaction only made sense. He stepped forward and crouched down in the little shed. "Lass. How do you say... I take you somewhere? Get a warm meal in your belly, a soft bed to sleep in."

"Are you lying again?" She narrowed her eyes at him, studying him carefully. 

"No, I'm not lying. I'll even throw in a bath for you." He reached out towards her with one hand, waiting to see if she'd grab it. 

Tsiyuzi stared at his hand and then looked back up at his eyes. She only saw a deep sadness in his eyes. Slowly, she reached out with one clawed hand and placed it in his. 

Brynjolf closed his hand around hers, gentle pulling her forward. He scooped her up ignoring her squeak of surprise. Holding her to his chest he slowly walked back towards Riften. Tsiyuzi clutched his clothes in one tight fist, the other gripping her mother’s bow.

Brynjolf walked slowly, persuading the guards to let them through the main city gates. Tsiyuzi watched carefully, hiding her face as guards scrutinized her. Brynjolf turned a corner guiding her through some bushes, towards the back of the Shrine of Mara. Tsiyuzi peered out as he pressed a button and a staircase opened up. She gave a gasp of surprise and he slowly let her down, holding her hand as he guided her forward. 

"I'll go down first, lass. Come after me."

Tsiyuzi nodded and looked at him as he opened a door and revealed a ladder. "What if I fall?"

Brynjolf smiled, and gave her head a pat. "That's why I'll go down first, I'll catch you." He slowly began his descent into the darkness and Tsiyuzi peered after him. As he reached the bottom he looked up. "Toss your bow down, and come down slowly lass." 

She followed instructions, dropping the bow down the hole. Slowly, she sat down and dangled her paws behind her, feeling for the first step in the ladder. Tsiyuzi slowly lowered herself, constantly reaching back to make sure she was getting each rung firmly under her paws. As she got closer to the bottom, she was plucked from the ladder with a small squeak as Brynjolf took her back into his arms. He returned the bow to her and slowly walked out into the cistern. The first thing the Khajiit needed was a meal, closely followed by a bath. He began to make his way to the Ragged Flagon when he was stopped. 

"Brynjolf. What in Oblivion do you have?" 

"What's it look like I have, Mercer?" Brynjolf turned to face the other man, and Tsiyuzi hid her face, peeking out the side of her eyes to look at him curiously. 

The Breton narrowed his eyes. "Why did you bring a child here? Do you know what kind of risk this could-"

"It'll be fine, Mercer." Brynjolf cut him off, adjusting his hold on Tsiyuzi. "It's only until I can find a more suitable home for her. Doesn't hurt us any to give her something to eat and a bed to sleep in."  

Mercer narrowed his eyes. "You should've run this by me first. That isn't your call to make." 

Tsiyuzi held right to Brynjolf, peering up at him and then peeking over at Mercer. "Do I have to go back, mister?" She murmured, looking down at her hands.

Brynjolf stared at Mercer, who stiffened as the Khajiit spoke. He closed his eyes and let out a frustrated breath. "Only until we find a suitable home. And she has to pull her own weight." He gave a snap, turning on his heel and walking away from them. 

Tsiyuzi blinked, watching him go. She turned and looked up at Brynjolf, who met her eyes with a grin. "You heard the man." 

Tsiyuzi slowly smiled, and nodded roughly. "Yea!!" 

Brynjolf hummed, continuing to walk her towards the pub. "I don't think I've caught your name yet, lass."

"Uhm. It's Tsiyuzi, mister." She finally turned her head in order to better see her surroundings. 

"Hmm.. You Khajiit tend to have strange names. Will Yuzi be okay?" 

Tsiyuzi blinked and snapped her head to look at him with wide blue eyes. Another smile lit up her face. "Sure! That's okay!"

"You can call my Brynjolf then." He told her, shifting her to peer at her face. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yuzi."

Yuzi grinned brightly wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "It's a pleasure to meet you too!" 

[eirian-houpe]

All Our Past Mistakes - Chapter 9

Read previous chapters on AO3

Chapter 9 - Jigsaw

Gold couldn’t help but notice that he and Belle worked like a team, as though they had been doing this their whole lives. While he ran the bath for Bae, Belle made a start stripping the wet bedclothes from the boy’s bed.

He heard her descend the stairs, no doubt taking the soiled sheets to the washing machine, confirmed a moment later when he began to hear the hum of the motor as the sheets began to wash.

They switched then, and he smiled as Belle came in to watch over Bae in the tub while he retrieved clean sheets and blankets from the linen closet, made up Bae’s bed and picked out two sets of pajamas.

By the time he returned to the bathroom, Belle already had his son out of the bath, wrapped in a towel and she was rubbing him dry. It was seamless, and it made his heart clench.

“Here’s Papa,” Belle said softly, and he smiled at both of them as Bae looked up at him.

“Hey, little man,” Gold greeted him, and then held up the pajamas one set in each hand. “Dinosaurs, or big cats?”

“Dinosaurs!” Bae cried out happily, pointing at the bundle of decorated cotton in Gold’s left hand.

He chuckled. “Dinosaurs it is.”

“All dry here,” Belle announced, and Gold’s still clenched heart melted as she planted a swift kiss on the side of Bae’s head, before gently easing him in his direction, emptying and rinsing the tub while he helped Bae into the dinosaur pajamas. They were ready at the same time. Everything they did just fit together like pieces of a puzzle and it wasn’t long before they were snuggling Bae back down into bed, one of them on each side.

Bastion yawned almost as soon as they tucked the covers around him, sleepily demanding the promised story. “Whipperty Stourie,” he murmured.

Gold chuckled, and glancing at Belle before turning his attention back to his son, began the story, allowing his voice to soften, and his accent to come to the fore.

“Once, there wa’ a gentleman lived in a fine, fine house,” he began, his voice rising and falling in a sing song way.

“And he married a beautiful lady,” Bae asked and answered, both at the same time.

“Aye, son,” Gold confirmed, “He marriet a pretty wee lassie, as was delicately raised. In her husband’s house she found everything to be fine… fine tables an’ chairs, fine glasses, and fine curtains, but… her husband expected her to spin twelve hanks o’ thread each day, and’ truth be… she couldnae spin a bit!”

“Oh no!” Belle gasped softly, as she ran her fingers through Bae’s hair. “What happened?”

“Husband went…” Bae whispered, beginning to sound sleepy.

“One day, aye, he gaed awa’ fr’a journey,” he all but sang, his tone softer yet. “But he telt her that by his return, he expected she’d ha’ spun a hundret hanks ‘o thread.”

“And she was sad,” Bae offered, eyes closed and breathing starting to slow, to even out… on the edge of sleep.

“I bet she was,” Belle agreed, and Gold looked up and gave her a sad smile.

“She took a walk along the hillside, till she cam’ tae a big flat stane, and there she sat down and grat. By and by she heard a strain o’ fine sma’ music, coming as it were frae aneath the stane, and, on turning it up, she saw a cave below, where there were sitting six wee ladies in green gowns, ilk ane o’ them spinning on a little wheel, and singing,”

“Little kens my dame at hame That Whippety Stourie is my name.”

By the time he finished the rhyme, Gold’s voice was a whisper, and Bae was fully asleep, and unable to help himself Gold reached over and took Belle’s hand

“Thank you, Belle,” he said just as softly. “I… I could… I could never believe it could be like this.”

He saw her brown draw down, and her nose wrinkle adorably in confusion. “Like what?”

“Caring… for Bastion… with someone… else.” He stammered.

“Your wife—?”

He cut her off with a shake of his head. “She never cared to do anything together where Bae was concerned. “Complained that she had him the whole day long, and that when we were home, he was my responsibility.”

She sighed, and squeezed the fingers of his hand, that still held hers.

“You’re a good father, Sabrael,” she told him softly, and then tugging on his arm to encourage him to stand as she stood, added, “You’re tired and hungry. He’ll sleep now, I’m sure of it. So, let’s head downstairs, and have this beautiful meal you brought home.”

**

Belle was very aware of Gold as he moved around the kitchen, warming plates, reheating the food - and Gold refused to use the microwave in favor of using the oven to slowly reheat the meal - opening a bottle of expensive looking wine, and refusing to let her lift a finger to help. Instead, he insisted that she sit at the kitchen table while he did everything.

“You’ve done enough,” he told her with the gentle brush of his fingertips against her cheek. “More than enough.”

She felt the touch flow through her, wakening her to his nearness; wakening her to a want to be closer still; to continue from where they had been interrupted and let the tides sweep them both away.

“Belle?”

She blinked, realizing belatedly that he had been talking to her, and she hadn’t answered.

“Sorry, I…” she trailed off, biting her lip.

“I’ve asked too much,” he said at once. “You’re tired of course you are, I—”

“I was just… thinking,” she told him, feeling the color rise in her cheeks. “About before.”

“Before?” His confusion sounded genuine, rather than the adolescent teasing she was used to, which of course made sense because he wasn’t some fumbling idiot. He was a grown man, mature and sophisticated… experienced.

“Before Bastion came downstairs,” she said by way of explanation, and felt herself blush even more.

Gold sighed.

“Forgive me,” he murmured, “It was wrong of me to take advan—”

“You were not taking advantage,” she spoke so adamantly that Gold took a step back. His sudden movement startled her, and a part of her wondered at the cause of it - beyond her own actions - so when she continued, she spoke more softly, moved more slowly, reaching for his hands, which he gave into hers hesitantly.

“I wanted you to kiss me,” she said. “Everything I said then still applies. I’m a grown woman.” She sighed then, looking into the doubt she still saw in his eyes. She squeezed his hands. “Sabrael, I’ve learned the hard way that I can’t let anyone else decide my fate. What I allow to happen, happens because it’s what I want.”

“Gaston?” he asked softly. Belle hesitated, and then nodded.

“So,” she said softly, “You didn’t and you aren’t taking advantage if it’s something I want.”

He gently pulled his hands from hers then, and took her by the upper arms to draw her nearer. It was what she wanted and yet still she felt as though she were trembling like a windblown sapling’s new spring leaves. She leaned against him as he took her in his arms, her palms flat against his chest, sliding upward to rest against the front of his shoulders.

“It’s what I want too,” he said, and his voice was deep, almost hoarse.

She drew in a breath, and it smelled and tasted of him; woody and spicy with a smooth caramel bite and she pressed closer as she felt his fingers slide into the back of her hair, gently teasing at her scalp.

She tipped her head up to bring her mouth within a breath of his, lips tingling as before, anticipating the remembered softness as their breath mingled. Her lips softened beneath his as his mouth took hers, gently at first, slowly, coaxing. The tenderness of his kiss sent a welcome wave of weakness through her limbs ahead of a tsunami of heat that lodged in her belly and turned her to liquid fire.

Her fingers gripped the front of his shirt and she opened to him as the kiss deepened, his tongue possessing her mouth, tangling with hers as she stroked his in turn.

The two of them turned and shuffled the few steps across the kitchen, and she felt her back pressed against counter with the heat and the hardness of him tight against her belly. She moaned softly into the kiss, already breathless but uncaring, allowing the light headed tingling to mix with the flood of her own desire as she released the fabric of his shirt enough to slide her fingers against the buttons holding it fastened shut.

One button, two, the brush of skin against her fingertips and—

A sharp, insistent bleeping sounded from somewhere beside them, breaking the moment, and Gold pulled back from the kiss as breathless as she.

Their foreheads touched and Belle, although frustrated, saw then felt the humor in the moment and chuckled breathlessly, just as Gold did the same.

[lunanight2012]

A Whole New World Chapter 1 Part 1

Key:

{Y/N} = Your Name

{E/C} = Eye Color

{H/L} = Hair Length

{H/C} = Hair Color

{S/C} = Skin Color

{N/N} = Nickname

{L/N} = Last Name

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 year later

(1st person pov)

A whole year has passed since I came to this world and you know what. I love it!

Harry and I have been paired together, and well. We kinda have a thing. I have long since gotten rid of my old clothes and became a full fledged pirate. Oh and Harry and I live together in his apartment.

He's become my best friend, I've never had a best friend so this was nice.

"{Y/N}! Hello? Ya coming?" Harry exclaimed from the hall.

"I'm comin!" I exclaimed, getting my bandana and tying it around my head, keeping my {H/C} {H/L} out of my face.

I headed out of the bedroom and over to where Harry was waiting for me at the door. I smirked, a very mischievous idea coming to mind. I grabbed his hook from him and bolted out the door, giggling like crazy.

"Get back 'ere!" Harry shouted, chasing after me, though I could hear the laughter in his voice.

I laughed as I dodged residents in the market, making my way towards Ursula's Chip Shop. 

Making it inside I placed his hook on the sword check barrel, placing my sword inside before I scampered off towards Uma.

"Bout time Ya showed up… where's Harry?" Uma questioned as I got on my apron to help out at the shop. 

I didn't even answer, just gestured at the door as Harry ran through, grabbing his hook off the barrel and placing his sword in the barrel.

"Ye little brat!" Harry exclaimed, though it was easy to see he wasn't angry, with that goofy smile on his face.

Yea I may or may not do this to him regularly, i perked up as Uma started to swear at the tv.

I walked over to the tiny television and watched with Harry, Uma, and Gil.

"WHAT? THOSE BASTARDS GET TO GET OFF THE ISLE AND WE DON'T???" Uma screamed.

I held Harry's left hand, we just stood there watching a limo pull up to the Auradon school and there they were. A bunch of scary idiots, Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay. Harry knew how much I wanted to get all the kids off the Isle, but we were Uma's crew so to Uma we wanted to get off the Isle ourselves.

Harry squeezed my hand, knowing what we were seeing was really bugging me.

"Uma! Imma take {Y/N} to the beach. She's not doin good." Harry explained untying my apron and dragging me out of the shop and down to the small littered beach.

"Come on {N/N} what's wrong? I know ye don't like that they got chosen to go to Auradon but what's really botherin ya?" Harry asked me, crossing his arms over his chest. 

I stared at the ground, not saying anything. I just wanted to tell him I like as more than a friend but I'm scared.

"I just feel horrible that those jerks get to go to Auradon and you guys don't. Why can't you guys have a nice life with those goody two shoes. I mean heck there's a lot of gorgeous girls in Auradon. I mean have you seen Prince Ben's girlfriend? What was her name???" I rambled on, trying to remember Aurora's daughter's name.

Harry lifted an eyebrow but went along with it. "Audrey? Yea she's alright. I ain't really the princess type if ye haven't noticed {N/N}." Harry stated, showing off his hook.

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. Suddenly a clinking bottle drew us away. Of course Captain Hook would find us here on this spot of the beach.

"Boy! Where the hell have ye been!! And who is this pretty thing?" Hook held out his hook, brushing some of my hair back. 

I cringed and backed away, only for him to grab my wrist with his non-hook hand, rather tightly might I add.

"Where do ye think yer goin? Yer coming with me!" Hook exclaime, a VERY creepy grin on his face.

Harry grabbed his fathers hand and ripped it off my wrist, pulling me behind him and glaring at his dad.

"She's mine pops. Fuck off and be pissed somewhere else!" And as soon as those words left Harry's mouth a loud smack could be heard, followed by me gasping.

Yeah, Captain Hook bitch slapped his son across the face. "How dare you talk to me like that you lowly punk! You sir are coming with me." Hook grabbed Harry's left wrist and dragged him away. 

Harry turned back to me, mouthing ‘get back to Umas now’

I whimpered, watching helplessly as harry was dragged away by Hook ‘im sorry’

~back at Ursula's Chip Shop~

I walked back into the shop, head hung low, trying to not cry.

"Where the hell have you bee- where's Harry?" Uma asked looking around.

"His father tried to take me away, so Harry stepped in and his father slapped him and took him away, it's all my fault…" I explained, a sadness to my tone.

Uma dropped whatever she was holding. "Dammit! That bastard is an abusive fuck! {Y/N} go find some bandages, and some needle and thread. Gil, go boil some water! It is gonna be a long day." Uma ordered.

I nodded and ran towards the stalls. Stealing everything Uma asked of me. Running back towards the Chip Shop all I could think of was what was gonna happen to Harry. Is he gonna be ok? This is all my fault. If we had just stayed at the shop-

"{Y/N}! Did you find everything?" Uma exclaimed, drawing me out of my mental breakdown.

I nodded and handed her everything. She nodded in approval and placed them behind the counter in a safe place.

And so while we waited for Harry to return, I helped out Uma at the Shop. It was a rough time helping out without Harry. Mostly because grown men were hitting on me and ugh!! I just want Harry to come back safe and sound.

2 hours later~~~~

I groaned as I held my head, tired of the drunken whistles and catcalls coming from the older male customers. And yes I've been grabbed a couple of times already. My butt, my wrists, my waist… need I go on?

I slumped against the bar as Uma pushed a plate towards me, with fish and eggs and oh!

Harry came in right then, his hook on his belt, hugging his right arm. I ran to him, tears in my eyes.

"Harry!!! I'm so glad you're back!! Wait what's wrong with your arm?" I asked, about to hug him but stopped as I noticed blood dripping down to the floor from his right arm.

"Dad fucked up my arm" Harry explained, wincing as he walked over to the bar.

Uma saw Harry and ran over to him. "I swear to Poseidon, I will kill that fucker dad of yours once and for all for what he's done to you! The bastard doesn't deserve to live!" Uma raged, her shell necklace glowing from beneath her shirt, trying to unleash umas anger, but to no avail.

Uma took Harry over behind the bar counter and got out the medical supplies and, Gil and I’s help, stitched the slice on his arm back up and created a sling for his arm. Uma ordered me to take harry home and make sure the cut didn’t get infected.

I sniffed as I eyed Harry’s arm, seeing blood splotches blooming beneath the white of the sling.

“Harry?” I whispered, he hummed, wincing as he turned to look at me “why did you do that for me? Protect me from your dad? It only caused you harm” he stopped walking, stared at me for a moment, that’s when I finally noticed his face, littered with bruises and cuts, his lip busted and scabbed, a blackening eye.

“I” he started, closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, “I care about yeh lassie, I couldn’t let him do tha’ ta yeh, not on my watch”

I felt my eyes tear up. "N-no- no one has ever cared about me that much." I whispered, rubbing the tears from my {E/C} eyes.

Harry was surprised by that. "Really? Now tha' is surprisin'. Yer very special, don' ever let anyone tell ya differently." Harry stated, pulling me to his chest, I began to cry.

We stood like this for only a moment longer before people started noticing us. Harry grabbed my hand with his good one and we ran to the apartment. Ducking, jumping, squeezing past all the people in the marketplace was a task but we were both laughing by the time we got to the apartment.

I placed my palm on the door to open it, slightly wincing. But hey what can you expect from permanent scars on both of my palms, that still hurt even after a year.

Harry frowned. "Scars hurtin?" He asked me once we were inside.

"Yea. But it's alright." I smiled as I closed the door behind Harry.

"Let meh see 'em." He stated, holding out his good hand. 

I sighed and placed both of my hands in his hand. He pulled my hands up to his face and kissed them. My face turning bright red.

He smirked. "Ok lass. Now I've waited a year but I've got two questions for ye." Harry stated, sitting down on our rundown couch.

"Ok." I remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"First off. You mentioned you had an affinity for water. What do ye mean by that?" Harry asked me.

I sighed, sitting on the stool across from him. 

"Alright, guess I should expect this. When I was very young, really my entire life, my mom didn't really like me. And now that I think about it, no one in my family liked me. I never got what I wanted for my birthday. My mom kept me inside as much as possible. But when I was young, on rainy days I would sneak out to the backyard and sit on a big log that laid in the back of our backyard and would just giggle as the rain wouldn't touch me but would lightly swirl around me. Of course when my mom saw me she'd scream bloody murder and drag me back inside. Granted the minute she would grab me the rain would hit me. As I got older I learned that being "special" was not something people should know. I needed to keep it locked away. But that didn't make my relationship with my family any better. Actually 6 months before I arrived here I was kicked out of my parents house. I was only 14. I have my own small apartment. Actually, your apartment here is bigger than the one I had back on my world. And I had to lie about my age to get a job, AND I'm still in High School. So yea. Maybe coming here was the world's way of saying I needed a fresh start." I rambled on.

Harry chuckled. "Outside of this barrier is magic. And now I understand why you and Uma get along like sisters." Harry stated, leaning back.

"Har. You said you had two questions. What is the second question?" I asked, becoming curious.

"O-oh… *swallows* Well lass. Ye know I really like ye. And I was wonderin' would ye want to be meh gurl?" Harry asked, his face heating up.

I blushed but smiled, getting up and sitting next to Harry's good side. 

"I like you too harry, and yes i'll be yer gurl" I mocked his accent with a big smile on my face.

Harry smiled and leaned closer to my face. I smirked and grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. Harry hummed into the kiss, pushing his passion into it. I felt his good hand cup my cheek. After a moment we broke apart, our breaths ragged.

I brushed his cheek with my thumb. "Well, you just had the honor of being my first kiss!" I giggled with a blush.

Harry smirkes. "Well I'm very much honored lassie~!" Harry winked at me. My face turned bright red in embarrassment.

I looked over at the cracked clock. 12:30pm.

Good thing it's saturday… wait it's thursday!

"Harry we've missed half of school. But with how hurt you are we'll skip today." I stated, standing up. Harry shrugged “eh, missing school is a good thing ‘ere remember? If every vk went to school everyday we would lose all our rep”

"I'm going to grab us some food from the mart. I'll be right back." I said smiling down at him. 

Before Harry could say anything I nicked his hook and left the apartment. Tying my bandana around my head I headed out to the market. Holding Harry's hook in my {dominant} hand.

I got to the market, scouring the stalls, I spotted a stall with semi-fresh fruit. Waiting till the owner wasn't looking, I snuck over and stole two apples, and two peaches. 

"Hey! What do you think your doing missy?" 

Shit.

I smirked, hiding the fruit in my bag and holding up the hook. 

"What did ye say?" I asked, mimicking Harry's voice.

The stall owner held up their hands. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were one of Uma's crew! Please t-take this." The owner handed me a bag of money.

I smirked. "Thank ye very much. Uma will be very happy." I thanked and left. Of course I hit a few stands too, getting eggs, fabrics, and even some potatoes that didn't look too bad.

As I walked back into the apartment I began to sing a song from my world. 

"I need another story. Something to get off my chest. My life is kind of boring. Need something that I can confess." I sing as I set the fruit in a basket that was on the cracked kitchen counter.

"'Til all my sleeves are stained red. From all the truth that I've said. Come by it honestly I swear. Thought you saw me wink, no. I've been on the brink, so." I twirled, putting the eggs in the fridge.

Harry watched me with his brow raised, clearly confused by me.

"Tell me what you want to hear! Something that will light those ears! Sick of all the insincere! So I'm gunna give all my secrets away!" I sang smiling like an idiot.

"Lass. Whatcha singin? Never hear'd that song before." Harry questioned, taking his hook back.

"Its a song from my world." I explained, something I hadn't noticed was that the gold ring around my pupils was getting bigger, slowly covering up my {E/C} eyes.

"Hmm sounds interestin'. Although I much prefer yer voice over everythin'." Harry stated, pulling me close.

I giggled. "Come on Harry. If your feeling well enough to cuddle then you can come with me while I take the money I got to Uma." I stated, holding up the bag of money.

"How'd ya get that?" 

"The stall owners saw yer hook and got scared shitless." I admitted, smiling.

Harry smirked and pulled me close, kissing my head. "I love ye so much lass!" He said into my hair.

I giggled. "Come on my pirate. Let's go see Uma." I smiled.

We left the apartment and headed for Uma's place. The Chip Shop to be exact.

As we get closer I hear singing. 

"What's my name? What's my name?" 

"Not again." I groan.

"Hmm? What's up lass?" Harry asked, curious.

"Uma's singing her what's my name song again." I explained standing outside of the shop. Harry's eyes dilated and he almost seemed like a different person.

He walked right into the shop and started singing. Great. I walked in after him. Not paying any attention to Uma, Harry, or the crew. I sat with my back facing them and ordered a plate of fish. Gil was sitting next to me, clearly too busy eating his eggs to participate in the singing. 

"Gil. Why do you eat so much eggs? Don't you get sick of them?" I asked him as my food arrived.

"No! I gotta eat lots to be like my dad!" He said with his mouth full.

I rolled my eyes, then I noticed that Gil's blonde hair was getting in his eyes. I stole a brown bandana off of a patron and handed it to him. 

"Here Gil. Use this. It'll help you match with the rest of the crew, and you'll be able to eat, walk, fight, talk, etc without having your hair in your eyes." I smiled.

Gil smiled and proceeded to tie the bandana around his head. As he did this I smiled, eating my fish.

"So how is Harry? I heard his dad did that to him. Glad my dad isn't that abusive." Gil stated. His hair looking more "piratey".

I nodded, glancing over my shoulder for a second to see Uma giving the crew commands on how to do the moves properly to her song.

"It's my fault he got hurt tho. His dad saw me and Harry protected me." I explained, sighing a bit.

I pulled on my necklace. This was something I had from my world. The only family member that cared about me was my grandma. But she died when I was 6. The necklace was from her. I never understood why the charm was important,  I can't read the engraving on it, but it was a large coin shaped charm that was smaller than the size of my palm on a sturdy string necklace.. But I don't take it off. The engraving on it was something I gave up on decoding when I was 12.

"{Y/N}?" Gil asked, getting me out of my thoughts.

"Yes Gil?" I asked.

"Why are you playing with your necklace?" He asked me with a slight tilt to his head.

"Oh. This was a gift from my grandma, she was the last person to ever actually care about me in my world. I can't understand the engraving though." I admitted, feeling the text again.

"Oh? Maybe Harry can help. He's really good at deciphering stuff." Gil stated eating another egg.

 "Oh? He never told me that." I said as I looked over at Harry and Uma who were chatting about work and stuff. "I'm not going to bother him with it though." I muttered, before looking back at Gil.

"How have you been today Gil? I haven't seen you all day." I asked, tucking my necklace back under my shirt.

"Been fine. My brothers were jerks today. I got a couple of bruises on my back from them. But I managed to get this bandanna from a stall today! Thank you for helping me!" Gil exclaimed with an innocent smile.

This child doesn't deserve to be on this wretched island.

"Your brothers' are horrible. They are just AHHHHHH--!" I screamed, gripping my head as my eyes turned golden, such a bad headache.

"{Y/N}!!" Harry exclaimed, rushing over to me. 

I groaned. "I-I'm fine. Bad headache." I groaned out, looking up at Harry.

"Yer eyes, ther' golden." Harry exclaimed, amazed.

I frowned and rubbed at my eyes. Why are they fully golden? That never happens. I groaned again and squinted up at Harry, Gil, and Uma. When did I get on the ground.

"How'd I get down here?" I asked, the headache finally disappearing.

Gil's face got closer to mine. "Her eyes are back to normal!" Gil exclaimed.

Of course more crew members started gathering around. And I became flustered.

"I-I'm f-fine." I stuttered, my face turning red from embarrassment.

"Alright everyone back to work!" Uma commanded.

[ladyideal]

Piece of Cake

Pairing: McKirk x Reader

Word Count: 2335

Requested by: @cuddlememerrick​ “Alright so idea since you said you need some! Mckirk/reader one of them has been having a bad week and the other two plan  a relaxing night for them, cook their favorite meal, ready their favorite movies etc. Just need some fluff with my two boys.”

Warnings: Cursing (still), mention of explosions and sickness, mostly fluff really

Summary: An explosion happens down in Engineering. You almost cry as your day off disappears into a week of hell and fixing up the ship. Worried, Jim and Leonard convinces threatens you to take the day off after several days have past since the accident. At the end, you spent your night with your two best boyfriends.

A/n: so yay first request. I’ll probably just keep requests open for an indefinite time and finish them slowly. Also giving McKirk x reader some good lovin at 4am. I should get to bed. 

(credit gif to owner)

Placing you comm on your nightstand, you snuggled under the covers. It was only 10 at night, but Scotty had let you go early. There weren't many work orders, and the ensigns could cover what was left on the list. You weren’t going to say no at the prospect of leaving work early, especially when you finally had a day off the next day. 

Some of the Engineers were off sick, but you and Scotty still made it work. As Scotty’s unofficial second, you covered Beta and the occasional Gamma shift, but you were proud of how far you’ve come. In just two years abroad the Enterprise, you’d not only make it to Lieutenant Commander, but somehow had two loving boyfriends and a wonderful job on the flagship of the fleet. You had the dream of what many yearned for.

You knew that both Len and Jim were still at their offices, finishing up their reports. Granted you had your fair share of reports to catch up on, but for now, you could care less. You’d thought of waiting up for them, but you’d figured you could get some early shut eye. Hopefully now, Jim could stop complaining about your lack of sleep. A day off was a day off. On that note, you drifted off into a nap.

Chirp.

Chirp.

You groaned, reluctantly sticking your hand out from under the covers to blindly search around for your comm. Once finding it, you flipped it open.

“Y/L/N,” You slurred groggily, eyeing blearily at the chrom.

It was midnight.

Dammit. 

“Lassie! Where are you?” Scotty’s voice answered. The urgency and panic in his voice instantly raised your concern, and you grudgingly sat up. 

“Scotty, I’m in bed. What happened?”

“Lass, are ya dead to the world? Ensign Reol snapped the wrong wire, the consoles blew, and the right turbine is in pieces. I cannae get this done myself. Get down here.”

“Shit,” you cursed, scrambling out of bed. “I’m on my way.”

Swiftly, you put on your uniform and tied your boots up. In a last attempt to make yourself decent for work, you threw your hair into a messy ponytail. Without another glance, you hurriedly grabbed your kit and comm, and rushed out of the door. 

You hurried into a turbolift, forcefully keying in your destination. As you waited, you tapped your foot while sorting through your kit full of tools. You’d gotten only two hours of sleep, and you were already back to work again. Grabbing your comm out, you blinked your eyes at the amount of messages you received.

Thirty messages from three panicking people. Jim, Len, and Scotty, of course.

You skimmed through them, noticing that Jim’s last message was a threat saying that if you didn’t reply back on your whereabouts, he was going to send a search party. That message was sent ten minutes ago. With a frown, you sent both Len and the Captain saying that you were fine, and on the way down to Engineering to see what was going on.

Almost immediately, both replied.

“For god’s sake, you red shirts just love danger.” - L

“No search party this time, Y/N.” - J

You grinned, but clipped your comm back. When the doors open, you hurried out.

“What the hell,” You slid beside to Scotty’s side, watching the billows of inky jet black smoke obscuring the rest of the engine room. There were pieces of shrapnel littering the ground in front, and plenty of black soot to go around. An unpleasant smell of burnt plastic wafted up from the lower levels to the top. If you squinted your eyes hard enough, you could make out the charred remains of what was left of several consoles laying couple yards away. 

“Turbine flew off when the consoles blew, lass,” Scotty pointed. “Had to manually drop her out of warp.”

“Everyone okay?” You rubbed your eyes tiredly with the back of your hand. “It looks pretty bad.”

You knew from past experiences that Leonard was going to have yet another fit towards the incompetence of engineers. At least this time, you weren’t the one hurt. 

“I’m afraid not, lassie,” Scotty grimaced. “Medical got them out after the sprinklers started.”

“Who’s left?”

“Not many.”

You glanced at him, and turned back to the chaos in front of you. Squeezing your eyes shut briefly, you pinched the bridge of your nose. This could not be happening right now, right on the eve of your day off. You let out a resigned sigh, and opened your eyes again. 

“I go take a look at the wires, and you go see what’s left of that right turbine?” You suggested, looking over at your superior grimly.

“Aye, lass.”

Unfortunately, that was how your week started. It was going to be one long horrible week for sure. 

With a good portion of your engineers injured or still sick, you and Scotty were spread thin across all three shifts. Leaving you with no other choice, each day you spent working with the Chief Engineer on the Beta and Gamma shift. You directed the other Engineers to leave the non immediate work orders for later, and to jimmy together what was left of the consoles in order for the ship to be able to reach the next Federation outpost.

You waved to Scotty on your way down from the stairs to sign in, which he only acknowledged with a nod from up above. Sixteen hour work days were starting to take a toll on your already exhausted mind and body. However, you had a feeling that Scotty didn’t get too sleep much either.

Hell, at this rate you could probably twine wires and solder them together in your sleep now.

Both Jim and Leonard had both tried to get to you to get more sleep, but you shook them off, saying that there weren’t enough hands to fix the damn ship. The latter had already threatened his usual medical leave on you, but this time you’d thanked him and shook your head. The Captain didn’t dare try forcing you to take a day off. He knew better, as eventually you would just sneak back to Engineering and continue working.

“Bones, have you seen Y/N at all this week?” Jim frowned into his glass of bourbon. 

“Only when Y/N and I passed by in our room. Y/N went to sleep, and I went in for Alpha,” Leonard didn’t bother looking up from his PADD, doing his best to ignore the blonde putting his feet up on the armrest. “Feet off the furniture, Jim.”

Jim pouted, but pressed on. “Do you think we should cheer Y/N up? You cook dinner, and I’ll find some holos to watch? You know that Y/N loves it when you cook. No replicator can do your cooking justice.”

The doctor grunted, eyeing his captain as though he was weighing the odds of cheering you up with his food. “If you find another musical, Jim, I swear I’ll put you in for another physical.”

~

“Afternoon, Scotty,” You shouted, half as a greeting and the other half as a homing beacon. You could never really know where the Chief Engineer could be lurking around at any given time. He was almost everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. 

“Afternoon, Y/N,” Your superior called tiredly from above, hanging from a rope to fix the tubes. “What number are ya on?”

“Six,” You answered, sipping your coffee as you signed in with one hand. It was your sixth back to back Beta and Gamma shifts, and you were really feeling the exhaustion creeping in. 

“Six?! For god’s sake, you shoulda take a break, lass,” Scotty continued. “Ya know that, McCoy ain’t happy with me keeping you here all day long.”

You snorted loudly, sifting through the work orders. As many were still down in Medbay, you had taken up a couple of ensign jobs to help lighten up the load. “He will live. Where do you need me?”

It was three hours in when your communicator buzzed.

Setting your screwdriver on a nearby Jefferies tube, you flipped it open.

“Y/L/N.”

“Y/N. Jim and I are worried about you, sweetheart. You can use the break, and come eat with us over dinner. Jim has a surprise for you,” Leonard’s voice came through.

“Len, I appreciate it, but right now-,” You paused, swearing when your screwdriver teetered and fell. “Scotty, be nice and throw me your wrench? I can’t seem to find mine.”

“Throwing wrenches?” Came a now very concerned doctor. “Why the hell are you throwing wrenches around?”

“Aye, swing over and I’ll hand it over.”

You pushed off from the tube that you were stationed above and gently swung down to meet Scotty. 

“Y/N , why do I hear wind? Are you above the Jefferies again?” Leonard continued. “Dammit women, what did I say about going up there?”

“That I’ll one day fall to my death,” You smirked, thanking Scotty with a nod.

“I’m coming down there to fetch you,” The doctor decided for you. “Don’t get into anymore trouble.”

“No promises, love.”

Regardless, you continued working. Oh no, you couldn’t leave Scotty here on his own to fix the rest of the damage from the earlier blast. With the amount of work still to be done, there was no way you would be retiring for the night. 

“Y/N, did you even hear a word of what I just said?” A familiar southern accent drew your attention from down below you.

“Yes, but-.”

“ Sweetheart, you’re exhausted. Both Scotty and Jim have said it was alright for you to take the rest of the day off.” 

Despite the earlier protest that you were fine, you yawned. It was true that the lack of sleep and food and even water was getting to you. Occasionally, you’d caught yourself nodding off. If it weren’t for the fact that you were safely suspended on a length of rope, you’d probably fall and hit your head on the way down. 

“I’m fine, Len. Just save me some food?” You ventured a glance downward in time to watch his brows furrow.

“Don’t make me do it, darlin’. Jim and I are just looking out for you.You can’t be a good engineer if you keep messing up, and dropping things. You’re tired, let us take care of you.”

‘It’ was the medical leave. Leonard had threatened the usage earlier, but you didn’t, as per usual, paid any attention. 

“Get some sleep, lass,” Scotty’s voice carried from a couple yards away. “I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

With three people up your ass, you finally relented. 

“Fine, fine,” You grumbled reluctantly, sticking the rest of your tools into your kit, and slowly lowering yourself back down onto solid ground. 

When your feet made contact with the floor, you unbuckled yourself from the rope, and turned to Leonard.

“Happy now?” You huffed out, wobbling unsteadily towards him.

“Getting there,” The doctor responded, enveloping you in a hug and placing a light kiss on your lips. “I’ve cooked us some dinner, Jim has a surprise, and then we can snuggle up together on the couch. What do you say to that?”

You hummed in content, kissing him back as your eyes closed. With the promise of more concerted kisses, you were looking forward to the dinner. “I would like that. It would make up for the hell that was this week.”

“JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH. WILL YA TWO FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO KISS!?” A very irritated sounding Scotty shouted from above. 

“We should leave, sweetheart,” Leonard grinned, his trademark smirk back again. You nodded in agreement.

“PLEASE!”

With a chuckle, the two of you made your way back towards your quarters.

After some homemade fried chicken, green beans, and a generous heaping of mashed potatoes and gravy, you had to grudgingly admit that Leonard was right in coercing you to take a break. The food and the company really brightened your spirits up after a long hell of a week. 

“You were right, Leonard. The food was what I really needed,” You leaned back into your chair.

“That’s not all!” Jim hurried out of his chair, almost knocking the poor thing over in his hurry to reach the kitchen.

You glanced over at the doctor for some context, but only received a shrug in return. You deduced that this was going to be Jim’s surprise.

“Ta da da da,” Jim emerged back with a cake in his hands. 

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. Jim wasn’t a baker after all.

“How did you-?” You couldn’t find the words to finish your question.

“I might have had some help in taste testing and baking it,” Jim replied with a sheepish grin. 

You laughed, appreciating the work from both your boyfriends. “Thank you.”

“Come, darlin’” Leonard stood up. “We can eat it while we watch some holos that Jim picked out for you. He also swore that there wouldn’t be any musicals.”

You beamed at both Jim and Leonard, and nodded.

While Jim went off in search of plates and forks, you and Leonard settled comfortably on the couch, leaving a space for Jim to later sit in. 

“Feet up,” The doctor requested, and you obliged with a grin.

“How about some Western? Nyota said this one was a classic,” Jim grabbed the remote as he sat on your left after planting an affectionate kiss on your cheek.

“Sure,” You smiled, purring happily on his shoulder as Leonard idly stroked your shins and ankles. With the holo on, Jim slightly maneuvered you around till your back was to him. You groaned out loud as he started massaging your shoulders, and kneading out the knots with expert hands. 

While the week might have been beyond hellish, you could always count on both Leonard and Jim to make even the worst of days better. For that, you were forever grateful for your two very loving boyfriends.

ST Tags: @mournthewicked​ (if you want to be tagged in future star trek fics, let me know)

[blacknerdwrites]

“Babe of all babes” why is that so cute

[betweensceneswriter]

The Madame, Part 6: La Rousse (The Redhead)

Previously:  Part 5: The Smugglers

The channel crossing to France brings nausea and memories…

The Madame: Table of Contents

Book 2 of Second Wife.  Jamie has left Laoghaire to find work in Edinburgh with Fergus.  Multi-viewpoint.  Lots of Claire memories.

Book 1–Second Wife

Mme Jeanne,

   Bonjour from your homeland.  We return a fortnight hence, bringing many lovely Guests with us.  We hope you will have Quarters for our Visitors, about thirty in all--five of Whom are to stay with you permanently, and the others to find Homes of their own.  We expect to reach your Establishment on the evening of the sixth and after a long Journey the Ladies will be weary.  We are hoping that you can have several discreet Gentlemen meet us to help us Escort them to their lodgings quickly.

    Now that you are prepared for those Guests, I beg that you may Prepare a room in the Garret for an additional Member of our party.  Elle n'a que onze ans--she is but eleven years of age, and is not to join your Jeune fille.  I simply need lodgings for her for the one Night, and then I intend to Travel on to the North to reunite her with her Family.  

Mr. Malcolm

He shouldn't have gone there. La Hopital de Angles’ brought up too many painful memories.

But it was right next to the chapel and the little graveyard where Faith was buried, and Jamie wanted to visit her… for Claire’s sake, certainly, but also for his own heart.

He was alone, as he had left Lesley, Hayes, and Fergus at Cousin Jared’s home.  

Jared was in his mid-seventies now--gray-haired and shrunken--and still a shrewd businessman. Despite Jamie’s letter requesting a kind bargain, it had taken quite some haggling to bring Jared down to a price at which they might actually turn a profit. Having finally agreed, though, now he only needed to secure the ship for their return voyage. The men had asked for the afternoon off, and he had consented, knowing he had solo plans of his own.

As he entered the cemetery, he took a deep breath.  

He felt guilty in Paris. Before Claire, guilt wasn't an emotion he much bothered himself with.  Growing up, he had always gone to confession with a spring in his step and a half-smile on his face.  On long travels as young men he and Ian had often amused themselves by debating which of the sins was most severe --which would keep them out of God’s favor or make the Blessed Virgin turn her back on them. 

Impure thoughts and self abuse were only venial sins--they would weaken the soul, but not kill the grace within.  Fornication, however, was a mortal sin--and that had been enough to keep Jamie from visiting the brothels like the other mercenaries did when they were fighting in France. 

Depending on the circumstances, killing another man could be a mortal sin.  But killing was a necessary evil at times in order for a man to protect his family.

A man might feel defending his honor was worth that necessary evil, Jamie thought with a shudder, but he must count the cost before allowing his pride to determine his actions. 

It was precisely that consideration that brought him such guilt in Paris. He had not counted the cost all those years ago when he had challenged Jack Randall to a duel even over Claire’s desperate objections.   To protect his own honor he had broken his wife’s heart--in essence murdering his first born--and then kept himself locked away while a bereft Claire had needed him after Faith was delivered stillborn.  

Jamie looked around the graveyard. Why had he come here? He could never recite enough Our Fathers and Hail Marys to assuage himself of this guilt. Nevertheless, he had come.

With one more sigh, Jamie stepped through the gate and walked toward his own broken heart.

Some of the grave markers were grand sarcophagi, white marble carved into the form of bowing angels, the Virgin Mother, or a patron Saint.  However, the grave marker he sought was humble, flat to the earth, hidden toward the rear near a copse of trees.

Jamie sat down when he reached Faith's gravestone.  He traced the name with his finger.

“Wee Faith,” he murmured aloud. ”I have thought about ye much since yer ma and I left France…”

He took a deep breath, gazing across the grassy expanse as if he could see through time.  “She said your hair… was a red halo... about your wee face.” With a hiccup of a laugh, Jamie shook his head sorrowfully, a smile playing about his lips. “For that I'm sorry,” he said seriously, patting the marble reassuringly, “No wee lassie should be saddled with orange hair.” He sighed, looking down at the stone, again running a finger gently over the carved letters. “I wish you had had dark curly hair, like your ma.  She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.” He furrowed his forehead. “Dinna fash yerself, though. My step daughter Joanie has red hair, and she is precious to me despite it.”

He shook his head.  He wasn't doing this very well.

“I came here, Faith,” he finally choked out, “to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for my stubbornness, for my pride. I have done my penance, truly I have.  For I sent your ma and wee baby brother away through the stones to keep them safe.  It broke my heart, but I did it. I learned my lesson too late to spare you, but I spared them the pain of the years after the Rising.  I even kept myself hidden away at Lallybroch to keep the rest of my family safe. For seven years, mind. Seven years alone. Seven years to be sorry for it all.”

Jamie closed his eyes, for a moment feeling the devastating desolation of those years—all the years he spent in silence—so much time to rehearse in his mind what he would have done differently had he been able to do it all again. 

“Since you, wee lassie, I have not spared myself at the expense of another.  I turned myself in and went to Ardsmuir to keep yer Auntie Jenny and Uncle Ian and their wee bairnies safe. And I stayed at Helwater as long as I could to watch over... your brother Willie.”

Jamie cleared his throat, taking a ragged breath.

“Will you forgive me, lass, for not protecting you? I didna put you and… Claire… above myself, and that was a terrible mistake.”

As if in answer to his question, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearest tree, making them dance in a way that drew Jamie's eyes upward.

It was at that exact moment that Jamie saw the flash of red.

He shook his head and looked down, certain the tears in his eyes were playing tricks on him.

But when he looked up again, the red hair was still there.

A small girl, thin as a wraith, was picking her way through the graveyard.  She was dressed in ragged gray clothing which made the nosegay in her hand and her fiery hair stand out even more vividly.

She did not see him. He wondered for a moment if she was a spirit.  He believed in the afterlife, and Claire had appeared to him often enough.  But he had never seen…

“Faith…” He breathed in a whisper.

But then he noticed that her eyes were focused on a plot of freshly turned earth some yards to the north of him. He could almost see her tremble--from cold or sorrow, he didn't know.

“Maman,” the child whispered, falling to her knees, laying the bouquet gently down.  

Her red curls spilled over her shoulders, obscuring her face.  She wasn't the correct age, but he had to know.  He stood slowly, so as not to frighten her.

“Petite fille,” he said quietly, “comment tu t'appelles?”  She looked up at him, her eyes swimming.

“What did ye say?” she asked. Her accent was Scots.

“What is your name, child?” He asked again.

She spoke so quietly that he couldn't hear her well.

“Martha?” He asked.

“No,” she said, clearer now.  “Maitha.”

He reached a hand toward her, and she shrunk back as if afraid.

“Keep yer hands from me,” she said firmly. “I amna starving.  I am no’ for sale.” Her voice quavered despite the brave jut of her chin.

“Your parents called you Maitha?” he asked again.  “Aye,” she agreed.  “I dinna ken who my da is. But my Gran--she's from Aberfeldy.  And she wrote and told me ma to name me Maitheanas.” She lifted her chin proudly. “And when I'm old enough and have enough money I shall travel to be wi’ my family in Scotland.”

“Maitheanas?” Jamie repeated.  He felt a tremble deep in his gut at the word. “Do ye ken, child, what maitheanas means in the Gàidhlig?” 

“Of course,” the little lass said, a hint of pride lifting her chin. “Me mam loved to tell that story.  For it meant a lot to her, coming from me Gran after she had run away from home wi’ me da.”  

She was leaving now, confidently tossing the information over her shoulder.  “Of course I ken what me own name means. Maitheanas means... forgiven.” 

[thatsnotcanonpodcasts]

Space Movie, Space Cement & PokeCoin

Nanoo Nanoo.

Ryan Gosling is going back to space for Andy Weir's next book, which isn't even out yet but is already casting actors. This one has a working title of Project Hail Mary and features a lone scientist on a spaceship trying to save the world. Slightly higher stakes than The Martian, but Andy's books are always great.

Astronauts are also going to use pee to build houses on the moon. Let's hope NASA has a large surplus of air fresheners to send up with them, because this cement is probably the most useful way to use human waste on the moon, but it's going to smell.

Back on Earth, Niantic are trying to deflate the Pokecoin economy by severely lowering the minimum wage. Nobody seems to be happy with this, but Australia is just the test site, so it's coming to a phone near you soon.

This week Professor took a trip to a far away planet to care for slimes, and DJ found out what happens when you swim with the cardsharks.

Check in next week for probably less pee jokes. Probably.

Andy Weir’s Space Film starring Ryan Gosling

-https://variety.com/2020/film/news/phil-lord-chris-miller-ryan-gosling-astronaut-movie-1234607851/

Introducing….Piss-ent: the new space cement

-https://www.sciencenews.org/article/astronauts-lunar-exploration-cement-urine-urea-3d-printing

-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652619340478?via%3Dihub

PokeCoin: Gotta cash them all

-https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSilphRoad/comments/glcywi/tales_from_the_front_one_players_experience_with/

Games Played

Professor

–Slime Rancher – https://store.steampowered.com/app/433340/Slime_Rancher/

Rating: 2/5

DJ

–Legends of Runeterra – https://playruneterra.com/en-us/

Rating: 4.5/5

Other topics discussed

The Martian (The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. The Martian, a 2011 novel by Andy Weir, served as the screenplay adapted by Drew Goddard. The film depicts an astronaut's lone struggle to survive on Mars after being left behind, and efforts to rescue him and bring him home to Earth.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_(film)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a 2018 American computer-animated superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales / Spider-Man, produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation in association with Marvel, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Into_the_Spider-Verse

Andy Weir (American novelist whose debut novel in 2011, The Martian, was later adapted into a film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott in 2015.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Weir

Sean Bean Death Scene Compilation 1986-2016

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnzk5qAaNLk

First Man (First Man is a 2018 American biographical drama film directed by Damien Chazelle and written by Josh Singer. Based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen, the film stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and follows the years leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. Steven Spielberg serves as an executive producer.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Man_(film)

Interstellar (2014 epic science fiction film directed, co-written and co-produced by Christopher Nolan. It stars Matthew McConaughey. Set in a dystopian future where humanity is struggling to survive, the film follows a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new home for humanity.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_(film)

Raid: Shadow Legends (freemium mobile and PC game developed and published by Israeli game developer Plarium Games.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid:_Shadow_Legends

-https://raidshadowlegends.com/

Girl being hit by a truck while playing Pokémon Go

-https://time.com/4405221/pokemon-go-teen-hit-by-car/

Pokémon Go disrupt a funeral

-https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-08/pokemon-go-blamed-for-brisbane-funeral-disturbance/7700332

List of highest-grossing mobile games

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_mobile_games

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery forces you to pay - or wait - to save a kid from being strangled.

-https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-04-27-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-is-ruined-by-its-in-game-payments

Harry Potter mobile game maker defends child-choking scene which asks you to wait or pay money

-https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-31-harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-defends-child-choking-scene-which-asks-you-to-wait-or-pay-money

Pokémon Go Hits $3B in Lifetime Revenue

-https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pokemon-go-hits-3-billion-lifetime-revenue-1250983

Wall-E: Do not Return to Earth Scene played by Fred Wllard

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNXNkdZVqs4

Groucho Marx’s look

-https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Groucho_Marx_-_portrait.jpg

RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer originally built to run Microsoft BASIC. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s.

-https://rc2014.co.uk/

Sgt. Slaughter On The Time Andre The Giant Fell Asleep Mid-Match

-https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1060153-andre-the-giant-sgt-slaughter-zzzz

Andre The Giant (2018 TV documentary film based on the life of French professional wrestler and actor André René Roussimoff (better known as André the Giant).)

-https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6543420/

Star Wars Day (Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas's Star Wars media franchise. Even though the holiday was not created or declared by Lucasfilm, many Star Wars fans across the world have chosen to celebrate the holiday. It has since been embraced by Lucasfilm and parent company Disney as an annual celebration of Star Wars.

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

An Assemblage of Grandiose and Bombastic Grandiloquents (TNC podcast)

-https://thatsnotcanon.com/grandiloquentspodcast

Heavenly Shows and Unnecessary Letters (TNC Podcast)

-https://thatsnotcanon.com/heavenlyshowspodcast

Shout Outs

15 May 2020 – Fred Wilard passes away at 86 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2020/05/16/comic-fred-willard-dies-at-86/#5461bf6d7f10

Frederick Charles Willard, was an American actor, comedian and writer. He was best known for his roles in the Rob Reiner mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap; the Christopher Guest mockumentaries Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration and Mascots; and the Anchorman films. Willard’s other recurring sitcom roles included Family Matters,Sister, Sister, Mad About You, and Everybody Loves Raymond (the latter which resulted in Primetime Emmy nominations for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy for three consecutive years). He even appeared as the only human character in the animated film "WALL-E," a first for a Pixar film. Willard was one of Hollywood's busiest comedic actors with a career that lasted more than 50 years, playing clueless characters such as sidekick Jerry Hubbard on the satire "Fernwood 2 Night" in the 1970s. He recently finished filming the Netflix series “Space Force,” where he played actor Steve Carell’s father. He died from natural causes in Los Angeles, California.

18 May 2020 – Ken Osmond passes away at 87 - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/arts/television/ken-osmond-eddie-haskell-dead.html

Ken Osmond, who played the duplicitous teenager Eddie Haskell on the long-running sitcom “Leave It to Beaver,” one moment a smarmy young man when talking to parents, the next moment a devilish troublemaker when the adults were out of sight. Mr. Osmond appeared in all six seasons of “Leave It to Beaver,” 1957 to 1963, one of the most-watched television sitcoms of the era, then reprised the role as an adult version of Eddie in the Disney Channel revival series “The New Leave It to Beaver” in the 1980s. After Leave It to Beaver ended in 1963, Osmond continued to make occasional appearances on such television series as CBS's Petticoat Junction, The Munsters, and a final return appearance on Lassie in the episode "A Matter of Seconds" as a motorcycle delivery man who offers the hitchhiking collie a lift in his sidecar. However, he found himself typecast as Eddie Haskell and had difficulty finding steady work. In 2008, Osmond told radio host Stu Shostak in a radio interview, "I was very much typecast. It's a death sentence. In Hollywood you get typecast. I'm not complaining because Eddie's been too good to me, but I found work hard to come by. In 1968, I bought my first house, in '69 I got married, and we were going to start a family and I needed a job, so I went out and signed up for the LAPD. As an officer on motorcycle patrol, he grew a mustache to disguise himself. In 1980, he was shot three times in a chase with a suspected car thief but escaped serious injury: One bullet was stopped by his belt buckle, the others by his bulletproof vest. He was put on disability and retired from the force in 1988. He died from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and peripheral artery disease in Los Angeles, California.

19 May 2020 – Red Dead Redemption Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary - https://www.gamespot.com/articles/red-dead-redemption-turns-10-years-old/1100-6477391/

On May 18, 2010, Rockstar Games released Red Dead Redemption, an open-world Western video game, on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Universally acclaimed for its artistry, dramatic storytelling, and freedom of choice, the game sold 17 million copies. But despite the game's reputation today, it's important to remember a time when its success wasn't certain, and Rockstar's developers sought to distinguish it from the studio's prior accomplishments. It subsequently attained a 95 on Metacritic and received over 170 Game of the Year Rewards. It led to a revitalized interest in the Western genre, especially the "Spaghetti Western"revisionist works by Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci. And after eight years, players got a sprawling prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, which built upon and deepened the themes of its predecessor. Taken together, the two games are an American epic about modernization, betrayal, and the demons of the past. The West may be dead, but that won't stop us from reminiscing and keeping its memory alive.

Remembrances

19 May 1825 – Henri de Saint-Simon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Saint-Simon

Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon, often referred to as Henri de Saint-Simon. He created a political and economic ideology known as Saint-Simonianism that claimed that the needs of anindustrial class, which he also referred to as the working class, needed to be recognized and fulfilled to have an effective society and an efficient economy. He said the primary threat to the needs of the industrial class was another class he referred to as the idling class, that included able people who preferred to be parasitic and benefit from the work of others while seeking to avoid doing work. Saint-Simon stressed the need for recognition of the merit of the individual and the need for hierarchy of merit in society and in the economy, such as society having hierarchical merit-based organizations of managers and scientists to be the decision-makers in government. Saint Simon's conceptual recognition of broad socio-economic contribution, and his Enlightenment valorization of scientific knowledge, soon inspired and influenced utopian socialism, liberal political theorist John Stuart Mill, anarchism through its founder Pierre-Joseph Proudhon who was inspired by Saint-Simon's thought and Marxism with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels identifying Saint-Simon as an inspiration to their ideas and classifying him among the utopian socialists. He died from suicide at the age of 64 in Paris.

19 May 1935 - T. E. Lawrence - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._E._Lawrence

Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer. He was renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. The breadth and variety of his activities and associations, and his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia, a title used for the 1962 film based on his wartime activities. In 1916, he was sent to Arabia on an intelligence mission and quickly became involved with the Arab Revolt as a liaison to the Arab forces, along with other British officers. He worked closely with Emir Faisal, a leader of the revolt, and he participated, sometimes as leader, in military actions against the Ottoman armed forces, culminating in the capture of Damascus in October 1918. After the war, Lawrence joined the Foreign Office, working with the British government and with Faisal. In 1922, he retreated from public life and spent the years until 1935 serving mostly in the Royal Air Force, with a brief period in the Army. For the RAF, he participated in the development of rescue motorboats. In the inter-war period, the RAF's Marine Craft Section began to commission air-sea rescue launches capable of higher speeds and greater capacity. The arrival of high-speed craft into the MCS was driven in part by Lawrence. He had previously witnessed a seaplane crew drowning when the seaplane tender sent to their rescue was too slow in arriving. He worked with Hubert Scott-Paine, the founder of the British Power Boat Company (BPBC), to introduce the 37.5 ft (11.4 m) long ST 200 Seaplane Tender Mk1 into service. These boats had a range of 140 miles when cruising at 24 knots and could achieve a top speed of 29 knots. He died from a traffic collision at the age of 46 in Bovington Camp, Dorset.

19 May 2009 - Robert F. Furchgott – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Furchgott

Robert Francis Furchgott, Nobel Prize-winning American biochemist who contributed to the discovery of nitric oxide as a transient cellular signal in mammalian systems. In 1978, Furchgott discovered a substance in endothelial cells that relaxes blood vessels, calling it endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). By 1986, he had worked out EDRF's nature and mechanism of action, and determined that EDRF was in fact nitric oxide (NO), an important compound in many aspects of cardiovascular physiology. This research is important in explaining a wide variety of neuronal, cardiovascular, and general physiologic processes of central importance in human health and disease. In addition to receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of nitric oxide as a new cellular signal—shared in 1998 with Louis Ignarro and Ferid Murad. Furchgott's discovery, that NO gas causes blood vessels to dilate, provided a long sought-after explanation for the therapeutic effects of Nitroglycerin used to treat Angina pectoris and was later instrumental in the development of the erectile dysfunction treatment drug Viagra. He died at the age of 92 in Seattle, Washington.

Famous Birthdays

19 May 1942 - Gary Kildall - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Kildall

American computer scientist and microcomputer entrepreneur who created the CP/M operating system and founded Digital Research, Inc. (DRI). Kildall was one of the first people to see microprocessors as fully capable computers, rather than equipment controllers, and to organize a company around this concept. Although his career in computing spanned more than two decades, he is mainly remembered in connection with IBM's unsuccessful attempt in 1980 to license CP/M for the IBM Personal Computer. Kildall and his wife Dorothy established a company, originally called "Intergalactic Digital Research" (later renamed as Digital Research, Inc.), to market CP/M through advertisements in hobbyist magazines. Digital Research licensed CP/M for the IMSAI 8080, a popular clone of the Altair 8800. As more manufacturers licensed CP/M, it became a de facto standard and had to support an increasing number of hardware variations. In response, Kildall pioneered the concept of a BIOS, a set of simple programs stored in the computer hardware (ROM or EPROM chip) that enabled CP/M to run on different systems without modification. CP/M's quick success took Kildall by surprise, and he was slow to update it for high density floppy disks and hard disk drives.After hardware manufacturers talked about creating a rival operating system, Kildall started a rush project to develop CP/M 2. By 1981, at the peak of its popularity, CP/M ran on 3000 different computer models and DRI had US$5.4 million in yearly revenues. He was born in Seattle, Washington.

19 May 1944 – Peter Mayhew - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew

Peter William Mayhew, was an English-American actor, best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series. He played the character in all of his live-action appearances from the 1977 original to 2015's The Force Awakens before his retirement from the role. When casting the original Star Wars (1977), director George Lucas needed a tall actor who could fit the role of the hairy alien Chewbacca. He originally had in mind 6-foot-6-inch (1.98m) bodybuilder David Prowse, but Prowse chose to play Darth Vader. This led Lucas to cast Mayhew, who was working as an orderly in the radiology department of King's College Hospital, London. He became aware of a casting call for Star Wars which was filming at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. The 7-foot-3-inch (2.21m) tall actor was immediately cast as Chewbacca after he stood up to greet Lucas. Mayhew continued working as an orderly—at Mayday Hospital (now Croydon University Hospital)—in between filming the original Star Wars trilogy. Mayhew modelled his performance of Chewbacca after researching the behaviour of bears, monkeys and gorillas he saw at London Zoo. Lucas said Mayhew was "the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature and I learnt to always let him win". The character did not have any lines, the sounds he made being derived from sound recordings of animal noises. While Mayhew portrayed Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he was not in Star Wars: The Last Jedi but was listed in the credits as "Chewbacca Consultant". He was born in Barnes, Surrey.

19 May 1946 – André the Giant - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant

André René Roussimoff, best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. Roussimoff stood at over seven feet tall, which was a result of gigantism caused by excess growth hormone, and later resulted in acromegaly. It also led to his being called "The Eighth Wonder of the World". He found success as a fan favorite throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, appearing as an attraction for various professional wrestling promotions. During the 1980s wrestling boom he was paired with the villainous manager Bobby Heenan and feuded with Hulk Hogan in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). The two famously headlined WrestleMania III in 1987. Outside of wrestling, he was best known for appearing as Fezzik, the giant in The Princess Bride. After his death in 1993, he became the inaugural inductee into the newly created WWF Hall of Fame. He was later a charter member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame; the latter describes him as being "one of the most recognizable figures in the world both as a professional wrestler and as a pop culture icon." Towards the end of his career, Roussimoff starred in several films. He appeared most notably as Fezzik, his own favorite role, in the 1987 film The Princess Bride. Both the film and his performance retain a devoted following. In shoot interviews, wrestlers have stated that he was so proud of being in "Princess Bride", he carried a copy of the movie everywhere he went, to watch whenever he could. Roussimoff has been unofficially crowned "the greatest drunk on Earth"for once consuming 119 12-US-fluid-ounce (350ml) beers (in total, over 41 litres (72imp pt)) in six hours. He was born in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne.

19 May 1955 – James Gosling - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gosling

James Arthur Gosling, often referred to as "Dr. Java", Canadian computer scientist, best known as the founder and lead designer behind the Java programming language. He wrote a version of Emacs called Gosling Emacs (Gosmacs) while working toward his doctorate. He built a multi-processor version of Unix for a 16-way computer system while at Carnegie Mellon University, before joining Sun Microsystems. He also developed several compilers and mail systems there. He is known as the father of the Java programming language. He got the idea for the Java VM while writing a program to port software from a PERQ by translating Perq Q-Code to VAX assembler and emulating the hardware. He created the original design of Java and implemented the language's original compiler and virtual machine. He also invented an early Unix windowing system called NeWS, which became a lesser-used alternative to the still used X Window, because Sun did not give it an open source license. He is known for his love of proving "the unknown" and has noted that his favorite irrational number is √2. He has a framed picture of the first 1,000 digits of √2 in his office. He was born near Calgary, Alberta.

Events of Interest

18 May 1980 – Eruption of Mount St. Helens - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_eruption_of_Mount_St._Helens

On March 27, 1980, a series of volcanic explosions and pyroclastic flows began at Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington, United States. It initiated as a series of phreatic blasts from the summit then escalated on May 18, 1980, as a major explosive eruption. The eruption, which had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 5, was the most significant to occur in the contiguous 48 U.S. states. It has often been declared the most disastrous volcanic eruption in U.S. history. The eruption was preceded by a two-month series of earthquakes and steam-venting episodes, caused by an injection of magma at shallow depth below the volcano that created a large bulge and a fracture system on the mountain's north slope. An eruption column rose 80,000 feet (24km; 15mi) into the atmosphere and deposited ash in 11 U.S. states and significant ash in two Canadian provinces. At the same time, snow, ice and several entire glaciers on the volcano melted, forming a series of large lahars (volcanic mudslides) that reached as far as the Columbia River, nearly 50 miles (80km) to the southwest. hermal energy released during the eruption was equal to 26 megatons of TNT. Hundreds of square miles were reduced to wasteland, causing over $1 billion in damage (equivalent to $3.4 billion in 2019), thousands of animals were killed, and Mount St. Helens was left with a crater on its north side. More than 4,000,000,000 board feet (9,400,000m3) of timber was damaged or destroyed, mainly by the lateral blast. At least 25% of the destroyed timber was salvaged after September 1980. In areas of thick ash accumulation, many agricultural crops, such as wheat, apples, potatoes and alfalfa, were destroyed. As many as 1,500 elk and 5,000 deer were killed, and an estimated 12 million Chinook and Coho salmon fingerlings died when their hatcheries were destroyed.

19 May 1999 – Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released - https://www.scifihistory.net/may-19.html

On this day in 1999, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was released theatrically ... and most of us came crashing understandably back to Earth. Employment consultant firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimated that 2.2 million full-time employees missed work to attend the film, resulting in a US$293 million loss of productivity. According to The Wall Street Journal, so many workers announced plans to view the premiere that many companies closed on the opening day. The release on May 19, 1999 of the first new Star Wars film in 16 years was accompanied by a considerable amount of attention. The Phantom Menace was released almost 16 years after the premiere of the previous Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. The film's premiere was extensively covered by media and was greatly anticipated because of the large cultural following the Star Wars saga had cultivated. It grossed more than $924.3 million (equivalent to $1.42 billion in 2019) worldwide during its initial theatrical run, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1999, the second-highest-grossing film worldwide and in North America (behind Titanic), and the highest-grossing Star Wars film at the time.

19 May 2005 – Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was released - https://www.scifihistory.net/may-19.html

George Lucas brought his Prequel Trilogy to its tragic close when Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith finally showed audiences what exactly went down when Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker embraced his inner demons and took the path to the Dark Side of the Force. Luke and Leia were born, delivering the film's only true hint of what things would inevitably lead to their father's redemption, but an Empire was forged in darkness once and for all on this day. Its theatrical release in most other countries took place on May 19 to coincide with the 1999 release of The Phantom Menace (the 1977 release of A New Hope and the 1983 release of Return of the Jedi were also released on the same day and month, six years apart).

Intro

Artist – Goblins from Mars

Song Title – Super Mario - Overworld Theme (GFM Trap Remix)

Song Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNMe6kF0j0&index=4&list=PLHmTsVREU3Ar1AJWkimkl6Pux3R5PB-QJ

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[jackloveselizabeth]

New winds catching up

“Lizzie I want you so bad.” Jack said as he was having a hard time Holding back as he now lay Right next to her again. “Oh Captain Sparrow I’m not sure where this will lead us.”, “Oh I know where, love.” Jack said running his fingers down her neck softly touching it. “Oh Jack...”, Elizabeth gasped. “I have missed you so badly.” She said more allured than before. She shifted closer to Jack circling his head with both arms as she looked him deeply in the eyes leaning tight on him. “I have missed us. Touching you...holding you like this, love.” Jack sighed when he loved her just so much right then and got Elizabeth wanting him to the infinite. “Do you still now what it’s like”, she asked alluring while Jack’s passion rose ever more and he couldn’t hold back anymore. “Oh love I can already feel it”, Jack sighed when he couldn’t stand only looking at her anymore and touched her tight kissing her long and passionate when Elizabeth slowly went down with her Hands along his chest and his belly Right to Jacks hibs and he felt the most pleasure and Passion boiling inside of him. “OH Lizzie...” he moaned in biggest lust as he touched Elizabeth down there giving her a hard time resisting him “Ohhh Jack”, she moaned and now pulled their pants down letting Jack in at last. She penetrated him slowly and felt just so much until they both reached climax and she fell back on him Feeling his heart beating. And Jack just kept Holding her so tight. “Oh Lizzie I...I love you so much,love. And I’m so sorry we couldn’t talk before all this happened.” Jack looked suffering at her. Just like she did when he wasn’t being himself. “I know, Jack. I just...I was so afraid you’d think I was right after all.” Elizabeth sobbed vaguely as she said that and forced herself Looking up to him. “Lizzie”, Jack said suffering the most, “I have...all the time...I have only loved you.I could only think of you all this time. It broke me inside when I heard me say that and couldn’t hold you tight. When I couldn’t shelter you,love. Love, listen to me. My dad. Was. Not. Right. Do you hear me? I love you with  all my heart and I’d die if I couldn’t be with you anymore. I can’t take that, Lizzie.” Jack said loving her so much. And it meant everything to Elizabeth.

“Oh Jack I wish we just could have talked like always. You remember us before your dad interfered?”, “Oh yes, I do. And we will recover for that bit, love.” Jack said harrumphing as he lifted a bottle of rum before her eyes. “Well, that has been a while, Captian Sparrow.”, “Aye, but we got plenty to recover for that.” Jack said smiling at her so charmingly that Elizabeth melted when she now looked at him.

“Oh Lizzie, I...HuuuP”, Jack started but had to hiccup before he could tell her how he really felt inside. “I’m sorry.” Jack looked bashfully down. It was his first bottle though and for Elizabeth it was all fine. “It’s alright, Jack. Don’t worry. I’m so happy to have my fine lad back.” Elizabeth said smiling at him benignly making Jack laugh. It was pure and he felt alive again. “Thank you for that. You know it was embarrassing for me, Right?”, “Oh Jack it shouldn’t have to be.” Elizabeth said as she gently stroked his chest and it felt like home. “Besides you can hiccup all you want when last time you Held me that close getting gradually drunk more and more you even burbed.”, “My Dad was on board, Lizzie! I couldn’t hold back. I was so enraged I didn’t know how to get by everyday knowing he was there.” Jack said feeling his muscles going into tension again even thinking about Captain Teague. “You could have talked to me!” Elizabeth flew in his face. “Well, you could have left me alone!” Jack snapped back and Elizabeth drew back like she did decades ago when she spotted his hand on her shoulder. 

“I...I’m sorry, love. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t go.” Jack begged as he felt like drowning of sorrow again. It felt like five minutes after talking and drifting apart from him. And he felt the urge of drinking again. She looked suffering back at him. “Jack do you want to talk about this now...with me?” Jack looked her deeply in the eyes showing his sorrow to her.”I don’t ...I” Jack started but stopped when he realized he started Holding back again falling back in old Habits. And that was when it struck him. This was his wife he was Holding in his arms. The very same Woman he fell in love all These years ago and for whom he felt the most.And he just knew he had to stop Building up walls between them. He pledged to be Always honest with her not ever trick her ever again or hold back. “Jack what is it?”, “I’m not like him, Lizzie. I’m not like that lad of 15 anymore eighter. I fell in love with you when we were doing this exact Thing. It’s true I had loads of lasses and they loved me all. But”, Jack paused to look at her. “But when I first saw you on that dock in Port Royal. When I Held you this close on Rumrunner Island I loved you so much and I was telling myself I want to be that man. I wanted to be a fine man for you. And I did change, Lizzie. I changed for you and I would do it again just to be with you. My Dad Always seeked ways to trash you but I’d never just stand by and watch him. He was wrong all along because I could never love another like I love you, darlin.” Jack said Opening up tremendously.

 “Maybe Captain Teague don’t want you to love a Woman as Long as you do your Duty at shipwreck-bay.” Elizabeth said dry but made Jack burst in laughter. “Oh come here, love!” Exclaimed in joy. “I forgot how much fun we Always had together.”, “Me too. It’s been too Long.”, “Well,love Nothing is going to stop us now.”, “An aye to that. Or two depending if we’re still drunk when we get up.” Elizabeth said beaming. Jack laughed for that last Claim. “Oh I love you , Lizzie. I love you so much.” Jack said Feeling it again. That this was Right and knowing it Always was. “I love you too Jack. I have never stopped.”,”Come here, Lizzie.Besides you strike down Edward just with one hit. Your the better pirate.” Jack said cheekily. “Oh thank you so much, Jack. I knew These life wrecking curses always seem to resettle your priorities.”, “These curses Always Show me what I already now, lassie.”, “Now, what be that, Sir?”, Elizabeth said mocking him. Jack chuckled and looked amatorily back at her. “That I do it for you, Lizzie. Always to come back to you my Beautiful bonnie lass.” Jack said leaning Forward to kiss her Long and amatory.